At the show in my IBKul quarter zip
PGA show 2022
The last few days I have experienced my first PGA golf show in Orlando Florida. I came with Alice to support her in her IBKul world.
Last year the event was cancelled due to covid. I have been told this year dwarfs the previous years in size and attendance. So just what is this show all about? People from all over the world attend to view, touch and feel all products about the golfing world. Vendors spend lots of money on booths and presentation. Attendees are typically the buyers for their organizations and clubs. This show is not for personal consumers of golfing products.
For more detailed information about the PGA show:
Golf fashion show
Here are some photos of a fashion show that I shot during the show
Highlights of the event
Photographing the Golf fashion show
Dinner last night at Maggiano’s Little Italy
The entire IBKul team, so great to work with and be around
Presentation by Greg Norman
Cold, rainy and dreary weather in Orlando
My emotions running amuck
So what kind of feelings run through my soul while viewing all the incredible products and meeting some of the greats in this wonderful game?
Most readers of my blog may never know I grew up in Denver Colorado. I started playing golf when I was about 12-14 years old. My father introduced me to the game. I was soon hooked line and sinker.
My years as a golf caddy
I became a golf caddy at the age of 14 at Lakewood Country Club. We had a caddy master and a caddy shack. We were rated by our caddy master C, B, and A caddies. Beginners were all rated C. Have you seen those big bags carried on the tour by the caddies? Occasionally I would do a double and carry 2 big bags up and down the rolling hills of that beautiful course. Eventually I was rated an A caddy capable of working for a pro. We had caddy days on the course. We could play for free on Tuesday's. The caddy master would watch us like a hawk and if we didn't replace a divot we were out. My "loops" were rich old men driving Bentleys. A “looper” is another name for a caddy. A “loop” was a round of golf. Once my player asked me to hand him the golf bag and proceeded to walk up to the lake and threw the whole bag with clubs in it. He then walked off the course in a tirade. If you have seen the movie Caddy Shack, you will get the picture. My experiences as a caddy will be with me forever. I learned so much.
Here is a real good link on the basics of being a caddy:
High School Golf
I played golf on the High School golf team at Arvada West High. I remember I had to pay a quarter to play. My high school let out at 11:35 am. Often times I played and walked 36 holes after school. Played many times in the snow and freezing cold. I can still feel the sting of the club when it struck the ball when my hands were frozen stiff. I never played in a riding golf cart until after I graduated from college… couldn’t afford it besides I preferred to walk the average of 5 miles a round with a bag on my back up and down the foothills of the Colorado rocky mountains.
Back in the days when I was flexible and could almost play with the big boys
The greatest game on earth
I have loved golf my whole life. The greatest game on earth. I had aspirations to become a pro but never had near the ability nor proper training to make it. My lowest handicap was 7 and my average handicap as an active adult golfer was around a 10.
I have won many club level golf tournaments. Eventually I just threw out a big box of trophies. Who really cares about my long driving trophies anyway? No one cared and they were not trophies from professional tournaments.
To this day I still have dreams at night about being in contention in a major tournament. When I wake up I sigh in disbelief. That was just a dream.
My son Eric, a great golfer
I taught my son Eric how to golf. We spent most of our time either playing or practicing. His handicap was about a 2. For you non golfers that means he seldom shot above a 75. He also had aspirations to become a pro. His senior year in high school Eric became the non Eric. He broke his arm when he fell out of a golf cart and could not play his senior year. Soon thereafter he was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and was given less than 10 years to live. My heart and soul was broken. He died in his sleep at the age of 28 about 8 years ago. I have never recovered. Golf has never been the same to me since.
For more information on paranoid schizophrenia:
Is there golf in heaven
These are the things I am thinking of as I see all these golfers and products at this show. Yes, I am jealous and envious. My dream of being a golf professional was just a dream. I can still see my son Eric hitting his drives long and straight as I watched in pride. Maybe there are golf courses in heaven. Perhaps my "pull hook" will be solved by the golf Gods and I can enjoy golf again.
I challenge you to read more of my blogs
You may be entertained and get to know the old golfer, tennis player and photographer just a little bit better. The blogs can be read in reverse chronological order directly from my web site: