Distance and Accuracy Key to Group?s Success
(SAN DIEGO, California) – Graphite Design – maker of some of the most widely played high-performance shafts on the PGA TOUR – powered a pair of top-four finishers at the Shell Houston Open as well as two runners-up at the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship, according to the Darrell Survey.
Switching to Graphite Design’s Pershing 65 model in his driver after playing other brands’ shafts previously this season, a runner-up enjoyed his best finish of 2008 in Houston. The player averaged 294 yards off the tee for four rounds, an improvement of more than 10 yards from his previous average.
In addition, a fourth-place finisher used Graphite Design’s Purple Ice model in his driver and 3-wood and the YS-Hybrid 85 in his hybrid club. The player found 80.4 percent of fairways during the tournament, ranking third in that category and setting him up to lead the field in greens in regulation.
At the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA’s first major of the season, both second-place finishers carried Graphite Design shafts in their drivers. One player relied on the company’s Pershing model, while the other used the Tour AD PT-6. Combined, the pair – currently ranked second and third in the Rolex World Rankings — hit 75 percent of fairways during the week.
“Graphite Design’s promise of distance and accuracy was on full display at the Shell Houston Open and the Kraft Nabisco Championship,” said Tim Gillis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Graphite Design. “Professional golf requires both power and precision, which is why players consistently choose Graphite Design shafts for their woods and hybrids. Amateur golfers, from low handicappers to novices, also realize remarkable results when using our shafts.”
Graphite Design recently unveiled its newest premium shaft model, the Tour AD YSQ, to rave reviews from OEM representatives, customers and media. The Tour AD YSQ features advanced Axial Composite Interlace (ACI) construction, delivering superior performance in four key areas: launch angle, spin rate, accuracy and distance.
The company also launched the Graphite Design Fantasy Golf Tour 2008, where contestants pick their favorites in the PGA TOUR’s five biggest tournaments for a chance to win $100,000. Entering the Graphite Design Fantasy Golf Tour is free and requires only a quick registration via the company’s newly redesigned web site (www.gdintl.com, click on Fantasy Challenge).
In 2007, Graphite Design shaft models propelled professionals to a combined 45 victories on the PGA, Nationwide, Champions,Japan and LPGA tours. 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, and seven of the top eight money earners on the Japan Tour. Graphite Design reinforced its dominance on the Japan Tour, where it has claimed 158 consecutive graphite wood shaft brand counts — 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 is the graphite shaftmaker of choice for Hank Haney, coach to the world’s top-ranked player. In 2007 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
