ADWEEK's David Griner notes yelling “Dilly Dilly” has reportedly been banned at The Masters, but Bud Light "isn’t backing down from a fight." The brand has "fired back" at the reports by "tweeting out a response from its fictional king." The character in the tweet says, "I have instructed my royal tailors to make 1,000 Dilly Dilly shirts that shall be delivered to Georgia in time for the festivities" (ADWEEK.com, 4/4).
LIVE MAS: In Columbia, Bob Spear noted after golfer Wesley Bryan won his first PGA Tour tournament in '17, a selfie with his wife at a celebratory victory meal at Taco Bell "went viral and led to his becoming perhaps the restaurant chain’s most visible spokesman." Bryan noted, “I’m wearing a Taco Bell belt and play with Taco Bell (logoed) golf balls.” Bryan also "loves to cook and experiment with various combinations at home" and had the "opportunity to visit Taco Bell’s test kitchen and came up with a recipe for the company’s future consideration" (Columbia STATE, 4/1).
GIFT SHOP: In Atlanta, Steve Hummer noted the "dirty little secret about the Masters" is that it is "actually a one-week Walmart with a golf tournament attached. ... With slightly pricier stuff." That is true "more so this year than any other with the opening of the new and expanded main golf shop." Judging by the "line of people there the first thing Monday morning," the shop is "already in need of expansion" again (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/3).
GAINING TRACTION: In Richmond, Tim Pearrell notes the LPGA Kingsmill Championship, which "signed a three-year extension" with the LPGA last summer, has "added GEICO as a presenting sponsor." While the tournament is still "seeking a title sponsor, the addition of a presenting sponsor would seem to be a step in the right direction after the future of the tournament was uncertain" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 4/4).
BOTTOM DOLLAR: GOLF DIGEST's Mike Stachura noted German discount supermarket chain Lidl -- which has several dozen stores in the U.S.-- has "unveiled a lineup of golf products that includes its own private label golf balls, tees, golf bags, golf carts, putters and golf apparel" that come at "bargain prices." The golf products will "go under Lidl’s Crivit brand, which also includes fitness and cycling items." Crivit also "sponsors a pro cycling team." Lidl has "no plans at the moment to pursue sponsorship opportunities in golf" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 4/3).
