Bart Romano, the head professional at True Blue, was named The Carolinas PGA Section 2014 Merchandiser of the Year in the Resort Course Category.
Caledonia’s head pro, Marc Guertin, was named CPGA Merchandiser of the Year in the Public Course Category as well.
“We are grateful that The Carolinas PGA Section has recognized Bart and Marc as Merchandisers of the Year in their respective categories,” said Bob Seganti, PGA Director of Golf Operations at Caledonia and True Blue. “I know that both men appreciate their vendor relationships, fellow staff members and most importantly the customers who support the brands. To have their efforts recognized by the Carolinas PGA is a nice way to start the Holiday season.”
By virtue of winning the Carolinas Section awards, Romano and Guertin will be nominated for national Merchandiser of the Year honors.
The awards are another in a steady stream for Caledonia and True Blue, both Mike Strantz designs. Golf Magazine ranked Caledonia 27th and True Blue 77th on its prestigious list of the Top 100 You Can Play, a ranking of the nation’s best public courses that was released in September 2014.
Golfweek also ranked Caledonia the 24th best resort course in America in its recently released Ultimate Guide to Golf Course Living and Great Escapes.
Routed along a stunning piece of property, Caledonia is equal parts art and architecture. Strantz carved a masterpiece between soaring live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and alligator-filled, lowcountry water that used to feed a thriving rice plantation.
Everything about True Blue, a 7,126-yard monster, is big, including the fairways, greens and waste bunkers.
Golf Magazine said of True Blue, “Hole to hole, the variety is astounding. The course is mostly open, with beauty and menace mingling with lakes, marshland and plenty of scrub-filled natural sandy areas … Rarely has golf architecture had a shaper as artful as Strantz. The full measure of his formidable skill is on display at True Blue.”