ING has become the industry’s premier networking organization by uniting equipment manufacturers, industry professionals and media with the goal of furthering the game.
“It’s a feather in our cap to be co-hosting this distinguished group. Some of the top manufacturers in the business will be here to demo their products on our ranges,” said Tom Parsons, National’s director of golf. “And, the conference attracts people nationwide who will be visiting the Sandhills for the first time. It’s great exposure for the club and the area.”
ING is based in Orlando, Fla., and has held a spring conference for 16 years. This year marks the fourth visit to the Sandhills, with president Mike Jamison pleased to be returning.
“The Pinehurst area in general has more tradition and golf history than any other area in the country, so it’s always a thrill when ING returns for a conference,” he said. “The previous three held at Mid Pines have been very successful, and we have no reason to believe this will be any different.”
Conference activities include six educational workshops, an in-depth equipment demonstration session, one-on-one appointment show, golf apparel fashion show and a media awards banquet. There will also be golf functions, including a two-person better-ball tournament and a four-person team scramble at Whispering Pines on Monday and a qualifier for the International Pairs World Finals at Tobacco Road on Wednesday.
Registration begins Sunday morning at National and a nine-hole kickoff event will be held at 3 p.m. There will be an orientation dinner and a fashion show that night.
ING expects attendance of more than 250 participants, including representatives from Callaway Golf, Etonic, Golf Digest, GolfOrlando, Nike Golf, Paragon Group, PubLinks Magazine, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Tour Edge Golf, Vulcan Golf and the United States Golf Association.
The deal to attract ING to the Sandhills was a joint effort between National Golf Club, Whispering Pines Country Club and the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We’re honored to be hosting ING. It is exciting to have industry leaders visiting National,” said Vickie Fletcher, National’s club sales manager. “We want them to experience our club first-hand and all the quality we have to offer — our community, dining and conference facilities.”
Jamison agreed.
“National Golf Club is one of the most beautiful properties in the area, so attendees will have a special feeling when they arrive,” he said. “I know we’re in for a treat.”
The conference will conclude with a golf awards dinner at National on Wednesday night.
For information about the conference, visit www.inggolf.com or call (407) 328-0500.
Craig Distl, a golf publicist from Charlotte, contributed to this article.
