March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 39 F

Annapolis designer wins PGA Merchandise’s award for “Best New Product”

Kaeli Smith, a 26-year-old Annapolis, Md.-based designer and entrepreneur, received the “Best New Product of the Year” honor at the recent 65th Annual PGA Merchandise Show. This premier trade event attracts more than 44,000 golf industry professionals and 1,110 exhibitors from 70 countries.

Her firm, Kaeli Smith & Company, debuted custom artistic prints that can be replicated on a variety of apparel and accessories offered by golf courses, pro shops, resorts and boutiques. Smith personally works with clients to create each print as an original work of art that captures the unique natural landscape, icons and architectural details of a particular property. Her company then creates products including dresses, tops, outerwear, tote bags, staff uniforms, towels, gifts and fundraising premiums, all manufactured in the United States.

Buyers from top golf courses around the world voted for Smith. “It’s really amazing to receive such a prestigious honor, especially when competing against so many larger, established brands,” Smith said. “People are very passionate about the beauty and experience of their golf course, and our designs really capture the essence of the places they love.”

The PGA Merchandise Show focuses on innovations and products for every aspect of the industry — equipment, apparel, electronics, golf instruction, course maintenance, professional development and more. It features products from top golf brands, including Callaway, Adidas, Titleist, Under Armour and Puma—and appearances from professional tour players and instructors, such as John Daly, Luke Donald, Annika Sorenstam and Greg Norman.

Smith has already created custom collections for many top-tier golf clubs, including Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla.; Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.; Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla.; PGA West in La Quinta, Calif.; Pinehurst in N.C; The Greenbrier in W. Va.; the Monterey Bay Invitational in Pebble Beach, Calif., and many more. Example custom prints can be viewed at https://simplebooklet.com/kaelismithcustom.

Smith’s custom designs are not limited to golf. They are also created for resort destinations, better specialty boutiques and gift stores, sororities, schools and philanthropic organizations. Every print is an original work of art.

Smith and her father, Andy Smith, founded Kaeli Smith & Company in 2016, shortly after Kaeli’s graduation from the University of Delaware.

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