Paraphrasing a famous line about golf, the 24th West Michigan Golf Show, February 10-12, 2012 is a good walk unspoiled. Void of ice and snow and inside the spacious and warm confines of DeVos Place, winter-weary golfers will walk the many aisles of the Show and receive a vicarious spring-like thrill by all of the exhibitors, events and seminars. Here are some of the highlights of this annual golf extravaganza:
• Widely acclaimed for its headliners, the Golf Show welcomes John Novosel Jr. of Tour Tempo, the cutting edge technology and teaching company, talking about “Golf's Last Secret Finally Revealed.” Also on the Fidelity Investments stage will be putting guru and PGA instructor Mike Shannon ranked #40 by Golf Digest in its listings of “America’s 50 Best Teachers.” Tour star Matt Kuchar’s putting coach, Shannon’s seminar is entitled: “What Great Putters Have in Common.”
• Ladies’ Night is on Friday and offers special events, seminars and giveaways just for women, including a seminar by Blythefield’s Patti Butcher and the 7th annual Executive Women’s Golf Association Fashion Show. And Swan Lake Resort is donating an overnight Spa package to the first 500 ladies. Also on Friday (only) there’s half-price off admission by donating a dozen (new or used) golf balls to the First Tee of West Michigan.
• The most popular attraction of the Show remains the Treetops Par-3 Challenge where patrons will compete for prizes (Treetops golf) at a fully landscaped par-3 and with a chance to win $25,000 while raising funds for Patriot Golf Day. Treetops is also offering a free golf round (a $64 value) to all patrons registering at its booth.
• It’s “try before you buy” at the demo club area where many top club manufacturers will have the latest equipment for patrons to hit inside the huge hitting net.
• The top golf courses and resorts in Michigan as well as destination courses in Indiana, Kentucky and Florida will offer pre-season values and teetimes.
• Courtesy of WZZM-TV and Treetops Resort, one lucky golfer will receive a 24-person overnight golf trip to Treetops, the Show’s grand prize drawing.
• Thanks to the Michigan P.G.A. and Boyne Resorts, golf pros will give free lessons all weekend, providing patrons with top-notch golf tips to start the season right.
• Presented by Core Golf Schueller, the $10,000 Putt & Long Drive Contests will entice deft putters and big hitters alike.
• West Michigan is known for its thrifty, savvy consumers and the Golf Show remains an ideal place to shop for golf balls, gloves, shoes, apparel and golf equipment at attractive prices.
• On a virtual golf course provided by RealGolf, golfers will compete in a closest to the contest to win prizes from Grand Haven Golf Club and to raise funds for Folds of Honor charity.
• Benefitting RacingAwareness.com and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, there’s a Saturday morning pancake breakfast (for only $5) starting at 9 AM in the Grand Gallery at DeVos Place.
• Sunday is “Junior Golf Day” with the first 250 kids receiving hats, and with special seminars, door prizes, and manufacturers with junior clubs. All weekend, a junior golf area—staffed by The First Tee of West Michigan—will entertain and teach “wee tee golfers.”
