Average Joes from Tennessee, Massachusetts and California Earn the Right to be Treated Like the Pros
Norcross, Ga. (April 9, 2013) – Mizuno Golf announced today the next three members to fill out the “Team JPX” roster of “game-improvement” professionals.
Josh Ray, Rob Cohen and Steve Gierer, from Antioch, Tenn., Framingham, Mass. and San Jose, Calif. respectively, were selected out of more than 1,800 applications to receive the Pro treatment from Mizuno and celebrate the “Average Joe’s” quest for game-improvement using the new Mizuno JPX-825 irons.
Air Force veteran Josh Ray, known as “Plaid” on the golf course for his wild patterned pants, spent two years in Misawa, Japan and has competed in several Wounded Warrior Project tournaments and Birdies for the Brave events. Ray began playing golf in the seventh grade, regularly posts rounds in the 80s and is a proud father of two.
For the past seven years, Rob Cohen has worked hard to reduce his handicap from 31 to 15. He also displays his commitment to golf off the course, working as Tournament Committee Chair at Framingham Country Club. When he’s not focused on golf, Cohen can be found spending time with his wife of 20 years and two children.
Steve Gierer, a former baseball player who took up golf at 21, has refined his swing over the past 20 years and maintains a 16 handicap today. Married with one daughter and a son due in June, Gierer looks forward to sharing his passion for golf with them both as they grow up.
Like Lee Baughman, the initial member of “Team JPX,” the trio will be outfitted from head to toe with Mizuno gear and apparel, including the new JPX-825 irons, and will begin their personal game-improvement journeys in preparation for competition at the inaugural JPX Invitational in Atlanta in August.
“We are thrilled to welcome Josh, Rob, and Steve to the Mizuno family,” said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager, Golf Division for Mizuno USA. “Their unmatched passion for the game of golf and dedication to improvement make them ideal Mizuno ambassadors and members of Team JPX. In the coming months, we are excited to have front row seats to watch their games improve as they practice for the JPX Invitational later this year with their new, fitted JPX-825s, Mizuno’s longest most forgiving irons.”
The remaining eight members of Team JPX will be selected through the online contest at playfamously.com where golfers are encouraged to try the new JPX-825 irons at a participating retailer, and provide their feedback on the high performance game-improvement irons through a brief essay, photos and/or videos demonstrating their passion for the game and why they deserve to be on Team JPX. Applications for the next four coveted spots on Team JPX will be accepted through Tuesday, April 23, 2013. Those individuals who applied in the latest round will also be considered for a spot on the team in the remaining two judging periods.
At the heart of the Play Famously campaign is the newest addition to the JPX line of game-improvement irons, the JPX-825. The JPX-825s utilize an ultra-thin, Hot Metal face which delivers an enhanced ‘trampoline effect’ for the extra distance that all players desire. But because distance is nothing without forgiveness, the JPX-825s also feature an enormous sweet area, providing players with more consistent results that will leave even their mis-hits closer to the pin.
To see how the JPX-825 irons stack up against the competition and learn more about the campaign, visit www.playfamously.com.
About Mizuno USA, Inc.
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.
Contact:
Mike Whitmark, The Brand AMP
562-546-6008
mike@thebrandamp.com
Harper Cornell, Mizuno USA
770-453-7853
harper.cornell@mizunousa.com
