EB5AN’s managing partners Sam Silverman and Mike Schoenfeld attended the 2026 National PGA Show in Orlando this week, representing Bay Creek and spending several days immersed in the latest developments shaping the golf industry. Held annually at the Orange County Convention Center, the PGA Show is the world’s largest gathering of golf professionals, course operators, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, and developers. For leaders responsible for the planning of a master-planned golf community like Bay Creek, the show offers a concentrated look at where the game is heading and how innovation is being applied across top-tier golf destinations.
Their focus at the show was practical and forward-looking: learning how new technologies, systems, and operational tools could be thoughtfully implemented at Bay Creek to further improve course conditions, enhance the golfer experience, and support efficient day-to-day operations across the community.
Bay Creek as a Long-Term Golf Destination
Inside the 2026 National PGA Show
- Enhancing the Golfer Experience Through Technology
- Pro Shop and Operational Innovations
- Industry Conversations
Partnering With EB5AN on a Low-Risk Rural EB-5 Project
Bay Creek as a Long-Term Golf Destination
Sponsored by EB5AN, the Bay Creek rural EB-5 project is a coastal golf community located along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, known for its two championship courses set against the natural landscape of the Chesapeake Bay. The community has been developed with a long-term perspective, balancing course design, environmental stewardship, and residential growth. Maintaining that balance requires ongoing evaluation of how courses are managed, how facilities are operated, and how golfers interact with the property.
As the community continues to evolve, decisions around infrastructure and technology play an increasingly important role. Attending the PGA Show allowed Sam and Mike to assess how other leading golf communities are approaching those decisions and to evaluate which innovations may be appropriate for Bay Creek’s specific environment and goals.
Inside the 2026 National PGA Show
The National PGA Show brings together thousands of exhibitors and attendees from across the global golf industry. This year’s event placed strong emphasis on technology-driven solutions aimed at improving course management, sustainability, and player engagement. From turf and irrigation systems to digital platforms and range technology, the show floor highlighted how data and automation are increasingly integrated into modern golf operations.
Sam and Mike spent time reviewing new approaches to course maintenance that focus on precision rather than scale. Advances in sensor-based monitoring now allow course teams to track soil moisture, turf health, and nutrient levels in real time. These systems support more targeted maintenance decisions, helping courses maintain consistent playing conditions while reducing unnecessary water use and chemical applications.
For a coastal community like Bay Creek, these developments are particularly relevant. Environmental conditions require careful management, and technologies that support efficiency and conservation align closely with the community’s priorities.
Enhancing the Golfer Experience Through Technology
Beyond course maintenance, much of the National PGA Show focused on how technology is being used to improve the overall golfer experience. New platforms for tee-time management, on-course navigation, and pace-of-play monitoring are becoming standard across high-performing golf facilities.
Sam and Mike explored systems designed to streamline how golfers interact with the course before, during, and after a round. Digital course guides, GPS-enabled features, and integrated scheduling platforms can improve convenience for players while helping staff manage daily operations more effectively.
Practice facilities were another key area of interest. Advanced driving range technologies, including ball-tracking systems and data-driven practice tools, are increasingly used to support player development and engagement. These tools can enhance practice sessions for golfers at all skill levels while adding flexibility for clinics, events, and instruction programs.
Pro Shop and Operational Innovations
In addition to course and range technologies, Sam and Mike met with vendors focused on pro shop operations and merchandising. Modern retail solutions are placing greater emphasis on inventory management, customer experience, and integration with booking and membership systems.
They also evaluated tools designed to support staffing and service operations. Technologies that streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden, and support consistent service delivery can play a meaningful role in improving both staff efficiency and guest experience.
Industry Conversations
The National PGA Show also provides space for broader conversations with course operators, developers, and architects managing established golf communities. Discussions throughout the week reinforced the importance of adaptability and long-term planning, especially as golfer expectations and environmental considerations continue to evolve.
For Sam and Mike, these conversations helped contextualize individual technologies within a broader strategy. Rather than adopting new systems simply because they are available, the focus remains on evaluating how innovation supports the overall health, playability, and longevity of the courses.
Partnering With EB5AN on a Low-Risk Rural EB-5 Project
As the 2026 National PGA Show concluded, Sam and Mike returned with a clearer view of how new technologies and operational approaches are being applied across the golf industry, and how those ideas could be evaluated for Bay Creek. The insights gained in Orlando will serve as another data point in ongoing decision-making for the project, supporting thoughtful planning and long-term course and community development.
Their presence at the event reflects Bay Creek’s broader commitment to maintaining high standards across all aspects of the community, from course quality and operations to long-term sustainability. This same mindset is central to EB5AN’s approach to structuring and managing EB-5 projects, where careful planning, transparency, and execution are critical at every stage.
More than 2,700 families from over 70 countries have selected EB-5 projects sponsored by EB5AN regional centers. Our expert team has more than a decade of experience and offers clients high-quality, low-risk EB-5 regional center projects with a 100% USCIS project approval rate.
If you would like to know more about the Bay Creek rural EB-5 project with a secured senior loan or other EB-5 investment options, book a free call with our expert team today.
