LAKELAND, Fla., March 2, 2006 — The Duramed FUTURES Tour announced today two exclusive new partnerships with MIO Golf XE and YES! Golf. Both companies come aboard as national product partners with the Tour for 2006.
MIO Golf XE becomes the "Official Golf Watch of the Duramed FUTURES Tour" and is the world’s first golf-specific sports watch that can accurately measure heart rate without a chest strap, as well as track golf scores and store statistics. YES! Golf and its C-GROOVE putters becomes the "Official Putter of the Duramed FUTURES Tour." C-GROOVE putters have been used to win more than 40 tournaments on various world tours, including four major championships.
"It’s great to have product partners who lead their category in the industry and who are dynamic and innovative," said Zayra F. Calderon, president and CEO of the Duramed FUTURES Tour. "We think they are a great match with our talented young professionals who also are on the cutting edge of their sport."
The Denver-based putter company linked with the Duramed FUTURES Tour following its highly visible 2005 season, in which numerous LPGA Tour players used the C-GROOVE putter both in regulation tournament play, as well as in the 2005 Solheim Cup. A number of the company’s putter models have been reconfigured specifically for the women’s market, which company spokesmen say have translated directly into sales.
"It’s real exciting to see how well our putter has been received on the LPGA Tour and we think our company’s image can be significantly enhanced by helping these young professionals on the Duramed FUTURES Tour," said Blair Philip, technical services and advertising/promotions manager for YES! Golf. "Women’s golf is a segment of the market that is growing while the rest of the golf industry has flattened a bit. We think it’s a new exciting image that women golfers are bringing to the industry and we’re happy to be a part of it."
Physi-Cal Enterprises, Inc., makers of MIO Golf XE, has agreed to award a watch to each first-time Duramed FUTURES Tour tournament winner. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company adds its new golf watch to an extensive product line of fitness-related heart-rate monitors. MIO Golf XE was invented by a woman who founded Physi-Cal Enterprises. The concept she used was that if golfers could monitor and lower their heart rates to stay calm, their results could improve on the course.
"We are a newcomer in the golf industry and MIO Golf XE is a new product, so this partnership helps give us legitimacy, while also supporting women’s professional golf," said Jennifer Brookman, director of marketing at Physi-Cal Enterprises, Inc. "This is such an exciting thing to be a part of and we want to show our company’s support of a very up-and-coming segment of golf."
MIO Golf XE and YES! Golf join seven other national product partners who support and supply products and services to the Duramed FUTURES Tour. Renewing contracts for 2006 are Etonic, the Tour’s "Official Golf Shoe and Golf Glove" provider, and Cutter & Buck, the "Official Golfwear Company" of the Duramed FUTURES Tour.
Other 2006 national product partners are: Aetrex Worldwide, Inc., the "Official Orthotic;" CHAMP spikes, the Tour’s "Official Soft Golf Spike;" Penske Truck Rental, the "Official Equipment Truck;" Top-Flite, the Tour’s "Official Golf Ball; and Zero Restriction, the "Official Rain Gear."
About the Duramed FUTURES Tour
Celebrating its 26th competitive season this year, the Duramed FUTURES Tour has remained committed to developing the skills and dreams of women golfers, establishing role models for youth and creating LPGA stars of tomorrow. With more than 280 alumnae as current members of the LPGA Tour, former Duramed FUTURES Tour players have won a total of 295 LPGA titles, including 31 major championships. Designated as "the official developmental tour of the LPGA," the Duramed FUTURES Tour has become the largest international developmental tour and the second largest women’s golf tour in the world. At season’s end each year, the top five players on the Tour’s money list earn automatic LPGA Tour exemptions for the following year. Throughout its first quarter century, membership has increased from approximately 150 North American players to more than 300 players from 30 different nations. The Duramed FUTURES Tour currently conducts 18 tournaments in 13 states and has raised nearly $4 million for charitable organizations since 1989. For more information, please visit www.duramedfuturestour.com.
Contact:
Lisa D. Mickey
Duramed FUTURES Tour
863-709-9100, Ext. 2
