The Wire will pause for its annual holiday break starting Monday, December 22. We will return Monday, January 5. ...

Jinja Golf Club in Uganda and the Swaziland Golf Union are two overseas recipients set to benefit from a range of funding initiatives announced by the R&A. Both will receive reconditioned greenkeeping machinery. ...

Shot Selector announces the addition of John Strauss to develop and oversee the pewter and leather accessories division. He will also be responsible for sales in the Western U.S. ...

Boyd Summerhays, a former No. 1-ranked national junior player and a nephew of Champions Tour member Bruce Summerhays, signs a management agreement with Gaylord Sports Management. ...

Don Ryder, the director of golf at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., was presented with the Virginia State Golf Association's service to golf award at the association's annual meeting held December 13 at Independence Golf Club in Richmond. ...

Virginia Tech Foundation announces a major renovation and improvement project to take place at the River Course of Virginia Tech golf facility during the next 18 months. Renowned golf architect Pete Dye has been commissioned to renovate the course. ...

SouthWood, Tallahassee's largest and most comprehensively master-planned community developed by Arvida, announces that SouthWood Golf Club has been named one of "America's Best New Courses" by Golf Digest Magazine.

With the 2004 PGA Merchandise Show, which is expected to unveil some innovative twists, just weeks away The Wire publisher Alex Miceli recently spoke with Christopher McCabe, PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President and Show Manager, about the changes and the general growth of the show.

Q.: First, talk about the show in general. You've has owned it now since 1998, long enough that you pretty much have a feel for it. Talk, in general, how the marketplace has changed since you purchased the show.

CHRISTOPHER McCABE: The golf marketplace continues to be a tremendous industry to be involved with. Since we purchased the show, golf peaked and the industry as a whole has faced challenges in recent times. But through it all there's a really strong foundation of industry folks, exhibitors and buyers. And they will always keep golf a fantastic game and business to be a part of.

Q.: Obviously at first when you purchased the show there was no reason to make any changes to it because the show was - and has been -- a very successful product. But as time has gone on, there's been noticeable defections by some in the golf industry. Talk about what you announced recently in regards to the additions to the show and why you believe they will make a significant impact on building up and bringing more people to the show.

CHRISTOPHER McCABE: When the PGA owned it and since we have owned it, you always try and improve year to year. We're always adding new components and features. Given the state of the industry, we thought it was important to come up with some additional creative ideas and new features that benefit all those who participate in the show. Whether it's exhibitors or attendees. The PGA of America has been a fantastic partner since we came on the scene. And often working behind the scenes. But as the latest announcement shows, they're really coming up with some creative ideas to incorporate into the show to make it that much more robust.

So the idea is to continue to improve the show and set a foundation for future success, growth, and not just for the show, but really to help stimulate the industry as well.

Q.: Out of the all of the initiatives -- and I would have to say there are numerous -- that you have going forward for the show in 2004, which are the ones that you see as maybe being the more innovative or the more exciting from your standpoint?

CHRISTOPHER McCABE: They're all pretty exciting. But I might say that the debut of the Equipment Testing Center should be really exciting for people who visit the show. Last year's Demo Day introduction was an overwhelming success. And we wanted to find a way to capture that feeling and make it part of the show for all four days. And this is really a great opportunity to make the show more interactive, and create more excitement for both the manufacturers participating and the buyers.

Then we took that concept and we said how can we balance out the show for our apparel customers. The result was the reinstitution of the Fashion Show and then the new Fashion Fairway. We think both are really exciting developments. Additionally, the PGA's Business of Golf Summit, the PGA Awards night, their Executive Director's Meeting, those are all fantastic changes to the show that really will make the whole experience that much more valuable to the various people who participate.

Q.: How does the addition of the Equipment Testing Center effect Demo Day?

CHRISTOPHER McCABE: The Demo Day is still a slightly different experience. It is an outdoor, sunshine, pre-show event, but also keep in mind it's also invitation only. Demo Day will max out at about 3,500 guests or so. The ETC, the Equipment Testing Center, which will be inside the hall, is open to everybody. So they are slightly different and they both serve their own purposes.

Q.: Do you see this show's scope and goals changing as you go along?

CHRISTOPHER McCABE: The scope of the PGA merchandise show in January?

Q.: Yes.

CHRISTOPHER McCABE: Well there's no doubt that it's the flagship event in all of PGA Golf Exhibition's portfolio. And it is really the launch pad of the year for the golf industry. The show has grown from a traditional trade show to become an important business gathering that plays a role in helping the industry get the year off to a good start. It is an event that has grown from traditional buying opportunities and business networking to now including more hands on product experiences, education seminars, career building opportunities, industry recognition events and social occasions. It changes and evolves yearly based on the industry's needs.

Q.: Will you take what you've experienced or learned from this and attempt to do the same things with the other shows that you're involved in, not only those in theUnited States, but those outside the United States?

CHRISTOPHER McCABE: Yes, sure. Anything that works at any one show we might incorporate into another one. Although that doesn't always translate. Which is why they're not all the same. They shouldn't be. Because each market, each region is somewhat unique. And you have to treat each show as a unique entity.