2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap (Part 1): Floor Set Up, Opening Ceremony with Jimmy Walker, Byron Nelson, Chase 54, Ping Golf Apparel, Galvin Green, J Lindeberg, and Sunice

Day 1 of the PGA Merchandise Show means we're leaving the outdoor 42-acre Orange Country Golf  Center and heading indoors to the 1 million square foot Orange Country Convention Center. 

 

We already saw a lot of new gear in my Demo Day recaps, and now we're going to see even more.  These PGA Show recaps will be picture and video driven, with short titles or narratives where they might be helpful or interesting.  I'll also spotlight certain companies in these sections since they earned these spotlights at Demo Day, or on the Show floor over the next three days. 

And when the three days of PGA Show recaps are done, I'm going to reveal my Best of Show.  Best of Show means certain equipment, apparel, and other products stood out compared to all equipment, apparel, and other products in the same class.  So let's get to it, there's a lot to cover. 

The night before Day 1
There's a lot of work that goes into getting the Show ready, and a lot of work in cleaning up after.  Here are a few pics from the night before the Show started (and I'll show you some clean up pictures at the end of these wrap ups as well). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Ceremony and Titleist Presentation with Jimmy Walker 

During the Titleist presentation PGA Champion Jimmy Walker talked about how intense Ryder Cup was, even compared to contending in a major.  

Jimmy Walker on the Ryder Cup: "It's way more intense than trying to win a major championship, a lot tougher than trying to win a major." #jimmywalker @jimmywalkerpga #pgachampionship #rydercup #rydercup2016 #demoday #golfer #golfers #golfshot #golfequipment #golfclubs #golfdriver #golfirons #putter #golfswing #golfball #golfballs #golfequipment #golflife #golfislife #golfcourse #golfstagram #lovegolf #golfaddict #golfaddicts #pgapappas #pgatour

A post shared by Pete Pappas (@pgapappas) on Jan 25, 2017 at 8:43am PST

 

Afterwards we talked one-on-one about a funny story where a member at his home Cordillera club in Texas actually gave Walker strokes and beat him.  Walker's a genuinely nice guy, signed some gear for me, including the signed PGA Championship Baltusrol flag I gave away.  And even let me rub the Wanamaker Trophy for good luck for the rest of the Show.  100% awesome. 

 

 

 

Before hitting the floor I shared this Tiger Woods news with you. 

 

Byron Nelson 

A few new looks from Byron Nelson apparel. 

 

 

 

Chase 54 

As you start to put your wardrobe together for the upcoming season, Chase 54 should definitely be a brand you take a long look at.  High-quality material and a variety of styles ranging from traditional to modern are characteristics of their new 2017 line. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ping Golf Apparel 

Great colorways and layers from Ping. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Galvin Green 

Galvin Green always designs some of the finest waterproofs in the industry with great breathability and moisture wicking, and this year they upped the ante with strong new color schemes and compelling layering options.  Galvin Green's also the official 2018 Ryder Cup outerwear for Team Europe, and had a few looks we'll see in Paris out on display. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J Lindeberg 

A few new caps and outerwear from J Lindeberg.  Camilo Villegas is back as brand ambassador. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunice 

I've worn something from Sunice each year for the past three years and never been anything but completely satisfied.  2017 will make it four consecutive years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ MORE: PGA Show Day 1 Recap (Part 2)