Eight years ago Pete Carlson talked about having one of the desert's largest golf expos at the driving range at the College Golf Center on the campus of College of the Desert. Now Carlson, owner of Pete Carlson's Golf and Tennis in Palm Desert, gets his chance. His seventh annual outdoor golf expo will move to the College Golf Center for the first time today and Saturday.
“Barney (Adams of Adams Golf) gave us this idea eight years ago, to do a wonderful outdoor event and invite all of our major manufacturers so people will have an opportunity to test the latest products,” Carlson said.
The event is sponsored in part by The Desert Sun. Moving to the College Golf Center should give golfers — more than 3,000 attended the event last year — and more than a dozen manufacturers more space for the event.
“Last year we had a little over 100 yards. This year we have 170 yards,” Carlson said, “so we will be able to widen it and give every manufacturer adequate space to allow people to come up and test products and do fittings.”
In addition to the latest lines of clubs from manufacturers like TaylorMade, Callaway, Adamas, Titleist, Bobby Jones, Ping, Mizuno, Cleveland, Cobra, Nike and more, this year's expo will include golf bags, shoes and even range finders for players.
Golfers will have a chance to hit full shots with clubs on the driving range and to purchase equipment on site.
Other attractions for the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, include daily clinics from former U.S. Open champion Ken Venturi (at noon each day), a clinic by former PGA champion Al Geiberger (at 2 p.m.), a trick shot demonstration by Joey O (at 3 p.m.) and a special baseball and book signing by Hall of Famer Willie Mays. Mays will be on site each day from noon to 2 p.m. and will sign either baseballs provided by Carlson for $200 each or copies of his book “The Life The Legend.”
“Willie was one of the greatest of his era. Naturally, he is a golf lover and through a mutual friend we had an association,” Carlson said. “Fortunately, he has been very nice to us, kind of taken us under his wing so to speak. So we are happy to have him be part of the event.”
Proceeds benefit Mays' Say Hey Foundation, which is dedicated to the promotion of academic study for underprivileged children.