(Grand Rapids, Mich.) A five-time World Long Drive Champion will headline the 29th West Michigan Golf Show to be held at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids on Feb. 10-12. Texas native Bobby Wilson, a member of the Long Drive Association Hall of Fame, will make a return visit to Grand Rapids after wowing golf show patrons in 2014.
“I had a great time at the West Michigan Golf Show,” said Wilson, an original member of the 350 Club for those competitors whose drives average over 350 yards. “The turnout of avid golfers was amazing so I’m very happy and honored to make a return visit. And I have a few new tricks in my bag this time around.”
Since his last visit three years ago, the affable Wilson has added a credential to his impressive resume which includes five world senior titles in 2004, 2009 (two divisions), 2013 and 2014. “I’m now a certified golf fitness instructor so I can offer some proven training regimens to help golfers take better care of their bodies year round,” said Wilson, an imposing figure at 6’3” and 220 pounds. “Particularly for senior golfers, fitness and stretching are key factors in maintaining distance. At my clinic, anyone can learn how to pick up an extra 15-20 yards off the tee.”
Senior Show Manager Carolyn Alt is particularly pleased to welcome back Wilson to the Applied Imaging Seminar Stage at DeVos Place. “Bobby is a real pro when it comes to delivering an entertaining and informative golf clinic. Not only does he speak with authority and experience as a world champion, but he’s so engaging and relaxed with his audience,” said Alt. “It’s not only what he says but how he says it that makes Bobby so popular.”
Coincidentally, it was Michigan native Evan “Big Cat” Williams, one of West Michigan Golf Show’s inaugural headliners in 1989, who made the biggest impact on Wilson. “Evan was my mentor and took me under his wing when I started competing in long drive events in the ’80s,” said Wilson, 60, who now lives in Little Rock, Ark. “A pioneer of the sport who put long drive contests on the map, he taught me early on the importance of connecting with people and being myself. I owe him a big debt.”
In addition to Wilson, other seminars will be given by Jason Guss, the 2013 Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year, Joe Charles of Treetops Golf Academy and Graham Polakoff, a golf fitness expert from OmniKinetics.
Produced by ShowSpan, Inc., the West Michigan Golf Show offers hundreds of exhibits about the game and is sponsored by Treetops Resort, Applied Imaging, Odawa Casino, Golf Association of Michigan, and the Michigan PGA. 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 as well as online at www.westmichigangolfshow.com
Contact:
Terry Moore, Sportserv Ltd., terry50moore@gmail.com
