Brad Frick, Jared Beard, John Brock, Chase Butler, Phil Canders, Rob Thames, Mike Ramsey, Ken Taylor, Ishaan Vasudeva, Doug Brown and myself traveled together to the annual PGA Merchandising Show this past week and had a blast. This show is quite amazing, but what strikes me first is how the atmosphere causes childlike enthusiasm to ooze out of us all.

Having over 1 million square feet of golf merchandise filled with every imaginable golf product displayed and available to handle or hit is simply overwhelming.

What I enjoy most is the airborne contiguous fun and excitement. I have met and had conversations in the past with Bryon Nelson, Peggie Kirk Bell and LPGA Hall of Fame member Kathy Whitworth. It’s truly a spectacular golf event and this year’s highlight, if I had to narrow it down to a brief summary, would be conversations with the greatest players in the world, and one World Golf Hall of Fame member.

Lauren Stephenson stopped by our Tsunami Bar Sports booth as did Mi Yung Li, both LPGA Tour members as did William McGirt and Scott McCarron, PGA & Senior PGA Tour players, respectiely.

Maggie Will and Hollis Stacy both stopped by for conversations. Your assignment is to look both of these players up and be prepared for next weeks article.

My editor has given me the opportunity to focus on LPGA Tour, specifically the Hall of Fame. Since we have a local rookie and veteran kicking off their season in a couple of weeks, the reading is better if there is some background.

Stephenson, a Lexington High School and soon-to-be University of Alabama graduate, makes her rookie professional debut as an LPGA Member in Australia. Mi Yung Li, in her 8th year also kicks off her year ‘down under.’

The LPGA is the most difficult Hall of Fame in sports to enter. My focus will be on that topic next week, so tune in for facts and comments that certainly have me intrigued.

This week on the ICRC Winter Youth Golf Tour, Ponderosa Country Club held Huckaby and Associates Division 4, which is the Girls competitive. Bella Bernagozzi finished 1st, Meredith Price 2nd, Alexis Hodge 3rd, Mia Andrade 4th and Jenne Taylor 5th. The Spur at Northwoods held the Palmetto Smiles and Peds and Family Dentistry tournament for Division 6 and Taylor Thomas was the top medalist.

Lexington taking HOF nominations

The Lexington Wildcat Athletic Booster Club is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nomination forms can be found at www.lexingtonwildcats.com . Nominations be emailed to Coach Brandon Smith at cbsmith@lexington1.net or mailed to:

Attn: Brandon Smith

Lexington High School

2463 Augusta Hwy.

Lexington, SC 29072