The Fairway to Retail Success: An AGM Podcast

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine Cook sits down with Jennifer Roddy, AGM’s Vice President and Merchandise Manager at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas. A longtime leader in the golf retail industry, Jennifer has been an AGM member for more than 30 years and is a Certified Retail Manager graduate. She has spent nearly three decades with Hyatt Hotels,...

In this special episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine Cook is joined by two of the founding members of the Association of Golf Merchandisers, Jackie Jacquemoud and Brett Moore Graham. More than 35 years ago, Jackie and Brett, alongside other early industry leaders, helped bring a bold vision to life—creating a dedicated community for golf merchandisers centered around education, connec...

Join us for a special live episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, recorded during the AGM Northeast Regional Event at Baltusrol Golf Club on April 22, 2026. In this fireside chat, Justine Cook sits down with Susan Shade of Tharanco Lifestyles and Jake Lecky of Hudson Sutler to explore the evolving relationship between vendors and golf shops. Susan and Jake share insights on how their brands hav...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, we welcome Ryan Austad, President and CEO of Austad’s Golf, one of the country’s oldest family-owned golf retailers. Ryan shares how growing up in the family business shaped his approach to customer experience and merchandising, what he learned during his years as a management consultant, and how he balances honoring Austad’s legacy with keeping st...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine Cook welcomes Aimee Ganote, Director of Retail at Capital City Club in Atlanta, GA. Aimee shares how her people-centered approach and passion for relationship-building have shaped her career in golf retail. She discusses her transition from sales to merchandising, the value of thoughtful partnerships with brands like Sid Mashburn, enewton,...

Join Justine Cook on The Fairway to Retail Success as she sits down with Jodi Gascoigne, a South Florida retail leader whose two-decade career spans premier clubs including The Polo Club of Boca Raton, Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Quail Valley, and Mizner Country Club. Jodi shares her journey, the mentors and lessons that shaped her, and the innovative ways she’s leveraging technology—like Gol...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine Cook sits down with Taylor Ramiz, Golf Shop Manager at Manasquan River Golf Club in Brielle, New Jersey. A 2025 graduate of the AGM Certified Retail Manager Program and a 2026 AGM Platinum Award - Top 100 Golf Shop recipient, Taylor brings a fresh, business-minded perspective to golf retail. Taylor shares her journey from working in members...

Join us as we welcome Devon Thew, Director of Retail for Kiawah Island Club, who shares how she’s helped shape Kiawah’s multi-location retail program into a dynamic and connected member experience. From mentoring rising merchandisers to launching new retail ventures across golf, fitness, and lifestyle categories, Devon’s story is a testament to adaptability, innovation, and the power of mentorship...

Join us as we welcome Ed Winiecki, PGA, Assistant Executive Director of the Southern California PGA Section, who shares insights from his remarkable career in golf leadership. A Certified PGA Professional in all six areas of expertise, a Certified Club Manager (CMAA), and a 14-time PGA Chapter and Section award winner, Ed brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the conversation. He reflec...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, host Justine Cook sits down with Kathryn Alter, Golf Shop Manager and Buyer for Arrowood Golf Course in Oceanside, California—and the AGM’s 2026 International Merchandiser of the Year for a Public Facility. Kathryn has brought a private-club polish to a public-course setting, redefining Arrowood’s guest experience through creativity, leadership, an...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, we sit down with Bonnie Hamilton, Director of Retail at Washington Golf & Country Club in Arlington, VA. With a fashion foundation from Perry Ellis and Bloomingdale’s, Bonnie has redefined what a golf shop can be - bringing style, innovation, and creativity to the fairways. She shares how her team has expanded corporate sales, embraced co-branding...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, host Justine Cook is joined by Ann Cantrell, Associate Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology and owner of Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store. Together, they explore how golf retailers can bring their shops to life through storytelling and community connection. Ann shares insights on emerging retail trends for 2026, including colors and si...

Get ready for the 2026 PGA Merchandise Show with insider guidance from Michelle Kempe, Vice President of Retail for Escalante Golf. With 25 years of experience across private clubs, resorts, and multi-club management, Michelle shares her playbook for buyers—covering how to prepare before the show, prioritize vendors and trends, avoid common pitfalls, and turn takeaways into actionable strategies....

Orlando, here we come! In this episode, Justine Cook walks us through everything you need to know for the 2026 AGM Retail Conference: from hands-on morning workshops and networking opportunities to an unforgettable closing keynote and a few fun surprises along the way. Whether you’re already registered or considering joining last-minute, this episode is your guide to planning your day, getting ins...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, we sit down with Benji Boyter, Director of Retail at Pinehurst Resort, to explore what it takes to keep a multi-shop operation aligned and thriving. Benji shares his journey from Kiawah Island to The Sea Pines Resort and now Pinehurst, along with his strategies for maintaining brand standards, managing an iconic logo program, and developing a high-...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine Cook welcomes Grace Hurley, PGA Professional and Vice President of Brands and National Events at Catapult. Grace reflects on her career journey from award-winning retail leadership at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club to her current role shaping brand partnerships and national events. She shares her strategies for team development, insights on evolvin...

With a career that spans both the shop floor and the brand side, Andrew Blatnik brings a unique perspective to golf retail. Now National Sales Manager – Golf at Imperial, he reflects on his path from PGA Assistant Golf Professional to Director of Retail Operations at Oak Hill Country Club and shares what it takes to succeed in today’s evolving industry. Drawing on his award-winning tenure at Oak H...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine sits down with Victoria Matthews, Director of Retail at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida. Victoria shares how her commitment to member service and staff development has helped drive double-digit sales growth in the shop. From creating a one-stop retail experience to implementing a member-friendly return policy, Victoria offer...

Get inspired to deck the halls of your shop this season with Kelly Simon Anderson, Merchandiser at Baltusrol Golf Club - recognized as an AGM Platinum Award “Best of the Best” winner in both 2024 and 2025. Kelly shares her career journey from her early start in Florida to her longtime role at Baltusrol, where she has become known for her creativity and attention to detail in visual merchandising....

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine is joined by Ben Lorenzen, CCM, Creative Director at Champions Run in Omaha, NE and closing keynote speaker at the 2025 AGM Retail Conference. Ben is known for his imaginative approach to private club marketing, technology, and member engagement. He shares how thinking outside the box has helped his team reimagine how members connect with t...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine sits down with Heather Hadley, Senior Buyer and Merchandise Manager at the award-winning Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop in Sacramento, California. A Certified Retail Manager and longtime AGM member, Heather shares how she blends trend awareness, customer insight, and data-driven decisions to create a standout shopping experience. From curating...

In this inspiring episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, Justine chats with Wendy Cash, Retail Manager at The Country Club of Virginia and a 2025 AGM Platinum Award winner. Wendy shares how she has fostered a culture rooted in joy, learning, and genuine connection. From staff training games like "Jeopardy" to her “Clothes for a Cause” sale and ladies’ focus groups, Wendy’s creative, people-firs...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, we sit down with Meghann Butcher, CEO and founder of RepSpark, to explore how technology, transparency, and trust are changing the wholesale landscape. Meghann shares her journey building the leading B2B platform for lifestyle brands, how RepSpark helps vendors grow smarter, and what trends are shaping vendor–retailer relationships in 2025 and beyo...

In this episode, Justine Cook sits down with Maggie Flurschutz, Director of Retail at Baltusrol Golf Club, to explore her journey from PGA Professional Golf Management student to leading one of the most recognized golf shops in the country. With deep ties to the game and a passion for merchandising, Maggie shares the branding and retail strategies that have helped Baltusrol earn consecutive Top 10...

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, we sit down with Jason Loomis, Executive Director at Great River Golf Club and the PGA of America’s 2024 National Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities. Jason shares how he transformed Great River Golf Club from a daily fee operation into a thriving university golf course with an award-winning retail program. Join us as Jason breaks down t...