The official promotional kickoff for the 27th Annual ING Spring Conference took place last week in ClubING at the PGA Merchandise Show, and it featured a presentation by Florida’s First Coast Of Golf President David Reese and a surprise appearance by the area’s unofficial spokesman, El Conquistador (or a distant relative).
In 2005 the International Network of Golf conducted its annual Spring Conference at this site, attracting the second largest attendance in the 26-year history of the event.
A lot has changed to both the ING and the Florida resort and museum in the past 11 years, but one thing is for certain. Another large turnout can be expected when the 27th Annual ING Spring Conference returns to the World Golf Village May 21-25.
The ING Spring Conference is the annual gathering of golf media and industry executives, and is conducted by the non-profit, media-based International Network of Golf. Anyone in the golf industry or media is eligible to attend.
“We are big supporters of ING and its mission to connect industry professionals for the purposes of learning better business practices and strengthening relationships,” said David Cordero, Director of Communications for the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum. “We can’t wait to open our doors next year and host the 27th Annual ING Conference at World Golf Village. From golf courses, restaurants, a hotel, PGA TOUR Golf Academy, IMAX movie theater, and of course decades of golf history found in the Museum, next year’s conference promises to be one of the best to date.”
ING is equally excited about returning to this historic site.
“There is a reason our attendance soared back in 2005,” said ING Executive Director Mike Jamison. “People who are passionate about golf can’t find a better place to visit than the World Golf Village. The World Golf Hall of Fame is the steward of our sport, and is constantly evolving. Considering that
our country’s oldest city, St. Augustine, is a few minutes away, a trip to the World Golf Village is truly a stroll through history.”
The World Golf Hall of Fame features engaging, interactive storytelling and exhibitions with artifacts, works of art, audio, video and photography significant to the history of golf and its members. Guests can explore genuine artifacts from our members though a variety of exhibits and the Member Locker room. They can also play a round on the 18-hole natural-grass putting course and take a shot on the Challenge Hole – a 132 –yard island green reminiscent of the 17th TPC Sawgrass.
ING attendees will enjoy the comfortable accommodations at the AAA Four-Diamond Renaissance World Village Resort, which offers 301 Colonial Asian designed guest rooms, featuring spacious spa-inspired bathrooms with granite countertops and 37-inch, flat panel televisions.
Views of the World Golf Village’s pristine Kelly Lake and golf courses serve to inspire, while high-speed wireless internet access, oversized executive 
desks, wet bars, refrigerators, and in-room coffee service offer the ultimate conveniences. Dine in the Villagio Italian Grille featuring fresh seafood, great steaks, traditional Italian cuisine and more. The lobby bar, which will serve as ClubING for the week, features seven televisions and micro-brewed beer, and opens up to an outdoor patio.
The World Golf Village’s King & Bear and Slammer & Squire courses feature designed collaborations by four World Golf Hall of Fame Members; Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, and Gene Sarazen. The Slammer & Squire tees off from under the tower of the World Golf Hall of Fame. This course is a well-groomed layout that showcases the unspoiled wooded areas, wetlands and natural beauty. The design is generally open, with several contoured greens. A few water hazards come into play, but the views of the Hall of Fame will overshadow any challenges you may face.
The King & Bear is the only golf course in the world that has been co-designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. This course offers a mixture of two different design styles. The front nine is an open, links-style layout, while the back nine is more traditional Florida golf fringed with loblolly pines, 200-year-old oak trees, indigenous coquina rock, and numerous water features.
The conference will be a blend of timely educational workshops and panels, networking at its best featuring the One-On-One Appointment Show, product testing in the Demo Lab, and golf competitions.
For more information regarding the World Golf Village, visit www.worldgolfvillage.com
