Interactive Playground Offers High-Tech Hitting Simulators, Value and Selection of Best Gear
Hundreds Expected to Line up June 10-11 for $40,000 in Free Giveaways
VIENNA, Va., June 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golfers in and around the nation's capital will benefit from the arrival of the nation's largest golf retailer. Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOLF) officially opens the doors of its first location in the DC market at Tysons Corner and the entry is good news for golfers. Hundreds are expected to line up June 9 and June 10 to claim some $40,000 in free golf equipment, Golfsmith cash cards and other prizes during grand opening celebrations.
The Golfsmith retail concept is much more than a golf store. At Golfsmith, customers are encouraged to test out clubs and gear inside the store before purchasing by using one of the high tech, custom-fitting studios. Golfsmith also offers free club custom-fitting services. The new store, featuring more products and game-enhancing technology than any other area golf retailer in the area, is located at 8459 Leesburg Pike next to Best Buy in Vienna, VA, and a short drive from several well-known golf courses, including Congressional Country Club, home of the 2011 US Open.
The new Golfsmith store will feature an unmatched selection of the hottest new equipment from the biggest brands in golf, all backed by industry-leading guarantees. Additionally, Golfsmith associates are experts at helping golfers, from beginner to scratch, find solutions to improve their game.
"Golfsmith is an interactive playground. Once you come in, it is hard to leave," said Marty Hanaka, president and CEO of Golfsmith. "The metro DC area is a hotbed for golfers and we're proud to open our first retail location to help golfers enjoy the game more. This is one of our most technologically advanced stores and will showcase our custom fitting expertise and our experiential retail environment."
The Grand Opening weekend includes some $40,000 worth of free merchandise given out Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11, on a first-come, first-served basis and on June 12 at 4PM former Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger will give a free golf swing improvement clinic in one of the new store's high tech hitting bays and answer questions from golfers in attendance.On Friday, starting at 8:00 a.m., the first 1,000 in line will receive a gift including a $20 Golfsmith cash cards, sessions for TopGolf or golf balls. On Saturday, beginning at 8:00 a.m. the first 40 people in line will choose from a variety of $10,000 in free golf gear including the hottest selling drivers and wedges. The next 250 people in line will get a free $20 Golfsmith cash card. Lines start forming hours before the opening.
"Golfsmith is all about helping customers play better. Our exclusive custom-fitting process and our expert associates all have a passion for the game and want to inspire and improve our customers' performance on the course. Plus, we offer guarantees golfers will play better," Hanaka said.
Golfsmith's entry into the DC Metro area signifies a major shift in the way area golfers are outfitted and served. Instead of buying off-the-shelf, Golfsmith's focus is to custom-fit players with just the right equipment at the best prices. The new high tech, 21,000 square-foot store features four computerized, custom-fitting studios with video screens and an indoor putting green.
Custom-fitting is the process where a Golfsmith club-fitting specialist uses computerized swing analysis to study every aspect of a player's swing and then recommends the best types of clubs and the set-up of those club's shaft flex, loft, lie and more. A newly released study of thousands of golfers found a majority of golfers in America are playing with clubs that do not fit them properly. () Golfsmith is so convinced custom-fitting clubs will help golfers improve their game the retailer was the first to offer a 30-Day Custom-Fit Play Better Guarantee. After customers get custom-fit, if they do not see immediate improvement in their game, the clubs can be brought back within 30 days. The company traces its roots to making custom-fit clubs beginning in a house in New Jersey in 1967.
Golfsmith offers a comprehensive online store at . Metro DC residents can sign up for special offers and updates on grand opening details by logging onto the up for "E-mail Offers" on the company's web site.
The new Tyson Corner location is part of the company's growth strategy by the Texas-based retailer. Golfsmith plans to open up 14 new stores throughout the country over the next two years. More than 30 area golf fanatics and professional golf club fitters have been hired to staff the new location.
Attention Print/Online and Broadcast Editors:
To download broadcast quality B-Roll of Golfsmith:
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About Golfsmith - Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOLF), is a 43-year-old specialty retailer of golf and tennis equipment, apparel and accessories. The company operates as an integrated multi-channel retailer, offering its customers the convenience of shopping in its 78 stores across the United States, through its web site at golfsmith.com and from its assortment of catalogs. Golfsmith offers an extensive product selection that features premier branded merchandise, as well as its proprietary products, clubmaking components and pre-owned clubs. Visit .
The Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9492
Cautionary Language - Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. Important factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Golfsmith ® is a registered trademark of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: Media Contacts: Lynn Luczkowski L2 Communications 860-313-1426 Lynn@L2comm.biz Aubrey Haznar L2 Communications 617-549-8792 Aubrey@L2comm.biz Matt Corey Golfsmith 512-821-4883 matt.corey@golfsmith.com
