The Golf Show is back!

Writing from Chicago

Thursday, February 23, 2023

It was three years ago that golfers last filled one of the exhibition halls at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Talk of a mysterious plague-like ailment, COVID-19, was about as the Chicago Golf Show was held. Many people fist-pumped rather than shook hands.

Only a few days later, the world shut down for months.

Friday, the Chicago Golf Show returns for the first time since 2020. It was not held in 2021 because COVID still ruled the world, nor in 2022 because the usual run of exhibitors were reluctant to travel or be about in public. This year, show owner Tom Corcoran has lined up many of the old exhibitors and some now ones to make it worth his while to open the doors – and for golfers to attend.

The 38th edition opens a three-day run Friday at noon, running until 6:30 p.m., with $7 adult admission (and $5 after 4 p.m., a.k.a. Happy Hour). Saturday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) adult admission is $12. Youths from 12 to 15 are $4 each, kids 11 and under get in free.

All attendees can sign up for a free round of golf at a GolfVisions-operated course – there are 13 in the area – get a quick lesson from an Illinois PGA pro at the indoor driving range, and give Chicago’s Longest Putt a whirl, plus roam the aisles of exhibitors, including resorts, many local courses, sellers of gadgets and implements both practical and curious, or dive into used-club areas in search of that one weapon that will turn one’s game around. The booth count went past 100 a couple of weeks ago, and some vendors have been added since.

“Our vendors are going to have some really great deals that haven’t been available the last couple of years because of supply chain problems and low inventory,” Corcoran said.

The Chicago District Golf Association is the title sponsor of the show. Serious golfers will be able to renew their handicap at the CDGA booth.

Headliners on the main stage on Saturday and Sunday are CBS Sports golf broadcaster Colt Knost, who won the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links in 2007, and Paige Spiranac, who played at San Diego State and on the LPGA’s Futures Tour.

“We look forward to welcoming both Paige Spiranac and Colt Knost to the 2023 Chicago Golf Show,” Corcoran said in a release. “Paige loves golf and we are confident our attendees will love her. Meanwhile, Colt is an up-and-coming young star of golf broadcast media.”

The main stage will offer a variety of pros and personalities over the three days. The schedule:

Friday

1 p.m., Nate Pakula, PXG club-fitter

2 p.m., Todd Sones, Sones Impact Golf, PGA pro

3 p.m., Kevin Weeks, Cog Hill G&CC, PGA pro

Saturday

10 a.m., Nate Pakula

11 a.m., Colt Knost, CBS Sports, former Tour player

12:30 p.m., John Platt, Mistwood GC, PGA pro, gives Dan Roan a lesson

2 p.m., Paige Spiranac, interviewed by Colt Knost

Sunday

10 a.m., Juan Espejo, PGA pro, on purposeful practice

11 a.m., Colt Knost, CBS Sports, former Tour player

Noon, Jim Miller, Kemper Lakes CG, PGA pro, with Emery Moorehead

2 p.m., Paige Spiranac, interviewed by Colt Knost

 – Tim Cronin