As it rained yesterday at Oakland Hills Country Club, site
of this weekend's U.S. Open, members of the gallery "sought
refuge" in the merchandise tent behind the first green, and
"business was boffo," according to the DETROIT NEWS. One
merchandise tent official said, "They bought in buckets."
Tournament officials expect to sell between $5M-6M worth of
merchandise this weekend, with 80% gone by Saturday. ... Among
the perks for players participating in the U.S. Open: free use
of a Mercury Marquis from Hertz, day care for children, and
"parties all over" for players and their families. ... Companies
with manufacturer reps at this year's U.S. Open: Taylor Made,
Mizuno, Founders Club, Callaway and True Temper (DETROIT NEWS,
6/13).
OTHER NEWS: According to papers filed with the SEC, Jack
Nicklaus' Golden Bear Inc. will hold a $27M public offering
within the next two months. The company will trade under the
ticker name "JACK" ("Moneyline," CNN, 6/12)....The Ponte Vedra
Beach, FL-based World Golf Village Board of Directors has
formally approved Ruffin Beckwith as Exec Dir and CEO.
Construction is set to begin this summer on the facility (World
Golf Village)....Tiger Woods was profiled in the ORANGE COUNTY
REGISTER. When asked how much Woods stands to make in
endorsements when he turns pro, Pro Inc. President Vinny Giles,
said, "Five million a year for five years" (ORANGE COUNTY
REGISTER, 6/12).
