Golf apparel retailer Golf Town to acquire Golfsmith

16 May '12

3 min read

Golf Town, Canada's largest specialty golf retailer and Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement, pursuant to which Golf Town will acquire Golfsmith, a leading specialty golf retailer in the United States, for US $6.10 per share in cash.

This represents a premium of 32.2% to Golfsmith stockholders based on the volume-weighted average closing prices of the Company Common Stock on the 30 trading days immediately preceding this announcement.

This also represents a premium of 55.1% to Golfsmith stockholders based on the volume-weighted average closing prices of the Company Common Stock on the 30 trading days immediately preceding the announcement on March 1, 2012, that the Company was evaluating strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the Company.

The closing of the acquisition, which is subject to limited closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2012. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition.

Golf Town is owned by OMERS Private Equity and operates 54 stores across Canada and 7 stores in the greater Boston area. Golfsmith has been in business for over 40 years and is a speciality retailer of golf equipment and related apparel and accessories.

The transaction will result in the creation of the world's largest specialty golf retailer.

"Golfsmith is a company that we have admired for years. This transaction will give us a formidable footprint in North America and will also provide a strong platform for future growth," said Don Morrison, Senior Managing Director and Canadian Country Head of OMERS Private Equity. "Together with management we look forward to enhancing the value proposition for the companies' loyal customers."

"We are extremely excited about this combination. Together, the businesses will have a broad multi-channel offering of retail, online, mobile and catalogue throughout North America," said Ron Hornbaker, interim CEO of Golf Town.

"We have been very pleased with the building momentum at Golfsmith and I am proud of the accomplishments that our team has made over the last three years in developing a solid foundation for long term growth. We hold Golf Town in the highest regard and believe them to be an ideal partner to take Golfsmith to the next stage of growth," said Martin Hanaka, CEO of Golfsmith.

Upon the closing of the transaction, Martin Hanaka will assume the role of CEO of the combined company. Sue Gove, President, COO and CFO of Golfsmith will become the President and COO of the combined company and Ron Hornbaker will assume the role of EVP-Stores.

The boards of directors of both Golf Town and Golfsmith have approved the transaction; in Golfsmith's case, following the approval and recommendation by a transaction committee of independent directors. Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. and certain officers of Golfsmith, holding collectively a majority of Golfsmith's outstanding shares of common stock, have executed a written consent approving the transaction and the transaction is not subject to further stockholder approval.

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