Returning for it's eighth consecutive year, Golfest 2018 features Tampa Bay's largest golf demonstrations, exhibits, equipment sales, and plenty of entertainment to excite "golfanatics" the weekend of February 17 and 18 at Tampa Bay Downs.
What to Expect at Golfest 2018
Join the worlds number-one golf trick shot artist Chuck "The Hit Man" Hiter as he headlines and kicks off Golfest at the main stage on Saturday morning. PGA Tour winner Andy Bean, the Golf Channel's Charlie Rymer, long drive champion Mike Ziegler, and many others will also join Hiter on stage throughout the weekend.
Golfest attracts both local and world-renowned personalities with this year being no exception. Past participants include David Price (MLB Cy Young pitcher), Tico Torres (Bon Jovi drummer), Cory Ivy (Super Bowl champion), Rick Peckham (Tampa Bay Lightning TV voice), and Annika Sorenstam (LPGA Hall of Fame member).
This year's expo will give Golfest attendees the chance to try out and purchase golf's latest and greatest equipment from a variety of manufacturers as well as visit booths for over 20 Tampa Bay small businesses and golf courses. If you find that "must have" equipment or spot a local course you'd like to play, visiting the expo will give you plenty of chances at scoring discounts. Great deals will also be available at the Discount Golf Shop tent at Golfest.
New this year, all attendees will have the chance to win the 80-yard closest to the pin contest. The grand prize of $500 will be given away daily in divisions of of men, ladies, juniors, and seniors. After the competition, check out the World of Beer experience for a quick refreshment!
If contests are your thing, make sure to head over to the putting green for the putting contest that follows the closest to the pin contest where over $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded.
If contests are not your thing, putting, chipping, and full swing clinics will be given by local PGA members all day, every day and are included in your admission.
Expected vendors at this year's Golfest include Bolle Sunglasses, Bushnell Rangefinders, Zero Friction, Callaway, Cobra, Mizuno, Naples Bay Golf, Ping, Wilson, US Kids Golf, Taylormade, and Orange Whip, just to name a few.
Also this year, if you're looking to get rid of an old pair of clubs collecting dust in the garage or closet, bring them to Golfest and trade them in! T & D Golf will be accepting trade-ins all weekend long to put towards your brand-new purchase.
Golfest begins both days at 9:00 a.m., and tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door for just $10, which includes a free small bucket. There is no charge for parking, and kids 14 and under get into Golfest free.
See you on the links!
Find more events in Tampa like Golfest and register on 813area, your free guide to everything in Tampa Bay.
Cover photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
