Celebrating its grand opening this weekend is Pro Am Golf Shop’s first neighbor island location, inside Rice Shopping Center along Rice Street in Lihu’e. The shop is also only the second one not located at a golf course. Pro Am
Celebrating its grand opening this weekend is Pro Am Golf Shop’s first neighbor island location, inside Rice Shopping Center along Rice Street in Lihu’e.
The shop is also only the second one not located at a golf course. Pro Am Golf Shops is the largest chain of golf shops in the state.
Firm President Nathan Yoshioka chose Kaua’i not only because there has been a void in shops offering full-service golf supplies since Dan’s Sports Shop closed in Kukui Grove, but because he sees the potential for exponential growth in the Kaua’i market.
Store Manager Glenn Nakamura has been on Kaua’i for seven years, and worked at the Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club and Dan’s Sports Shop before landing at Pro Am.
Norvin Olivas, Jr., Ronald Lucidarme and Gary Oura, all golfers, naturally, round out the staff.
The store offers full lines of clubs, balls and accessories from companies like Cleveland, Taylor Made, Mizuno, Titleist, Tommy Armour, Ping, and many others.
Socks, bags, shirts, hats and visors, and more are offered. “Full line and full service,” Nakamoto says. Re-gripping, re-shafting and other club repairs are available as well.
Since the soft opening in the middle of last month, there has been a steady stream of golfers coming through the door of the former Rent-A-Center location next to Rob’s Good Times Grill.
The hitting cage, where you can test out sticks that feel right, has been a popular stopping place inside the store. Lots of free parking surrounds the store.
The other Pro Am Golf Shop not at a golf course is along Kapi’olani Boulevard in Honolulu, the flagship store. Others are at Pali Golf Course pro shop, and Makalena Golf Course pro shop, all on O’ahu.
The name might fool some people, but Pro Am Golf Shop in Lihu’e is also in the process of offering a full line of tennis gear and apparel as well, Nakamoto said.
The shop is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 632-0609.
