Not Attending the PGA Merchandise Show This Year

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014
Categories: Miscellaneous • PGA Merchandise Show

For the first time in about a decade I have decided to skip attending the PGA Merchandise Show. Many of my golf associates seem a bit shocked about this and understandably. I’ve been a fixture there for a long time. I’m still getting calls and texts inviting me to booths, parties, lunch, and rounds of golf in Orlando! I will really miss seeing my friends and associates, and some of the golf media/bloggers. Some, not all! Most of all, I’ll miss walking by the women’s apparel booths which have female mannequins with erect nipples. OOOHHH…

I will miss my golf blog pals…

I was one of, if not THE first blogger to do live blogging and social networking from the PGA Show and probably the first to shoot POV video interviews. With so many other bloggers and social networkers at the show these days, I decided I’d stay home with the lovely wife and my one year old, save the money, and let them all cover it. As an independent blogger without a parent company paying the way, it is an expensive proposition to go to the show from Salt Lake. With recent changes in Google’s search results and ad structure, it could take months or even years for my ad revenue to cover the costs of going to the show like airfare, hotels, food, rental cars etc. It all comes out of my pocket. Honestly, I’d rather put that dough toward my next trip to Scotland.

I’m also thrilled to be avoiding whatever it is in the Orlando air or that awful swamp water there which throws my body into some kind of jacked up sickness. As soon as I roll into O-town my eyes become bloodshot and worst of all, I get mega-constipation. “Yes Tony, blog more about your bowels and their lack of functionality.” Hey, if you were at a trade show for a week and NEVER had a sit down on the porcelain throne, you’d feel my pain, literally. It hurts. I’m happily home, and having regular daily sit downs… ahhh.

I’ve been pondering all of the wonders I’ll miss at the PGA Show, the booth babes, the new longest drivers in the world, golf balls which are longer than ever. I decided to do a cynical post about the PGA Merchandise Show here.

Sand Hollow Championship Course in Hurricane, Utah – Aerial Video

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, January 21st, 2014
Categories: Golf Courses • Golf Videos • HOG World Tour • Miscellaneous

The Hooked On Golf Blog World Tour stopped back one one of my favorite places this past weekend, Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah. Sand Hollow Resort has three courses, a links course, par-3 course and their Championship Course. This facility is one of the best on the planet and the golf is out of this world due to the unique terrain.

While on the course for a couple of days I launched the HOG drone, a camera equipped mini helicopter I’ve built for shooting photos and videos of golf courses (and anything else I can fly over). Though it is winter and the course isn’t as green as it would be in the spring and summer, this video is still quite stunning. This is not bad for my first attempt at putting together video flyover highlights of a golf course.

How fun is this? I’m looking forward to my next trip down later in the season when the course is more green and I will have more time to work on the shots. This time around was quite educational and I will only get better.

If you’d like to hire me to shoot your golf course, event, or location with this setup feel free to contact me.

Still Images

I’ve uploaded a batch of aerial photos of Sand Hollow to the HOG image gallery.

Interviewed Gary Player Today

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, January 17th, 2014
Categories: Interviews • Miscellaneous • Pro Golf
Tags: Gary Player

I did not sleep last night because I was so excited for this morning. I’m happy to report that I interviewed The Black Knight, Mr. Fitness, The International Ambassador of Golf, 9-time major champion Gary Player. What a thrill!

Mr. Player is on site this week in La Quinta, California at the PGA Tour’s Humana Challenge, the “Healthiest Event in America.” For years Player has been an advocate of fitness and now he’s joined forces with Humana to promote fitness and healthy eating even more.

Gary-Player-Humana

Of course we discussed fitness in the interview, as that’s the focus of the event this week. I had so many other questions I would have liked to ask but those will have to wait for the next time. I’ll be getting the interview ready and posting it soon.

Thanks to Mr. Player for taking a break between his situp reps and crunches to speak with me.

Snow-Blowing the Practice Green At River Oaks Golf Course

Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, January 16th, 2014
Categories: Golf • Golf Life • Hackers • Miscellaneous

Here in northern Utah we haven’t seen green grass since November of last year. That’s almost two months for those of you counting at home. This week the temperatures have creeped above freezing and we have even seen the sun!

Director of golf Guy Lester scooping that evil white stuff off the practice green!

My desperate and good friends at my home course River Oaks took it upon themselves to bust out the shovels and snow blower and clear the practice green so we can work on our putting! Brilliant old chaps. Let the stymies game begin and bring some cash.

Stymies in January!

New Nike Golf Ad Takes Jab at Golfers Who Don’t Embrace Modern Technology

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, January 15th, 2014
Categories: Golf Equipment • Golf Gear

Nike Golf is coming up with a “Play in the Now” campaign which pokes fun of golfers who think we should still be hitting mashies, balatas, or wooden headed clubs…

http://youtu.be/3CeNJGMly28

Visit HOGWire.biz for the full Nike Golf press release with links to some other spots.

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