Tony Whelan has returned to Rain Bird’s Golf Division as its new international sales manager.
In his new role, Whelan will use his significant sales and distribution experience to work closely with Rain Bird Golf’s international business managers and sales managers to grow golf sales in international markets outside of Europe and Canada.
Whelan first joined Rain Bird International in Canada in 1997 and worked in a variety of positions in that country, eventually becoming regional manager for Rain Bird’s Canadian Landscape Division. Whelan and his family relocated to Rain Bird’s Tucson, Arizona offices in 2005 where he worked with Landscape Division teams to grow international sales. In 2008, he joined the Golf Division as a golf specification manager.
Whelan left Rain Bird in 2012, but stayed in the golf industry in a leadership role with Jacobsen mowers. He also led channel expansion and development initiatives with MTD Products, focusing on outdoor power equipment dealerships and the landscape contractor market.
“We’re extremely pleased to welcome Tony back to the Rain Bird family,” said Stuart Hackwell, director of Rain Bird’s Golf Strategic Business Unit. “We’re already familiar with his many strengths and his in-depth knowledge of the golf market, and he’s only increased his expertise over the past few years. We expect him to be a great addition to our team as we expand Rain Bird Golf’s presence worldwide.”