b'THE BUZZMerchandiserHonestly I think its more about the overall experience that youre getting of the Year in our golf shop, says Crooks, whose stints included working at The Medalist and The Concession before coming to Gear and gifts?M erchandise sales at theBluejack a couple of years ago. Its really Bluejack National golf shop arebringing the right merchandise mix in, Sure. Butimpressive. Sales continued toand not treating it like a store but more The Place isgrow from 2020 to 2021. But thats not the onlylike an experience.packed with soreason Bluejack was named the Southern TexasIndeed, the golf shoplocated at PGA 2021 Merchandiser of the Year amongThe Place at Bluejack National, which also much more. private clubs, according to Director of Golfincludes a full-service restaurantis just Aaron Crooks. 750 square feet. That number will double when it moves into the new clubhouse. But for now, Crooks and his team have taken advantage of every nook and cranny. They also make their members and guests feel like family when they come in, usually engaging them in conver-sation about their family, their golf game, or any number of topics. Crooks says because Bluejack is a private residential resort, the shop gears itself toward lifestyle and homeware 8 BLUEJACK MAGAZINE'