“Average Joe’s” share personal stories of golf to experience “life as a pro” through national “Play Famously” campaign
Norcross, Ga. (April 28, 2014) – For millions, golf serves as a sanctuary from life’s daily demands and pressures. However, the impact and influence of golf on two amateurs transcends the golf course. Today, Mizuno announced the next two members to its 2014 “Team JPX” roster of inspirational, “game-improvement” amateur players, both of whom will be featured in the popular Mizuno “Play Famously” campaign.
Michael Bracy and Stephen Cox, from Garden City, Mich. and Orlando, Fla. respectively, were selected to join 2014 Team JPX. As members of the team, both will be outfitted from head to toe with Mizuno gear and apparel, including the new JPX EZ irons, and will begin their personal game-improvement journeys in preparation for competition at the second annual JPX Invitational in Atlanta in September.
Bracy, who is a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machinist on the outskirts of Detroit, was raised in a single-parent household with his mother as the prominent role model in his life. Knowing the difficulties of growing up without a father figure, he became dedicated to the pursuit of being an ideal role model for his son and used the lessons learned through golf as his guide. Volunteering as a ranger and a caddie at two local courses, the father/son pair will share their last summer at home together bonding through golf, where Bracy will provide his son with a positive, male role model that gives back to the community with time and effort.
“From the beginning, golf provided me with a conduit to fill the gap of male role models in my life and through golf, I’m passing those traits on to my son and building our relationship,” said Bracy. “Playing like a pro is something I never really thought about, but through Mizuno I have that chance and hope my son looks back on this unforgettable experience as a special bonding moment.”
Work stress is a challenge nearly every American can relate to, yet Cox has had to deal with some of life’s most extreme stressors throughout his career as a firefighter. From car accidents to house fires, Cox meets tragedies head on every day and uses golf to escape it all. The game provides him a tranquil sanctuary to relieve stress, challenge himself to become better at a sport he took up only a year ago and give back to the community through charity golf tournaments.
“My career puts me into difficult, almost impossible, situations on a daily basis, but golf is always there to ease my mind and is the only way I can cope with some of the daily tragedies that I face,” said Cox. “Although I’ve only been playing golf for a year, I’m hooked and it’s still surreal Mizuno chose me to represent their brand as a member of ‘Team JPX.’ I look forward to playing famously this summer in Atlanta.”
“The six members selected for ‘Team JPX’ so far have demonstrated the stories we’re looking for with the Play Famously campaign and we’re excited to bring Stephen and Michael into the Mizuno family,” said Dick Lyons, Senior VP/GM – Product Divisions, Mizuno USA. “Although on different ends of the spectrum, we believe Stephen and Michael’s stories will resonate with many golfers.”
The remaining six members of “Team JPX” will be selected through an online contest at www.playfamously.com. Golfers are encouraged to try the new JPX EZ irons at a participating retailer, provide their feedback and submit a short essay, photo and/or video. The submissions should demonstrate their passion for golf and a specific challenge that golf has helped, or is helping them overcome in their lives. The next two coveted spots on “Team JPX” will be announced Friday, May 23, 2014.
At the center of the “Play Famously” campaign is the newest addition to the JPX line of game-improvement irons, the JPX EZ. The line establishes an entirely new standard for forgiveness with a proven sweet spot 83 percent bigger than TaylorMade Rocketbladez and more than 50 percent larger than Ping G25 and Callaway X-Hot. JPX EZ utilizes an ultra-thin, Hot Metal face that delivers an enhanced ‘trampoline effect’ for the extra distance all players desire.
To see how the JPX EZ irons stack up against the competition and submit to become one of the newest members of Team JPX, visit www.playfamously.com.
Connect with Mizuno on Facebook and Twitter @Golf_Mizuno to keep up with product news, Tour updates and custom content and fitting tools.
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, 562-546-6008
mike@thebrandamp.com
Harper Cornell, 770-453-7853
harper.cornell@mizunousa.com
