SAN DIEGO, CA – April 27, 2009 – Graphite Design, maker of some of the most widely played premium shafts on the PGA TOUR, announced that the winners of the Zurich Classic and Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf and the runner-up of the LPGA Corona Championship all use Graphite Design Tour AD shafts, one of the most popular shaft brands worldwide.
“This was an exciting weekend for Graphite Design,” said Mr. Tak Yamada, vice president, corporate planning, Graphite Design. “All three events were very closely contested through the final rounds and we congratulate the winners on their victories and the runner-up on her strong finish. We are pleased that these professionals are using our shafts and wish them continued success throughout the remainder of the season.”
After enduring a seven-year winless streak, the winner of the PGA Zurich Classic finished with a 274, one stroke ahead of three players. It was his first PGA TOUR title since he won two in 2002 — exactly 200 starts ago. His victory earned him a $1,134,000.00 check, his biggest payday ever. The winning purse moved him from No. 97 to No. 17 in the FedExCup standings and earns him full exempt status through 2011.
The winner of the Champions Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf won during the second playoff hole on Sunday. It was his second victory this year and it makes him the first international player to win since 2005. He and his partner each earned 225 points in the season-long Charles Schwab Cup race and he maintains a comfortable lead in the race with 922 points.
The Corona Championship runner-up carded a 24-under-par 268 (69-64-67-68), including a season-best 9-under-par 64 during Friday’s second round. Throughout her 72 holes last weekend, the Norwegian carded only one bogey, 21 birdies and a pair of eagles, both on hole eight in the first and third rounds. This is her fourth consecutive top-10 finish of the 2009 season.
Revolutionary technology, design and sourcing the most advanced materials are trademarks in all Graphite Design shafts, making them the highest quality performance shafts on the market. Validating the company’s “AD” logo, all of Graphite Design’s PGA Tour-proven shafts 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.
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 all of golf’s major OEMs. Graphite Design shafts continue to be preferred by top club makers the world over while the company’s mainstay YSQ and YSQst, Stabilized Tip shafts, Aura shafts and other models are extremely popular among avid and occasional golfers. 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
