SPIKE COMPANY BACK FOR 13TH YEAR

CHAMP/MacNeill Engineering, The World Leader in Sport Cleat Technology® extends its well established partnership with the Symetra Tour, entering its 13th straight year as an official sponsor of the now-Symetra Futures Tour.

CHAMP will also continue its designation as the Official Golf Spike of the Tour and remains the No. 1 brand used among Symetra Tour professionals.

“We are pleased to have CHAMP, one of our longest-standing partners, continue their support for our Tour,” said Symetra Tour CEO Zayra Calderon. “Their spikes provide the perfect foundation for our players’ games and create great footing for their swings. Our players have consistently chosen their product while playing on the Symetra Tour and as they continue their careers on the LPGA.”

Symetra Tour players will be provided spikes at all domestic events in 2012. Additionally, pro-am participants at select events throughout the season will receive complimentary spike changes.

“We take significant pride in being a partner with the Symetra Tour and also being the No. 1 spike amongst the players,” said Jessica Georgenes, the CHAMP Marketing Manager/Tour Coordinator. “We know that the foundation of any golfer’s swing begins at the ground level and we provide that for the world’s top players.”

LAST CHAMP STANDING

CHAMP will also continue its added support of the Symetra Tour by sponsoring the player competition “Last CHAMP Standing.” The match play competition takes place over the last six weeks of the season and all eligible players, those who wear CHAMP spikes in official tournaments, will earn performancebased qualifying points in designated events and are seeded in a bracket contest.

Also, CHAMP will sponsor the year-end CHAMPions Reception which will follow the LPGA Tour Card ceremony at the Daytona Beach Invitational. A $2,500 prize will be awarded to the winner of the contest, while the runner-up will collect a $500 bonus.

ABOUT CHAMP

MacNeill Engineering Worldwide, owner of the CHAMP brand of athletic products, is the world’s foremost and largest designer and manufacturer of Traction Technology for athletic and industrial footwear. No company in the world has designed, engineered, or sold more athletic cleats.

MacNeill is The World Leader in Sport Cleat Technology and CHAMP spikes are the choice of some of the biggest names in the footwear and sporting goods industries, a testament to our long history of exceptional service and quality.

CHAMP spikes and custom MacNeill components are original equipment on footwear for adidas, Asics, ECCO, Etonic, Fila, FootJoy, Hi-Tec, New Balance, Nike, Puma, Reebok, Under Armour and many other brands around the world.

ABOUT SYMETRA TOUR

The Symetra Tour – Road to the LPGA, is the official developmental tour of the LPGA and enters its 32nd competitive season in 2012. With the support of its new umbrella sponsor, Symetra, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour.

2012 marks the first season that the top-10 money winners will receive full, equal status for the following season on the LPGA Tour. The 2012 schedule includes 16 tournaments with stops in 11 U.S. states and Mexico and a total purse of nearly $1.8 million. With more than 500 alumnae moving on to the LPGA, former Symetra Tour players have won a total of 362 LPGA titles, including 39 major championships.

Symetra Tour events have contributed more than $5 million to charitable organizations throughout the nation since 1989. Follow the Symetra Tour on the web at www.SymetraTour.com, Facebook.com/RoadtotheLPGA, Twitter.com/Road2LPGA, and YouTube.com/Road2LPGA.

For the past 11 years, the Capital Area’s Charlie Veeder has journeyed to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL to keep up with the latest news within the golf industry for his business – CV Golf.

“The first day is where you have a great opportunity to see, feel, and test in real conditions, the latest in technology advancements by the leading manufacturers in the golf business,” Veeder said. “You get hands-on experience with more than 80 golf equipment companies all in one place: the newest drivers, woods, irons, wedges, putters, balls, shafts, grips, club-fitting best practices, scoring clinics and instructional training aids and more.”

Veeder actually got interested in attending the PGA Merchandise Show from Jeff Glass and Mike Klimtzak, PGA instructors in Delmar he trained with years ago. They moved on, but Veeder decided to stay in the area, become an instructor and attends the show to update training, stay current and grow his business.

“This show is part of my business and livelihood,” Veeder said. “The show itself includes seminars, vendor presentations, new products, and educational information with the purpose of educating industry people to grow the game of golf. Many golfers get turned off because of overall expense, time to learn, and the pace of play. If the pace is a little quicker and we can make golf easier to learn and play, it’s a win-win situation.”

THE BEAR AND JUNIOR

Held at the Orange County Convention Center, its traditional location, the 59th annual show opened with World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus and former Major League Baseball great Ken Griffey Jr. joining PGA of America officials from Jan. 25-28. It featured more than 40,000 PGA professionals, manufacturing executives, VIP retailers and other industry leaders.

“The first year I went, I was purely astonished with the size and amount of vendors,” said Veeder. “I’ve never seen anything like that. The PGA is trying to find ways to grow the game of golf as we have lost golfers through a bad economy and the time consuming nature of the game.

“New prospective golfers often complain that the game is difficult to learn and time-consuming to play with five-to-six hour rounds being the norm,” said Veeder. “The PGA is working hard to improve the learning experience, trying to find ways to make golf more affordable, and looking at ways to improve overall pace of play. One idea being floated is shorter, 12-hole, golf courses and the PGA is working on a new marketing concept called Golf 2.0. Cost is the overriding factor for many individuals.”

TECHNOLOGY

In the area of golf equipment, there were a few new technological improvements. The major equipment companies have invested more efforts in the custom-fitting area of golf equipment with interchangeable shaft technology. Each OEM (Official Equipment Manufacturer) – like Ping, Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, Titleist – showcased club-fitting systems. Also, the USGA came out with new groove regulations for wedges which the industry has to phase into the new short game wedge products.

The show also included vendors with improved training and teaching – including new simple-to-use aids and improved software to analyze the golf swing, Veeder said. The new simulation equipment is more realistic and it provides instructors not only feedback on the swing, but shows ball flight, club head path, speed, ball speed and spin rates. A golfer can now train getting all the necessary feedback that the instructor and teacher need to improve the golfer’s performance in an efficient manner.

“Indoor golf simulation with simulators had a big presence as the new technology has also driven the cost down,” Veeder said.

Other technology centered on flexibility training, the mental game, and even a golfers overall diet to improve performance, he said.

“I also saw a lot of advancement in golf apparel,” Veeder said. “The clothing end is quite diverse with lighter, more comfortable materials. This year a company came out with something called ‘Barefoot Golf,’ a golf shoe that feels like you are barefoot, which helps the golfer to feel the ground beneath your feet, thus helping a person to remain stable and grounded when making a swing. If the materials keep developing, it will only get better for the golfer. It’s a tough economy and we need to grow the game in a multitude of ways.”

ABOUT CV GOLF

Veeder owns and operates CV Golf. He says he’s the only golf instruction expert in the Capital Area that uses the new patented T-Golf® Teaching System.

“The T-Golf® Teaching System was highlighted at this year’s 2012 PGA show as a new product as we are a technology partner with the PGA Center for Learning and Performance Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida,” he said. “We have been all through the six years of product testing and have found that T-Golf® allows us to teach the swing from a position of better balance.”

Veeder will showcase T-Golf® at the upcoming NYS Upstate Golf Expo in late March at the Saratoga City Center.
CV Golf is a full-service golf shop that offers year-round, affordably-priced, individual golf services at its indoor and outdoor facility, and custom club-fitting and repair. The indoor studio includes simulation and full video capability for a great golfer and instructor experience.

Veeder is also the instructor for the Galway Golf Club, Golf World Driving Range in Saratoga, and Town of Malta Community Center. He also works with Adaptive Golf with Sunnyview Hospital and two downstate VA Hospitals.
Check out his website by clicking here.

“I work with everybody and anybody,” said the club maker for 25 years and instructor for the past ten. “A lot of my business is word of mouth or comes from business trade shows. The season is short around here so I try to get in as much activity as I can.

“On the instruction end, you meet a multitude of people. Everyone’s makeup is different. That’s the fun part. I try to figure out the individual’s assets and build around that. You have to try and take the best of that person.”

Veeder graduated from Fonda-Fultonville High School where he played golf in his junior and senior years. Then it was on to SUNY-Cobleskill for two more years and more golf. He earned a Business Administration and Economics in Finance degree from Empire State College through home study.

Besides his “side job”, Veeder works for Glens Falls National Bank. So when does he have time to play?

“I get to hit balls everyday in my studio,” he said. “Last year, I got to play 12 times in the summer. I like to play at least a couple of times per week if possible. I do a winter program for students starting in January and that runs through March. A golfer can improve dramatically by practicing at home 15-20 minutes a day by working on their golf game fundamentals, grip, posture, the mental part, etc.”

RULEGOLF’S BETTER TOOLS FOR A SHARPER GAME

rulegolf, a leading innovator of quality golf accessories, announced the successful debut of its new, revolutionary “rulefourteen invisibrush T” golf towel at the PGA Merchandise Show, January 26-28 in Orlando, FL.

“Consumers absolutely loved our new rulefourteen towel, and retailers discovered it to be a much better value for their customers.” said Joe Borgenicht, invisibrushT inventor and rulegolf owner. “Our customers told us that rather than spending $50 for a wet or dry golf towel and golf club brush combination that could scratch clubs, is made overseas and may break after a couple of weeks of use, golfers and golf gift buyers can spend half as much for our all-in-one tool that does it all and is built to last in the USA!”

Considered a breakthrough in golf towel technology, the invisibrushT golf towel is an all-in-one, hybrid towel that combines an absorbent microfiber face with a coarse, brush-like scrubber backing. Designed to simplify golfers’ games and to save time, the patent pending invisibrushT towel cleans into the grooves of a golf club better than a towel or brush alone.

“This new towel is an amazing, ground-breaking innovation,” said Gary Nicholas, course rater for Golfweek. “Now golfers will be able to pare down with less equipment to fumble with and get to the reason they are out on the course, to improve and enjoy their games.”

Now in their fourth year, rulegolf’s increasing sales are driven by a focus on creating quality products that golfers will buy for themselves and for their golfing partners. With new distribution partners in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Japan, Australia and Mexico, golfers around the world are discovering and enjoying rulegolf’s innovations. And as the brand takes hold in the golf industry, consumers take notice.

With the addition of the rulefourteen towel, rulegolf adds a fifth product to its lineup of products nodding to the rules of golf. Rule 14 in the Rules of Golf, Striking the Ball, suits the new invisibrushT towel as players need clean clubs and grooves to strike the ball and gain better control, greater distance and more backspin.

Other rulegolf products include their best-selling golf ball cleaner, ruletwentyone, eco-friendly performance tees, ruleeleven, and rulegolf’s ergonomic divot repair tool, rulesixteen.

The invisibrushT towel, like most of rulegolf’s products, is made in the USA. Currently available in two sizes: Player’s (20″x40″) for $30 and Bag (16″x 28″) for $25, this new revolutionary towel sells in white and black.
For additional information click here.

ABOUT RULE GOLF

rulegolf is dedicated to creating quality, innovative golf tools that get you to your best shot. They have been manufacturing game-changing golf products in the USA since 2009. rulegolf products are available online and at high-end resorts, pro-shops and golf retailers worldwide.

NOW LET’S GO PLAY

Nearly 1,000 companies and brands gathered for the 59th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL including some Capital Area representatives. At the Orange County Convention Center, more than 42,000 PGA Professionals, buyers and industry leaders from nearly 80 countries came for the latest in golf equipment, apparel, accessories and services.

Check out a special, one-hour PGA Merchandise Highlight Show on Golf Channel tonight, Monday, January 30, at 8:00 p.m.

This year’s show was the industry’s most comprehensive gathering of manufacturers and influential industry leaders to participate in the event’s expansive selection of programs for merchandising, professional development, product testing and peer networking. After the past couple of years, many report an aura of optimism and an upbeat economic outlook for the coming year.

“TaylorMade-adidas had its best year in history in 2011, and judging by the first two days of the Show, this year is going to be even better,” said company President and CEO Mark King. “The energy and enthusiasm at the Show has been phenomenal, which certainly sets a positive course for the industry in 2012.”

PGA of America President Allen Wronowski: “The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show has provided the industry with a lot of positive momentum going forward. There’s a lot of excitement and buzz. Certainly it feels like there is recovery in the industry.”

With every major equipment, apparel and accessory company exhibiting and writing orders, early attendance figures for the 2012 Show indicate a slight increase in overall attendance and a three percent increase in PGA Professional attendance.

The top five countries (outside of U.S.) represented were Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Korea and Germany. The top five U.S. states represented: Florida, California, New York, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

PGA Show Week began on Wednesday, Jan. 25, with the 10th anniversary of the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, FL. More than 6,000 PGA Professionals and invited retailers tested the latest products from 100-plus golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies.

Leading companies such as Callaway Golf, Titleist, TaylorMade, Ping, Nike, Cobra PUMA, Bridgestone, Cleveland/ Srixon, Mizuno, Wilson and many others returned to the world’s largest professional Outdoor Demo Day to show off their wares. Several professional players, celebrities and renowned PGA teaching professionals made special appearances at Outdoor Demo Day including Nick Faldo, Lexi Thompson, Suzann Pettersen, Jim Flick, Bob Toski and Michael Breed.

“I think consumers are going to be very excited by the new products for 2012,” said Brad Bachand, the PGA head professional at Man O’War Golf in Lexington, KY, and the 2007 Kentucky PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities. “All the products we’re seeing are so good, you can’t really go wrong.”

“It has been a wonderful Show for FootJoy; it has exceeded our greatest expectations,” said Acushnet Company’s Chris Garrett, senior manager for FootJoy consumer marketing. “Traffic has been tremendous. We did a lot of research before deciding to return to the Show this year, and we are glad we made the decision to come back with such a significant presence.”

“There is definitely a bigger buzz at the Show this year,” said Mike Attara, PGA Professional and president of Spirit Golf Management. “The addition of FootJoy and its line of apparel have added a lot to the Show, but virtually every major company is here with new products this year. It’s a good sign for the golf industry.”

A number of high-profile professional players, teachers and celebrities made special appearances at the PGA Merchandise Show including 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III, Tom Kite, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, Billy Casper, Ian Poulter, Paula Creamer, Hank Haney, David Leadbetter, Michael Breed, Butch Harmon, Natalie Gulbis, Lexi Thompson, Johnny Damon and Anna Nordqvist.

“I would call this year’s Show very upbeat and exceptional,” said Todd Trifaux, vice president of Sundog Eyewear who hosted Paula Creamer on Friday. “This is the best traffic we have experienced in four years. We’re seeing a lot more buyers and genuine customers, which is a very positive sign.”

“The Show is all about who’s attending: For golf shops, they want to be able to see everything under one roof; for manufacturers, we want to be in front of all the great retail partners we work with throughout the year,” said Bob Philion, president of Cobra Puma Golf. “The more people and companies you can get in one place, the more bang for your buck. It’s incredibly important for us to be able to see so many accounts in one place.”

“This is the capital of golf this week,” agreed Raphael Peck, global vice president of apparel, footwear and accessories for Oakley Golf. “It’s critically important to be here if you want to get your message across to your customers.”

“The Ping booth was not only bustling with business the first two days of the Show, but PGA Professionals were lined up hundreds strong to participate in the Ping Skins Game Putting Challenge, which introduced the iPing putter app to industry professionals in an interactive environment.

“We had four Ping fitters devoted to the iPing putter app on the first day of the Show, and they helped 220 PGA Professionals familiarize themselves with iPing and sign up for the Ping Skins Game,” said Pete Samuels, Ping director of marketing. “Traffic has been terrific, and the reaction to the Ping i20 and G20 lines has been extremely positive this week at the Show.”

The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show brought back the biggest brands in golf, plus some 300 new companies and a medley of favorite features, such as Indoor Demo Days, the Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion, the New Product Zone, the PGA Education Conference, PGA Awards Night, multiple specialty exhibitor pavilions and numerous networking events. New in 2012 were the Business Leadership Series, PGA Fashion E Studio, International Clubmakers Guild Connections Center and new PGA Show streaming video reports on www.PGA.com.

Several exhibitors left the PGA Merchandise Show receiving awards for their ingenuity. Top retailers voted for the best three overall new products displayed among nearly 275 new products in the PGA Show New Product Zone including Cart Clamp, a golf cart accessory; Hydro Flask, an insulated stainless steal drinking bottle; and Crocs™, an alternative to traditional golf shoes. Also, inventions showcased in the Inventor’s Spotlight were judged by a panel of experts from both the Product Development and Golf Industries. The 2012 Inventor’s Spotlight winners were Score Band for Best Product Concept and Integrity Analysis SwingProfile for Best Market Research & Best Overall Product.

PGA SECRETARY AS SEASON BEGINS

Derek Sprague, the Head Golf Professional at Malone Golf Club, part of the NENY PGA and from the Capital Area, is also the Secretary of the PGA of America. He has been in Florida as the 59th Annual PGA Merchandise Show gets started in Orlando.

But before that, he took part in several meetings with the PGA of America to work on growing the game, which has seen a decline in participation and new players in recent years, due in large part to the economic downturn.

“In all, the 59th PGA Merchandise Show represents the very best of golf manufacturers,” Sprague told CapitalAreaGolf.com. “Market leaders are joined by established golf vendors and more than 300 companies new to the PGA Show to amass nearly 1,000 golf vendors and brands in one powerful setting.”

More than 40,000 PGA Professionals, retailers, manufacturers and industry executives from more than 75 countries are gathered in northern Florida, underscores the influence of golf’s annual industry gathering for the global business of the game, Sprague said.

At the 95th Annual Meeting Tuesday, January 24th, the buzz was all about “Golf 2.0″ which is the retail plan designed by the PGA for its professionals and the golf industry to grow the sport of golf around the world.

“The PGA of America is the leader in growing the game of golf and Golf 2.0 takes it to a whole new level for PGA Members and their employers,” Sprague said.

NICKLAUS, GOLF 2.0, 1,000+ COMPANIES

Despite the fact that the 59th annual PGA Merchandise Show is not open to the public, here’s a preview and a link to get you closer to what’s going on in Orlando, Florida. It’s being held in the Orange County Convention Center from now through Saturday. There’s also an official webcast.

Jack Nicklaus joined PGA of America and industry leaders to present the Golf 2.0 Strategic Plan designed to grow global participation in the game. It’s part of a three-day business, education, marketing, merchandising and networking forum with product presentations, special events and seminars.

More than 40,000 industry leaders, PGA Professionals and retailers from 75 countries are joining more than 1,000 of golf’s premier companies and brands, an all-star cast of celebrities, and hundreds of the industry’s leading educators to launch a litany of new products and grow the business and participation side of golf. Every major golf manufacturer is represented this year on the Show floor.

THE BEAR, ALLEN AND THE KID

Nicklaus is expected to join PGA of America President Allen Wronowski, PGA officers including Derek Sprague from the Capital Area, and PGA Golf Exhibitions’ officials in welcoming former baseball great Ken Griffey Jr. and youngsters from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to officially open the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the Youth Development Partner of The PGA, and Griffey sits on its Board of Governors.

“I love this game, and our industry is at a crossroads,” said Nicklaus. “The Golf 2.0 plan of action promotes out-of-the box thinking and details how we need to change to grow the game.”

The goals of Golf 2.0 are to increase participation from 27.1 million golfers generating $33 billion in annual consumer revenues today to 32 million golfers and $35 billion in consumer revenues by 2016. By 2020, the goal is to have 40 million golfers generating $40 billion in annual revenues.

“As a business professional and player, Jack has had his finger on the pulse of the golf industry for many years, and he shares our determination to grow participation and grow the business side of golf,” said Wronowski.

PGA officers and staff presented specifics of Golf 2.0 to PGA members attending the 95th PGA Annual Meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Orlando. Golf 2.0 will be featured across multiple platforms throughout Show Week.

TOP NAMES, BRANDS

The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show brings back the brightest brands in golf, including FootJoy, Oakley and Ogio – plus some 300 new companies – and a medley of favorite features, such as the PGA Education Conference, Indoor Demo Days, PGA Section Short Game Challenge, the Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion, the PGA Fashion E-Studio, the prestigious PGA Awards, the New Product Zone, the PGA Travel Pavilion, the Teaching, Training Aids & Fitness Pavilion, multiple international pavilions and numerous networking events.

MARKING 10 YEARS OF OUTDOOR DEMOS

The 10th anniversary of the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day was also its largest and, perhaps, best-ever on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, FL.

Thousands of PGA Professionals, retailers and golf-industry leaders tested the latest products from 100-plus golf equipment, training aids, performance wear and golf accessory companies to officially open Show Week 2012 on a warm, idyllic day, according to a PGA of America release.

“The Outdoor Demo Day has become a productive, informative tradition that adds up to a win-win situation for the companies and for the PGA Professionals and buyers participating,” said John McGeary, vice president of PGA Golf Exhibitions, which organized the 2012 Outdoor Demo Day with PGA Magazine, while United Rentals and True Temper served as presenting sponsors.

Added Mike Ferris, global vice president for TaylorMade Golf: “Any time you can get this sea of humanity and this many industry insiders in one place on such a great day to test and evaluate your products, it’s a tremendous situation.”

The Demo Day also featured several special appearances by pros, celebrities and renowned PGA teaching professionals, including Nick Faldo, Lexi Thompson, Suzann Pettersen, Jim Flick, Bob Toski and Michael Breed, who appeared in the Capital Area last year for a seminar with the NEY PGA.

“This is the best opportunity for us, as PGA Professionals, to test every company’s clubs to determine which ones actually live up to their promotional brochures,” said Len Zomora, PGA head professional at Escondido Country Club in Horseshoe Bay, TX.

Leading companies such as Callaway Golf, Ping, Titleist, Nike, Bridgestone, TaylorMade, Cleveland/ Srixon, Mizuno, Wilson and many others returned to the largest Outdoor Demo Day to show off their wares.

The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show Outdoor Demo Day featured Sunice as the outerwear sponsor; Pukka Headwear as the hat sponsor; Zero Friction as the official tee sponsor; Hirzl as the glove sponsor; and Bushnell Golf provided attendees with water bottles.

SCOR4161 ARE NEW TAKE ON WEDGE PLAY

Eidolon Brands, parent company of EIDOLON Golf and its patented V-SOLE wedges, today announced the introduction of a new brand, SCOR Golf, and its first product, SCOR4161.

Click here to listen to an interview with Terry Koehler, President of SCOR Golf, which is based in Victoria, Texas: SCORGOLF.

Koehler the founder and a seasoned golf equipment veteran, having spent his early career at the Ben Hogan Company, Reid Lockhart and Ray Cook Putter Company. You can also read his blog here.

SCOR4161

The innovative and revolutionary SCOR4161 product line totally redesigns short irons and wedges and erases the line between them.

This proprietary technology gives golfers the ability to build a precision, custom-built set of scoring clubs from 41-to-61 degrees in loft. The technology behind the revolutionary SCOR4161 scoring clubs was designed to deliver improved shotmaking performance in the scoring zone so golfers of all skill levels can improve their short games and lower their scores.

“SCOR Golf is a brand focused solely on innovative solutions to help golfers improve their performance with their scoring clubs,” said Koehler.  “Short irons that look like middle-irons don’t work as well as they could – because the difference between a 6-iron and wedge is the same difference as that between a 5-iron and 3- or 4-wood.

“Even in wedges, the loft difference between a pitching wedge and lob wedge is the same as that between a 4-iron and driver. It makes no sense for wedges of all lofts to look alike, or for short irons to look like 5-irons.  We all know what happened when hybrids came along – long irons have become extinct.  SCOR4161 can do the same to conventional wedges and set-match short irons.”

The suggested retail price for the SCOR4161 line of five clubs is $639.

ABOUT SCORGOLF

SCOR4161 is the flagship product of SCOR Golf, a new division of Eidolon Brands. The product line erases the dividing line between short irons and wedges, and represents the most comprehensive package of scoring technology in the industry, combining forgiveness, game improvement performance and unmatched precision into the scoring end of the set for golfers of all abilities.

The innovative SGC3 progressive weighting design features seven distinct head designs across twenty-one precision lofts from 41-61 degrees to optimize trajectory, spin and distance control for each scoring club.

SCOR4161 also features patented V-SOLE technology, proprietary GENIUS shafts co-engineered with KBS® and UST Mamiya®, and the company’s own SCOR grips. All heads are Tru-Form-Forged™ from 8620 carbon steel to combine the precision of casting with the feel of forging. Each set of SCOR4161 scoring clubs is custom built to fit each individual golfer by using the proprietary “SCORFit” fitting process that determines the exact specifications necessary to optimize a golfer’s performance in the scoring zone.

KANGAROO LEATHER GRABS YOU

Based in Granbury, TX, HIRZL is the leading specialist for high performance sports gloves.

Click here to listen to an interview with Gary Sheppard, President of HIRZL North America: HIRZLGLOVE

NORDQVIST SIGNS ON

Recently, the company announced that LPGA Tour star Anna Nordqvist will be competing as a HIRZL Staff Player using HIRZL’s SOFFFT™ Flex performance gloves.

Nordqvist is a Major Champion Winner (2009 LPGA Championship), multiple LPGA Tour winner (including the LPGA Championship and LPGA Tour Championship) and 2009 Solheim Cup participant. She turned professional in 2009 after a distinguished amateur career in which she was a two-time All-American at Arizona State University.

In 2009, she was the runner-up in the LPGA Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race and captured the Ryder Cup Wales Ladies European Tour (LET) Rookie of the Year award. Anna is the first LPGA player to endorse the rapidly growing glove brand.

“I am very impressed with HIRZL gloves,” said Anna.  “I am confident wearing HIRZL gloves will help me take my golf game to the next level and I am looking forward to being a great ambassador for the HIRZL brand.”

Bagher Pirouz, HIRZL CEO: “Anna was among the first Tour players to use our HIRZL gloves and told us they really made a difference to her playing level.”

Sheppard: “We are very excited to have Anna join the HIRZL family. Anna’s personality and performance has quickly led her to the top echelon of LPGA players as she continues her stellar play around the world.  She’s the ideal addition to our team as we continue our efforts to grow the HIRZL brand. We anticipate significant interest in our gloves from Anna’s participation in LPGA Tour events in the U.S., Canada and around the world.”

ABOUT HIRZL

Click here for more information on HIRZL.

Headquartered in Switzerland, with North American operations based in Granbury, TX, it is a leading specialist for high performance sports gloves.  HIRZL’s focus is solely on gloves with products specifically designed for golf, cycling and horseback riding, which is in contrast to many sports manufacturers with wide ranges of products spanning equipment, shoes and fashion.

HIRZL’s gloves are designed with the latest scientific, technical and ergonomic mechanics data on how sports equipment is used on the hands. HIRZL uses exclusive GRIPPP™ technology in their kangaroo leather TRUST Series of golf gloves that provide up to 3X better grip in dry weather and up to 5X better grip in wet weather over other glove brands. HIRZL’s SOFFFT™ Flex Cabretta glove uses the company’s 72-step tanning procedure that extends the peak performance level of the glove far longer than other brands.  The entire series of HIRZL gloves are washable.

HIRZL golf gloves have been reviewed by the USGA and R&A and found to be fully conforming to the rules of golf. HIRZL is also the Official Golf Glove of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships.

PGA PRO SALE MARKS 20 YEARS

For many, the day after Thanksgiving is “Black Friday” for all the sales and the traditional start of the shopping season. But for area PGA Professionals, it’s “Green” Friday through Sunday.

Click here to listen to an interview with WINDHAM PRO Brian Lowe.

On Friday, the local PGA Pros will be up early not to brave the lines at other stores…but to set up their mobile pro shops at Siena College’s Marcelle Athletic Complex for the 20th annual version of the PGA Pro Show and Sale, Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 27. The sale will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is $5.

The lineup of professionals include Steve Jensen of Schuyler Meadows, Jeremy Kerr of the Mohawk Golf Club, Scott Warren of Pinehaven CC, Glenn Davis of Albany CC, Tom Haggerty from Glens Falls CC, Kevin Hughes of Saratoga Golf & Polo Club, Tom Siddon down from Massena CC, Brian Lowe of Windham CC, hard hit by Tropical Storm Irene this summer, Mark Jorgensen from the Yahnundasis Golf Club outside Utica, Rick Wolcott of Rolling Hills CC at Antlers in Amsterdam, Craig McLean of The Edison Club and Frank Mellet, head pro at Colonie Golf & CC.

“We’re spending quite a bit of time talking about equipment,” said Jensen, the show’s annual organizer. “It’s a liquidation sale. Twelve of the top professionals will be on hand to help the shoppers. So whether you’re looking for shirts, sweaters, balls, golf equipment, we’ll have it. This is a perfect time to look for a Christmas gift for someone.”

Jensen expects approximately 3,000 people to walk through the doors.

-Mike Collar

Click here for past story.