MEDINAH, Sept 25, 2012 (HK Golfer Newswire) - A painting by LeRoy Neiman is the most expensive item in the merchandise tent at the Ryder Cup, but even at almost $332k it may actually represent decent value compared to the other items for sale in this, golf’s ultimate pop-up store. Over 90 years old, Mr Neiman shuffled off this mortal coil a mere three months ago, so as his last major work this large original painting may actually increase in value. The limited edition prints at “only” $3,218 each are poor reflections of the original and the least said about the mass produced $500 version the better. That said, the prints are a relative bargain compared with the “Official Post Card” at a mere $6 a pop. In fact, the 8 notecards with envelopes at $26 look like a positive bargain!
The painting itself is lively and colorful but ultimately disappointing as an event poster. To my eye, the superb work of Lee Wybranski shows how it should be done. (See www. groupwartworks.com).
Having perused the offerings at the Masters, both Opens and now the Ryder Cup, the pricing here is probably the most egregious. The Masters remains by far the best value for memorabilia, not just compared to other majors but versus any pro shop in the world. The pricing here may be even higher than that at the Open at Royal Lytham, which was a tough act to follow.
The cavernous conveyor-belt of a tent features, in flow-thru order, clothing and hats for most of the store, belts and bags, then the paintings, posters and miscellaneous nonsense at the other. Finally, the long queues to the cash registers snake through more aisles of smaller items “you may have missed”!
Shirts from Adidas, Cutter & Buck, Nike, Greg Norman, Ralph Lauren and Ahead cost over $75 on average. Look hard and you may find one or two at $50 each, but then you’ll also find the RLX shirts at around $100. As ever, the rainwear and wind cheaters are eye-wateringly expensive, given the quality, with a Sunice top costing $180.
Shorts (with no logo) at $60+, belts from $40-$60, t-shirts from $22 and up, hoodies at $65, and socks at $9 a pair tells us there aren’t any bargains on the clothing side. Even the ever popular caps, with hundreds of varieties, are $25 and up, with floppy hats at a ridiculous $35. While you are there, have your name embroidered for $10 and a hatclip for $15 and you’re all set.
The bag options range from a $100 tiny tote bag by Patricia Han for the ladies, to a team replica bag for over $500. A lightweight Burton stand bag is available, but costs almost $300. It has loops for your official umbrella at $50, your $15 bag tag, a $20 towel and pockets for your logo golf balls at $14 a sleeve. Still, it would match your new club covers at $21-$26 each!
The launch of the new iPhone 5 may harm sales of the rubber iPhone 4 covers (only $14) but you can always pick up a keychain (labeled “with bling!”) for $25 instead.
As ever, there is a vast range of logo badges, mugs, and glasses all for around $10+ each, but how about wine coolers at $31 each, $32 pairs of cuff links, a decanter for $140 and even a cigar humidor for $85. It may be best to stick to the Sharpie pen at $3 each!
With long queues forming, even early on a practice day, the takings for the week will clearly be enormous, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
The Masters make large sums of money selling comparable items that can only be purchased on-course during the tournament, at far lower margins. What the pricing here represents, for items also readily available on-line, in terms of gross margins can only be guessed at, but is clearly huge. What these prices represent in terms of the attitude towards the “patrons” is not so opaque.