Finally! Extensive PGA Show Coverage!
/Longtime readers know I really couldn't care less about most of the new stuff introduced this week unless a company is introducing a Classic Course Ball or a new set of hickories, but my apathy may also stem from the longtime mysterious nature of coverage surrounding PGA Show week.
In years past, I've blogged about the oddity that is a promotional and educational event was keeping a tight lid on what golfers could see from the show, until we saw some glimmers last year. And this year? Look out! 
Whether some contractual issues were worked out or maybe golf's traditional lag time in getting on the bandwagon that is the 21st Century finally kicked in, it appears we'll be getting extensive converage from GolfDigest.com, Golf Channel/GolfChannel.com, Golfweek.com and golf.com.
My friends at GolfDigest.com will feature daily posts from the show floor, videos, expanded slideshows, a week-end editors picks slideshow and of course, extensive coverage in print editions. (Mike Johnson previews the week kicking off with Tuesday's demo day, and says the vibe is expected to be more positive than in the recent post-2008 years when grief counselors should have been on hand.)
Golf.com will have Gary Van Sickle on site wandering the floor as well as daily blog posts and floor coverage.
Golfweek.com will have daily blog items, photo galleries and coming Wednesday a relaunched online equipment hub along with full print coverage.
Golf Channel, nearly next door to the convention center, has long avoided in-depth coverage of the show, but now goes all in. From their press release:
MORNING DRIVE LIVE FROM THE PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW
Morning Drive’s live presence at the PGA Merchandise Show represents the most ambitious remote broadcast to date for Golf Channel’s daily morning show, delivering the latest news and trends from the golf industry. Morning Drive will be hosted by Gary Williams, Holly Sonders, Charlie Rymer, Matt Ginella and George Savaricas. PGA TOUR winner Steve Flesch will report from the showroom floor and Scott Walker will provide daily features. Morning Drive also will introduce special segments dedicated to the PGA Merchandise Show, including a new segment that will look to uncover some of the more unique exhibitors and their products.
Morning Drive will broadcast in front of a live audience at the PGA Merchandise Show and will encourage audience participation and interaction during the broadcasts. Wednesday-Friday, Morning Drive guests will be welcomed on a dedicated new set overlooking the entire PGA Merchandise Show floor. A sample of guests scheduled to appear include 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and PGA TOUR winner Ryan Moore, World Golf and LPGA Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam, PGA of America President Ted Bishop, renowned instructor David Leadbetter, U.S. Representatives Daniel Webster (R-Fla) and John Yarmuth (D-Ky), and industry leaders Chip Brewer (Callaway Golf President and CEO), Tim Clarke (Wilson Golf GM), Cindy Davis (Nike Golf President), Todd Harman (Cleveland Golf / Srixon President ), Mark King (TaylorMade CEO), Dan Murphy (Bridgestone Executive VP, Sales and Marketing), Bob Philion (Cobra Puma Golf President), and John Solheim (Ping CEO), among many others.
GOLF CENTRAL LIVE REPORTS FROM THE PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW
Golf Central will recap all of the day’s activities from the PGA Merchandise Show, beginning Tuesday with Demo Day and continuing Wednesday-Friday from the showroom floor.
FEHERTY LIVE BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK SPECIALS
David Feherty returns with not one, but two of his signature, live shows. Feherty, called by USA Today an “interviewer like no other,” will host two performances of Feherty Live that will be shot on consecutive nights in front of studio audiences at Universal Studios Orlando, on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 9 p.m. ET. Feherty has been described as “one of the funniest men in the game” by Yahoo! Sports and his series “a cross between Oprah and Johnny Carson” by The New York Times. Guests include on Tuesday: Lee Trevino, Lou Holtz and Graeme McDowell; and on Wednesday: Greg Norman, James Patterson and Mike Eruzione.
DIGITAL COVERAGE: NEW ONLINE SHOW FOR THE RECORD
GolfChannel.com will bolster its daily news coverage of the PGA Merchandise Show with exclusive video from the convention center on the latest trends in the industry. GolfChannel.com senior writers Jason Sobel and Rex Hoggard and associate editor Bailey Mosier will provide daily blog updates, analysis and columns throughout the week.
