The TGI Golf Show underlined its position as the UK’s premier golf trade event as more than 70% of the buying group’s members attended the Harrogate International Centre, 5-7 November, to write orders with the golf industry’s leading brands.
Virtually all of the golf industry’s main players, including all three Acushnet brands – Titleist, Cobra and FootJoy – plus TaylorMade adidas, Callaway Golf, Ping, Nike and Srixon/Cleveland Golf, exhibited at the show, benefiting from a strong turnout of TGI Golf members representing quality green grass retail operations.
Eddie Reid, managing director of TGI Golf said, “The show is a good barometer of the industry among professional retailers and the general consensus is that although it’s tough, our members are doing well and being supported by consumers.
“This is the fifth year of the TGI Golf Show and the challenge has been to establish the event as the leading golf trade show and create a benchmark of quality, which I think we have achieved. All of our major accredited suppliers exhibited this year, including all three Acushnet brands, with a high proportion of our membership turning out ready to do business and place orders.
“It’s a simple, almost old fashioned ethos, but when times are tough, good customer relationships are what see you through – and this is what both our members and our accredited suppliers are benefitting from now.”
The three-day event also featured seminars, including one with renowned clubmaker Tom Wishon, which attracted CPD points for PGA professionals.
Andrew Law, sales director of TaylorMade-adidas, said, “The TGI Golf Show was brilliant – very busy and vibrant. On the first day our pre-orders were well up, exceeding our expectations. We’ve also opened a number of new accounts which is an indication our partnership with TGI continues to go from strength to strength.”
Meanwhile, Graham Hayward, sales director of Glenmuir, said, “It’s been an excellent show. We’ve had people on our stand the whole time, which has been very pleasing. TGI Golf as a group is one of our major key accounts and we like to support all its activities and the green grass professionals who are a major part of our business.”
“It has been a very good show, this is the first time we’ve been able to show the Srixon and Cleveland brands fully integrated and it was a fantastic turnout. We wrote a lot more business than I thought we would and we’ve had a lot of quality meetings, all the TGI Golf members are looking at their business closely which is a good thing and we’re glad to be working with them,” said Leslie Hepsworth, chief executive officer, Srixon Sports Europe/Cleveland Golf
The show also served as a backdrop for TGI Golf’s Annual General Meeting, attended by the members, who are shareholders in the business.
Among the members joining the board was current PGA Captain Parnell Reilly, while 34-year-old PGA professional Ian Muir, from Elie Sports Club, Fife, succeeded Ian Johnston as TGI Golf chairman.
Ian Muir said, “Ian has had a huge impact in the nine years that he’s been part of TGI Golf and I have a big pair of shoes to fill. I’m looking forward to bringing my enthusiasm and my experience as a PGA professional to the table and helping TGI Golf move forward.”
Also joining the board is Amanda Wilson, the group’s financial controller who now becomes TGI Golf’s first financial director.
Eddie Reid added, “TGI Golf is owned by and managed for its members. We welcome Ian as Chairman and Parnell and Amanda to the board in the knowledge they will bring experience and dynamism to the business, helping members and suppliers to continue to work closely together for our mutual benefit.
“I would also like to thank everyone, including the TGI Golf head office team and our board, for once again making the TGI Golf Show such a success.”
TGI Golf www.tgigolf.com