029 2026 AGM International Merchandiser of the Year for Public Facilities: Kathryn Alter’s Heart-Driven Retail Leadership at Arrowood Golf Course

In this episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, host Justine Cook sits down with Kathryn Alter, Golf Shop Manager and Buyer for Arrowood Golf Course in Oceanside, California—and the AGM’s 2026 International Merchandiser of the Year for a Public Facility. Kathryn has brought a private-club polish to a public-course setting, redefining Arrowood’s guest experience through creativity, leadership, and community connection. She shares how she balances heart and strategy in retail management, the inspiration behind her interactive promotions, and how her “Make a Day of It” campaign helps create a seamless and memorable guest experience across the property. Listeners will walk away inspired by Kathryn’s thoughtful approach to merchandising, staff engagement, and the operational systems that keep Arrowood’s retail program thriving.