Bill Ciccotti, PGA Director of Golf at Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Mont., has been honored as the 2020 Rocky Mountain Section PGA Merchandiser of the Year for private golf course facilities. This award marks the first time he has been so honored by the RMSPGA.
Ciccotti has been a member of the PGA of America for 9 years and has been on staff at Yellowstone Club going on 5 years. He believes creativity should lead the way for merchandising success at the club and the latest and greatest available items should be displayed in the most unique ways possible. Yellowstone Club is a Montana Lifestyle Club, so the shop must fully embrace these characteristics to attract his membership to spend. Without allowing the shop to feel cluttered, Bill displays a wide array of products to test the waters and stay ahead of industry standards. Their overall goal is to provide the facility’s members a level of service they cannot get anywhere else through planning and a staff-wide commitment to merchandising excellence.
Dustin Ames, PGA Head Professional at Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall, Idaho, has been named the 2020 Merchandiser of the Year for resort golf course facilities. This marks the second time he has won this Merchandiser of the Year Award having previously been honored in 2015. Dustin has been a member of the PGA of America since 2011 and has loyally served Jug Mountain Ranch for the last 9 years.
Ames’ merchandising philosophy is to provide products in a range of brands and prices to best meet the needs of Jug Mountain’s diverse visitor base. With a variety of customers, Dustin carries varied lines so the tourist looking for a souvenir, or a local wanting to call Jug Mountain home, can proudly display the club’s logo. Variety in the golf shop is the largest contributor to their successful increase in merchandise sales. Dustin makes every effort to collaborate with as many vendors as possible to keep his shop from becoming stale year to year. He also uses different types of merchandising techniques and stays on top of current trends to keep the club’s inventory moving in a positive direction.
Chad Watson, PGA Head Professional at Boise (Idaho) Ranch Golf Course has been recognized as the 2020 Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities. Watson is on to his 23rd year at Boise Ranch and has been a member of the PGA of America since 2000. This is the second time Chad has garnered this award having previously been honored in 2009.
For Chad, keeping up with the latest trends and capitalizing on Idaho’s college sports themed gear is just one key to keeping his inventory moving. Watson does his level best to spend some time daily on the floor keeping displays neat and attractive. In addition, his floor displays are changed weekly, large fixtures are altered monthly, and his major visual pieces are annually changed out for a consistently fresh look. Boise Ranch is a busy place and it takes a great deal of dedication to present merchandise in an attractive way to their loyal clientele.
The Merchandiser of the Year Awards are presented to the individuals who excel in their abilities to purchase, present and sell golf-related products in the most effective and attractive way possible while providing a high level of service to the customer at their respective golf facilities. Ciccotti, Ames, and Watson will receive their awards at the 2021 Rocky Mountain Section PGA Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation next May.