Monday, February 1, 2010

PGA Merchandise Show/Arctic Storm Hits State

The struggling economy has affected everyone, including the golf industry. Approximately 30% fewer vendors were on hand at the PGA Merchandise Show in 2010 than in 2009 - fortunately I was able to accomplish every one of my goals and all orders for 2010 (trophies, tee gifts etc.) have been made. Discounts of 10%, sometimes more, are offered by placing orders at the PGA Show. A number of Arkansas PGA Chapter Pros were in attendance for the three-day Show, which was attended by 40,000 nationwide. While vendors were down, nearly 1,000 displayed a wide range of products and the PGA held 65 education seminars and the largest indoor equipment testing range at the Orange County Convention Center.

While I was in Orlando for the Show, an Arctic storm blew threw Arkansas knocking as many as 30,000 Arkansans out of power - even shutting down the LR National Airport for Friday, January 29 and closing public schools, UALR and the ASGA office. Hats off to the airport staff that got the runways reopened on Saturday and while it appeared we landed on a solid sheet of ice, I was able to make it home on-time. The icy streets of Little Rock on Saturday afternoon required a longer trip from the airport home than the hour flight from Atlanta.