History of the Galleri Classic golf tournament on PGA Tour Champions schedule
The Galleri Classic is a spring event on the PGA Tour Champions golf schedule
For Pete Carlson, the great selling point of his annual Golf Expo show is the ability to hit actual golf balls with actual clubs.
“They can hit stuff as much as they want, as long as they want until they get tired or they decide on choosing something,” said Carlson, whose annual golf show will be held Friday and Saturday at the driving range at College of the Desert off Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert.
This year’s expo will feature more than 20 major manufacturers from clubs to balls to apparel and shoes, all at discounted expo pricing. It is the largest demo day open to the public in the Coachella Valley. The expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with free admission each day.
Another big advantage of Carlson’s show, he said, is that it provides a first look at the latest club lines that were introduced in January at the PGA Merchandise Show in Florida. That means new clubs for eager golfers.
“The four primary brands that always dominate, you know, are Callaway, which has the new Elyte model they are introducing, that is kind of taking over for the AI Smoke which had been current,” Carlson said. “TaylorMade has the QI 35, that’s their new version from the original QI. Titleist has the GT in the driver and fairway woods and hybrids. And then Ping has the G440, so there will be a lot of buzz on that.”
In addition to being able to hit the new clubs, each manufacturer will have representatives on hand who can change out shafts and heads on clubs and make sure a golfer is swinging the proper clubs for them.
“These are their best fitters,” Carlson said. “They work the demo days, fitting days around the valley, club to club, so they know what they are doing.”
The annual features at the expos will return, with former PGA Championship winner and Mr. 59 Al Geiberger conducting a noon clinic each day, while trick shot artist Joey O will perform two shots each day. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase and live music will be performed.
But for Carlson, the key remains golfers hitting real shots with real balls.
“Come out and be prepared to hit golf balls,” Carlson said. “Bring your shoes and be ready to play.”
