Top-Flite's release of a new ball specifically made for
Big Bertha and Ti Bubble 2 drivers "essentially co-opted
rivals Callaway and Taylor Made in releasing their new lines
of balls," according to Lynn Henning of GOLFWEEK. Henning
calls Top-Flite's intro "of a ball made for competitors' ...
as stunning as it was controversial." Callaway and Taylor
Made execs, "caught flat-footed by Top-Flite's bit of
marketing derring-do, generally dismissed the new ball and
hinted that legal challenges were at least being
considered." While some industry execs "questioned the
wisdom of marketing a ball for competitors' clubs," Top-
Flite says it was "simply dealing with marketing reality"
since 65% of American golfers carry clubs made by either
Taylor Made or Callaway (GOLFWEEK, 2/7 issue).
DEALS: Raycom Sports reached agreement with Southern
Living Magazine to be a presenting sponsor of the Robert
Trent Jones Golf Trail LPGA Tournament of Champions, October
8-11, in AL. Southern Living will produce a special section
in its October issue dedicated to the event (Raycom)....
Pepsi was named the official soft drink of Golden Bear Golf,
receiving exclusive pouring rights at all Golden Bear
facilities. Pepsi will also conduct consumer traffic-
driving promos at Golden Bear Golf Centers (Golden Bear)....
Maxfli Golf has appointed J. Walter Thompson as its new ad
agency of record responsible for all creative and media
assignments for Maxfli and Dunlop golf balls and Maxfli golf
equipment (Maxfli)....The Arizona Republic and Scottsdale
Insurance have created a $1.3M bonus for Laura Davies -- $1M
of which would go to charity -- if she wins the Standard
Register Ping tournament, March 19-22. She is looking to
win her fifth straight Ping title (USA TODAY, 2/11).
