Martin Turns Pro, Qualifies for US Open and Boosts Nike Golf’s Talented Tour Staff
BEAVERTON, Ore. (June 7, 2007) – Nike Golf today announced the signing of young Spanish golfing sensation Pablo Martin. This week is a momentous one for Martin and his career having turned professional, signed with Nike Golf, qualified for the US Open and made his professional debut at PGA Tour’s Stanford St. Jude Championship. He has signed a multi-year agreement and will represent Nike Golf in clubs, ball, footwear, glove, bag, apparel, headwear and accessories.
Following a highly distinguished amateur career and collegiate campaign at Oklahoma State University, the 21-year-old from Malaga made history by becoming the first amateur to win on the PGA European Tour when he claimed victory at the Estoril Open de Portugal in April. The win earned Martin an exemption on the European Tour until the end of the 2009 season. Martin intends to compete both on the PGA Tour and European Tour, via sponsor exemptions, for the remainder of 2007.
"The fact that Pablo already made history on the European Tour by becoming the first person ever to win a European Tour event as an amateur is a testament to his phenomenal talent," said Kel Devlin, Global Sports Marketing Director for Nike Golf. "He’s a gifted athlete, a terrific individual, and we are confident he will be incredibly successful on the Professional Tours."
"Signing with a global brand such as Nike Golf right at the start of my career is as big a deal as it gets," aid Martin. "The equipment they are producing has a technological edge that will help develop my game further, and they really listen to my ideas and put them into practice. I also like the sense of team spirit that surrounds the Nike Golf brand."
Amateur Achievements
Martin leaves Oklahoma State University as one of the most decorated golfer’s in school history. In addition to being named to two consecutive PING First Team All-American teams (2005 & 2006), Martin was named the Jack Nicklaus Award winner (2006), the Fred Haskins Award winner (2006), the Big 12 Player of the Year (2006 & 2007), a Ben Hogan Award Finalist (2007) and the Phil Mickelson Award winner (2005). Martin claimed five collegiate victories, including this season’s Big 12 Championship, and was a member of the Oklahoma State team that claimed the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship in 2006.
Martin’s amateur victories include the Porter Cup (2005), the Carris Trophy (2004), the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship (2003), the European Under-16 Championship (2002) and the British Boys Amateur Championship (2001). Martin has also competed on two Palmer Cup teams (2005 & 2006) and two Eisenhower Trophy teams (2002 & 2006).
Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. In 2007, Nike Golf’s PGA Tour Staff has four victories, 24 top-10 finishes, one international victory and two Nationwide Tour wins. In 2006, Nike Golf accumulated 16 PGA tour victories and 67 top-10 finishes, as well as one victory on the Nationwide Tour and 11 additional international wins. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists in the U.S. seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. For international journalists, please contact Nike Golf’s public relations representative in respective countries for information.
Contact:
Beth Gast – Nike Golf
(503) 532-8852
beth.gast@nike.com