I understand and to each his own. I am co-chair of the PCS Membership Committee and chair of the Membership Development Sub Committee. We have sent to the Board a new structure that includes an entry level membership at $75 year. I am guessing it will be approved shortly. When it has been approved, I will be publishing the details. This may be very attractive to a lot of hobbyists and the benefits are at least as good as belonging to the GCA. When I see hobbyists trying to make club making a business, I scratch my head in amazement that they don't belong to the PCS. One half of the profit on a set of irons will pay the dues for a certified club maker. Even at only a couple of sets a year, that is a bargain. As helpful as forums such as this is, they can't compare to having a 1,000 professionals available for advise. But, in our day to day business, we deal with cut and gluers and they just confirm to the public the importance of using a certified club fitter and club maker. There is a lot more than cutting and gluing to make a professional. Like I said, to each his own and I wish you good luck in your venture. Maybe we'll see you on the roster in the near future.
Al
At 09:40 AM 10/12/2002, you wrote:
Al - I've looked into the PCS on several occasions and have yet to see the cost/benefit pay off for the hobbiest - at least in my case. However, I do understand the value of professional organizations in my current profession and would imagine that if I become more involved in this, I would need to give the PCS another look. In following this and other golf forums, I sure do find some people who are passionate about the PCS - while others don't seem to have any use for it. Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Al Taylor [mailto:taylor.al@;attbi.com]
Sent: Wed 10/9/2002 2:12 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc:
Subject: Re: ShopTalk: golf/pro shop owners - help please
Jeff,
I would strongly recommend that you join the PCS. At least 50% of the
membership are storefront owners. There is a wealth of information
available there. FWIW.
Al
At 02:35 PM 10/9/2002, you wrote:
>I've been approached by a local private golf/country club to consider
>stocking and managing their proshop. They recently lost their club pro
>who also "owned" the proshop and driving range. So, when he left, all
>their stock, inventory, and even range balls left with him. They are
>thinking of making some major course renovations and personnel structuring
>changes so they may delay hiring a pro for 2 years while this all takes
>place. In the mean time, they'd at least like to keep their proshop
>adequately stocked as a convienience to members. Right now their proshop
>is stark naked.
>
>I'm pretty well known in town (at least as far as I know :-) as a
>clubbuilder, fitter, and compentent club repairman so their board of
>trustees have approached me about the idea of keeping things going for them.
>
>Most and probably all of the accounting and personnel details would be
>handled by their club who is looking to take back much of the
>proshop/range business anyway. To this point, I've been basically a hyper
>hobbyist that gets quite a bit of word of mouth business through friends
>and acquaintances. I go through the basic channels for components and
>supplies so I have absolutely no connections in retail. My biggest
>questions involve how to get retail accounts to stock the shop. For about
>the last 10 years, this proshop has been owned by the pro and all the
>account are in his name so I assume we'd be starting from scratch in
>establishing accounts with each company. We'd at least be needing to get
>balls, gloves, bags and basic supplies. Then ideally would like to
>continue to offer some OEM lines. Previously, the proshop was stocked
>with most of the bigger names including Titlist, Callaway, Nike, Cobra,
>Taylor Made, Mizzuno and maybe a few others I'm forgetting. I know tha!
> t some of these companies require huge initial buy in to get involved
> and offer their lines and I doubt that is in the cards right now for
> myself of the club. The trustees are also interested in having my usual
> array of custom built clubs available as there are a lot of members who
> already play "my" clubs. I also figured I'd contact KZG about an account.
>
>Basically, other than offering clubfitting, clubfitting, and club repair
>services, and buying stuff retail and offering it in the shop at basically
>no markup simply as a convenience, I don't have a clue to where to start
>with this.
>
>If anyone has the time and patience to offer ideas, I'd greatly appreciate
>it. This idea is only being explored right now by both myself and the
>club's board of trustees but it has peaked my interest. At the least it
>may be a way for me to find out if the golf business is something I'd like
>to be involved with on more than a hobbyist level with very little or no
>financial risk to me. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
>
>If it seems more appropriate to reply offline to this topic, my email
>address is:
>
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>Thanks,
>Jeff
