FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., May 24, 2012…Edwin Watts Golf Shops (EWGS), one of the world’s largest specialty golf retailers with over 95 locations, today announced that John Watson, Chairman and CEO of Edwin Watts Golf, was recently elected Secretary of the National Golf Foundation’s (NGF) Board of Directors. A trade association that serves all segments of the golf industry, the NGF provides golf-business research, information and consulting services to companies and organizations world-wide, including 6,000 member companies. Mr. Watson’s appointment is effective immediately.
Mr. Watson, who has served on the NGF’s Board of Directors since 2010, is joined by a distinguished group of executives including Peter Hill (Chairman and CEO, Billy Casper Golf), Chairman; Chip Brewer (President and CEO, Callaway Golf), Vice Chairman; and Jerry Hinckley (Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Textron Financial), Treasurer.
As the only trade association that serves all segments of the business, the National Golf Foundation maintains what is arguably the most professionally diverse and respected board of directors in the industry. The board helps guide the NGF’s business strategy and helps ensure that the NGF’s research remains the most trusted and relevant in golf.
“The National Golf Foundation serves all major business sectors in the golf industry, and I’m thrilled to represent the retail sector, while having the opportunity to collaborate with an elite group of executives that are committed to growing the game and business of golf,” said Watson.
Mr. Watson came to EWGS in 2008 following executive posts at HSN, Sunglass Hut International, Reebok International and McKinsey & Co., among others. He was appointed to his role at EWGS by owner Sun Capital Partners to lead the growth strategy for the Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.-based golf retailer.
For more information on Edwin Watts Golf, please visit www.edwinwattsgolf.com.
About the NGF
The National Golf Foundation, founded in 1936 and based in Jupiter, Fla., is the industry’s knowledge leader on the U.S. golf economy and leading provider of golf industry databases. NGF delivers independent and objective market intelligence, insights and trends to fulfill its mission: To Keep Golf Businesses Ahead of the Game. NGF member courses, clubs, associations, media and myriad golf-related businesses representing every market segment rely on NGF research and resources to support their best decisions. For more information, please visit www.ngf.org.
About Edwin Watts Golf
Edwin Watts Golf Shops, LLC (an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.), headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is one of the world’s premier specialty golf retailers. The company operates as an integrated, multi-channel retailer, offering the freshest assortment of brand name golf equipment, apparel, and accessories through its 95+ domestic Retail Locations, eCommerce Internet site (www.edwinwattsgolf.com) and Telephone/Catalog/Direct Mail sales (1.800.874.0146). Edwin Watts Golf touts a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable sales associates who can assist customers of all skill levels with lessons, performance fitting, special orders and repair services. The combination of the highest level of customer service, price match guarantee and reputation as the most trusted retailer in golf for over 43 years has earned the organization the right to be known as America’s Golf Club.
Contact:
Michele Cooper (michele@mastrocomm.com)
Ari Edelman (aedelman@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications, Inc. @ 732-469-5700
