SofTee returns to the marketplace
SofTee Manufacturing LLC is back up and running, producing Fairway Series Golf Mats and other range products. SofTee closed its range business in August 2005, after officials noticed defects in the turf from its supplier, forcing the company to find a new weaver. After nearly a year of examining turf from various weavers, SofTee found a supplier this past fall that produces a stronger, more consistent nylon surface, a spokesman said.

See page 35 of this issue for a description of SofTee products and contact information.

The best place to test a new club
Golf ranges and golf courses with practice ranges have a clear edge over “big-box” equipment stores, web sites and discount department stores when it comes to selling golf clubs, according to an article in the most recent issue of Golf Business, a publication of the National Golf Course Owners Association. These “green-grass retailers” should promote their ability to offer golfers a place to test their products.

Any range has an advantage over even the most sophisticated indoor ball-flight simulators, the article says, because seeing actual ball flight is so important. Because of the increasing number of options for golfers to choose from when selecting golf clubs—including customizable clubs being marketed by major manufacturers such as Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist—retail stores that can allow buyers to try out clubs can do a better job of selling, says Alan Whalen of Fiddler’s Green golf shop in Eugene, Ore. “Being an outdoor driving range, we proudly stress the fact that ball flight should sell the club, not the salesperson.”

For more information, see www.golfbusinessmagazine.com.

Professional Clubfitters Association Launched
Fifty founding members and 10 founding sponsors have joined to form the International Professional Association of ClubFitters (IPAC). The organization plans to set standards for professional clubfitters, educate the public about clubfitting, mentor potential professional clubfitters, and create a continuing education program.

“Custom fitting is an additional service golf ranges can offer their customers, and a service many golf courses don’t provide. Golf ranges allow customers to go outside, test a club and see the ball flight,” says Derek Jennings of component supplier KZG, a founding sponsor of IPAC.

For more information, call Derek Jennings at 800-200-8800 or email derek@kzgolf.com.

Wittek Moves to New Location
Wittek Golf Supply Co. has relocated its business and distribution operations to Northbrook, Ill. The new location, which the company owns, is about 20 miles northwest of Wittek’s former office in Chicago, where the company had leased space.

Wittek expected to have its 50 staff members in the new location by early March. All staff telephone numbers will remain the same. Founded in 1946, Wittek produces golf range equipment and supplies, miniature golf supplies, shop supplies and shop displays. The company’s new address is 3865 Commercial Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062.

A letter to the editor
Dear Editor: About four years have eclipsed since we first subscribed to your magazine. To date, we subscribe to over 20 golf publications, both regional and national. I must say most of what is printed by the golf industry tends to be a repeat Tiger Woods story, or an equipment review. I’m sure you've noticed the same. I believe that to be true even for the major publications. Not intended to be a knock on any of them. Most have a niche in their own industry, much like your publication. Although you have competition, I think you make the most with the least. I say that for a reason.

My father and I many times will suggest to one another articles in a particular magazine to read. One publication in particular he tends to read first is Golf Range Times. The articles often relate to major issues for us. What I mean by that is, many driving ranges and golf learning centers are small businesses, independently owned. For companies like ours, we don't have a multi-million dollar budget like the major club manufacturers or PGA Golf Centers. So, for us owners and operators, articles like "Making Technology Work," or "Checklist to Success," relate to the way we think, or to our frame of mind on a daily basis. Cash flow is another important part of the business, and being located in chilly Appleton, Wis., we many times rely on weather to extend our season on both ends. Obviously when there's snow, it’s slow. In fact, the foundation to our success is our custom club business.

My father, Bob, a PGA master professional, established our business (Bob Burns Custom Clubs) in 1970, and in 1999 we began construction on our very own outdoor practice facility, the Bob Burns Golf Learning Center. Now, going into our eighth year at the golf center, we often adopt many the philosophies that you cover in the magazine. Your magazine does not overwhelm the reader with advertisements like the competition. It features only articles of interest, and those related to the business.

Chris Burns, Bob Burns Golf, Appleton, Wis.