Suzy Whaley strode purposefully down the center aisle at Orange County Convention Center, the Park Avenue of the PGA Merchandise Show. And it’s rush hour. The affable 58-year-old stopped briefly during Day 1 of the annual event but declined a handshake on a day she supposes she’ll meet 1,000 people. “COVID memories” remain fresh, Whaley says, but are also a distant memory. The annual event, …
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SuzyWhaleystrodepurposefullydownthecenteraisleatOrangeCountyConventionCenter,theParkAvenueofthePGAMerchandiseShow.
Andit’srushhour.
Theaffable58-year-oldstoppedbrieflyduringDay1oftheannualeventbutdeclinedahandshakeonadayshesupposesshe’llmeet1,000people.
“COVIDmemories”remainfresh,Whaleysays,butarealsoadistantmemory.
Theannualevent,nowinits72ndyear,wasbustlingandbooming,asisthesportWhaleyoversawwhenthepandemichitin2020duringthesecondofhertwo-yearstintasPGAofAmericapresident.
The2024show,stagedlastweekforthe39thtimeinOrlando,welcomedmoreexhibitorsandattendeesthan2009—atthetailendoftheTigerBoomandnearthestartoftheGreatRecession.Roughl
