VACAVILLE, Calif. – The Northern California Section of the PGA is pleased to announce that Pat Jones, PGA Head Golf Professional of Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses in Seaside, Calif., has earned the 2013 NCPGA Club Fitter of the Year Award. Jones is receiving this award for his expertise in fitting golfers with the proper equipment. Club fitters directly help the golf playing public to improve their playing ability and their enjoyment of the game.
By developing a customer-centric business approach to club fitting, Jones has been able to offer the customer a greater experience through a variety of demo times, more trained professionals, a wider range of available clubs, and on-the-spot quotes. Jones has six of his 10 assistant golf professionals as certified club fitters. He usually positions three assistants on the range and one on the putting green conducting fittings each week. Overall Jones has conducted approximately 100 fittings in the last year.
“I contribute our success in club sales to four factors: customer service, certified professionals, complimentary fittings, and an extensive marketing program. I believe we can build long term relationships with our customers if they know we have their best interest in mind by using certified Professional fitters, as well as the latest technology to improve their game,” said Jones.
Even though Jones has been a master staff professional with Titleist for eight years, when it comes to club fitting his goal is to put the customer in the best possible product to fit their game, which includes a wide range of manufacturers. One of Jones’ assistants developed an Excel database, which allows the team to select the club, manufacture, loft, shaft, grip and any other custom needs to the club and generate a price quote on the range for the customer.
Jones treats their club fitting program as a business. Shortly after joining the club in late 2010, he developed a marketing plan which would focus efforts through online, email, print and promotions around the facility. In 2012, he launched the Bayonet Black Horse Golf Academy and Performance Center website. The site helps educate customers about the process, the shafts which they will have access to, and the ability to book a fitting appointment online.
“Through Pat’s leadership and creative approach, the golfers who visit Bayonet & Black Horse are able to improve their playing performance and ultimately have an even greater golfing experience,” said NCPGA Awards Chairman Ted Mattila, PGA Head Professional from Buckingham Golf & Country Club.
Jones is among 19 recipients of the NCPGA’s 2013 Annual Section Awards. Section awards are given to PGA Professionals and industry leaders who have excelled in the game and business of golf. The NCPGA will recognize its 2013 Annual Section Award winners on Sunday, December 8 at the NCPGA Special Awards Ceremony & President’s Dinner at Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, Calif. This event, a highlight for the year, will be held the evening prior to the NCPGA Annual Meeting. There are more than 200 golf professionals and industry leaders expected to attend. E-Z-Go Textron is a presenting partner and PGA Resort and Spa and the Northern California Golf Representatives Association is a supporting partner of the Awards Ceremony & Annual Meeting.
About the Northern California Section of the PGA of America (NCPGA)
Organized in 1920 to promote interest in the game of golf, the birth of this association was heralded as an important step to the advancement of the game in this district. The Northern California Section is one of the forty-one designated Sections of the PGA of America, the world’s largest working sports organization. With over 1,100 dedicated PGA Professionals and apprentices at over 500 golf facilities in Northern California and Northwestern Nevada, the association continues to have a positive impact on the game of golf and communities both regionally and nationally. For more information, please visit www.ncpga.com.
Contact:
Jennifer Noel – jnoel@pgahq.com
Nancy Maul – nmaul@pgahq.com
(707) 449-4742
