GOLFZON Proves Its Presence at the PGA Merchandise Show, Continuing Its U.S. Expansion

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, USA — GOLFZON, the world’s largest virtual golf company, announced that it drew significant attention at the PGA Show held last month in Orlando, Florida. About 2,000 visitors stopped by the GOLFZON booth, including leading figures from the golf world such as PGA TOUR winner Steven Bowditch, former PGA Championship and Players Championship winner Hal Sutton, World Golf Hall of Fame member and Korean native Se Ri Pak, and two-time LPGA major champion Jane Geddes.

The GOLFZON booth stood out within the Orange County Convention Center exhibition hall as a special space where attendees could hit balls themselves, play famous holes, and experience the GOLFZON VISION system and the GOLFZON GDR practice simulator. One of the highlights was a demonstration by long-drive player Maurice Allen, who broke his own existing record on a GOLFZON simulator on Thursday, January 28, registering a ball speed of 95.4 meters per second, or 213.4 miles per hour.

In addition, GOLFZON CEO Seongwon Jang and Tommy Lim, Vice President of GOLFZON’s EU and Americas Business Division, met with key figures from major golf industry organizations and companies, including PGA President Derek Sprague, as well as representatives from the LPGA, the Golf Channel, the World Golf Hall of Fame, Callaway Golf, the National Golf Foundation, the National Golf Course Owners Association, Troon Golf, the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the Metropolitan Golf Association, Golf.com, and the American Junior Golf Association.

This year’s PGA Show drew 42,000 golf industry professionals from 91 countries, a 3% increase in attendance compared to the previous year. A total of 727 customers discussed purchasing a GOLFZON simulator, and inquiries about distribution rights within the United States continued to come in.

In meetings with various media outlets, Vice President Tommy Lim announced that GOLFZON is considering opening showcase stores in key markets this year, including Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, New York, and Los Angeles.

GOLFZON CEO Seongwon Jang said, “We are very pleased to have confirmed positive reactions to the technology and quality of GOLFZON simulators from PGA professionals, PGA Show attendees, and members of the media at the world’s largest golf exhibition,” adding, “This feedback demonstrated the level of interest in simulator golf and the potential for this technology to contribute to drawing a younger, new customer base into golf.” He continued, “Engaging with the global golf industry will contribute to the popularization of golf while also serving as an important driving force for taking on the North American and global golf markets more aggressively.”

The assessments of key figures from the golf industry and media are as follows.

Edgar Thompson, a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, said, “Seeing the sea mist over the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links in person requires an investment of $600 and six hours, but Orlando golfers will soon be able to have a comparable experience without putting a major strain on their wallets or their schedules,” adding, “GOLFZON, the world’s largest simulator company, will open a center at Orlando Fashion Square this spring. For about $35 an hour, golfers can take their shots against the backdrop of the sound of waves along the Pebble Beach coast. The realism doesn’t stop there. Send a ball into the rough, and your next shot is played from artificial rough beside the tee box — a space that even reproduces sidehill, downhill, and uphill lies.”

Joe Beditz, President and CEO of the National Golf Foundation, said, “Golf simulators have existed in the U.S. market for more than 20 years as well, but compared to the Korean market — where GOLFZON leads in both equipment manufacturing and the operation of golf cafes — the related business in the U.S. is still in its early stages,” adding, “We hope the market in the U.S. will grow in a manner similar to Korea. This will help deepen the engagement of existing golfers and bring in new ones.”

Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, said, “According to a study recently commissioned by the World Golf Foundation, golf simulators have proven to be an effective means of helping golfers of all ages and skill levels become more deeply immersed in golf,” adding, “For GOLFZON, which has achieved success in Korea, to introduce its products to the U.S. market will be a positive opportunity for American golfers as well.”

Pam Swensen, CEO of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, said, “Attracting and nurturing consumers who are interested in golf is critically important for golf and its future,” adding, “With acceptance of alternative golf experiences steadily rising in the U.S., GOLFZON’s entry into the American market is something we are very much looking forward to. GOLFZON has achieved great success in overseas markets by captivating both golf fans and players, and it will provide American consumers with a new gateway to take up golf and become hooked on it.”

Bruce Glasco, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of International Operations at Troon Golf, said, “I believe GOLFZON has made a significant contribution to the many successes achieved by Korean LPGA players,” adding, “In Korea, the seasonality of golf is pronounced, and golf has traditionally been regarded as a male-centered sport, which created an environment where women had to learn golf through simulators. As a result, when young players take lessons, they have been able to focus on the solid fundamentals of a sound swing rather than simply being overwhelmed by ball flight, and this has become a foundation that does not waver even under pressure. GOLFZON has provided a gateway for women to learn golf properly. Its enormous impact in Korea and its contribution to nurturing young talent are impressive.”

Joe Rice, Chief Strategy Officer of the National Golf Course Owners Association, said, “After recently experiencing GOLFZON, I was deeply impressed not only by the technology but also by the program offerings built around the product,” adding, “The social connections that GOLFZON has created in Korea through leagues, cafes, and various gatherings are very interesting and are an essential element for the growth of golf. Remote play and virtual competition over a network are clearly the wave of the future.” He continued, “We always support the growth of golf course revenue. Through alternative play and add-on purchases such as food and beverage, GOLFZON can contribute to these efforts.”