The cars started lining up outside the Orange County Convention Center before sunrise Wednesday, a reminder of how far the PGA Show has come since it began more than 70 years ago.
“The PGA Show started out of car trunks in a hotel parking lot,” PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. said. “(Tuesday) the city of Orlando presented us with a proclamation to celebrate 40 years of the Show being at the Orange County Convention Center.
“The PGA Show is one of the largest gatherings of PGA of America Golf Professionals and in many ways it’s a golf industry family reunion, spending quality time to connect, collaborate and start the year off right.
Rea was joined on the stage by North Florida PGA Executive Director Andrew Yeast, emcee Michael “America’s Caddie” Collins of ESPN, former Orlando Magic star Bo Outlaw and two-time World Series champion Johnny Damon (all pictured).
“It’s really a privilege for us to serve as the host PGA Section for the Show,” Yeast said. “With more than 1,700 PGA members and associates, we’re proud of this.”
Outlaw and Damon are longtime Orlando residents and avid golfers. Outlaw played for the Magic twice, for a total of six seasons, during his 14-year NBA career. Damon played 18 seasons in the major leagues, winning his World Series with Boston and the New York Yankees.
“I love golf because it’s hard,” said Damon, who grew up a couple miles away from the OCCC.
“Golf means I can be competitive without hurting myself on the basketball court,” Outlaw said.
The Show’s opening featured music by the local seven-piece Paradigm Band and live performance artist Sergio Gutierrez, who presented Yeast with a painting to commemorate the 40-year anniversary of the PGA Show being held in Orlando. —Craig Dolch