Golf And Tennis Pro Shop Inc. (GTPS) Names Ralph Stokes Director Of Corporate Sales

Ralph Stokes has joined Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc. (GTPS), parent company of PGA TOUR Superstore, as director of corporate sales. Stokes brings more than 30 years of marketing and sales experience to his new position. As director of corporate sales, Stokes is responsible for educating corporate purchasing agents about the branding opportunities available with the PGA TOUR Superstore.

(PRWEB) February 5, 2006 -- Ralph Stokes has joined Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc. (GTPS), parent company of PGA TOUR Superstore, as director of corporate sales. Stokes brings more than 30 years of marketing and sales experience to his new position. As director of corporate sales, Stokes is responsible for educating corporate purchasing agents about the branding opportunities available with the PGA TOUR Superstore.

“Companies will find the best merchandise and one of the largest selections anywhere at PGA TOUR Superstore,” said Bill Hamlin, chief executive officer of GTPS. “We offer purchasing agents the opportunity to select and brand anything from shirts, hats and clubs, to artwork and memorabilia, to tennis wear and even golf cars.”

Stokes has an impressive background in the realm of sales and marketing. For the past three years, he has been the president of Stokes Consulting, Inc., providing services such as sales and benefit analyses and market evaluations, and has served as director of business development at Chesapeake Consulting, Inc. Previously, Stokes spent seven years at CIGNA HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., where he was senior vice president of sales for Georgia and Alabama. In addition, he also worked in a sales capacity at Healthsource Georgia, Inc. and Provident Life and Accident.

“We are very pleased to have someone of Ralph’s caliber as a part of our team,” said Hamlin. “He is an exceptional sales strategist. As we move forward with our expansion plans into other geographic areas, he will play a pivotal role in maintaining our successful track record.”

Stokes is an active member of the community, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics of Georgia. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama Culverhouse School of Business. An avid golfer and graduate of the University of Alabama, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, Stokes currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, Debra, and two daughters, Deidre and Rashele.

About PGA TOUR Superstores

PGA TOUR Superstores are owned and operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc. (GTPS), headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. Each Superstore is dedicated to providing consumers with exceptional selection, services and prices within an entertaining, interactive store environment. GTPS is the PGA TOUR’s exclusive PGA TOUR partner for off-course/off-airport golf retailing.

Two Superstores operate as Martin’s PGA TOUR Superstore in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and a third Superstore operates as PGA TOUR Superstore in Roswell, Ga. A fourth Superstore will open in Kennesaw, Ga. in February 2006, and a fifth location will open in Duluth, Ga. In April 2006. All Superstores are focused on game improvement in golf and tennis, as well as growing the games. Each store offers swing analysis, golf instruction by PGA of America teaching professionals, club fittings, indoor practice greens, and hitting nets, as well as golf and tennis apparel, golf-themed home furnishings, and a vast selection of golf and tennis equipment. The PGA TOUR Superstore’s Web site address is www.pgatoursuperstore.com.

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