Nationwide Tour Winner, Top Verizon Heritage Finishers Enjoyed Success with Company?s Shafts
(SAN DIEGO, California) – Graphite Design – maker of some of the most widely played high-performance shafts on the PGA TOUR – stretched its streak of Japan Tour graphite wood shaft brand count wins to 159 while aiding the Nationwide Tour winner and four top-seven finishers at the Verizon Heritage, according to the Darrell Survey.
At the Japan Tour’s 2008 season-opening event, the Token Homemate Cup, Graphite Design picked up where it left off in 2007 – dominating all brands in the graphite wood shaft category. A total of 162 Graphite Design shafts were in play, 62 more than the nearest competitor, while the champion was among those choosing the company’s models. Graphite Design’s unprecedented string of Japan Tour wood shaft victories stretches to 2002.
On the Nationwide Tour, the winner of the Athens Regional Foundation Classic used Graphite Design’s YS Power 75 model in his 3-wood. And at the PGA TOUR’s Verizon Heritage, four top-seven finishers used a variety of Graphite Design models while the company’s YS-Hybrid 85 topped the graphite hybrid shaft model count for the ninth time in 2008.
“Graphite Design’s success on the Japan Tour shows no signs of slowing down in 2008,” said Tim Gillis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Graphite Design. “We’re also proud of our success on U.S. tours this weekend as leading professionals continue to choose our driver, fairway and hybrid models to deliver pure distance and perfect accuracy. By using Graphite Design shafts, golfers of all swing types can maximize their potential from tee to green.”
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, Japanand 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
