Tallahassee, Fla. (March 19, 2024) – Seminole Legacy Golf Club Head Golf Professional Matt O’Brien was recently named North Florida PGA (Northern Chapter) PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private Clubs. O’Brien has been the head professional at the Florida State University-owned golf course in Tallahassee, Fla. since 2019 and does all the buying, receiving and merchandising for the Club. The Merchandiser of the Year Award recognizes PGA Professionals who have excelled as business persons/merchandisers in the promotion of golf.
Under O’Brien’s leadership, gross merchandise sales were up 45.2 percent for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year and for 2023, sales were well above budget. College football season is the busiest time of year for the golf shop as fans visit the shop for game day gear. Seminole Legacy’s unique logo and merchandise (not sold elsewhere on campus) makes it a popular shopping destination fans and alumni. O’Brien works with brands who possess collegiate licensing agreements, including Holderness and Bourne, Peter Millar and Johnnie O.
“We take a lot of pride in the merchandise operation at Seminole Legacy,” said O’Brien. “Thank you to the North Florida PGA for the recognition and award. It’s truly a team effort and I’m fortunate to work with some great people.”
Born and raised in Somerset, Mass., O’Brien is a United States Navy veteran and is a current Class A Member of the PGA of America. He has a degree in Golf Course Management and Operations from the Golf Academy of America near Orlando.
Named one of the ‘Top 30 Golf Courses’ in Florida by GOLF.com, Seminole Legacy Golf Club is a private club offering a variety of memberships designed for Florida State University students, faculty and staff, and friends of the University. In 2020, Seminole Legacy underwent a $10 million renovation led by the Nicklaus Design Company. The scope of the renovation included a complete redesign of the golf course, with only one hole remaining from the original routing. Formerly known as Don Veller Seminole Golf Course, the course was originally designed by Bill Amick and opened to the public in 1962. For years, the club has served as the home of Florida State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams and still does today. The new Nicklaus Design golf course sits on 174 acres, measures 7,800 yards plays to a par 72, has two practice ranges and includes a new 12-hole par 3 course for the university’s golf teams. All tees, fairways, rough, bunkers, greens and cart paths were renovated during the 2020 project.
Troon Privé, the private club operations division of Troon, manages Seminole Legacy Golf Club. For information on Seminole Legacy, visit www.seminolelegacygolfclub.com.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 875-plus locations in 45-plus states and 35-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
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