WAGNER AND PETERSEN ARE 2019 MERCHANDISERS OF THE YEAR
Greg Wagner, PGA Director of Golf at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, has been named the 2019 Merchandiser of the Year for private golf course facilities. Wagner has been a member of the PGA of America since 2013 and has loyally served his club for the past 5 years. This marks the first time he has won a Section award.
Wagner’s merchandising philosophy relies on a fully stocked and fresh retail space being most enticing to his discerning membership’s eyes. One unique aspect of the Moonlight Basin golf shop is the lack of a sales counter. This helps maximize merchandise display space in a small but effective golf shop. Greg also relies on bringing in full lines of seasonal wear to keep the shop fresh instead of blow-out sales to move dated merchandise. The merchandising end of the business has been a passion for Wagner since the beginning of his career and he is constantly seeking new ways to improve the purchasing experience.
Jeffrey Petersen, the PGA Director of Golf at Sun Valley Golf Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, is the 2019 Merchandiser of the Year for resort facilities in the RMSPGA. This is the fourth time Petersen has garnered this award having previously been recognized in 2009, 2013 and 2015. Jeffrey started at Sun Valley Resort in 2005 as an Assistant Professional and has been a fixture in the area ever since.
The resort’s golf shop is not just about a green’s fee and a sleeve of balls for Petersen… It is an experience. His goal is to make the merchandise floor as welcoming and easy to navigate as possible while maximizing space and sales. Jeffrey’s merchandising philosophy has evolved over his years to four points of emphasis. Number one on the list is having fun! As a destination resort, guests will have more fun if you’re enjoying helping them. Knowing your clientele is also critical to success. Petersen is not averse to just flat out asking people what they like and don’t like. Inventory management and the willingness to never stop learning are the other two pieces of his puzzle to success in the retail golf world.
The Merchandiser of the Year Awards are presented to 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. Wagner and Petersen will receive their awards at the 2020 Rocky Mountain Section PGA Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation next May.