Amy Pendergast, PGA head professional at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore., has been named the recipient of the 2012 PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award for Resort Facilities.
Pendergast, 36, is the second member of the Pacific Northwest PGA Section to be honored with a PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award since the award was established in 1978 to recognize PGA Professionals who excel as businesspersons/merchandisers in the promotion of golf.
A graduate of Portland State University, where she competed on the women’s golf team, Pendergast was elected to PGA membership in December 2010, the same year that she was named PGA head professional at Bandon Dunes. Prior to that, she had served as director of retail since joining the seaside resort facility in 2000. Following her first full year as PGA head professional, she was recognized as the 2011 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities.
Pendergast said a key to the success of Bandon’s retail operation is the emphasis that is placed on training and motivation of staff led by PGA Director of Golf Jeff Simonds. Included in that is a monthly newsletter she produces, which contains selling tips and product information specifically for educating the sales staff. In addition, she schedules monthly training sessions with vendors to enhance the expertise of her team.
Another key is the emergence of Bandon Dunes as premier golf destination. Since joining the staff only 10 months after the resort opened, Pendergast has seen it grow from 18 holes and one 800-square-foot golf shop to 85 holes and approximately 5,000 square feet of retail space. In 2011, Golf Digest named Bandon Dunes the country’s best golf resort, adding to the allure of wearing one of its logos.
Amy and her husband, Tyler, live in Bandon, Ore., and are the parents of a daughter, Allee, and a son, Mason.
To be in the running for a 2013 PGA National Award, a Professional must only win the Section award for that category. Section award winners are nominated from the Chapter awards. Make sure to be part of the special awards process in your Chapter this fall!