Golf expo in Tinley runs through Sunday
BY MIKE NOLAN mnolan@southtownstar.com February 17, 2012 9:50PM
Mike Jeziorny (left), of Chicago, gets a few tips from PGA professional Chris Ioratti at the Tinley Park Golf Expo on Friday. | Larry Ruehl~Sun-Times Media
Tinley Park Golf Expo
Where: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $10. Active military personnel with a photo ID will be admitted free; children under age 12 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
For more information, visit www.tinleyparkgolfexpo.com.
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Updated: March 20, 2012 8:16AM
It was only an hour after the doors had opened Friday for the inaugural Tinley Park Golf Expo, but Joseph Copeland oozed confidence about the event’s future.
The parking lot of the Tinley Park Convention Center was filling up fast, and people were streaming through the doors for the event, which runs through Sunday.
“This is going to be a long-term show,” Copeland said. “We are going to be around for a long time.”
He and three partners in the venture spent the past 11/2 years organizing the show and lining up vendors. Golf equipment retailers, equipment manufacturers and golf courses have displays at the expo, and there are putting greens and an indoor driving range where attendees can try out new golf gear.
Since retiring three years ago, Tim Swanson said he has been able to spend more time honing his game. The Orland Park man said he was impressed with the size of the show and merchandise offerings.
“Years ago there was the (golf) show in Oak Lawn, and I would go there, but this is quite impressive,” Swanson said.
Copeland is one of four partners in the venture that is sponsoring the expo. He is a retired Orland Fire Protection District battalion chief and gives golf lessons at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park.
He said the show is designed for both the serious golfer and those who haven’t played the game.
“For people who’ve never swung a golf club before, they can come here and enjoy themselves,” he said.
Others involved in putting together the expo are Greg Buban; Bert Coghill, of Silver Lake Country Club; and Gregg Tengerstrom, the golf pro at Silver Lake.
“The South Side was in such need of a golf show,” Tengerstrom said.
It took some time to line up exhibitors, including the equipment manufacturers and area courses, he said.
“We started at ground zero,” Tengerstrom said. “It’s not like we had a base to start with.”
He and other organizers said they hope that along with appealing to golf fans, the expo introduces the game to new players.
“It’s all about bringing new golfers in,” Tengerstrom said.
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