Luxury Market Leader Supports Top Rookie Performer, Outfits Leading Players
(TORONTO) – Renowned Danish Shoemaker ECCO has been selected Official Footwear Sponsor of the 2008 Canadian Professional Golf Tour (Canadian Tour), a key proving ground for future PGA Tour stars.
As part of this agreement, the top Canadian-born newcomer will receive the “ECCO Canadian Rookie of the Year Award.” That player, as well as the Tour Championship winner, will be outfitted in ECCO golf shoes. The brand will also sell its luxury market leading products at select Canadian Tour events and receive exposure through various channels, including the Tour’s official media guide, pairing sheets, tournament signage and website,www.cantour.com.
“We are proud to sponsor such a vital part of the Canadian golf community,” says Todd Davidson, Product and Sales Manager, Golf Division, ECCO Canada. “This puts our brand in front of thousands of people at top-flight events and helps us build relationships with players who may develop into the world’s best.”
For more than 20 years, the Canadian Tour has proven to be an outstanding training ground for PGA Tour success. As of May 2008, Canadian Tour alumni have won more than 55 PGA Tour titles and $250 million. These players include Stuart Appleby, Michael Campbell, Chris DiMarco, Todd Hamilton, Arron Oberholser, Steve Stricker, Nick Watney and Mike Weir.
“The quality of ECCO shoes is second to none,” says Bram Cotton, Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Canadian Tour. “This is a great opportunity for the Canadian Tour and we’re thrilled to partner with this global luxury brand.”
In addition to the Canadian Tour, ECCO’s worldwide sponsorships include the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, ECCO Tour, European Solheim Cup team, Golf Town Amateur Tour, Ladies European Tour and PGA European Challenge Tour, among many other events.
Preferred by scores of international Tour stars, the brand is worn in competition by 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 2007, the Danish company sold almost 17 million pairs, achieving net revenues of ?756 million.
Founded in 1963 by Karl Toosbuy, ECCO has nearly 15,000 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 687 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 Canadian Tour
The Canadian Tour operates an International schedule of tournaments in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The association is an independent, non-profit entity owned by its 200 members from around the world and is the voice of professional golf in Canada. As of May 2008, Canadian Tour alumni have won more than 55 PGA TOUR titles and over US$250 million.
The Canadian Tour is a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours with the top-six finishers at each Canadian Tour event earning official world ranking points. In addition, the Order of Merit winner and runner-up are exempted into the second stage of the PGA TOUR qualifying school.
For more information please visit www.cantour.com or call 1.877.226.8687.
Contact:
David Griffith
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3391
dgriffith@billycaspergolf.com
