Smigelsky and Karhoff Named 2012 National Merchandisers of the Year

Colorado Avid Golfer

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Dale Smigelsky, the PGA director of golf at Collindale Golf Club in Fort Collins, Colo., has been named the recipient of the 2012 PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Public Facilities.

Smigelsky, 52, is one of two Colorado PGA Section members to be named a 2012 PGA Merchandiser of the Year, and one of four in Section history since the award was established in 1978 to recognize PGA Professionals who excel as businesspersons/merchandisers in the promotion of golf. Smigelsky and his fellow 2012 PGA Merchandisers of the Year will be honored at the PGA Magazine Merchandisers of the Year Conference Awards Dinner, January 18, 2013, at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Fla.

Also to be honored that evening are:
·         George Kahrhoff, PGA, of Castle Rock, Colo. – PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities; and
·         Amy Pendergast, PGA, of Bandon, Ore. – PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities

The PGA of America also will honor the following 2012 national award recipients at The PGA of America Awards program on Jan. 24, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center’s Chapin Theater during the 60th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.:
·         Mike Schultz of Chaska, Minn. – PGA Golf Professional of the Year;
·         Michael Breed of Scarsdale, N.Y. – PGA Teacher of the Year;
·         Don Law of Port St. Lucie, Fla. – PGA Junior Golf Leader;
·         Harry Hammond Jr. of West Chester, Pa. – Bill Strausbaugh Award;
·         Carl Alexander of Purchase, N.Y. – Horton Smith Award;
·         Mark Holiday of Bozeman, Mt. – PGA Player Development Award

“Our talented 2012 class of national award winners span more than four decades of service to our Association and to the game of golf,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “They are PGA Professionals of impact to their Section, their respective communities and in many cases they have influenced others throughout the country. We are proud of how they daily go about their business of inspiring young and old, and grow the game through innovation and their passion. By their dedication to serving others, we are proud to declare that they are truly experts in the game and the business of golf.”

Smigelsky, who attended Central Florida University, declared professional in 1979, and was elected to PGA membership in 1994. He said that the award is a testament to his staff, which includes his wife, Anne, and the hard work they put in as a team.

“Outstanding service is our number one merchandising tool. We’ve created a family atmosphere at our shop and everyone’s participation on so many levels is genuinely appreciated. This creates buy-in and support back from the staff, and that in turn generates sales.”

Smigelsky was previously honored for his merchandising skills as the 2010 Colorado PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities. He returned to the facility as PGA director of golf in 2009, roughly 15 years after he began his career there as an assistant golf professional. In between he served as PGA head professional at City Park Nine Golf Course in Fort Collins, and as PGA head professional and PGA director of golf at Southridge Golf Club, also in Fort Collins

All three are municipal golf facilities, and Smigelsky owns the merchandise concession at Collindale, which has helped him adapt to what the clientele wants, at competitive prices.

“We constantly match or beat what the discounters and big box stores sell for,” said Smigelsky. “Our merchandising philosophy is simple: we buy product we can turn, match the inventory to the season and blow it out if it isn’t selling. We are constantly promoting “Shop Local” and “Buy Where You Play” messaging to our customers, who perceive us as the experts in what we sell.

“This award is testament to what we do and to the individual customer service provided by every staff member. While others have scaled back due to the economic times, our total sales have increased because we stay positive and proactive in our merchandising efforts.”

Smigelsky and his wife, Anne, live in Fort Collins, Colo., and are the parents of daughters Kali and Casi, and a son, Alex.

The PGA of America also will bestow two national awards, Nov. 10, at the 96th Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore. They are:
    •    John Kennedy Jr. of New Canaan, Conn. – Patriot Award
    •    New Jersey PGA Section – Herb Graffis Award