HALLAM, PENNSYLVANIA—ZERO RESTRICTION, the golf industry’s leading outerwear manufacturer, has signed veteran PGA TOUR standout and 2007 U.S. Presidents Cup star Woody Austin to an endorsement contract.
Austin—whose career-best 2007 season included a victory at the Stanford St. Jude Championship and $2,878,902 in prize money (14th on the PGA Tour’s official money list)—will wear and test ZERO RESTRICTION gear, and the company will use his likeness in its communication programs, advertisements, catalogs, etc.
"We are thrilled to be working with a player of Woody’s caliber," says Doug Tibbetts, ZERO RESTRICTION’s president. "He is a tough competitor, and is certainly willing to put our gear to the test. He has a great deal of momentum coming off his great Presidents Cup performance."
Fate—and an off-balance follow through—brought Austin and ZERO RESTRICTION Outerwear together during the United States’ 19 1/2-14 1/2 Presidents Cup victory over the International squad at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. ZERO RESTRICTION, the official Outerwear of both Presidents Cup teams, and Austin combined for one of the year’s Presidents Cup highlights, and one of the most memorable moments in the event’s history.
During Friday’s four-ball matches, the U.S.’s 43-year-old Presidents Cup rookie attempted to hit his ball from the edge of the lake alongside the 14th fairway. Austin lost his balance after completing his swing, tumbled backwards and fell face-first into the water. The undeterred Austin shook off his ZERO RESTRICTION rain jacket and pants and was completely dry within seconds. Austin went on to drain three straight birdie putts over the last three holes to gain a crucial half-point for the U.S.
Austin earned the nickname "Aquaman" from his teammates for his ability to come back from his big splash, and U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus referred to Austin as "Jacques Cousteau" when naming his pairings for Saturday’s play.
"The best outerwear on earth," Austin says about ZERO RESTRICTION. "Swing freely, stay dry and never have to worry—what an advantage when you need it."
Austin’s confidence to attempt such a difficult shot with his ZERO RESTRICTION rain jacket and rain pants, and the instant-dry recovery from his impromptu swim, was a perfect example of how ZR Outerwear provides complete freedom of movement and overall comfort, so the numerous patented technological features work together to guarantee an unrestricted golf swing in any climate or condition.
In addition to being the official Outerwear for both Presidents Cup teams, ZERO RESTRICTION Outerwear is also the leading gear on all U.S. tours and is also specified by the U.S. Ryder Cup team, as well as the Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, PGA Match Cup, Palmer Cup, Junior World Cup and World Amateur teams. ZR’s GORE-TEX gear is more expensive, but comes with a lifetime guarantee and is lightweight, packable and breathable.
"I’m very happy to be a part of the ZERO RESTRICTION team," says Austin, who finished 17th in points in this year’s inaugural PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup. "I guess you could say I discovered the hard way at the Presidents Cup just how dry ZERO RESTRICTION’s Outerwear keeps you—even when you go for an unexpected swim. I guess that incident convinced ZERO RESTRICTION that I would go to great lengths to be the perfect gear tester."
Austin, who has three career PGA Tour victories, was born in Tampa, Fla., and graduated from the University of Miami. His triumph in Memphis in early June—punctuated by a 2007 PGA Tour-best final-round 62—sparked an amazing summer run for Austin. Three weeks later he tied for second behind Brian Bateman at the Buick Open, the site of his first PGA Tour victory in 1995 (Austin also captured the 2004 Buick Championship). The world’s attention again turned to Austin at the PGA Championship, where he put a weekend scare into eventual champion Tiger Woods, ultimately finishing in second place, two shots behind the world’s No. 1 player.
The 6-foot-0, 190-pound Austin—who now lives in Derby, Kan., with his wife, Shannon, and two children—had a breakout year that was capped by his 1-1-3 record at the Presidents Cup. A number of his teammates, and Nicklaus, credited Austin with being the on- and off-course catalyst behind the team’s convincing victory.
Austin has persevered during his professional golf career, relying on his competitive spirit to finally break into the upper echelon of PGA Tour pros this year. Austin tore tendons and cartilage in his left knee during the 1987 Qualifying Tournament, sidelining him for two years. He worked for years as a credit-union teller during the off-season, and also in the supplies department at Eckerd Drug, to supplement his winnings on the Nationwide and PGA tours.
ZERO RESTRICTION, based in Hallam, Pa., is a full-line maker of waterproof outerwear for the golf market. Using patented design features that deliver guaranteed waterproof protection and complete freedom of movement, ZR is the leading supplier of Outerwear on all three major professional tours. ZR products are sold in the finest golf shops and golf specialty stores in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Contact:
Mary Beth Lacy at 760-346-6942 or email: mb@mblacy.com
