TGI Golf, the fast-growing buying group for golf professionals, is moving into continental Europe. The group, formerly known as Tartan Golf International, which already boasts more than 350 members in the UK and Ireland, has been joined by nine leading Dutch retailers with a combined turnover of €10m (£6.7m).
“We‘ve long nurtured ambitions to expand into Europe – and this is the ideal first move, ” says Ian Johnston, managing director. “Having travelled to Holland to meet the professionals, it became obvious that there were significant opportunities for both the retailers and ourselves to expand our business model into the European mainland market. There was unanimous approval among the retailers to join TGI Golf.”
Golf in The Netherlands is growing swiftly with the number of registered players increasing by 12% each year.
Rinus Goor, who owns three golf shops near Rotterdam and employs 16 teaching professionals, as well as being a wholesale supplier of brands including Adams, Bag Boy and Polo Ralph Lauren, signed the deal with TGI Golf on behalf of the Dutch retailers.
He said: “The market in Holland is growing, but it is also becoming much more aggressive. You can now buy golf equipment in supermarkets and even petrol stations. On top of that, more and more retailers are coming into on-course stores as professionals concentrate on teaching.
“So we are being forced to act. And joining a group with a successful formula and a clear philosophy, plus one that offers education to its members, is going to be beneficial to us.”
According to Ian Johnston, TGI Golf’s accredited suppliers – who have benefited from more than £25m worth of business with the group this year – have backed the expansion. But the move into Europe won‘t stop in The Netherlands.
“Our colleagues in Holland are well connected in Europe so once we have established a firm base there, we will be looking to expand further into Germany, France and the Benelux countries,” added Johnston.
For more information, contact Ian Johnston at TGI Golf on Tel 01506 505525 or e-mail: headoffice@tgigolf.com
TGI Golf www.tgigolf.com
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