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Golfsmith CEO Martin Hanaka on the controversy over the Augusta National Golf Club not allowing women members and the company’s new commercial with ...
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When he twelve masters golf tournament the first of the season is in full swing.
And good news for sponsors the event is drawing better ratings both online and on television that it did last year here for his take my -- Chairman and CEO Goldsmith the nation's largest golf specialty -- -- retailer.
Marty and so excited about the segment because I am a huge golf fan and a very -- golf.
Player picked up -- watching every minute that's true but.
I'm really -- today it really is it's great to have you here but I want to go to first off the controversy surrounding the event today.
I didn't tell yet it mystify me.
Why add the -- got the national club wants to keep women away from being members an -- sharp contrast this year because the major sponsor IBM they're CEO.
Is a woman -- what do you make of this.
Well I think it's a mistake really it's time we change you know woman or an important part of the game we is an industry.
Have to do much better job getting woman -- play we just -- a woman as president -- golf Smith.
And you know I just think now there we are into the 21 century let's move on.
So right I take got a letter -- Letter and well you know it's interesting so -- -- put in place woman president.
And that it's -- -- it's it's amazing that it's still an issue.
At the masters.
One of the reasons I think it's so important to get women in the game of golf is that golf has been suffering over the last decade about.
Half of the -- specialty stores have closed people are have been playing fewer rounds now -- -- is of course just attributable to the economy.
But really doesn't -- have to open up and get more people to play it may be even change some rules what do you make of that.
I totally agree with that you know our job -- -- get -- -- to grow to get more people playing more often have a more fun.
I always enjoyed -- when my boy days in co workers.
But some of the best times have been on the track when my Wi-Fi on vacation some of the most memorable time so let's grow the game let's get more people and and we have to grow let's get more woman just plain plain.
And also benefit.
One of the interesting things -- doing this year you have special promotion with Tiger Woods and of course all eyes are on -- this week.
They expectation.
That he was gonna do really well and I think he started his second round with a birdie or something -- very well the very beginning.
I what did tell me what you're doing with tiger -- what the promotion ends.
Yeah actually yes Cindy Davis who's -- CEO of Nike golf a woman.
And I think a single handicap fair answer -- we worked out a deal -- her and and Nike whereby.
Tighter for the first time ever is -- exclusive promotion with a retail -- So we have rights the -- here it's called the speech row -- -- to our stores there's a big sweepstakes winners and get the play with tiger.
Whole bunch of other winners -- to get out that with clubs.
And frankly you've spent 200 secure borders special discounts to go with that -- gift cards.
So we couldn't be more thrilled to have probably the greatest golfer and a history of good of the game.
With a -- most exclusive so well we're excited business is rolling we're placing more orders are Nike businesses up double digits.
Well let me her -- -- for a second because we were showing the video of that ad.
And I heard the -- I heard the audio on it to and it's hysterical because -- is as if a tiger was coaching you on his game.
But you're a horrible player to keep saying I've found a ball it's really adorable and really cute and you know will be watching tiger obviously.
Think you know he was a big part of the financial side -- this game do you think he can make it back.
Do you think that tiger can actually propel the game forward financially as he did in previous years.
I think so he's gone through a lot he's fought back and -- is probably a -- is -- of any player out there we saw two weeks ago what he did.
And so I think he's back he served notice he's in the hunt today is one over I think through two rounds.
But don't come out the next couple of days I think it's going to be very interest thing and even two weeks ago I think the TV -- -- a 129%.
When tiger was planned Sunday.
I -- -- back.
So did deserve -- come out by -- up this weekend because they get so inspired by the masters and they they're sure they're gonna go to golf course and do great.
How there is no doubt this is the biggest stage in the game for the entire year he got the game's greatest golfers competing.
-- -- official kick off of the golf season in the United States.
And out mother nature's been very kind it was this year you know everything's in alignment for this subject to be big and kick off a great second quarter for the industry.
Well I -- I can't wait to sit down and watch this weekend -- A couple of Ferrari and tiger -- -- I can't pick.
There's so many people I like now Marty thanks for coming on really enjoyed it really appreciate your time you gotta come back.
It's a real pleasure thanks for having me.
