Spring Training Surprise

      

       

Alfred S Bourne Trophy, 2026 PGA Show

March 2, 2026

Bradenton, Florida

     In this day of high speed everything, when life is going past us like we're standing still, it's an absolute pleasure to have a day that takes us back to when time actually took its time.  And there's nothing much better for that than a day at a baseball park, especially during spring training.  Unless it's a day spent around Senior PGA Players.  It's like being a kid again, hanging around watching your favorite grownups throw horseshoes in the backyard at a family reunion.  It's the way a day should be.

     So imagine our surprise walking back from the concession stand at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida where the Pittsburgh Pirates were hosting the Tampa Bay Rays during Spring Training, our hands filled with 7th inning stretch snacks as we passed a table with an enormous trophy on it - a trophy that we had seen just 6 weeks before at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida.

     "They know what this is" said a tall bearded guy, probably the coach of the kids who were probably Manatee County High School Golf Team players who were all watching over it as we turned our heads back to look twice, thinking "Now what in the heck is the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy doing here??!"  Then it occurred to us that the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will be played at The Concession in Bradenton at the end of April, next month.  And not just next month but in April of 2027 and 2028.  When we saw the trophy in January it was the centerpiece of a discussion regarding a new permanent home for the Senior PGA and The Concession is high atop the list.  

     The Senior PGA itself has its roots that go back almost as far as LECOM Park which was built in 1923 and is the oldest ballpark still used for spring training.  Past Senior PGA champions include Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer.  Past baseball players who have trained in Bradenton include Hall of Famers Babe Ruth, Bill Mazeroski, Tom Seaver, Willie Stargel, Roberto Clemente and third baseman Bill McKechnie, a player, manager and coach who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to the 1925 World Series Championship and whose name graced the park from 1962 to 2017.  He was born in 1886 to Scottish parents who had immigrated to Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania - a Pittsburgh borough next to the one I grew up in - and moved to Bradenton when he retired.   

     So what a full circle it felt like to find out that this ball field was named for a player who lived within walking distance of where I grew up and played his first days in Pittsburgh's Forbes Field, the ballpark where I discovered baseball as a child.  

     Spring is upon us and summer is close at hand.  As we get older, it's easier to understand the joy of letting time take its time.  If you get a chance to spend a day at a ball game or a Senior PGA event, you really should.  And better yet, take a kid.   

A Lovely Day At LECOM Park

   

The 2026 PGA Show - We Love This Game

January 21-23, 2026

Orlando, Florida

     With more than one million square feet showcasing 1,000 plus exhibiting golf companies and brands, bringing more than 30,000 industry professionals together to celebrate the start of a new golf year, the PGA Show is much more than a trade show.  It's an experience.

Synthetic Turf  

     We can attest to the fact that grass does not always grow where you want it to, even here in Florida. These companies are experts in creating a permanent solution to your imperfect greenspace.

Southern Turf Co. - Signature Greens   Durable, reliable and beautiful in all seasons and environments.

Drop Tee   The world's thinnest auto-tee.

SynLawn  TGL Turf

Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles

MadJax Ascent  From the Nivel family of specialty vehicles, MadJax Ascent is built to stand out.

Venom EV  Upgrade your adventure with course, 4-seater, 6-seater and stealth models.

       

Conquest Carts  Affordable Luxury, Built in Alabama.

            

Tonino Lamborghini and WiTricity Charging Unit  Italian performance paired with charging units developed by MIT scientists.

EZGO Cushman  Innovating utility and hospitality vehicles for 70 years.

Navitas Vehicle Systems  Whether it be your golf cart, forklift or Zamboni, Navitas can help you unleash its performance potential.

 Cart Life Carts  Truly Custom-built Carts

Landmaster Off Road Vehicles  Designed for work.

Golf Bags

Avgar  The "Inside-Out" Golf Trunk from New Zealand made a return to the show this year with an electric "Follow Me" pull-cart.

GRIT Golf Tower  Unbelievable detail has a space for everything.

Ghost Golf  Durable but lightweight, functional but sophisticated.

Putters

PXG  With more than 200 fitting locations, Parsons Xtreme Golf can make it exactly right for you.

 Makefield Putters  A family business located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Makefield offers an online virtual fitting to taylor the experience and the putter to your needs.

L.A.B. Putters  It's all in the "Lie Angle Balance".

Fisher Putters  Its patented Kevflex insert provides the softest but strongest face on impact, improving direction and roll.

Puttview  No Augmented Reality Visor Needed.  Puttview's new app gives you all the essential information to improve your putting practice.

Golf Balls

Snyder  Premium golf balls with German design that don't strain your budget.

Vice  Tour quality golf balls with a little fun at their core.

Genius Golf Balls   The first smart golf ball that show you how well you roll the ball, not just where.

Course Tools

Water Weasel  Why fight to fish out one when you can pull out 4 at a time!

HEATbox by ONEbox  Assess, train and respond to heat-related emergencies.

Winners Award Group  Custom trophies and distinctive awards since 1977.

Gather Grills  Grill, griddle, smoke and relax.

Patriot Paving  Asphalt and paving solutions for residential and commercial projects including driveways, bike trails, parking lots and golf cart paths.

SeaDek  Non-slip EVA foam flooring for any adventure.

Apparel and Accessories

Camelo Eyewear  Liquid crystal film technology changes lens tint with a touch.

Joycoast  Wooden watches, sunglasses and accessories made from sustainable forest products.  Joycoast walks the sustainable talk and plants 10 trees for every product they sell.

Antiqua Apparel  Customizable ballcaps complete Antigua's classic look.

Shore  Coastal resort wear that can be worn anywhere.

Nella Golf  Hats that will make your golf buddies ask where you got them!

Breakfast Balls  If there's a cultural icon in your memory bank, Breakfast Balls probably has it.

YETI Coolers, LLC  Constantly evolving and innovating outdoor products.

Turtlebox  Rugged, loud, linkable and waterproof with surprising home-stereo-quality sound.

TeeBoxx Sound Block  With their Rexx-Grip Magnet technology, your smart phone is secure, charged and transformed into a Bluetooth-enabled speaker.

Memorable Meetings

Hal Sutton and Makefield Putters are an honest fit.  Hard-working and sincere in their craft, both are elevated by their new connection.  Take a tour with Hal Sutton through the Makefield Putter Shop in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Golf In Ireland is always on our wish list.

Bob Parsons, PXG Founder, appeared via Hologram for a real, live Q & A.

Notah Begay III introduced a program called Junior Golf PDI, an index of measurements that teachers and coaches can use to help a young player achieve their performance goals on a realistic basis.  Access is available here through The Junior Golf Hub.

Capping off a great week was a Winter Jam Concert, featuring Country Star Dustin Lynch, who just so happens to be a golfer, too!

The PGA Show is a trade-only event and we look forward to its return to Orlando, Florida    January 26 - 29, 2027.

Click here for a look at our review of the 2026 PGA Show Demo Day.