Many Colorado-based companies were in Orlando for the annual PGA Show
By Tony Dear
We’ve seen the numbers. We know this year’s PGA Show in Orlando, Fla. was the biggest in attendance and exhibitor numbers since 2009.
The business of golf looked healthy and Colorado was relatively well-represented. Of the 1,071 manufacturers, service providers, travel specialists, nutritional experts, instructors, software engineers, and member organizations that displayed their products and capabilities, 17 were from the Centennial State. That might not sound like many to be fair but, when you consider the number of companies from Florida and California that were there and that, for a good part of the year, the Colorado golf industry (valued at over $2 Billion) must concede to the climate, it’s quite healthy.
Among the 17, were several companies making a return to the Orange County Convention Center. Arvada’s Pins & Aces (pinsandaces.com), the creator of premium apparel and accessories and which recently acquired notable club-maker Edel Golf (we featured its SMS Iron in June 2022) was there for a fourth time. Aspen’s GolfForever (golfforever.com), which makes a swing and mobility trainer used by the world’s No. 1 player, Scottie Scheffler, was likewise making its fourth appearance; Colorado Springs-based sunglasses firms Epoch Eyewear (pronounced ‘Epic’ – epocheyewear.com) and Raze Eyewear (razeshades.com) continued to impress attendees with their hi-tech, but very attractively-priced, products; and Astral Putters (astralputters.com) from Denver was back after launching at the 2024 Show.
Debutants included Ellie Arbee (foreoclocksomewhere.com) which has been in business for less than a year. The Franktown-based designer/manufacturer of women’s apparel and accessories (it also offers men’s polos and children’s garments) is owned by Natalie West who certainly recognizes the benefit of having been there. “It isn’t just about transactions,” says West. “You’re also making a statement. If you’re serious about wholesale, exhibiting is your way of saying, ‘I’m here to stay.’ Walking the floor, shaking hands, and introducing yourself in person carries a weight that no digital presence can replicate,” –spoken like a true PGA Show veteran, someone who appreciates the value of face-to-face interaction. “One of my biggest takeaways,” West continues, “was that the people in this industry are worth showing up for. Buyers and industry insiders take note of who shows up and, for a new brand, that visibility can have a lifetime’s value. The benefits go beyond the tangible, though. The energy, the conversations, the camaraderie, the shared love of the game reminded me this industry isn’t just about the golf business; it’s about people.”
Holly Steele of No Girls Allowed (ngastyle.com), also a women’s apparel brand here for the first time, was likewise astounded at the sheer scale of the event. The founder and CEO of the Greenwood Village company has a message as well as a range of products – “It’s about breaking down barriers and pushing for real change in the sport (following an incident at a private club where Steele says she was refused service in a men-only bar)”, says the experience was unforgettable and nothing short of incredible. “Walking into the main exhibition hall was exciting and inspiring,” she adds.
Steele used the Show not only to launch her company’s full line, but also to build numerous new partnerships, gain important feedback and insights into the industry and her corner of it, and boost awareness of why she built her company. “It was the perfect platform to share what No Girls Allowed stands for,” she says “We want to challenge the status quo in golf by delivering stylish, functional, and modern apparel designed by women, for women. The overwhelmingly positive response confirmed that our mission resonates with the golf community, and we left feeling energized and eager to come back next year.”
Then there was Denver’s Lowercase Bag (lowercasebag.com) which has appeared in several ‘Best in Show’ reviews across the internet since last week, was chosen by the International Network of Golf as one of the top-five new products, was featured in the New Product Zone, and which Chicago Bears safety Adrian Colbert pictured on his golf Instagram page, saying it was one of the products he was most eager to see.
“We walked the Show last year with our first prototype to find out if our bag was something other golfers might want,” says Zach Haber, co-founder of the company (along with Aaron Goldschmidt) which makes a golf bag that doubles as a bike bag and backpack, and is designed for golfers who walk, bike, or commute to golf. “By the time we left, we knew we had something, and would want to be back for 2025.”
The week was a huge success for Lowercase Bag which launched its Kickstarter Campaign with a goal it has since reached. “The excitement around our bag surpassed our greatest expectations,” says Haber.
Other Colorado companies at the 2025 PGA Show were:
Never A Wallflower (neverawallflower.com)
Garb (garbinc.com)
Brümate (brumate.com)
9Putt (9putt.com)
Gibson Athletic (cpgfitnesscolorado.com)
L2 Brands (l2brands.com)
Onform (onform.com)
Wallaroo Hats (wallaroohats.com)
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (uccs.edu)
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