(Londonderry, New Hampshire) – Renowned Danish shoemaker ECCO announces the addition of international Tour star Arjun Atwal to the roster of elite staff players who prefer the comfort, performance and styling of its luxury market leading golf shoes.
As part of this multi-year agreement, Atwal will wear ECCO’s distinctive World Class collection golf shoes exclusively during all on-course activities, appear at company functions and in the brand’s promotional campaigns. The 35-year-old native of India will also display the company logo on his shirt collar.
“I’ve played all over the world in every imaginable condition and know how important it is to have the proper footwear,” says Atwal. “I can always depend on the comfort, stability and weather resistance ECCO provides.”
Atwal’s impressive 13-year professional career is highlighted by eight international victories, including the 2002 Singapore Masters, which distinguished him as the first Indian golfer to capture a PGA European Tour title. He is also the first Indian to earn a PGA Tour card and first player to surpass $1 million in career earnings on the Asian PGA Tour.
In 2008, Atwal has continued his strong play, winning the Maybank Malaysian Open on the PGA European Tour and finishing runner-up at the Nationwide Tour’s Panama Movistar Championship.
“Arjun’s status as one of India’s greatest players provides excellent exposure for the ECCO brand,” says Jesper Thuen, Sponsor and Event Manager, ECCO Golf. “He’s a valued member of the country’s golfing community and we’re happy to partner with him as part of our expansion in this rapidly expanding market.”
In addition to Atwal, ECCO golf shoes are 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, Meena Lee, Candie Kung, Linda Wessberg, Wendy Ward and others.
The company’s Spring/Summer 2008 golf collection features unequaled comfort, style and performance in several new designs, including the distinctive C-Force Hydromax for men – the first-ever golf shoe to incorporate a Carbon Force Plate to provide unequaled lightness, flexibility, strength and durability. For women, the new ACE series offers a unique system of interlocking Truss Support Elements that creates the most advanced swing platform in the women’s game.
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 USA is based in Londonderry, New Hampshire. For more information: visit www.eccousa.com, 800.886.3226.
Contact:
David Griffith
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3391
dgriffith@billycaspergolf.com
