SAN DIEGO, CA – November 5, 2010 – Graphite Design, maker of some of the most widely played premium golf shafts on the PGA TOUR, announced today that Ryan Hixson, an Ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard, won the 2010 Military Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, Nevada using a Graphite Design Tour AD DI 7X shaft.
Hixson bombed his drive 387 yards in the quarter finals to qualify for the semi finals. His 363-yard drive in the semi finals moved him into the finals where he won by 20 yards with a 358-yard drive. This is Hixson’s fourth consecutive victory at the Military Long Drive Championship. He won the inaugural staging of the Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation-backed competition in 2007 and has now successfully defended his title three years in a row.
According to Hixson, “We were hitting into a headwind and I attribute the low spin of the Graphite Design shaft to be able to hit it that far! This is my second year using a Graphite Design shaft at this event and I am confident I can count on the company’s shafts to perform consistently well during competition.”
“We congratulate Ryan on his fourth consecutive victory at the Military Long Drive Championship,” said Mr. Tak Yamada, VP of Sales & Marketing, Graphite Design. “The fact that he crushed a 387-yard drive in the semi-finals and won by twenty yards in the finals is amazing! Our Graphite Design Tour AD DI 7X shaft is designed for strong players with faster swing speeds and we are pleased that Ryan relied on our shaft at this prestigious event. Our shafts are known for high quality and superior performance and this victory definitely validates the outstanding performance benefits.”
Designed to provide more power and stability, the Tour AD DI shaft, manufactured exclusively at Graphite Design Japan, has been integrated with Toray Company’s new Nanomaterial technology in the tip section of the shaft. This unique tip technology creates optimal launch and spin conditions to produce increased accuracy and distance. Tour players have been impressed by the fact that when using the Tour AD DI shaft they can increase ball speed and accuracy without giving up distance.
The mid bend profile of the Tour AD DI allows the player to load the shaft properly, yet maintains a firm enough tip section through impact, producing optimal spin and launch conditions. Golfers using the shaft will experience the feel of the ball leaving the club head with a lot of speed while maintaining exceptional feel and control.
The Tour AD DI shaft carries the Tour AD moniker which stands for Tour Accuracy and Distance and has long been known for high quality and superior performance. This is represented by the company’s success that has been documented by professionals and amateurs alike. Graphite Design is the most dominant shaft on the JPGA Tour and has been for the past seven years.
The event took place at the Mesquite Sports and Event Complex in Mesquite, NV. Hixson pocketed $10,000 for his efforts and exemptions into the 2011 Military and RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships. The competition was coordinated by the U.S. Army’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Command. Highlights of the 2010 Military Long Drive Championship finals will be shown during ESPN’s telecast of the 2010 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship on Sunday, December 26, 2010.
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 163 consecutive graphite wood shaft brand counts — an unprecedented streak which dates to 2003. On the PGA Tour, Graphite Design shafts have helped professionals earn 72 victories since 2004 and millions of dollars in prize money. A total of 45 US distributors and 15 European and Asian distributors supply Graphite Design shafts to custom club 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 golf’s major OEMs, Graphite Design Tour AD shafts continue to be preferred by top club makers the world over while the company’s other models are extremely popular among avid and occasional golfers.
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. 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
