Dick’s Sporting Goods, the leading golf retailer in the U.S., announced Tuesday it was laying off its entire staff of PGA-certified golf professionals across all of their stores.
ESPN.com has reported more than 500 pros are now unemployed due to the decision. Dick’s was the country’s #1 employer of golf professionals.
The PGA has issued an official statement: “The PGA is aware of the decision made today by Dick’s Sporting Goods that affects the livelihoods of many PGA Professionals who have been employed at Dick’s. We are extremely disappointed by the news as any time even one PGA member loses a job, we are extremely sensitive to such matters. The PGA of America provides all of our professionals with career counseling/employment services, which include access to 12 PGA Employment Consultants, who are strategically located throughout the country. Over the coming weeks, these PGA Employment Consultants are personally reaching out to all those affected by this decision to remind them of these services. While we are sincerely disappointed with this news, we continue to support our PGA Professionals who are extremely dedicated to share, teach and grow the game of golf.”
Dick’s had reported poor results from their golf segment in the last quarterly report. It was previously announced they would reduce floor space dedicated to golf in favor of general sports apparel. The Sporting Goods retailer also owns Golf Galaxy, acquired in 2007, and same-store sales were down over 10%.
A harsh winter leading to excessive inventories and lack of demand were blamed for the drop in golf sales, leaving hope for a cyclical boost during the summer months. Dick’s Chief Executive Edward Stack seemed to foreshadow the firings however, when he forecast more downside in the golf market back in May.
Personally, I never got fitted or bought clubs at Dick’s (and certainly won’t even consider it now that instead of a certified pro helping you, it will be a teenager that applied for the job at the same time he turned in an application to work at Chipotle), but I have bought miscellaneous gear, had clubs re-gripped including my Super Stroke grip which I love, and had minor club repair work done there.
It’s a major blow to the state of the game amid a string of negative reports chronicling the decline in golf participation. Making a living involving golf is a dream for me and, before Tuesday, was a reality for over 500 people. I hope the pros and their families land on their feet soon.
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