National Golf Buyers Association, aka the NGBA or Golf Headquarters, are excited to announce that Joe Costa has been elevated as the new Director of Operations for the organization following the retirement of former director, Lee Clapp.
“For nearly 20 years, Joe has tirelessly worked behind the scenes supporting the retailers and vendor partners in our organization,” says Ken Morton, Jr., Chairman of the Board and VP of Retail for Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop. “As the group seeks new growth into the next few years, I’m thrilled to have him helming the National Golf Buyers Association. There’s no one more capable to be leading the way.”
Joe Costa started his golf career in 1990 at a Pro Golf Discount store in Livonia, MI as a retail associate and helping implement a computerized point of sale system for the companies 4 Metro Detroit area stores. After a couple years he was promoted to Assistant General Manager, and a year later named the General Manager where he helped expand the company’s reach by adding a fifth location.
In 1994 he was then promoted to Pro Golf of America’s corporate staff, whereas a Regional Coordinator, he helped train new franchisees with open to buy, staff training and assisting the owner with their new store opening. While also helping to organize and negotiate national buying programs with golf equipment manufacturers.
He remained at Pro Golf of America until 2001, when he was offered a job as the General Manager by a franchise group in Atlanta that purchased the rights for the Pro Golf franchise in the metro Atlanta area. There he effectively managed 6 locations before taking a job offer from the National Golf Buyers Association (NGBA/Golf Headquarters) as the Programs Coordinator in 2005. Since 2005, Joe has managed many projects for the NGBA, including implementing the first NGBA website and a members only informational site. But his primary duty was working with the former director, coordinating vendor programs and special buys, and managing these buys for distribution to the NGBA members.
Long-time director Lee Clapp won’t be stepping away entirely. He will be staying on as a part-time senior advisory role. “I cannot overstate the impact and importance that Lee has had on the organization over his tenure,” says Morton. The landscape of independently owned golf retail stores has changed a lot over his time leading the organization and it is certainly stronger and more effective than when he took it over. All of us in the NGBA owe him an immense amount of gratitude for a job well done.”
Golf Headquarters NGBA’s membership is comprised of many of the most highly regarded off-course and on-course facilities in the business. With 64 locally owned and operated associate golf retail stores, it’s the largest dollar volume golf buying group in the nation. For over 30 years, NGBA, Inc. has been committed to ensuring that their members offer their customers quality products at the most competitive prices.
Sarah Hutchings
Marketing Coordinator
National Golf Buyers Association
Shutchings@golfheadquarters.com
(843) 402-0142 x 203
