Company’s Shafts Driving Force Behind Winners, Distance and Accuracy Leaders on Game’s Most Prominent Tours
(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 — propelled professionals to a combined 45 victories on the PGA, Nationwide, Champions, Japan and LPGA tours in 2007, according to the Darrell Survey.
At least five winners on each tour played Graphite Design models this season, including 17 Japan Tour and 12 Nationwide Tour champs. Among those relying on Graphite Design shafts were the world’s No. 3-ranked men’s player, the No. 4 women’s player, the winner of the Champions Tour’s Charles Schwab Cup points title, a Nationwide Tour member who earned a promotion to the PGA TOUR with three tournament victories, and seven of the top eight money earners on the Japan Tour. Graphite Design played a role in winning a pair of Champions Tour major titles and the McDonald’s LPGA Championship.
Graphite Design’s renowned YS-6 model added to its accolades in 2007. The Nationwide Tour’s leader in total driving (combined rankings in average distance and accuracy) used the YS-6 shaft during the season, while the two longest drives on the PGA Tour (437 and 435 yards) were hit by a player using the YS-6 model. The YS-6 ranked as the most popular graphite driver shaft model on the PGA TOUR for three consecutive years. Graphite Design’s YS-7, YS-Hybrid, Tour AD Quattro Tech and Purple Ice models were also played by 2007 winners.
Graphite Design reinforced its dominance on the Japan Tour, where it was the most popular graphite wood shaft brand at each of 24 events in 2007. Graphite Design has now claimed 158 consecutive graphite wood shaft brand counts in Japan, an unprecedented streak which dates to 2002.
On the PGA TOUR, Graphite Design shafts have helped professionals earn 54 victories and more than $290 million since 2004.
"Graphite Design’s sustained success on worldwide professional tours validates our brand promise of superior distance and accuracy," said Tim Gillis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Graphite Design. "Male and female professionals of all ages rely on Graphite Design models to deliver the performance, feel and feedback necessary to excel at the game’s highest levels. Likewise, amateurs of varying handicaps and swing styles can get the most from their skills by shafting their clubs with Graphite Design products.
"We look forward to continued professional tour success in 2008 with the introduction of new products and the addition of key personnel to our organization."
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.
Graphite Design is the graphite shaftmaker of choice for Hank Haney, coach to the world’s top-ranked player. This year the company 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 the industry leader in shaft technology and the preferred brand for golf professionals worldwide. 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, including the top four companies by sales volume. Graphite Design shafts continue to be preferred by top clubmakers the world over while the company’s mainstay YS shafts, 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