Nike Golf Signs Boy Wonder from Down Under

Nike Golf Signs Boy Wonder from Down Under
Press Release

Nike Golf today announces the signing of reigning U.S. Amateur Champion Nick Flanagan to its Tour Staff. The 20-year old Flanagan from Lake Macquarie in New South Wales has entered a multi-year relationship with Nike Golf that sees Flanagan sporting the company's latest technical fashion from head-to-toe and playing Nike Golf equipment. "Nick Flanagan is such a great story. His ambitious fire burns as bright as any player currently on our staff," said Kel Devlin, Nike Golf's Global sports marketing director. "Nick's swift rise through the amateur ranks brought him to everyone's attention at the end of last year and we've been following his game ever since. With such a raw talent and determined attitude, we firmly believe that Nick can translate those successes into wins on the professional circuit."

The young Australian, the son of a coal mine electrician and a grocery store clerk, did not begin playing golf regularly until 1997 after watching one of his fellow Tour Staffers, Tiger Woods, win the Masters. Flanagan is currently preparing for The International at Castle Rock, Colo. on the PGA Tour, August 2-8.

It has not yet been determined what Flanagan will be playing, but testing with Nike Golf's award-winning clubs continues. Likely, he will put the "World's Longest Driver" - the Ignite from Nike - in play along with Nike's Forged Pro Combo irons (3-PW), possibly a Slingshot 2 iron, as well as the new Ignite T-60 fairway woods (3, 5). Flanagan will join the ever-growing number of Nike Tour staff playing the new One Black ball, the longest golf ball on Tour, and will sport Nike apparel, SP-5 footwear, Nike Dri-FIT Tour glove, and carry the Nike Ignite Tour bag.

"I've only been playing golf now for about six years so no one's more surprised by last year's successes than myself," said Flanagan. "I'm delighted that a company like Nike Golf has shown that they have faith in my talents and I'm glad to have a such a great team around me. It will mean so much for me to have their support as I settle into life on Tour next season." Flanagan announced he was turning pro last week, nearly a year after completing an astounding run at the 2003 U.S. Amateur Championships. Traveling from Australia last June with little more than a suitcase and his golf bag, Flanagan played tournaments every week racking up wins across the U.S. to gain himself a coveted place in last year's final. He became the first Australian to win the U.S. Amateur in almost 100 years and the third-youngest champion in the Amateur's 103-year history. Securing the title meant a baptism of fire for Flanagan, who has gone on to gain valuable experience through his invites to all three of this season's major tournaments.