In ESPN's "Cover Story" last night, Jimmy Roberts examined
the escalating "arms race" in golf: the costs, technology, and
planning that go into the "simple act of hitting a golf ball."
Roberts: "In the last quarter century, the number of Americans
who play golf has grown by 117%. Last year, in this country,
24.3 million people teed it up." He notes golfers, in the
pursuit to improve, have created an industry "as big as a John
Daly drive" with an "estimated $4B a year" spent on equipment
alone. Roberts said one golf industry exec said manufacturers
are "selling something, but most of all what they're selling is
hope." Roberts focused on the PGA Merchandise Show in January,
showing such brands as Cleveland Golf, Titleist, Nicklaus Air
Bear, Callaway, Taylor Made, Wilson, Ping, Cobra, Lynx, and Top
Flite. As a follow-up, Bob Ley noted Americans spent more last
year on golf equipment than on any other sport, adding, "The
science of golf is a spiral of serious money, not unlike the arms
race back during the cold war." Ley then noted the recent
acquisition of Cobra Golf by American Brands -- "the largest sale
in American sports equipment history, $700 million"
("SportsCenter," 2/27).
INDUSTRY NEWS: A Michael Jordan golf boutique is being
planned to occupy 1,200 square feet in Chicago's Water Tower
Place. GOLFWEEK notes the store will be stocked with Wilson
equipment and Nike Golf shoes and apparel (GOLFWEEK, 2/24
issue)....With Wilson Sporting Goods President and CEO John
Riccitiello having stepped down, insiders say not to expect
immediate changes at Wilson Golf (GOLF WORLD, 2/23 issue).
