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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Larry Aillet
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Home Phone: 337-278-5555 Golf Connection returns to area Dan McDonald, Daily Advertiser, June 8, 2011 When George Carroll sold his The Golf Connection retail store to the Edwin Watts Golf chain in early 2008, he didn’t think he’d ever get back into the business. “I was doing real estate,” he said this week, “and besides I had a non-compete clause so I couldn’t get back in it for three years. “But I had to get back in. I just missed the golf business, I missed the interaction with customers and friends. I guess once it gets in your blood, it’s there. It becomes a part of you.” That’s why The Golf Connection will have a grand opening weekend tomorrow through Saturday at its new location at 2009 W. Pinhook Road, in the Market Place shopping center. The new facility has actually been open since May 9, and until this week news about the rebirth has been social media and word-of-mouth. But Carroll said he decided in November or December of last year that he’d be returning to the industry. “The response has been really good so far,” said Carroll, who opened the original Golf Connection in Time Plaza Mall in November of 1989. “We’ve seen a lot of old customers that have come in to visit, and we really appreciate seeing them again. It’s nice just to be back in it. “I really wasn’t doing much in real estate, and even if I was I would’ve jumped back in. I didn’t realize how much I’d miss it.” That original store was only about 1,300 square feet and grew over time. The new location, though, is larger with over 6,000 square feet, and seems even bigger because of higher ceilings than the old location which is still operated by Edwin Watts. The location is convenient to golfers heading south on Pinhook heading to Les Vieux Chenes and the Le Triomphe area, and to those heading north toward Oakbourne. It has what Carroll called “all the usual suspects” for golf equipment, but the highlight is the stunning PGA Tour Indoor Simulator developed by the aboutGolf company. The same simulator is used on-air by The Golf Channel on several of its instructional and feature shows, and provides not only training and club-fitting information but also has 43 famous golf courses for players to choose from. “They’re a couple of years ahead of everybody in the industry,” Carroll said. “Michael Smith (local pro who Monday became a U.S. Open qualifier) was in here last week and couldn’t believe how accurate it was. He said the numbers were just about perfect. I think we have more fun in there than we do outside.” Golf ball, hat and T-shirt giveaways will be part of the grand opening along with in-store promotions. Golfers will also get to test equipment on the simulator, and will get to see familiar faces. In addition to Carroll, Larry Aillet returns as store manager. “We’ve been together since 1989,” Carroll said. “I wouldn’t even have considered opening without Larry. He has his club repair here and he can do just about anything there. It’s just good to be back working with him again.” “Making the Turn” appears each Wednesday. Clubs, courses and individuals with information about local golf events may email Dan McDonald, editorial director at Golfballs.com, at danmcdonald@cox.net, FAX to (337) 857-8763 or call (337) 857-8754. Listen to the “Making the Turn” radio show each Wednesday from 8-9 a.m. on ESPN SportsRadio 1420. Athletic Network Footnote:Larry Aillet’s Athletic Network Profile is posted.
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