Colin Montgomerie Signs With Ben Hogan Golf

Colin Montgomerie Signs With Ben Hogan Golf
Press Release

Ben Hogan Golf, a division of Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. announced the signing of Colin Montgomerie to a multi-year worldwide contract beginning January 1, 2003. As part of the agreement, Montgomerie will play the BEN HOGAN® APEX TOUR® golf ball and BEN HOGAN® APEX® irons, carry the BEN HOGAN® golf bag and wear an ETONIC® or BEN HOGAN® glove (TBD). The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Like any golf consumer, I have the choice to play any of the many products offered to us today,” stated Montgomerie. “I hope to associate myself with the best people, product, and equipment in the market that will afford me the greatest opportunity to play my best, just like any other everyday golfer,” stated Montgomerie. “The BEN HOGAN golf balls and irons have a great reputation so I am very much looking forward to teeing up with them in the New Year.”

Montgomerie, 39, has consistently ranked amongst the world’s best golfers since moving into the top 10 of the World Rankings in 1994. For seven consecutive years (1993-99), he finished first in the Order of Merit rankings as the top money winner on the European Tour. Montgomerie, who has received great praise for his leadership qualities on and off the golf course during the 1997, 1999 and 2002 Ryder Cups, has maintained an unbeaten record in six Ryder Cup singles.

“Our philosophy on signing tour players hinges on their belief in our products, our belief in our abilities to deliver products, and golfers who reflect our brand strategies,” stated Nick Raffaele, director of tour relations for Ben Hogan Golf and Spalding Sports Worldwide. “This was one of the quickest negotiations in my tenure. Colin had equipment questions and before we got into discussing contracts, we wanted to make sure we could provide him with the service and products he needed to perform at the highest level. It’s not always about dollars, rather, it is about what a company and its products can do to enhance your performance. Colin’s addition to the Ben Hogan tour staff is a further testimony that we have one of the classiest groups of tour staffs ever assembled.”

“Signing Colin Montgomerie is a worldwide win for the Ben Hogan Brand,” stated Mike Ferris, vice president of marketing, Ben Hogan Golf. “Colin brings with him global presence and notoriety. He is a perfect fit for Ben Hogan.”

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Montgomerie was raised in Yorkshire before attending Houston Baptist University. He has amassed 31 career victories worldwide, including 27 wins on the European Tour. Montgomerie has been a member of seven World Cup, six Ryder Cup, ten Alfred Dunhill Cup, and one Four Tours World Championship Teams, as well as Captain of The Seve Trophy in 2000 and 2002. His 2003 plans include playing an increased number of events on the PGA Tour, along with a full schedule on the European Tour.

For 50 years, the Ben Hogan brand has been inspired by Mr. Hogan’s ability to grasp the mechanics of the game and translate them into the finest instruments. The Ben Hogan Company was formed in 1953, with a quest to make golf equipment “as close to perfect as modern tools and technology would allow.” Today the team of Ben Hogan craftsmen continue to build Ben Hogan golf equipment one club at a time, ever mindful of Mr. Hogan’s vision of perfection for the equipment that bears his signature. Ben Hogan Golf manufactures BEN HOGAN APEX, APEX EDGE PRO, APEX EDGE and EDGE CFT irons and BEN HOGAN Special Wedges. In July 2002, the BEN HOGAN APEX TOUR golf ball was introduced. To find more information on Ben Hogan, visit our website at http://www.benhogan.com or call the Consumer Relations Department at 800-SPALDING (772-5346).