PGA Merchandise Show brought world of golf together
As the world’s largest gathering of PGA Professionals, the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show was a perfect occasion to kick off the 100-day PGA Centennial Celebration and commemorate the widespread impact of PGA Professionals on the game, the industry and grassroots enjoyment and growth of golf.
The Centennial was celebrated with a special opening tee shot at the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day and opening ceremony at the PGA Merchandise Show.
Also, the Centennial was marked with a history exhibit in the lobby of the convention center, a #ThxPGAPro Lounge on the PGA Show floor and during a special PGA Professional Reception on the opening night of the PGA Merchandise Show.
“This was truly a special PGA Merchandise Show, where the golf community was able to mark the Centennial of the PGA of America and celebrate the impact PGA Professionals have had on the game,” says PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Senior Vice President and General Manager Ed Several.
Covered live by Golf Channel on “Morning Drive,” the opening ceremony featured PGA of America officers and representatives from the PGA’s 41 Sections, along with 41 PGA Junior League Golf participants from Greater Orlando.
Thousands of PGA Professionals and invited golf retailers then previewed and personally tested the newest equipment, training aids and accessories from more than 100 top golf companies at the 42-acre practice facility, to create the world’s largest professional golf demo event.
27, PGA of America Hall of Famer Lee Trevino was joined by his longtime mentor, instructor and friend, PGA Master Professional Bill Eschenbrenner, as they shined a spotlight on the century-long impact of PGA Professionals and helped open the PGA Merchandise Show, the world’s largest gathering of PGA Professionals, live on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive.” Attendees experienced a dynamic PGA Show floor, featuring PGA Centennial programs, interactive exhibits, hundreds of vendor show specials and promotions; plus some 47 testing bays at the indoor Equipment Test Center, a New Product Zone for a one-stop shopping of the newest golf merchandise; an Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion for patented products not yet available at retail; and numerous specialty exhibitor pavilions including a PGA Golf Travel Pavilion, PGA Partners Pavilion, Women’s Accessories Pavilion, New Exhibitor Discovery Zone, and several international exhibitor pavilions.
Additionally, Golf Channel instruction programs originated from the PGA Show with “School of Golf” at the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day and “The Golf Fix” from the PGA Merchandise Show floor.
Award-winning PGA Professionals and top golf buyers voted for the three best new products among the merchandise displayed in the PGA Show New Product Zone.