The Red Tee Box
By Madelon Shaw

The Red Tee Box opened in November of 2005 and provides its customers with a wide and exceptional selection of the finest women’s golf apparel and equipment available in the Omaha area. The shop’s outgoing and knowledgeable owner, Peg Clark, explained, “Our hope for this specialty shop is that it’s a welcoming, fun and non-intimidating place people will enjoy coming to. Our store philosophy and goal is excellent customer service which should attract non-golfers as well as golfers. While our target market is primarily shoppers for women’s apparel and golf equipment, we also carry many retail items that appeal to a wide range of lifestyles.”

“While still a male-dominated sport,” Peg continued, “women’s golf is rapidly gaining attention and popularity. It is becoming increasingly important for women, particularly professional women, to leverage their working skills in a low stress, non-business environment…such as the golf course. Although our lives are hectic, golf is one sport that provides a relaxing and enjoyable social escape. We hope that all golfers or even those mildly interested in the game will stop by and experience what our store offers.”

The proper equipment and attire are often key ingredients for making the game of golf more enjoyable. As far I’m concerned, even if you’ve never even been near a golf course, you owe it to yourself to stop by The Red Tee Box and look around if you’re interested in being the best-dressed woman at any casual outing. You’ll find hundreds of golf-related and non-golf-related items including hats, skirts, shorts, skorts, capris, outerwear, sport watches, sunglasses, books, golf balls with matching accessories, gloves, Polo and Ralph Lauren shirts, socks, designer golf bags, carts, totes (duffle bags), golf shoes (Ecco, Nike and Lady Fairway), women-specific golf clubs, umbrellas, jewelry, small leather goods and baby golf clothes.

I was particularly enchanted with the wide selection of animal golf club covers. When not in use on your clubs, maybe you could use them as hand puppets to entertain your kids (or yourself). If you’re interested in accessories to match your shirt, skirt and shoes, you’ll find color coordinated balls, towels, gloves, an umbrella and even putters in a wide variety of pastels.

You’ll find women’s golf apparel and accessories and equipment from the golf industry’s leading manufacturers: Straight Down, Claudia Romano, Nike Golf, Ralph Lauren, Tail, Astra, Aphira, Keri Golf, Sun Mountain, Brighton, Nancy Lopez, Jamie Sadock, To A Tee, Baby Golf, Blossoms, Datrek, Golftini, Bette and Court, Helen Kaminski, EP Pro, Fairway Outfitters, LBH, Square Two, Ecco, Sunbuster, Gustbuster, Lady Fairway and Bite.

Peg said the respectful rapport she plans to build with her clientele will be important. “As we strengthen our customer base, our hope is that we can provide an environment that is mutually beneficial. With this store, we’ve stepped out of the box from women’s traditional golf apparel and equipment. I’m hoping that customers seeking more and better choices will be impressed with what we have to offer to today’s female golfers.” The Red Tee Box partners with numerous golf instructors, offering patrons a heightened golf experience. Shoppers will also have the opportunity to practice their game by utilizing the store’s reality golf simulator.

I asked Peg about the origins of the store, and she told me that a couple of years ago she had been shopping for high quality clothes to wear while playing golf, and she couldn’t find anything she liked. “I concluded that there was definitely a need for a store where you could buy first-class, stylish women’s golf clothes and accessories,” she reported, “so I decided to open The Red Tee Box. The store features unique styles and items you can’t find anywhere else. Come in and see for yourself.” The retail space of the shop is 1,400 sq. ft. plus an additional 300 sq. ft. for the swing analyzer simulator.

Peg explained that her responsibilities include everything involved in managing the store; if it needs to be done, she does it. She stated, “My most difficult challenge is getting the word out that we’re here. The location is great. We’re right on the corner of 170th and Wright Plaza, and customers can park in front.”

Her advice for others starting their own business is to begin by hiring a good attorney and an excellent accountant. And exceptional employees are a significant part of a successful operation. “We’re fortunate to have two talented young women helping us out: Amanda Houtz, a current member of the UNO golf team and Katie Jorgensen who also was a member of the UNO golf team and is now in the PGA apprentice program. We couldn’t do it without them.”

“The rewards of my work,” Peg revealed, “are being able to provide a service that people appreciate. All people are nice, but it seems to me that golfers are especially friendly. Owning my own business is great. I enjoy working hard and am fortunate to have a strong work ethic. I love working here so much that it’s not like ‘work’—it’s more like having fun all day long.”

As far as Peg’s non-shop-related life is concerned, she grew up in Grand Junction, CO and has been married to her husband Will for 15 years. She said he has been a major influence in her life; that he’s enormously supportive. Peg’s hobbies included bike riding, hiking, golf and spending time with her family.

According to a recent Golf Consumer profile, women golfers (ages 18 and above) represent about one quarter of all golfers. There are 2.5 million “core” women golfers. According to a recent survey, 5.2 million women play golf annually to some extent in the United States.

It’s interesting that women’s professional golf did not establish a tour until 1950, but the game was popular with women long before that. Women’s golf has enjoyed a growth similar to men’s golf. From about 1900 through the 1920’s, British amateurs dominated women’s golf. By the 1930s, United States women golfers had become important. Widespread interest in women’s professional golf developed after World War II; the LPGA tour began in 1950 with 11 events worth about $45,000 in prize money. By the 1990s, it had 43 events with total prize money of over $36 million.

The Red Tee Box is open from 10 AM-6 PM Monday through Friday, 10 AM-5 PM on Saturday and Sunday from 12 AM-4PM. Visit the Web site at theredteebox.com for additional information.

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