Written by Michelle Brooks
It was a warm spring day sometime in 2006 that it all happened. My husband, Michael Brooks, and my father-in-law, Bud Brooks, decided to drive up to Mesquite from Las Vegas to play a round of golf. Michael and I came to Mesquite every chance we got, as we had set our sights on living there. Unfortunately, I had to work that day.
With our first business plan a bust and our home lot sitting, waiting for us to come up with another plan, Mike and Bud were in Mesquite solely to play golf. On this occasion, Mike had forgotten to bring golf balls and asked someone where the nearest golf shop was so he could buy some. The person, unfortunately unknown but deserving of a many thanks from us, said, “There’s no golf shop here. You’ll have to go back to Las Vegas, up to St. George or buy ‘em in the pro-shop.”
Eureka! That was it! Mike immediately called me from his cool new Motorola flip-phone and said, “I know what we’re going to do! We’re going to open a golf shop!”
Now, I didn’t know how to play golf at the time, but I certainly had retail in my background, having managed a clothing store years earlier in Southern California. And Mike had helped run his father’s lighting stores in Hawaii. That’s all we need to know, right? “Let’s do it!” I said.
We set to work on a business plan, and in July of 2008 we opened our doors.
Fast-forward five-and-a-half years and our cell phones are mini touch screen computers and I know how to golf. But, more to the point, we’re still going strong with our business and loving our home in Mesquite.
Ready Golf & Gear was and still is a full-service golf store. We offer over 5000 square feet of all the latest in golf equipment and accessories. Our Full Swing Golf Simulator enables you to demo pretty much any equipment we have in stock. We have a huge apparel section with ladies’ sizes from 2-18, and we have shoes, shoes and more shoes. We offer onsite club repair and same-day re-gripping. And we have golf balls!
In 2011, we added an outdoor gear section to our store that offers packs, hydration systems, boots and shoes, walking sticks and trekking poles, apparel and area books and maps. Everything you need for day hiking or ATVing in the area or taking a trip to one of the many parks close by.
In 2013, we became a factory authorized E-Z-GO Golf Car Dealer. We believe E-Z-GO builds a superior golf car (yes car, I’m told, is the correct terminology) and we’ve sold quite a few to date. They come in great colors, like Inferno Red and British Racing Green, and they are quite fast, topping out at 23 miles per hour with bigger rims and tires. Mike can completely customize a customer’s car to suit their needs, from custom enclosures and fancy steering wheels to beautifully upholstered seats and rearview mirrors.
Besides all the great items we carry and services we offer, just as importantly you will find a great staff that is friendly and knowledgeable. We all just try to have a great time every day while making sure our customers are happy and taken care of. Mike and I invite golf enthusiasts to stop by Ready Golf in Mesquite and take a look around. You won’t be disappointed.
