Winner, Runner-Up at John Deere Classic Played Graphite Design International Shaft Models

Press Release

Posted 2006-07-22

Graphite Design International ("GDI") - maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver shaft models on the PGA TOUR - today announces the winner and runner-up at the John Deere Classic used GDI shaft models, according to the Darrell Survey.

The winner claimed his first PGA TOUR victory by leading the field in birdies for the week, set up by superb driving. Using GDI's popular YS-6 model, the winner averaged 301.9 yards off the tee while finding over 73 percent of fairways. The runner-up, playing with GDI's Tour GAT 75 model in his driver, found over 84 percent of fairways for the week. Each player also used a GDI shaft in a fairway wood throughout the tournament.

In addition, GDI shaft models were in the bags of a fifth-, seventh- and 10th-place finisher at the John Deere Classic, continuing a strong run of recent success for GDI. The YS-6 led the graphite wood shaft model count at each of the previous three PGA TOUR stops.

"Long, straight driving is one of the biggest keys to success on the PGA TOUR, and professionals continually turn to GDI shafts to provide the accuracy and distance needed to succeed," said Akio Karashima, CEO of GDI. "The technology behind GDI's shafts can help players of all swing profile achieve maximum performance."

Last year, GDI shafts were used by 18 winners on the PGA TOUR and 42 winners worldwide, helping them amass more than $75 million in earnings. They were also played by PGA TOUR leaders in Total Driving (distance plus accuracy), five of the top-10 players in Driving Accuracy Percentage, four of the top-10 money winners, and top-10 players in the World Golf Rankings.

On the Japan Tour, GDI shafts were victorious 16 times in 2005 and have been the most-played brand for a staggering 118 straight tournaments, an unprecedented streak dating back to 2002.