Toronto Star Golf & Travel Show
Tees Up For Another Great Year:
By Brent Long

GTA golfers will be getting more than they bargained for with over 300 booths booked for the 2008 Toronto Star Golf & Travel Show. The giant show that runs February 29 and March 1 & 2 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is North America's largest consumer golf show.

"The show has filled up nicely," says Show Manager Judy Roshko. "I started working on this last April and we have seen a lot of keen interest from exhibitors. A lot of it is new business and that's great for the thousands of visitors who come to the show each day because there will be a lot of new exhibitors and activities for them to try."

Some of this year's show highlights include the 4,000 square-foot Nevada Bob's Retail Pavilion and the Pizza Pizza sponsored Junior Zone that includes a putting challenge and Clubs for Kids program donated by the RCGA's CN Future Links program. Over 5,000 free rounds of golf will be given away at the show! Book your free round at the Play Golf Ontario Pavilion sponsored by the National Golf Course Owners Association. West Jet Airlines will be offering unbelievable show only travel specials including a chance to win return tickets to Kamloops, British Columbia this summer. The first 100 visitors to the Golf & Travel Show each day will receive a free 7-day movie rental courtesy of Rogers Video.

"I think we have found a great balance of exhibitors from within the golf industry from local golf clubs, courses across Canada, golf equipment manufacturers, clothing companies and golf travel destinations from the Unites States and right around the world," Roshko says.

Equipment companies like Callaway, Mizuno, Top Flite, Odyssey, Wilson, Adams Golf, Tournament Sports and Nicklaus Golf will all have display stalls at the two large driving ranges so guests can test out the latest equipment.

There's a strong contingent of Ontario clubs including the likes of The Club at Bond Head, Copper Creek GC, Smuggler's Glen, Silver Lakes G&CC, The Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay, which will co-host the inaugural Nationwide Tour Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic in June as well as the newest golf course in the GTA – Dragon's Fire Golf Club that will open in May just north of Burlington near the hamlet of Carlisle.

"We have added so many new elements to the Golf & Travel Show this year that we are really excited about. We are proud to have Lipton join us to sponsor the all-new Lipton Ladies Tee – a feature area for women, showcasing ladies clubs, accessories, fashions and more. We also have the Golf Association of Ontario Callaway Golf in School program for kids. It introduces the sport to youngsters in a fun and entertaining way. And as always, the show features exciting travel deals, fantastic golf courses, new products, and tons of merchandise," Roshko says.

The Lipton Green Tea section of the Toronto Star Golf & Travel Show offers up the opportunity to discover refreshing Lipton Iced Teas. The delicious Lipton Green Tea with Citrus and thirst-quenching Lipton White Tea with Raspberry will be available. You can also get a coupon for Lipton Iced Tea's antioxidant-rich beverages for ladies on the tee, or on the go, quantities are limited. Available at the Lipton Ladies Tee will be premiums such as a Lipton tee bag (looks like a teabag but contains tees and a ball marker), or visitors can try the mini-putting green or guess how many tees fit in a bottle of Lipton Green Tea with Citrus for a chance to win fun prizes from Lipton. There will also be daily fashion shoes on Friday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The Toronto Golf & Travel Show, Tourism Ireland, Zoom Airlines and Toronto's Sports Radio THE FAN 590 are offering a chance to win an Irish golf getaway. You and your favourite golf partner could be on your way to Ireland for five rounds of world-class Links golf. And all you have to do is visit the Toronto Star Golf and Travel Show, and sign up for your chance to hit an eagle in the Emerald Isle.

US golf property developers will be at the show featuring great real estate opportunities. Now is a great time to buy in the US, and the Golf & Travel Show provides the option to explore these opportunities without having to leave the city.