MANCHESTER, NH — As the winter weather clenches its grip on New England, the idea of spending a few hours outside playing a round of golf on one of the state’s 123 courses seems like a land far, far away. But fear not, fellow duffers! A trio of local golf enthusiasts has turned the love of the game into the ultimate mid-winter activity.
This February 13-14, the Radisson in Manchester will be host to the inaugural Greater New England Golf Expo, which they are hoping to make an annual event. Whether you have played for years and know your way around a golf course, or you have always wanted to see what the game was about but had no idea where to begin, the Expo is designed with every level of ability in mind.
Visitors will have a chance to attend seminars on how to lower their scores, with hands-on tips for improving your swing and sinking more putts. Equipment makers will have the latest technology to try in indoor golf cages.
There will be a dedicated golf merchandise area for women, as well as clinics for kids who may just be starting out. There’s even a series of meetings designed to help businesses get the most out of their annual charity golf tournament fundraisers.
“For anyone who simply can’t wait for the snow to melt and the greens to thaw, this is the perfect mid-winter fix for golf enthusiasts,” explains Chad Zingales, Director at Amherst Country Club and admitted golf addict. “There are a lot of us out there just watching the snow and envisioning the golf greatness that awaits us when spring arrives.”
In fact, Zingales partnered up with a couple of friends and fellow golf lovers to create this first of its kind event. Brian Karoul and Justin Maguire are Officers with the Manchester Police Department. Both admit they have the same passion for golf as Zingales, but they came to this idea for an Expo from a different perspective.
Working with underprivileged kids in the community, both Karoul and Maguire saw golf was a way to connect with young people. Through sports, these two police officers could break down barriers and share common experience.
“So many of these kids dream of being the next great athlete, and by placing a golf club in their hands and teaching them a new sport, it’s like giving them a new dream,” explains Maguire. “This was the inspiration for us to find ways to give back through golf.”
Both men decided this event provided a fantastic way to raise money to give back to the very children who have inspired them, through the Manchester Police Athletic League, or MPAL. Maguire and Karoul chose MPAL as the recipient of several fun Expo activities where people can pay a few dollars to try and hit a hole in one on the golf simulator, hit the longest drive or win the putting contest. A portion of the funds raised from these activities will go to charity. Of course, any lucky duffer to hit the difficult shot will walk away with $10,000, plenty to fund years of golf activities.
All of those golf swings will help generate some money to fund golf activities for inner city kids in Manchester. “This gives us a terrific opportunity to give back, so we are thrilled to have this element of the expo aimed at helping these terrific kids,” says Karoul.
In addition, Caddy for a Cure will receive funds to help sick children and wounded military heroes. In fact, any military active duty or veteran will receive free admission into the expo with their military identification.
“There is no better way to get a head start on the 2016 golfing season than by visiting our event,” says Maguire. “And golfers might just pick up that new technique to cut their scores.”
Mark Twain famously said, “Golf is a good walk spoiled.” That sentiment has likely been repeated many times over with far more colorful language, because the reality about this sport is the national average score for a round of 18 holes is 100.
“The pros make it look easy, but we know that most Americans playing golf today get excited when they have one or two pars in an entire round, so obviously we all have plenty of room for improvement,” says Zingales. “The great thing about this sport is that it’s you versus the course.”
Of course, you won’t have to feel so alone with some new tips or equipment picked up from the Greater New England Golf Expo. For more information: greaternegolfexpo.com, or find them on Facebook.
⇒Click for Tickets: Greater New England Golf Expo at the Center Of NH Expo Center at The Manchester Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101.
February 13, 2016 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. (Demo area open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
February 14, 2016 9: a.m.- 4 p.m. (Demo area open 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.)
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