PGA HOPE Day at the 2026 PGA Show took time to thank our Veterans and the PGA of America Golf Professionals who work with them. It was a red-white-and-blue banner day to be at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).
Energy was high from the time the Show Floor doors opened at 8:30 a.m. until the final notes of country star Dustin Lynch’s PGA Winter Jam set echoed off the walls of The Retreat nearly 12 hours later. In between, thousands of industry professionals continued the strong traffic and buzzing vibe of Wednesday’s opening act.
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) ambassadors and instructors greeted attendees throughout the day inside the main entrance of the OCCC, calling attention to the PGA of America’s flagship therapeutic program for Veterans and active duty military members. PGA HOPE participants were also honored on stage during the PGA Show Winter Jam concert, which brought an upbeat end to another active day.
PGA HOPE Day returns recognizes and celebrate the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Association. The initiative introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being through a 6-8 week developmental curriculum, led by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. PGA HOPE Day recognizes the PGA of America Golf Professionals who make PGA HOPE’s mission possible, as well as celebrate the program’s success within the golf industry.
The second day of the 73rd PGA Show saw sustained traffic throughout the day across the 1.1 million square feet of exhibit and meeting space at the OCCC. A full day of buying, discovering, learning and networking left attendees and exhibitors with a look at the future of golf.
“The buzz here … you just can’t replicate it. It’s really exciting to be here,” said Brad Schweigert, Chief Product Officer of PXG, the equipment company that made its PGA Show debut this week. LPGA Tour Player Christina Kim and Michael Collins made an appearance at PXG’s booth to have a virtual conversation with company founder Bob Parsons, who appeared as a lifelike hologram interacting with attendees.
“This is a big milestone for us, and we’re thrilled to be here and engage with so many people in this industry,” Schweigert said. “The sheer number of PGA of America Golf Professionals that are here is amazing, and it’s great to connect with existing accounts and work with those that are interested in working with us. It’s been a really good experience.”
Attendees also continued enjoying the positive energy at the 2026 PGA Show, with the 1,195 exhibitors showcasing new products and programs throughout the day.
“The PGA Show looks bigger than I can ever remember, with more vendors and more people – I view that from the standpoint that the business of golf is growing, which is good,” said PGA of America Golf Professional Glenn Pulice, General Manager of Royal Oak (Michigan) Golf Center and the 2025 Michigan PGA Golf Professional of the Year. “I’ve been looking at some high-end items, like robotic range pickers and in-bay technology for our practice center. Being able to see them in action at the PGA Show makes those decisions a lot easier.”
The 2026 PGA Show continues Friday, with exhibits open from 8:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. After the doors close on the event, the countdown begins for the 2027 PGA Show, which will return to the OCCC next January 26-29.