“The GHS convention program has something for everyone who loves the game of golf,” said Dr. Bern Bernacki, president of the Society. “Golf collecting is a ‘hot’ market these days, and the trade show will offer items of interest to golfers of every age and income level.”
This year’s convention will honor two of Lexington’s own, accomplished amateur player Marion Miley and Tour player Gay Brewer, who won the 1967 Masters Tournament.
Local attractions, such as horse racing, distillery tours and historic destinations, will provide additional entertainment options.
The schedule of events for the 2023 GHS National Convention is as follows:
Thursday, Oct. 12
In the morning, Stacy Schiff, USGA Librarian, and Hilary Cronheim, senior director, USGA Golf Museum and Library, will make a presentation on “How the USGA Golf Museum and Library Preserves Kentucky Golf History.”
The GHS National Hickory Golf Tournament will be contested at the Gay Brewer, Jr. Course at Picadome.
In the evening, a “19th Hole” reception at the historic Lexington Country Club will feature three entertaining presentations. Author Beverly Bell will talk about the life and times of Marion Miley, the amateur golfer of international stature who was tragically murdered at the club. Also, Bob Boring, Gay Brewer’s club maker and caddie, will share stories about their times together. Lastly, Stuart Bendelow will discuss the work of his grandfather, Tome Bendelow, who designed 600 courses, one of which is Lexington Country Club.
Friday, Oct. 13
Three educational seminars will follow the General Membership Meeting.
A club collector workshop on the “History of the Driver” will be presented by Bobby Grace and Bob Boring.
“How to Display and Preserve Your Collection” will be presented by John Capers III and David Moore. Capers is the historian at Merion Golf Club and Moore is the curator of collections at Oakmont Country Club.
A third presentation, on the topic of card and autograph collecting, also will be offered by Curtis Loop, Vice President of business operations at Golden Age Golf Auctions.
The evening will be marked by the GHS Annual Banquet, with Society honors being awarded and remarks by dinner speaker Bob Boring.
Saturday, Oct. 14
The Annual Trade Show will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fascinating golf collectibles, including hickory golf hickory clubs, books, medals, trophies, ceramics and books, will be available for purchase. Even the most modest collections create a greater connection for golfers to the game. Golf collectibles come in all price ranges, from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars for truly rare items. So there’s ample opportunity for new collectors to have fun within a budget.
The trade show is free and open to the public. Free appraisals will be offered for collectibles that visitors bring to the show.
About the Golf Heritage Society
Founded in 1970, the GHS is a global nonprofit organization that honors and preserves golf’s history. GHS membership benefits include invitations to local and regional events as well as the annual national convention; the celebrated quarterly magazine, The Golf; the GHS member directory; over 50 years of GHS archives; invitations to live Zoom presentations by notable individuals in golf; the Gazette, with features about golf history; the Newswire, with monthly updates about GHS activities; and – best of all – unrivaled camaraderie with others who value the history and traditions of the game.
For information or to join the GHS, visit GolfHeritage.org.
