Riding the momentum of rising popularity and participation in golf, the 2025 PGA Show teed off Wednesday with thousands of PGA of America and industry professionals exploring the latest products from more than 1,000 leading companies and brands; business, product and presentations on six distinct stages, a long lineup of PGA Education Conference sessions, and booths bursting with business at the Orange County Convention Center.
Like golf participation itself, the 72nd PGA Show has grown to its largest size since 2009, a fact reflected by the busy aisles as more than 30,000 golf-industry professionals from more than 80 countries began three days of business over 1.1 million square feet of exhibit, demonstration and meeting space at the OCCC. The energy on Day 1 lasted into the evening, with the annual Industry Welcome Reception and PGA Show Fashion Show placing an exclamation point on Wednesday evening on a productive day of presentations, sourcing new products, special events, and networking.
“Golf is booming and, judging by the turnout on opening day, so is the PGA Show,” observed James Grogan, PGA Director of Golf at Whitnall Park Golf Club in Franklin, Wisconsin. “I’m primarily looking at all the tech stuff that you can’t find under one roof like this – launch monitors, simulators, point-of-sale systems. I can accomplish in two days at the PGA Show what would take me 10-12 months of appointments with reps at home.”
“There is wonderful energy and enthusiasm on the PGA Show Floor; it seems busier than previous years,” said Marianne Huning, PGA Merchandise Manager and Assistant Golf Professional at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, California. “With the fires in Southern California, I wasn’t going to come to the Show this year, but I’m really glad I did. I’ve done a lot of one-on-ones with smaller companies and discovered some great new products. That’s what I love about the PGA Show – you always find things you’ve never seen before and meet a few companies you’ve never heard of before.”
“Rounds are up, lessons are up and revenues are up, so it’s great to see the PGA Show growing in line with golf,” said Robert Gamble, PGA, Technology Manager for GOLFTEC in Raleigh, North Carolina. “I come from the technology side and there are more tech companies launching new simulators, launch monitors and teaching aids than I have ever seen at the Show. It’s great to see golf booming again.”
Special events on Day 1 of the 2025 PGA Show included Titleist marking the 25th anniversary of the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball at the traditional Acushnet Opening Presentation featuring Jim Nantz of CBS Sports; a special tribute to Callaway Golf Founder Ely Callaway, who returned to the PGA Industry Stage presented by CapTech through the magic of Artificial Intelligence; and a full lineup of presentations and demonstrations on six stages located throughout the PGA Show Floor.
A national news conference conducted by PGA of America President Don Rea and new CEO Derek Sprague saw the PGA leaders preview the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in May and the Ryder Cup in late September while saying the USGA and R&A decision to roll back the distance a golf ball can travel needs to be revisited. The PGA of America also introduced its 2025 national award recipients, led by 2025 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Scott Paris of Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey, and PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Jason Baile, of Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Florida.
The busy opening day of exhibits concluded Wednesday with the annual Industry Welcome Reception, sponsored by johnnie-O, and the PGA Show Fashion Show – with both events taking place in THE RETREAT located in Hall E.
“My feet are killing me, but it was a great day of walking the PGA Show Floor, meeting with vendors, attending a lot of presentations and then sitting in on the Fashion Show,” said Ashley Mooney, PGA, Head Professional at Chapel Hill Country Club in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “I feel like I put in a lot of miles, but it was well worth it. Great Show this year.”
The 2025 PGA Show, golf’s global gathering, began with an upbeat opening ceremony honoring the “We Love this Game” campaign featuring PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., PGA Master Professional and Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona, and CEO Derek Sprague. While live performance artist Sergio Gutierrez worked on two “We Love this Game” paintings, Rea and Sprague recognized PGA of America Golf Professionals Pam Elders and Tom Dale and their inspirational stories of community service.
Elders, PGA Director of Instruction at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, and a PGA of America Member for 35 years, 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, demonstrated how he “loves this game” and his community when a major hurricane dumped more than 28 inches of rain in the mountains of western North Carolina in late September of 2024, flooding his facility and the entire Linville community. Dale turned his facility into a community kitchen with staff to provide 24,000 meals at the club – breakfast, lunch and dinner — during the next three weeks and then raised $5 million for the community.
“That’s what ‘We Love this Game’ is all about, and these two PGA Golf Professionals are great examples of what it means to love the game and the community you live in,” said Rea.