STROKE OF THE DAY |
"I'm not sure that the most talented player I saw wasn't myself." |
-Johnny Miller |
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 What he didn't know was that not only would he turn Ryan into a worthy opponent, he would also inspire a successful career in the golf industry. At 19, Ryan was working in the mailroom at Callaway Golf in Carlsbad. It wasn't long before his dream-big enthusiasm reached the CEO's office, where Ely Callaway was on the ground floor of what would become a multi-million dollar empire. "One day he said to me, 'Ryan, I like your personality. Where do you see yourself with this company?'" he recalled. His response was nothing short of bold. "Mr. Callaway, I see myself in your sales department," he said. Within six months Arnold was servicing personal and executive accounts. "I learned more from Mr. Callaway than any college class," said Arnold, 35, who dropped out of college to pursue a career in sales and customer service. "He used to say that if your handicap is too low, you're not working hard enough [at your job]." Arnold went on to manage more than 250 company accounts and established the first Callaway Golf club rental program. He did this by applying the philosophy - don't just meet your customer's expectations, exceed them - he learned early on from Callaway, who died in 2000. So it's no surprise that when he decided to pursue a career change, he applied the same gusto to his new endeavor. And by all accounts, his foresight is paying off. Earlier this year he opened The Riv-Village Golf & Fine Apparel between the quaint shops of The Hollywood Riviera Village in Redondo Beach. "It's a country club pro shop in a beach setting," Arnold said. "It's warm and comfortable with an old country club vibe." To get started, Arnold called on associates from his days at Callaway Golf and his short stints working for TaylorMade/adidas golf, Nickent Golf and Westcoast Trends, known as Club Glove for it's top-selling bag. He visited local courses and clubs to see what golfers were wearing and what the pro shops were selling. Then he talked to locals about what retailers were missing. He discovered the latest fashion-forward designs from Bobby Jones, Carnoustie, Rosasen and Pahr 72 Fairway Essentials. When the women mentioned Orange County-based Trigelle, he hooked up with the owners and, impressed with their savvy designs, ordered several pieces from their current lines. The store's selection is a healthy mix of cottons and silks, performance fabrics and luxurious Italian Marino wools. Shoes and apparel easily move off the course and out on the town, and price points range from $40 for shirts to $300 for luxury apparel. The Riv even carries the old-timer's trademark golf shoe - white and black wing tips by Ecco - in addition to clubs, hats and belts. Arnold created his warm club atmosphere on the beach with stained concrete floors, Tuscan-inspired walls, an oriental rug, mahogany shelves and a few collectibles from his home, including vintage liquor bottles and a humidor. He's proud of his newest endeavor, even after the dozen layers of stain he personally applied to the floor. As for his handicap these days? "It's a lot higher than it should be," he said. SG The Riv-Village Golf & Fine Apparel is at 1804 S. Elena Ave., Redondo Beach; (310) 373-3810. |
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