It’s GO time for the 2016 PGA Show! Sense that this will be a landmark year for this show & the PGA of America! No globe out front, great history exhibit, first woman elected as a national officer, will be a great year for golf and the business of golf! Off to the Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 16 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/16)
Worlds largest driving range… 360 degreews, 400 yard diameter… encircled by golf club manufacturers, etc… Lots to see.. PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge (Facebook Post Video, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/16)
WOW, what a Demo Day that was! Nation’s largest driving range, Hickory Golfers, Centennial year for the PGA of America, hitting balls with clubs, walking all the way around, whew I am tired! Oh, already 2 am SA time, no wonder… PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions @PGA of America Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/16)
New champagne toast tradition this year with my buddy SJ. Good to catch up… where does time go? @PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions @PGA of America (Facebook Post 2 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)
It’s official, the 2016 PGA Merchandise show opened by Lee Trevino! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 8 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)
Titleist Opening Presentation… always the way I start the show… hosted by Jim Nantz this year… most personal, heartfelt I have seen him… 20 years with Titleist… Justin ‘BIG J’ Thomas with PGA Golf Professional Dad Mike. .. very inspirational… plus some free golf balls to play with this year! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 7 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)
Lee Trevino & his PGA Golf Professional Bill Eschenbrenner from El Paso Country Club on the PGA Forum Stage hosted by Fairways of Life w/ Matt Adams… great show… Lee grateful for Bill’s help for him to get his PGA card (no PGA Tour back in mid 1960s) which led to entry into US Opens which launched his professional golfing career… asked him what he wants to do for ‘the rest of his life?, his response thank PGA Golf professionals and do charitable work through golf… inspirational, bigger than life man! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 8 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)
Great presentation on Innovation mc’d by Jennifer Mills and facilitated by Futurist, trends & innovation expert Jim Carroll… gets you thinking about tomorrow & what’s coming… our chance to grow… technology is accelerating…. future belongs to those who move fast… good panel discusion with Club Car, Nextgengolf, GolfTEC, Topgolf, & GAME GOLF… PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)
Walking the floor on Day 1 of the 2016 PGA Show… good to see some old friends & meet some new ones! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 17 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)
Work continues into the night at the PGA Show… not complaining… just saying… awesome Fusion Media Strategies event hosted by Kevin Frisch at Brick House Tavern + Tap… have to play Forest Dunes Golf Club in Michigan… reversible nines by Tom Doak???!!!… might help my game as I routinely play from adjacent fairways, maybe I will be headed in the right direction… I don’t know about you but I am ready for a GOLF MOJO Revolution… then of course, when in Orlando, one must howl at the moon a bit… who was that guy and what did I give him??? PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions @PGA of America Howl at the Moon Orlando (Facebook Post 14 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)
Day 2 of walking the PGA Show… lots of stories to tell… here r the pics for now… PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 24 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)
Great honor & privilege to meet and interview golfing legend Lee Elder… fascinating yet very humble man… first African-American to play in The Masters in 1975… played a total of 6 times… 7 Top-25s in 34 majors…won 12 times worldwide including 4 on the PGA TOUR and 8 on the Champions Tour (then Senior PGA TOUR)… quite a performance over time… longevity is the sign of a great career & life… at age 81 so youthful & inspirational in conversation… I hope I grow up one day to be like him! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 3 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)
Inspirational night at the Folds of Honor event at House of Blues Orlando… Musical performance by Matt Williams… heartfelt story of a mother & 2 daughters who lost their husband & father… Patriot Days in 2015 raised $6,445,000… Bushnell donated another $259,788… scholarships for children of our fallen heroes… support a Patriot Day near you in 2016… this foundation & your donation is making a HUGE impact in lives of innocent children who’s parent gave the Ultimate Sacrafice for the freedom we enjoy in America today! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)
Walking the floor on the final day of the 2016 PGA Show… now totally jazzed up for the New Year of Golf! (Facebook Post 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/29/16)