Friday marks the opening of the 2008 Seattle Golf Show, the three-day extravaganza at the Qwest Field Event Center that ends Sunday.
It's been a few years since I've attended the show, and while it may sound as if it's a Seattle-only event, in 2005, there was a strong Mid-Columbia flavor to it.
The Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, Canyon Lakes and Wildhorse Resort staffed their own booths. Columbia Point and Horn Rapids were represented by I.R.I., the group that manages both courses.
A quick scan of the scheduled exhibitors includes Apple Tree, Moses Pointe, Palouse Ridge (Washington State University's new course, set to open in August), Suncadia and the planned Vineyards Resort near Moxee. The TCVCB, Sun Willows and Wildhorse are set to return, too. There are more than 200 booths on the list.
Sun Valley and several courses in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley also will be represented.
On Saturday afternoon, Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram and University of Washington great Sonny Sixkiller will be signing autographs at separate booths.
Free instruction and "try & buy" club demo also is available.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event, and I plan to spend part of my Friday checking out the show. And Herald sports editor Jeff Morrow said he'll see me there.
Cost is $10. It's just $3 for ages 11-17. Kids 10 and under get in free.
However, adults who fill out a brief survey will get a one-year subscription to either Golf Digest or Golf For Women, and a free round of golf at either Avalon, Port Ludlow or McCormick Woods. I've never played Avalon, but Ludlow and McCormick rank among the best courses I've ever played.
The show runs noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The close of the first day marks the beginning of the inaugural "Friday Night Charity Gala." It will raise money for the American Lake Veterans Golf Course, which serves as a rehab center for wounded veterans in the Tacoma area.
John Tipping, co-owner of the Seattle Golf Show, said the Lakewood course helps veterans "get out of the wards and back into a more normal lifestyle using golf as the motivator and instrument. This golf course is funded entirely by donation. The work is done exclusively by volunteers. This is an amazing place and an amazing group of people."
Cost is $110 per person. It includes food, drink and entertainment.