FORT WALTON BEACH, FL Edwin Watts Golf Shops, LLC, one of the world’s largest specialty golf retailers, today announced the acquisition of three new stores, including two stores in Columbia, S.C., and the first–ever Edwin Watts Golf Shop in St. Louis, Mo. This acquisition supports the Company’s strategic growth strategy as each of the new locations will be converted into full–service Edwin Watts Golf Shops, further adding to the Company’s stable of more than 90 domestic retail locations and enhancing an overall golf retail operation that is supported by direct catalog sales and a popular eCommerce Internet business at www.edwinwattsgolf.com
The two new locations in Columbia, previously Golf Headquarters stores, expand the Company’s retail presence in South Carolina, while the St. Louis, Mo., location establishes a new territory in the Midwest. Each respective shop will be equipped with the latest technology, including a launch monitor & club repair facility, and will feature select product assortments in golf equipment & apparel, electronics and related golf accessories from top brands such as PING, Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, FootJoy, adidas Golf, Cleveland, Cobra, Adams, Wilson, Champions Tour and others.
“We are very excited to expand our footprint into the Columbia, South Carolina, market, while opening our first–ever shop in the state of Missouri,” said John Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Edwin Watts Golf Shops. “Our reputation is built on 42 years of trust and complemented by the ability of our associates to provide a superior retail experience for golfing consumers.”
he immediate strategy for these three new locations aligns with the Company’s commitment to performance fitting throughout 2011. Edwin Watts Golf is placing special emphasis on custom fitting for golfers, in light of a recent study by the Sports and Leisure Research Group that shows 90% of all golfers may be playing with clubs that do not fit them properly. As a result, and as part of the Company’s 2011 60–market TGIF Tour™ program, Edwin Watts Golf is partnering with leading equipment brands and will utilize the Company’s in–store launch monitors and swing analysis software to conduct performance fitting sessions throughout the season.
Watson adds, “Too many golfers play the game at a disadvantage, simply because they do not have the proper equipment to succeed. Adding three new retail locations to our collection of stores will enable us to interact with more golfers, providing the expertise and trust that will make a difference and have a positive impact on their game.”
About Edwin Watts Golf
Edwin Watts Golf Shops, LLC (an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.), headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is one of the world’s premier specialty golf retailers. The company operates as an integrated, multi–channel retailer, offering the freshest assortment of brand name golf equipment, apparel, and accessories through its 90+ domestic Retail Locations, eCommerce Internet site (www.edwinwattsgolf.com), Telephone/Catalog/Direct Mail sales (1.800.874.0146) and Digital Catalog (www.edwinwattsgolf.com/catalogs). Edwin Watts Golf touts a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable sales associates who can assist customers of all skill levels with lessons, performance fitting, special orders and repair services. The combination of the highest level of customer service, price match guarantee and reputation as the most trusted retailer in golf for over 42 years has earned the organization the right to be known as America’s Golf Club.
