JA:
Todd, over the last 20 years, the Michigan Golf Show has steadily grown
to become perhaps the largest one in the country. How did it become
that way?
TS:
The Michigan Golf show started with the idea of an event that was
focused just on golf and to cater to those people who may not be the
best golfers but love the game. At the same time many of the scratch
golfers wanted to experience an event that touches on all aspects of
their golf game. Over the years many golfers have found that this is
the one place where they can try all sorts of equipment and to talk to
almost every golf resort.
JA:Golfers really like to demo equipment. What are some of the tools golfers can use at the show to swing clubs and test the other latest equipment?
TS:The
Michigan Golf show has two 80 foot hitting nets that offer a chance to
try the latest in clubs and also receive free pro instruction and tips
from many area pros
JA:What
do some of the resort and course owners say is important to let golfers
know they are available for business for the 2012 season?
TS:
Many of the resorts are running very strong specials at prices that
they have never been so low. They need a means to communicate that to
the public and to announce some of the improvements to their properties
in the past year. Many of the resorts are packaging specials with a
variety of other courses so that a person can actually have the best of all worlds and play two or more resorts.
JA: How do exhibitors gauge this and your Kalamazoo Golf Show for how business will turn out for the coming year?
TS:
The Michigan Golf show starts the spring and summer off for all the
exhibitors. They have found that this is a great way to fill in large
blocks for the coming year on resort stays and also get their equipment
sales off to a large start. Usually most courses in the area have
opened within 3 or so weeks of the Show so the exhibitors know the
season is just around the corner
JA:What trend do you see golfers gravitating to in the next decade from equipment to golf vacations?
TS:Me
are seeing more all in one vacation resort stays which will have a wide
variety of amenities for both the golfer and perhaps their friends.
Golfers are expecting a higher level of service and have become a little
more decerning on the golf course conditions. Equipment
we expect to see more shaft and head technology to advance a general
golf players game. Larger heads are not as important as the engineering
of individual clubs to correct weaknesses in the golfers game
JA:
Many states say they are a vacation destination and some have both the
courses and climate to golf year around. What makes Michigan such a
destination for golfers everywhere?
TS:Because we go stir crazy in the Winter!!!!!!!!!!!
You will have a chance to get discount tickets in the Oakland Press, online and at some golf retailers.
