Now in its 32nd year, the Toronto Golf & Travel Show this past weekend (February 2-4) broke all previous records in terms of attendance with 22,000 people attending the three-day show at the International Centre in Mississauga.
“The 2024 Toronto Golf & Travel Show was the most successful ever with over 22,000 people in attendance,” says Gautam Sharma, Show Manager. “Having Golf Town as the presenting sponsor this year set a new standard for this annual event. We proudly had several new and returning sponsors which further added to the wide appeal of this show. The record attendance proves beyond a doubt that the GTHA is a huge and viable market boasting peak interest in all things relating to golf.”
Sharma thanked the show’s lead sponsoring partners as being key to the success of the show including Travel Partner Visit Myrtle Beach and PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com; Investment Partner Graeme R. Kirkland, CIM; Hearing Partner HearingLife; Turf Partner Rymar North America; and NorthStar Bets as sponsor of the Long Drive Competition and RBC who sponsored of the 72’ Long Putt Drive Competition.
“We are excited and proud that Golf Town is now the official partner of the annual golf and travel show” Michael Beckerman, Chief Client Officer Toronto Star said. “As one of world’s largest and most renowned golf retailers, Golf Town is committed to growing the game of golf. As Canada’s largest golf and travel show, this is a rare chance to visit the booths and chat with leading golf equipment and apparel manufacturers, golf course representatives, travel destination leaders and more. The goal of both Golf Town and the show is to grow the game by inspiring golfers of all ages to get involved, with a focus on creating gender equality and diversity in the game.”
Chad McKinnon, President of Sporting Life adds: “We are thrilled to expand our close relationship with TORSTAR by adding the Toronto Golf Show to our joint ventures. Our shared passion of growing and celebrating the game led us to a collaboration on SCOREGolf and the Golf and Travel Show is the next step in our growing partnership. As part of our leadership position in the game it is time for us to return to this long-standing kick off to the season in the Canadian market as we continue our journey to becoming the Home of Golf. We are happy to be a small part of this legacy event and look forward to the energy it creates and the anticipation for players and the industry when the cold clears, the courses open in spring 2024 and we can all tee it up again.”
Action-Packed Golf Adventure All Under One Roof! Here are a few of the highlights attendees enjoyed at the 2024 Toronto Golf & Travel Show:
• Repeat the Feat-RBC presented the 72 Foot Putt Challenge to repeat the feat of Nick Taylor’s famous winning putt at the RBC Canadian Open
• Lisa “Longball” Competition—guests tried to hit the ball 300 plus yards and other longball competitions
• Guest Speakers James Duthie, Lisa “Longball”, Todd Keirstead, Sam Young and Lorne Rubenstein
• Manufacturer’s Demo Range featuring the World’s Leading Brands
• Lessons from top golf instructors
• NGCOA Auction of Rounds of Golf at Top Courses
• Several Great Prizes Including the Grand Prize of an All-Expenses Paid Golf Trip to Myrtle Beach
• Huge Golf Town Retail Space featuring clubs, bags, accessories, clothing
• Over 110 vendors including renowned golf courses, resorts and travel destinations and more
Attendees had a chance to meet some of the top names in golf including;
Lisa “Longball”Vlooswyk, the Eight-Time Canadian Long Drive National Champion who has finished as high as second in the World!
Todd Keirstead an award-winning Celebrity Golf Entertainer and World Class Golf who discussed his involvement with Para Golf Athletes
James Duthie TSN sportscaster and host of TSN’s coverage of the Masters Golf Tournament, the Grey Cup, Super Bowl and hockey coverage.
Sam Young Longtime CPGA member and owner and Class ‘A’ Golf Professional at Shelburne Golf & Country Club
Lorne Rubenstein Former golf columnist for the Globe and Mail and author of several golf books including books on Tiger Woods, Mike Weir and others.
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For more information visit torontogolfshow.com.
About Golf Town
Golf Town is the largest specialty golf retailer in Canada, operating 47 stores throughout the country while offering the convenience of online shopping at golftown.com. The company features the broadest selection of the best brands in golf, expert staff who share its customers’ love of the game, and state-of-the-art custom fitting services and technology – truly your destination for everything golf.
About the Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in Canada, with more than 5.0 million readers every week in print and online (thestar.com). Founded in 1892, the Toronto Star is the winner of more than 140 National Newspaper Awards, the most prestigious newspaper prize in Canada. It is known for its investigative reporting, insightful opinion writing and comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news. It has also been making a difference in the lives of children for more than 100 years through the Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
For inquiries/interviews, please contact:
Gautam Sharma
Show Director – Toronto Golf & Travel Show
gsharma@thestar.ca
Christina Reinhardt
Sr. Marketing Manager, Golf Town
creinhardt@sportinglifegroup.ca
