The 44th PGA Merchandise show, which ran from Friday
through Monday, set records with 1,300 exhibitors, over
48,000 people in attendance and over $1.3B in sales over
four days (Vartan Kupelian, DETROIT NEWS, 1/28). A sampling
of some of the show's news:
WILSON: Wilson launched an entire lineup of new
products including Staff Fat Shaft irons and the Staff
Titanium Balata ball. Wilson President Jim Baugh: "We're
starting a whole new Wilson and we're starting with product.
... We haven't utilized the Wilson name as we should have
and as we will in the future" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/28).
MACGREGOR: MacGregor's "Centennial Trade-In Promotion"
offers golfers the chance to trade in a set of used irons
toward the purchase of a new set of MacGregor VIP Oversize
Plus irons, and receive either a $100 cash rebate or two
additional VIP irons. The used clubs will be donated to
inner-city and school junior golf programs. The promotions
will be supported by a national ad campaign, direct mail,
in-store ads, sales launch kits for retailers and PR efforts
in key golf markets (MacGregor Golf).
TAYLOR MADE: Taylor Made released their Titanium Bubble
2 Driver with a recommended retail price of $589 (iGOLF).
SLAZENGER: Slazenger Golf USA introduced a new logo
with a "sleeker, more contemporary appearance" for its
Panther. They also unveiled three improved golf balls and
new packaging featuring the updated panther logo (iGOLF).
GOLDWIN GOLF: "While the giants of the industry
garnered the lion's share of attention during the first day
of the PGA show," Goldwin Golf, "an upstart company, made a
splash of their own," according to Bill Binenstock on iGOLF.
Goldwin Golf, with premium club designs that are "showy and
technologically sophisticated," signed Nick Price to a six-
year deal. Price will play Goldwin's AVDP brand driver,
fairway wood and certain irons (iGOLF). Goldwin also
unveiled irons and woods geared towards seniors (PGA.COM).
BITE GOLF PRODUCTS: One of the "brightest young
companies displaying its wares" at the show was S.F.-based
designer and manufacturer of alternative golf shoes, Bite
Golf Products. Bite Golf's four models; "Neo-Conservative,"
"Utility," "Sport" and Sandals. Suggested price is $69.95
for sandals, $89.95 for shoes (iGOLF).
PEPSI/THE GOLF CHANNEL: The first 1,000 PGA
professionals who convert their facilities to Pepsi products
can receive a free Echostar satellite dish and a one-year
subscription to The Golf Channel as part of a partnership
between Pepsi and The Golf Channel (PGA.COM).
OTHER GOLF NEWS: Nike's role in golf is profiled by
Adam Barr in GOLFWEEK. Nike Golf Division's Bob Rief: "I
don't know if we're seizing the moment, but we're
acknowledging the moment. We need to grow the (golf)
business and get some of that new share. ... We make
innovative product, attach big-name athletes to it, and
market the hell out of it." GOLFWEEK's Barr notes Nike
"plans a major role" in the newly formed Tiger Woods
Foundation, set up by Woods and his father, Earl, which
gives urban youth access to the game (GOLFWEEK, 1/25).
...PGA Tour players are "seeing their once-lucrative
equipment contracts drying up," according to USA TODAY's
Steve Hershey. Bob Hope Classic winner John Cook and Fred
Funk, 21st on last year's money list, are among players
without club contracts. Wilson Dir of Tour Operations Mike
Boylan: "I can only afford three players now. My budget
hasn't gone up, and it costs a lot more for a player now."
Hershey: "Not so long ago players were reluctant to switch
from clubs they were successful with. Now they feel they
can play well with any equipment, so they go where they can
get the best deal -- if they can get one" (USA TODAY, 1/28).
