Colorado companies bring mountain golf mojo to PGA Show

Apparel, tech games and other services featured by Colorado companies at annual PGA Show

By Tony Dear

The golf industry in Colorado is enjoying good health. Last year, we celebrated the fact 17 Colorado-based companies exhibited at the PGA Show – a significant number for a state better-known for skiing and one a good distance from Orlando. This year, there were 26.

One of them was Black Hole Golf, based in Castle Pines and owned by Brad Thompson. Thompson said he hadn’t been to the PGA Show before and as many first-timers will tell you, it was close to overwhelming.

“My goodness, I’ve read a hundred times about how big it is,” says Thompson, “but it never quite prepares you for just how big. As a first-time exhibitor, it was both extremely nerve-wracking and energizing.”

An excellent golfer who had tried to make it as a professional, Thompson entered the corporate world in his 30s, becoming an software engineer. During Covid, he hit upon an idea to combine enjoyable but effective practice time with casual entertainment and, over the last couple of years, he developed the product to the point where he felt it was ready to show the world.

Called Black Hole Golf, it’s simply a target (“a little frisbee target,” said Thompson) you toss anywhere in your practice area and then hit balls at. A sensor on the target is synced to the mobile app, and you get a clear indication of trends and tendencies. It’s good for any distance up to 200 yards and provides a meaningful amount of data that enables you to focus on the areas of your short game that need your attention the most.

“It gives you really targeted practice and helps you enjoy improving,” Thompson said.

The positive feedback he received in Orlando exceeded his expectations.

“Teaching professionals, industry leaders, and players quickly grasped the concept and leaned in with thoughtful questions and genuine excitement,” he said. “Even in a pre-launch state, the enthusiasm reinforced that turning practice into play—and play into connection—fills a meaningful gap in the game.”

As images on the company’s website suggest, Black Hole Golf can be a useful tool for individual practice and also provide backyard entertainment for family and friends. Reassured, encouraged, and emboldened by what happened in Florida, Thompson will release 150 Beta units in May, a few months ahead of a full product roll-out.

“It was rewarding to finally share Black Hole Golf face-to-face after years of building,” he said. “The conversations I had confirmed our vision resonates and that there’s real appetite for something genuinely different in golf.”

There is so much ingenuity and innovation happening in golf nowadays, it’s becoming virtually impossible to create something ‘genuinely different’. As a +1 handicapper who’s been around the game for most of his 51 years, Brad Thompson knows that. But with Black Hole Golf, he has come up with something that is genuinely diverting, and which will fill a void for a lot of golfers. For more information go to BlackHoleGolf.Com.

Other Colorado exhibitors at the PGA Show
Among the other Colorado companies with space at the Orange County Convention Center were a few standouts we spoke with about their experience. Woman’s fashion and lifestyle brand Ellie Arbee was at the Show for a second time and thrilled with how well the company’s apparel was received. “We are consistently told it’s the most unique offering at the show,” said founder and designer Natalie West. Brand Asset Managers was there for the third straight year, exhibiting its new Range Clock (first tested at the Colorado PGA Championship), range targets, and hole/par yardage signs. “We had some good traction,” said the company’s co-founder Mike Meador. “The range clock garnered a lot of attention.”

Boulder’s Mojo Country Club was born last summer and making its first appearance at the Show. Founder Adriaan Zimmerman said the company’s product – a gummy consisting of brain supplements that support focus, mental clarity, and confidence – was received very well and that he left with several hundred leads.

Never A Wallflower, a women’s fashion brand, was back for a third time. “Our best-selling windbreaker was a standout,” said National Sales Manager, Jessie Pollitt. “It’s a true transitional piece, designed to perform on the course while fitting seamlessly into everyday life. The removable sleeves elevate its versatility and functionality.”

And Sassy Caddy, which specializes in women’s golf bags but also makes a range of accessories including head covers, ball-markers, towels, and hats, was back in Orlando for the first time since 2018. “We exhibited every year from 2012 to 2018,” said  owner and designer Emily Haythorn who founded the company in 2010. “The renewed energy and enthusiasm surrounding golf were truly inspiring, and we were thrilled to be part of it again.”

Sassy Caddy unveiled its 2026 golf bag collection, which features “vibrant patterns and on-trend colors,” said Haythorn, who adds, “The new line-up includes two stand bags, two lightweight cart bags, and two deluxe cart bag styles. Each bag comes with our signature snap-on round purse for stylish, convenient organization.”

The Larger Show
Of the national brands at this year’s PGA Show, Cobra launched its new OPTM drivers, fairway-metals, and hybrids. Titleist unveiled its new Pro-V1 Left Dash, AVX, Tour Soft, and Velocity golf balls, while stablemates Vokey made some noise with its new SM11 wedges, and Scotty Cameron was there with its new OC Low-Torque putters. Ping showed off its new S259 wedges and G440 K driver. Mizuno was there with the JPX One driver and Pro M Series irons. PXG demonstrated the benefits of its new GEN8 iron.