Hit by costly break-ins, Merced’s Golf Depot will close

Golf Depot, a business staple in Merced for more than two decades, will shut its doors at the end of the month, following a series of break-ins that proved to be devastatingly costly for the family-owned pro shop.

Sandra Hayes and her father, Bert Haskins, are saying goodbye to their loyal customers who are taking advantage of Golf Depot’s closing sales – everything in the store is 30 percent to 70 percent off. Golf Depot will close for good Feb. 27. Much of the store’s merchandise already has been sold, including some displays.

In 2015 alone, the store suffered five break-ins. Surveillance footage caught one incident Dec. 20 where a suspect threw a rock through the window, walked in and went straight toward the store’s most expensive clubs. On Christmas Eve, almost exactly the same thing happened. Hayes estimates about $50,000 worth of merchandise was stolen in December, typically when the store sees its sales peak.

“Financially, it killed us,” Hayes said.

Haskins launched the business in 1995 with a store on Olive Avenue, run by Sandra and her twin brother, Andrew. In 2000, the store moved to its current location on G Street in the Bear Creek Village shopping center. The store carries golf essentials – including balls, clubs, tees and bags – along with apparel and accessories.

Hayes said a combination of the break-ins and unsuccessful negotiations with the property management company out of Sacramento made closing their only option. She said she had hoped to negotiate better security after rent for the building increased by $1,000. Soon after, however, the store received its 30-day notice.

As for the clubs stolen in December, Merced police Lt. Chris Goodwin said investigators still are working on the case, but no new leads have developed.

Frank Quintero, the city’s director of economic development, said he’s unaware of any other businesses being forced to shut down from similar circumstances and doesn’t believe such crime is affecting the city’s reputation. He pointed to several businesses, such as Chipotle, Panera, Five Guys and Deli Delicious, that have come to Merced recently.

“Does it happen? Certainly,” he said. “As for criminal activity, of course we want to see it go down. If it happened that often to (Golf Depot), obviously we want to make sure somehow that we’re able to prevent it.”

Sam Sheu, a devoted customer since moving to Merced in 2004, said he will miss the friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable staff. But mostly he will miss his “hangout spot.”

“It’s like the ‘19th hole’ for us,” Sheu said. “A group of us always come after work. We drop by to chitchat. There’s a friendship that’s developed over the years.”

Sheu, a former president of the Merced Golf & County Club, said Golf Depot is the only option for golf gear in Merced.

“For years I’ve been coming here,” he said. “It’s sad to see it’s going.”

Hayes said customers have become more like family who come in to share personal stories – from marriages to the births of children and grandchildren, or even deaths of loved ones – with the family business.

“They’ve been wonderful,” she said. “There’s been great times. I’m going to miss them.”

Bert Haskins said he will continue to work on his golf game after the store closes. Andrew Haskins will continue operating Softrak Sports, which sells putting greens and other synthetic turf and athletic surfaces. Hayes will begin the search for a new job.

“Being in a family business is tough sometimes,” Hayes said. “It’s going to be a change.”

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Hit by costly break-ins, Merced’s Golf Depot will close."