Praise for Première Golf

The inaugural Première Golf 2000 European golf trade show in southern Spain has been declared an outstanding success by both exhibitors and buyers.

The event, staged by Reed Exhibition Companies at the newly refurbished Marbella Congress Palace, was supported by Callaway, Taylor Made, Titleist and most of the industry's other leading manufacturers.

Première Golf 2000 was also attended by many leading UK buying groups, including Tartan Golf International, Lakes Golf, Golfers Direct and Europro as well as by Nevada Bob and leading high-street golf chains. The turnout included some 1,500 professionals and retailers from all the major European golf countries.

Significantly, in view of the negative publicity surrounding the recent GolfExpo show at the NEC which was not attended by many leading manufacturers, the business generated in Marbella has led to most exhibitors confirming plans to take part in next year's show.

"This was just what the industry needed," said Tom Hilliard, a director of Doug McClelland Golf Stores. "It was a nice environment with a really good buzz about it. The show fitted perfectly with all our buying requirements."

"I'm very pleased we decided to come to Première Golf 2000. It was well organised and everything was done to attract the right customers. We will definitely be here next year," said Bill McGuinness of Softspikes.

"We were pleased with the level of visitors and will certainly be supporting the show next year," said Charlie Casson of Ashworth. "I was very pleased with this show for a first year effort. It had a very good atmosphere which is important," agreed Eric English of Lyle & Scott.

"We saw the vast majority of our key customers and had a fantastic reaction to our new irons. It was a very worthwhile exercise," said Jon Parsons of Adams Golf.

"Premiere Golf 2000 is a good concept with a real buzz about the place," echoed Paul Steels of Golf Pride, who visited the show but did not exhibit. "Everyone I spoke to was very positive. I will definitely consider exhibiting next year."

"We were really delighted," confirmed Rob Greig of Callaway Golf while Robin Gibson of Taylor Made went one stage further, saying: "This show has the potential to become the show for all of Europe."

Afterwards, more than 400 visitors and exhibitors stayed on to take part in a golf day staged at six courses on the Costa del Sol, including Valderrama, Almenara and highly acclaimed new Marbella Club Golf Resort.

"The golf day was a great way to finish what was a highly successful week," said event director Robert Fairbairn. "Our objective in establishing Première Golf was to create an event that was successful on a business level but also gave participants the chance to relax, talk to each other, and enjoy some golf.

"I'm delighted that those exhibitors and visitor groups who shared this vision and made a commitment to Première Golf have enjoyed and benefited from the experience. We have proved that Spain's 'golf coast' is the ideal venue for a European golf exhibition and we are indebted to everyone in the region who helped us establish Première Golf - in particular the Andalucian Tourist Board, the Costa del Sol Tourist Board and the City of Marbella, all of whom have committed tremendous support.

"We are confident that Première Golf is now in a position to go from strength to strength and become the main focus in the European golf trade calendar. We have long-term agreements in place with the regional authorities, Marbella Town Hall and with our buying group partners, and these relationships will be key to the future development of the event."

The show was officially opened by Marbella's mayor, the businessman Jesus Gil who also happens to be the controversial chairman of Atletico Madrid football club.

Full details for Première Golf 2001 will be announced shortly.