PING will be the exclusive sponsor of two new PGA Best Practices Clubfitting areas at the PGA Merchandise in Jan. 2008. PGA Professionals and other attendees of the PGA Merchandise Show will have the opportunity to discover the latest best practices in cl
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – PING and The PGA of America announced today that PING has agreed to sponsor several new PGA clubfitting platforms at the 55th PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 2008, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Founded in 1959 by the late Karsten Solheim, PING grew from a revolutionary putter concept into one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of custom-fit golf equipment. During the 55th PGA Merchandise Show, PING will be the exclusive sponsor of two new PGA Best Practices Clubfitting areas, where PGA Professionals and other attendees of the PGA Merchandise Show may find the latest best practices in clubfitting.
The first dedicated area will be at Demo Day, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge in Orlando. The area will feature PING clubfitting tools, the company’s newest products, PING fitting specialists and PGA Professionals on the main practice range throughout the day.
From Thursday, Jan. 17 to Saturday, Jan. 19, PING will be sponsoring the PGA Best Practices Clubfitting Area of the PGA’s Equipment Forum and Equipment Test Center (ETC) at the Orange County Convention Center. Once again, a dedicated segment of the PGA Equipment Forum will allow all Show attendees to receive hands-on best practices information from the recognized leader in clubfitting.
Additionally, PING will be the exclusive golf equipment company sponsoring the inaugural PGA Magazine Merchandisers of the Year Conference, Jan. 13-15, at the Reunion Resort in Orlando. For the first time, a conference will bring together attending 2007 PGA Merchandisers of the Year selected by The PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. They will be joined in the unique forum by other merchandising experts.
"Since its founding more than six decades ago, PING has stood at the forefront of improving the game of golf for players of all abilities along with supporting PGA Professionals who are experts in teaching and clubfitting," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "We are pleased that PING has agreed to demonstrate its cutting-edge technology to PGA Professionals along with supporting the PGA Magazine Merchandisers of the Year Conference."
"The PGA Professional has always played a major role in educating golfers on the importance and value of PING clubfitting. Their expertise and understanding of our process allows us to continue to be the recognized leader in clubfitting," said John Solheim, PING Chairman and CEO. "The opportunity to further demonstrate the benefits of clubfitting at the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show is a tremendous opportunity and one we’re looking forward to it with great excitement."
Since its inception in 1954, the PGA Merchandise Show has served the golf industry as an important forum for its business leaders to gather and become the world’s most comprehensive golf trade show. In January 2008, the PGA Merchandise Show will once again welcome more than 45,000 industry professionals to discover the newest golf merchandise, test the latest equipment, enhance careers and business in classrooms and through real-life business models, network among peers and conduct the business of the game.
About PING
PING designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of golf equipment including metal woods, irons, putters and golf bags. The family-owned company was founded in 1959 in the garage of the late Karsten Solheim, a mechanical engineer with an extensive background in the aerospace and computer industries. His frustration with his putting inspired him to design his own putter, which created a "pinging" sound when striking a golf ball. This sound was the source of the name now synonymous with innovation, quality and service throughout the world of golf. Solheim and his company are credited with numerous innovations that became industry standards, including perimeter weighting, custom fitting and the use of investment casting in the manufacturing of golf clubs. His insistence on adhering to strict engineering principles and tight manufacturing tolerances raised the level of product performance and quality throughout the golf industry. Solheim is the only person to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as a golf club manufacturer. Today, the Phoenix-based company is under the direction of Solheim’s youngest son, John A. Solheim. PING game-improvement products can be found in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.pinggolf.com.
About The PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
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