TJ at the PGA Show

​The PGA Show in Orlando is a great celebration and gathering of the golf industry each January, bringing together everything from the top club brands, a multitude of apparel companies and of course the latest gadgets and inventions that golf has to offer.  It had been a few years since the Show was itself, due to the pandemic that has impacted large gatherings for upwards of three years now. 
 
So it was nice to return to Orlando last month and have it feel “normal” again.  Most of the big brands were back, the floor was a beehive of activity, the social events were plentiful, and the Canadian contingent in particular was back in force.  And for a change, the weather was actually Florida-warm!  

​Typically I head down to Orlando on the Sunday prior to the Show as the Ireland golf tourism suppliers host a day for its partners on the Monday.  This year that took place at Reunion Resort and it was great to see everyone in person again, a great celebration for all of us in the tourism industry.  A celebration because 2022 was a huge rebound in golf tourism after two very difficult years. 
 
Despite the challenges that such a quick rebound presented – golf courses, hotels and restaurants all struggled with staffing in 2022 – I am very proud of the way our industry handled the busiest year I have ever experienced.  The vibe within the travel pavilion at the PGA Show was a positive one as we all look forward to a busy 2023 and beyond.  

​On the Tuesday I was fortunate to be invited to a great day of golf hosted by some of our Scottish partners, in particular Dundonald Links, a great “modern” links golf course in Ayrshire that now offers a great accommodation option perfect for a buddies trip.  The cabins are adjacent to the new clubhouse and provide a great base for a group playing the great golf courses in the SW of Scotland – and there is an abundance of world class links courses in that area of the country.  

​That evening we hosted a number of PGA Professionals at Top Golf, just a short walk from the hustle and bustle of International Drive, where all the week’s socialising takes place!  It was great to welcome many of our clients to Top Golf, a perfect venue for a casual social gathering!

​Wednesday and Thursday offered the opportunity to walk the enormous show floor.  I mixed in meetings with many of our tourism partners from around the world with visits to the booths of some of the more interesting products on display.  There had to be 20 golf simulator companies alone on display, along with seemingly hundreds of clothing companies.  For those attending the show for the first time, it really is overwhelming, and not hard to get your 10,000 steps in.  

My week in Orlando is always capped off by “Canada Night” on the Thursday night, a great celebration for the PGA of Canada and its members, who win awards from Player of the Year to Retailer of the Year to Class ‘A’ Professional of the year and many other awards in between.  It was great to have the event in person for the first time since 2020, and it was the best attended Canada Night that I can remember.  This year Golf Away Tours was proud to present a trip for 2 to Ireland to the winner of the Apprentice of the Year, who was Marie-Pierre Bernier from Club de Golf La Tempete in Levis, Quebec.  Congratulations to Marie-Pierre and we look forward to coordinating her trip to the Emerald Isle to visit some of the best links courses in the world. 

​So all in all the week was a great success.  The energy was back and the vibe around the industry is as positive as ever.  That can only translate into a busy golf travel industry over the next few years, which is evident in the lack of availability for top destinations in 2023 and even into 2024.  The lead time for bookings is longer than ever, so don’t hesitate to call us to chat golf travel, we look forward to helping you book your dream trip in the near future!