Will The Villages bring back the Golf Expo
 

We loved going to the Golf Expo that The Villages used to have on the Polo grounds each February. They stopped after Covid. Will they bring it back?

They didn't stop it, it's been going on every year. But instead of one big expo at the polo grounds it's divided up at smaller venues such as Sarasota and others.

Nothing like the spectacular event at the polo grounds - loads of manufacturers and vendors all in one place. Tour pro interviews, exhibitions and entertainment. What they call a "golf festival" today pales by comparison. Have not paid attention to it since it left the polo grounds. Used to be something to look forward to. Not anymore.

I doubt we'll see anything like the old golf festival. Just my guess but, based on past Developer business actions, if it wasn't making money, kill it.

So you believe the "developer" is making money on the way it is done now?????

So true and I agree. What they call a golf festival now is nothing more than a fitting day. I too looked forward to the old golf festivals listening to Lexi Thompson, David Ledbetter, and a few others, checking out many vendors of equipment. it was always a great day.

making money
 

Has to be or it wouldn't be happening.

The original polo grounds Golf Festival had an admission charge of $10. Well worth it IMO; great day to spend the day. Plenty of gear to try, and great entertainment. Drew huge crowds on the two days it was held. The post-pandemic "festival" they promote now is free. Goes to say, you get what you pay for. Bring the old show back.

Sure. That's sound reasoning :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Doesnt’ cost them anything. They just discount stuff in the pro shops, which are already staffed.

Highly unlikely. The old format was very expensive to set up. The new drives people into all the golf shops where sales go way up over the six days. Fitting days are very successful. I feel another factor maybe the over all size of today's Villages population wise has gotten to be to big for the old Polo grounds format to accommodate. So it does make sense to spread out the demand.

A better solution would probably be to let the Department of Recreation know that there is widespread support for the Golf Expo in the community. You could start by emailing the department of recreation & letting them know. As to widespread support? I don't know. Maybe encourage those who voiced support in this post to also email them. Then maybe a petition? You might garner signatures at the driving ranges.

Another issue with the polo grounds set up is that in the last years before they stopped it TV population had grown to the point it was a crowded mess. Used to be you could hit clubs and balls without waiting very long, and they had give aways to just hand out. Then so many started attending it was a mass of people trying to out do the other to get a spot...not fun...so I quit going. Prior to the crowded masses, it was a great experience...and the trick shot artists they brought in were fun to watch.

The big-name manufacturers always had the long lines. The newer and smaller ones - not so much. If you went early or stayed late, the lines were not that long at all. The current "festival" seems more like a disjoint sidewalk sale. I'm sure it is cheaper for the developers to run.

Well Imo, since the consensus seems to be that it was better at the polo grounds, and this is a retirement community that has grown considerably since the last one at the polo grounds, maybe make it a week long event and allow maximum daily ticket sales for which ever day is best to attend for each attendee. Kind of like a state fair!