First ever Golf Show hits the North

RETAILER American Golf is hoping a major investment in the first ever Golf Show – which takes places at the end of this month -will help the sport shed its staid image.

American Golf is investing more than £250,000 in The Golf Show – a free, interactive and fun showcase to be held at Event City next to the Trafford Centre on February 27 and 28 will help revive interest in the sport.

American Golf marketing director Dan Gathercole told TheBusinessDesk.com “We are trying to shatter the myth that this is an expensive, inaccessible sport played by people, who are, to put it bluntly dull.

“We are trying to take a lead in the industry and attract more families – women and kids to give golf a try.”

Gathercole, pictured, is hoping the event, if successful will become a regular fixture in the calendar. He is hoping for more than 8,000 people to attend.

“This is not the Manchester Golf Show – it’s a completely new event, which just happens to be taking place near Manchester.

“We’ve had a really good response from the vast majority of the big brands that supply us, which is encouraging, and there will be loads to do and see over the weekend with crazy golf, trick shot displays and a fashion show.”

Exhibitors include adidas, Benross, Bushnell, Callaway, Cleveland, Cobra, FootJoy, Galvin Green, Garmin, Motocaddy, National Golf Month, Nike, Palm Grove, PING, PowaKaddy, Srixon, Stewart Golf Trolleys, Taylormade, Tee Off Times, Titleist, Tom Tom, U.S. Kids, Wilson and Yonex.

Gathercole accepts that golf’s lack for free-to-air TV time, the enduring appeal of football and the rise of cycling over the last decade among its traditional white, male, middle-class bedrock have all posed challenges to the sport’s popularity.

“There sadly isn’t that much mainstream media coverage on golf beyond Sky, which is a shame given that some of the superstars of the sport like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Speith are young, fashionable guys.”

The Golf Show is part of a multi-year strategy to increase participation by attracting more players, young and old, in to and back to the game.

To broaden the appeal to young people, children can get their first taste of the game in a dedicated Kids Zone where there will also be non-golf activities including go karting.

Entertainment will also be provided by trick shot specialist, Rob Brown, aka ‘Tricky Rob’.