The Iredell County furniture maker whose rocking chairs line the atrium of Charlotte Douglas International Airport is showing off its wares this week on a new stage: the U.S. Open. The U.S. Golf Association purchased 600 classic white rocking chairs – as well as 250 tables – from Troutman Chair Co., owned by Champ Land and his wife, Jean. The furniture is spread across the 44 front porches that adorn the corporate tents at the golf tournament, underway this week in Pinehurst. “We wanted to have all of our guests really experience Southern hospitality,” said John Palacioz, operations manager of the golf association. “Having these white rocking chairs and side tables truly speaks to what Southern hospitality is all about.” The spotlight is brighter than ever on this year’s golf venue, as the men’s and women’s tournaments are taking place back-to-back on the same course for the first time. More than 400,000 people are expected in Pinehurst this week and next for the two events, said Caleb Miles, executive director of the area’s convention and visitor’s bureau.
For Champ Land, the chance to furnish such a large event means more exposure for his 90-year-old company, which employs 25. “When you get an order like that, that you’re going to get noticed for, it’s always nice,” said Land, who bought the company in 1999. “If you make the best product and you’re small, you just need for more people to know that.” At a time when much furniture production has moved overseas, Troutman’s chairs are North Carolina-made. “That’s the reason they picked us,” Land said. Local loggers supply the company with massive oak logs, which are then milled on-site at Troutman Co. Employees assemble each piece by hand, avoiding glue and relying instead on the wood’s own moisture to keep the pieces together. One post will swell while another shrinks, making for a sturdy bind. “This is a chair that’s gonna last,” Land said. He said the U.S. Open order came in two parts. First, in January, the golf association asked for 500.
By Memorial Day, they wanted 100 more. “Then it was just a matter of booking out production,” he said. But Land wasn’t worried. The 600-chair order was large but doable – “not a week’s production” for a company that produces more than 25,000 rockers each year. Once the wood is prepared, Land said the chairs – lauded for their double-scooped seats – can be put together in as little as 30 minutes. No stranger to big orders Troutman’s rockers have graced Charlotte’s airport since 2007, when the airport purchased 100 to replace rocking chairs from another vendor. Another hundred were added before the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Recently, though, Land said times have been tough for his company, a small business trying to sell high-end products in a slow economy. As a wholesale retailer, Land’s focus is on selling to smaller furniture retailers, “and some of those people’s doors are not open,” he said. Depending on the retailer, his classic chair can sell from a little above $100 to more than $300.
“I don’t think anybody that’s in business is saying things are booming,” he said, but he added that sales have been up about 3 percent so far this year. As far as rocking chairs at the U.S. Open, Land says the combination makes perfect sense. Rockers, after all, bring relaxation. On that subject, Land likes to quote British golfer Harry Vardon: “For this game, it’s absolutely essential that you have a tranquil mind.”Jack Post White Childrens Rocking Chair KN10W Economy Ground & Express Shipping available. Click on image to zoom Classic porch rocker design. Kiln-dried hardwoods with white gloss finish. The rocker is 14 1/2" wide, 18 1/2" deep and 22" high Great for outdoor or indoor use best value Review by buster in researching my purchase, I found, not only similar items, but the same item, at much higher cost. Upon arrival of my order, I assembled the rocker, and found it to be easily assembled, and very sturdy.
I recommend this item over the more expensive selections available through other merchants. Great little chair for toddlers up Review by Becky Quick delivery, easy to,assemble, good chair A great child's rocker Review by Emma's Grammy This rocking chair was just what we were looking for for our granddaughter for Christmas. Great quality at an excellent price. Quick and easy to assemble. Very Happy I purchased this! Review by Mona Belcher My order came very fast. It was easy to assemble and is very sturdy. I love the look of the rocking chair and I know that my granddaughter will love it when she opens it on Christmas. Good chair for the price Review by Dan Good chair for the price Good quality, Great price. Bought this rocker to make a baby shower present. Very easy to put together and nice and sturdy when done. Stenciled her name on it and made a diaper cake with a tutu to sit in it and turned out adorable. Would recommend to anyone looking for a reasonably priced rocker of good quality.
Great product great price Review by GeGe Delivery was great didn't expect it til Christmas Eve and it came a day early. It was easy for my husband to put together. It is the cutest thing. I was very pleased with the quality of the chair for that price. This was a Christmas present for our granddaughter. This will be her special chair at PaPa and GeGe's house. She is 17 months old and she now has somewhere to sit that she doesn't have to climb into she can just sit down in it. Not as pictured Review by Susan The chairs in the picture have 8 slats, portraying a solid seat, the ones shipped have only 6 slats and are spread about 1/2 an inch apart...this makes it look like a much cheaper chair once you assemble it. Very disappointed, but the company took care of it and sent a return label. Now I just need to find some more chairs!Review by Jack Post rocking chair The white rocking chair is adorable. It is well-made and looks great. I am sure she will outgrow the rocker before anything would happen to it.
Sweet Little Chairs Review by Jennifer leaf I needed two chairs for my little twin grandsons' first Christmas and I didn't have a tremendous amount to spend - since I had to buy two of them. When I received them I was so pleased with the ease they were put together and the quality of the chairs. I just love them. I can't wait for them to sit in them! Great quality for a great price Review by Bess Great quality for a great price. Service was great and delivery was speedy. My 2 yr old loves it! We had just gotten back from vacation in the Smokey Mountains where we rented a cabin who had these types of chairs on our balcony. The kids couldn't wait to come back home to sit in them so we thought they needed their own for home. We received our items quicker than expected, they were easy to assemble and the kids just loved them! Thank you for making their day! shipping Review by Avelar The shipping is not made out to be all true. It took nine days to get my package.
Excellent Review by Kate Great value & prosuxt great product Review by kids rocking chair Easy to put together, good quality! My 3 year old loves it Loved ♡ Rocking chair was perfect! This rocking chair was a gift to my granddaughter for her 1st birthday. It was absolutely perfect! We had one that we passed down & around in my family, it was mine as a child & then my daughters & after loaned for a cousin to use, I wasn't able to get it back. I was soo very pleased with this rocking chair. It is very similar to the one we had as a child. Wonderful Review by Grandma Easy to put together Great quality Just a little large for a one year old so she needs a little help but loves it A nice chair Review by Debbie Lines Nice little chair for the price and I received this in just a couple of days.Giving to my granddaughter today for her 1st birthday and it will be perfect for her. Great Chair Review by ejb This chair is a great buy for the price and quality!
I would recommend this over any other product like it. Great Little Chair Review by Patrick M Easy to put together and our kids love it (2 and 4) Just wish it were made in USA and it would be perfect Great stuff Review by SmacTimely, fair price, and speedy shipping Best Price Online Review by Michelle Best price online for a child's rocking chair. Great quality and arrived within a few days of ordering. Also, it was very easy to put together. Great size for my 17-month old daughter. This chair was listed more reasonably on this site than through any other. I cannot speak to quality as it is a Christmas gift and haven't put it together yet. item looks wonderful Review by Rosemary price was best arouind Excellent Review by Carol child rocking chair Review by Ann JonesExpect to have years of use by grandchildren. Poor Finish Review by the Big R The Back (facing you) of the chair, could have used some sanding to even out the wood, so the surface would be smooth The painting of the chair, some spots not covered.