“A good caddie is more than a mere assistant. He is guide, philosopher and friend.”
– Henry Longhurst
With its theme of “making golf fun for everyone,” the 26th annual West Michigan Golf Show tees off on Friday at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. As seasoned golfers know, a good caddie can enhance one’s playing experience by not only toting one’s clubs but also lending friendly advice and guidance out on the links. So, in homage to caddies past and present, let us provide a similar holistic service and lessen one’s burden when walking the paved fairways of the Golf Show.
Pre-round tips: best place to park is under DeVos Place. Enter off Michigan St NW or Lyon Ave. NW. The Rapid line 11 bus stops in front of the Show. Get there early if you want to be one of the first 100 patrons receiving a free sleeve of golf balls. On Friday, the first 500 ladies receive a free gift bag. On Saturday morning from 9-11, there’s a $5 Pancake Breakfast.
Hole 1: Just inside the main entrance and included with a paid admission, stop and register for a free magazine subscription: receive a one year (12 issues) subscription to Golf Digest or a one year (33 issues) subscription to Golf World (both valued at $7)!
Hole 2: Play more local golf: at the entrance pick up your Local Golf Loyalty Card which rewards those playing 10 or more rounds in ’14 at participating courses with a FREE admission to the 2015 Show!
Hole 3: Check out West Michigan’s major tournaments in 2014: The Senior PGA Championship returns to Harbor Shores GC in Benton Harbor on May 22-25 (Booth #1605); and the Meijer LPGA Classic debuts at Blythefield CC (# 1117) on Aug. 4-7 (#1119)
Hole 4: Plan your spring/summer golf getaway at some of these award-winning Michigan resorts: Boyne (#1310) Black Forest (#1227), Crystal Mt. (#1332), Forest Dunes (#1552), Garland (#1662), Grand Traverse (#1316), Shanty Creek (#1505), Thoroughbred (#1133), Treetops (Par-3), Tullymore (#1326), and Yarrow (#1110). And yes, there’s more!
Hole 5: Visit some out-of-state golf destinations: Alabama Tourism (#1111); Bright Leaf, KY (#1204); Florida Golf (#1012); French Lick, IN (#1207); Indiana Golf (#1241); Hot Springs, Ark. (#1202); King’s Creek, Williamsburg, VA (#1011); Walnut Creek, IN (#1336) and more.
Hole 6: Stop at the Bridgestone Golf Ball-Fitting Challenge (#1526) and find out the best ball for your swing speed and game. Using a sophisticated computer system – the Science Eye Launch Monitor – allows Bridgestone to enhance your performance in a free fitting session.
Hole 7: Whether you play golf just for fun and recreation or want to play in more tournaments, stop at the Golf Association of Michigan booth (#1100) and learn about its incredible values on its Gold Card Membership, offered at half-price for first time members as a “Golf Show special.”
Hole 8: Nifty putter gadget: Clearline Putter Sight (#1628) is a six-inch putter attachment that magnets to your putter shaft to assist in lining up putts.
Hole 9: Nifty putters: Ember Luxury Wood Putters (#1201) are hand-made using 50 exotic woods and engraved with the golfer’s name. RadiusRoll Milled Putters (#1341) come in two different head styles-Blade Style and Hybrid Mallet Style-and are manufactured and assembled in the USA.
Hole 10: Speaking of putting, sink a straight 15-foot putt at the Odawa Casino $10,000 Putting Contest (north end, next to #2004) and qualify for the finals on Sunday. If the finalist sinks a 50-foot putt, ten grand is awarded. Talk about a skin! For more fun, visit the Odawa Casino booth (#1333).
Hole 11: Take in a seminar: At the Pfieffer Lincoln Seminar Stage you’ll find: Lou Guzzi, 2013 PGA National Teacher of the Year; Bobby Wilson, four-time National Senior Long Drive Champion; Brian O’Neill, Director of Instruction at Boyne Academy; and Kevin McKinley, Treetops and Get Golf Ready-how to get anyone into a game for a lifetime.
Hole 12: Shop ’til you drop: Maple Hill (#1036, 1037, 1043, 1536) is the kingpin of local golf retailing and remains a must stop at the Golf Show.
Hole 13: Queue up and take a free golf lesson: Courtesy of the Michigan PGA (#1650) and Boyne Resorts, pick up an early season tip from a teaching professional (Hitting Net area).
Hole 14: What’s the latest equipment from Adams and Ping? Visit Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center (#1527) and also ask about its “Think Pink” ladies golf tournament. And more new clubs will be at the Manufacturer’s Demo Area, including Mizuno, Yonex and Bridgestone
Hole 15: Every golfer dreams about being a Tour pro with a fancy courtesy car so stroll over to the 2014 Lincoln models on display (#1305 & Stage): MKZ, MKX and the MKT. And coming this summer at Pfeiffer Lincoln: the 2015 Lincoln MKC, its first small luxury crossover.
Hole 16: Got kids? Get ’em excited about the game and head to The First Tee of West Michigan booth (#1515) for junior fun and games as well as its 2014 educational program information.
Hole 17: Tee it up at the ever-popular Treetops Par-Three Challenge: compete at an actual golf hole for closest to the pin prizes provided by Treetops and hope to make an ace on Sunday afternoon and earn $25,000. Don’t care to compete? Well, watch the action from the bleachers with a snack and beverage in hand.
Hole 18: Okay, you may not play like a pro but you can still dress like one. A popular booth for golf apparel is the Resorts of Tullymore & St. Ives (#1326-7).
19th hole: Plenty of concessions inside DeVos Place including an apt Scotch bar! Hey, one more thing before we go: don’t forget to tip your caddie!
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Held continuously since 1989, the West Michigan Golf Show is sponsored by Treetops Resort, Pfeiffer Lincoln, Odawa Casino Resort, Golf Association of Michigan, Boyne Resorts, and the Michigan PGA. As always, several charities will benefit from the Show, including Patriot Golf Day, Racing Awareness and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
Produced by ShowSpan Inc. and held at DeVos Place, the West Michigan Golf Show’s hours are 2:00 pm-9:00 pm, Friday; 10:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday; and 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-14, and children 5 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the door and online at www.westmichigangolfshow.com
Contact:
Carolyn Alt, ShowSpan, at 616-447-2860
Terry Moore, Sportserv Ltd., 616-490-0433, terry50moore@gmail.com
