Luxury Market Leader Wins Men’s and Women’s Categories
(LONDONDERRY, NH) – Renowned Danish shoemaker ECCO announces its World Class City GTX and ACE Hydromax golf shoes topped the Golf Fitness Magazine 2008 Footwear Rankings in the “Men’s Classic” and “Ladies Hybrid” categories.
Appearing in the May/June 2008 edition of Golf Fitness Magazine, the inaugural shoe rankings evaluated leading footwear brands on a series of criteria, including fit, performance, styling/design, cool factor, cross-over appeal, value and overall performance. The World Class City GTX and ACE Hydromax each received a score of 96/100.
“The World Class City GTX is very sharp, very comfortable, fits well and performed well on the course,” says Auke Hempenius, Style Director for Golf Fitness Magazine. “The ACE Hydromax fit like gloves the moment they were on. They offered the best combo of performance and style.”
“It is very rewarding anytime independent testing validates what we have been working so hard to accomplish,” says C.B. Tuite, General Sales Manager, ECCO USA Golf Division. “Golf Fitness Magazine examined all aspects of footwear performance and we are honored to win in both the men’s and women’s categories.”
Created specifically for golf’s most discerning consumers, the World Class City GTX includes an attention to detail unrivaled by other major shoemakers and all the advanced ECCO performance, comfort and stability features that Tour pros desire. A Gore-Tex membrane guarantees complete and breathable waterproof comfort.
Ultra-lightweight, the Ace Hydromax is built to meet the athletic demands of the modern game and features an integrated stabilization system with permanent memory that does not deteriorate under even the most strenuous conditions. The brand’s proprietary Hydromax leather provides superior weather resistance.
ECCO is preferred by international Tour stars 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 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 andNorth 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.
About Golf Fitness Magazine
Golf Fitness Magazine, Inc. focuses on total game improvement through physical and mental performance. Being the best that you can be in order to play the best golf that YOU can play-defines the editorial philosophy behind the magazine. In addition, each issue features the latest in golf performance apparel, history of the game, philanthropy and nutrition. Along with injury prevention, treatment, overall health and wellness, the magazine also provides golf fitness routines for every golfer, no matter what your age or your handicap.
For more information log onto www.golffitnessmagazine.com.
Contact:
David Griffith
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3391
dgriffith@billycaspergolf.com
