AHEAD and Nicklaus Companies to Unveil 2020 Play Yellow Styles to Support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
New Bedford, Mass. (February 24, 2020)—Building on the resounding success of the inaugural Play Yellow campaign, AHEAD, the golf industry’s leader in quality and creative headwear, and longtime partner Nicklaus Companies, will launch the 2020 Play Yellow headwear campaign coinciding with this year’s Honda Classic (February 24 to March 1).
The assortment will include a new, limited edition Play Yellow performance cap for which AHEAD collaborated with Jack Nicklaus to design. The hats, featuring the iconic Golden Bear logo and signature, as well as the Play Yellow logo, will be available for purchase at several PGA Tour events, selected Nicklaus courses, and online. A portion of every sale will be donated to support Jack and Barbara Nicklaus’s efforts helping pediatric care nationwide through the work of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“There was such an overwhelmingly positive response the inaugural year of Play Yellow headwear that we certainly wanted to continue to support this campaign,” said Anne Broholm, CEO of AHEAD, which celebrates its 25thanniversary in 2020. “We wholeheartedly support Jack and Barbara’s passion for helping children. The Play Yellowcampaign has inspired thousands and we are honored to play a role in its success.”
The inspiration for Play Yellow stems from the yellow shirts Jack often wore in the final round of tournaments in honor of Craig Smith, the son of a close Ohio family friend who was battling a rare bone cancer. Craig passed away in 1971 at the age of 13. Fifteen years later, on the morning of the 1986 Masters, Jack, at age 46, once again wore a yellow shirt, playing one of golf history’s most iconic rounds and winning his record sixth Green Jacket.
“Barbara and I are grateful to the team at AHEAD for joining us, the PGA TOUR, and many others in the Play Yellow effort to help make a difference in the lives of children, through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” Nicklaus said. “Like us, AHEAD cares about giving back to children and families in need. They are not simply the best headwear company in golf, they are an organization of people with big hearts. Hats off to AHEAD!”
Barbara and Jack have a long history and close ties to a number of CMN Hospitals, most notably Nationwide Children’s Hospital in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide has benefited Nationwide Children’s Hospital since its inception in 1976, and it was The Honda Classic’s move to Palm Beach County near their home base that inspired the Nicklauses’ to create the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in 2004.
For additional information about Play Yellow headwear and the special Jack Nicklaus collection, access the web site at www.aheadshopusa.com. For more information on the Nicklaus Companies, access www.nicklaus.com.
More details about Play Yellow can be found at PlayYellow.org. Follow the cause at Instagram.com/playyellow4kids, Twitter.com/playyellow4kids and #PlayYellow.
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ABOUT AHEAD | www.aheadweb.com
Founded in 1995, AHEAD is a multi-dimensional brand with a proven track record of success distributing headwear, apparel, and accessories to the green grass, resort and corporate markets. Its single focus of providing quality products, with innovative, high-quality design, and merchandising concepts has led to more than 20 years of continued growth and expansion.
AHEAD has forged many key partnerships in the golf industry, including the USGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour, the Nicklaus Companies, Arnold Palmer Enterprises, and ANNIKA Foundation in addition to more than 5,000 green grass and resort shops throughout the world. Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam wear AHEAD exclusively.
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About the Nicklaus Companies | www.nicklaus.com
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, the 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.
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Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals | www.CMNHospitals.org
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals
More details about Play Yellow can be found at PlayYellow.org.
Follow the cause at Instagram.com/playyellow4kids, Twitter.com/playyellow4kids and #PlayYellow.
Media Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
908/963-6013
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
