You may not know it, but golfers in most of the United States are casting envious looks in our direction.
While much of the country is blanketed with snow, rain and temperatures that rarely creep above 50 in the winter months, golfers in the Bay Area enjoy much milder winter weather. Thus, unlike players in most parts of the country, Bay Area golfers never have to put their clubs away for winter.
They still, however, get the benefit of wintertime rates at local courses, and end-of-year discounts on the 2011 and 2012 model golf clubs when retailers clear out inventory in preparation for the new product releases in January and February. All of which makes it, quite possibly, one of the best times of the year for Bay Area golfers “” and a perfect scenario for the annual Bay Area Golf Show.
One of the largest fall golf expos in the country, the Bay Area Golf Show “” coming to Pleasanton’s Alameda County Fairgrounds, Nov. 16-18 “” has been helping local golfers capitalize on those end-of-year values for the last six years. With over 100 golf exhibitors under one roof “” including golf courses, resorts, country clubs, retailers and almost every training gizmo you can imagine “” it’s heaven for Bay Area golfers.
Any why not? Show attendees get the chance to take advantage of trying out the latest clubs from the game’s biggest manufacturers for free on an indoor driving range; purchase new clubs and equipment for 2013 at the lowest prices of the year; pocket significant savings on greens fees and golf vacations; play fun skills contests to win rounds of golf, clubs and more; receive free lessons from PGA professionals; and take home free goodies including rounds of golf, golf balls, magazine subscriptions and more.
Show producers have already announced that this year’s goody bag will include a coupon for $100 off a round at prestigious Half Moon Bay Golf Links “” not a bad value for a ticket that tops out at just $11. In addition, major national retailer Golfsmith has joined the fold, packing an on-site store with hundreds of golf clubs, bags, shoes and more from the golf world’s biggest names, including brand-new products from TaylorMade and Titleist.
“Our goal with the Bay Area Golf Show each year is to make it easier for people to play more golf,” says show producer Dick Stephens. “Most golfers cite time and money as the two main obstacles to playing more golf, so we try to address that head-on by first bringing the entire golf industry under one roof, saving time, and then by working with our sponsors and exhibitors to generate a unparalleled value for attendees in the form of front-door giveaways, prizes for our interactive contests and games, and show-only savings on the products and services being showcased.”
Six years in, it’s proved to be a winning combination. The show has grown steadily throughout its run, prompting organizers to combine operations of their annual spring show with the fall expo in Pleasanton, while moving the latter back one month from its usual October date to the third weekend in November “” a perfect time for golfers to get the jump on the holiday shopping season while avoiding the Black Friday rush of the following weekend.
In addition, producers have secured free parking for all attendees at the show, and have made a ticket for any one day good for all three days. The Bay Area Golf Show is also marketing a joint ticket with the first-annual Tri-Valley Wine & Food Festival being held at the fairgrounds on the same weekend, allowing golfers into both the golf show and the wine and food festival. J
“” Brian Beaky for Cascade Golfer Magazine/
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