Renowned Danish Shoemaker Supports Canada?s Leading Amateur Tour for Fourth Consecutive Year
(TORONTO) – Luxury market leader ECCO announces its status as “Official Footwear Sponsor” of the 2008 Golf Town Amateur Tour, scheduled to take place at premier clubs throughout Ontario April 29 – September 30.
As part of the agreement, ECCO will provide a selection of styles from its distinctive 2008 golf collection to winners of the Tour’s 30 events, offering players the chance to experience first-hand the brand’s signature out-of-the-box comfort, performance and fit. The company will also sponsor The ECCO Challenge, July 28-29 at St. Andrews Valley Golf Club, and receive additional exposure in collateral and on www.golftowntour.com.
“We’re happy to renew our support of what has become Canada’s most popular amateur series,” says Todd Davidson, Golf Division Brand Manager, ECCO Canada. “Not only does it provide an excellent brand showcase to several hundred passionate golfers, but also expands our profile at marquee courses.”
Sponsored by Canada’s premier golf retailer, the Golf Town Amateur Tour allows players with handicaps up to 22 to compete in a series of one-day tournaments held at some of the country’s best courses. The Tour continues to expand, with a 100 percent increase in participants each of the past five years. Top tournament sites for 2008 include Devil’s Pulpit, Georgian Bay Club, North Halton, Piper’s Heath and The Rock.
“We’re extremely proud to continue our relationship with ECCO,” says Mark Young, President of Canadian Golf Tours Inc. “They are widely recognized for making the most comfortable golf shoes, and having the brand as one of our sponsors is a real benefit to Tour members.”
ECCO is preferred by international Tour stars Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Thomas Bjorn, Thongchai Jaidee, John Bickerton, Steven Jeppesen, Juli Inkster, Carin Koch, Pat Hurst, Sophie Gustafson, Laura Davies, Gwladys Nocera, Meena Lee, Candie Kung, Linda Wessberg, Wendy Ward and others.
Distinguished by advanced technologies alongside an unmatched combination of out-of-the-box comfort, high-grade leathers and attention to detail, each shoe in the 2008 collection passes through more than 225 sets of highly-skilled hands during a production process exclusively executed at ECCO-owned factories. This labor-intensive manufacturing guarantees the brand’s golf shoes help players excel under the most demanding conditions.
All ECCO designs blend a network of built-in technologies to create the ideal platform for the perfect swing. Principal among these is a direct-injected, PU-constructed midsole/outsole. Made from a process unique to ECCO in the golf industry, this:
Creates a one-piece shoe construction
Ensures unrivaled durability, flexibility, lightness and weather resistance
Provides a superior level of cushioning and comfort that does not break down over time, unlike commonly-used materials such as air, rubber and EVA foam
Additional performance features of the Spring/Summer 2008 golf collection include:
Ultra-soft, high-grade leathers with hydrophobic treatments for superb weather-resistance
Internal stabilizer to reduce torque and create ideal swing stability
Double-layer insole with cushion that absorbs heel force to reduce stress on the knees, hips and back
Internal Air-Circulation System to maintain a fresh, dry and cool foot environment
Dynamic Energy Return System that provides a trampoline effect during foot-strike and follow-through to reduce fatigue and restore energy with each step
Green-friendly outsole designs featuring molded traction bars combined with Stinger cleats from Champ and the Q-Lok insert system to provide ideal traction and grip
About ECCO
The only major shoe manufacturer to own and manage the entire value chain from cow to consumer, ECCO is a global leader in city, casual and sport shoes for men, women and children. In 2006, the Danish company sold more than 14.8 million pairs, achieving net revenues of 4.5 billion DKK (approximately 645 million euros).
Founded in 1963 by Karl Toosbuy, ECCO has nearly 13,000 employees, direct subsidiaries in Europe, the Far East and North America, and partners worldwide. ECCO shoes are sold in more than 3,000 shops globally, including 551 mono-brand (ECCO exclusive) stores.
Following the rules of good craftsmanship to deliver genuine freedom of movement and comfort to consumers, ECCO’s aim has never been to be the biggest, but always to be the best.
ECCO retail locations in Canada include Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Along with ECCO retail stores, there are more than 400 retailers across Canada that carry the ECCO brand.
ECCO Shoes Canada Inc. is based in Markham, Ontario. For more information, please visit: www.ecco.com or call 1.800.358.3226.
About The Golf Town Amateur Tour
The Golf Town Amateur Tour provides golfers with handicaps up to 22 an opportunity to compete in a series of 15 one-day competitive amateur tournaments held at Ontario’s top courses. The Tour runs from late April until the end of September.
Owned and operated by Canadian Golf Tours Inc., the Golf Town Amateur Tour is sponsored by Golf Town, TaylorMade Golf, Mazda Canada, Prodigy Headwear, Second Skin/Hollas, Sky Caddie, Sundog Eyewear, ECCO Canada, Fairways Magazine, Eco Golf Tees, NX-G Premium Golf Bags, Howard Johnson Canada, Knights Inn Canada, Nature Valley and il fornello.
Contact:
Tom Williams
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3322
twilliams@billycaspergolf.com
