Canadian Open Winner Used Graphite Design International's Purple Ice Shaft Model

Press Release

Posted 2006-09-16

Graphite Design International ("GDI") - maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver shaft models on the PGA TOUR - today announces its Purple Ice model was used by the champion of the PGA TOUR's Canadian Open while the victor of the Nationwide Tour's Utah Energy Solutions Championship played GDI shafts in five clubs en route to victory.

After switching from another shaft brand to GDI's Purple Ice model for his 3-wood, the Canadian Open winner earned his second victory of 2006 with a 14-under-par total at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario. A crucial shot came on the 235-yard, par-3 13th hole during Sunday's final round, when the player used his 3-wood to loft a shot to 10 feet from the cup and set up a birdie.

On the Nationwide Tour, the winner of the Utah Energy Solutions Championship used GDI's Pershing 75 shaft model in his driver, while stocking his hybrid clubs with GDI's YS-Hybrid and three Tour AD models. The winner's steady play and solid driving - he hit nearly 77 percent of fairways with an average drive of 306 yards -- earned him a 16-under-par, 272 total for a one-stroke victory at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy, Utah.

"With drivers, fairway woods and hybrid clubs playing an increasingly important role as courses get longer, the world's best players turn to GDI shafts to deliver the distance and accuracy needed to thrive," said Akio Karashima, CEO of GDI. "Like professionals, amateur golfers can maximize their long-game performance by switching to GDI shafts."

On the Japan Tour, GDI led the graphite wood shaft brand count with 177 shafts in play at the Suntory Open, 80 more than the nearest competitor.

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 124 straight tournaments, an unprecedented streak dating back to 2002.