PGA Show markets directly to media
February 13, 2015
When 1,400 media representatives are flooding a merchandise show, exhibitors don’t rely solely upon their booth displays to attract attention and coverage.
Here are two examples of the press conferences that ran throughout the event.
Imperial Headgear golf hats are stitched with fresh logos and sold at tournaments and pro shops throughout the world. At the press conference I attended Jan. 21, the company announced a new alliance with Coolcore, a technology company that developed a patented combination of three blended yarn types with cooling properties.
This new textile is claimed to reduce surface temperature by up to 30%, by combining elements of wicking, moisture transportation, and a regulated evaporation rate.
Wicking moves sweat from the body to the outside of the fabric. Moisture transportation avoids saturating portions of the fabric, and accelerates drying. Regulated evaporation provides a noticeable cooling effect.
A short demonstration with a fabric swatch and hot water was impressive. As they described it, their textile combination mimics a human body’s own natural cooling process.
The fabric is 100% chemical treatment free. They say this provides a distinct advantage over performance fabrics that use chemical application, not least of which because the chemicals that provide cooling qualities often disappear after repeated washing.
The Imperial spokesman pointed out that they don’t recommend washing their caps. He also suggested the new fabric should reduce the sweat staining that might otherwise convince golfers to throw the cap onto the top shelf of their dishwashers.
Imperial’s UPF-45 hats should be available May 1 in the U.S., and in other parts of the world thereafter.
I also attended a press conference from Sky Golf, makers of the popular Sky Caddie golf yardage devices. The company is expanding its current product offerings in an alliance with Sport Trak, which makes swing monitors.
The new product, the Sky Trak, is a personal, portable launch monitor and golf simulator. Golfers can set up the device in their garages, basements, or other handy spots and practice their game, much like setting up a basketball hoop in the driveway.
The device includes guided activity options, such as target challenges, long drive practice, and closest to the pin contests. The base model carries a $1,995 suggested retail price.
The device’s Launch data parameters are the same as found in other launch monitors costing five figures, including launch angle, backspin rate, ball speed, club speed, and side spin rate. The information is then uploaded to the player or golf pro’s IPad Air tablet for viewing and interpretation.
Well-known golf instructor Hank Haney was on hand to endorse the product. He said he and his staff have tested it, and said it is a nice combination of accuracy and realism, while being cost effective and fun.
A spokesman for WGT also announced an upcoming partnership with Sky Trak, in which golfers will be able to use their own real clubs and balls to play the popular golf game’s famous digital courses. That prospect will surely convince many WGT addicts to dig deep and buy a Sky Trak device.
Klinedinst scores ace at Lighthouse Sound
Jim Klinedinst of Dagsboro plays in his weekly Hacker group from Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View, with buddies such as Rich Kuhblank, Pastor Steve Ackerman, Dan Orendorf, and Pastor Woodrow “Woody” Wilson.
On Feb. 4, Klinedinst was in this fivesome when he hit a dead straight 6-iron on the 139-yard par-3 13th hole at the Links at Lighthouse Sound. The ball landed 2½ yards from the hole, and disappeared into the cup.
Klinedinst used a Srixon Z-Star golf ball that he found that day on the course, having just lost one of his usual Titleist Pro V-1s on the 12th hole.
It will now be attached to a nice plaque celebrating the ace.
He may want to rethink his equipment choices.
Kliendinst also wrote that he enjoys this column. His experience is proof once again that if you read it regularly, nice things will happen to you.
Just sayin’.