In what can only be called a shocking turn of events that speaks volumes for the current state of the golf industry, mega sporting retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods has fired all of its in-store PGA golf professionals.
According to a report on ESPN.com, Dick’s – the largest retailer of TaylorMade and Callaway Golf products in the country – fired more than 500 golf professionals on Tuesday. The report also suggests that the company has not explicitly stated why the massive layoff occurred.
This is an almost unprecedented move by the sporting retailer, which had originally aimed to employ a PGA pro in each of its nationwide stores. Speculation as to why the blanket firing was necessary began to run rampant hours after the decision was made public.
“It is certainly disappointing to hear that Dick’s Sporting Goods has terminated over 400 hard working PGA Professionals,” former PGA of America President Jim Remy told Back9Network. “It is difficult for me to understand how terminating the company’s experts in golf, the teachers of the sport, and certainly experienced club fitters, will improve customer satisfaction and service at Dick’s Sporting Goods.”
“Dick’s has been a very successful touch point for growing our sport and I feel we have lost a great connection with future golfers,” Remy added.
Dick’s Sporting Goods also owns Golf Galaxy, one of the largest golf-only store chains in the United States. There has been no word on whether Tuesday’s events will impact Golf Galaxy now or in the near future.
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