Nicklaus Companies sign PGA TOUR rookie sensation Neal Shipley to multi-year brand sponsorship deal
Palm Beach Gardens, FL – Nicklaus Companies, owners of the Jack Nicklaus™ and Golden Bear™ trademarks, is pleased to announce that Neal Shipley, who recently turned professional after a stellar amateur golfing career, will continue to serve as their global brand ambassador, having signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement that runs through the 2026 PGA TOUR season.
In addition to his impressive performances at the majors, Shipley has recorded two top-25s highlighted by a T6 at the ISCO Championship earlier this month.
Last month, Shipley, the 23-year-old Ohio State alumnus, joined Nicklaus Companies’ founder, and fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus, as one of only a handful of golfers in history to win low amateur titles at both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year. Shipley hopes to continue the proud legacy represented by the Nicklaus brands.
“Since I first picked up a golf club, it’s been my dream to turn professional and compete on the PGA TOUR,” Shipley said. “I am incredibly fortunate to have the support of a partner like Nicklaus Companies at the start of my career, and I look forward to proudly representing and wearing the iconic Golden Bear logo for years to come.”
As an amateur at both the Masters and U.S. Open earlier this year, Shipley wore performance driven pieces from the Jack Nicklaus Black Label line by Nicklaus Companies and the Jack Nicklaus Blue Label apparel collection by Perry Ellis International.
“Neal brings a fresh approach to the game and we believe he reflects the spirit of the Jack Nicklaus brand and apparel collections,” said Philip Cotton, Chief Executive Officer of Nicklaus Companies. “It’s been an exciting six months for Neal on the golf course and it has been a thrill for Nicklaus Companies to be on the ride with him. We are delighted to now have the opportunity to make the relationship longer term and are looking forward to working with Neal over the coming years. We plan to leverage our global network as well as the unique 8AM Golf platform, to help Neal succeed on his professional golf journey as he continues to reflect and help build upon the storied history of our Golden Bear™ and Jack Nicklaus™ apparel brands in professional golf.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Neal Shipley to the Jack Nicklaus Apparel brand family,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International. “His dedication to the sport, background and his already impressive accomplishments make him the perfect ambassador for Jack Nicklaus Apparel. We look forward to supporting Neal as he continues to make his mark in the world of golf while representing our brand with pride and distinction.”
Perry Ellis, the Nicklaus apparel partner for over a decade, licenses, designs, manufactures and distributes Jack Nicklaus Blue Label and White Label collections through its retailers across the United States.
Andy O’Brien, President, Nicklaus Brands, added: “The Golden Bear brand has been recognized worldwide as a symbol of excellence for more than half a century. Having someone as dynamic and youthful as Neal Shipley represent our Nicklaus brands significantly enhances our reach and visibility, and resonates with a new generation of golf fans around the globe.”
The Golden Bear branded apparel that Shipley will wear on the PGA TOUR will be available direct to consumers at select retailers and at golf courses, including those created by Nicklaus Design™ around the world. It will also be featured on Nicklaus Companies e-commerce site shop.nicklaus.com, golfapparelshop.com and on fairwayjockey.com.
About Nicklaus Companies
For 50 years, the mission of Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience and to deliver quality branded products and services on a global basis that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of its Founder, Jack Nicklaus.
The Nicklaus Companies businesses include golf-course design, advisory services, development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of lifestyle products worldwide under the iconic Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear brands. Nicklaus Design, recognized as the world leader in golf course design, has created over 420 courses worldwide, open for play in 45 countries and 40 U.S states. In 2007, Jack Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein to further the growth of the company and expand the branded businesses. In addition to institutionalizing the Nicklaus brands for the future, Milstein has instilled a personal philosophy of “A Brand That Gives Back” with products and partners committing to donations to help the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and other charities. A leading entrepreneur in the golf industry, Milstein also created 8AM Golf, a family of companies that also includes GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, Miura Golf, Club Conex, True Spec Golf and GolfLogix. All share a common mission to help players at all levels enjoy the game more. Nicklaus Companies focuses on leveraging its winning heritage to achieve excellence, foster growth and champion social good. They activate modern strategies and techniques to enhance their customers’ lives and match the high standards set in the career and life of Jack Nicklaus. www.nicklaus.com
About Perry Ellis International
Perry Ellis International, Inc. is a leading designer, distributor and licensor of a broad line of high quality men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and fragrances. The company’s collections of men’s dress and casual sportswear, golf sportswear, lifestyle men’s sportswear and women’s lifestyle collections are distributed through major retail channels. The company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of nationally and internationally recognized brands, including: Perry Ellis®, An Original Penguin by Munsingwear®, Cubavera®, Ben Hogan®, Savane®, Grand Slam®, John Henry®, Manhattan®, Axist®, Farah®. Laundry by Shelli Segal® and Rafaella®. The company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike® for swimwear, and Callaway®, PGA TOUR® and Jack Nicklaus® for golf apparel and accessories. Additional information on the company is available at www.pery.com.
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SOCIAL ACCOUNTS:
- X: @NicklausCo
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/nicklauscompanies/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nicklaus-companies/
CONTACT:
Nicklaus Companies
(561) 227-0300
Sammi Muir, Sammi.Muir@nicklaus.com
PRCG | Sports
(212) 683-8100
jim Rocco, jrocco@prcg.com
For Perry Ellis International:
Stuart Goldstein
RG Narrative
(201) 681-0618
stuart@rgnarrative.com
