Golf Town, Canada's largest golf retailer and the second largest in the world, completed its $25 million U.S. market expansion, and the imminent opening of its first five stores throughout greater Boston. 

 

Golf Town's Massachusetts will fill approximately 100,000-square-feet of vacant retail space and result in the creation of 200 new jobs.  The five new retail destinations – located in Avon, Bellingham, Reading, Seekonk and Watertown – opened simultaneously Thursday, March 24, with a sixth store scheduled to open in Northborough in fall 2011.

 
“We are very excited to bring Golf Town's unique retail entertainment experience to golf enthusiasts throughout New England,” said President/CEO Stephen Bebis.  “From price to selection, customer service to interactive fun, our new stores easily beat the competition by offering a new approach to golf retailing that is not currently available to consumers in New England.  We are already siting additional locations throughout the region, and we look forward to delighting golfers of all ages and skill levels for years to come.”

 
While conducting extensive market research to determine the best location to launch its U.S. expansion, Golf Town executives visited every golf retailer in New England.  The team discovered that none of its competitors come close to offering the variety of brands and products that Massachusetts consumers can expect to find for the first time ever when the stores open.  Golf fashion is one area in which Golf Town is particularly strong, offering brands and designers from around the world, including Greg Norman, J. Lindberg, Lacoste, Jamie Sadock, Cat Walk, Puma, FootJoy, Hugo Boss, Callaway and more.

Golf Town does not pay its employees on commission, which means employees are more focused on providing an exceptionally fun experience than on simply making a sale.  Golf Town has always shunned the “try before you buy” restrictions that are prevalent at other golf retailers, and instead encourages its customers to work with its pros (who have expertise in highly specialized product categories) to test every option available before making a selection. 

 

Golf Town's size advantage enables the company to incorporate more (and bigger) interactive opportunities in its stores – like simulators, putting greens and on-site pro shops – which means that Golf Town customers will not have to wait to play even during the busiest days. 

Golf Town has grown from one location in Scarborough, ON, to 52 superstores throughout the country.  With locations averaging 18,000-square-feet, Golf Town is the largest employer of CPGA professionals and offer on-site lessons tailored to each customer's needs via its In-Store Academy.  Golf Town was acquired by OMERS Private Equity (“OPE”), the private equity arm of the OMERS Worldwide group of companies, , in September 2007.