The Wooden Tee Opens in Bentonville

Owners: Jay and Pamela Nickel
Address: 1501 S.E. Walton Blvd., Bentonville 72712
Phone/fax: (479) 464-8555
Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Startup date: Feb. 22

Repair service for golf equipment, computerized swing analysis and a line of supplies especially for female golfers help set The Wooden Tee apart from other golf-supply stores, said Jay Nickel about his new business.

Nickel, who recently left a public relations job at the University of Arkansas, said he was tired of sitting behind a desk and wanted to incorporate his love of golf into his new career.

The Wooden Tee is more like “an off-course pro shop” than a regular golf supply outlet, Nickel said, explaining that he’s gone to great lengths to give the shop a “kind of intimate but upscale” atmosphere. Ceiling fans, wood floors and higher-end golf supplies make that happen, he said.

The 2,200-SF shop in the Park Place Plaza includes 1,700 SF of showroom space that’s filled with all sorts of golf clubs, gloves, bags, clothing and gifts for golf enthusiasts.

Since opening in February, Nickel said he’s served a variety of customers from 25 to 65 years old. He’s seeing a lot of customers from the Bella Vista area in addition to professionals from other parts of Northwest Arkansas.

His in-house repair service and the computerized golf swing analysis are starting to draw customers to the new shop, and female golfers are beginning to appreciate his store as well.

Nickel said about 40 percent of his clothing is for women.The shop offers clothing lines from Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Ashworth and Adidas. Nickel said he also offers Brighton Belts.

For now, Nickel handles the shop most of its open hours, but he hopes to add a couple of part-time employees in coming months. His wife also helps out in the evenings and on weekends.

Nickel has invested $75,000 to start the business and hopes to recover that investment in the first two years of operation.