Two-Time All-American and Walker Cup Catalyst Makes Professional Debut on Nationwide Tour
Fairhaven, MA (September 16, 2009) – Titleist, Golf’s Symbol of Excellence, announced it has agreed to a multi-year equipment deal with Rickie Fowler, the world’s top-ranked amateur who turned professional following his stellar Walker Cup performance for the triumphant United States team last weekend. Fowler will play Titleist golf balls and golf clubs, wear a Titleist glove and carry a Titleist golf bag. The Titleist Pro V1 script will also be on the side of his headwear. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The 20-year old will tee it up for the first time as a professional at the Nationwide Tour’s Albertsons Boise Open in Idaho this week. In August, Fowler played the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational where he lost in a sudden death playoff.
“Rickie is the type of person and player with whom we are proud to be associated,” commented Wally Uihlein, Chairman and CEO, Acushnet Company. “Although he is only 20 years old, he has already played extensively at the highest level of amateur golf. The experience he gained in college and as a member of the two victorious Walker Cup teams and a Palmer Cup team is immeasurable as he embarks upon his goal to succeed at the highest level of professional golf. Rickie is also among the most likeable young men that I have been around and he will be a great ambassador for the Titleist brand.”
Fowler attended Oklahoma State University for the past two years where he was a two-time Ping All-America First Team and All-Big 12 First Team selection. As a freshman in 2008, he was also named Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, became the first freshman to win the prestigious Ben Hogan Award, presented annually to the top men’s golfer based on performance in college and amateur golf, and earned the Phil Mickelson Award as the nation’s top freshman.
Fowler won three collegiate events in two years, including the 2008 Big 12 Championship. He earned his first career collegiate title in just his second start, when he captured the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational with a 7-under 203 total that included a second-round 63. The 63 matched the competitive Olympia Fields course record held by Vijay Singh. He posted ten Top 10’s as a freshman and five Top 5’s as a sophomore, including a win at the Aggie Invitational.
Fowler was one of two players on the 2009 U.S. Walker Cup team to post a perfect 4-0 record en route to a 16.5 to 9.5 win over Great Britain & Ireland. He was also the youngest member of the victorious 2007 team where he accumulated a 3-1 record. In 2008, he was selected as a member of the Palmer Cup squad, and the U.S. World Amateur Team. His highly decorated career also includes consecutive wins at the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur in 2007 and 2008, and the Players Amateur in 2007. Fowler participated in each of the last two U.S. Open’s, where he made the cut in 2008 and finished in a tie for 60th place at Torrey Pines.
“I have played Titleist golf balls and equipment for as long as I can remember,” said Fowler. “I am ecstatic and appreciative to be able to expand that relationship with Titleist as a professional. I have a great relationship with Scotty Cameron and his staff and enjoy working on my putting at his state-of-the-art Studio. The Titleist Performance Institute is second to none, and I look forward to working with Titleist’s unmatched Tour Leadership team that will assist me in achieving my goals.”
Fowler currently plays the Titleist Pro V1x golf ball, 909D2 driver (7.5), King Cobra S9-1 fairway metal (15.0), 585H hybrid (17.0), 680 irons (4-9), AP2 2-iron, Vokey Design pitching (47), sand (53) and lob (59) wedges and a Scotty Cameron Newport putter.
Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra comprise the major golf brands of Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE-FO). To learn more, please visit us online at www.titleist.com or contact Joe Gomes, Director of Communications (508.979.3211).
Contact:
