Golf Fest becomes brand-specific

When reaction to the coronavirus closed POA facilities, several events were canceled. The fourth annual Golf Fest originally scheduled for April 11 became a casualty.

It started in 2017 when 25 volunteers helped POA staff introduce hundreds of golfers to the people who make and sell their equipment. Tanyard Creek Driving Range was the place to be that Saturday morning.

When some POA facilities closed, Golf Operations director Darryl Muldoon rescheduled Golf Fest for June 6, but getting all the vendors together was a problem, so the one-day Golf Fest morphed into three golf fitting days on consecutive Saturdays.

On June 6, Callaway is the vendor, Titleist comes in on June 13 and, on June 20, it’s time for TaylorMade.

Each manufacturer will send a team of professional fitters to Bella Vista for its event. Local golf pros will also be working the event and the launch monitor, high tech equipment used to analyze a golfer’s swing, will be available.

Although Golf Fest utilized dozens of volunteers, none will be needed for the fitting days, Muldoon said. In fact, he doesn’t think he can allow volunteers to work because of the guidelines issued in response to covid-19.

Each golfer will make an

appointment for his or her fitting, which will take about a half-hour, Muldoon said. In between appointments, the POA staff will be cleaning and sanitizing the equipment and the building.

Many experienced golfers develop a loyalty to the brand of equipment they use and like to update clubs within the same brand, Muldoon said. They will know which fitting day they want to attend.

Newer golfers, or anyone who doesn’t have a brand preference, can stop by the driving range before the first event and ask to try some of the

brand name clubs. The personnel there will be happy to help, Muldoon promised.

On fitting days, golfers won’t have the opportunity to test the other brands, he explained.

The right fit is important to inexperienced golfers, Muldoon said in the POA Golf Update that is emailed to many POA members. Less experienced golfers

don’t always have the skills to compensate for a poorly fitted club.

“If you strike the ball too close to the heel or toe of the club, or the sole bottoms out on the heel or toe, your clubs might be too long or short for you,” the update reads.

To make a fitting appointment, contact Leslie at 479-855-5171 or lesliet@ bvvpoa.com.