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PGA Golf Industry Expos Bookend Season Close

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PGA 20072264023 1f6c246c45 o

Thousands of Golf Industry Insiders Flock to the Game’s Biggest Conferences

[dropcap size=small]W[/dropcap]hile the PGA Championship and colder temperatures may signal an end to the season, the PGA is gearing up for next year, as it prepares for the industry’s “global gathering and kick off to the 2016 season” with the 63rd annual PGA Merchandise Show, to be held Jan. 26-29 in Orlando, Fl. The upcoming show kicks of the PGA’s centennial year and follows on the relative heels of the 2015 PGA Fashion & Demo Experience, which was held Aug. 17-19 in Las Vegas, and drew thousands of golf professionals, buyers and industry leaders.

The Las Vegas “Experience,” held at the Cascata Golf Club and Palazzo Ballroom of the Venetian Conference Center, provided participants with the opportunity to network with colleagues, learn from industry experts, preview the latest golf apparel and accessory collections, test out the latest equipment and golf technology, and purchase new merchandise for next season. Combined with the January PGA Merchandise Show, known as the “Major of golf business,” the two expos serve as the PGA’s primary industry conferences.

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“When all is said and done, the Las Vegas PGA Show serves a great purpose–and it’s fun,” noted PGA of America Vice President Paul Levy. “The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is about much more than just buying your spring lines for next year. It’s about networking, building relationships, education and exchanging ideas.”

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Pro-Pro Tournament

A full-field Pro-Pro Tournament, featuring a $20,000 purse, began the 2015 PGA Demo & Fashion Experience at Cascata Golf Club on Aug. 17 and finished with an exciting three-team, four-hole playoff. PGA Professionals Brandon Rogers of Desert Forest Golf Club and Nigel Spence of Whisper Rock, both in Carefree, Arizona, won the $5,000 first-place prize.  The tournament, supported by VPAR Live Golf Scoring, also featured multiple contests and prizes.

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PGA Outdoor Demo Experience

Following the Pro-Pro Tournament, all event attendees were invited to test the latest equipment, technology, training aids and accessories at the PGA Outdoor Demo Experience at Cascata Golf Club. Leading companies such as Callaway Golf, Cobra Puma Golf, Ping, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Tour Edge, Wilson and Yonex were among some 40 top equipment and technology companies showcasing their newest merchandise on the range, practice greens and in the clubhouse.  The fun and productive outdoor event also included a short-game instructional workshop by 2011 PGA Teacher of the Year Mike Malaska, contests and prizes, live music and a barbeque.

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PGA Fashion & Demo Experience

The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience opened on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with a mimosa toast and ribbon-cutting ceremony with PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Vice President and General Manager Ed Several and PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Price, who welcomed PGA Professionals, golf buyers and vendors.

“We are pleased that the re-launch of the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience has resonated with golf manufacturers and PGA Professionals who come from influential golf clubs and retail facilities around the world,” said PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Senior Vice President and General Manager Ed Several. “The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience has become the ideal environment in the second half of the golf season for PGA Professionals and industry leaders to build business, test and preview the latest products and services, learn new strategies and share best practices among peers.”

More than 200 top companies and brands showcased the newest equipment and technology, plus the hottest fashion trends and accessory collections inside the cool, upscale setting of the Palazzo Ballroom inside the Venetian. Co-located with multiple Las Vegas Fashion Week trade shows, the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience also welcomed hundreds of apparel buyers from outside the golf industry to see the newest resort and golf lifestyle collections while networking with influential PGA Professionals and the top golf retailers from around the world.

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Live Fashion Show & Opening Night Reception

The highlight of the event was the Live Fashion Show, presented in 2015 by SWINGDISH, featured 17 apparel companies’ hottest fashions in a lively runway production in front of a standing-room only audience on Aug. 18.  The Live Fashion Show was followed by the event’s Opening Night Reception, also presented by SWINGDISH, on the Show floor. “The fashion show on Tuesday evening was the best I have ever seen at a PGA Show. The models were great and it was nice to see the new fashions, especially the new fabrics and colors. It was a fun event,” said Sally Mahoney, PGA Head professional at O’Donnell Golf Course in Palm Desert, Calif.

The 19th Hole Magazine will provide more information on the 63rd annual PGA Merchandise Show as the conference dates draw near.

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FIND OUT MORE AT: PGALASVEGAS.COM | PGASHOW.COM 

https://19thholemag.com | IMAGES COURTESY OF PGA

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