Scottsdale and Chandler stores mark first in Southwest for growing specialty retailer
ATLANTA and PHOENIX (October 3, 2007) – Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc. (GTPS), headquartered in Atlanta, is opening two PGA TOUR Superstores in the Phoenix area on October 11, 2007.
The new stores, which increase the number of PGA TOUR Superstores to 10 nationwide, are the company’s first locations in the Southwest. One Superstore is located in the Chandler Mercado Shopping Center, and the other is located in the Pima Crossing Shopping Center in Scottsdale.
PGA TOUR Superstore carries the largest selection of golf equipment, apparel, shoes, accessories and golf-themed home décor offered in the Phoenix area, as well as a wide selection of tennis apparel, equipment and service. The Chandler store will also have an indoor tennis court. The average size of the two new Superstores exceeds 50,000 square feet.
"Hitting ten stores this early in our life cycle strengthens our vision for PGA TOUR Superstore as the national leader in off-course retail," said Bill Hamlin, chief executive officer of GTPS. "We are particularly excited about expanding to Phoenix, which is one of the premier golf destinations in America."
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 at each Superstore to provide lessons, adjust a swing and guide club fitting. A vast selection of tennis apparel, equipment and services are also available, and most stores have an indoor tennis court.
"The PGA TOUR Superstore concept has been tremendously successful in the markets it has entered," said Tim Hawes, senior vice president of Retail Licensing for the PGA TOUR. "It is a revolutionary concept in golf retailing by focusing on game improvement first and giving recreational golfers access to high-tech swing analysis, professional instruction and equipment choices similar to what TOUR players have. It’s very exciting to see how PGA TOUR Superstore has begun to have an impact on the golf industry’s efforts to grow the game."
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 golf shops. In March 2005, GTPS opened its first Atlanta-area PGA TOUR Superstore in Roswell, which has since been joined by three more Atlanta Superstores in Kennesaw, Duluth and Buckhead, and two stores in greater Dallas in Plano and Frisco. GTPS is also actively seeking locations in Houston, Orlando, South Florida, as well as the Southern California cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, for Superstore openings in the near future.
ABOUT PGA TOUR SUPERSTORES
PGA TOUR Superstores are owned and operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc. (GTPS), headquartered in Atlanta. The Superstores are up to 75,000 square feet in size and dedicated to providing customers with exceptional selection, services and prices within an entertaining, interactive store environment. GTPS is the PGA TOUR’s exclusive partner for off-course/off-airport and online golf retailing.
Two Superstores operate as Martin’s PGA TOUR Superstore in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, S.C. All other store locations operate as PGA TOUR Superstore, including the four locations in Atlanta, Georgia (Roswell, Kennesaw, Duluth and Buckhead); two locations in Dallas, Texas (Plano and Frisco); and two locations in Phoenix, Arizona (Chandler and Scottsdale) that will open in October 2007. All Superstores are focused on improving and growing the game of golf. Each store offers swing simulators and analysis, golf instruction by professionals, club fittings and indoor practice greens, as well as golf apparel, golf-themed home furnishings and a vast selection of golf equipment. The stores also offer tennis instruction, equipment, apparel, and most feature an indoor tennis court. 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 United States and around the world.
In 2007, the three Tours are competing in approximately 110 events for approximately $340 million in prize money. Tournaments are being held in six countries outside the United States 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, Florida.
Contact:
Anya Mailandt
The Richards Group
214-891-5206
anya_mailandt@richards.com
