GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Feb. 1, 2005 – Beginning Friday, golfers may take in a “Flick” (Jim, that is) and learn how not to hit it “Sideways” out on the links this year. Yes, movie buffs who love golf will drive toward the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids for the 17th Annual West Michigan Golf Show. Opening on Friday at 4 pm and ending on Sunday at 4 pm, the West Michigan Golf Show will attract thousands of golf enthusiasts to hundreds of booths and exhibits representing every aspect of the golf industry: Michigan and Sunbelt courses, resorts, equipment and merchandise, apparel and golf schools.

This year some lucky golfer may even earn $25,000 as part of the Macatawa Legends Short Game Challenge. And over on the seminar stage, such experts as legendary teacher Jim Flick, award-winning course designer Ray Hearn, and LPGA Tour player and five-time tournament winner Debbie Massey will be found providing free seminars.

Over 100 booths of golfing destinations will be featured at the Show, representing thousands of golf courses, resorts, lodging and golf schools throughout Michigan, the Midwest, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Arizona. In addition golfers will find over 75 booths of equipment, clothing and merchandise—the “one stop” shop for drivers, irons, putters, wedges and fairway fashion.

A series of seminars will be a popular feature all weekend. Headliner Jim Flick, sponsored in concert with Boyne Super Five Golf Schools, will appear on Saturday (only) and give instructional clinics. Flick, who counts among his pupils Jack Nicklaus and Tom Lehman, is ranked by his peers as being one of the top ten golf teachers in America as compiled by Golf Digest magazine. Dean of Golf Instruction at Boyne Golf Academy, Flick has taught in 23 nations and given over 1,000 three-day golf schools. “I’m very excited about coming to Grand Rapids,” said Flick. “West Michigan is known throughout the country for its avid golfers always eager to improve their games.”

Other seminars will feature Ray Hearn (all weekend) discussing “The Grass is Always Greener: the elements of golf course design” An award-winning architect, Hearn has designed a number of acclaimed courses throughout the U.S and Michigan. He is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Also appearing on the seminar stage will be Debbie Massey (Friday only), five-time tour winner and two-time British Women’s Open champion; John Dal Corobbo (all weekend) 2005 Michigan Teacher of the Year and Director of Instruction at the Golf Center at Michigan State University; and Golf Association of Michigan’s rules maven Dr. Roger Ostrander (Friday only) who officiated at the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

A new twist on a popular attraction at the show will be the $25,000 Macatawa Legends Short Game Challenge where golfers this year will face an amazingly landscaped trouble shot with water, bunker, rough and trees. Every competitor helps to benefit Holland’s Habitat for Humanity while one lucky golfer may even win $25,000 with a single shot.
On Friday (only) anyone bringing in and donating a golf club to junior golf will receive half-off on the admission price. And each day, the first 100 people admitted to the show will receive a free two-ball pack of Nike’s new MOJO2.

Sponsored by Hamilton County CVB in Indiana, Friday is also “Ladies Night,” where the first 100 women through the doors will receive a free golf visor and a new “BirdieBall,” the revolutionary plastic practice ball. Massey and Dal Corobbo, over on the seminar stage, will provide clinics aimed at women golfers. The Ladies Night Grand Prize will include a pair of weeklong passes to the 2005 Solheim Cup to be held next September at Crooked Stick GC near Indianapolis.

Speaking of crooked, golfers trying to straighten out their games will take advantage of free golf lessons compliments of Boyne Golf Academy. Also, $10,000 Putt Fore Cash, putting and chipping tips, Closest to the Pin Contest by Shanty Creek Resort, Long Drive for Men and Women, and Guess Your Yardage contests all will be part of the weekend’s festivities.

Club demos of the latest equipment from Callaway, Powerbilt, Precept, Tour Edge, Nike, Ping, Mizuno, Adams, Yonex will be available in the hitting nets as will manufacturer’s reps to answer equipment questions.

To sum up, winter-weary golfers will be “Finding Neverland” this weekend at the West Michigan Golf Show.

Golf Show-At-A-Glance

Hours:
Friday, Feb. 4 4 pm – 9 pm
Saturday, Feb.5 9 am – 7 pm
Sunday, Feb. 6 9 am - 4 pm

Ticket Prices
Adults $8.00
Children (6-14) $4.00
5 & Under Free

Charities:
Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Alzheimer’s Assoc. of West Michigan, and Holland’s Habitat for Humanity

Sponsors:
Macatawa Legends, Nike, Boyne Super Five Golf Academy, Golf Association of Michigan,

Website:
www.westmichigangolfshow.com for complete show details, discount coupons and purchasing advance tickets online.

Special:
Purchase your tickets online and get a free 2-ball pack of Nike’s new MOJO2. Also, the first 100 people admitted to the show each day receive a two-ball pack.

Telephone:
1-800-328-6550

Contact:
Carolyn Peticolas Alt, Show Manager, ShowSpan, Inc.—616-447-2860
Terry Moore, Media Relations, Sportserv Ltd.—616-247-1931