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The economic
and governmental impact of golf was in the spotlight later Thursday
when Florida Gov. Charlie Crist visited the Show. Crist appeared
with PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka on the PGA Equipment Forum
stage to present the Florida Golf Economic Impact Study, which
underscored the importance of golf to the economic viability of
Florida.
The significance and the importance of golf
not just to the Sunshine State, but the entire country and world –
is really about jobs, jobs, jobs," emphasized Gov. Crist. "The
President (Obama) talked about it last night [in the State of the
Union address]. To live in a state that has a record number of golf
courses and where The PGA is housed and so many golfers live, is
truly special. I have pledged to Joe Steranka and The PGA that I
will do whatever I can to assist the effort of making sure that golf
is recognized for the economic contributor it is on a state and
national level."
Florida, which houses 1,278 golf
facilities, also carries the banner of owning the largest direct
golf economy in the United States. Florida’s direct golf economy was
$7.5 billion as of 2007, based on an independent study completed
last fall. Those facts and more were examined by an executive panel
representing the Florida Golf Impact Task Force, which met Thursday
at the 57th PGA Merchandise Show.
"There are 74 countries
represented here [at the Show]," said PGA of America Chief Executive
Officer Joe Steranka, a member of the panel. "If you think about it,
the economic impact of golf in Florida alone is almost more than all
of those countries."
After one of the most successful Outdoor
Demo Days on Wednesday, the PGA Merchandise Show proper teed off
with crowded aisles and the hustle and bustle of business perhaps
belying an economy still stuck in recession.
"Is there a
recession? You’d never know it by the crowd at the Show today,"
observed Peter McDonald, PGA Professional at Shoreacres Golf Club in
Lake Bluff, Ill. "I came to see some of the smaller companies, but I
had a chance to check the newest equipment and things at all types
of booths. This year, more than ever, it feels like you’re a kid in
a candy store. Everything that has to do with golf is
here."
With industry leaders Callaway Golf, Titleist, PING,
Cleveland Golf/Srixon, Bridgestone and Cobra anchoring the nearly
1,000 vendors showing their 2010 lines and conducting business on
the Show floor, many companies are approaching 2010 as a "pivotal"
year.
"This is a very important year for us, not just because
we believe the economy will start to turn around, but because we are
excited about sharing our plans for the Datrek, Burton and Bag Boy
bag lines," noted Craig Ramsbottom, president and CEO of Dynamic
Brands, which acquired the brands held by ForeFront Golf last May.
"We are planning to keep each of the brands, since each has such a
traditional following and they give us a golf bag to fit everyone’s
taste and style. The PGA Merchandise Show is the best place to share
our vision with so many influential buyers."
The first day of the PGA Merchandise Show
was also marked by the announcement of a new partnership between The
PGA of America and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC becomes the
newest Official Patron of The PGA of America – the highest level of
partnership and designation granted by The PGA – and is now the
Official Bank of The PGA.
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