TRA’s Topgolf Across Texas offered just what members needed
By Connie Lannan
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TRA’s Topgolf Across Texas offered just what members needed

Nearly 60 golfers and nongolfers alike gathered at the Topgolf locations in Austin, Dallas-The Colony, Fort Worth and Houston-Spring on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, for an evening of fun, food and friendly competition.

Zack Smith, president, Buffalo Rental, Weatherford, Texas, went to the event in Fort Worth.

“I thought it was great. There was a good turnout with a lot of people. It was an interesting dynamic. We had some vendors and rental companies like mine that were smaller stores. I was able to network and develop some relationships with those who attended. We offered each other our contact information, which was great,” he says.

This was Smith’s first Texas Rental Association (TRA) event. “I wanted to go to be around other rental businesses that are the same size as mine because I wanted to form relationships with those people and see how we could help each other out, especially in these times with equipment being so hard to get a hold of. I worked with Rabern Rental for just under 10 years in Amarillo and decided to return back home to Weatherford, Texas, to open my own rental operation six months ago. I feel like if I can develop relationships with other people through events such as this, we can work together to get our customers taken care of,” he says.

Besides the networking and socializing, Smith says he had fun golfing too, “even though I am an absolutely terrible golfer,” he adds with a laugh. “Naturally, I lost the golf event, but that is not why I was there. I was there to meet other neighbors who do the same thing that I do who are close and want to try to work together. I knew I would be awful at golf, but that wasn’t my goal. I had fun and ended up having a great time.”

Another first-time attendee was Sarah Bolich, CEO and owner, Arrow Lift Rentals Corp., Dallas, who attended the event in her hometown.

“I wanted to go to meet new people,” she says. “I am taking over and carrying on the family legacy. My parents started the family business out of their garage in 1987. They are now retired. I am excited to be carrying on the legacy. I wanted to meet new people and make new connections — just branch out. I thought this would be a good opportunity to do so.”

Bolich is glad she went. “I was able to network, which is something new for me. It was nice to meet new people, hear their insights and stories, learn about their businesses and how they have been affected by the changing times of COVID, all while having something fun to do to create a laid-back evening. I enjoyed the opportunity to interact and make professional contacts at the event,” she says.

Like Smith, Bolich is not a golfer. “There was a little bit of a learning curve, but I have always enjoyed partaking in different sports throughout my life and trying something new. The only golf I have played before is Putt-Putt and have never used a driver before. I went with my assistant and dispatch manager. I believe they enjoyed laughing with me as I had a few swings and misses. By the end of the evening, I was able to hit a few targets,” she says with a laugh.

Also at the Fort Worth event was Bryce Puckett, general manager of rental, Kirby-Smith Machinery, Fort Worth, who serves as American Rental Association (ARA) Region Four director.

“The event offered a great time to network with both rental stores and suppliers in our area. I must say that it was so nice to be able sit down across from your counterparts in the industry, hang out and laugh with one another. It was almost like we were back to normal,” he says.

Puckett agrees that golf probably wasn’t anyone’s strong suit. “Let’s just say that we are all dedicated to our work. Our golf swings might have needed some improvement, but we all walked away having fun. I appreciate that the TRA continues to look for ways to engage our rental operators in their local areas by providing networking and educational events close to home,” he adds.

For Smith and Bolich, this event won’t be their last.

“I absolutely plan to go to other events. The event was good, and I was able to network with others, which was great,” Smith says.

“I look forward to attending more events. I want to branch out and grow the business by taking advantage of events like this one,” Bolich says.

As the event was held on Veterans Day, the TRA board wanted to honor active military and retired veterans by donating a portion of the registration fees to Operation Finally Home. With the additional contribution from TRA, the organization received $1,300.

Connie Lannan

Connie LannanConnie Lannan

Connie Lannan is special projects editor for Rental Management. She helps plan, coordinate, write and edit ARA’s quarterly regional newsletters, In Your Region. She also researches, writes and edits news and feature articles for Rental Management, Rental Pulse, supplements, special reports and other special projects. Outside of work, she loves to bake for others, go for walks with her husband and volunteer for her church and causes she believes in.

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