The Mizuno Corporation has extended its contract to act as the Official Workshop to the European Tour for a period of 20 years, with effect from 1st January 2005.
Mizuno has provided a complete equipment repair service on The European Tour since 1986 and the renewal of the new agreement, which runs until the end of the 2024 season, will see the long-term relationship between Mizuno and the Tour stretch to almost four decades.
The agreement makes provision for Mizuno to provide a Mobile Golf Equipment Workshop, equipped and staffed by Mizuno personnel, which will be in attendance at a substantial number of mainland UK and Continental European tournaments each season.
The Mizuno Workshop first arrived on The European Tour in 1986, after the company responded to the foresight of Neil Coles, chairman of the Tour, and Barry Willett, a highly respected golf club craftsman, for a manufacturer to support the Tour with a mobile on-site repair facility. Mizuno has since replaced the workshop twice and the current 16.5 metre fully fitted vehicle is Mizuno’s most advanced yet.
The workshop plays a key role in the development and testing of Mizuno equipment while the workshop holds 1,500 shafts, 6,000 grips and 100 sets of irons at any one time.
Masato Mizuno, president of the Mizuno Corporation, said, “The Official Workshop to The European Tour has become Mizuno’s most recognised worldwide symbol. We are delighted that our dedication to making it a success has convinced the Tour to work with us for another 20 years.”
Andy Kikidas, Mizuno’s tour promotions manager, said, “This contract is a great reward for the role Mizuno has played in the evolution of The European Tour.
“Although many things have changed in the last 19 years, the workshop is one constant that the players can rely on. The technicians sent each year from Japan are trained to the highest of standards and provide an outstanding level of service to all the players.”
George O‘Grady, executive director of The European Tour, commented, “Mizuno responded to the vision of Neil Coles who, along with Barry Willett, ensured that the dream of a fully equipped mobile repair service on-site at tournaments became a reality.
“The European Tour has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Mizuno, who are always there to offer their expertise and advice to the Tour Members and we look forward to this partnership continuing its development over the next 20 years.”
The European Tour www.europeantour.com
Mizuno extends contract until 2024
