Brandon Mendes, PGA,Assistant Professional,Memphis (Tennessee) Country Club
At Memphis Country Club, tee gifts aren’t just giveaways – they’re relationship builders. PGA of America Assistant Professional Brandon Mendes has made it a priority to elevate these touchpoints by focusing on creativity, personalization and partnerships that make an impression long after the event ends.
Rather than defaulting to another sleeve of balls or a logoed polo, Mendes alternates between golf-specific items and lifestyle products that members can use beyond the course. “They already have plenty of golf merchandise,” he says. “We’re looking at how we can give them something they’re going to use that showcases the brand and the club.”
For Memphis Country Club’s 2024 member-guest, for example, that meant partnering with Clayton & Crume – a company known for its assortment of premium leather goods and handcrafted pieces. The gift package included a custom rocks glass with the club logo and a leather travel toiletry bag (pictured), handed out during an evening kickoff event.
The real differentiator, though, was the on-site personalization. Vendor representatives brought their stamping machine to the club, allowing members and guests to monogram their gifts with initials or other meaningful markings.
“It was a big hit,” says Mendes, who was the 2013 and 2017 Tennessee PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities before joining the private club sector in 2021. “That personal touch made it feel special. People still talk about it.”
Even the custom rocks glasses played double-duty, serving as the vessel for a signature cocktail offered throughout the tournament. Small details made the experience feel cohesive and curated.
“Adding that next touch gives it that more individual feel,” Mendes explains. “It shows we’re paying extra attention to them, which is important — especially in the private club world.”
