Sergio Garcia Wins Iskandar Johor Open Playing RocketBladez Tour Irons

Garcia, also playing new Project 5 prototype ball, shoots 61 to win weather-shortened Asian Tour event

(CARLSBAD, Calif.) – TaylorMade-adidas Tour Staff professional Sergio Garcia, wielding his new RocketBladez Tour irons, ran away from the field in the rain-shortened Iskandar Johor Open with a third-round 61 that proved enough to earn his second win of the 2012 season. Garcia’s 24th career professional victory was splashed with his ballstriking brilliance, his latest 18-hole barrage highlighted by an outward 29 and 11 birdies total as he charged to the lowest final round in Asian Tour history.

Introduced in October, Garcia is among the first professional golfers to switch to the new RocketBladez Tour irons built with the revolutionary Speed Pocket; his victory in Malaysia marks the first official Tour win for the product. TaylorMade Tour Staff professional Sean O’Hair last weekend won playing RBladez Tour irons at the Franklin Templeton Shootout, an off-season exhibition featuring team competition in Naples, Florida.

Another noteworthy change to Garcia’s winning TaylorMade equipment this week was the Project 5 prototype Tour golf ball. Garcia, who first switched to the ball at the DP World Tour Championship, is among the Tour professionals who’ve switched from PENTA TP5 to the Project 5 – a code name for TaylorMade’s new Tour ball, to be released in 2013.

With the win, Garcia earned $317,000 and capped a momentous second half of the calendar year in which he won the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship, played a critical role in the European comeback at the 2012 Ryder Cup and finished 17th in the FedExCup standings following the conclusion of the TOUR Championship.

RocketBladez Tour irons are available at retail beginning Feb. 15, 2013.

In Garcia’s bag:
* RocketBallz Tour 9° driver
* RocketBallz 15° and 19° fairway
* RocketBladez Tour 3-PW
* ATV 50, 58° wedges
* Ghost Tour MA-81 putter
* Project 5 golf ball
* adidas crossflex footwear

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Prestigious Junior Heritage Tournament Returns to Sea Pines In 2014

(HILTON HEAD, S.C.) - The Sea Pines Resort - Hilton Head's most celebrated leisure retreat and home of the PGA TOUR's RBC Heritage - announces the prestigious Sea Pines Junior Heritage will return Feb. 1 - 2, 2014.

Partnering with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association in running the coveted tournament with the support of the Heritage Classic Foundation, Sea Pines also announces the 2014 event will coincide with the unveiling of its new golf clubhouse serving its Heron Point and Ocean golf courses.

The 16,000 square-foot clubhouse will reside on the site of the current Plantation Club and provide a premier golf experience for members and guests as well as the elite field of junior participants. Planned amenities include an expansive pro shop; bar and grill; 2,000 square-feet of meeting / event space; and spacious locker rooms.

"We're thrilled about the return of the Sea Pines Junior Heritage in early 2014," says Cary Corbitt, Director of Operations of The Sea Pines Resort. "The renovations taking place at our resort will only enhance what is already a premier nationally ranked junior event."

The Sea Pines Junior Heritage is contested on famed Harbour Town Golf Links and Heron Point by Pete Dye - recently named No. 10 in Golfweek's "Best You Can Play" in South Carolina. Past boys champions include: Charles Howell, III, Sean O'Hair and Kyle Stanley. Paula Creamer, Candie Kung, Virada Nirapathpongporn and Alexis Thompson are all past girls champions.

For more information about the Sea Pines Junior Heritage, please contact: Chris Miller, South Carolina Junior Golf Association at 803.732,9311 or cmiller@scgolf.com.

For more information about golf at The Sea Pines Resort visit www.seapinesgolf.com. Information about the new clubhouse is available at: www.seapines.com/development/.

TaylorMade Golf Company to Showcase Four Brands at 2013 PGA Merchandise Show

Company to unveil new equipment, apparel and footwear at the 60th annual international golf business gathering in Orlando

(NORWALK, Conn.) - TaylorMade Golf Company announced its return to the 60th PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, January 24-26, 2013. All of its brands - TaylorMade, adidas Golf, Ashworth and Adams Golf - are planning a range of exciting activities for Show week, including the launch of a multitude of new products across all categories at the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day and within their expansive multi-brand "clubhouse" exhibit space on the PGA Show Floor.

"The PGA Show continues to be a place and a moment in time for our company to excite the golf industry and set the tone for the year," said company President and CEO Mark King. "Two years ago we launched "white" metalwoods, last year we introduced a product called "RocketBallz" and this year we are excited to unveil even more breakthrough products from all of our brands."

With the purchase of Adams Golf and its record selling year with the launch of the "RocketBallz" franchise, TaylorMade Golf Company is coming off a historic year. The company maintained its marketshare lead as the No. 1 iron and metalwood. It also saw significant growth in the footwear and apparel space thanks to hot product introductions from adidas Golf and Ashworth.

"The family of TaylorMade-adidas Golf brands continue to bring exciting new products to the market each year at the PGA Merchandise Show," said PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Senior Vice President Ed Several. "PGA Professionals, golf retailers and industry leaders value the opportunity to connect with company leadership and experience their newest products first-hand at the PGA Show."

For more information, or to schedule a one-on-one interview, please contact TaylorMade-adidas Golf Public Relations Manager Dave Cordero at dave.cordero@tmag.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Loudmouth Golf Signs Licensing Deal with TourMark Putter Grips

Loudmouth Golf continues to expand licensing portfolio with putter grips

(Foster City, CA) - Loudmouth Golf, the leader in bold and bright golf apparel and accessories, has signed a licensing deal with TourMARK putter grips. TourMARK offers a high performance putter grip, available in 2 sizes, that includes a powerful rare-earth magnet, which holds a ball marker securely in place within the grip's end cap. The proficient design of TourMARK's putter grip provides effortless player functionality and convenience on the greens. Perfect for golfers at all levels, the grips are offered in a variety of popular Loudmouth patterns including Captain Thunderbolt, Black Shagadelic, and Pink & Black Argyle.

"TourMARK offers the ultimate grip for the Loudmouth golfer," says Stan Denenberg, GM of Licensing for Loudmouth Golf. "This partnership enables us to fully cater to our customers and efficiently produce grips to meet demand. We are excited about this product and know our customers will be too."

"TourMARK's partnership with Loudmouth Golf provides the perfect marriage between cutting edge style and an enhanced putter grip design to create one of the most exciting, unique and practical golf products on the market today," says Brad Wallin, President of TourMARK Grips. "We are extremely excited for golfers of all skill levels to take advantage of this innovative product that has been created through our partnership with Loudmouth Golf."

TourMARK Grips is proud to release the Loudmouth by TourMARK putter grip line in limited quantities for sale on the web and in select retail locations in time for the Holiday 2012 season. Full retail and online distribution will follow during the 2013 golf season. The full TourMARK line can be seen at the 2013 PGA Show in Orlando.

For more information, please visit: www.tourmarkgrips.com.

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Project X Introduces New Project X 95 Flighted Shaft

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) - Project X introduced the lightest steel shaft in the history of the brand-Project X 95 Flighted. The addition to the Project X family sets a new benchmark for high performance shafts.

"Project X 95 Flighted is carefully designed and crafted to produce maximum distance and the tour-caliber control expected of the Project X brand," said Greg Cavill, vice president of alloy engineering and development for Project X. "We also have incorporated descending weight properties into Project X 95 Flighted for enhanced feel in the mid to short irons. This was all quite an engineering feat given the lightweight properties of the shaft."

With variable geometry per flex, Project X 95 Flighted extends Project X's Tour-proven history and heritage, providing more performance to more players with various skill levels and different swing speeds than ever before.

"Project X 95 Flighted is great steel shaft option for competitive and aspirational players who are constantly seeking the latest technology in golf equipment to give them a competitive edge," says Cavill.

Where to Buy
Project X 95 Flighted is now available through True Temper's network of distributors and Performance Fitting Centers for the retail price of $520.00 (3-PW).

For more information about Project X 95 Flighted, or any other Project X shafts, visit www.pxshaft.com. Also, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/projectxgolf, and follow at www.twitter.com/projectxgolf.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Kaua‘i Golf Courses Unveil Special Winter Rates and Stay-and-Play Packages

‘Garden Isle’ Guests Offered Unlimited Golf, Reduced Junior Green Fees, Substantial Savings  on Accommodations

(KAUA‘I, Hawaii) – The five member courses of the golf destination cooperative "Kaua'i: Discover Golf's Ultimate Island Green” are now offering special winter rates and packages, allowing guests to experience the many enhancements and expansions recently completed at the resorts and courses on the “Garden Isle.”

The Prince Course at Princeville Golf Club: Stay-and-Play packages start at $300 per night for a Deluxe Island-View Studio at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, and include two rounds of golf, cart, practice balls, personalized bag tag and complimentary rental clubs. The Prince is ranked the No. 1 golf course in Hawaii by GOLF magazine and re-opened in March following a massive renovation project. For reservations, call 1-866-716-8140 and ask for plan LXPKG1.

Puakea Golf Course: The Ho’okipa Rate is $79, and includes 18 holes at this local gem, practice balls and a complimentary rider (special rate of $25 for rental clubs). Also, junior golfers ages 7 to 17 play for $1 a hole. For more information call 1.808.245.8756 or visit www.puakeagolf.com.

Makai Golf Club at Princeville: The “Limitless Golf Package” includes accommodations at The St. Regis Princeville Resort, unlimited golf at the Makai Course, a sleeve of Makai logo Callaway balls, a custom logo ball marker, and a 15% discount at the Makai Golf Shop. Rates start at $735 per night for two golfers in a Garden/Mountain View room. A minimum two-night stay is required, and reservations must be made at least three days in advance. Visit www.MakaiGolf.com  or call 1-866-716-8140 and request plan LZPKAG1.

Poipu Bay Golf Course: The former home of the PGA’s Grand Slam of Golf has a “Second Round Rate” of just $120, which is 50% off the regular green fee, if played within 10 days after a first round. Twilight rounds (after 2:30 p.m.) do not qualify for a first round. Poipu Bay is located adjacent to the award-winning Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort. For tee times call 1-800-858-6300 or visit www.PoipuBayGolf.com.

Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club: Become a Kaua‘i Lagoons “Member For A Week” for just $495, through Dec. 25. Package includes a week of unlimited golf, a Kaua‘i Lagoons logo golf polo shirt and an engraved bag tag at the home of the new Kiele Moana (Ocean) Course, which opened in May, 2011 and features the longest stretch of continuous ocean holes in Hawaii. Additional weeks of unlimited golf can be purchased for $445. The club is an amenity of the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club. For reservations call 1-800-634-6400 or e-mail info@KauaiLagoonsGolf.com.

For more information about golf on the Garden Isle visit www.kauaidiscovery.com/activities/golfing/, or call 800-262-1400.

You can also follow Kauai Golf on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/KauaiGolf, or “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Kauai-Golf/204271937068.

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AHEAD Strikes Strategic Partnership with Avendra

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) – AHEAD, the highly regarded headwear, accessories and apparel manufacturer, announced this week it has agreed to a multi-year strategic partnership with Avendra, which provides a wide range of procurement services to companies in many industries, including golf.

“We are excited to partner with the quality properties that Avendra represents,” said Scott Stone, AHEAD’s national sales manager for golf.  “Avendra customers will have access to the full breadth of AHEAD headwear, accessories and apparel offerings.  We truly value the opportunity to align with groups such as Avendra and to build mutually beneficial partnerships in the golf industry.”

Don Hecht, Vice President Strategic Supply Chain Management for Avendra, said his company is likewise enthused about the partnership.

“The product and decoration capabilities that AHEAD brings to our customers will complement and be a welcome addition to our current roster of vendor partners,” Hecht said.

AHEAD was acquired by Sweden based New Wave Group AB, the parent company of Cutter & Buck, in the summer of 2011.

AHEAD is best known for its premier headwear collections that feature original approaches to logo embroidery options.  The company has been able to capitalize on the golf industry’s desire for high-quality graphics on headwear and an array of garments.  AHEAD operates four distinct business units: Men’s Apparel, AHEAD Headgear, the “Heavy Metal” line of golf accessories and the “Kate Lord Collection” of women’s hats, apparel and accessories.

For additional information access the web site at www.Aheadweb.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com