By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
It’s that wonderful time of year again. Back and better than ever, the PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24th at Orange County National Golf Center, located on Phil Ritson Way, in Winter Garden, Florida. As it has in the past, this special event is full of demo and fitting opportunities, as well as the chance to learn from experts in the field and engage with fellow PGA Professionals and industry leaders.
The Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) will be on hand at Lower Tee Box #2, presenting demonstrations on its core pillars – coaching, practice, player development, fitting/demo, operations and engagement. The following programming will be featured on the Fitting Center Stage (located on the GRAA Tee Box) and will be open to all friends of the GRAA:
9:30 a.m. – Kevin Weeks, PGA – Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
10:30 a.m. – Jeff Smith, PGA – Jeff Smith Golf
11:30 a.m. – Rick Murphy, PGA – Rick Murphy Golf & Gary Gray – The Gray Institute
12:30 p.m. – Darren MacKinnon, PGA – Pine Oaks Golf Club
1:30 p.m. – Andy Miller, PGA – LedgeRock Golf Club
2:30 p.m. – Lester George, ASGCA – George Golf Design
Despite the challenges of the past few years, the PGA Show is expected to mirror pre-pandemic numbers and provide that elevated experience that so many golf professionals seek from this very special week in Orlando.
Attendees will find themselves immersed in an experience first offered last year. Hands-on workshops, huge video screens showing best practices everyone can use and a stage with theater-style seating will create a memorable and educational day for all in attendance.
In addition, many of the GRAA’s most successful award winners will be on hand to chat with fellow professionals and answer questions about their success in coaching, custom fitting, player development, operations and engagement.
You won’t want to miss three-time Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year Kevin Weeks, as he shares his club fitting best practices. The discussion will go beyond how to fit golfers and will also highlight the potential business benefits of custom club fitting to the PGA Professional, especially in forging those vital relationships.
More than 50 of the industry’s leading equipment and technology companies will be on hand to demonstrate their innovative products at the 2023 PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day, including Bridgestone Golf, Cleveland Golf, COBRA PUMA Golf, FlightScope, Garmin, Srixon and XXIO. Presenting partners in attendance will be Clubhouse Events, E-Z-GO, FlagD and Wittek Golf Supply Specialists.
PGA Professionals can register at PGAShow.com. Entry to this year’s event continues to be contactless. The 2023 PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day is open exclusively to PGA and LPGA Professionals, media and invited guests from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and will open to other interested parties after noon.
All attendees are strongly encouraged to pick up their Show badges at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) BEFORE arriving at Orange County National to ensure a smooth check-in process and minimal wait times.
Complimentary shuttles will be provided to and from the OCCC for timely access to the range, noting current construction on surrounding roads and additional traffic from multiple new neighborhoods.
Attendees driving to Demo Day will be directed to park in the field parking lot and be shuttled to the Registration Tent. No street parking is permitted due to the active road construction.
