BEAVERTON, Ore. (April 11) – Nike Golf today announced the appointment of Michael Pai to the position of Global Category Director for Golf Balls and Golf Bags, effective April 14.
Pai is joining Nike Golf from Srixon USA where he was the Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Tour Promotions.
As the Global Category Director for Balls and Bags for Nike Golf, Pai will be responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing the day to day management of the Golf Ball and Golf Bag categories. “We are extremely excited to have Mike joining our Nike Golf Team,” said Category Business Director Stan Grissinger. “He brings to Nike Golf a tremendous amount of seasoned experience, talent and industry respect that will elevate our golf ball and golf bag business.”
“I am very excited and honored to be joining such a powerful and inspirational brand,” said Pai. “I look forward to being associated with Nike Golf’s phenomenal rapid growth in the industry and contributing to a team that is dedicated to delivering innovative products to golfers worldwide.”
In his former position as Vice President of Marketing with Srixon USA, Pai was responsible for building brand awareness, increasing distribution and developing Tour support for the Srixon brand in the US, which included the signing of top PGA Tour player Jim Furyk. Prior to his role at Srixon, Pai was one of the first employees of the Callaway Golf Ball Division, where he was instrumental in the company’s entry into the golf ball business. Before his role at Callaway Golf, Pai’s was at Maxfli Golf, where he led the successful launch of the Maxfli Revolution franchise.
Pai is a graduate of Cornell University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and competed on the golf team. He received an MBA in General Management/Marketing from Duke University. Pai and his family will be relocating from Atlanta, Georgia, to Beaverton, Oregon, home of Nike’s World Headquarters.
Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. In 2008, Nike Golf’s PGA Tour staff has four wins and 20 top-10 finishes. In 2007, Nike Golf had 13 PGA Tour wins, 49 top-10 finishes, seven Nationwide Tour victories and eight international titles. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists in the U.S. seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. For international journalists, please contact Nike Golf’s public relations representative in respective countries for information.
Contact:
Beth Gast – Nike Golf
503.532.8852
beth.gast@nike.com
Gretchen Wilhelm- Nike Golf
503.532.6236
gretchen.wilhelm@nike.com
