FAIRBORN, OH – The Southern Ohio PGA is excited to name Joe Falardeau, PGA Head Professional at Scioto Country Club, the 2023 SOPGA Merchandiser of the Year at a Private facility.
Joe Falardeau, PGA Head Professional at Scioto Country Club, inspires his team daily in providing the Scioto Golf Experience in all aspects of their operation, including merchandising. Their unique, service-minded approach caters to each individual’s expectations. Staying in line with the overall operation goals, Falardeau’s team aims to curate a merchandise selection that both meets and then exceeds the expectations of their membership and guests. They begin by using classic pieces to build the shop’s foundation before introducing new vendors, products and ideas appealing to the members. Staggered shipments ensure new items are always arriving and displays are often changing which motivates the member to buy when they see something they like as it will most likely not last very long on the shop floor. Falardeau encourages his team to make it a point in taking the time to build relationships with each member and customer as a way of better serving each individual and providing them with a value-added experience. As a 10-year PGA Professional, Falardeau has learned from his mentors the importance of surrounding yourself with talented people who share your passion and creating the space to collaborate. The 2023 Merchandiser of the Year (Private) award is Falardeau’s first recognition for success working in the industry in Southern Ohio.
Q: What does it mean to you to be named the Southern Ohio PGA Merchandiser of the Year at a Private facility?
JF: It is humbling to be recognized by your peers. My mentors earned this award long before I had the opportunity to. Because of them, I now have the foundational knowledge to advance our business into the next generation of golf. This award means so much to me because it highlights the success of our team at Scioto, recognizes the strength of knowledge in business and retail, and underscores the importance of mentorship in our industry.
Q: What has been the most important factor in running a successful golf shop (ie. product selection, strong support staff, physical layout, etc.)?
JF: Having a clear understanding of who your members and customers are is undoubtedly the key to success in private golf shop merchandising.
Q: Since beginning to work in the merchandise part of the industry, what has been the most interesting / surprising thing you have learned about maintaining a successful private golf shop?
JF: The most surprising aspect of maintaining a successful private golf shop has been realizing just how much influence your business decisions can and will affect financial performance and customer satisfaction. So long as your decisions are calculated and with the customer in mind, we’ve found that the return on those actions have been rewarded.
The most interesting aspect of maintaining a successful golf shop has been navigating the terrain of unimaginable growth in golf as well as through a global pandemic and then a complete golf course restoration. The past two years, Scioto’s golf course was closed for 11 months to complete an extensive restoration project. We had to manage inventory down pre-closure and build it back up before opening; all with very limited cash-flow and foot traffic. Hosting trunk shows and private demo days were ways we could bolster our cash flow while maintaining low inventory levels. We’ve reinvested in ourselves and come out of the project in fantastic financial position with overwhelming member and customer trust in our golf shop.
Q: Have there been any mentors or peers who have helped develop you as a merchandiser?
JF: First and foremost, Bill Stines, Director of Golf at Linville Golf Club, has been my mentor for over ten years. Picking up where he left off at Scioto has been an honor and a privilege. He had won this award several times in Southern Ohio and other sections as well.
Maureen Morrow, who began working with Bill Stines at Scioto in 2009, is truly the person who deserves most, if not all, of the credit for this award. She has delivered exceptional selection and business growth year after year with no signs of slowing down. She is an amazing person.
To my wife, Stacey, and my family, thank you for your unwavering support of my pursuits and passion in golf. To all of my mentors, Eddie Kline, Kevin Holler, Greg Koch, Patrick Dill, Kirk Baker, Bob Becker, Greg Wolf, Jim Spragg, Ben Collie, and to those members and professionals not listed who continually mentor me through my journey, THANK YOU!
Q: Is there a “Best Practice” you’ve utilized as a merchandiser to build your successful golf shop at a private facility?
JF: Applying aspects of hospitality to shopping and ordering experiences. Take time to learn your members and customers through building relationships. Use information you learn from them to enhance their shopping experiences. Mr. Haverkamp loves Greyson shirts in Medium. Give him a call upon delivery and have him shop the latest delivery. Mrs. Haverkamp loves sun shirts and the color orange. Place a new orange sun shirt in her size, in her locker. Never stifle imagination when it comes to new ways of delivering hospitality.
Q: What advice would you give to someone just beginning to learn about building a successful golf shop?
JF: This award is a testament to the team at Scioto and how our diligence has paid off. Surround yourself with talented people who share your passion for merchandising and allow them to collaborate. We have a clear merchandising vision and strategy that has pushed us through some challenging times and allowed us to succeed throughout questionable circumstances.
The SOPGA recognizes Members who have demonstrated superior skills as merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Awarded in two categories (Private and Public/Municipal/Military/Semi-Private). Credit rating, community involvement, staffing, inventory, displays and merchandising techniques are some of the criteria considered for this award. Click here to learn more about the Southern Ohio PGA Special Awards and to view previous recipients.
Falardeau and all the 2023 Southern Ohio PGA Special Award recipients will be recognized at the annual Special Awards Celebration on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Montgomery Inn in Montgomery, OH. All members of the Southern Ohio PGA golf community are invited to join in the celebration. Click here for more information.