MONTREAL, QUEBEC—Summit Golf Brands—the golf industry’s leading golf-focused apparel group—is proud to announce that Fairway & Greene and EP Pro have been named the Association of Golf Merchandisers’ top apparel vendors for men and women, respectively, for the fourth straight year in the AGM’s annual Member Survey. The survey is designed to assist the highly respected AGM membership in gathering important industry statistics and determining the needs of its members for future educational initiatives.
Fairway & Greene and EP Pro—the industry’s No. 1-ranked men’s and women’s golf brands, respectively—were both acquired in January by Summit Golf Brands, a division of Montreal-based Northbridge Equity Partners, a private equity firm specializing in buyouts of brand-based consumer products businesses.
"In an industry that is very competitive, it is very gratifying to be selected as the industry leader," says Gill Broome, President of Northbridge Equity Partners. "To have received this recognition and honor from our customers four years in a row is a strong testament to our absolute focus on the PGA professionals of America and the game of golf. Our business, through the acquisition of Fairway & Greene and EP Pro, is designed exclusively around this important customer group, and we are very thankful our efforts are being so well received. We look forward to delivering the best product and customer service in the industry for many years to come."
The fourth straight AGM Member Survey honor for Fairway & Greene and EP Pro from the golf industry’s most important buying association validates the consistent efforts and contributions both companies have made to the green-grass and resort golf channels over the years. Recent sales growth at both companies underscores how they are meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of the golf industry and consumers alike.
"Fairway & Greene is once again honored to be chosen with this prestigious annual AGM Member Survey for top men’s vendor," says Fairway & Greene Executive Vice President Todd Martin. "This is our fourth year in a row to receive this, a testament to our product quality, customer service and exclusive dedication to the green-grass channel. We want to thank all the members of the AGM for their support and continued business with Fairway & Greene."
Fairway & Greene and EP Pro are proud of their strong vendor/partner relationships with PGA golf professionals, who are the golf industry’s stewards, ambassadors and innovators. Because both companies build brands and programs specifically designed for golf professionals, Summit Brands plays a key supporting role in its efforts to continually elevate the sport and serve its customer base.
"It would be difficult for me to overstate how much pride we take in being recognized as the top women’s apparel vendor for the fourth consecutive year by the AGM," says Larry Mathe, CEO of EP Pro. "We are well aware of the strength of the competition we face every season, and this honor makes the hard work and dedication of our team at EP Pro all the more worthwhile."
Summit Golf Brands was founded in late 2005, and is designed for its brands to play an important role in the lives of all golfers, and enhance and enrich the quality of golfers’ lifestyles, both on and off the course.
Founded in 1995, Fairway & Greene has rapidly grown to become one of the dominant players in the high-end golf apparel market. Each item is fashioned from the finest pure finish fabrics, long since abandoned by other makers due to rarity and cost, and each hand tailored with a care and quality that is uniquely Fairway and Greene. With an unparalleled emphasis on product quality and customer service, Fairway & Greene is specifically positioned to help the PGA Professional enhance their golf shop merchandise offering.
EP Pro—the New York City-based premier women’s golf apparel company—has been leading the green grass and resort industry for more than 10 years, delivering a product line where function meets styling.
The AGM is a professional association of golf-related vendors and professional vendors located worldwide. Its mission is to educate golf retail buyers, merchandisers and golf professionals, elevate the golf merchandising profession and enhance communication between golf buyers and vendor partners.
Contact:
Mary Beth Lacy
760-202-1181
mb@mblacy.com
