Golf Etc.® Launches Golf Etc. Tech Studio Concept Across Country

Fort Worth, TX (PRWEB) October 1, 2008 -- Golf Etc. of America, Inc. (http://www.golfetc.com), the fastest-growing golf retail franchise in the country, announced today that it has launched a nationwide expansion of its pilot Golf Etc. Tech Studio concept. The pilot store opened in Monroe, North Carolina two years ago, and recently expanded to double its location's size. Leading the way in the national expansion is a new Golf Etc. Tech Studio opening this November in Mansfield, Texas.

"We are excited by the response to our pilot Golf Etc. Tech Studio and look forward to expanding this concept to the rest of the country," said Shane Hunt, CEO of Golf Etc. "All of our Golf Etc. stores offer professional performance-fitting and club repair, but the Golf Etc. Tech Studios will take this part of Golf Etc. further, to focus almost exclusively on performance-fitting, custom club building, club repair and custom-ordered inventory."

Karl and Carol Seibel, owners of the pilot Golf Etc. Tech Studio, started the unique Golf Etc. store as a second career. Karl is a retired airline pilot (who fixed golf clubs on the side for his pilot friends), and Carol is a retired businesswoman whose career included serving as a vice-president in the financial industry and an operations manager at Lowe's. Karl first got into the game of golf at age eighteen, when he lived next to a golf course and worked in the course's pro shop. After going into the military, starting his own cabinet construction business in his twenties, then enjoying a long career as an airline pilot, Karl went back to the game of golf at age 60.

"Everyone said we were crazy to do this," says Karl Seibel, "but Carol and I did our homework years before we made our move. We looked at several different second careers and franchise options, and we decided golf was it, and the people at Golf Etc. were the right fit, working with us to create a forward-thinking Golf Etc. concept that played to our strengths and met a need in the industry."

After two years in business, the Seibel's Golf Etc. Tech Studio franchise has already had to expand, doubling the size of its store this year. In January, the International Professional Association of ClubFitters named Karl as a 2008 World's Top 100 ClubFitter. In October, Karl will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 Golf Clubmakers Association Conference in Austin, Texas.

The next Golf Etc. Tech Studio will open in Mansfield, Texas in November, 2008. Additional Tech Studio franchise stores are in the works for the first half of 2009. Those interested in learning more about opening a Golf Etc. or Golf Etc. Tech Studio can contact the company at 817.279.7888 or info @ golfetc.com.

About Golf Etc.:

Golf Etc. of America, Inc. is the fastest-growing golf retail franchise in America, with more new store openings during 2006, 2007 and 2008 than any other golf retail franchise. Founded in 1992, Golf Etc. provides personal service, performance club fittings, professional repair centers and club and swing evaluations, using the latest technology in simulators and launch monitors. Each store also offers the latest selection of pro-line equipment, bags, footwear, balls, gloves, golf-related giftware, men's and women's apparel, accessories, junior clubs, used golf clubs and other golf-related products. Golf Etc. has close to 70 operating franchises in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada and will open 6 to 8 more by the end of the year. The company also offers Golf Etc. for Women and Golf Etc. Tech Studio franchise options. For more information, please visit http://www.golfetc.com/ or contact the company at 817.279.7888 or info @ golfetc.com.

Media Contact:

Kelly Kirkendoll Shafer

Shafer Communications

817.236.6075

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