In Baltimore, Jeff Barker noted Jordan Spieth will debut his first Under Armour signature shoe on a "four-city tour that will include stops" in Tokyo (Jan. 17) and South Korea (Jan. 19), where UA is opening its "first brand house in the region." Spieth will also stop in L.A. (Feb. 13) and Mexico City (Feb. 28). UA is making the Spieth One "available for purchase on March 1 on UA.com and at select brand houses." Spieth has been working with UA on the shoe for "some time" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 1/11).
IN THE BAG: Callaway Golf yesterday said that it has "acquired" Utah-based backpack and golf bag designer Ogio for $75.5M in cash. In San Diego, Mike Freeman notes the move gives Callaway an "avenue for growth beyond golf clubs and balls." Ogio "focuses on athletic gear not only for golf but also motocross, triathlon, fitness and travel markets." Its backpacks are "common gifts for college football players at bowl games." Ogio sponsors a "handful of mostly up and coming athletes" in golf and motocross (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/12).
BACK TO THE OLD WAYS: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Rex Hoggard noted Harris English at this week's PGA Tour Sony Open is making an equipment switch to Ping. English said, "I was switching up clothes and wanted to have freedom over what I wanted to play. It's something I grew up with, I started playing Ping equipment when I was 10 or 11 years old, so you get used to it." Hoggard noted English "signed a new clothing endorsement deal with Nike golf, which freed him up to go back to Ping" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/10).
DRESS TO IMPRESS: Izod has partnered with Scott Piercy and David Lingmerth, and both golfers will wear the brand's apparel on-course at this week's Sony Open. The players also will contribute to future product design and development. Piercy and Lingmerth will wear the complete Izod Golf line, consisting of shirts, pants, belts and socks. They will also be featured across Izod's website and social media channels (Izod).
