(Grand Rapids, Mich.) In terms of offering golfers unvarnished, objective and insightful analysis about golf equipment, no one does it better than Frank Thomas. Chief Technical Advisor for the Golf Channel, Thomas has devoted his career to educating consumers about golf technology and empowering them to make better decisions about their equipment purchases. He spent 26 years with the United States Golf Association as its Technical Director, issuing thousands of rulings on balls, shafts and clubheads. As such, area golfers are in for a treat as Thomas will making a return visit to the West Michigan Golf Show on Feb. 12-14 at the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. He’ll be on stage on the weekend to share his keen advice and astute opinions about the often confusing world of golf equipment.
“I couldn’t be happier about returning to Grand Rapids and to be part of one of the best golf shows in the country,” said Thomas. “As I learned from my last appearance there in 2007, West Michigan is full of avid and inquisitive golfers. They’ll keep me on my toes with their equipment questions.”
Show Manager Carolyn Alt is thrilled Thomas will again share his expertise at the 22nd annual show. “Frank has that rare gift of taking the jargon of equipment technology and making it understandable to the average golfer. Now more than ever, golfers want equipment that really fits their game and their budget.”
In addition to his appearances on the Golf Channel, Thomas is Founder and President of Frankly Golf, an international consulting company aimed at, among other goals, educating consumers about golf technology. Frankly Golf also is known for its popular line of putters-Frankly Frog –designed by Thomas as well as a state-of-the-art putting studio located in Orlando, Fl. The studio boasts putting instructors and club-fitters utilizing video analysis and an ultrasonic putting launch monitor to critique one’s putting stroke and to properly fit for the best putter. In a holistic approach to short game improvement where 45% of a golfer’s scorecard is determined, the Frankly Golf putting studio also offers the services of a resident sports psychologist.
Thomas has written two books in recent years, Just Hit It and Dear Frank…In Just Hit It, he separates the blather of golf advertising claims from the nuggets of truth and science, explaining how golf equipment works and describing which features matter. Dear Frank is an informative collection of 100 question and answers about golf equipment, compiled from Thomas’s popular on-line column, which receives tens of thousands of visits every week at www.franklygolf.com
Thomas is no stranger to Michigan having attended Kalamazoo College and later West Michigan University where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering.
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 PGA Teacher of the Year Mike Bender, free golf lessons by PGA pros, instructional clinics and fun, interactive areas. Sponsors include Treetops Resort, Srixon, Odawa Casino Resort, Golf Association of Michigan, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Michigan PGA and Boyne USA.
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:
Terry Moore
Sportserv Ltd.
616-490-0433
terry_moore@comcast.net
terry50moore@gmail.com
