In the wake of NJ-based U.S. Industries' (USI) sale of
Odyssey Sports to Callaway Golf for $130M last week, George
Lazarus of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE questions "who and when will
somebody gobble up Tommy Armour Golf Co.," also owned by
USI. A USI spokesperson told Lazarus that Tommy Armour
employees "are aware that if the 'price is right' ... the
golf company will be sold to maximize shareholder value for
the parent." Lazarus adds that Tommy Armour "will probably
wind up with a group of private investors or a company
outside the golf business" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/23).
OLDS TAGS RYDER CUP: Oldsmobile is implementing "its
largest integrated advertising and marketing promotion ever"
on August 1, tied to the Ryder Cup, according to Jean
Halliday of AD AGE. The effort is part of the GM unit's
"ongoing effort to shed its stodgy image and attract younger
consumers." The promo, called "Bringing Home the Cup,"
features a sweeps and free commemorative Ryder Cup golf
balls for test-driving an Olds. The promo, including ads,
was handled by Frankel & Co., Chicago (AD AGE, 7/21).
TEE'D OFF: Beginning August 1, Titleist/Foot-Joy unit
Pinnacle will launch the "Pinnacle Extreme $1 Million Long
Drive Sweepstakes" to promote its golf balls. The promo,
with entries on boxes of Pinnacle balls, runs until October
3, with a winner awarded a trip to the CasaBlanca Resort in
NV, and a tee shot for $1M during the Re/Max North American
Long Drive Championship October 25 (BRANDWEEK, 7/21 issue).
GOLF NOTES: Ralph Lauren's Polo Golf took out a full-
page ad in USA TODAY congratulating endorser Justin Leonard
on his British Open win (USA TODAY, 7/23)....IL-based Ram
Golf is profiled by the CHICAGO TRIBUNE's Teddy Greenstein
under the header "Small Is Beautiful For Ram." Greenstein:
"Most companies would sell their soul to join the industry's
'Big Four' ... but Ram is content to operate on a smaller
scale with its 150 employees" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/23).
...GOLFWEEK's "The Forecaddie" reports that Earl Woods,
Tiger Woods' father, has removed Tiger Woods Foundation Exec
Director Paul Fregia because he "alienated some corporate
sponsors of Woods Foundation activities and had a falling
out with the elder Woods." He is succeeded by Joe Grant, a
Woods family friend and OH insurance agent (GOLFWEEK, 7/19).
