Teeing Off in 2008

It’s that time of year once again. During February and March, you’ll find numerous golf shows scheduled throughout the country. Translated into golf-speak, that means it’s almost time to hit the links—for those of us up north anyway. Golf shows aplenty can be found up and down the West Coast, as well as several locations in the Central Plains and Canada.

Golfers in the greater Seattle area will converge on Qwest Field Events Center and Qwest Field, home of the Seahawks, for the 10th annual Seattle Golf Show, March 14-16. More than 200 exhibitors, demonstrations and events are planned for the three-day event. As in previous years, visitors will find that many 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 of Qwest Field. Adding to the excitement is the Washington State Putting Championships and a new Golf Charity Night.

It’s evident that the business and golfing communities have embraced the Seattle Golf Show, with attendance steadily increasing every year. 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 places offer special incentives for visiting their establishment, like free rounds of golf and other specials.

Two shows—one in Canada and the other in the U.S.—have combined golf with general travel and cruise ship travel. On the weekend of Feb. 16-17, B.C. Place will be the site of the Vancouver Golf & Travel Show. Officials anticipate more than 20,000 golf enthusiasts will attend the two-day event. Specials include a long putt challenge, gear from Perfect Lies Retail Outlet, a demo driving range and golf seminars.

A month later in mid-March, Denver will host the Travel, Cruise & Golf Expo at the Colorado Convention Center. Billed as your passport to adventure, the March 15-16 event will offer a plethora of weekend getaways throughout the U.S. and abroad, along with great golf products and services.

A little farther east, the 25th annual Chicago Golf Show is set to run from Feb. 29 through March 2. This is the oldest and largest consumer golf show in the Midwest. Each year it attracts roughly 20,000 avid golfers who come to see what’s new for the coming year.

From Canada to California and Oregon to Illinois, golf shows are waiting for you to rekindle your dormant golf spirits. If nothing else, a two- to three-hour stroll through a golf show will get you mentally back in the game. And besides, it’s a lot of fun!

2008 Golf Shows
Idaho Golf Show
Feb. 1-2
Western Idaho Fairgrounds Expo Idaho
Boise, Idaho
(800) 635-2274

Portland Golf Show
Feb. 8-10
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon
(206) 367-2420, ext. 1207
www.portlandgolfshow.com

Vancouver Golf & Travel Show
Feb. 16-17
B.C. Place
Vancouver, British Columbia
(800) 891-4859
www.vancouvergolfshow.com

Spokane Golf Show
Feb. 16-17
Spokane Convention Center
Spokane, Washington
(509) 353-6500
www.spokanegolfshow.com

Edmonton Golf Show
Feb. 23-24
Northlands Park Agricom, Hall ‘B’
Edmonton, Alberta
(888) 866-6140
www.pgaofalberta.com

Southern California Golf Show
Feb. 29-March 2
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, California
(562) 436-3636
www.scgolfshow.com

Chicago Golf Show
Feb. 29-March 2
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
(800) 781-6083, ext. 29
www.chicagogolfshow.com

Northern California Golf Show
March 14-16
San Mateo County Expo Center
San Mateo, California
(650) 574-3247
www.norcalgolfshow.com

Seattle Golf Show
March 14-16
Qwest Field Event Center
Seattle, Washington
(206) 367-2420, ext. 1207
www.seattlegolfshow.com

Denver Travel, Cruise & Golf Expo
March 15-16
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, Colorado
(303) 228-8000
www.ultimateexpocompany.com

Salt Lake Golf Show
March 28-30
South Towne Expo Center
Sandy, Utah
(801) 565-4490
www.saltlakegolfshow.com

Calgary Golf Show
April 5-6
Stampede Park Round-Up Centre, Hall D
Calgary, Alberta
(888) 866-6140
www.pgaofalberta.com

The 19th Hole (and a few chip shots)
And finally, to round out a summary of golf and travel shows, there is a great book that incorporates both of those elements. Planet Golf: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses Outside the United States of America is a wonderful compilation depicted in fabulous photos that really tell the story. Written by Darius Oliver and David Scaletti (Abrams Books, $60), Planet Golf features course comments by leading designers such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Weiskopf, Greg Norman, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Whether you’re planning a golf outing to India, or simply kicking back in your recliner, this is a fun book to explore.

Rick Stedman is an avid RVer, golfer and writer who lives in Yakima, Washington. He can be reached at rstedman@gmail.com