News Politics

Margate’s Nick Maragh Digs Into Victory as Regional Backhoe Champion

by David Volz June 11, 2025

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Nick Maragh {City of Margate}

Margate has a backhoe champion.

Before the June 4 meeting, the commission recognized Nick Maragh, division leader in the Department of Environmental and Engineering Services (DEES), for winning first place at the 5th Annual Public Works Backhoe ROaDEO, held on May 21 in Coral Springs.

Maragh earned first place in a “Hole-in-One” challenge, which requires transferring six golf balls from a sand trap into a hole using the backhoe bucket. He completed the challenge flawlessly within the two-minute time limit. Maragh earned the overall 2025 Coral Springs Backhoe Roadeo, which means that Maragh had the highest combined score across all five challenges, according to Lisa Huriash, Public Information Officer for Margate.

The competition was sponsored by the American Public Works Association (APWA) and featured 28 skilled equipment operators from South Florida, representing 11 municipalities and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Competitors were tested on precision, control, and speed through five events: the hard hat drop, hole-in-one, bartender, perfection, and rings, according to Huriash.

Nick Maragh being recognized by the City of Margate. {City of Margate}

As the 2025 Regional Champion, Maragh will represent the APWA South Florida Branch at the Florida Chapter APWA 2026 Equipment Rodeo in Tampa, April 6-9, 2026. If victorious there, he will advance to the APWA National Equipment Championship in Chicago in August 2026, representing the State of Florida on a national stage, according to Huriash.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.