Student
Recently Accepted Merchandise Product Development Student Wants to Create Stylish Golf Wear for Women
This fall, Oklahoma City native Morgan Kropp, who has a degree in General Studies from the University of Oklahoma where she cheered for four years and was captain during her senior year, will start the Merchandise Product Development Professional Designation Program at FIDM Los Angeles this fall. Morgan currently works as a Buyer for the Tamarisk Country Club golf pro shop in Rancho Mirage, California, and is a caddy for her husband, professional golfer Will Kropp.
When did you develop an interest in fashion? Clothes have always been my thing. Even as a little girl I asked for clothes over toys. I loved the feel of different fabrics, the excitement of patterns, and the variety of colors. For me, play was creating outfits and this has continued to this day. I love matching my mood, personality, and lifestyle with something from my closet.
Tell us about your cheerleading career at University of Oklahoma. My childhood dream was to be an OU Cheerleader after I got the opportunity to go on the field and do a stunt with one of the cheerleaders when I was eight. It was such a memorable moment that shaped the next 10 years of my life as I became focused and dedicated to becoming the best student and cheerleader so I could achieve my goal of being a member of the cheerleading squad at the University of Oklahoma.
What type of work did you do after graduation? After graduation, I worked for a company doing in-home diagnostic testing with a focus in home video monitored EEG testing. I also worked as a medical sales representative before I left the corporate world to become a traveling tour caddy for my husband [professional golfer Will Kropp]. For the first four years after college, I worked in the corporate world while he traveled to Latin America and Canada playing professional golf 28 to 34 weeks a year. Once we married in 2017, we decided to make golf a family business so we could be together full-time.
In addition to caddying, we hear you drive him on tour in a RV. I’m the lead driver of our 44-foot traveling home, but mainly by default because I get car sick as a passenger. Before I met Will, my golf knowledge and experience was zero. I knew golf was a game you played with a club and a white ball but that’s it. Here I am 10 years and many, many, many rounds of golf later, and I suspect I’m one of the most knowledgeable non-golfers around!
You've worked as a buyer for a golf shop at a country club as well. Before moving to California, I worked at Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as the Lead Merchandiser and Buyer for the pro shop. I will be forever grateful to Ryan Rody, who was the Head Golf Pro, who gave me the opportunity to learn and grow in the golf industry. Currently, I am the Buyer for the Tamarisk Country Club golf pro shop in Rancho Mirage, California where I can expand my knowledge and experience in the field.
When did you notice an industry need for women’s golf apparel? When I was working at Gaillardia Country Club I was encouraged to wear golf attire to work and was given a very liberal discount to purchase things. With so much to choose from, I surprisingly had a terrible time finding outfits in which I could take myself seriously. I felt oddly old and dated. Since then, the choices have gotten better, but there is still a great deal of room for growth for stylish, comfortable, affordable golf attire that can be worn on and off the links.
What made you want to attend FIDM? After one full year on the road, we landed in California and fell in love with the Golden State. Once we decided to plant some roots, I was excited to explore opportunities to expand my knowledge in fashion and product development. Serendipitously, I stumbled on a FIDM Instagram ad and it seemed like the perfect universal sign that FIDM was where I needed to be. Once I attended the campus and spoke to people, I was sold and knew this was my future.
What are your career goals post-FIDM? My career goal post-FIDM would be to have a successful country club line of womenswear that is stylish and comfortable on and off the links. I want to be the preferred line in the top pro shops around the world so women can feel and look their best playing the sport they love. I believe who you surround yourself with has a lot to do with how successful you become in anything you do. I hope that when I leave FIDM I have a community of amazing teachers and friends and the skills and knowledge to accomplish my goals.
Keep up with Morgan on Instagram @morgkropp.
Categories: Merchandise Product Development Student
