Golf: Hunting for the best stocking stuffer

Richard Dunn

Those in the golf retail business have one last shot this weekend

to make up for slumping autumn sales.

“Retail business is definitely off, and the next couple of days will

tell us something (about Christmas sales for 2001),” said PGA

professional John Leonard, owner/operator of an award-winning golf shop

at Newport Beach Golf Course.

After Callaway’s ERC II mania and the hype over the Titleist Pro V1

golf ball in the past year, there probably isn’t one hot item to put

under the tree.

But at John Leonard’s Golf Shop, which has been named among the best

golf shops in the nation for nine consecutive years by the trade

publication “Golf Shop Operations” in its category (privately owned daily

fee), today and Saturday are expected to be two of the biggest days of

the year.

“We still have people coming in spending money (despite the nation’s

economic climate),” said Leonard, whose shop has also been praised by

Golf World Magazine.

“I think play in general is off for the country. It’s affecting

everybody. Other things are off, too ... golf gets affected by people in

other lines of work.”

As we approach the first Christmas of the new millennium, there’s not

a whole lot of new stuff for the stockings, but Leonard said the Pro V1

golf balls remain the hottest item.

“It seems there’s more demand than supply, and even more so now at the

last minute ... Titleist can’t produce enough of them,” Leonard said of

the Pro V1’s, which retail for $39 a dozen on sale at many shops, a drop

from its regular $50 price tag.

In addition to the Pro V1 balls, which many PGA Tour pros use, the

Precept MC Lady ($19.99 a dozen) is also a hot item, because it is

reputed to be the longest ball among average players. “Guys buy that

ball,” Leonard said. “They’re the ones who put it on the map.”

As for the ERC II, retailers now say it’s a dead club. Callaway has

had to take back many of the ERC IIs, which were deemed illegal by the

United States Golf Association, because stores couldn’t move them and

room was made for other Callaway clubs, like the popular (and legal)

Hawkeye VFT driver ($329).

Among the top stocking stuffers selected by patrons this weekend will

probably be a golf scope ($31.95), which lines up your shot to the flag

and gives you the yardage.

A new watch that hangs from a golf bag and golf-lesson gift

certificates are also good ideas, Leonard said.

Leonard added that Cleveland wedges have also been hot at Christmas

time.

Leonard’s golf shop, conveniently located on Irvine Avenue in Newport

Beach with plenty of parking, also offers free gift wrapping for its

customers.

John Leonard’s Golf Shop is open today from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and

Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: (949)

852-8689.

The Players Club at Pelican Hill Golf Club has been a hit so far, with

over 300 memberships sold in two weeks after the program began, golf

course publicist Paul Browning said.

The Players Club, with a one-time fee of $350, offers players reduced

greens fees and various other benefits. Details: (949) 760-0707.

Estancia High junior Jason Cassidy finished second in a field of over

80 players in the Junior Tour 54-hole Major at Singing Hills in El Cajon

during Thanksgiving weekend.

Cassidy shot a three-round total of 221, including a 1-under 71 in the

second round. In over 300 rounds, it was one of only five rounds played

under par. Richard Grove of Northern California won the event.

Richard Dunn’s golf column appears every Thursday.