The annual “Barnam & Bailey” of golf...

In 1871, newspaper man and promoter, P.T. Barnum opened a circus, billed as the “Greatest Show on Earth”. In 1881 he merged with competitor James Bailey to form Barnum & Bailey’s Circus. Not long thereafter, it became known as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. It remained one of the world’s best known circuses until it closed down after a 146 year run.

I remember attending their circus every year for about 8 years in the 1950’s when it came to Rochester, NY. It was one of the events I most looked forward to attending during the winter

months. It was a sad day when I learned they went out of business. I just found out P.T. Barnum was often credited as the original source of the quote, “There’s a sucker born every minute”. I don’t know what that quote has to do with running a circus or why he coined the phrase but I can tell you, I was disappointed when I read it. Shame on you Mr. Barnum. What you should have said was, “There’s a fan born every minute who attends the Greatest Show on Earth”. I was one of them. So what does a circus have to do with golf?...

On January 11, the day after this article appears in the six Eagle Newspaper communities around Syracuse, I am scheduled to fly to Orlando, Florida to attend the 71st version of “The

Greatest Show on Earth... For Golf”...The 2024 PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW.

From Links Magazine

It’s hard to believe it has been 12 months since the last show, which is always scheduled during the 3rd week of January every year. It will again be hosted by the 1 million sq. ft. Orange County Convention Center which will have a superabundance of golf products that will be displayed by almost 1,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries around the world. Unfortunately, the show remains a “trade-only” event and is not open to the general public.

The Show begins on January 23, 2024 from 9AM-5PM at the beautiful and unique one/half

mile circular driving range at the Orange County National Golf Facility which is about 25 miles from the convention center. It is referred to as DEMO DAY because just about every golf club manufacturer around the world will have an area at the range where you can hit as many balls, with their clubs, as you like (within reason). Picture this...as you enter the gate at the driving range, all attendees will be at a point on the circular range at about 6 o’clock on a clock. The first decision will be to decide which way to start your one/half mile journey around the range...left or right. I have gone both ways to determine which

way was fastest. Evidently 50% of the attendees have also experimented with the best direction and determined that either way takes the same amount of time. As you can imagine, you can hit a lot of balls in 8 hours with 15-20 different clubs, if you are committed to doing it.

Who will be attending this event? About 50,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals (International and Domestic)... Golf Industry Professionals... Assistant PGA of America Professionals and Associates...Golf Coaches and Instructors...Directors of Golf... Golf and Pro-Shop Owners and Managers...Golf Course Owners...Presidents and Managers... Buyers for Golf Facilities and Courses...Golf Coaches and Instructors...and STUDENTS and ENTREPRENEURS OF THE GOLF INDUSTRY. The reason I am highlighting the last one is because last year I saw more college students, both male and female, in attendance than at any other time I have been to a show and I expect to see the same thing this year. The fact is there are currently opportunities for young, articulate, motivated students and entrepreneurs with golf companies from all over the world that are willing to invest and reward young “talent” as never before. They call it the Clubhouse Pavilion

& Career Zone.

The PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW is absolutely the, “Greatest Show on Earth...For Golf ” because the management of the event has set a “very high” standard for excellence that is difficult, if not impossible, to match for any other “golf ” industry event in the world. You are entitled to know that CNY has a very direct relationship with the PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW. The event Vice President is Marc Simon, son of Bob Simon (deceased), who played in many Syracuse District Golf Association (SDGA) events over the years while coaching golf at Hamilton College. Mrs. Simon used to walk the entire 18 holes of every tournament he played in. There is an outdoor Simon Golf Center named in his honor on campus. I will hopefully be interviewing Marc on my radio show January 13th on News Radio 570 WSYR.

Written by Perry Noun