Lousy weather doesn’t derail Green Valley Golf Expo

Fierce winds, gray skies and cold rain typically make for miserable golfing conditions.

But despite yesterday’s inclement weather, the first Green Valley Golf Expo went off without a hitch and put smiles on the faces of the hundreds of golf enthusiasts who filtered in and out of Torres Blancas Golf Club.

After a remarkably warm November, the Southern Arizona weather conditions took a drastic turn, but the expo organizers fought back with windbreakers, tents and gallons of hot chocolate.

“The weather isn’t exactly cooperating, but everyone’s having fun and getting a chance to see everything this expo has to offer,” said club professional Rich Elias.

On the driving range, participants could try out any of the 2008-model Cobra and Titleist drivers and irons on display.

Many of the attendees marveled at the size of the drivers’ heads.

“I need a new trunk in order to fit this thing in my car,” said local weekend warrior John Williams, after taking a few cuts with the new King Cobra model.

Of course, longer and straighter drives aren’t simply the product of a fancy driver.

Inside the clubhouse, Dr. Miles Romney had his chiropractic information booth set up to educate the participants on the benefits of proper spinal alignment.

“In reality, swinging a golf club is one of the worst things you can do to your back if you don’t know how to swing it properly,” Romney said.

With nearly half of his clients looking to improve their golf games, Romney helps them to increase their range of motion, making for less painful trips to the golf course—both on the scorecard and on the body.

Mirea Pineda has the same goal for her clients, except her tactics are inspired by dancers and gymnasts.

Pineda, owner of BodyQuest Pilates, shows golfers how the stretching techniques of Joseph Pilates can help them unleash the full potential of their swings.

“They say more than 600 actions go into a golf swing,” Pineda said. “What we do is give people more control over their body, which sharpens their swings.”

With a healthy back and a more flexible body, the next step for any golfer looking to shed strokes would be to track down specialized training.

This is where Tucson Golf Schools comes into play.

Glen Griffith and Shane Corsley spent yesterday at Torres Blancas, educating expo participants on the benefits of a specialized golf clinic.

The clubhouse also included various seminars on proper nutrition, personal training and yoga.

“If it can help your golf game, the Green Valley Golf Expo had it,” Elias said.

Peak Vision Sports set up shop, showing how their zero-distortion sunglasses can help golfers line up those tricky putts during one of the 345 days Southern Arizona golfers battle the sun’s glare.

Footjoy, on the other hand, took advantage of the soggy conditions and sold golfers on the benefits of their new “Dryjoy” model.

But no day on the course would be complete without taking a few swings.

After spending most of the morning to make sure the expo ran smoothly, Elias teed up some range balls and let it fly with the new equipment on display.

“I think the event was a great success and I hope we get to do it again next year,” Elias said.

Let’s hope Mother Nature takes note and decides to cooperate in 2008.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747