John Daly Featured Attraction at 25th Annual Chicago Golf Show

John Daly is coming to the 25th annual Chicago Golf Show. The "grip-it-and-rip-it" long-ball hitter who won the PGA Championship, British Open, and 15 other tournaments worldwide will attend the show's Golf Academy Stage on Saturday, March 1, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The Chicago Golf Show runs February 29-March 2.

"We are bringing John Daly to the 2008 Chicago Golf Show as a very special way to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary," said show organizer Tom Corcoran. "Not only is John Daly a major championship winner, he is one of golf's biggest personalities and a fan favorite. We are really looking forward to having him with us."

Daly is excited about returning to the Chicago area. "Chicago is a fantastic golf town with a lot of great golf fans. I can't wait to get a chance to meet my fans at the Chicago Golf Show."

Daly burst onto the international golf scene in 1991 with his win at the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick, which earned him PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors. Daly did more than just win the PGA that year; it was how he did it that energized golf fans everywhere. His prodigious 300-yard drives and a down-home, devil-may-care persona made him stand out from other golfers and endeared him to a wide spectrum of fans. Daly cemented his legend by winning his second major at the 1995 British Open.

Daly is the author of two books: "My Life In and Out of the Rough," an autobiography released in 2006, and the 2007 "Golf My Own Damn Way," a "tip sheet for how to cut 10 strokes off your game."

The Chicago Golf Show is the oldest such exhibition in the country and one of the two largest. Several hundred exhibitors have reserved space, where they will display the latest in golf equipment, destinations, golf courses, tournaments, antique-club collections, and bargains on clubs, balls, apparel and more. Typically, the show attracts up to 20,000 attendees.

"A quarter-century after it began, the Chicago Golf Show continues to be a vibrant consumer event where Chicago-area golfers can feed their passion for the game," said Corcoran. "We're very happy and honored to be able to play a part in launching each new golf season."

In addition to Daly, the Chicago Golf Show will feature a traditional mix of attractions, including:

• Door prizes given away every hour, including free trips to golf destinations
• A 26-station indoor driving area known as the Impact Zone, where attendees can hit the newest clubs - and it's free
• The Long Putt Contest, a perennial favorite featuring prizes for anyone who makes the 80-footer
• The Golf Academy Stage, where top golf instructors will conduct seminars
• Free One-on-One full-swing and putting lessons from Illinois PGA professionals
• Bargains on golf equipment, apparel and related items
• Opportunities to get free or discounted golf rounds at dozens of local courses
• Information on local PGA and amateur events
• Information on local, regional, national and international golf getaways.

The Chicago Golf Show is the only Chicago-area golf show supported and sponsored by the Illinois PGA. Show hours are:

Friday Noon - 7PM
Saturday 9AM - 6PM
Sunday 9AM - 5PM


Prices are: adults $10; children ages 6-12 $3; 5 and under free; seniors 65 and over $7. Adult admission on Friday, February 29, is only $5. For more information, visit www.chicagogolfshow.com.