GOMACO Invitational #31 drew golfers from across the United States and Canada to Ida Grove, Iowa, on Sept. 18 and 19, 2012. Along with golf, the Invitational also had an equipment display featuring a four-track GHP-2800 slipform paver with the new GOMACO-exclusive G+ control system. A demonstration was held Tuesday morning for Invitational attendees showcasing the paver, its control system and G+ Connect. G+ Connect is GOMACO’s new proprietary CAN-based network that allows fast, two-way communication between all accessories on a paver and the G+ controller.

Golfing events began at the Ida Grove Country Club with the Putting Tournament. Two hundred and four putters participated in the tournament on four different greens. The top team from each green then continued on to the Putting Championship. This year’s championship team was Chris Gratton of Kansas Heavy Construction in Shawnee, Kan.; and Mike Swanston of Swanston Equipment Company in Fargo, N.D.

The Contractors’ Shoot-Out started immediately after the Putting Tournament. Eighteen contractors were divided into six, three-person teams for a five-hole competition, with the highest scoring team eliminated on each hole. This year’s championship team included: Thom Kuhn of Millstone Bangert, Inc., in St. Charles, Mo.; Gary Hutchins and Charlie Weaver, both from Weaver-Bailey Contracting in El Paso, Ariz.

Invitational activities began early on Wednesday morning with the golfers heading out to the courses in Ida Grove, Holstein, Mapleton and Odebolt for the 18-hole Scramble Tournament. Champion teams were crowned from each course and had the honor of advancing to a three-hole “Grand” Champion Shoot-Out in Ida Grove. The 2012 “Grand” Champion team was from the Odebolt course and included Austin Page?of Blanchard Machinery in Moore, S.C.; Bill Sweetser?of Sweetser Construction Company in Fayetteville, Ark.; and R.J. Bumann?of GOMACO. They finished their course with a score of 67, which was five?under the course par of 72.

Members of the top team from the Ida Grove course were Brian Manatt?of Manatt’s, Inc., in Brooklyn, IA.; Joe Conroy?of Joe Conroy Contractor, Inc., in Topeka, Kan.; Steve Baker?of Baker Concrete and Excavating in Clermont, Iowa; and Jill Godbersen?of GOMACO. They finished with a score of 61, which was nine?under the course par of 70.

Taking first place in Holstein was the foursome of Dennis Blum?of Standard Forwarding in Waukee, Iowa; Matt McNett of Murphy Tractor and Equipment Company in Kansas City, Mo.; Ron Dibler?of Millstone Bangert, Inc., in St. Charles, Mo.; and Shannon Zobel?of GOMACO. They finished with a score of 62, which was eight?under the course par of 70.

The champion team from Mapleton included Blake Driskell?of Gerdan Slipforming,?Inc., in Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Gary Highley?of Millstone Bangert, Inc., in St. Charles, Mo.; Larry Smith?of Road Machinery and Supplies Co. in Des Moines, Iowa; and Kevin Klein?of GOMACO. They finished with a score of 61, which was nine under the course par of 70.

For more information, visit www.gomaco.com.

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