Feb. 13-15, DeVos Place
(Grand Rapids, Mich.) You’ve heard of the saying, “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postal carriers from their appointed rounds.” Well, the same holds true for thousands of golfers this weekend– musing about their appointed golf rounds this season-who’ll brave the elements and enter DeVos Place for the 21st West Michigan Golf Show. Like the U.S. Mail, the West Michigan Golf Show always delivers. And it guarantees an indoor and cozy teetime for golf enthusiasts across the state.
Opening this Friday afternoon at 4 pm, the Golf Show will “deliver” hundreds of exhibits, clinics and free golf lessons, equipment and merchandise bargains, contests and terrific door prizes. “Golfers tell us the Golf Show means a new season has begun and it energizes them thinking about the game,” says Show Manager Carolyn Alt. “The Show aims at being entertaining and worthwhile while providing incredible values and bargains. This Show really has something for every type of golfer.”
Highlights of the West Michigan Golf Show include:
Headliner and acclaimed teacher/course designer Rick Smith from Treetops Resort will be doing seminars on Friday night (7 pm) and Saturday (noon and 3 pm). Arguably Michigan’s best known golf personality, Smith is ranked # 8 on Golf Digest’s “50 Greatest Teachers in America.” His students have included Jack Nicklaus, Rocco Mediate, Jerry Kelly, Phil Mickelson and Lee Janzen. Smith is also a talented course designer having several award-winning designs at his Treetops Resort while his co-designed Arcadia Bluffs GC, north of Manistee, is ranked #7 in the Top Public Courses in the U.S by Golf World’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards. Smith will be introduced by Jack Berry, the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame golf writer and award-winning journalist from Detroit.
With over 30 new exhibitors and sold-out floor space, the Golf Show features over 250 booths of destinations, golf equipment and merchandise. The top courses and resorts from throughout the state and region will be represented as will a host of retailers offering the newest clubs, balls, bags, apparel and accessories at the best prices. In fact, this year’s Show has more equipment and merchandise for sale than ever before.
Also on stage during the weekend will be: Casey & Rachel Lubahn, the married couple from The Big Break TV series, will be on stage on Saturday (Valentine’s Day!) and Sunday sharing TV experiences and also how golfing couples can remain friends while the course. On Sunday, Two-time Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year Dave Kendall will talk about instructing and guiding junior and prep golfers. And U.S. Golf Academy will present “Technology and Junior Golf.”
The first 100 people entering the Show each day will receive a free sleeve of Srixon golf balls.
Speaking of golf balls, all patrons bringing a dozen new or “pre-owned” golf balls will receive half-price admission on Friday (only.)
Free golf tips courtesy of Boyne USA & the Michigan Section PGA in the Hitting Net area where the Long Drive contest and the “Guess Your Distance” driving competition will take place.
Long a “must do” Show favorite, the Par-3 Challenge will test golfers with an indoor, fully landscaped golf hole, courtesy of Everett’s Landscaping and Southwest Greens. With qualifying shots all weekend benefiting Big Brothers/Big Sisters, one lucky finalist on Sunday will take a crack at holing an ace on the island green and earning $25,000 in cash.
A $10,000 Putting Challenge invites putters to sink a 15-foot & a 25-foot putt to qualify for one chance at holing a 50-foot putt and winning ten grand. And with proceeds supporting the Warren Reynolds Golf Classic.
Friday night is also “Ladies Night” filled with special events, seminars and giveaways just for women, including the 4th annual Executive Women’s Golf Association Fashion Show presenting golf outfits from some of the top apparel names in the industry. All women receive a “goodie bag” with free gifts.
Manufacturer’s representatives from Cleveland Golf, Mizuno, Srixon, Yonex, Nike, Ping, Wilson, and Powerbilt will be on-hand on a scheduled basis in the Demo & Hitting Net area for patrons to try out the latest equipment.
Fabulous door prizes given away every hour. Also, a separate register-to-win Grand Prize being a full family golf membership to StoneWater & Watermark Country Clubs from WZZM-TV. And passes to the Buick Open
Courtesy of PGA pro Derek Radley and the new Kendall Academy at The Meadows, a special Junior Golf Area will entertain and instruct the next Tiger Woods and Lorena Ochoa!
Bonus for those literary patrons who love “reading” greens: a subscription to Golf Digest or GolfWorld is included with paid admission. Subscription details and sign-up inside the Show.
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. Sponsors include Treetops Resort, Srixon, Golf Association of Michigan, Odawa Casino Resort, Boyne USA, and the Michigan Section PGA. Local charities and non-profit groups benefiting from Show events include Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Folds of Honor Scholarship Fund & Patriot Golf Day, and the Warren Reynolds Golf Classic. Tickets will be available at the door as well as online at www.westmichigangolfshow.com. For more information, call 1-800-328-6550 or visit the website.
Contact:
Carolyn Peticolas Alt, ShowSpan, at 616-447-2860
Terry Moore, Sportserv Ltd, at 616-490-0433, terry_moore@comcast.net or terry50moore@gmail.com
