Shows Open Golf Season

From Canada to California, and Oregon to Illinois, golf shows abound during the early months of the year, especially in February and March. Visiting a golf show is a great way to get yourself mentally back in the game. If nothing else, just being in a golf-charged venue for a few hours is bound to rekindle your dormant golf spirits.

I’ve made it a habit to attend at least one golf show a year. For the last several years I’ve been a regular at the Seattle Golf Show, where I always find it fun getting reacquainted with the game. There’s always something new, no matter what golf show you visit, although you’ll also discover that many golf shows feature a lot of the same offerings.

At the ninth annual Seattle Golf Show, scheduled for March 16-18, visitors will find that many of last year’s popular attractions have returned, including a free round of golf to all paid adult attendees and a chance for a hole-in-one on the turf at Qwest Field, the same venue the Seattle Seahawks call home. During the three-day event, more than 175 exhibitors will open their doors to the golfing public. In addition, the region’s golf associations will conduct meetings and seminars, and the game’s leading manufacturers will display the newest club technology.

Largest Show
It’s evident that the business and golfing communities have embraced the Seattle Golf Show, with attendance steadily increasing. According to show officials, the event is the largest consumer golf show on the West Coast, and is viewed as the official opening of the region’s golf season.

Most of the fun can be found walking up and down the exhibitor aisles. You’ll find numerous Northwest golf courses represented, along with a host of interesting products. Many offer special incentives for visiting their establishment, like free rounds of golf or other specials.

Other Shows
Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver all offer their own versions of golf shows in February and March. The Alberta PGA has sponsored the Edmonton and Calgary golf shows for the last 11 years. Both the Edmonton show, Feb. 24-25, and the Calgary show, March 31-April 1, feature interactive golf expositions that showcase high-quality golf products, services, and destinations. There are also onsite clinics, seminars, and activities that appeal to golfing enthusiasts of every level. The Vancouver Golf and Travel Show offers much the same, but with more emphasis on travel. It is held Feb. 17-18 at BC Place Stadium.

California offers two nice shows: The Southern California Golf Show, Feb. 23-25 in Long Beach, and the Northern California Golf Show, March 2-4 in San Mateo. Both shows feature dozens of exhibitors, interactive areas, indoor par 3 and putting green challenges, and high-tech simulators. Some top-of-the-line golf gear will be discounted up to 70 percent off.

Other shows scheduled in coming months include the Idaho Golf Show in Boise, Feb. 2-4; the Portland Golf Show at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Feb. 9-11, the Denver Golf Expo at the Denver Merchandise Mart Pavilion and Plaza, Feb. 9-11, and the Spokane Golf Show at the Spokane Convention Center, Feb. 17-18.

The 19th Hole (and a few chip shots)
Former President Ford – the golfer: When Gerald R. Ford passed away in December at the age of 93, I recalled the 38th President’s love of golf. Next to Presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower, he was regarded as one of the top golfers ever to sit in the White House. President Ford’s handicap was a solid 12 several times in his life, and at the age of 80, he carried a 15-17 handicap.

A Time magazine article in 1997 said that Ford sought golf guidance from the best: Jack Nicklaus guided his swing, Hale Irwin helped him with irons, and Dave Stockton nursed his putting.

Ford did hit quite a few spectators with errant shots during his many appearances in what is now known as the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He was always paired with Hope at the tournament, where Ford’s knack for scaring spectators became a running joke. Ford said, “I would like to deny all allegations by Bob Hope that during my last game of golf, I hit an eagle, a birdie, an elk, and a moose.”

And finally, Gerald Ford used the following barometer for gauging his golf game: “I’ll know I’m getting better at golf because I’m hitting fewer spectators."

Upcoming Golf Shows

Idaho Golf Show
Feb. 2-4
Western Idaho Fairgrounds Expo Idaho
Boise, Idaho
(800) 635-2274

Portland Golf Show
Feb. 9-11
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon
(206) 367-2420, ext. 1207

Denver Golf Expo
Feb. 9-11
Denver Merchandize Mart Pavilion and Plaza
Denver, Colorado
(303) 771-2000

Vancouver Golf & Travel Show
Feb. 17-18
B.C. Place
Vancouver, British Columbia
(800) 891-4859

Spokane Golf Show
Feb. 17-18
Spokane Convention Center
Spokane, Washington
(509) 353-6500

Southern California Golf Show
Feb. 23-25
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, California
(206) 367-2420, ext. 1207

Edmonton Golf Show
Feb. 24-25
Northlands Park Agricom, Hall ‘B’
Edmonton, Alberta
(888) 866-6140

Northern California Golf Show
March 2-4
San Mateo County Expo Center
San Mateo, California
(206) 367-2420, ext. 1207

Chicago Golf Show
March 16-18
The Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
800-781-6083, ext. 29

Seattle Golf Show
March 16-18
Qwest Field Event Center
Seattle, Washington
(206) 367-2420, ext. 1207

Calgary Golf Show
March 31-April 1
Stampede Park Round-Up Centre, Hall D
Calgary, Alberta
(888) 866-6140

Rick Stedman is an avid RVer, golfer and writer who lives in Yakima, Washington. He can be reached at rick.stedman@charter.net