Prominent industry executives discussed research on women’s attitudes and behaviors, and marketing health, fitness and golf-equipment production for women during a "Fresh Approach to to Women’s Golf" forum. PGA and LPGA Professional Sue Fiscoe served as moderator of the panel, which included Sports & Leisure Research Group President Jon Last; Callaway Golf U.S. Marketing Vice President Merle Marting; PGA and LPGA Professional Raquel Huslig, and fitness expert Donna Richardson-Joyner.

On the current issues front, National Golf Foundation President and CEO Joe Beditz offered an insightful State of the Industry briefing entitled Forces Affecting Our Business on the PGA Equipment Forum stage.

On the PGA Merchandise Show business front, Callaway Golf and Cobra were among the nearly 1,000 industry-leading companies who reported consistent, quality traffic through the initial two days of the Show.

"This has been a good business-writing Show for our apparel sector, and we met all of our expectations on the hard goods side," noted Callaway Golf Senior Vice President for U.S. Sales Joe Urzetta. "The Backstrike Odyssey putter (a rear-shafted putter) has generated a lot of interest and received positive reviews. Overall, the Show has been positive and we were able to accomplish our objectives."

"This is an important Show for Cobra Golf, because we are able to showcase a product line that is new for 2010 in every category," said Cobra General Manager Brian Zender, noting that Cobra is happy to be back at the PGA Merchandise Show after being absent since 2003. "Cobra has a strong brand heritage and we have made significant strides in developing game-improvement performance products for the consumer, so we’re enthusiastic about sharing those products with the influential people we are seeing at the Show."

With the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show concluding on Saturday, several company executives such as Cleveland Golf/Srixon CEO Greg Hopkins was encouraged by the enthusiasm and support for the golf industry as it begins the 2010 business cycle and a new decade of golf commerce.

"Every golf company has been beat up (by the economy) to some extent during the past two years," said Hopkins. "We’ve all gotten more creative, wiser and more vigilant in the way we do business. But we believe things are turning around, and the Show this year has demonstrated that people are ready to buy golf equipment again. We’re excited about the Show this year, because we feel like we have a great product line to share with consumers. We’re excited to grow the Srixon brand in the United States. Srixon has always done very well in Japan and Cleveland Golf has done very well in the United States, so we’re excited about merging the two companies and increasing their exposure worldwide. The PGA Merchandise Show is a great place to do that."

M.G. Orender, president of Hampton Golf in Jacksonville, Fla., and considered the founding father of the Play Golf America campaign designed to grow the game, played an important role in the Play Golf America Conference Friday at the Orange County Convention Center.

"As a facility operator, it is the revenue generated that makes Play Golf America such an important program," noted Orender, a former president of The PGA of America. "As a PGA Professional, its knowing that I am part of passing the game to another generation and that is a legacy we should all be proud of."

"Play Golf America programs allow us to create new golfers and plant that seed that will lead to lifelong golfers," said Will Reilly, PGA Head Professional at Twining Valley Golf Club in Dresher, Pa. "And, the PGA of America promotes the programs for us through PlayGolfAmerica.com, which drives consumers to our facilities to participate."

The second day of the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show concluded with another "star show" Friday evening, when legendary rock band "Kansas" played its medley of hits during the Elations "Rock the Joint" concert in the Chapin Auditorium at the Orange County Convention Center.