Rising PGA Tour star looking to continue success in 2011
CHICAGO, November 29, 2010 – Wilson Golf, the Chicago-based company whose irons have captured 61 Major Championship titles over the company’s illustrious history – more than any other golf club manufacturer – today announced that it has reached an agreement to re-sign PGA Tour young gun Ricky Barnes. The three-year contract was finalized as Barnes finishes his second full season on the PGA TOUR ranked 75th in the world and 64th in the FedEx Cup standings.
The multi-year contract ensures that Barnes will continue to play Wilson Staff FG Tour irons and the Wilson Staff FG Tour wedges, carry the distinctive red and white Wilson Staff bag and wear the iconic Wilson “engineer” hat through the 2013 season.
“I’m excited about my partnership with Wilson Golf, a company that has such a rich golf championship history and heritage,” said Barnes. “I’ve played great golf since switching to the Wilson Staff FG Tour irons, and my confidence has translated into success on the course. With a great R&D team working with me, I’m looking forward to achieving even greater success in the years ahead on the PGA TOUR.”
Since joining the Wilson Staff team at the start of the 2009 PGA TOUR season, Barnes has been passionately involved in the development of Wilson’s FG Tour irons and wedges, which he plays. Alongside fellow Wilson Staff Advisory member and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, Barnes will continue to provide invaluable feedback on the design and development of Wilson Staff clubs.
“Wilson Golf is proud to continue its relationship with Ricky Barnes,” said Tim Clarke, general manager of Wilson Golf. “Ricky’s style of play and on-course demeanor couldn’t be a better match for the Wilson brand. He’s working hard, having fun and playing great. In fact, his play has truly connected with the younger, serious golfer and helped that player connect with our legacy of performance.”
Barnes finished ranked 16th on the TOUR in Top Ten finishes with six, and was eighth in birdies (372). His best finishes include a T3 at The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village where he shot a tournament low 62, and two T5s at the Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links and the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands. He finished in 64th place in the FedEx Cup standing.
Barnes burst back onto the national scene during the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black where he held the lead going into the third round before finishing tied for 2nd place. He holds the record for the lowest 36-hole score in US Open history at -8 under par.
About Wilson Golf
For nearly a century, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 61 Major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. Wilson Staff’s D-FY combo set, FG Tour irons, Conform glove and the distance D:25 golf ball were honored with Golf Digest’s Hot List awards in 2010. Wilson Staff, Profile, ProStaff and Hope consumer brands continue that tradition today by delivering the highest quality golf equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the course and overall enjoyment of the game.
Wilson Golf is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sporting equipment by Amer Sports. Visit www.wilsonstaff.com or call 773.714.6400 for more information.
Contact:
Palmer Moody
KemperLesnik
847/850-2478 office
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palmer.moody@kemperlesnik.com
B.R. Koehnemann
KemperLesnik
847/291-6740 office
773/358-0833 cell
br.koehnemann@kemperlesnik.com
