SAN DIEGO, CA – March 5, 2009 – Graphite Design, maker of some of the most widely played premium shafts on the PGA TOUR, announced that it has hired Philip Foster as Product Development Specialist and Mike Diehl as Aftermarket Shaft Specialist.
Foster will primarily be responsible for developing shafts for the professional caliber and scratch players. He will also assist in shaft development for brand sales to the golf community. He will fit golfers at industry events, demo days and various professional Tour events.
Diehl will be responsible for selling branded shafts through distributors to club builders/fitters and retail golf chains. He will also support international distributors.
“Both Philip and Mike have a great deal of expertise in the golf industry and in their specific job categories,” said Tim Gillis, vice president, sales & marketing, Graphite Design. “They will both help to bring a higher level of service and commitment to our customer base. We are very pleased to have them join our team.”
Mike was previously a Vice President at TaylorMade Performance Labs. Prior to that he was a Vice President and General Manager of Cloud 9 Shuttle in San Diego, California. Mike has served on several boards and committees for events and organizations in San Diego.
Philip is a PGA Class A golf professional who most recently held the positions of Head Golf Professional and Teaching Professional in the Michigan and Northern Ohio PGA Sections. He is a graduate of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Graphite Design International manufactures the highest quality shafts in the world for Pure Distance and Perfect Accuracy. Graphite Design shafts can be seen in play by the best professional players on the PGA, Nationwide, Champions, Japan, European and LPGA tours. Graphite Design shafts reinforced its dominance on the Japan Tour, where it has claimed 158 consecutive graphite wood shaft brand counts — an unprecedented streak which dates to 2002. On the PGA Tour, Graphite Design shafts have helped professionals earn 54 victories since 2004 and millions of dollars in prize money. A total of 8 US distributors and 5 European and Asian distributors supply Graphite Design shafts to over 1000 custom fitters around the world.
About Graphite Design
Graphite Design, established in Japan in 1989 and in the U.S. in 1997, is the industry leader in shaft technology and the preferred brand for golf professionals worldwide. One of the world’s three largest golf-club shaft manufacturers, the company made its mark manufacturing premium shafts for most of golf’s major OEMs, including the top four companies by sales volume. Graphite Design shafts continue to be preferred by top club makers the world over while the company’s mainstay YSQ and YSQ ST shafts, Aura shafts and other models are extremely popular among avid and occasional golfers.
The company’s Tour AD logo is featured on all of Graphite Design’s PGA Tour-proven shafts to specifically promote “Accuracy and Distance” and these key competitive advantages are helping professional and amateur golfers optimize their games after switching to Graphite Design shafts. This validates the revolutionary technology, design and sourcing of the most advanced materials which are trademarks in all Graphite Design shafts, making them the highest quality performance shafts on the market. For more information about Graphite Design, call 888.707.6132, e-mail info@gdintl.com, or visit www.gdintl.com.
For media inquiries about Graphite Design please contact Tracy Nackel at 760-420-1602 / tnackel@cox.net or Vanessa Price at 714-544-6515 / readthegreens@aol.com.
Contact:
Tracy Nackel, TEN Marketing & Public Relations, tnackel@cox.net, 760-420-1602
Vanessa Price, TEN Marketing & Public Relations, readthegreens@aol.com, 714-544-6515
