Winning Golf Clubs

 

 

I have been looking for new irons for a while now.  For me this process began about two years ago.  Like everyone else I wanted to see what all of the major club manufactures had to offer.  So, I studied the market in all the usual places; spring golf expo, golf stores, pro shops, online reviews, etc.  Since I prefer a blade or modified blade iron this limits my choices.  I have never been a fan of game improvement irons but certainly understand the need for them in the marketplace.  So, for me it came down to the Titleist AP2 Irons.  Last summer I had a chance to hit the irons at a local club and was even fit on the spot for the specifications based upon my swing.  So, my mind was made up, it was only a matter of time before I made the purchase.

So, I ended the year intent on entering the 2014 golf season with new irons.  Now, fast forward from last summer until the spring of this year.  I was attending an industry conference in Washington DC this past February.  Like most conferences they had an opening dinner and events program scheduled for the first evening.  As my colleagues and I entered the ballroom there was a set of Ping Irons setting on a pedestal and a raffle barrel right beside it.  All of them were eager to enter the drawing with a chance to win some new sticks.  Since I have never been a fan of Ping irons I had no interest in entering.  When asked why I was not entering I said first, because I never win raffles.  Second, since I did not like the irons even if I did win I would end up selling them.  However, after being told I was the only “true golfer” in the group I was talked into entering. 

Before the program began they moved the raffle barrel onstage and said they would soon pick a ticket from the barrel and announce the winner of the golf clubs.  As I was assured by a couple of my colleagues that they were going to win, I dismissed their comments with a laugh.  With my back to the stage the moderator spun the wheel and mixed up the tickets.  She eagerly reached into the wheel and grabbed the winning ticket.  She then proceeded to tell the five hundred people in attendance, “and the winner is.”  Yep, you guessed it, she called my name.  In shock I began to high five my colleagues and proceeded to the stage to claim my prize. 

My next thought was how am I going to get these clubs back home?  The moderator told me that would not be a problem that someone would call me and make the arrangements.  I said, great, and then I asked if I had to accept these exact clubs or if I had any choice in the brand or model?  Much to my surprise, she said I could have any clubs I wanted.  I would be given an allowance to buy what I wanted and would need to pay out of pocket for any expenditure beyond that amount.

The next time you have a chance to enter a raffle, you should, as you might just win.