VA-based Pros Inc., the agency headed by Vinny Giles,
is "the favorite to win the Matt Kuchar sweepstakes,"
according to GOLFWEEK. Kuchar's father, Peter, said Giles,
whose clients include Justin Leonard and Davis Love III, is
"really nice. He has a good stable of people, and he fits
Matt's image." But Peter Kuchar added that he "isn't
convinced" his son needs traditional representation, saying
"If he gets a million-dollar deal and an agent takes 20
percent -- that's 200 grand. What justifies 200 grand? You
can hire a really, really good attorney for 200 bucks an
hour and get that guy for 1,000 hours" (GOLFWEEK, 7/25).
PAK MANIA: At this weekend's du Maurier Classic in
Ontario, Se Ri Pak attempts to become the first woman since
'86 to win three major championships in one year, and the
first rookie ever to accomplish the feat. In N.Y., Clifton
Brown reports that more than 500 media credentials have been
issued for the event, 300 above last year's demand. South
Korean media members were issued 76 credentials. Brown:
"Welcome to Pakmania" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30). GOLFWEEK reports
that Pak currently plays Callaway clubs, Maxfli balls and
wears Nike shoes "but isn't paid to endorse any of the
companies." Although there has been some "confusion" over
her representation, companies are speaking with Pak. A
Maxfli spokesperson said the company "expects to resume"
talks with her within the next two weeks, and Callaway reps
met with Pak during the U.S. Women's Open. A Nike
spokesperson "knew of no negotiations under way with Pak."
Any new deals would add to the $600,000 per-year, ten-year
deal she signed in '96 with Samsung (GOLFWEEK, 7/25 issue).
DU'IN IT IN CALGARY: The LPGA said that next year's du
Maurier Classic will be held at Priddis Greens Golf Club,
just south of Calgary, July 26-August 1 (CALGARY SUN, 7/30).
...PageNet signed a three-year deal to sponsor the LPGA Tour
Championship, November 19-22 in Las Vegas. The event, to air
on ABC, was originally sponsored by ITT (USA TODAY, 7/30).
TEE TIME FOR TOMMY? Tommy Hilfiger is "looking to enter
'Phase II'" of its expansion into the golf business, as the
clothing company hopes to see "improved sales coverage by
the brand, which ideally will lead to more accounts and a
growing presence with the brand's 1,600 existing accounts"
(GOLFWEEK, 7/25 issue)....Golf retailers are calling Nike's
Tiger Woods line "a flop." Henry Lange, VP/Sales for the
24-store golf retail chain Somerton Springs, said that the
chain "does not intend to reorder" the line, and said "It's
done terrible. Dismal. Double dismal" (GOLFWEEK, 7/25).
