Nationwide Tour Winner Played Graphite Design Hybrid Shaft

Press Release

Posted 2007-05-16

Graphite Design - maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver shaft models on the PGA TOUR - today announces the winner was among six top-eight finishers playing Graphite Design models at the Nationwide Tour's Fort Smith Classic, according to the Darrell Survey.

The winner used Graphite Design's YS-Hybrid 85 model en route to victory, his first on the Nationwide Tour. In fact, the top of the leaderboard was well-stocked with professionals playing Graphite Design shafts. Five top-eight finishers featured Graphite Design hybrid shafts, while a sixth outfitted his 3-wood with a Graphite Design model. The winner was the fourth Nationwide Tour champion this season to play Graphite Design.

"We congratulate the Fort Smith Classic winner on his breakthrough and we're thrilled to have played a role in the victory," said Victor Afable, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Graphite Design. "The Nationwide Tour is full of rising stars looking for a competitive advantage, and increasing numbers are finding that edge in Graphite Design's high-performance shafts. Professionals and amateurs the world over turn to Graphite Design's hybrid shaft models as these clubs become an indispensable element of a well-rounded game."

In 2006, Graphite Design shafts were played by 41 winners of professional tournaments worldwide. Players using Graphite Design shafts amassed more than $90 million in PGA TOUR earnings in 2006 while the company earned more graphite wood-shaft model count victories on the PGA TOUR (16) than any other manufacturer. On the Japan Tour, Graphite Design shafts were in the bags of 18 winners in 2006 while the company extended its win streak in the wood-shaft brand count to 134 consecutive tournaments - an unprecedented string dating to 2002.

Graphite Design is the graphite shaftmaker of choice for Hank Haney, coach to the world's top-ranked player. The company recently introduced the Tour AD Quattro Tech ultra-premium shaft in the U.S. and launched its G-TECH combination-flex custom clubmaker series of wood and iron shafts, designed for exceptional playability throughout the bag.