ATLANTA (April 30, 2007) – PGA TOUR Superstore today announced it has added Performance Practice Centers to all four of its Atlanta stores. The Centers, which include four to six hitting bays featuring state-of-the-art technology, are for golfers who want to practice in addition to taking lessons with a pro. Each of the two new PGA TOUR Superstores in Dallas opened with a Performance Practice Center that includes six hitting bays.
"These new Performance Practice Centers will take our customers’ store experiences to a new level allowing them to actually ‘practice like a pro’" said Bill Hamlin, president and CEO of PGA TOUR Superstore. "We are excited to be able to offer these tools and technologies to all of our customers in Atlanta and Dallas."
The main feature of the Performance Practice Centers is the technology of the hitting bays, which includes Video Trac Camera Systems, Kudu Ball Launch Monitors and Weight Trac Force Plates. The Video Trac Camera Systems give golfers full-body videos to identify issues with their swings, which makes practicing in the bays more effective than just hitting balls outdoors. With the Kudu Ball Launch Monitors, golfers can see details of each individual shot and allow golfers to measure spin rate, angle of attack, launch angle, distance, direction and acceleration. The Weight Trac Force Plates have weight transfer sensors, which assist golfers with identifying the proper lower-body movement in their swing.
All of the PGA TOUR Superstores provide golfers with an interactive, entertaining experience, as well as access to technology and services usually found in professional "Tour Vans" at tournament sites. PGA of America and other teaching pros are on staff to provide lessons, adjust a swing and guide club fitting. An indoor tennis court, and tennis apparel, equipment and services are also available at most stores.
The PGA TOUR Superstore franchise was launched in 2004 with the acquisition of two stores in Myrtle Beach, S.C. By 2005, Golf Digest had named PGA TOUR Superstore the "Best Off-Course Golf Shop" in Myrtle Beach – a town that has nearly 100 on- and off-course golf shops. Since March 2005, the company has opened four stores in Atlanta and two in Dallas, which opened on March 1, 2007. The company is actively seeking locations for PGA TOUR Superstores in Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Diego, for openings in the near future.
ABOUT PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE
PGA TOUR Superstores are owned and operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc. (GTPS), headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. Each Superstore is more than 60,000 square feet and dedicated to providing consumers with exceptional selection, services and prices within an entertaining, interactive store environment. GTPS is the PGA TOUR’s exclusive PGA TOUR partner for off-course/off-airport golf retailing.
Two Superstores operate as Martin’s PGA TOUR Superstore in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Four Superstores in the Atlanta area (Roswell, Kennesaw, Duluth and Buckhead) and two stores in the Dallas area (Frisco and Plano) operate as PGA TOUR Superstore. All Superstores are focused on game improvement in golf and tennis, as well as growing the games. Each store offers swing simulators and analysis, golf instruction by professional instructors, club fittings, and indoor practice greens, as well as golf and tennis apparel, golf-themed home furnishings, and a vast selection of golf and tennis equipment. The PGA TOUR Superstore’s Web site address is www.pgatoursuperstore.com.
ABOUT THE PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to provide competitive earnings opportunities for past, current and future members of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.
In 2007, the three Tours will compete in approximately 110 events for approximately $340 million in prize money. Tournaments are being held in six countries outside the U.S. and in 36 states.
In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR’s Web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
Contact:
Anya Mailandt
The Richards Group
214-891-5206
anya_mailandt@richards.com
