(Grand Rapids, Mich.) Regarded as one of the game’s premier instructors, Rick Smith will headline the 21st West Michigan Golf Show to be held Feb. 13-15, 2009 at the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. The managing partner of Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Smith is recognized as one of the top instructors in the world and is currently ranked # 8 on Golf Digest’s “50 Greatest Teachers in America” list. PGA Tour players such as Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Lee Janzen, Rocco Mediate, Jerry Kelly, Chris DiMarco, John Daly, Matt Kuchar and many others have sought Rick’s guidance.
Making his third appearance at West Michigan Golf Show, Smith is thrilled to be returning to Grand Rapids in February. “The West Michigan Golf Show is one of the best consumer golf shows in the country and it’s always packed with such avid and passionate golfers,” said Smith. “I look forward to being on stage in Grand Rapids and to share my skills and expertise on game improvement. Helping recreational golfers be better golfers is as important and as satisfying to me as working with Tour players.” Golf Magazine selected the Rick Smith Golf Academyin Gaylord as one of the Top 25 Golf Schools in America.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic about Rick being a part of the West Michigan Golf Show,” said Carolyn Alt, Show Manager. “Not only is Rick such a talented teacher and course designer but he’s also a wonderful ambassador for Michigan golf. His appearance and clinics at the show will mark a terrific start to the 2009 golf season.”
Along with being a celebrated teacher, Smith is also a noted course designer of award-winning layouts. The list includes his “Signature” course at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, “Arcadia Bluffs” on Lake Michigan near Manistee, and “Wuskowhan Player’s Club” in West Olive, Michigan, just to name a few. In fact, Arcadia Bluffs, opened in 1999, was just named #7 in the Top 10 Public Courses by GolfWorld’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards-the highest rated public course in the Midwest. But in Michigan, Smith is synonymous with Treetops in Gaylord where he has helped grow the resort into one of the top all-season resorts in the country. In addition to its five outstanding golf courses, Treetops (www.Treetops.com) remains a popular winter destination with 24 downhill ski runs, cross-country skiing, and expert instruction. Treetops is also one of Michigan’s most popular locales for meetings and conferences.
Held continuously since 1989 and benefiting several local charities, the West Michigan Golf Show on Feb.13-15 will attract thousands of avid Michigan golfers to hundreds of exhibits, free golf lessons by PGA pros courtesy of Boyne USA and the Michigan Section PGA, instructional clinics and fun, interactive areas. The show now attracts more area golfers than any single event or tournament during the entire year.
Produced by ShowSpan Inc., the West Michigan Golf Show’s hours are 4:00 pm-9:00 pm, Friday; 10:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday; and 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-14, and children 5 and under are free. A free sleeve of Srixon golf balls will be given to the first 100 people each day or with an online ticket purchase. Sponsors include Treetops Resort, Srixon, Golf Association of Michigan, Odawa Casino Resort, Boyne USA and the Michigan Section PGA. Tickets will be available at the door as well as online atwww.westmichigangolfshow.com. For more information, call 1-800-328-6550 or visit the website.
Contact:
Carolyn P. Alt, ShowSpan, at 616-447-2860
Terry Moore, Sportserv Ltd, at 616-490-0433, terry_moore@comcast.net