Japan PGA Champion Also Reached Winner’s Circle with Graphite Design
(SAN DIEGO, California) – The winner of the AT&T Classic used Graphite Design shafts in a pair of fairway woods to claim his first PGA TOUR victory while the company notched another win on the Japan Tour, according to the Darrell Survey.
Swinging Graphite Design’s ever-popular YS-6 model in his 3-wood and 5-wood, the AT&T Classic winner posted a four-round total of 15-under par and prevailed in a sudden-death playoff. The player has carried Graphite Design shafts throughout his breakout 2008 season; the win marked his fourth top-five finish of the year, vaulting him to fourth on the PGA TOUR money list and third in the FedEx Cup Standings.
On the Japan Tour, the winner of the Japan PGA Championship was among the many players using Graphite Design shafts. The champion played Graphite Design models in two fairway woods and a hybrid club throughout his dominating, six-shot victory, the 24th of his career. Graphite Design also claimed the graphite wood shaft brand count with 191 shafts in play – 81 more than the nearest competitor and 37.8 percent of the total.
“We’re proud to have helped this week’s PGA TOUR and Japan Tour winners achieve their latest milestones,” said Tim Gillis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Graphite Design. “The victory at the AT&T underscores the enduring popularity of Graphite Design’s YS-6 shaft, which continues to drive professionals to success the world over thanks to its superior design and playability. Those qualities are hallmarks of all Graphite Design shafts, which help the full spectrum of golfers realize optimum results.”
Graphite Design – maker of some of the most widely played high-performance shafts on the PGA TOUR – 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 premium 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
