2011 PGA Merchandise Show: The Disney World of Golf

This January marks the 18th official PGA Merchandise Show, a conglomerate of about a thousand golf retailers showcasing everything from new equipment to the hottest looks in fashion.There will be over 100,000 golf products in one place, educational seminars, Demo Day and short game competitions. What would a golf show be without a friendly challenge?

 

Over the next few weeks, Golf for Beginners will introduce you to exhibitors, products and special events which could very well turn O.C. Convention Center into its very own Golf Disney World!

 

 

Probably the most important place to start our journey are reasons why exhibitors wait to introduce their new offerings until the PGA Merchandise Show...aside from the obvious New Year, new product consideration.

 

Brian Whitcomb, former PGA of America President and owner of Lost Tracks Golf Club states,

"For me, the PGA Merchandise Show is all about the new and exciting products and services that are available."

 

 

John Lyberger, PGA Director of Golf at Congressional CC in Bethesda MD agreed with Mr. Whitcomb adding Networking and Education, to his list of priorities.

"Networking gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my peers.

From tournament prizes, favors or solutions, there are a plethora of items at the PGA Show. Apparel is an important part of the Show. The demo day really allows me and my team the chance to preview the latest equipment that the industry has to offer.

Learning each day is the key ingredient to one's success. With so many talented professionals in our business and industry...taking advantage of educational opportunities can be rewarding on many levels."

 

Who attends the PGA Merchandise Show? Any golf-related individual or business looking to build strategic alliances, introduce a new product or service, discover/set industry trends, learn about new technology and just about anything from travel to equipment in the world of golf.

 

One of the most fascinating events of the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show is sure to be the New Inventors Spotlight. Located right on the Show Floor, you will be able to see up-close, the newest golf-related inventions before they hit the market and watch as they are judged for inclusion into Inventor Digest Magazine. Isn't this like Disney World's EPCOT "Future World"?

 The 2011 PGA Merchandise Show will take place January 26 (Demo Day) and 27-29th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

 

Thanks to social media, you can follow on twitter: @PGAGolfShows (or #PGAMR11) and/or friend on Facebook. Golf for Beginners will also be updating readers on the seminars, golf fashion and equipment as they are introduced...stay tuned!

 

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Tiger Woods wish list for 2011?

Tiger Woods stole 2010 golf headlines not through the "win" column and not through a commitment to being "the best a man can get". Instead, Woods became media fodder by being trounced on the golf course and through an infidelity which rocked the golf world.

Tiger lost his top PGA Tour standing, millions of dollars in endorsements as well as the respect that he used to easily command from fans and the media.

With 2011 just around the corner, many of us participate in the New Year ritual of compiling resolutions to improve upon our weaknesses and enhance our strengths. If Tiger Woods is embarking along the same journey, perhaps he is starting with these few declarations.

A new and improved golf swing. As Tiger Woods says in his blog, Sean Foley is helping to rebuild his golf swing but, "It just takes time to build. You just have to go piece by piece. Before, I couldn't even do it on the driving range and now I can. Now, after working with Sean Foley, I can do it on the golf course sporadically, then it becomes more consistent. Eventually, it becomes a full 18 holes and beyond that, a full tournament."

Not only will it take a new golf swing for Woods to be successful but also a renewed mental toughness which Tiger has shown in the past.

Win a tournament in 2011. Breaking the ice and being in the winner's circle again will change the entire world of Tiger Woods. Fans love a winner and are very forgiving when their idols make dramatic comebacks! In the case of Tiger Woods, even a single win will give TW the confidence he needs to move forward and turn 2010 into a distant memory.

Break Jack Nicklaus' record.   Although Woods would need a grand slam in 2011 in order to break Jack Nicklaus' major wins record, Tiger Woods is only a breath away from leading the all-time list of PGA Tour wins.

Career wins on PGA Tour: 73 - Nicklaus, 71 for Tiger Woods
Major Tournaments won:   18 - Nicklaus, 14 for Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open hobbling around the course on injured knee: it stands to reason that his mental game is only bruised, not beaten.

New endorsement deals. Tiger Woods' recent loss of his Gillette endorsement brings the total number of advertisers who nixed the golfer to four for 2010. Although IMG Worldwide made light of the loss by saying that "Gillette is ending their 'Champions' campaign. That is the reason for not continuing," it still is a blow to the Woods camp.

On the flip side, don't feel too bad for Woods. According to CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell, if all deals remain the same, Tiger Woods' earnings should stand at about $55 to $60 million!

Renewed respect for a fallen hero?: Once revered by millions of fans for his quiet, ethical demeanor, Tiger Woods' fall from grace was the single most publicized golf event of 2010. With a televised apology and numerous connections with fans over the course of the past few months through Twitter and blogging, Tiger is desperately trying to show fans that he really is a good guy who made mistakes.


Forgive? Forget? How about golf news stories that don't involve Tiger Woods' personal life? Would interest in golf wane without all the fodder?


To be on top of the PGA Tour standings and perhaps PGA Tour golfer of the year once again. Becoming top golfer in the world would probably help to achieve all of the above wishes for Tiger Woods. He would regain the respect of fans, the media and the bevy of other golfers on tour who believe that Woods is now beat-able.



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Back9 Network tees up new golf entertainment channel

EXCLUSIVE GROUND-BREAKING NEWS:

The Back9 Network, being touted as the world's first multimedia lifestyle and entertainment golf television network, has signed Kevin O'Brien to it's roster of industry professionals.



Mr. O'Brien, a well-known television executive, has successfully led many stations to prominence including WTTG in Washington DC and KTVU in San Francisco.

"Kevin's background running some of the most successful television stations and broadcast groups in the country will serve us well in implementing our launch strategy," says Back9 Network Co-Chairman, President and Founder Jamie Bosworth. "He's a perfect complement to our already strong, core golf industry team."



The Back9 Team is made up of fourteen industry professionals (like a matched set of golf clubs) including Dennis Allen who heads up Global Business Development (and speaks fluent Japanese), Reid Gorman who is a former President of MacGregor Golf Company, Kathleen Hessert, a nationally renowned reputation management consultant and former award-winning TV anchor and Bosworth, a former senior executive for Callaway Golf and Top-Flite. Read more about the Back9 Network Leadership Team here.

The Back9 Network plans to provide simultaneous distribution of it's golf and lifestyle programming over the internet and through mobile devices.
Non-traditional broadcasting on Back9 Network, according to O'Brien, is meant to attract and engage viewers as well as "encourage social media interactions to give a voice to our audience."

Golf fans can now chat with @Back9Network on Twitter (#B9N) and can sign up for the Back9 Facebook launch.

"Golf is a lifestyle, a social and business opportunity, a personal yet shared experience and that's exactly how we intend to cover it. We'll be all the things traditional golf media is not," affirmed O'Brien.
I personally am looking forward to the shows on Back9 Network as a breath of fresh air and a innovative slant on the entertainment of golf.

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