Procurement is an ongoing challenge for businesses of all kinds, and PGA of America Golf Professionals are at the forefront of managing the process at their facilities. Avendra International is a leading Group Procurement Organization that helps businesses control costs, drive efficiencies and maximize value across areas like food & beverage, agronomy and golf shop operations with its Avendra Clubs solutions. PGA Magazine recently spoke with Sean Whalen, Director of Business Development for Avendra Clubs, to learn more about the company’s approach to the golf market and how PGA of America Golf Professionals can utilize its services.
PGA Magazine: For a PGA of America Golf Professional who isn’t familiar with Avendra Clubs, can you tell us a little about the services you provide to golf facilities?
Sean Whalen: Avendra Clubs helps golf facilities, private clubs and golf operators reduce operating costs by providing access to a wide network of pre-negotiated supplier contracts and preferred pricing. Through our collective purchasing power – more than $20.5 billion in annual spend across the hospitality and club industries – we’re able to secure competitive agreements that many individual clubs may not be able to achieve on their own.
Clubs maintain complete control over their purchasing decisions. Our program is designed to enhance their options, allowing facilities to preserve their individuality and continue working with the suppliers that best meet their needs. Beyond cost savings, every client is supported by a dedicated account manager who serves as an extension of their team. We work closely with club leaders to identify savings opportunities, strengthen supplier relationships, address operational challenges, and connect them with solutions that align with their goals.
Whether a club is managing inflationary pressures, navigating supply chain challenges, or looking for ways to improve budget performance, our focus is on delivering measurable savings, operational efficiencies and personalized support. Ultimately, we help operators spend less time worrying about costs and procurement and more time focused on creating exceptional experiences for their members and guests.
PGA Magazine: How does being part of a buying group like Avendra help golf facilities manage costs, especially as prices have risen in recent years?
Whalen: A buying group helps clubs stay ahead of rising costs by leveraging collective purchasing power to secure competitive pricing and favorable supplier agreements. Through Avendra’s contracts, clubs gain access to pricing and cost protections that are often difficult to achieve independently.
This is especially valuable during periods of inflation, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, or other market uncertainty. Our team continuously monitors market conditions and works with suppliers to help mitigate cost increases whenever possible.
In addition, Avendra provides biannual Cost Outlook reports that offer short- and long-term budget forecasts, market trend analysis, and insights into anticipated price changes. These resources help clubs make more informed purchasing, budgeting and operational decisions.
PGA Magazine: What are the areas where golf facilities can really see an impact when working with Avendra?
Whalen: The most immediate impact is often seen in food & beverage and agronomy, two of the largest spending categories for most golf operations. Focusing on these areas can quickly uncover meaningful savings and operational efficiencies.
However, Avendra supports virtually every department across a club, including: food & beverage, agronomy and course maintenance, facilities and maintenance, golf shop, chemicals and operational supplies, administrative and office products, fitness equipment, locker room supplies, and professional services and service providers.
While our purchasing programs drive significant value, one of our biggest differentiators is our service model. Every client works with a dedicated account manager who serves as a trusted advisor, helps identify savings opportunities, resolve supplier challenges, navigate market changes and uncover new solutions. That hands-on partnership is a key reason clubs continue to find value in working with Avendra.
PGA Magazine: What trends in the golf business are you seeing from your perspective in the industry?
Whalen: One of the biggest trends I'm seeing across golf facilities is a continued investment in food & beverage programs. Many clubs are enhancing their dining offerings with premium ingredients, unique menu concepts, and a greater focus on local, regional and specialty suppliers to create more memorable member and guest experiences. Even at facilities where food & beverage hasn't traditionally been a primary focus, there's a growing effort to elevate bar programs and expand culinary offerings as clubs look for new ways to increase engagement and differentiate themselves. As food & beverage becomes an increasingly important part of a club’s overall value proposition, operators are looking for ways to balance quality, innovation and cost management. Avendra Clubs helps support those goals by providing access to national, regional and specialty suppliers through pre-negotiated agreements, making it easier for clubs to enhance their offerings while maintaining financial discipline.
