From April 20 to 22 will open the doors of the first edition of UNIGOLF, Golf Fair, organized by IFEMA and promoted by Madrid Golf will present to professionals and the general public the offer of more than 120 companies and brands in the golf industry. The pavilion 1 of Feria de Madrid will host this great event that with more than 2,000 square meters of exhibition becomes the best showcase for the industry to present to professionals and fans the latest developments for next year.
Brands of clubs, clothing and accessories, courses, stores, federations, media, golf destinations, schools and universities, travel agencies, simulators….All those who have something to say in the world of golf will be present at the show, which will be especially committed to visitors, offering them attractive activities, exhibitions, tests and competitions aimed at all audiences and all ages, making it an active, participatory and dynamic fair, , which will include all areas of golf.
The event, which has the support of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and the Madrid Golf Federation, will have a mixed character, dedicating its first day on Thursday -April 20- to professionals in the sector, opening to the general public on Friday and Saturday -21 and 22-, who will have the opportunity to see a complete overview of the sector through the offer of all participants.
With just over a month to go, UNIGOLF is registering splendid marketing data with a large number of Spanish and international companies that have confirmed their participation. The best proof of this is that the brands are returning to IFEMA. TaylorMade, Ping, Callaway, Cobra, PXG and Honma will be at UNIGOLF in an indoor driving range with their latest innovations such as the TaylorMade M2 used by Jon Rahm, or the EPIC range of Callaway used by Rory McIlroy, as well as the PING clubs used by Bubba Watson and Miguel Angel Jimenez. There will also be new brands such as PXG and other long-established brands such as Lynx, which returns to Spain through Holiday Golf. In UNIGOLF visitors will be able to make fittings of all these brands and, in addition, in the stores of the Fair will be able to buy everything they need.
On the other hand, if they want to try a new putt, UNIGOLF will show them the latest models of Odyssey, Bettinardi or Scotty Cameron. For those who want to change or renew their wardrobe or shoes, Golfino, Ralph Lauren, Ecco, Ashworth, Tail Activewear, Galvin Green, Lyle and Scott and Lambda will show their latest collections.
The golf courses have also understood that UNIGOLF is the best scenario to show all golf enthusiasts their wide and outstanding offer. Thus, golf courses from Andalusia, Galicia, Castilla-León, El Real Club de Golf de La Herrería, Izki, as well as Pozoblanco golf and all the courses managed by Making Golf and Global Golf throughout Spain will participate in the fair. UNIGOLF has crossed borders and will also have an international character. A good example of this is the confirmation that the splendid Portuguese course of Bom Sucesso, in Óbidos, will be in Madrid.
PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
UNIGOLF proposes a fair model that combines the exhibition area with an interesting program of technical seminars and round tables, as well as a wide range of activities, exhibitions, tests and competitions for all audiences and all ages. In order to facilitate access to a greater number of fans, the Golf Fair will allow free access to all members of the federation presenting their membership card.
FOR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
On Thursday, April 20, UNIGOLF hosts an extensive program of Technical Seminars with presentations and round tables for Managers and Greenkeepers on topics of interest to them. In addition, a workshop will be held with the presence of about ten tour operators from different countries around the world who will meet with golf tourism exhibitors.
FOR VISITORS
All golf fans will also be able to enjoy different activities on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April. For the little ones, UNIGOLF will have at their disposal a space of more than 100 m2 with fun activities organized by the Madrid Golf Federation, such as free lessons, two simulators with golf clubs and foam balls to get started in golf, as well as various contests and the presence of the already known by them, Bogey Bear. An offer that perfectly combines the verbs learn, enjoy and have fun around the sport of golf.
Adults will also have the option of using a simulator where a tournament with great prizes will be held every day. Likewise, the “Putting-green” will be at their disposal where they can try new putters and participate in different contests that will test their skills with the clubs. The UNIGOLF stage will host talks by golf professionals, clinics and product presentations. HOYO 19 will be available for all of them, a rest area where they will be able to get their strength back.
The agreement established between IFEMA and Madrid Golf, has made it possible to join forces and add assets to develop this event of reference and unique meeting point of the sector in Spain, which this time has the collaboration of Tourism and Sport of Andalusia, Marqués de Riscal, Asisa and Syltek.
THE GOLF INDUSTRY IN SPAIN
According to the study “The Economic Impact of Golf in Spain”, carried out by Golf Business Partners, in 2016 Spain had a total of 272,280 federated players, not including foreigners who play golf in our country, who amount to 1,069,211 and make 41% of the total rounds. In addition, this same study reflects that in Spain there are a total of 359 courses of at least 9 holes, to which we can add 21 rustic courses and 95 Pitch & Putts and Golf Schools. Similarly, in order to analyze the third indicator that determines the size of the industry in the country, last year a total of 9,358,000 outings to the course to play at least 9 holes were recorded.
Spain is positioned as the second country in the world in terms of golf tourism, surpassed only by the United States. Every year Spain welcomes 1,000,000 foreign tourists whose main reason for their trip is golf. This tourist activity generates an annual income of about 400 million euros. Golf tourists generally stay in four- and five-star establishments for one-week stays and generate a daily expenditure of 171.4 €, i.e. 74.8% more than the average tourist.
Currently, Spain has three players in the top 10 of the European Tour Race to Dubai ranking: Sergio García (No. 3); Rafa Cabrera-Bello (No. 5) and Jon Rahm (No. 8). In the women’s field, our country also has important players such as Carlota Ciganda, double winner in the LPGA and member of the European team of the Solheim Cup, along with Azahara Muñoz and Beatriz Recari. Likewise, Spain is the second country in Europe, only behind the United Kingdom, in number of victories in the European Tour since it was founded in 1972 (174), and second in number of Grand Slam victories (7).
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