(Londonderry, New Hampshire) — Renowned Danish shoemaker ECCO confirms that staff player Thomas Bjorn wore its luxurious World Class GTX golf shoes en route to winning the Estoril Open de Portugal this past weekend at Penha Longa Golf Club.
Bjorn fought through strong, swirling winds to post a final-round 68 and finish at 23-under par 265 for the week, five strokes clear of his nearest challenger. In capturing his 10th career European Tour title, and first in more than four years, the 39-year-old Dane moved inside The Race to Dubai top-40 and proved he’s still capable of competing at the highest level.
“It feels it has been a long time in coming, but I have to be pleased,” said Bjorn. “When I saw the weather conditions I thought if shot somewhere in the 60s I would be difficult to beat. I made some great shots at the right time.”
Bjorn’s winning total was only one stroke short of the 24-under tournament record set by Colin Montgomerie at Quinta do Lago in 1989.
“Thomas is a legend in Denmark and has been part of the ECCO family since almost our first golf shoe collection,” says Jesper Thuen, Sponsor and Event Manager, ECCO Golf. “He’s really returned to form the past few weeks, not only with this incredible win but also his strong run at the Celtic Manor Wales Open and in qualifying for the Open Championship. We’re truly excited by his prospects for the rest of the season.”
In addition to Bjorn, ECCO golf shoes are worn in competition by scores of international Tour stars, including Fred Couples, Aaron Baddeley, Colin Montgomerie, Stuart Appleby, Thongchai Jaidee, Arjun Atwal, John Bickerton, Bradley Dredge and many others.
Coinciding with the recently introduced 2010 golf collection, ECCO has engaged in a series of major account and customer service initiatives. These include a supporting partnership of the PGA of America Golf Retirement Plus program, a new ECCO Golf Comfort Tech Van, a web-based retailer training module and the brand’s status as an official member of the Association of Golf Merchandisers.
Guaranteeing a level of quality that cannot be matched by any major footwear manufacturer, each ECCO golf shoe is made using a proprietary, direct-injection process. Touched by more than 225 sets of highly-skilled hands during production, each model is a testament to the brand’s unrivalled attention to detail that helps discerning players look, feel and play their best.
All ECCO golf shoes feature a network of built-in technologies to create the ideal platform for the perfect swing. These include a direct-injected, PU-constructed midsole/outsole that:
• Creates a one-piece shoe construction
• Ensures unrivaled durability, flexibility, lightness and weather resistance
• Provides a superior level of cushioning and comfort that does not break down over time, unlike commonly-used materials such as air, rubber and EVA foam
Optimal performance is further guaranteed by:
• Ultra-soft, high-grade leathers with hydrophobic treatments for superb weather-resistance
• Internal stabilizer to reduce torque and create ideal swing stability
• Double-layer insole with cushion that absorbs heel force to reduce stress on the knees, hips and back
• Internal Air-Circulation System to maintain a fresh, dry and cool foot environment
• Dynamic Energy Return System that provides a trampoline effect during foot-strike and follow-through to reduce fatigue and restore energy with each step
• Green-friendly outsole designs featuring molded traction bars combined with Stinger cleats from Champ and the Q-Lok insert system to provide ideal traction and grip
About ECCO
ECCO is a world leading brand with fashionable comfort quality shoes.
Founded in 1963 by Karl Toosbuy, ECCO is the only major shoe manufacturer to own and manage the entire value chain from cow to consumer. ECCO has more than 15,000 employees, direct subsidiaries in Europe, the Far East and North America, and partners worldwide.
Based on ECCO’s many years of tradition in shoemaking, ECCO delivers uncompromising comfort and design and the products are sold in more than 3,800 shops all over the world. In 2008, ECCO sold over 17.5 million pair of shoes and reached a turnover of DKK 5.4 billion. However, ECCO’s aim has never been to be the biggest — but always to be the best.
ECCO USA is based in Londonderry, New Hampshire. For more information: visit www.eccousa.com, 800.886.3226.
Contact:
David Griffith
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3391
dgriffith@buffalocommunications.com
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