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.
The lack of green at the John Deere Classic merch tent was surprising.
SILVIS, Ill. — The PGA Tour is making its annual pit stop in the Quad Cities this week for the 2023 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, the event’s home since 2000.
You’d think an event sponsored by John Deere would lead to a merchandise tent loaded with the classic John Deere green, right? While there’s plenty of options for fans of all ages and sizes, the green is few and far between, with blue as the overarching color. The tent has a little something for everyone, from men’s and women’s hats, shirts, polos and more to a strong collection of kids gear and knick-knacks for the shelf.
Check out the best merchandise on sale this week at the 2023 John Deere Classic.
The merchandise at the Rocket Mortgage Classic wins again for best creativity and diversity on the PGA Tour.
DETROIT — Tony Finau is going to have his work cut out to repeat as champion at Detroit Golf Club. But the merchandise at the Rocket Mortgage Classic wins again for best creativity and diversity on the PGA Tour.
Credit goes to the tournament organizers for seeking out a terrific mix of brands and championing the little guys, who went out of their way to make something unique and that personifies the vibe of the Motor City.
In particular, Trap Golf and Eastside Golf score big with shirts and Levelwear and Puma continue to deliver with hoodies among other items. They play up the 313 area code big at this tournament so there’s a whole line of shirts, hats and bag towels highlighting that as well as plenty of gear tying in the city’s rep for music and motor vehicles. They also have a wider selection for toddlers and kids compared to most tournaments, a good mix for women and hats galore. Overall, the RMC checks all the boxes and does so in a smaller physical space than many other tournaments. Step inside and you’re going to want to spend money. The rest of the PGA Tour — and the majors other than Masters who are the real pros at this — could learn something from the RMC.
Here’s a look at some of the best gear from this week’s fan shop, which is conveniently set up just steps away from the main entrance and exit to the tournament. As the Trap Golf brand likes to put it, “Golf is dope.”
NORTH YORK, Ontario — The PGA Tour is making its annual pit stop in Canada this year for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, this year at Oakdale Golf and Country Club.
As soon as you step inside the massive merchandise tent near a fan village area loaded with food trucks, bars and games, you’re peppered with red Maple Leaf logos and the signature blue-and-yellow RBC colors. The tent has a little something for everyone, from men’s and women’s hats, shirts, polos and more to a strong collection of kids gear and knick-knacks.
Check out the best merchandise on sale this week at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.
