THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION ON THE PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW

Chris Smeal is a Top 50 Golf Digest Instructor in California. He is the Southern California PGA Section and Chapter Youth Player Development Award recipient, past Section Apprentice of the Year and a U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Master Teacher.

Fortunately in Southern California we receive an abundance of sunshine throughout the year, which allows for nearly 365 days of golf.  In 2007 I developed the FCG Tour (Future Champions Golf), which has developed into a fast-growing junior golf tour. Our first-ever event captured 120 contestants and since then has grown to a database including 4,500-plus registrants. A key focus for us is affordability in comparison to other costly junior golf tours.  This initiative monetarily has significantly grown our numbers and retention rates.  At the PGA Merchandise Show, as I have done in previous years, I focus on expanding our brand in ways of technology and tournament operations which has seen a huge catapult in numbers through PGA education at the show. Additionally, I always pick up a few new products that help further our tournament program.

Chris Smeal on the business impact of growing your tournament program at the PGA Merchandise Show:
The idea to develop a much sought-after affordable junior golf tour has been an extremely successful endeavor. We began in 2007 and our tournament schedule has grown to 70 tournaments, which play host to registrants from more than 30 countries. I’m eagerly looking forward to the 2015 PGA Show to continually grow our ideas on tournament operations and technology, and to improve upon this success.

If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email chrissmeal@gmail.com

Editor’s note: The above comments reflect the opinion and experiences of the submitting PGA Professional and are not endorsed by PGA Magazine or the PGA of America.