It was only January of this year when the PDCA Florida Chapter established as the newest regional organization to affiliate with PDCA, the only international organization that exists exclusively to represent the driven pile. Fast forward nine short months, and the fledgeling Chapter has built an impressive membership roster, held two successful Networking Nights, and attracted 94 registrants to its first-ever golf event in Orlando.
The PDCA Florida Chapter, under the leadership of Pres. Lina Garcia-Martin, VP Dean Cacio, Sec. Samantha See, and Treas. John Hayes, organized the Inaugural Golf Tournament and Chapter Fundraiser for Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. The event would be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Course as a precursor to the PDCA DICEP Conference, which would take place the following day at the Rosen Shingle Creek conference center.
The PDCA Florida Chapter, under the leadership of Pres. Lina Garcia-Martin, VP Dean Cacio, Sec. Samantha See, and Treas. John Hayes, organized the Inaugural Golf Tournament and Chapter Fundraiser for Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. The event would be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Course as a precursor to the PDCA DICEP Conference, which would take place the following day at the Rosen Shingle Creek conference center.
It was no secret to any of the 90+ players who attended, that heavy rains were in the Orlando forecast for the day. However, that didn't stop the dozens of enthusiastic and energetic golfers to promptly depart for their assigned starting holes after the 12:30 PM shotgun start. It should be noted that the golf course director had indicated that severe thunderstorms would likely begin during the afternoon hours, and in the case of lightning sightings, golfers would be required to immediately return to the clubhouse shelter. In this author/participant's case, we played through 8 holes before racing back to find shelter.
Once all golf teams safely returned to the Shingle Creek Golf Course shelter area, the energy and enthusiasm among the players that was evident at the time they teed-off was still strong, and most of them remained gathered under shelter to drip dry together for the next 90 minutes. Even the driver of the golf course refreshment cart was required to shelter from lightning, and the rain-soaked golfers happily shifted their carts around to make space for her to join the impromptu gathering under cover. And the play stoppage did not appear to hamper her business.
Once all golf teams safely returned to the Shingle Creek Golf Course shelter area, the energy and enthusiasm among the players that was evident at the time they teed-off was still strong, and most of them remained gathered under shelter to drip dry together for the next 90 minutes. Even the driver of the golf course refreshment cart was required to shelter from lightning, and the rain-soaked golfers happily shifted their carts around to make space for her to join the impromptu gathering under cover. And the play stoppage did not appear to hamper her business.
So, despite not finishing the full 18 holes of best-ball play for the PDCA Florida Chapter Golf Tournament on Sept. 9th, the event was deemed a success, thanks to the circumstances which brought all golfers together after a couple holes of golf, and strengthened the Chapter network with a unique, shared experience. Most participants will remember the time they had at that Orlando golf tournament that got rained out!
Before the event even took place, registration for the golf tournament was full and several of the sponsorship options were sold out. Thanks to many industry benefactors, golfers were provided a box lunch, on-course refreshments, and a post-golf reception with awards ceremony. Event sponsors included Orion, Equipment Corporation of America, ICE-International Construction Equipment, R.W. Harris, Inc. - A Goettle Company, American Equipment & Fabricating, Nucor Skyline, Lodge Lumber, Hercules Machinery Corporation, Junttan, GeoQuip, Bateman, Gordon & Sands, Inc., and Dobbs Equipment. Hole sponsors were APE-American Piledriving Equipment, Axiom - A Goettle Company, Triad Metals, Valiant Steel & Equipment, Service Steel Warehouse and JD Fields & Company, Inc.
Enjoy the following images from the PDCA Florida Golf Tournament; be sure to scroll to the end to see coverage and photos from the post-golf reception and awards program that coincided with an opening reception for the PDCA 2025 DICEP Conference which would take place the following day. (And special thanks to Krista Miller of Orion for contributing to this event photography!)
Enjoy the following images from the PDCA Florida Golf Tournament; be sure to scroll to the end to see coverage and photos from the post-golf reception and awards program that coincided with an opening reception for the PDCA 2025 DICEP Conference which would take place the following day. (And special thanks to Krista Miller of Orion for contributing to this event photography!)
After golf, Many Players Attended awards ceremony at dicep opening reception
PDCA President Buck Darling opened the evening reception which would highlight the PDCA Florida Chapter Golf Tournament from earlier in the day, and kick off the PDCA DICEP Conference. With respect to the golf event, Chapter leadership joined President Darling to reveal the tournament winners. Due to the inclement weather and the unusual end to tournament play, Chapter organizers and special golf consultants had devised a special scoring formula to calculate those winners. The list follows:
- 1st Place Team: Vecellio & Grogan
- 2nd Place Team: Blue Foundation & Shoring
- Closest to the Pin (#1): Ricardo Portello
- Closest to the Pin (#2) Tim Dutton
- Longest Drive (Male): Kyle Searcy
- Longest Drive (Female): Karen Somerder
