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Many years ago, not long after the late Bob Kuntz put much of his  energy into the establishment of the Golf Collectors Society, the noted Dayton collector started the Dayton Golfing Trade Fair.
He invited golf collectors and dealers from the United States, Canada and Great Britain to bring their golf-related collectibles to our city for a two-day gathering during which they could buy, sell or trade not just golf equipment but a variety of items related to golf.
The earliest of these events in the 1970s were held in the summer when a Hickory Hackers Tournament could be played. The players used only wooden-shafted clubs, chasing par with mashies, niblicks and combinations thereof.
At some point the event was moved to January when the participants were not involved in other golfing activities and had a thirst for some interaction with others with similar interests.
The 2010 event, like those in recent years, will be held at the Holiday Inn-Dayton Mall. The dates are Jan. 8-9. A portion of the fair is still private for members of the Golf Collectors Society, but the public is invited to attend from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, and from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9.
Admission is free, and everyone is invited to bring along any old golf items for appraisal or possible sale.
Andrew Crewe, a past president of the Golf Collectors Society, reports that a large national and international turnout of collectors is expected. There will be 150 display tables of golf antiques and collectibles.
You can expect to find exhibitors selling hickory-shafted clubs, gutta percha and feathery golf balls, porcelain, old golf apparel and other items related to the history of the game.
A wide variety of golf publications, tournament programs and other paper items are usually offered for sale.
In the past I’ve seen vendors selling tournament participation pins and other memorabilia that once belonged to well-known professional golfers.
If you have any questions about the Trade Fair, call Andy Crewe at 937-219-3060 or e-mail him at acrewe@gmail.com.
Looking Ahead To 2010
The calendar says we’ll have to wait four months for the first golf competitions in the Miami Valley, but it’s not too early to circle some dates on that 2010 calendar.
The Miami Valley Golf Association schedule begins on May 3 with the Spring Better Ball competition at Piqua Country Club. The Dayton District Women’s Golf Association gets its season under way on May 24 with the Spring Shamble on NCR Country Club’s North course.
Beavercreek Golf Club will host the annual Dayton Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship June 21-25, and Windy Knoll Golf Club at Springfield will be the site of the Men’s Metropolitan Championship July 29-Aug. 1.
The Dayton Seniors’ four 2010 events will be played at Walnut Grove (June 1), Springfield Country Club (June 23), Meadowbrook Country Club (July 12) and Dayton Country Club (Aug. 30).
While we’re waiting for golf weather to return to Ohio, perhaps some of us will be fortunate enough to tee it up in Florida, Arizona or California. If you are among the lucky ones, remember to post scores for your GHIN handicap because the USGA considers golf “in season” in those states. | 
