| This year’s show
in Reno was approximately one third the size that Las Vegas used
to be; yet the majority of both exhibitors (320) and attendees
(no official attendance figures available at date of publication)
apparently felt their hard earned dollars spent on the event were
justified. This show could actually be covered in depth in one
day as it took just an hour to walk the aisles. The outdoor demo
facilities at two golf courses were well attended and beneficial
to both the retailers and exhibitors.
Though only NIKE Golf, one of the larger equipment
makers was in attendance, there were numerous smaller manufacturers
such as Tour Edge, Golf Gear, Srixon and Dunlop.
Apparel makers such as Tommy Bahama, Izod Club,
Roche and Imperial Headwear felt that there were a steady stream
of serious and qualified buyers and most importantly, orders were
being written over the two-day exposition. What was missing were
that the “non-involved” people who walk around with
buyers, who were not at this event.
While not delving into the pros and cons of having
a regional golf show, next year’s event in San Diego is
going ahead and rest assured, with the proliferation of golf companies
in San Diego, this show will definitely produce a significantly
larger audience.
There were many interesting, new and innovative
products that are worth mentioning amongst the many booths stocked
with the usual complement of novelties, gift items, putters, golf
bags, magazine publishers, massage machines and booths, course
management software, really ugly shoes, memorabilia and national
tourist boards.
So what was new, exciting and innovative?
Nike had a field day with their introduction
of their new fairway woods, the stainless steel T-40 featuring
a 40-gram plug in the sole to achieve proper trajectory. The woods
are available in three tour models, which feature small heads
(13 and 15 degree 3-woods, together with a 4- wood) and five regular
fairway woods (3,5, 7 and 9).
Nike also introduced its new collection of apparel,
bags, eyewear, gloves and footwear in addition to their new and
excellently designed junior golf system. The highlight was their
softer EZ Distance ball that really caught the attention of many
attendees. www.nikegolf.com
Opti-Putt is a new company devoted to putting
aids. Their premier products are the Putting Scope and the Putt
Ranger, both of which calculate the distance to the hole on putts.
The former is a hand held mini telescope and the latter a coated
card, that accurately measure distances from five to sixty feet,
on and around the greens. I was amazed by their accuracy. www.optiputt.com
Clarus Products Inc, makers of the QLink, debuted
their new gold pendant, to compliment their current sport and
silver models which are extremely popular on all the Tours. www.QLinkGolf.com
C-Thru Grips, made famous by John Daly and Annika
Sorenstam had a continuous stream of buyers for their putter grips.
The grips are manufactured by Precise Grips of Riverside, California;
use a variety of proprietary and special order bumper stickers
as the underlying wrap. This is covered with a clear tack and
water repellent grip made of vulcathane that has exceptional feel
and texture. The grip sells for about $10. www.c-trugrips.com
Roche Golf had really exceptionally well-designed
vests and insulated full zip jackets in wind resistant microfiber
that sell for less than $85. www.rochegolf.com
For the young at heart, SPL has created a wide
array of brightly colored golf accessories. Iridescent tees (in
multiple lengths), divot tools and ball markers as well as unique
towels and umbrellas with a distinctive tee pattern design, highlight
the collection. www.golfcool.com
Scientific Golfers AB of Sweden, introduced their
short 28 inch one-handed putter named “The One” which
is designed to be used with a one-arm stroke with the ball being
positioned sidesaddle outside the golfer’s shoe. www.scientificgolfers.com
Golf Gear introduced their new line of “forged
faced insert technology” Tsunami drivers, fairway woods
and irons. The set is visually attractive and their driver has
been ranked by RankMark as being the “longest”. www.golfgearint.com
Euro Socks introduced their new golf sock that
is most definitely going to challenge DeFeet as makers of the
best and most comfortable golf socks available. These socks feature
breathability, padded heel and arch supports. Great colors are
available and the quality is excellent.
La Jolla Club, the country’s premier junior
golf club manufacturer and producers of the “hottest”
driver of 2002, introduced their steel and Tungsteel fairway woods
to complement their driver. The company is having major success
with their driver, which is available with 13-shaft options. www.lajollaclub.com
KineSys Sport’s oil and alcohol free spray-on
sunscreen was in big demand. This sunscreen is water and sweat
resistant thereby enabling it to dry quickly and leave no residue
to affect you grip and it is not sticky or messy. www.kinesys.com
Tee-Zel makes a pretzel snack in the shape of
a golf tee. A new cheese cracker munchie in the tee shape was
just released at the show, although the packaging was not yet
ready. The new cheese tees should be available in the next few
months. www.tte-zel.com
Toon Art, featured a local hero, the Phillies
Jay Johnstone at their booth. The company promotes a line of licensed
images including golf cartoons. They are heavily involved in working
with charity tournaments, which is where Johnstone fits in. On
his own, Jay works with dozens of events per year. www.toonartinc.com
& www.sporthings.com (Jay)
Also extremely popular with all attendees were
two booths in particular, that of ClubGlove and Skins Clothing
Company.
ClubGlove makes arguably the very best golf bags
and travel bags in the golf industry. They also produce the Scheyden
line of eyewear that is extremely popular especially on the Major
golf tours. www.clubglove.com
Skins Clothing Company of San Diego was consistently
the busiest booth. Their small booth and their small line of men’s
shirts and Callaway licensed “slip-on” shoes generated
many compliments and orders. Watch this company grow! 888.2375467 |
The 2002 PGA Fall Show at Reno……
