(Grand Rapids, Mich.) Over the past 22 years, sponsors have been an important ingredient in the success of the West Michigan Golf Show. With their significant support, the Show has provided more activities for its patrons and increased the public awareness of golf during the normally quiet months of winter. To be held Feb. 12-14, 2010 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, West Michigan Golf Show now represents the area’s biggest golf event of the year. “We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors,” said Carolyn Alt, Show Manager. “They have allowed the Show to broaden its appeal and to take the show to another level. And at the same time, the Golf Show has provided a cost-effective and proven marketing platform for sponsors to reach its target customer.”
One of the most popular areas of the West Michigan Golf Show every year has been the Par-3 Challenge where a fully landscaped golf hole has been built inside DeVos Place. Raising money for local charity, golfers tee it up and compete for closest to the pin prizes and hope to be that one lucky golfer who makes an ace on Sunday afternoon and earns $25,000. (And it does happen. In 2002, a golf show patron had an ace and went home with the grand prize.)
This year the sponsor of the Par-3 Challenge is a longtime exhibitor synonymous with par threes: Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich. In fact, the resort for years hosted a Par-3 Shootout on its Threetops course which attracted national attention. Now the award-winning northern Michigan resort, headed by famed instructor and course designer Rick Smith, will again take center stage at the 22nd West Michigan Golf Show.
“The more we thought about it, the more we realized sponsoring the Par-3 Challenge was a perfect fit for Treetops,” said Kevin McKinley, Treetops Director of Golf. “We want West Michigan golfers to keep Treetops in mind not only for its great par-threes but also for its par-fours and par-fives.”
In addition to Treetops, other sponsors of the West Michigan Golf Show include the Golf Association of Michigan, Odawa Casino Resort, Boyne USA, Srixon, and Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.
The Golf Association of Michigan, an exhibitor for the past 22 straight years, represents the interests of over 60,000 amateur golfers in the state and was first organized in 1919. Patrons can sign up for a GAM membership with handicap privileges right at the show again this year. Odawa Casino Resort, located in Petoskey, was voted this past year as the “Best Casino in Michigan” by the readers of Michigan Meetings & Events magazine. Odawa Casino Resort is the “official gaming resort casino of the Golf Show.”
Srixon is the official golf ball of the West Michigan Golf Show and is used by such players as Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and Tim Clark. Continuing a decades long tradition, the first 100 people entering the Show each day will receive a free sleeve of Srixons.
And to make sure those golf balls are hit long and true, Boyne USA will provide free golf tips by PGA pros to patrons in the hitting net. Boyne USA boasts award-winning golf courses at its Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, and Bay Harbor locations.
Another longtime exhibitor, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa will sponsor Ladies Night at the Golf Show on Friday with an array of special events, seminars and giveaways just for women. 2010 marks a special milestone for GTR & Spa as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Bear, the acclaimed Jack Nicklaus-designed layout.
Held continuously since 1989 and benefiting several local charities, the West Michigan Golf Show on Feb.12-14 will attract thousands of Michigan golfers to hundreds of exhibits, seminars by the current National Teacher of the Year Mike Bender, free golf lessons by PGA pros, instructional clinics and fun, interactive areas.
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. 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 P. Alt, ShowSpan, at 616-447-2860
Terry Moore, Sportserv Ltd, at 616-490-0433, terry50moore@gmail.com