Amazon announced today that it has purchased the PGA of America — the organization that represents over 23,000 golf professionals — for an undisclosed sum. Amazon’s Sr. VP of Global Acquisitions, Bea Heamith, said “we are always looking for ways to add value to an Amazon Prime Membership. We are excited to leverage the expertise of PGA members into a strategic platform that provides a unique and robust golf experience for our Prime customers.”
Amazon says that a PGA professional can be ordered from Amazon.com … and delivered to a customer in a recycled refrigerator box with FREE 2-day shipping. Overnight express service for desperadoes is available for $99.95. The customer then would pay that PGA professional’s going rate for golf instruction. If immediate improvement doesn’t occur, the customer can return the pro with free shipping and receive a full refund.
Ms. Heamith also notes that Amazon is building a distribution facility near the PGA’s new headquarters in Frisco, Texas. “The Frisco warehouse is a win-win situation for us: it allows us to ship goods efficiently from a central U.S. location … AND we can give PGA interns valuable work experience picking orders.”
PGA of America CEO P.B. Gardinz voiced his approval of the Amazon deal: “We’re thrilled to give our members this exciting new opportunity to advance their careers as PGA Professionals. Amazon is a world leader on the digital marketing stage and their acquisition of the PGA of America will take us to the next level of success as we continue our core mission to grow the game of golf.”
