It’s only appropriate that the merchandise tent is well represented with maple leaf shirts.
HAMILTON, Ontario — With the PGA Tour north of the border this week for the RBC Canadian Open, it’s only appropriate that the merchandise tent is well represented with maple leaf shirts and the tournament logo featuring Nick Taylor’s 72-foot eagle putt to win the title last year.
Levelwear, a Canadian apparel brand that is a big supporter of PGA Tour caddies, is the exclusive maker of RBC Canadian Open gear and they’ve done a solid job of offering the usual suspects and some tournament-specific gear such as The Rink hats, which is the nickname of the par-3 14th hole at this year’s tournament.
But where is the hockey stick putter, eh? And you’re telling me people wouldn’t have bought a T-shirt simply of Taylor’s iconic putt and celebration?
Another missed opportunity: Adam Hadwin tackled by the security guard has best-seller written all over it. But a passing grade and quality merch from Levelwear.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A year ago, the merchandise tent at the Charles Schwab Challenge caught fire and the area that housed the performance center was rendered unusable just before organizers were set to fill it with this week’s shirts, hats and other souvenirs.
A new Colonial logo is among the highlights that Taylor Pettit, the manager of tournament merchandise operations for the PGA Tour, said are moving quickly.
“We opened on Monday for the pro-am participants and it’s been doing great so far,” he said. “This event is really special. We really try to dig into the Fort Worth culture and some of the different graphics are inspired by that.”
With Wells Fargo in its final year of sponsorship, fans have been flocking to the merch tent to pick up their gear.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This week marks the final year that Wells Fargo will sponsor the PGA Tour’s annual stop at Quail Hollow Club in the Queen City, and fans have been flocking to the merchandise tent to get the gear.
The 2024 Wells Fargo Championship merchandise tent has a little something for everyone. There are classic golf polos and quarter zips, plenty of hats to celebrate the tournament and Charlotte area, unique head covers and more. There are also a handful of t-shirts that pay homage to the Green Mile, Quail Hollow’s famous closing three-hole stretch.
Check out some of the best gear that’s for sale at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.
New Orleans is a city of rich history and tradition. The tournament’s merchandise reflects that history and diversity.
It’s always entertaining when the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans, Louisiana, for something that offers a change of pace from the normal 72-hole stroke play format.
The 2024 Zurich Classic is a team event, with pairs of the world’s best players dueling it out on Pete Dye’s TPC Louisiana layout.
New Orleans is a city of rich history and tradition while offering some of the best food in the world. The tournament’s merchandise reflects that history and diversity.
Here are some of the best items from the Zurich Classic’s Fan Shop.
The shirts started flying out of the merchandise tent early Thursday and by Friday they were all gone.
SAN ANTONIO — Ask those who consistently play the TPC San Antonio Oaks Course, and the responses regarding the unique design of the 16th green are, um … unsavory.
“Who would do that?”
“I feel like they were trying to torture us.”
“To be honest, I don’t understand what the hell they were thinking when they built that hole.”
These were just a few of the comments from volunteers and members who play the Greg Norman-designed 18 on a regular basis.
The 16th hole measures around 180 yards, depending on tee placement, and includes a feature that is distinctive, to say the least — a massive bunker smack dab in the middle of the green. It’s long been an interesting twist for PGA Tour players at the Valero Texas Open. The attribute was likely paying homage to No. 6 at Riviera Country Club, a course designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell.
The Oaks Course was designed by Norman, in consultation with Sergio Garcia. When Norman was working through the project, Garcia was dating his daughter, Morgan-Leigh Norman. The two split up, however, before TPC San Antonio officially opened in 2010.
The StrackaLine yardage book for the 16th hole at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course in Texas, site of the PGA Tour’s Texas Valero Open (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
But leave it to a merchandising manager to see how delectable the feature could be.
Enter Liz Ortiz, a graduate of nearby Texas State, who started working in merchandising with the course nearly four years ago. Ortiz admits she knows little about golf, but when she first toured the course, the thing that popped out to her was the green on 16.
“During COVID we were out here looking at the property. It was my first Valero,” said Ortiz, who originally hails from Fort Worth. “The former merchandising manager was showing me around and on 16 I was like, ‘Wow is this called the avocado hole?’ She looked at me and said, ‘No, it’s just 16.’ And I said, ‘Well it looks a lot like an avocado. Let’s call it that.’ But nothing really happened.”
Ortiz, who has been promoted, got a nudge from Jason Polka, the resort’s former director of golf, to dust off her idea.
“We normally collaborate on artwork and someone asked if we had a signature hole. I was like, well, not really, but I do love the 16th because it looks like an avocado,” she said. “They loved the idea and mocked up some artwork.”
Merchandise from the 2024 Valero Texas Open in San Antonio. (Photo: Tim Schmitt/Golfweek)
“Everyone has been coming in here saying, ‘Where’s the avocado shirt? Where’s the avocado shirt?'” Ortiz said. “It’s done really, really well.”
So what’s next, now that The Avocado has clearly struck a chord with fans?
“Next year we’ll try to have more shirts, headwear, accessories, towels, everything,” Ortiz said. “I want to bring it into the golf shop and add it to our network. I think it’s cool.”
The event is boasting a revamped logo scheme, one that leans even heavier into the tournament’s Texas roots.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Now more than a century old, the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio has done some moving in its day.
The tournament — which was previously held at Brackenridge Park, Willow Springs, Fort Sam Houston, Oak Hills Country Club and La Cantera before settling on its current home at TPC San Antonio — started Thursday with one of the strongest fields in decades. Among those vying for the title are world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, past champion Jordan Spieth, two-time champ Corey Conners and many others looking to get their final Masters prep in.
But while the venue has changed, the logos associated with the tournament have only seen some minor tweaks through the years. That changed in 2024, however, as the merchandise tent is boasting a number of new items and a revamped logo scheme, one that leans even heavier into the tournament’s Texas roots. Some of this is available online but the head covers are exclusive to this shop just off the 18th fairway at the Oaks Course.
Here’s a look at what’s available at the merchandise tent this week:
The merch at Torrey Pines in the pro shop and fan village offers a little something for everyone.
SAN DIEGO — The coastal theme is spread far and wide around both the merchandise tent in the fan village and the Torrey Pines pro shop at the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open.
Surfboards and palm trees are plastered all over the hats, polos, t-shirts and quarter zips for sale. There’s also an impressive amount of headcover designs that feature beach themes, California landmarks or a mix of both. Some of the items, such as a mesh-back hat with a magnet on the brim for a ball mark, will cost you as much as $85. Welcome to California, right?
Check out some of the best (and worst) gear and accessories for sale at the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
HONOLULU — Every PGA Tour merchandise shop should offer a wide enough selection of hats that customers can find at least one if not three they have to buy. Sounds simple but too many events I go to, the options are meh and lack any sort of creativity.
Not the Sony Open in Hawaii. The merchandise shop is the Waialae Country Club pro shop and they know what they are doing there. My favorites are the hats that incorporate the famous shaka (or hang loose sign), a few plays on words and the iconic W palm trees. They know what they are known for and embrace it.
The brand selection in this shop is second to none. They offer apparel from just about every brand name big and small, including some local ones, which you don’t see too often. Overall, high marks for the variety, creativity and Hawaiian flavor. Here’s some of the best gear for sale this week at the 2024 Sony Open.
To be honest, in comparison to other Tour stops, it’s underwhelming.
LAS VEGAS — There’s plenty to love about the Shriners Children’s Open. TPC Summerlin is a spectacular setting for the PGA Tour event, and players love the well-manicured track. The Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street Experience are both within a half-hour’s drive as is glorious Red Rock Canyon, which boasts hiking and unforgettable views.
There is one area in which the FedEx Cup Fall event is lacking, however, and that’s the merchandise tent. According to those working the booth on Thursday, this marks the first year the merch has been pulled out of the pro shop and into its own space. There’s another small tent near the driving range, but that has just a few items for patrons.
To be honest, in comparison to other Tour stops, it’s underwhelming, especially for a tournament with as much pomp and circumstance as this one.
There are a number of Shriners-specific items, including a Build-a-Bear, and a solid collection of shirts, but the overall selection wasn’t up to typical standards. We’ll cut the organizers a break since they’re trying something new.
The merchandise tent offers up some interesting items, from blankets to shot glasses and hats galore.
The second leg of the FedEx Cup Fall schedule is underway in Jackson, Mississippi, and there’s plenty at stake at the Sanderson Farms Championship. The top 70 have secured their cards for the 2024 PGA Tour season, which is returning to a calendar-year schedule (January-August).
But since the top 125 after the RSM Classic, the last of the seven fall events, will retain their playing privileges for 2024, players are fighting for their jobs this week. Mackenzie Hughes is back to defend his title at The Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi, where the field will compete for an $8.2 million purse.
And as is typically the case on Tour, the merchandise tent at the Sanderson Farms offers up some unique and interesting items for those taking in the tournament, from blankets to shot glasses and hats galore.
Check out the merchandise for sale this week at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
