Company’s Graphite Wood Shaft Models Have Been Overwhelming Choice of Professionals Since 2002
(SAN DIEGO, California) – Graphite Design — maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver, fairway wood and hybrid shaft models on the PGA TOUR — proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone this weekend by claiming the graphite wood shaft brand count for the 150th consecutive event on the Japan Tour, according to the Darrell Survey.
At the ANA Open in Hokkaido, 37 percent of the graphite driver, fairway wood and hybrid shafts in play carried the Graphite Design brand. In all, 173 Graphite Design shafts were used, 80 more than the nearest competitor. The winner became the 11thJapan Tour champion of the season wielding Graphite Design shafts, in his driver, 3-wood and 5-wood, while a runner-up also played the company’s models in his woods and hybrid club.
At every Japan Tour event since 2002, Graphite Design has been the No. 1 graphite wood shaft brand, an amazing span of 150 consecutive tournaments. During that stretch, more than half the tourney champions (79) have reached the winner’s circle playing Graphite Design. The Japan Tour is regarded as one of the most competitive professional tours in the world and has produced numerous international stars.
The 2007 season has underscored Graphite Design’s Japan Tour dominance. In winning the brand count at all 16 events to date, Graphite Design has averaged a 33.6-percent share of graphite wood shafts in play and a staggering margin of 62 shafts over the next brand. The company’s Tour AD Quattro Tech shaft, now available in the United States, has ranked as the most popular driver shaft at 13 of 16 Japan Tour events this year.
"We are extremely proud to achieve this landmark on the Japan Tour, whose world-class professionals overwhelmingly rely on the superior feel and playability of Graphite Design shafts," said Megumi Yamada, Chairman and CEO of Graphite Design Japan. "Graphite Design’s dominant presence on the Japan Tour owes to the hard work, dedication and teamwork of many individuals. It’s also a testament to the accuracy and distance benefits built into every Graphite Design shaft, which allow professionals and amateurs alike to maximize their talents and lower their scores. We look forward to continued success on the Japan Tour as well as professional circuits around the world."
In 2006, Graphite Design shafts were played by 41 winners of professional tournaments worldwide. Players using Graphite Design shafts amassed more than $90 million in PGA TOUR earnings in 2006 while the company earned more graphite wood-shaft model count victories on the PGA TOUR (16) than any other manufacturer. On the Japan Tour, Graphite Design shafts were in the bags of 18 winners in 2006 while the company extended its win streak in the wood-shaft brand count to 134 consecutive tournaments – an unprecedented string dating to 2002.
Graphite Design is the graphite shaftmaker of choice for Hank Haney, coach to the world’s top-ranked player. The company recently introduced the Tour AD Quattro Tech ultra-premium shaft in the U.S. and launched its G-TECH combination-flex custom clubmaker series of wood and iron shafts, designed for exceptional playability throughout the bag.
About Graphite Design
Graphite Design, established in Japan in 1989 and in the U.S. in 1997, is one of the world’s three largest golf-club shaft manufacturers. The company made its mark manufacturing high-performance shafts for most of golf’s major OEMs worldwide, including the top four companies by sales volume, and Graphite Design shafts continue to be preferred by top clubmakers worldwide. The company’s mainstay YS shafts, the newly-introduced Pershing shafts and other models are extremely popular among avid and occasional golfers.
Revolutionary technology, design and sourcing the most advanced materials are trademarks in all Graphite Design shafts, making them the highest quality performance shafts on the market. Validating the company’s "AD" logo, all of Graphite Design’s PGA Tour-proven shafts specifically promote "Accuracy and Distance" and these key competitive advantages are helping professional and amateur golfers optimize their games after switching to Graphite Design shafts.
For more information about Graphite Design: 888.707.6132, info@gdintl.com ; www.gdintl.com .
Contact:
Daniel Mitchell
Buffalo Communications
253.312.4536
dmitchell@billycaspergolf.com