Jack Nicklaus to address Golf 2.0 Initiative on opening morning
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – A robust schedule of presentations by industry leaders on the PGA Forum Stage will begin with World Golf Hall of Fame member and golf icon Jack Nicklaus joining The PGA of America and industry leaders to present the keynote address on the industry-wide Golf 2.0 initiative to a global audience on Thursday morning, January 26, at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show, January 26-28, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Several PGA Teachers of the Year and Merchandisers of the Year will present best practices and major manufacturers such as Callaway Golf, COBRA PUMA, PING and TaylorMade-adidas Golf also will take the stage for special programs. Successful golf industry executives such as Dana Garmany, Peter Hill and Jim Hinckley will present a high-profile panel on golf employment. The legendary Billy Casper will share his life experiences in golf and from the national retail industry, Matthew Shay, CEO of the National Retail Federation, will offer insights on the latest trends in retail. The schedule is complete with programs addressing the industry’s most pressing topics including participation by juniors, growth of women’s golf and golf fitness initiatives.
“We’re delighted that Jack is joining us for the keynote presentation on the PGA Forum Stage and will lead off a full schedule of impressive industry programs for PGA members and attending industry professionals,” says PGA President Allen Wronowski. “From business management to instruction and retail to player development, the PGA Forum schedule of events offers valuable content that attendees can put to use immediately upon their return home.”
Organized by The PGA of America, the PGA Forum was introduced in 2007 to provide the game’s leaders with an unprecedented stage to reach the more than 40,000 attending international industry professionals with pressing matters impacting the business of golf.
2012 PGA Merchandise Show PGA Equipment Forum Stage Schedule
Thursday, January 26
8:30 a.m. 10th Annual Demo Day Video Highlights
10:00 a.m. Jack Nicklaus, The PGA of America and Industry Leaders – Golf 2.0 Keynote Presentation
11:00 a.m. Career Move: Positioning Yourself for Your Dream Job
Dana Garmany, Chairman & CEO of Troon Golf
Peter Hill, Chairman & CEO of Billy Casper Golf
Jim Hinckley, Partner & CEO of Century Golf Partners
Henry DeLozier, Moderator, Principal of Global Golf Advisors
12:00 p.m. PGA Teaching Best Practices
Mike Malaska, PGA, Southwest Section PGA – 2011 PGA of America Teacher of the Year, Las Sendas Golf Club
Ron Philo Jr. PGA, New England Section PGA, Stowe Mountain Club
George Connor, PGA, Connecticut Section PGA, Gillette Ridge Golf Club
Moderator: Michael S. Breed, PGA, 2000 & 2009 Metropolitan Section PGA Teacher of the Year
1:00 p.m. Callaway Golf ~ Dave Pelz Presentation
2:00 p.m. Michael Breed ~ Beyond the Lesson Tee
Marketing, Branding and the Use of Social Media – Learn ways to market yourself better and how to utilize all the avenues to build your brand. Turn the social media into dollars for yourself.
3:00 p.m. COBRA PUMA GOLF Announcement & Fashion Show
Featuring COBRA PUMA touring professionals
4:00 p.m. Retail Means Jobs – National Retail Federation, CEO Matthew Shay
Friday, January 27
8:30 a.m. PGA of America Awards Night Video Highlights
9:00 a.m. PGA Merchandiser of the Year Best Practices
Hill Herrick, PGA, 2012 PGA MOY/Resort, The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulpur Springs, W.V.
Jeffrey Kiddie, PGA, 2012 PGA MOY/Private, Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pa.
Susan Roll, PGA, 2012 PGA MOY/Public, Carlsbad (Calif.) Golf Center
Gary Dear, PGA, 1983 MOY/Public, Executive Vice President of The Heritage Group
Moderator: Jim Vincent, 2000 Ernie Sabayrac Award Recipient
10:00 a.m. Coffee with Casper ~ One on One with Golf Legend Billy Casper
11:00 a.m. PGA Teaching Best Practices
Ken Doyle, PGA, Connecticut Section PGA, Hop Meadow Country Club
Charles King, PGA, Georgia Section PGA, Reynolds Plantation
Mark Blackburn, PGA, Dixie Section PGA, Gunters Landing Club
Moderator: Michael S. Breed, PGA, 2000 & 2009 Metropolitan Section PGA Teacher of the Year
12:00 p.m. Play Golf America/Get Golf Ready Update
An interactive panel discussion on 2012 plans for Get Golf Ready and how it will be leveraged as Golf 2.0’s featured player development program. The presentation also will review 2011 successes and recognize Play Golf America’s Top 100 Performers of 2011.
Allen Wronowski, PGA, President, The PGA of America
Ted Bishop, PGA, Vice President, The PGA of America
Cathy Harbin, PGA/LPGA, Director, GOLF 20/20
Bob Baldassari, PGA, Senior Director of Player Development, The PGA of America
1:00 p.m. PING ~ Fit for Stroke and Putting Contest Finals
2:00 p.m. “A Consumer Revolution in Golf…Women”
Nancy Henderson, PGA, LPGA – LPGA
Jon Goin, PGA – TPC Network
Deb O’Connor – KitchenAid
Moderator: Donna Orender
3:00 p.m. TEE IT FORWARD to Make Golf More Fun
In 2011, TEE IT FORWARD hit the golf industry with enthusiasm and media attention seldom ever seen before. Come listen to panel of industry leaders, featuring TEE IT FORWARD’s brain child Barney Adams, present idea on how this approach makes golf more fun, and what’s planned for 2012.
Bob Baldassari, PGA, Senior Director of Player Development, The PGA of America
Barney Adams, Founder of Adams Golf
Jane Broderick, PGA/LPGA, Director of Golf, PGA National
3:30 p.m. Introduction of the NEW PGA Junior League Program
After a success pilot last year, The PGA will be embarking on a new approach to getting kids playing with the announcement of The PGA Junior League Program being launched in 16 markets in 2012. With a unique, fun and developmental format, this program is projected to get large numbers of kids playing and could revolutionize how the game is played.
Will Reilly, PGA, Junior Golf Manager, The PGA of America
Jackie Cannizzo, PGA, Director of LEJ Sports
4:00 p.m. TaylorMade-adidas Golf Presentation
5:00 p.m. U.S. Kids Golf ~Top 50 Kids Teachers Awards Presentation
Annually, U.S. Kids Golf recognizes 50 elite golf professionals who have focused their careers to developing youth golf in their communities and are known for their overall excellence and commitment to serving youth. In addition, those who have demonstrated a long-lasting dedication to youth golf and have achieved this award on three of more occasions are recognized as “Master Kids Teachers” at this presentation.
Saturday, January 28
8:30 a.m. PGA Merchandise Show Highlights Video
10:00 a.m. PGA Teaching Best Practices
Fran Rhoads, PGA, Middle Atlantic Section PGA, TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm
Rick Barry, PGA, Carolinas Section PGA, Sea Pines Plantation Golf Club
Brad Patterson, PGA, Central New York Section PGA, Battle Island State Park GC
Moderator: Michael S. Breed, PGA, 2000 & 2009 Metropolitan Section PGA Teacher of the Year
12:00 p.m. PGA Sports Academy with the Boys & Girls Club
Learn how to energize your junior golf program with the PGA Sports Academy. Will Reilly, PGA Junior Golf Development Manager and David Donatucci, PGA Director of Fitness will be taking local kids from the Boys and Girls Club of America through PGA Sports Academy interactive stations designed to develop physical and golf skills while having fun in the process.
(PGA Forum schedule subject to change.)
About the PGA Merchandise Show
The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show, held January 26-28, in Orlando, Fla., will welcome some 1,000 top golf companies and brands and more than 40,000 industry professionals from around the world to the industry’s 59th annual global summit for the business of golf. Outdoor Demo Day, the world’s largest professional golf testing event, tees off the Show on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Orange County National Golf Center. During Show days, PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders will uncover the latest trends, source the newest golf merchandise, test the latest equipment, learn proven business best practices, network among peers and move forward the business of the game. Organized in partnership with The PGA of America as a trade-only event, the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show will be held in the Orange County Convention Center ~ 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 26-27; and 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 28. For more information, visit www.pgashow.com.
About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
PGA of America: Jamie Carbone, (561) 624-8446, jcarbone@pgahq.com
PGA Merchandise Show: Sherry Major, (716) 662-3855, smajor@reedexpo.com