(Sarasota, FL)- November 30, 2011 — The nation’s largest golf retailer will swing into the Sarasota market just in time for the holidays and with the arrival, golfers will experience the latest and best golf equipment like never before. On December 2, Golfsmith will open in the University Town Shopping Center, its first location in Sarasota and 10th location in Florida. The new store will dramatically alter the golf retail landscape in the way area golfers test out the most advanced golf equipment.
The Golfsmith retail concept is much more than a golf store. At Golfsmith, customers are encouraged to try clubs and gear right inside the store using one of the four custom-fitting studios/high-tech hitting bays anytime the store is open. Golfsmith is a leader in the custom fitting process and offers free custom club fitting services, building clubs specifically for a golfer’s abilities. Golfsmith’s new store will feature more products and game-enhancing technology than any area retailer. What also differentiates Golfsmith from other retailers is the store’s associates, all of whom possess deep understanding of the game and the newest equipment. More than 20 associates were hired.
The location will also house a GolfTEC teaching facility allowing golfers to learn how to improve their game using the latest technology and video performance equipment.
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOLF), will hold a variety of grand opening events and will give away more than $40,000 in free golf equipment, Golfsmith cash cards and other prizes on Friday, December 2 and Saturday December 3. 2011. All prizes will be given out during the Grand Opening weekend on a first come first served basis. On Friday starting at 8:00 a.m. the giveaways include free rounds of golf at Serenoa Golf Club, $20 cash cards or golf balls to customers who come early Friday.
On Saturday, beginning at 8:00 a.m., the first 40 people in line get their choice of $10,000 worth of giveaways including a $600 set of Callaway Diablo irons, a $900 set of Mizuno irons, TaylorMade r11 drivers, GPS devices and more. The next 250 people in line will get a free $20 cash card on Saturday. For many store openings, customers camp out and line up early to ensure they receive some of the grand opening offerings.
The new Golfsmith store will be located at 143 North Cattleman Rd off the intersection of University Parkway next door to SuperTarget and BestBuy. Golfsmith’s new Sarasota location, its 79th store, is part of an aggressive growth strategy for the company.
“Sarasota is a hotbed for golfers and a key reason for our entry into this market,” said Golfsmith President and CEO Marty Hanaka. “Our Sarasota area customers are in for a treat because we are a golfer’s paradise. Our goal is to help golfers of all skill levels to play better and find the right solutions for their game. We do this through great product selection, guaranteed low prices on everything we sell and a commitment to exceptional customer service by the best retail professionals in the business.”
“The Sarasota market has been underserved with a true golf retailer offering a spectrum of the best equipment brands like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping and MacGregor combined with the technology and service levels to help golfers improve. Our entry in the market is the new benchmark on how golfers will be served and empowered to play the game better,” said Patrick Argento the new store’s General Manager. “Our store associates have a passion for the game and combined offer several hundred years of golf game knowledge. They will pass that expertise on to Golfsmith customers and inspire them to play their best,” he added.
One major service Golfsmith offers customers is free custom fitting services for golf clubs. Custom fitting is the process where a Golfsmith club-fitting specialist uses computerized swing analysis systems to study every aspect of a player’s swing and then recommends the best types of clubs and the set-up of those clubs, including shaft flex, loft, lie and more. Golfers can be custom-fit, free of charge, for any type of golf club. Golfsmith is so convinced that custom-fitting clubs to your game will help you improve that they back up this service with a 30-Day Custom-Fit Play Better Guarantee. When customers get fit for golf clubs, if they do not see immediate improvement in their game they can bring back their clubs within 30 days for an in-store credit. Golfsmith also guarantees product pricing will be the lowest around and offers a 115% price guarantee.
A recently released study of several thousand golfers found a majority of golfers in America are playing with clubs that do not fit them properly. (www.customfityourgame.com ) Golfsmith traces its roots to making custom-fit clubs beginning in 1967. Golfsmith plans to open up 20 new stores throughout the country over the next two years. Golfsmith offers a comprehensive online store at www.golfsmith.com. Sarasota residents can sign up for special offers and updates on grand opening details by signing up for “E-mail Offers” on the company’s web site.
Attention Print, Online and Photo Editors:
To download high-resolution images of the new store, please click this link:
https://www.box.com/s/lgptdvgqo9e7sjl1lie8
About Golfsmith
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOLF), is a 43-year-old specialty retailer of golf and tennis equipment, apparel and accessories. The company operates as an integrated multi-channel retailer, offering its customers the convenience of shopping in its 77 stores across the United States, through its web site at golfsmith.com and from its assortment of catalogs. Golfsmith offers an extensive product selection that features premier branded merchandise, as well as its proprietary products, clubmaking components and pre-owned clubs. Visit www.Golfsmith.com.
Contact:
Lynn Luczkowski, L2 Communications 860-313-1426 or Lynn@L2comm.biz
Aubrey Haznar, L2 Communications, 617-549-8792 or Aubrey@L2comm.biz
Matt Corey, Golfsmith, 512-821-4883 or matt.corey@golfsmith.com