Drummond plans to double franchises

The Drummond Golf franchise, Australia’s largest golf retailer, has announced a new franchise program aimed at doubling its chain to 50 outlets by 2010.

High-profile professional golfer and Australia’s best ever long-iron player, Brett Ogle, is the first to sign up in the new franchise expansion plan.

“I went into this deal fully realising that retailing is fiercely competitive in this country. However, there were two compelling reasons that influenced my decision,” Ogle says. “First was the marketplace itself, where golf is well recognised as Australia’s highest participation sport involving 10 percent of adults, and second the fact that Drummond Golf is established as the country’s largest golfing retailer network.”

According to Ogle, an example of Drummond’s high standing with manufacturers is its recent appointment as exclusive distributor for the latest in golfing technology – the MAC Powersphere from Burrows Golf in the US, which is soon to be released in Australia after runaway sales in America.

Ogle’s outlet will be located at Dee Why in New South Wales, and is expected to be a showcase store for Drummond Golf sports equipment franchise.

“Having steadily built the market leader position in golf retailing, it is timely for us to further strengthen our position via franchising,” says Drummond Golf Australia managing director, Mark Abeyaratne. “We have engaged National Australia Bank to support our franchise expansion through NSW and Queensland. A prerequisite for prospective franchisees is that they are passionate about golf, energetic self-starters, and have the capital to allow them to own and especially operate their own store.”

At Drummonds all executives – from the managing director down – spend at least one day per fortnight on the shop floor selling.