Norman to headline global golf presentation on Asian Golf Marketplace

 

The presentation, organized by The PGA of America, will take place at 10:00 a.m. on the PGA Equipment Forum stage at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Greg Norman, Instructor Michael Breed, plus executives from PGA World Golf Alliance organizations are scheduled to participate in the panel discussion.

 

"We are pleased to be able to open the 58th PGA Merchandise Show with this timely presentation on the international growth opportunities in Asia and to engage such a distinguished panel of speakers in the presentation," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "This represents a valuable opportunity for PGA Professionals and Show attendees to learn about the opportunities that exist for building golf participation and business in Asia."

 

The opening global golf announcement is one of many industry presentations that will take place on the PGA Equipment Forum stage throughout the golf industry's largest international business gathering at the annual PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 27-29, 2011. Multiple industry leaders, professional golfers, award-winning PGA Professionals and celebrities will participate in other PGA Equipment Forum events including PGA teaching best practices, women's golf and participation programs, golf manufacturer industry presentations, youth golf programs and new golf fitness initiatives.

 

Organized by The PGA of America, the PGA Equipment Forum stage was introduced in 2007 to provide the game's leaders with an unprecedented stage to reach some 40,000 attending industry professionals with pressing matters impacting the business of golf.

 

2011 PGA Merchandise Show PGA Equipment Forum Stage Schedule

 

Thursday, January 27

 

10:00 a.m. - Welcome by Allen Wronowski, President, The PGA of America 

Global Golf Announcement – PGA World Golf Alliance 

Address by Greg Norman 

Asian Golf Marketplace Panel Discussion

 

12:00 p.m. - PGA Teaching Best Practices - What you need to earn, learn and grow the game – Moderated by Dr. Gary Wiren 

Christian Czaja, South Florida PGA Teacher of the Year 

Rick Murphy, Carolinas PGA Teacher of the Year 

Elizabeth Granahan, Philadelphia PGA Teacher of the Year

 

1:00 p.m. - Callaway Golf Industry Presentation

 

3:00 p.m. - SkyGolf Industry Presentation featuring LPGA Player Natalie Gulbis

 

Friday, January 28

 

8:30 a.m. - PGA of America Awards Night Video Highlights

 

10:00 a.m. - PGA Merchandiser of the Year Best Practices Presentation 

Dennis Johnsen, PGA, General Manager at Pine Meadow Golf Club 

Thomas B. Davidson, PGA Director of Golf at Circling Raven Golf Club at The Coeur D'Alene Casino 

Mark Mongell, PGA, Director of Golf at Cherokee Town & Country Club 

Jay Overton, PGA, Director of Golf at Corales Golf Club Punta Cana Resort & Club 

Mark Darnell, PGA, Life Member Master Professional

 

11:00 a.m. - PING Industry Presentation

 

12:00 p.m. - PGA Teaching Best Practices - What you need to earn, learn and grow the game – Moderated by Dr. Gary Wiren 

Todd Anderson, Georgia & PGA National Teacher of the Year 

Rick Sopka, North Florida PGA Teacher of the Year 

Bob Saffer, Nebraska PGA Teacher of the Year

 

2:00 p.m.- Women's Golf - "Putting Yourself in Her Shoes: Your Course Playbook for a Winning Season" - Get a jumpstart and enhance your women's programs by learning what appeals to women golfers 

Barb Kauffman - President, Kaufman & Associates 

Kathy O'Neal - Senior Vice President, ClubCorp 

Diane Davis, PGA - 2010 North Florida Merchandiser of the Year/Walt Disney World Golf 

Katherine Roberts, President, YogaForGolfers 

Arthur Little - Senior Trustee, The Little Family Foundation 

Jan Beljan - Jan Beljan Golf Course Design 

Cheryl Anderson, PGA, LPGA - 2006 LPGA Teacher of the Year

 

3:00 p.m. U.S. Kids Golf – Top 50 Kids Teachers Awards Presentation 

Annually, U.S. Kids Golf recognizes 50 elite golf professionals who have focused their careers to developing youth golf in their communities and are known for their overall excellence and commitment to serving youth. In addition, those who have demonstrated a long-lasting dedication to youth golf and have achieved this award on three of more occasions are recognized as "Master Kids Teachers" and are also recognized at this presentation.

 

4:00 p.m. "The Urban Market & The Power of Sports Entertainment on Brands and Consumers"- Panel Discussion 

Jennifer Mills of the Golf Channel will host a panel discussion and view clips of the movie, FROM THE ROUGH with Producer/Director, Pierre Bagley; actor Michael Clarke Duncan; Matt Corey, Chief Marketing Officer of Golfsmith; and Earnie Ellison, Director of Business & Community Relations, The PGA of America.

 

FROM THE ROUGH (in movie theaters in Fall 2011), starring Taraji Henson (Oscar Nominee for Benjamin Button) Tom Felton of Harry Potter Fame and Michael Clark Duncan (Oscar Nominee for The Green Mile), is based on the true story of Catana Starks, a former swim coach at Tennessee State University who became the first woman to coach an NCCA, Division I men's golf team. With drive, passion, and guts, she took an unruly group of mismatched kids from around the world and guided them to an all-time record at the PGA National Collegiate Minority Championship.

 

Saturday, January 29

 

10:00 a.m. - PGA Sports Academy: Live Junior Clinic ~ Fitness Through Golf 

David Donatucci, PGA, Director of Fitness & Performance, instructs junior participants from the Boys and Girls Club of Orlando, using the fitness curriculum of the PGA Sports Academy, to demonstrate the value of incorporating fitness into junior golf programs and engaging youth in positive and healthy lifestyles which can carry them into a healthy adulthood.

 

12:00 p.m. - PGA Teaching Best Practices – What you need to learn, earn and grow the game – Moderated by Dr. Gary Wiren 

Mike Malaska, Southwest PGA Teacher of the Year 

Harvey Lannak, Metropolitan PGA Teacher of the Year 

Mark Blackburn, Dixie PGA Teacher of the Year