Interim boss of Matalan Nigel Oddy is taking on a new role as chief executive of American Golf.

Oddy will complete his six-month stint at Matalan on March 31, as the retailer recently announced a new chair and new chief executive.

He has taken on many senior roles in the retail industry, including former executive positions at House of Fraser, The Range and more recently New Look.

Oddy will join the sports goods retailer, which is owned by private equity firm Endless, and will replace Gary Favell who has held his role as CEO since 2018.

American Golf trades from just under 100 stores across the UK, and operates various 9-hole and 18-hole golf courses and family-friendly adventure golf facilities.

The retailer sells a number of brands such as Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist and Wilson.

Oddy said: “I am very excited to join the team at ILG and have been a customer of American Golf for many years. I have watched the progress of the company as an omnichannel golf retailer since Endless LLP acquired the company in 2018, and the new store concept is best in class in the UK and European golf retail.

“Additionally, it has a market-leading position in Custom Fit golf clubs, a portfolio of wholly owned brands and is developing multi-dimensional golf leisure sites.

“This is a group incredibly well positioned to maximise the opportunity created by the explosion of golf participation over the last three years.” 

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