Kelowna, B.C.
Rob Anderson, Head Pro
By Tim Baines
Rob Anderson, the Head Golf Professional at the Kelowna Golf & Country club reviews what products are selling in his pro shop.
Q: Due to supply issues, what sort of volume did you purchase for 2022?
A: Purchases for 2022 were on par with previous years, with the exception of bags. We took several opportunities to stock up last fall and as a result we were able to meet our needs for this season quite easily.
Q: Will any leftover merchandise/equipment affect buying for 2023?
A: We do not foresee any change to our buying program, other than a consolidation of brands in our soft goods.
Q: How has the pandemic affected/altered the way you’ve done business in the pro shop?
A: Like most facilities, we have experienced significant growth in hard goods sales, including electric trollies. As such, we have dedicated extra storage space in our back shop to gain the club storage revenue from these additional sales and utilized our hard goods relationships to fulfill equipment orders in a timely fashion by having some extra stock on hand.
Q: How have sales been the past couple of years, since COVID became a thing?
A: Through our fiscal 2020 and 2021 seasons, sales increased nearly 30 per cent over 2019. In 2022, the volume has levelled out somewhat, but is still strong and we are excited for growth opportunities in 2023.
Q: Has it changed your mindset in terms of what you sell?
A: To some degree, we have changed our sales mix, but that was mainly due to a shift in demographic that has been ongoing at our club over the past five years or so. Perhaps COVID was responsible for some of that.
Q: Any merchandising tips you have learned along the way?
A: With the decreased golf shop traffic during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the creation and communication of sales opportunities (inside and outside) was necessary in order to achieve our sales levels. This will continue to be a target strategy for us in the future.
Q: Any particular brands of equipment (drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, putters) that sell well? Why?
A: We are an exclusive Titleist ball facility and do extremely well with the Loyalty Rewarded Program each spring in addition to significant club sales with Titleist, Ping and Callaway. This mix of hard goods has worked well for our club members as they all provide a number of options in appearance, performance and pricing.
Q: Clothing for men?
A: FootJoy, TravisMathew, Peter Millar and G/Fore have been our top sellers the past couple of seasons.
Q: Women’s clothing?
A: FootJoy, Dexim and Ibkul.
Q Golf shoes?
A: FootJoy & G/Fore.
Q: Golf balls?
A: Pro V1, Pro V1x, AVX, Velocity, Tru Feel, Tour Speed and Tour Soft.
Q: Golf bags?
A: Titleist Cart 14, Sun Mountain Maverick and Ping Hoofer Lite are our best-selling bags.
Q: Hats?
A: Our custom hat programs through Titleist. G&G’s Imperial headwear custom program has been fantastic as well.
Q: Miscellaneous items?
A: This season and in the past few years, our Theragun and Maui Jim sales have been a steady stream of revenue. In addition, Vokey wedges and Scotty Cameron putters, including a solid number of special editions like the Jet Set and My Girl editions, have been specialty items that sell very well for us. As we transition now from warmer months and approach frosty mornings, cooling towels will give way to hand warmers and cart blankets, toques, and cart gloves.
