The Callaway Golf Experience was featured in the cover
story by Lynn Henning in this week's GOLFWEEK. Walt Disney
World in Orlando, FL, and the Pebble Beach Resorts have been
selected as sites for the "high-tech, game evaluation
centers." At the venues, Callaway will not direct-sell
equipment, but the "company will work in conjunction with a
golfer's local retailer in placing and delivering an order
for clubs." Callaway is also hoping to use golfers and
accumulated data from the sites as part of its release of a
new golf ball in late '98 or early '99 (GOLFWEEK, 2/8).
GETTING UP AND DOWN: Mark O'Meara was the first PGA
Tour player using Top Flite's Strata Tour ball, now there
are "about" 35 tour players using it, according to Jerry
Potter of USA TODAY. Total sales of the ball are nearing
$20M. Joe Henley, Top Flite Dir of Marketing & Development,
on O'Meara: "He's not a flashy guy, but other players view
him as a leader" (USA TODAY, 2/12)....U.S. NEWS & WORLD
REPORT looked at GolfWatch's luxury viewing under the header
"Tiger, Would You Pass The Pate Please." David Dorman, CEO
of Pacific Bell, which bought ten tickets to the Nissan Open
for $1,500 each, on GolfWatch: "We have a lot of customers
who like to attend golf events" (U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT,
2/17 issue)....Nick Faldo has signed an endorsement deal
with the Florsheim Group Inc. to develop a golf shoe. Under
the agreement, Faldo will wear Florsheim Frogs golf shoes
(Florsheim)....Gary Player Golf Equipment, Inc. has a long
term marketing deal in conjunction with Golf One Industries,
Inc., for the direct marketing of a new line of Gary Player
clubs (Gary Player Golf Equipment)....PGA Tour Pro Charlie
Rymer has joined Cleveland Golf and will use Cleveland's
VAS+ Irons and VAS Titanium Driver. In addition, Rymer will
carry a "Cleveland Golf" staff bag and wear the company's
apparel during his tournament play (Cleveland Golf).
