CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – September 5, 2008 – Ashworth, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASHW), a leading designer of golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear, today announced it has partnered with GOLF CHANNEL as the golf-apparel supplier for GOLF CHANNEL’s new season of “Big Break X: Michigan,” which debuts October 7.
The show’s eight two-person teams have been supplied Ashworth product from the company’s current Men’s and Women’s Fall 2008 line. The male contestants were provided assorted product from all four Fall 2008 categories-Third Groove Performance fabrics, Hi-Def 100% Luxury Cotton, environmentally friendly Ashworth Organics and young-minded ASHW33.
Female contestants were offered all three of the Fall 2008 Women’s collections-California, New York and Hawaii. Each has its very own identity, achieved through color scheme, styling, fabrics and trims.
The team format of “Big Break X: Michigan” is a series first, with the eight two-person teams-each comprised of a male and female-testing each competitor’s games as much as their relationships in the Big Break series’ 10th season. The teams will face some of the most grueling competition in series history in which they could win a lifelong dream at the risk of losing a lifelong friendship.
“We are really excited about playing a role in the 10th season of the Big Break series on GOLF CHANNEL,” says Chris Demirjian, Ashworth Inc.’s Director of Sports Marketing. “We know the competitors will love the styles and variety of the apparel we have supplied them. It’s a great opportunity for the competitors to see how our Fall 2008 line looks and feels, as well as a wonderful opportunity for golfers worldwide to see our new line in action.”
Both the men’s and women’s Fall 2008 collections are versatile, and, among their many other attributes, place importance on fabrics and attention to detail.
Here Is What The Contestants Can Choose From:
Ashworth is replacing 100% polyester with its Third Groove Performance category of Men’s golf shirts, which are made of innovative blends of pima cotton and polyester that are the ultimate in performance, comfort and style. The performance attributes include moisture wicking, breathability, lightweight, no snagging and no odor issues.
Ashworth is continuing, yet improving upon, its state-of-the-art Hi-Def Luxury 100% cotton fabric shirt category, which is geared for a more classic, refined look. This special process gives the fabric a lustrous feel of luxury, but is easy care and won’t wrinkle or shrink.
Ashworth Organics is a brand-new, great-looking line made of sustainable, recyclable or 100 percent organic cottons. Ashworth Organics’ colors can cross merchandise with the other pieces in the line. Ashworth Organics incorporates very comfortable fabrics and classic styles that take a step toward environmentally friendly products.
Another new line called ASHW33 is designed for a slightly younger, hipper mindset. This avante garde look is designed with performance fabrics and unique graphic elements, stitching details and subtle treatments. This shirt group boasts a “mod fit,” which is an updated slimmer fit.
Some of the trends Ashworth incorporated into its Fall 2008 women’s lines include monochromatic prints, oversized buttons, lightweight sweaters and outerwear. Because golf is truly a lifestyle, Ashworth designed some items that can be worn from the golf course straight into the golfer’s daily off-course activities.
The first collection, California, has a very specific Southern California feel. It is made up of warm tones of yellow and crisp white with some soft-khaki accents. The second collection, New York, has a very preppy, East Coast feel. Silhouettes are very traditional, yet sophisticated. The collection contains very classic colors-black, white, khaki and a very rich red tone-and offers lots of variety in layering pieces. Hawaii, the third collection, has a water theme and consists of deep blues and vibrant crisp aqua greens.
This collection offers a performance edge with a selection of knits that are moisture wicking, quick drying and breathable.
About The Big Break:
For its 10th anniversary, “Big Break X: Michigan” returns to the destination where it all began-northern Michigan. The show will be shot at Boyne Highlands Resort, located in Harbor Springs.
The Big Break concept showcases highly skilled golfers competing against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her “Big Break,” a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in select professional tournaments, and other career-building prizes.
“Big Break X: Michigan” will feature new skills Challenges to test every phase of each competitor’s golf game. Teams will be comprised of individuals boasting amateur and professional tour accolades, and whose connections range from married or dating to friends or ex-significant others. The winning team will earn an exemption for the male to compete in the 2009 Children’s Miracle Network Classic at the Walt Disney World Resort while the female will play in the 2009 Bell Micro LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala.
Past Big Break champions have competed on some of the world’s top professional circuits, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Former winner Tommy Gainey is in the midst of his rookie season on the PGA TOUR while previous female Big Breakers currently play on the LPGA Tour.
“Once the Big Break golfers wear our Fall 2008 apparel during the competition, they’ll see how our product speaks for itself,” Demirjian says. “We’re hoping our relationship with GOLF CHANNEL and the Big Break series is one that is long lasting and rewarding.”
Carlsbad, Calif.-based Ashworth, Inc., 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 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.
Contact:
Mary Beth Lacy at 760-346-6942 or email: mb@mblacy.com
Golf Channel – Mark Mitchell – email: mmitchell@golfchannel.com, phone: (407) 355-4063
