In almost every respect, 2009 was a record year for up-and-coming golf club manufacturer Tiger Shark Golf.
With the acquisition of SuperStroke grips in January of 2009, Tiger Shark became the predominant oversized putter grip company in golf. Soon after, Tiger Shark grips catapulted to “The #1 Jumbo Putter Grips on the PGA Tour.”
Tiger Shark and SuperStroke have been instrumental in making the jumbo putter grip one of the most visible new technological advancements on the professional tours in recent years. Tiger Shark-owned jumbo putter grips were put into play by over 35 players on the 2009 PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour and the company had more oversized putter grips in play on the 2009 PGA Tour than any other manufacturer.
The one-two punch of Tiger Shark and SuperStroke jumbo grips helped the company experience a PGA Tour victory, plus a new course record and #1 putting stats at the Byron Nelson Championship, and earn eleven other Top 10 finishes on the PGA Tours in 2009. Tiger Shark is the winningest jumbo putter grip company in the history of the PGA Tours with 6 wins. In 2009, Tiger Shark Golf also experienced more product models in play (9) by PGA Tour players than any other year in the company’s 36-year history.
“We are extremely proud to have so many products put into play by PGA Tour players this year,” said Tiger Shark President Dean Dingman. “We have established ourselves as a company that can help the best players in the world post better scores and improve their putting. It has been a defining year for us.”
Most recently, SuperStroke earned an international win in the bag of longtime spokesperson KJ Choi at the Iskandar Johor Open October 28th. Choi posted a third round score of eight-under 64 for a three-day total of 20-under 196 at the Asian Tour event. He fired three consecutive birdies in his opening three holes before adding another two on the sixth and seventh holes to make the turn in 31, earning him $158,500 for his victory.
Choi’s victory marked the 4th time he has won an event with a SuperStroke grip. During the short PGA Tour offseason, Choi used the Asian Tour to tune up his game before turning his attention to the upcoming season, where he has won seven titles, 3 with a SuperStroke grip.
“It is not easy to win on the Asian Tour,” said Choi. “The depth of talent of the players here is very deep. If you do not manage yourself and your game, you cannot win out here. For me to win my first Asian Tour title outside of Korea is a testament of how difficult it is to play here.”
Wins like KJ’s and a stellar rookie year by SuperStroke spokesperson Matt Bettencourt helped worldwide exposure hit a new high for Tiger Shark in 2009. Millions of viewers noticed the jumbo putter grips in the hands of some of the world’s best players. Tiger Shark and SuperStroke grips received a significant amount of air time at events like the US Open, the Memorial, the Byron Nelson Championship, the Wyndham Championship, and the Scottish Open, many times with the announcers discussing the benefits of the oversized grip on their worldwide coverage. Golf editorial, web site traffic and consumer demand at the store level hit record levels for the company out of Warren, Michigan.
Financially, Tiger Shark saw a 25% increase in year-to-date sales in 2009 over last year. In 2009, Tiger Shark and their team of 27 territory managers covering the entire US market opened up 600 new accounts, including some of golf’s largest retailers.
2010 Overview
New products for Tiger Shark’s 2010 product line are sure to increase the buzz on Tiger Shark as well.
Four new grip options will be available on Tiger Shark branded putters. This includes a newly designed version of the UltraTac™ grip, which has sold millions since its introduction, and the new SuperStroke Lite Fatso and Slim Slip-On grips that became a phenomenon on the professional tours in 2009. Several new putter models are also planned for 2010, including four stylish new designs of their GreenSpeed™ and GreatWhite™ putter lines.
Tiger Shark will soon be launching its much anticipated Pressure Zone club grips. These are wood and iron grips designed with a Modified Taper Technology™ to ease the tension on your hands during the swing to help increase distance and accuracy.
2010 will also be the year that features the unveiling of the Jim Flood designed products, which includes the much anticipated PowerPod™ Driver and R.A.P.™ Putter lines. Flood, a man who has been called the Thomas Edison of modern golf, has developed over 50 golf-related products in the past 35 years that have revolutionized the game of golf forever. In 1972, Jim developed and introduced the first graphite golf shaft and founded Aldila Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of graphite shafts. In 1990, he founded Odyssey, the world’s #1 putter company, which was later sold to Callaway Golf. He was hired by Tiger Shark to bring his unique talents and vision to the Tiger Shark product line.
Tiger Shark will also be unveiling a new Juli Inkster Platinum Ladies set and new junior box sets that were designed specifically for beginning golfers of all ages. Tiger Shark will be upgrading every one of their extremely popular package sets with new bags and featuring the company’s new logo and look for 2010 and beyond. Also look out for a new SpinGroove™ wedge that conform to USGA groove regulations while still providing the spin needed for amateur golfers.
More About Tiger Shark Golf
Tiger Shark has more than 1,600 accounts across the U.S. including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Edwin Watts, Golfsmith, Roger Dunn, Pro Golf, Nevada Bobs, PGA Tour Superstores, Golf Headquarters and TGW.com. Tiger Shark, one of the oldest brands in golf, offers a variety of golf equipment with a specialty in grips, putters, complete sets, drivers, wedges and hybrids. For more information about Tiger Shark, call 800-667-0181 or visit www.tigersharkgolf.com.
Contact:
Jon Claffey
Jclaffey@golfassetsllc.com
