The golf season in Minnesota got off to its "unofficial" start last weekend with the Great Minnesota Golf Show taking place at the Metrodome. On Saturday, KFAN and "The Common Man" (a.k.a. Dan Cole - the unofficial ambassador of Minnesota Golf) broadcast his "Tee to Green" show live. I had the opportunity to appear as his first guest and talk about the changes to the rules for 2008. It is always a treat to visit with him on the air and promote golf, the MGA and the Rules.
The floor of the 'Dome was filled with exhibitors representing various local and regional golf courses, companies selling their wares from traditional golf equipment to the obscure, golf related organizations - including the MGA and the Minnesota Section of the PGA - and those companies completely unafffiliated with golf. And those stopping by the MGA booth with their MGA/GHIN Handicap Card were rewarded with a valuable prize.
Attendees were able to try out the newest drivers and get a free golf lesson, and when they were done with that, they could try to win $100,000 by making a putt longer than all of the putts I made last year combined. (I don't believe that happened when it counted.)
It seemed the "buzz" of the Show was Tiger's impressive performance in the Accenture World Match Play Championship. I think the total length of the putts he made in winning his six matches was longer than I made last year. With his comment that he is playing his best golf ever, it will be interesting to see what the year holds in store.
All in all, I thought the Show was a great start to the season. It was difficult to determine how many attended, but it was busy even up to the end on Sunday.
Next to do on my schedule, a rules seminar for the Dakotas Chapter of the Minnesota PGA and then a series of five rules clinics for the Minnesota State High School league, HS golf coaches and (hopefully) their student-athletes.
Until next time-
Doug
