Tailored to PGA of America Professionals
The 2025 PGA Show also fostered diversity and inclusion through a variety of programs and events, from the Diversity Forum to the African American Golfer Expo and Forum, a new networking opportunity on the PGA Show Week schedule. As per tradition, the 2025 PGA Show was tailored to the PGA of America Golf Professional. The opening ceremony, for example, saw Rea and Sprague honor PGA of America Professionals Pam Elders and Tom Dale for their Herculean efforts as part of the Association’s “We Love this Game” campaign.
Elders, PGA, Director of Instruction at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, and the national 2025 PGA of America Player Development Award recipient, is a certified PGA HOPE instructor and has introduced a variety of player development programs throughout the South Florida PGA Section for Veterans and players of all skill levels.
Dale, PGA General Manager at Linville Golf Club in Linville, North Carolina, turned his facility into a community sanctuary when a major hurricane dumped more than 28 inches of rain, leaving the community without power and many homeless. He and staff served 24,000 meals at the club and Dale helped raise $5 million for cleanup efforts.
Later on Jan. 22, the PGA of America national award recipients for 2025 were introduced on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech (see last month’s issue of PGA Magazine for profiles on all 13 national award winners). The honorees were headlined by PGA of America Golf Professionals Scott Paris, Jason Baile and Tony LaFrenere earning PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year, PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year and PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year, respectively.
A Member Reception in the PGA of America Hub followed the recognition of the national award winners, while the busy first day finished with an Industry Welcome Reception sponsored by johnnie-O and a live Fashion Show, located at the new RETREAT Stage.
It was PGA HOPE Day on Thursday, Jan. 23, at the PGA Show, with PGA of America Golf Professionals who host PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) programs honored throughout the day. PGA HOPE, the PGA of America REACH Foundation’s flagship military rehabilitative golf program, celebrated its 10-year anniversary throughout the day and was the Winter Jam concert’s charitable beneficiary, with Veterans, Active Military, PGA HOPE certified PGA of America Golf Professionals, Ambassadors and graduates attending as special guests.
“PGA HOPE is not only changing lives, but saving lives,” said Rea.
“I’m grateful for our PGA of America Golf Professionals who are certified and implore our entire membership to make it a priority.
“The impact PGA HOPE has on local communities across the country and, more importantly, the lives of our Veterans, is one of the most meaningful things we do. I’m delighted to see PGA HOPE in the spotlight once again at the PGA Show.”
A True Hub of Activity
The PGA of America Hub was a beehive of activity throughout the three days of the PGA Show, while the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech hosted presentations and panel discussions covering timely topics in the golf industry each day. The Golf Fitness, Health & Wellness Stage featured complimentary education sessions presented by TPI and the Golf Fitness Association of America, with supporting sponsor Life Fitness.
The Clubhouse Stage featured industry programming by golf development and racquet sports experts. This included sessions on trending topics such as renovations best practices, attracting and retaining members while managing wait lists, and boosting salses through mixology. The new RETREAT Hall featured evening events including the Industry Welcome Reception and Fashion Show, and the PGA Show Winter Jam concert.
It was a busy four days in Orlando at the 72nd PGA Show, with perhaps the biggest challenge being which of the hundreds of events to attend and how to organize your time. Many “long haulers” said the 2025 PGA Show was just like old times, with busy booths, crowded aisles, rows and rows of new products and innovations, and a never-ending schedule of presentations, demonstrations, panel discussions, debates and special events.
“It seems like the PGA Show keeps growing by leaps and bounds, especially since the pandemic,” said David Labinski, PGA, Head Professional at Dretzka Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “It’s just like the good old days, although it might be more crowded. It shows the golf business is flourishing, which is good news for everyone involved.”
A dynamic 2025 PGA Show floor featured interactive destinations to personally engage attendees with company products and services including: The PGA of America Hub where Members accessed Association and partner benefits and programming; the Equipment Test Center, which featured 44 testing bays and a 3,750 square-foot putting green; the Innovation District featured the New Product Zone for a one-stop shopping of the newest golf merchandise and the Inventors Spotlight exhibitor pavilion for patented products not yet available at retail; the Golf Fitness, Health & Wellness area; an Adaptive Golf Center; Career Zone, Golf Travel Pavilion, The Clubhouse with two Pickleball Courts for racquet demonstrations, and THE | RETREAT, a new premium brand and event experience space in Hall E, also home to the Industry Welcome Reception & Fashion Show and PGA Show Winter Jam concert.
