jaster
8th September 2004, 01:11 PM
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en/index/index_34.jpg
Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY)
today announced it has signed a long-term contract with reigning
Masters champion Phil Mickelson to play its golf clubs
and golf ball and endorse Callaway Golf on the PGA Tour. Mickelson,
the No. 4-ranked golfer in the world and one of the game's most
popular and exciting players, will wear the company's logo on his
shirt sleeve, the side of his visor and his golf bag and will wear
Callaway Golf® footwear and golf glove.
Mickelson, 34, will start this week's Bell Canadian Open by
playing a prototype version of Callaway Golf's popular HX® Tour Golf
Ball. The prototype is similar to the original HX Tour in distance and
aerodynamics, but has a softer cover for optimum control from 150
yards in -- a part of the game Mickelson has worked to perfect this
year. Also in his bag this week at Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville,
Ontario: a prototype Fusion® Driver -- a product Callaway Golf will
introduce later this year or early next year -- and the current Big
Bertha® 3-wood and 4-wood. He will work with Callaway Golf club
designer Roger Cleveland to develop the irons, wedges and putter that
best suit his game.
"This has been a wonderful year for me," Mickelson said. "Starting
with my first major championship at Augusta, and then by continuing to
play with more consistency than I have at any time in my career, I
have been able to accomplish a lot. The two areas I have stressed this
year have been driving the ball in play and having optimum distance
control from 150 yards in. To further my progress in those areas, and
to help me achieve my ultimate goal of becoming the No. 1 player in
the world, I felt it was necessary to switch to the exciting new
driver and golf ball technology from Callaway Golf."
Mickelson, who has 23 career wins, currently is No. 1 in four 2004
PGA Tour statistical categories, including scoring average (actual) at
69.33 and the All-Around category, which measures overall excellence.
His 2004 season earnings of more than $5.6 million already are a
career best for a single year. His performances in the four major
championships have been the best of any player in the world this year
-- 1st in the Masters, 2nd in the United States Open, 3rd in the
British Open and tied for 6th in the PGA Championship -- coming within
a total of five strokes of winning them all.
"Phil Mickelson is a world-class player in every respect," said
Bill Baker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf
Company. "He has consummate skills as a professional golfer, a
wonderful record as a champion and remarkable personal appeal that
attracts a huge fan base to our sport. We think he is going to be a
tremendous representative of the Callaway Golf family of brands and we
could not be happier to have him."
Callaway Golf President and Chief Operating Officer Patrice Hutin
added, "Phil is the most popular golfer on the planet today. His
choice to represent Callaway Golf on the PGA Tour is very, very
exciting for us because it validates our position as the golf club and
golf ball technology leaders at the very highest level of the sport.
At the same time, his passion for the game mirrors our approach to the
business and really connects with the Callaway Golf customers and
consumers. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding
relationship with Phil."
Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY)
today announced it has signed a long-term contract with reigning
Masters champion Phil Mickelson to play its golf clubs
and golf ball and endorse Callaway Golf on the PGA Tour. Mickelson,
the No. 4-ranked golfer in the world and one of the game's most
popular and exciting players, will wear the company's logo on his
shirt sleeve, the side of his visor and his golf bag and will wear
Callaway Golf® footwear and golf glove.
Mickelson, 34, will start this week's Bell Canadian Open by
playing a prototype version of Callaway Golf's popular HX® Tour Golf
Ball. The prototype is similar to the original HX Tour in distance and
aerodynamics, but has a softer cover for optimum control from 150
yards in -- a part of the game Mickelson has worked to perfect this
year. Also in his bag this week at Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville,
Ontario: a prototype Fusion® Driver -- a product Callaway Golf will
introduce later this year or early next year -- and the current Big
Bertha® 3-wood and 4-wood. He will work with Callaway Golf club
designer Roger Cleveland to develop the irons, wedges and putter that
best suit his game.
"This has been a wonderful year for me," Mickelson said. "Starting
with my first major championship at Augusta, and then by continuing to
play with more consistency than I have at any time in my career, I
have been able to accomplish a lot. The two areas I have stressed this
year have been driving the ball in play and having optimum distance
control from 150 yards in. To further my progress in those areas, and
to help me achieve my ultimate goal of becoming the No. 1 player in
the world, I felt it was necessary to switch to the exciting new
driver and golf ball technology from Callaway Golf."
Mickelson, who has 23 career wins, currently is No. 1 in four 2004
PGA Tour statistical categories, including scoring average (actual) at
69.33 and the All-Around category, which measures overall excellence.
His 2004 season earnings of more than $5.6 million already are a
career best for a single year. His performances in the four major
championships have been the best of any player in the world this year
-- 1st in the Masters, 2nd in the United States Open, 3rd in the
British Open and tied for 6th in the PGA Championship -- coming within
a total of five strokes of winning them all.
"Phil Mickelson is a world-class player in every respect," said
Bill Baker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf
Company. "He has consummate skills as a professional golfer, a
wonderful record as a champion and remarkable personal appeal that
attracts a huge fan base to our sport. We think he is going to be a
tremendous representative of the Callaway Golf family of brands and we
could not be happier to have him."
Callaway Golf President and Chief Operating Officer Patrice Hutin
added, "Phil is the most popular golfer on the planet today. His
choice to represent Callaway Golf on the PGA Tour is very, very
exciting for us because it validates our position as the golf club and
golf ball technology leaders at the very highest level of the sport.
At the same time, his passion for the game mirrors our approach to the
business and really connects with the Callaway Golf customers and
consumers. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding
relationship with Phil."