Yamaha Golf-Car Company, headquartered in Newnan, has named 25-year golf and manufacturing industry veteran Tim O’Connor as division manager of distributor sales and marketing, according to Yamaha President Tom McDonald.
In his new role, O’Connor will head up marketing efforts for the golf car division of Yamaha in North America. He will oversee three regional managers, while leading the effort to broaden Yamaha’s market share through 24 distribution partners in the United States and Canada.
O’Connor got his first taste of the golf industry in 1989 through positions in golf course maintenance and operations at the Oak Bridge Club at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. With a career in golf in his sights, he then enrolled in the PGA Golf Management Program at Mississippi State University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing in 1995.
After college, O’Connor worked as an assistant golf professional at several courses in the Carolinas. A gifted teacher, he then ascended to a golf instructor position at the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa in 1997. He subsequently moved to the Palmer Academy at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, while also earning the rank of Master Golf Teaching Professional.
In 2000, O’Connor transitioned from golf into manufacturing and sales in Silicon Valley for a technology manufacturing company. He subsequently returned home to Atlanta and started a sales development and marketing consulting company that supported several national manufacturing brands.
In 2009, he became chief operating officer for Dang Chicks, a successful apparel and home décor company he co-founded with his wife, Stephanie. Dang Chicks has grown to 3,000 independent retailers across North America and Australia.
O’Connor most recently was director of sales and marketing for Southern Ground, a family of entertainment and manufacturing companies owned by Grammy Award-winning country artist Zack Brown.
“We’re thrilled to have Tim as part of the Yamaha family,” said McDonald. “His passion for the golf industry and diverse background in marketing and sales will open new avenues for broadening the Yamaha Golf Car brand.”
O’Connor and his wife are very active in community and charitable affairs. As parents to an autistic child, they have been deeply involved with fund-raising campaigns for non-profit organizations including TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), Kingdom Kids, a wish fulfillment program for children facing challenging circumstances, and SERV International, whose goal is to supply clean drinking water and food for people in Africa.
For more information about Yamaha Golf-Car Company, visit www.yamahagolfcar.com.
