Golf world hits Las Vegas during PGA Fashion & Demo Experience

Next week’s PGA Fashion & Demo Experience isn’t open to the public, but what happens at the three-day event will shape the game for the upcoming season. Much like the way the Consumer Electronics Show and the MAGIC show serve those industries, the PGA event does the same for the golf industry.

More than 200 companies, 4,000 PGA of America professionals, associated media and others in the industry will be in Las Vegas from Monday to Wednesday. Many PGA Tour players will be promoting brands at the show.

“The PGA Fashion & Demo Experience is a prime opportunity for PGA Professionals and golf retailers to meet face to face with peers, industry leaders and business experts, while building relationships with golf’s top brands,” said Ed Several, PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions senior vice president and general manager.

“It has grown to become second only to the PGA Merchandise Show (in Orlando, Florida) as the largest gathering of PGA Professionals — in large part due to the value of merchandise sourcing from many of the best names in golf, plus the opportunity to drive business and career growth through participation in national level education seminars, PGA membership programs and industry networking events.”

The outdoor demo takes place Monday on the range at Cascata golf course in Boulder City. Callaway Golf, Ping, Tour Edge and Wilson will be on display, plus the annual Pro-Pro tournament will be played.

The indoor fashion and apparel portion of the show is Tuesday and Wednesday in the Palazzo Ballroom of The Venetian. A special live fashion show is also scheduled, along with an after-hours industry party at Topgolf Las Vegas.

FAT BOY OPEN WEIGHS IN

The uniquely named Fat Boy Open presented by Nevada Beverage will be Aug. 27 at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. The tournament, which benefits the Families for Effective Autism Treatment program, has raised more than $250,000 since being created by valley residents Marty Linde, Jeff Nash and Tommy Babcock 13 years ago.

Per the name, “Fat Boy Open” foursomes that don’t meet a combined 900-pound weight minimum are fined $10 per golfer, with the funds donated to the charity. Linde says most teams don’t meet the minimum, but it’s all in fun and for a good cause. To reserve a team, visit FeatSoNv.org.

PAR 3 CHALLENGE IN LAS VEGAS

Golfers still can enter the World Par 3 Challenge on Saturday at TaylorMade Golf Experience. For $50, players receive a tournament entry and a chance to take part in each of the World Golf Skills challenges from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

More than 400 golfers from around the United States are in Las Vegas for the event, which features a scramble tournament, par-3 challenge and short game, putting and iron skills challenges.

REBEL EARNS ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR AWARD

AJ McInerney, a UNLV senior this past season, capped his career by being a Golf Coaches Association of America All-American Scholar. Players must have competed in at least three full years at the collegiate level, played 50 percent of their team’s competitive rounds, had a stroke average under 76 and maintained a cumulative career grade-point average of at least 3.2.

McInerney played in 10 tournaments last season, finishing in the top five four times and winning the LMU Invitational on Feb. 2. His stroke average was 73.24.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

The OB Sports Vegas Card is on sale and offers Clark County golfers and three guests unlimited rounds at card member pricing at Angel Park, Legacy and Durango Hills throughout 2017.

STARS ON, OFF COURSE

Paula Creamer was in Las Vegas last week celebrating her 30th birthday. Fellow LPGA Tour players Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome were among the group.

The golf notebook appears each Thursday. Freelance writer Brian Hurlburt is a two-time author who has covered golf in Las Vegas for more than two decades. He can be reached at bhurlburt5@gmail.com or @LVGolfInsider.