FIRST EFFORT A SUCCESS
By Mike Collar

Over 35 featured exhibitors were spread over two floors at the first Upstate Golf Expo at Saratoga Springs City Center last weekend, March 24-25. Like many shows like this, admission was $5 which immediately got you in a door prize drawing.

**Click here to see a photo slideshow from the Expo put together by Greg Hitchcock.**

Among the attractions, the NENY PGA brought its inflatable hitting net and offered a few lessons to anyone who wanted a 10-minute swing analysis by a PGA Professional or who wanted an “introduction” for any new golfer.

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Trying a putter at the 2011 Malta Golf Show

SARATOGA SPRINGS HOSTING UPSTATE GOLF EXPO

The days are getting longer and, more importantly, the weather is getting warmer in the Capital Area and it’s time to not only think golf but to get set. You can do just that at this weekend’s Upstate Golf Expo. It’s being held at the Saratoga Springs City Center this weekend – Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 – from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Two floors of exhibitors will get you ready for the upcoming season with PGA professionals giving seminars and exhibitors showing the latest in golf. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free.

Manufacturers will have the newest equipment to try out in practice nets supplied by The Net Return. Some of the top courses and clubs will be there to show you what is new for 2012.

Many regional tournaments will be ready to sign golfers up for a day of fun to support their causes. Putting greens, practice nets and exhibitors specializing in training equipment will help you hone your game after a winter break.

-Mike Collar

Last year's Tavistock Cup leaderboard

Check it out. Team Albany is part of the annual Tavistock Cup, to be broadcast on Golf Channel today and tomorrow.

It’s played at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Live on Golf Channel in the US (12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.), Primetime re-air in the US (7:00 p.m. – midnight); Live on Sky Sports in the UK (4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.).

Click here to see just who is on Team Albany. Who will you be cheering for?

TEE-OFF IS MASTERS VIEWING PARTY

This spring, hundreds of elementary school kids will learn to play golf now that “The First Tee” school program allows PE teachers to teach the game and program’s nine core values.

Students in Albany, Guilderland, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Troy, Voorheesville and Newburgh will learn the game along with all the other games taught in school including baseball, soccer, lacrosse and basketball.

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NEW YORK EVENT BACKED BY SPORTING GOODS CHAIN

Dick’s Sporting Goods has extended its title sponsorship of the “Dick’s Sporting Goods Open” golf tournament for three more years. That assures the tournament a spot on the Champions Tour calendar through 2015.

The announcement was made Wednesday at En-Joie Golf Course, the site of the event since its 2007 inaugural.  There’s $1.8 million in prize money at stake for this year’s tournament.

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SYMETRA TOUR PAVES THE “ROAD TO THE LPGA”

The “Road to the LPGA” is now offering 10 exempt LPGA Tour Cards and the season-ending event, which used to be in the Capital Area, will now be at the LPGA Headquarters. The Symetra Tour also has a new umbrella sponsor.
2012 will feature 16 events in 12 different states and Mexico and the top-10 on the season-ending money list will get entry into all full-field LPGA Tour events.

“We see the Symetra Tour as the best pathway for up-and-coming female professionals to earn their way to the LPGA Tour,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “By offering 10 exempt spots, we are solidifying the Symetra Tour as the proving ground for the LPGA and creating what amounts to a year-long battle to see which 10 players will earn equal playing status on next year’s LPGA Tour.”

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NOW LET’S GO PLAY

Nearly 1,000 companies and brands gathered for the 59th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL including some Capital Area representatives. At the Orange County Convention Center, more than 42,000 PGA Professionals, buyers and industry leaders from nearly 80 countries came for the latest in golf equipment, apparel, accessories and services.

Check out a special, one-hour PGA Merchandise Highlight Show on Golf Channel tonight, Monday, January 30, at 8:00 p.m.

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PGA SECRETARY AS SEASON BEGINS

Derek Sprague, the Head Golf Professional at Malone Golf Club, part of the NENY PGA and from the Capital Area, is also the Secretary of the PGA of America. He has been in Florida as the 59th Annual PGA Merchandise Show gets started in Orlando.

But before that, he took part in several meetings with the PGA of America to work on growing the game, which has seen a decline in participation and new players in recent years, due in large part to the economic downturn.

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NICKLAUS, GOLF 2.0, 1,000+ COMPANIES

Despite the fact that the 59th annual PGA Merchandise Show is not open to the public, here’s a preview and a link to get you closer to what’s going on in Orlando, Florida. It’s being held in the Orange County Convention Center from now through Saturday. There’s also an official webcast.

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MARKING 10 YEARS OF OUTDOOR DEMOS

The 10th anniversary of the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day was also its largest and, perhaps, best-ever on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, FL.

Thousands of PGA Professionals, retailers and golf-industry leaders tested the latest products from 100-plus golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies to officially open Show Week 2012 on a warm, idyllic day, according to a PGA of America release.

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