Tournament Solutions: Mastering Success with Service and Innovation

Since its founding in 2001, Tournament Solutions has evolved from a high-end gift supplier for exclusive golf events to a top provider of golf essentials, customized merchandise, and memorable tournament awards. Driven by a deep commitment to customer care and a unique ability to adapt, Tournament Solutions continues to deliver products that enhance member experiences at golf clubs and major tournaments alike. In this spotlight, we dive into the stories behind some of their best-selling products, the philosophy that fuels their customer service, and the exciting path ahead as they gear up for the highly anticipated 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

AGM: What sets you apart in a competitive market?

TS: Without a doubt – our service. Because we are smaller in size (number of employees, etc.)  than many of our direct competitors, we are very nimble and execute efficiently. We have created a culture of “caring about our customers” with our employees and sales team. We know that golf professionals and club merchandisers alike, particularly at private country clubs, must be accountable to the high expectations of their membership. Our goal as a company is to make those golf professionals and merchandisers “shine” in the eyes of their members. That means delivering our products on time, with impeccable quality and logo decoration.

AGM: What’s your approach to inventory management for seasonal golf products?

TS: Fortunately, our business model does not require us to hold significant amounts of inventory. The vast majority of our production is based on an “at once” order from our customers. We are set up from a manufacturing and logo decoration perspective, so that our lead times are generally, three to four weeks. For those golf professionals and club merchandisers that require a faster turnaround, a smaller percentage of our products can be produced and delivered within weeks’ time.

AGM: What’s the next big thing for your brand?

TS: The 2025 Ryder Cup will be a significant event for TS, for onsite retails sales the week of the event, corporate hospitality sales, and online (DTC) merchandise sales. Because the matches will be contested in New York at Bethpage Black (only 30 miles from Manhattan) and also that the United States Team is coming off a loss in 2023, we are anticipating a major demand for 2025 Ryder Cup merchandise. Our first Ryder Cup dates back to 2008 at Valhalla G.C. (KY), we are projecting that this upcoming Ryder Cup in NY will be our largest in the history of our company. For close to two weeks next September, Tournament Solutions will have a large team onsite at Bethpage Black. Our representatives will be in the Ryder Cup Merchandise Pavilion, ensuring that our products are displayed properly at retail as well as managing inventory flow and the timely replenishment of our items.

 

AGM: Can you share an example of how your products have evolved over time?

TS: Back in 2001 when Pam Berube and I founded Tournament Solutions we originally started with aspirational, well-known premium brands such as Tumi, Bose, Kate Spade, Tag Heuer and Ray Ban. Our focus at that time was to establish Tournament Solutions as a Pro-am, premium gift supplier for the major golf organizations (PGA TOUR, LPGA, PGA of America) as well as for member tournaments at high end / exclusive private golf clubs. Once the industry recognized our service level, it started asking us if we offered golf accessories, for tee gifts at member tournaments and onsite merchandise at golf’s major championships. Upon hearing this request for about a year, we immediately moved to expand our product line to include items such as ball marks, towels, divot tools, pin flags, player badges, valuables pouches, as well as drinkware, barware, bags (duffels, backpacks) awards (crystal, ceramic, wood), etc. Fortunately, Pam Berube quickly convinced me at the time that we should transition our primary product line (of premium brands) to one of golf essentials and awards. To this day we still offer our premium brands, but they have become a smaller, however strategic, part of our business. This pivot in our product portfolio not only resulted in sustained sales, but greater profitability, over the past twenty years. Needless to say, it was a key and pivotal decision in our journey as a business.

AGM: What message would you like to leave with AGM members about your brand and products?

TS: We continue to galvanize our customer base and the golf industry by providing tournament gifts and awards that are not only useful but are also on trend nationally.  Our longevity in the highly competitive golf industry is evidence that we try to do the “right thing” by our customers. Pam and I have had a singular and rather unsophisticated business philosophy since we started working together – “if we take care of and satisfy our customers, everything else will fall into place.”

Conclusion

With over two decades of experience, Tournament Solutions continues to elevate customer experiences through high-quality golf products and exceptional service. AGM members are encouraged to learn more about Tournament Solutions by visiting their website at www.tournamentsolutions.com or contacting John Lawrence at john@tournamentsolutions.com.

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