Ashworth, Inc. Wins Best Apparel Award from ''Today's Golfer'' for Second Consecutive Year

Business Wire

Posted 2004-12-05

December 2, 2004 -- Ashworth, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASHW), a leading designer of golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear and golf apparel, today announced that it has received the Best Apparel award in an annual poll of the golfing public held by leading European golf magazine "Today's Golfer." This is the second consecutive year that Ashworth has won the publication's prestigious Best Apparel award.

"Today's Golfer" is one of the best-selling golf magazines in Britain and is part of Emap PLC, one of the UK'S leading media companies.

Randall L. Herrel, Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We appreciate the loyalty of European golfers, whose votes have again put us in the top spot. It is gratifying to see this confirmation that readers of 'Today's Golfer' seeking performance, fashion, innovation and tradition in golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear apparel buy Ashworth more than any other brand."

Ashworth, Inc. is a designer of men's and women's golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear distributed domestically and internationally in golf pro shops, resorts, upscale department and specialty stores and to corporate customers. Ashworth products include three main brand extensions. Ashworth Collection(TM) is a range of upscale sportswear designed to be worn on and off course. Ashworth Authentics(TM) showcases popular items from the Ashworth line. Ashworth Weather Systems(R) utilizes technology to create a balance between fashion and function in a variety of climatic conditions. Callaway Golf is a trademark of Callaway Golf Company. Ashworth, Inc., 2765 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, CA 92008 is an Official Licensee of Callaway Golf Company.

In July 2004, Ashworth, Inc. acquired Gekko Brands, LLC ("Gekko"), a leading designer, producer and distributor of headwear and apparel under The Game(R) and Kudzu(R) brands. This strategic acquisition provides opportunity for additional growth in new three, quality channels of distribution for the Ashworth(R) and Callaway Golf apparel brands as well as further growth from The Game(R) and Kudzu(R) brands' sales into the Company's three current distribution channels. The Game(R) brand products are marketed primarily under licenses to over 1,000 colleges and universities, as well as to the PGA TOUR, resorts, entertainment complexes and sporting goods dealers that serve the high school and college markets. The Game(R) brand is one of the leading headwear brands in the College/Bookstore distribution channel. The Kudzu(R) brand products are sold into the NASCAR/racing markets and through outdoor sports distribution channels, including fishing and hunting.

To learn more, please visit our Web site at www.ashworthinc.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements related to the Company's market position, finances, operating results, marketing plans and strategies. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no responsibility to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may arise from changing circumstances or unanticipated events. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include the timely development and acceptance of new products, as well as strategic alliances, the integration of the Company's recent acquisition, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the success of the Callaway Golf apparel product line, the preliminary nature of bookings information, the ongoing risk of excess or obsolete inventory, the potential inadequacy of booked reserves, the timely completion and successful operation of the new distribution facility in Oceanside, CA, and other risks described in Ashworth, Inc.'s SEC reports, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2003 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed thereafter.