RSM Classic (GA)

During the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic on St. Simons Island, Ryan played a key role in shaping how the Golden Isles CVB showed up as both a destination brand and event sponsor. He led the design and execution of the Golden Isles Welcome Tent, an interactive, high-traffic activation where the team engaged visitors from around the world through a putt-to-win challenge featuring destination-branded prizes.



Ryan also supported VIP and partner hospitality in a private chalet on the 18th green, ensuring brand presentation, guest experience, and operations came together seamlessly in a high-visibility environment.

This experience strengthened his expertise in event activations, hospitality settings, and brand-forward experiences where logistics, storytelling, and engagement work together to create memorable, meaningful moments.

Golden Isles CVB Welcome Center (GA)

During his time with the Golden Isles CVB, Ryan led a full strategic and operational transformation of the organization’s retail operation. He began by listening and learning, engaging internal teams, partners, and customers to better understand the brand and the shopper.

He then analyzed four years of sales data, identifying top-performing categories, items, and vendors, and comparing performance trends against how products were merchandised and positioned in the shop. This revealed a clear misalignment between customer demand and the physical retail environment.

Ryan helped guide a complete shop remodel, introducing new fixtures, an expanded footprint, and an improved layout that enhanced customer flow while allowing growth in high-performing categories through deeper assortments. He also refined key business processes for both branded merchandise and consignment goods from local artisans, improving operational structure and execution.

The impact was measurable across core retail metrics. Monthly foot traffic increased, average transaction value rose, and items per transaction grew. Net sales increased 51.7 percent year-over-year gain.

U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 (NC)

Ryan played a key role in the debut of the USGA’s new fixture program at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the culmination of 20 months of design and development work introduced on one of the most visible stages in golf retail.

The project redefined how brand, product, and storytelling came together at scale. The new official outfitter, Peter Millar, was presented in unprecedented fashion, with a curated assortment featured in front-facing window boxes visible to all fans, a center-stage floor presence designed for maximum engagement, and illuminated branding supported by architecturally engineered pillars that defined the space.

Heritage was also elevated as past champion banners were reimagined as towering lightboxes suspended above the sales floor, honoring every winner of the championship since 1895 and surrounding customers with the legacy of the game. Across the pavilion, LED-lit shelving and display cubbies enhanced product visibility, allowing each item and logo to be experienced as the designers intended.

Operationally, the environment was built for performance. Sixty-four point-of-sale stations supported a seamless checkout experience, enabling volunteers to process more than 120,000 transactions and sell over 500,000 items in just 11 days.

The result was a landmark achievement, setting a new merchandise pavilion revenue record of $24 million and establishing a new benchmark for large-scale event retail.

U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club (PA)

At the U.S. Women’s Open in Lancaster, Ryan led the design of a new, streamlined fixture package created specifically for the women’s championship and built to scale for future events. The challenge was to deliver many of the most effective elements of the men’s U.S. Open merchandising environment within a significantly smaller footprint.

Every square inch of the space was planned with intention, balancing customer flow, product visibility, and operational efficiency from the tent exterior through the sales floor. Ryan prioritized fixtures that maximized assortment presentation while maintaining clear sightlines and an elevated brand experience.



The result was an on-budget fixture package that modernized the merchandising environment and brought the women’s championship retail presentation in line with the standards of the men’s event. The improved layout and fixture strategy supported strong operational performance and contributed to record-setting merchandise sales for the championship.

U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club (CA)

At the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, Ryan supported a key transition in USGA merchandise operations. Hosted in a major metropolitan market, the championship provided an opportunity to move beyond the legacy fixture package from the early 2010s and begin testing concepts that would shape the future of U.S. Open retail.



Ryan worked with partners to introduce prototype fixtures built by Tom Hoch Design, including a strong focus on presenting Peter Millar in its first year as official outfitter. Additional prototypes showcased headwear, accessories, and apparel for established vendors, turning the event into a live testing environment on one of golf’s biggest stages.

Vendor and operational feedback led to important refinements, with many prototype concepts adjusted before full production. These improvements directly informed the fixture program debut at Pinehurst and influenced the streamlined package later developed for the U.S. Women’s Open.

This championship marked a critical innovation phase, where collaboration and field-tested learning helped shape the next generation of USGA merchandising environments.

U.S. Open at The Country Club (MA)

At the U.S. Open in Brookline, Ryan led a ground-up rebuild of the USGA’s corporate merchandise program. After gathering input from internal stakeholders and key clients, he helped redesign the program to be more flexible, accurate, and responsive to partner needs.

A major shift was moving the corporate merchandise catalog from a traditional printed format to a dynamic online platform at corporatemerch.usga.org, built on Shopify. This allowed for more customizable assortments of co-branded products for hospitality clients and USGA partners while eliminating the limitations of static catalogs that quickly became outdated and misaligned with inventory.

The decision proved critical as global supply chain disruptions limited vendor inventory. The online platform enabled Ryan and his team to adjust product offerings in real time, present program opportunities to more than 300 clients during in-person update sessions, distribute product samples and promotions, and dedicate more time to servicing customer needs and fulfilling orders.



The result far exceeded expectations. With an initial goal of $1.6 million, the new strategy delivered $3.7 million in corporate merchandise sales and over 300 satisfied clients.

U.S. Senior Open at Omaha Country Club (NE)

At the U.S. Senior Open in Omaha, Ryan helped lead merchandise operations in a resource-constrained environment, with the USGA team managing most execution due to limited vendor presence and COVID-19 occupancy restrictions. Working with legacy Cutter and Buck fixtures, he navigated unique setup and breakdown challenges alongside partners at McKernin Exhibits.

When a severe wind and hail storm disrupted the championship, Ryan supported recovery efforts with Bruno Event Operations and Omaha Country Club, helping clear debris, reset signage, and address tent leaks so play and the fan experience could resume. Despite the challenges, the team achieved the event sales goal, reflecting strong collaboration, adaptability, and operational focus throughout the week.

U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Club (CA)

At the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, Ryan helped navigate one of the most operationally complex championships in recent history. With California pandemic restrictions still in place, the merchandise operation required a full redesign across scope, tent layout, fixture spacing, staffing communication, stocking procedures, and customer flow, all while adhering to strict attendance limits and social distancing requirements. The retail footprint was reduced to roughly 10,000 square feet, about a quarter of a typical U.S. Open merchandise pavilion.

Through extensive planning and late-stage problem solving, the team developed an open-air tent strategy, removing wall panels each morning and reinstalling them nightly to protect assets while maintaining airflow and compliance. The design created a bright, welcoming environment with sweeping views of the course and coastal cliffs. Special thanks to Arena Group for helping bring this vision to life and delivering at a consistently high level. The result proved that safety-driven adjustments could still deliver a memorable retail experience.

Ryan is especially grateful to the Torrey Pines Pro Shop staff, who stepped up in a major way to support inventory receiving and load-in to the merchandise pavilion, playing an important role in keeping operations on track.

The championship demonstrated how public health requirements, operational efficiency, and customer experience could successfully coexist under highly constrained conditions.

U.S. Open at Winged Foot (NY)

The U.S. Open at Winged Foot took place under unprecedented uncertainty, with the championship delayed and large-scale retail operations ultimately not activated on site. During the planning phase, Ryan contributed to contingency strategies focused on creating a safe, compliant merchandise environment, including social distancing protocols, operational procedures, signage systems, and conceptual tent layouts designed to support a modified retail experience. Many of these concepts later informed the approach implemented at Torrey Pines the following year.

As plans shifted, his focus turned to protecting the value of merchandise that had already been produced. Ryan worked closely with buying, licensing, and external partners to identify responsible distribution channels, including e-commerce platforms such as Fanatics, subscription services like Short Par 4, and long-term donation partners including Pros Fore Clothes and Golf Fore Africa.

Through strategic coordination, the team minimized loss, extended the reach of the championship brand, and ensured product reached meaningful end users despite the disruption. The experience highlighted adaptability, cross-functional collaboration, and the importance of responsible inventory strategy during uncertain conditions.

U.S. Senior Open at Pebble Beach (CA)

At the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, merchandise operations were executed primarily by Pebble Beach’s internal team, as outlined in their event agreement. Ryan served in a consulting capacity, working closely with Pebble Beach’s Merchandise Director to support brand standards, operational strategy, and fan experience throughout the championship.

On a near-daily basis, he advised on operating procedures, merchandising strategies, layout planning, shipping and receiving flow, satellite tent inventory management, vendor coordination, and logistics efficiencies. Ryan also managed Pebble Beach's fixture package rental, overseeing inventory, layout planning, and transportation logistics to ensure the physical environment aligned with USGA presentation standards.

During event week, he provided real-time guidance and supported a fast-moving replenishment operation to keep best-selling styles and categories available for fans. Through strong communication, collaboration, and shared commitment to excellence, the team exceeded sales goals while delivering a seamless, brand-forward retail experience for championship attendees.

U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills (NY)

At the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Ryan helped elevate merchandise operations by driving efficiencies in space planning, timelines, and process. The primary challenge was fitting a full championship retail operation across the significant elevation changes of the “Wee Course” along Tuckahoe Road, requiring a reduced tent footprint, fewer POS registers, and a smaller dock presence.

To overcome unique challenges related to space constraints and course elevation, Ryan introduced new racking systems that enabled vertical carton storage inside UPS trailers, increasing capacity while reducing overall space needs for future events. He developed a detailed back of house layout in SketchUp, planning storage down to box sizes and spatial allocation before load in. This visualization process evolved into a full merchandise compound model that informed decisions early and solved problems before the team arrived on site.

On the sales floor, he focused on checkout efficiency, analyzing average transaction times and improving process flow to reduce each transaction by five seconds. These gains helped prevent lines from backing onto the floor, protecting both the customer experience and overall revenue performance.

WKC Dog Show (NY)

At the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, Ryan managed a compact but high impact branded shop where the iconic gold and purple “Sensation” pointer took center stage. A premium assortment led by Ahead, Peter Millar, and Smathers & Branson set a strong luxury tone, and the operation proved hungry for sales, delivering record merchandise revenue over a four day temporary run.

The team was made up of temporary staff, many of them aspiring actors, who brought personality and energy to the floor. Ryan defined clear roles, delivered fast, focused training on registers, restocking, and service standards, and shared key selling lines to connect with a dog loving audience. Encouraged to let their personalities shine, the team created a fun, welcoming environment that helped the shop fetch replenishment orders and keep momentum high throughout the show.

Following the event, Ryan provided growth recommendations for future years, highlighted by a layout redesign that created smoother flow between backstock and the sales floor, setting the stage for even stronger performance ahead.

U.S. Open at Erin Hills (WI)

At the U.S. Open at Erin Hills, wide open space created the ideal environment to elevate the overall merchandise experience for every customer group, from fans to partners, vendors, and volunteers. Ryan focused on strengthening the operational ecosystem behind the sales floor, helping enhance vendor hospitality with dedicated air conditioned space and upgraded catering from Levy Prom so teams could recharge during long, hot days. Fans benefited from improved connectivity in Fan Central near the pavilion, supported by expanded WiFi infrastructure, which made the retail area more accessible and enjoyable.

Volunteer experience became a major priority. With 4,200 volunteers serving as the backbone of the championship, Ryan supported improvements in training, communication, credentialing, and apparel distribution, ensuring teams felt equipped and valued. A key logistics win came from analyzing volunteer home locations, as roughly 80 percent lived within a short regional drive. Working with UPS and Ralph Lauren, the team shifted to a bulk freight strategy into Wisconsin before final mile distribution, reducing shipping distance and saving about $2.50 per package while still delivering apparel on time. The result was a more efficient operation, meaningful cost savings, and a stronger foundation for future championships.

U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club (PA)

Right after the men’s championship at Chambers Bay, Ryan earned the only internship role supporting the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open, operated by industry expert Harlene Udovich of Union Merchandising. He quickly added value during tent setup in Lancaster, PA, helping install the legacy Cutter and Buck fixture package before product arrived and stocking began. Living with a college friend’s family and walking two miles to the course each morning, he immersed himself fully in the championship environment.

Following main tent setup, Ryan shifted to the Satellite shop housed in a maintenance garage on the far end of the course. The space featured gridwall, mannequins, and convenience driven items such as towels, pin flags, individual golf balls, and umbrellas for fans on the move. After a short period of low traffic, the team made the strategic decision to close the satellite location and reallocate inventory and labor to the main tent, which was trending at record pace.

Ryan transitioned into POS support, working alongside CEMS and the Filling teams to maintain service speed and in stock position during peak demand. The event went on to surpass $2 million in merchandise sales, setting a new benchmark for the U.S. Women’s Open at the time and reinforcing the value of agile, data informed operational decisions.

U.S. Open at Chambers Bay (WA)

At the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in Washington, Ryan returned for his second summer in championship merchandising during a record setting $15 million year in merchandise sales. The event introduced the U.S. Open to a new Pacific Northwest audience, and the unique quarry landscape overlooking the South Puget Sound created a dramatic stage for retail operations.

Selected as one of two interns to lead the Satellite Tent on the opposite side of the course, Ryan helped oversee volunteer coordination, vendor staffing, check tent operations, and customer service at point of sale. Working 100+ hour weeks, he supported the fast pace and complexity of a high volume remote retail environment.

The Satellite Tent alone surpassed $2 million in sales for the first time, contributing to what was then the highest grossing merchandise championship on record and marking an early milestone in Ryan’s event merchandising career.

U.S. Open Championships at Pinehurst No. 2 (NC)

The 2014 U.S. Open Championships at Pinehurst No. 2 marked the first ever back to back men’s and women’s Opens at the same venue, creating two straight weeks of momentum, energy, and merchandise demand. It was Ryan’s first U.S. Open, where he worked with Carolina Property Services helping install fixtures inside the 40,000 square foot merchandise pavilion. He also led volunteer credential packing, ensuring accuracy and clear communication with the volunteer coordinator and more than 1,400 volunteers preparing for golf’s biggest stage. That responsibility naturally positioned him as a go to resource during volunteer training sessions for fellow interns and volunteers.

During championship play, Ryan rotated through three high impact operational roles. In POS Area Traffic, he managed customer flow from the sales floor to more than 50 registers, directing VIPs, discounts, exchanges, and returns to customer service so lines moved efficiently without backing onto the floor. In Customer Service, he handled complex guest needs, supporting VIPs, corporate clients, partners, and special transaction scenarios at the center of floor operations. He also helped lead the bag check operation, often the toughest customer service environment, where a team of 12 volunteers followed processes he helped develop to securely store and return guest purchases. When issues did arise, Ryan focused on fair, timely solutions that preserved the fan experience at a historic, memorable championship.

Oakmont Country Club (PA)

At Oakmont Country Club, Ryan supported daily golf operations by managing the practice facilities with the precision and service standards expected at one of the game’s most storied clubs. He operated the range picker, maintained inventory and presentation on the practice tee, and ensured the environment was consistently prepared for members and guests.



He also meticulously maintained the chipping and putting greens, focusing on turf quality, setup details, and overall playability so players could prepare and practice in championship level conditions. Beyond daily operations, Ryan volunteered his time to support special events such as Drive, Chip and Putt, helping deliver a smooth, welcoming experience for participants and families. Throughout it all, he prioritized attentive, professional customer service that matched Oakmont’s reputation for excellence.

Duquesne University Athletics (PA)

At Duquesne Athletics, Ryan worked in ticket operations supporting high-profile game day environments across football and basketball. He managed VIP player-guest will call, ensuring a smooth and professional arrival experience for families, partners, and special guests, while also handling game day ticket sales and customer service.



He coordinated seat transfers for major events at Consol Energy Center, including the City Game between Pitt and Duquesne, where accuracy, speed, and communication were essential. Ryan also supported marketing initiatives, assisted with special event operations, and contributed to merchandise sales when needed, bringing a team-first mindset and strong operational awareness to every touchpoint of the fan experience.