Golf Shows in Edmonton & Calgary Teed Up for Another Year

By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf

EDMONTON, Alberta — If you’re sick and tired of the bitter cold and icy roads that have been front and centre in Alberta in the recent past, then there’s good news on the horizon.  You see, your heart will be warmed, and your anticipation of a new golf season heated up, as the annual PGA of Alberta Consumer Golf Shows in Edmonton and Calgary quickly approach.

As always, the Edmonton show has the honours of teeing things up first when manufacturers, courses and resorts show off what they have to offer the golfing public. The Edmonton show goes the first weekend in March, the 9th and 10th, while Calgary is second off the tee box, with their show taking place two weeks later, on March 23-24.

For those that haven’t been to this event before, or even for those that have, here’s a list pretty solid reasons you should take a break from staying indoors to avoid the extreme cold and head outside for five minutes as you walk from your vehicle into the shows’ host sites.

The ever-popular Clearance Centre leads the list of reasons to show up and to show up early if you want to snag a good, or even great, deal. With sales having topped $1 million during the shows’ runs, you know there’s a reason golfers are here scrounging through merchandise looking for the best deals of the year as soon as the doors open each day. While this isn’t new equipment that’s for sale, it’s not that old either — one or two years at max and the prices can’t be beat. With everything available from clubs to clothes, balls to bags, and beyond, it’s almost a certainty you’ll find what you;re looking for … and at a great price. By the way, word is that the best buys at the shows are on Pro V1 balls and clothing. There will be 14 golf courses with merchandise at the Edmonton show and 15 in Calgary, so you know there’s going to be lots to pick through.

This is the chance to swing some of those new, rather pricey sticks that are hitting the market this year.  This is one of the biggest things drawing people to the shows every year as you can test out the new gear manufacturers are offering at the indoor ranges. This is the opportunity to try gear from the likes of TaylorMade, Callaway, PING, Cobra, Mizuno, Golf Trends, and Wilson. While you can’t stand there and blast away all day, you can get the feel for what’s new and make a decision on whether or not this gear is better in your bag than your old stuff.

Then there’s the chance to start planning a great golf getaway. Whether you’re going to head out of the province or country for a buddy golf trip, or simply want to take the family on an Alberta golf weekend getaway, there are always lots of great courses and resorts on hand with information for you about their tracks and their rates. Many of those on hand have Show Specials, where you can get discounted rates not only on tee times but also on accommodation, so stopping by their booths is well worth the time and effort. And who knows? Perhaps the course/company rep can give you a tip or two in helping you shave some strokes off your score at their layout. There are also several area courses that are on hand, if you’re thinking of buying a membership or just seeking info on daily green fee rates.


Kids Are Kept Busy At The Consumer Shows As There Are Lessons For Them To Help Work On That Perfect Swing. (Photo/Gord Montgomery)

All things considered this can be an inexpensive family outing to see what’s new and exciting in the golf world (dependent on how much you spend in the Clearance Centre). With all the activities that are planned, including quick lessons, kids’ clinics and games of skill (see below), there is plenty to keep everyone in the family busy for the entire day/afternoon. Show tickets for adults are $12; for seniors (65+) and students they’re $11, and kids under 12 are free on both days.

And speaking of inexpensive outings, for those looking to show off their skills in a variety of areas, there are competitions galore that are usually free of charge, starting with the Long Drive Contest for those who think they can whack the ball further than anyone else at the show. If you don’t have the swing speed (anymore) for belting the ball a great distance, try the Closest to the Pin event, or the chipping contest … or the putting contest. And if your skills are perhaps a bit rusty after a long winter layoff, there’s always the 50/50 draw each day to help offset some upcoming green fees, if you win. The shows run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday in both cities. The Edmonton show, on March 10 and 11, will once again be held a the Edmonton Expo Centre, Hall C, while the Calgary event, which takes place on March 24 and 25, goes at the BMO Centre in Hall B.


There Are Always Lots Of Skill Contests At Each Show, including the Always Popular Closest To The Pin On The Simulator. (Photo/Gord Montgomery)

So, for those reasons and others, it’s a great idea to show up at one of the shows and start to once again think about golf because the season really isn’t all that far away … no matter how cold it may be outside at this time of year!


About the Writer
Gord Montgomery is 
a member in good standing of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. He is now in his 10th year of writing for Inside Golf. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He’s also on Twitter at @gordinsidegolf and on Instagram at gordinsidegolf2.