CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – Ashworth, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASHW), a leading designer of golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear, today announced its Sunice® brand of technical outerwear has been named the top 2008 outerwear company in the Resort category by the Association of Golf Merchandisers’ annual Member Survey.
The prestigious survey is designed to assist the highly respected organization in gathering important industry statistics and determining the needs of its members for future educational initiatives.
Ashworth Inc. acquired the Sunice trademark from Fletcher Leisure Group Inc. (FLG) in mid January. Ashworth established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunice Holdings, Inc., which owns the Sunice trademark and is entirely focused on the new technical outerwear line. The product line is concurrently marketed alongside Ashworth®-branded apparel by Ashworth’s sales and marketing team. FLG will provide design services for Sunice Holdings Inc. and facilitate sourcing relationships for the new outerwear line.
“Obviously this is a tremendous honor for Sunice and Ashworth, Inc.,” says Allan H. Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer of Ashworth, Inc. “The AGM represents the golf industry’s most respected merchandisers, so receiving this honor validates not only the quality of our product, but also our customer service and dedication to the green-grass channel. ”
Sunice® takes pride in its strong vendor/partner relationships, and Ashworth, Inc., plays a major supporting role in its efforts to continually elevate the sport and serve its customer base.
“There are a number of talented outerwear companies in the golf industry,” Fletcher adds, “so we don’t take this honor for granted. Every day Sunice employees put everything they have into developing and selling product that our customers want in their shops. Economic times are tough and many of our customers have had to streamline their vendor lists, so the AGM’s recognition of Sunice in the Resort classification not only is extremely meaningful for us, but it continues to strengthen our resolve to be the best vendors we can be in serving our loyal customers.”
Ashworth, Inc (NASDAQ: ASHW) is a leading designer of men’s and women’s golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear distributed domestically and internationally in golf pro shops, resorts, upscale department and specialty stores, and to corporate customers. Ashworth’s three market-leading brands include: Ashworth Clubhouse™, a range of upscale sportswear designed to be worn on and off course; Ashworth Core™, which showcases popular items from the Ashworth line; and Ashworth Weather Systems®, a technical performance line. Ashworth is also an Official Apparel Licensee of Callaway Golf Company.
Ashworth is also an Official Apparel Licensee of Callaway Golf Company and Ashworth owns the Outerwear Apparel brand Sunice in Europe, UK and the U.S.A. Ashworth is also a leading designer, producer and distributor of headwear and apparel under The Game® and Kudzu® brands. The Game is a leading headwear brand to collegiate bookstores and Kudzu products are sold into the NASCAR/racing markets and through outdoors sports distribution channels, including fishing and hunting. Ashworth is also the Kentucky Derby’s exclusive on-site event merchandiser.
The AGM is a professional association of golf-related vendors and professional vendors located worldwide. Its mission is to educate golf retail buyers, merchandisers and golf professionals, elevate the golf merchandising profession and enhance communication between golf buyers and vendor partners.
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For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.sunice.com or contact Mary Beth Lacy at 760-346-6942, or email: mb@mblacy.com
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