Precision and Power on Display: Lowcountry Backhoe Roadeo competition tests skills, builds camaraderie
May 23, 2026
GEORGETOWN, S.C. — The hum of heavy machinery and the spirit of competition took center stage Thursday, May 21, in Georgetown as county and municipal public works employees gathered to test their skills and build camaraderie at the annual Lowcountry Backhoe Roadeo.
Held in observance of National Public Works Week and sponsored by the American Public Works Association (APWA) South Carolina Chapter, the event highlighted the high level of technical skill required of public works equipment operators. The competition also serves as a valuable training exercise and a public demonstration of the precision needed to maintain essential infrastructure. 
A Backhoe Roadeo is a specialized competition in which heavy equipment operators navigate three intricate obstacle-course tasks, with the top three finishers advancing to the state competition in Summerville. While the machines are built for power, the Roadeo emphasizes finesse. Operators are challenged to complete delicate maneuvers—such as lifting a chain with a ring attached and guiding it along a section of PVC pipe from one frame to another—while being timed and judged on accuracy.
Skill Under Pressure
The competition is more than a display of showmanship; it is also a valuable part of professional development for public works teams.
“These events allow our operators to sharpen the skills they use every day in much more demanding environments,” said Matthew Bishop, field operations assistant manager for Charleston County Public Works and coordinator of the APWA competitions. “We have a great team that helps put this together every year, including Wes Ray, John and Julie Myers, Kyle Ranck and our sponsor, Blanchard Machinery.”
Matthew Bishop, three-time state champion and two-time national champion from Charleston County Public Works.
Bishop began his career as an equipment operator with Charleston County 16 years ago and said he has been around heavy equipment his entire life through his family’s work in farming and construction. He won his first state Backhoe Roadeo championship in 2014 and repeated in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, he captured his first national title in Orlando, Florida, and won again in 2019.
After reaching the pinnacle of competition, Bishop was asked by South Carolina chapter organizers to lead the four regional events—Midlands, Lowcountry, Pee Dee and Upstate—as well as the state championship, and he gladly accepted.
“It is so much fun working with these guys, teaching them skills and watching them grow,” Bishop said. “Some of these men have been doing these events for years.”
Jermaine Smalls, an Equipment Operator with Georgetown County.
Among them was Randy Welch of Georgetown County Public Works, competing in his 13th Roadeo. His younger co-worker, Jermaine Smalls, made his first appearance in the competition and posted an impressive time of 93 seconds in the opening event.
Ben Wheaton, an equipment operator with Mount Pleasant Public Works, said advancing to the regional event is highly competitive. His department held a qualifying competition a few weeks earlier, with only the top two finishers earning spots in Georgetown. Asked how the obstacle course relates to his daily work, Wheaton said the skills are directly applicable. “Whether these operators are digging near sensitive utility lines or clearing drainage systems in tight residential areas, the precision they practice here translates directly to safety and efficiency on the job.”
Building a Professional Network
While the Roadeo fosters camaraderie and healthy competition, it also serves as a valuable networking opportunity for the professionals who maintain roads, canals and bridges across the region. “When they have a unique problem or challenge, they can reach out to peers they’ve met through APWA and get advice on how others have handled similar issues in their communities,” Bishop said.
Hosted by Georgetown County Public Works, the event drew competitors and supporters from departments across the region. The rest of the department was on hand to support their peers and enjoy a catered lunch, music and prize drawings as part of the Public Works Appreciation festivities. County leaders also attended, including newly appointed Public Works and Capital Projects Director Jacob Nesmith, County Administrator Angela Christian, Assistant County Administrators Carla Harvey and Brandon Ellis, and County Council members Ron Charlton and Louis Morant.
And the Winners Are…
Steven Malphrus, first place (center); Sean Tucker, second (right); and Austin Byars, third.
Charleston County’s Steven Malphrus took first place, with co-workers Sean Tucker and Austin Byers finishing second and third, respectively. All three advance to the state competition in Summerville. Georgetown County’s Jermaine Smalls placed fifth behind Mount Pleasant’s Troy Eaddie. But beyond the standings, the day underscored the professionalism, precision and teamwork that keep public works systems running safely and effectively for the communities they serve.
