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Presented in partnership
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PGA Merchandise Show isn’t just for golf professionals anymore
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ORLANDO — When the annual PGA Merchandise Show opens its doors each January at the Orange County Convention Center — which it did this past Jan. 25-27 — attendees can satisfy just about any want or need when it comes to the game of golf.
They can plan a golf vacation to the Bahamas … check out the latest trends in golf fashion … load up the golf bag with the newest drivers, irons and putters … sharpen their game with every training aid under the sun … even pick out a high-tech indoor simulator so they can work on their swing in the dead of winter.
Historically, about the only thing you couldn’t do at a PGA Show was uncover much about the world of golf course management. But if this year’s show, which attracted more than 45,000 attendees to Central Florida, is any indication, that is beginning to change.
You could see it in the classrooms, where current GCSAA President Ricky D. Heine, CGCS, led a session titled, “The Success of the Facility: The Future of Golf Course Management,” which marked the first time a superintendent has led an education session during the PGA Show. He attracted about 80 interested and inquisitive attendees.
You could also see it on the trade show floor, beginning with GCSAA’s presence as an exhibitor. The association has exhibited at the PGA Show for a number of years and uses the opportunity to take its message to the masses about the association’s mission and the value of the superintendent’s profession.
“The PGA Show allows us to interface with a variety of key constituents,” says Jeff Bollig, GCSAA’s director of communications. “In the course of the three days, we talk with owners, green committee members, industry representatives, allied association leaders and others. It’s clear that the value of the golf course superintendent is recognized by attendees.”
And you could also see it in the faces of the GCSAA members who chose to travel to Orlando for the show, and there were several. Many of those carried titles like director of golf or general manager at their facilities, so the exhibit floor held plenty of options for those looking to outfit their broader golf facilities for the coming year.
But all of them consider themselves superintendents first and foremost, and in that role they found value in attending the PGA Show.
“I find the mere exposure to the show to be valuable,” says Tom Lavrenz, the director of golf for the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a 12-year member of GCSAA, who has attended numerous PGA Shows. “If I could, I’d make sure a superintendent saw a PGA Show at least once and I’d make sure a golf professional saw the Golf Industry Show at least once. There’s clearly value in both shows that the other side of the industry needs to see.”
The PGA of America announces its 2007 Play Golf America event lineup. April is Free Fitting & Trade Up Month, where PGA professionals across the country provide free 15-minute equipment fitting sessions at participating facilities. May is PGA Free Lesson Month, offering free, 10-minute golf lessons from PGA Pros. June 2-9 is Women’s Golf Week. Participating facilities offer complimentary golf instruction to women 14 years of age and older. July is Family Golf Month. Families can learn and play the game together at participating facilities at family golf clinics and family golf play days. July 9-15 is Take Your Daughter to the Course Week, which encourages young girls to learn the game at a free clinic offered throughout the week, along with complimentary green fees to girls accompanied by a paying adult. KSL Resorts has been awarded the management contracts for two renowned hotels, bringing its total portfolio to six. The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., and Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, are now under the management of the group after ClubCorp Inc., the clubs’ previous owner, was acquired by KSL Capital Partners late last year. The four other clubs owned and operated by KSL Resorts are: Hotel del Coronado, San Diego; La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, Calif; Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage, Calif; and Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa, Vail, Colo.
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