Golf Town Completes $25 Million U.S. Market Expansion, Opens Five Stores to Revolutionize MA Golf Retail Landscape

BOSTON, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Golf Town, Canada's largest golf retailer and the second largest in the world, today announced the completion of its $25 million U.S. market expansion, and the imminent opening of its first five stores throughout greater Boston.  Golf Town's Massachusetts growth, which represents the largest retail expansion since the start of the economic downturn, 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 – will open simultaneously on Thursday, March 24, with a sixth store scheduled to open in Northborough in fall 2011.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110324/NE71123 )

To obtain B-roll footage of the Golf Town superstore and Stephen Bebis, President and CEO of Golf Town, download it at http://bit.ly/gmoAsE (To open the link, press control and enter). The hi-resMP4 file is compatible with all editing systems.  

"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."  

To celebrate the store openings, visitors to Golf Town during the first two weeks of openings, consumers can enter to win an all-expenses-paid golf getaway for four to Ireland.  The company will also give away over $65K in gift certificates and merchandise to thank its customers for welcoming the brand to Massachusetts.  

What Sets Golf Town Apart?

Golf Town stores differ from existing golf retail offerings in the Massachusetts market in many remarkable ways, including:  

Unprecedented Selection:  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.

Unparalleled Pricing:  By operating 60 of the world's largest, most cutting-edge golf superstores, Golf Town's purchasing power enables it to pass unprecedented savings directly to the consumer for every product sold.  

Unique Retail/Entertainment Experience:  The customer experience at Golf Town is about more than just selling product; it is also about sharing the love of the sport with everyone who walks through the door.  Golf Town may be the only golf retailer in Massachusetts that 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.  

For more information about Golf Town's U.S. expansion, visit the company's Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/golftownus or follow the company on Twitter @GolfTown_US.

About Golf Town President/CEO Stephen Bebis:

Stephen Bebis, one of Canada's leading retail management professionals, has more than 35 years of experience in the field. Prior to launching Golf Town, he played integral roles with numerous industry heavyweights including Grossman's Lumber, Home Depot, Home Depot Canada, and Sears & Roebuck, as well as helped to found Aikenhead's Improvement Warehouse and Reno Depot.

In 1999, when the market was hot for Internet start-ups, Mr. Bebis successfully introduced the brick-and-mortar Golf Town and rapidly transformed the golf retail industry. In less than a decade, Mr. Bebis altered the way golf merchandise is sold in Canada and abroad by offering strong pricing, broad selection and knowledgeable staff.

In 1998, the Retail Council of Canada inducted Bebis into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame, and he is consistently ranked among Canada's top three influential golf figures by the National Post newspaper.  Bebis grew up in New Bedford, MA.  

About Golf Town

Golf Town, Canada's largest golf retailer, has grown from one location in Scarborough, ON, to 52 superstores throughout the country.  Each location boasts approximately 18,000-square-feet of the most cutting-edge golf equipment and apparel including all major name-brand products at the best price.  A hub for the Canadian golf community, Golf Town serves as a sanctuary for players of all ages and abilities to try, but, learn about and improve their games.  The largest employer of CPGA professionals, Golf Town offers 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.  For more information about OPE, please visit www.omerspe.com.  

SOURCE Golf Town