VACAVILLE, Calif. – The Northern California PGA today announced its 2015 Annual Section Award winners. Among them were those focused on Sales and Merchandising. The NCPGA Merchandiser of the Year awards span three categories: Private, Public, and Resort. Brad Streza, PGA 1st Assistant Golf Professional at La Rinconada Country Club, is this year’s Private Merchandiser of the Year. Evan Boone, PGA Professional at Poppy Hills Golf Course, has received the 2015 NCPGA Public Merchandiser of the Year Award. Marianne Zabbo, PGA Professional at Pebble Beach Company, is named the Resort Merchandiser of the Year.
All three award winners and their merchandising teams have excelled in golf shop operations. Golf pro shops are an excellent way for the general public to get individualized attention and expertise from trained staff who are familiar with the array of golf products because they use them every day.
Mike Snowden of Snowden Golf is the 2015 NCPGA Sales Representative of the Year for his service to NCPGA Professionals, their merchandising team members, and to the Section. The award is given to an individual for their service to Northern California PGA Professionals, their merchandising team members and to the Section.
Private Merchandiser of the Year
Being a small private club in Silicon Valley requires La Rinconada Country Club to be fresh, personal, forward-thinking, and especially creative in meeting and exceeding its membership’s shopping experience expectations. This philosophy allows them to create a comfortable and exciting shopping environment. Streza’s approach is simple – give them what they want at a price that is highly competitive.
The staff takes pride in its customer service and member relations. Active listening, teamwork, and being attentive to members’ and guests’ needs allow La Rinconada to distinguish their facility as THE place for anything that a golfer would want.
Public Merchandiser of the Year
Through 20 years in the business and 10 years as a PGA Head Professional and Buyer, Boone’s merchandising philosophy has always focused on five main areas. First, to make sure he has something for everyone – the low, middle, and high-end shoppers. Next, to not only buy things he likes. Third, only buy quality products from trusted vendors. Fourth, price things fairly for both you and your customer. And lastly, take care of the shop so that it looks clean, organized and easy to visit.
Resort Merchandiser of the Year
Zabbo is responsible for nine of the 15 shops located on the property. The goal is to buy for a wide range of guests who visit the resort, whether they are staying on the property or visiting for a day. This includes everything from the unique to the traditional. Finding the right balance between the next big “must have” and those items that will have a long life on the shelves is critical.
Sales Representative of the Year
Snowden believes the key ingredients to being a successful sales representative are “honesty, integrity, partnership, product expertise and trust.”
He has 28 years of experience in the golf industry. Since coming to Northern California from Colorado in 1991, Snowden has served 150 accounts from Fresno to the Oregon border and from the Monterey Peninsula to Reno.
Snowden develops a trusting relationship with PGA Professionals and buyers providing a strong product knowledge and sense of humor. He is adept at being aware of the specific needs of the shop and the customers they serve, always striving to provide value and to help generate increased profits. Snowden supports PGA Professionals in distributing products at demo days, trunk shows and tournaments.
Awards Ceremony
The NCPGA will recognize all 19 of its 2015 Annual Section Award winners on Sunday, Dec. 6 at the NCPGA Special Awards Ceremony & President’s Dinner at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, 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. Capital Insurance Group (CIG), Cleveland Golf, and E-Z-Go Textron are presenting partners and 2UNDR, Hole-in-One USA, and Northern California Golf Representatives Association (NCGRA) are contributing partners 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.ncpgalinks.com.
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