(WORLEY, ID) – Circling Raven Golf Club Director of Golf Tom Davidson will be the presenter of a conference titled “Planning Your Merchandising Business Retail” at the 58th PGA Merchandise Show in Florida.
The hour-long session will take place Thursday, January 27 in the Orange County Convention Center at 9:15 a.m. Davidson will cover topics such as how to build an anchor display, creating visual interest in displays, conducting “value added” promotions and taking advantage of unique aspects of a facility.
“Following some best practices in retail can make the difference between a profitable golf shop and one which wishes it were profitable,” said Davidson, who saw a 15% year-over-year increase in golf shop sales at Circling Raven in 2010. “The most crucial element in the plan at a resort facility is knowing your customers and creating an environment that stimulates excitement, comfort, and curiosity.”
Davidson’s seminar will be one of many at the PGA Show, the golf industry’s largest international business gathering that runs Jan. 27-29 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Davidson will also be on hand at the PGA Show to accept his club’s 2010 PGA “Merchandiser of the Year” award for resort facilities. Circling Raven – which won the PGA Northwest Section “Merchandiser of the Year” Award four times in the last six years – became the first club from the Northwest to be named PGA “Merchandiser of the Year” nationally since the award was established in 1978.
The Merchandiser of the Year Award was created in order to recognize PGA Professionals who excel as businesspersons/merchandisers in the promotion of golf. The PGA criteria are demanding, focusing on growing and servicing well the customer base, shop displays, financial details, ongoing training for staff, and many other mission critical components.
Circling Raven (www.circlingraven.com) was designed by renowned architect Gene Bates and has collected more than 45 “Best-Of” rankings since opening in 2003, including “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” in the U.S. (No. 92 out of roughly 13,500 U.S. public access courses) in GOLF Magazine, 2010-11. Circling Raven is also a member of Golf Digest’s prestigious “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.”
About Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel
Owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and convenient to Spokane (WA) airport, the casino resort and golf club are nestled on a reservation covering 345,000 acres of mountains, lakes, old-growth forest and farmland.
In May, 2011, the resort will unveil its $85-million expansion. The project will add two new wings overlooking Circling Raven and nearly 100 opulent hotel rooms as well as a centerpiece pub area, a gourmet steakhouse, a fitness center, a 15,000 square-foot deluxe spa and pool and a 10-acre “front yard” that will offer a natural amphitheater for concerts and other outdoor events.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe – which is already the largest employer in North Idaho – is set to hire an additional 200 workers after the expansion project is completed.
The resort spans the western edge of the northern Rocky Mountains. Tribal history also tells us that Circling Raven was a spiritually powerful leader, his name coming from his close relationship to the raven, who helped guide him on his journeys, warn him of danger and show him where to find fish and game.
The Coeur d’Alene Casino offers 1,800 machines for play in smoking and non-smoking areas, off-track betting for horse and dog races, high-stakes bingo, entertainment and many other amenities. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week every day of the year. The resort is regularly voted the most popular casino in the Inland Northwest.
Golf Course
Circling Raven was created amid a unique blend of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands. At 7,189 yards, the par 72 championship layout meanders through 60 acres, only 100 representing cultivated ground. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, moose and an occasional black bear. In fact, the opening was delayed due to damage on two greens by migrating elk.
* Yardages: Gold, 7,189; Blue, 6,578; White, 6,108; Red, 5,389; Green, 4,708
* Total Acreage: 670 (including practice area, practice green and clubhouse)
* Amenities: The clubhouse is 6,500 square feet, including the Twisted Earth Grill and full service bar. Both locker rooms include showers and lockers. The practice facility covers 25 acres; separated into areas for wedges, sand play and all clubs in the bag. The Stensgar Pavilion adjacent to the course is a full service event venue, used for golf, business, wedding and other events.
To book tee times 24 hours a day call 1-800-523-2464. All rates include 18 holes of golf, cart, GPS, and use of 25-acre practice facility. Replays (same day) are $45. For complete price and playing options visit www.circlingraven.com.
Contact:
Gary Trask, 978.228.0314
Buffalo Communications
gtrask@billycaspergolf.com
Dan Shepherd, 703.891.3320
Buffalo Communications
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
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