Golf Show proves perfect for business

PGA Professionals and leading suppliers have given a positive response to the Golf Show 2013 lauding it as the ‘essential’ place to do business.

The three day trade show and educational event took place at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) this week.

Highlights included an extensive education programme aimed at enhancing every aspect of a PGA Professional’s business and an exhibition supported by more than 50 industry companies with every major golf manufacturer in the world in attendance.

The popular Teaching & Coaching Conference attracted a full house, featuring seminars from PGA Master Professionals Pete Cowen and Scott Cranfield, R&A Director of Research and Testing, Dr. Steve Otto, plus James Whitaker and Peter Myers, two club-based PGA Professionals whose own coaching businesses are thriving.

The show, which is organised by The PGA, TGI Golf Partnership and Foremost Golf, was busy across the three days, reinforcing the event’s growing stature.

Martin Wild, Callaway UK sales manager, echoed that, commenting: “As The Golf Show attracts more and more PGA professionals, it becomes increasingly important to attend.

“This event provides the perfect platform to showcase our complete range of hardware, including forthcoming 2014 product launches, to PGA Professionals.”

Giles Birkhead, regional sales manager of adidas and Ashworth, added: “We need to be here. You have to be if you’re serious about the golf industry. It is the best environment to show off the brand and communicate brand messages to our customers. Like for like, looking back to last year, our stand has been even busier in 2013.” 

Adrian Longstaff, Mizuno sales manager UK Golf, believes the timing of the show is ideal for the industry.

“The Golf Show enables us to meet potential customers in the right frame of mind to learn about our full range of new products. The timing of the show is perfect and this has been our most successful year, signing a number of new accounts. The Golf Show is always worth attending and we are already looking forward to next year’s event.”

Michael Brooks, PGA Professional at Malton & Norton GC, North Yorkshire, said: “The show is an important networking tool. It allows me to get a better idea of the state of the industry and through the combination of educational seminars and sharing experiences with fellow professionals, I can return to my club with more ideas about how to progress my business.”

Peter Myers, head professional at Hainsworth Park Golf Club in East Yorkshire, commented: “I have achieved plenty of buying at the show because having our major suppliers under one roof enables us negotiate the best deals for the coming year.

“The knowledge we collectively gain from the educational seminars provides practical business advice to take back to Hainsworth, plus talking to exhibitors about the technology in their products helps give us confidence in selling to our customers.”

John Davis, The Golf Show event manager, said: “We aim to enhance the show each year, so to receive such positive feedback is pleasing.

“We’ll continue to look at ways of improving the show and increasing the benefits to both PGA Professionals and exhibiting brands to make The Golf Show 2014 even better.”

Ben Moffat, global head of golf at Lyle & Scott, said: “As a golf brand, The Golf Show is an essential event to emphasise our position within the golf industry. Our roots are in golf and we look to strengthen our position and relationships with PGA Professionals at the show. We created some theatre on the stand by involving our embroidery team and demonstrating the quality of in-house service Lyle & Scott offers.”

For more information, visit www.golftradeshow.co.uk