LAKE MARY, FL – (March 22, 2018) – The U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance will once again participate in the 28th Annual ING Spring Conference May 20-23 at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi, MS.
The non-profit International Network of Golf, the industry’s only media-based networking organization, conducts this annual gathering of media and golf companies and leaders. ING is “where the media and golf industry connect.”
Anyone in the golf industry and media is invited to join ING and attend the conference. Call 407-328-0500 for details.
The USAGA will field a team of eight USA Para-Golfers to compete against the ING member team in the second annual ING Adaptive Golf Challenge Cup on Monday afternoon May 21 at Shell Landing Golf Club. The ING team won the two-player best ball team competition in the inaugural Challenge Cup last May at the World Golf Village.
USAGA will also take part in the Demo Lab that morning at Shell Landing, as well as the ING One-On-One Appointment Show Tuesday at the IP Casino Resort.
The USAGA, the country’s non-profit coalition composed of 23 adaptive golf organizations nationwide, made a huge splash at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show with its Adaptive Golf Center. Multiple demonstrations from its member Para-Athletes were conducted, as well as instruction sessions from the country’s most prominent adaptive golf instructors.
“We’re thrilled to be at the forefront of this first-ever exhibition center to showcase the new opportunities in the sport for this rising segment of athletes,” Chairman of USAGA, Edmund Q. Sylvester, said. “It’s a really exciting time for us, our incredible athletes and the future of the sport.”
The show also marked the debut of USAGA’s new “WE SUPPORT PARAGOLF” initiative, its organized movement dedicated to raising awareness for the importance of adaptive golf among the sport’s top professionals and organizations, as well as creating playing and learning opportunities for Para-Athletes.
“There is a severe lack of resources and opportunities for golfers with disabilities to enjoy playing a game they love – that’s why we’ve created the WE SUPPORT PARAGOLF platform, to provide leadership and resources that create a competitive pathway for these athletes in adaptive golf,” Sylvester said. “This movement is the first of its kind to bring together the right tools and resources to make the dream of golf a reality for the 20 million disabled individuals who want to play the sport.”
USAGA is hosting the 2nd U.S. International Para-Golf Championship Aug. 20-24 in Frankenmuth, Mi. To date, 20 countries have indicated their interest in attending.
The ING Spring Conference schedule is packed with networking, educational and golf events designed to help all attendees enhance their standing in the golf industry. Highlights include:
o APPOINTMENT SHOW: The ING One-On-One Appointment Show was created to place an emphasis on business relations between the media and golf companies, resorts, destinations and entrepreneurs. Participating companies set up tabletop displays and conduct private meetings held every 15 minutes. Media members use the time to gather story material, do interviews and nurture relationships.
o DEMO LAB: The ING Demo Lab will take place on Monday morning at Shell Landing Golf Club. Companies with golf equipment and training aids set up on the range and putting green where attendees try the products first hand.
o EDUCATION: Sessions include Marketing & PR, Social Media Marketing and more. Also, ING TALKS, structured like Ted Talks, returns with four sessions.
o GOLF: Along with the ING Adaptive Golf Challenge Cup, the World Amateur Golfers Championship, USA National Qualifier will take place Monday on the Davis Love-designed Shell Landing Golf Club. The top five finishers in this individual stroke play net competition will earn complimentary entry and accommodations in the World Amateur Golfers Championship, USA National Championship Aug. 2-4 at the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, MS. In recent years, ING Qualifiers John Duval and Jim Smith have won their flights in the National Championship and went on to represent the USA in the World Championship.
Also, the 11th Annual Durland Cup team scramble will take place The Oaks Golf Club on Wednesday.
o NETWORKING: Several networking sessions are planned, including the Opening Night Welcome Reception and the Tuesday Night Banquet.
To register for the ING Conference, or to find out more about ING, visit www.inggolf.com, or call 407-328-0500.
ABOUT ING
The International Network of Golf has been networking the golf industry since 1990. Anyone in the golf industry or media, at any level, can benefit from being a member of ING. We all have our roles in the golf industry, but we come together under the ING umbrella to help each other grow our businesses and careers.
Along with the Spring Conference, ING also conducts the ING Fall Forum in Mesquite, NV, in September, offers discounts for players and exhibitors in the Myrtle Beach World Amateur in late August, offers the ING Hospitality Room at the PGA Merchandise Show for its members, and conducts the annual ING Media Awards and the ING Industry Honors programs. www.inggolf.com.
Contact:
Mike Jamison
407-328-0500
mike@jamisongolf.com
