Six Top-Eight Finishers at Southern Farm Bureau Classic Played GDI Shaft Models

Press Release

Posted 2006-10-05

Graphite Design International ("GDI") - maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver shaft models on the PGA TOUR - today announces six top-eight finishers at the PGA TOUR's Southern Farm Bureau Classic played GDI shaft models, according to the Darrell Survey.

Each of the six players utilized a shaft from GDI's popular YS line en route to his success; the YS-6, YS-7, YS-9.1 and YS-Power 75 were among the models found in their bags. Two of the top-eight finishers played GDI shafts in their drivers, while five of the six swung fairway woods powered by GDI models. The YS-6 was the most popular graphite driver shaft model on the PGA TOUR from 2003-05.

"The continued popularity of GDI's YS line is a testament to the shafts' consistent, TOUR-proven performance," said Akio Karashima, CEO of GDI. "When it comes to supplying optimum accuracy and distance for professionals and amateurs, GDI shafts deliver."

On the Japan Tour, GDI led the graphite wood shaft brand count with 141 shafts in play at the Coca-Cola Tokai Classic, 41 more than the nearest competitor. GDI shafts have been the most-played brand for a staggering 127 straight tournaments on the Japan Tour, an unprecedented streak dating back to 2002.

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.