Graphite Design's Japan Tour Dominance Continues Unabated

Press Release

Posted 2007-09-08

Graphite Design - maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver, fairway wood and hybrid shaft models on the PGA TOUR - claimed its 148th consecutive graphite wood shaft brand count victory on the Japan Tour while the driving distance leader at the Deutsche Bank Championship played the company's YS-6 model, according to the Darrell Survey.

Graphite Design models accounted for more than one-third of the graphite wood shafts in play at the Fujisankei Classic, topping the brand count with 138 shafts - 57 more than the nearest competitor. The winner became the ninth Japan Tour champion of 2007 using a Graphite Design model while the company's Tour AD Quattro Tech - recently introduced in the United States - was the most popular graphite driver shaft at the Fujisankei Classic. At every Japan Tour event since 2002, Graphite Design has been the No. 1 graphite wood shaft brand.

On the PGA TOUR, a second-place finisher at the Deutsche Bank Championship used Graphite Design's YS-6 model in his driver, 3-wood and 5-wood. He led the field in driving distance, averaging 317.4 yards over four rounds, while placing eighth in driving accuracy by hitting 75 percent of fairways.

"It takes great length to compete in today's professional game, yet accuracy remains as important as ever. The need to maximize both elements leads professionals to choose Graphite Design shafts," said Tim Gillis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Graphite Design. "While world-class players praise our shafts' performance qualities, amateurs choosing Graphite Design realize impressive improvements as well."

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.