2010 PGA Professional Player of the Year looks to continue success on the course with Wilson Golf
CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 2011 – Wilson Golf, the Chicago-based company whose irons have captured more Major titles (61) than any other manufacturer, today announced that it has reached an agreement to sign reigning PGA Professional National Champion and University of Illinois Men’s Head Golf Coach Mike Small. The multi-year deal was finalized shortly after Wilson Golf announced that PGA TOUR veteran and fellow-Chicagoan Kevin Streelman had signed with the company. Small joins PGA TOUR star Ricky Barnes and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington as a Wilson Staff Advisory Member.
“We are honored to have Mike Small join the Wilson Golf family,” said Tim Clarke, general manager of Wilson Golf. “What he has accomplished as a three-time PGA Professional National Champion, eight-time winner of the Illinois PGA Championship and as a coach at the University of Illinois is nothing short of spectacular. To have such a talented Chicagoan representing our Chicago-based brand is a tremendous compliment to what our equipment brings to the game.”
The terms of the multi-year contract ensures that Small will play Wilson Staff FG62 irons and FG Tour wedges, carry the distinctive red and white Wilson Staff bag and wear a Wilson Staff hat. Small’s professional preferences and discerning eye was involved in the development and creation of the FG62 irons.
“I have been truly privileged with success on the golf course as a professional golfer and with my student athletes at the University of Illinois,” said Small. “I look forward to playing the Wilson Staff FG brand and representing a Chicago-based company with such a great legacy and exciting future in the game.”
Mike Small has made his presence known in Illinois and the rest of the golf world since winning his first Illinois PGA Championship in 2001. He has gone on to win nine total Illinois PGA Championships, four Illinois Open Championships and three Professional PGA Championships.
In addition to his accomplishments on the golf course as a player, Small has been the head men’s golf coach at the University of Illinois since 2000. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the 2001-02 season and again for the 2008-09 season. His team is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation in Golfweek’s national ranking.
Small accepted his third PGA Professional Player of the Year Award when he was honored during the 2010 PGA of America Awards program at the 58th PGA Merchandise Show on Jan. 27, 2011 in Orlando, Fla.
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 Di11 irons, 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 and 2011. 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.
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