Over the past 14 months, Titleist has "quietly assembled"
five of the industry's "acknowledged best and brightest talents"
for its development staff -- and they're after a sixth, according
to GOLFWEEK. After the addition of "putter guru" Scotty Cameron
in January '95, Titleist brought on R&D Dir Chris McGinley, iron
and wedge expert Larry Bobka, and metalwoods experts Kevin Haglof
and Terry McCabe. Titleist is now negotiating with shaft expert
Jeff Meyer. Titleist and Foot-Joy Worldwide Chair & CEO Wally
Uihlein, on the additions: "This can be traced to the Cobra
acquisition by American Brands and the general repositioning of
the Titleist franchise. We don't want to be chasers of the
volume business" (Adam Barr, GOLFWEEK, 4/6 issue).
GOLF NOTES: The WALL STREET JOURNAL had a 20-page
advertising supplement for The Masters (WALL STREET JOURNAL,
4/10)....On Monday, the GA Chamber of Commerce launched its 37th
annual Red Carpet Tour, which will use both the Masters and the
'96 Games to lure new investment (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
4/9)....Etonic Inc. said its bookings for golf shoes between
January 1 and March 15 were up 20% over last year (GOLFWEEK, 4/6
issue)....Scottsdale, AZ-based apparel manufacturer Antigua has
renewed its license with NBC Sports. For the fourth year,
Antigua will offer NBC Sports-logoed merchandise and provide
clothing for on-air personnel during NBC's coverage of pro golf
events (GOLF WORLD, 4/5 issue)....O'Doul's is placing "Scratch
Golf" cards in 12-packs between April and June. Prizes include
Etonic golf shoes, Top-Flite golf balls and a trip to the PGA's
'97 Phoenix Open (ADVERTISING AGE, 4/8 issue)....The 3DO Company
yesterday announced it has signed a worldwide exclusive agreement
with John Daly to make interactive golf titles for multiple game
platforms, including personal computers (3DO).
