International Network of Golf (ING) Bestows Book of the Year Award to First Book that Details How and Why Golf Clubs Work for the Average Golfer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – May 26, 2006 – Ann Arbor Media Group, a publishing concern that publishes sports, classics and children’s books, announced today that The Search for the Perfect Golf Club – an Ann Arbor published book authored by legendary golf club designer and outspoken maverick Tom Wishon – earned the Book of the Year award from the International Network of Golf (ING). The ING is a media-based, non-profit association of golf media professionals that was formed in 1990 to promote communication and education throughout the golf industry.
Wishon, who has been credited with more than 50 golf club design "firsts", wrote the book with experienced author Tom Grundner. The award ceremony was held at the ING’s 2006 Spring Conference, held in Pinehurst, N.C. on May 22, and Ann Arbor Media Group Associate Publisher Skip DeWall said that the award validates the importance of the information found in Search for the Perfect Golf Club. Search is the first book that explains to the average golfer how and why golf clubs work the way they do, and there is "news you can use" advice for every level of men’s or women’s golf.
"This is a large milestone for us as it’s our first national award," DeWall said. "I think the book’s success stems from the fact that there are a lot of ‘aha’ moments when reading Search. Those are times when you’ll be reading the book, and something that Tom Wishon writes about the way a golf club works almost makes a light bulb goes on in your mind. Wishon is a masterful authority who understands the physics behind golf club creation, but is able to boil the concepts down into easy-to-understand analogies that resonate with many of the 27 million Americans that golf in the United States."
DeWall said that Search has become one of Ann Arbor’s best selling books of all time after it was released in late 2005. It has been printed five times and has sold more than 30,000 copies. DeWall said he anticipates the ING award will create a strong demand for Father’s Day.
Wishon, who is based in the mountains of Durango, Colorado, was referred to as the "smartest man – golf smart – in the industry" by GolfWeek Magazine. The Magazine also published a review on Search for the Perfect Golf Club:
"In years past, only golf industry insiders were exposed to the stark honesty, humor and encyclopedia knowledge of golf equipment designer and clubfitting guru Tom Wishon. Now, every golfer has a chance to learn from Wishon and feed on his honest commentary about golf equipment and how clubs should and can perform. There’s no sales speak in Wishon’s book, The Search for the Perfect Golf Club. Wishon’s makeup doesn’t allow him to color a picture in any way other than realistically."
Professional golfer Scott Verplank credits Wishon for helping him become a Top 30 Player on the PGA Tour. Wishon’s 515GRT Fairway woods made the 2006 Golf Digest Hot 100 List, and his 770CFE irons achieved the same distinction in 2005: Golf Digest Senior Editor of Equipment Mike Stachura wrote, "If it’s on any list in these pages, it’s great. The products highlighted here are exceptional. They go beyond routine innovations. They show dramatic and unique ways to make this hard game easier through technology."
Wishon has also gained notoriety for his musical talents and was a studio drummer for the Steve Miller Band. He created the last set of golf clubs used by golfing great Payne Stewart before his tragic death, and also develops software that helps analyze a golfer’s shotmaking skills so that customized clubs can help strengthen a player’s weakness. Wishon also wrote The 12 Myths That Can Wreck Your Golf Game, a 32-page mini-book, which is designed to answer many of the questions that arose from Search.
"The response has been tremendous, and we feel very gratified and thankful," Wishon said. "I often have golfers come up to me and say, ‘why hasn’t anyone told us (about how golf clubs work) before?’, and that helps me know I’m really making a difference. I want golfers to understand that simply buying standard made clubs off the rack is not the path to take to obtain the set of clubs that will bring out the most in their game."
Search was co-written with Grundner, a professional author and clubmaker based in Tucson. Grundner was selected for the first class in the GolfWorks’ prestigious Master’s degree program and also operates a custom fitting business named Marietta Golf.
Wishon said he is excited to release Search for the Perfect Driver this fall, with the book slated for an October release.
Contact:
Rob Wheat
Media Relations
KJPR
913.642.5767
rhwheat@gmail.com
Skip DeWall
Associate Publisher
Ann Arbor Media Group
734.913.1273
sdewall@annarbormediagroup.com
