For many of us who’ve play this great game, the mom-and-pop golf operation is near and dear to us. And in Rimbey, AB, nothing is nearer and dearer than Gull Lake Golf Course. Mom and pop are Carla and Eamon McCann, and their family has owned the 9-hole club since it started 32 years ago. Set in cottage country, the area is a popular tourist destination, an attraction that no doubt owes much to what the McCanns have to offer.
At 1,371 yards, it’s obviously a great course for, among others, juniors. And as Eamon and I discuss what’s selling in the shop, he says the strong sales of junior clubs has much to do with what he and his wife have done to support junior golf over the years.
“Seventeen years ago we started a Pro Am event to raise funds for our past junior participants for post-secondary education. We were fortunate to have professional golfers such as Sandra Palmer, Kris Tschetter, Rob McMillan, Paul Devenport, and numerous Alberta golf professionals. Over the years the Junior Golf Foundation of Gull Lake has provided past juniors with over $100, 000 in scholarships.”
That says much about why parents or grandparents would come to Gull Lake for junior clubs. Tour Edge and Callaway junior package sets are popular, as are men’s and women’s package sets including Tour Edge, Golf Trends Striker, Callaway Strata and TaylorMade.
On the apparel side, Eamon carries adidas, Black Cover and SAXX. Customers will also find Sundog sunglasses, OGIO golf bags, Bag Boy carts, PowaKaddy electric trolleys, ROVR remote control carts, and balls from Callaway and TaylorMade.
Biggest sellers are adidas golf shoes, clothing, junior clubs, and the package sets. The Callaway Supersoft (coloured) ball is a top seller, followed by Callaway Chrome Soft and TaylorMade Pix.
In the coming year, Eamon looks for strong sales from Bag Boy, PowaKaddy and ROVR.
