Norcross, GA (September 15, 2008) – Stacy Lewis, one of the most promising young golfers in the game of golf has signed a multi-year contract with Mizuno USA, Inc. to serve as a Mizuno Brand Ambassador. Lewis has relied on Mizuno golf equipment to perform at her best throughout her college and amateur career and will now represent the brand at the professional level. In addition to utilizing Mizuno equipment, she will also carry a Mizuno World Staff Bag and wear the Mizuno logo on her headwear.
From age 11, Lewis wore a back brace for 7 ½ years, 18 hours a day, to correct curvature in her spine from Scoliosis. The brace didn’t work so she had surgery and thought she would never play golf again. After nine months of rehab, she began playing golf again and went on to be the #1 ranked amateur in the United States in 2007 and 2008 and a four-time All-American while at the University of Arkansas. She won 12 collegiate tournaments, was the NCAA Individual Champion in 2007, and was a member of the 2008 Curtis Cup Team where she recorded five wins and no losses, making her the first person in the Curtis Cup’s 76-year history to accomplish that feat. In her first tournament as a professional at the U.S. Open, the most prestigious of all majors, Lewis lead the star-studded field after the third round and played in the final grouping on the last day, eventually finishing third.
“I’ve used Mizuno clubs ever since my freshman year at Arkansas and have enjoyed success with them throughout my collegiate career,” said Stacy Lewis. “As a professional, there was really no reason to play any other club. I’m looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Mizuno.”
“We’re thrilled to have a player of Stacy’s caliber join the Mizuno family,” said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager, Mizuno USA Golf. “Not only is she one of the best stories in golf because of her unbelievable talent, but also because she epitomizes determination and the strength of the human spirit. Going from wearing a back brace for seven years, not knowing if she was ever going to play the game again, to finishing third in the U.S. Open shows the true character that she possesses. She is off to an unbelievable start to her professional career and we, along with everyone else in the golf world, can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.
This sponsorship was arranged by Sterling Sports Management on behalf of their client, Stacy Lewis. Sterling is one of the largest agencies on the LPGA Tour. Its clients come from six countries and have won over 50 LPGA tournaments.
Contact:
Iver Maple
Mizuno USA
770-453-7832
iver.maple@mizunousa.com
