Asbri Golf has secured a lucrative license agreement within the Welsh market to design and supply official merchandise for The 2010 Ryder Cup, which will be held at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales from 1-3 October 2010.
The Pontypridd based company now joins the official Ryder Cup licensee list, which includes major golf brands such as Glenmuir, Level 4, ProQuip and Titleist among others.
Eryl Williams, Asbri Golf’s managing director, commented, “The successful bid to host The Ryder Cup in Wales was a catalyst in the creation of Asbri Golf, and now to be an official licensee for one of the top global sporting events is a fantastic achievement for us.
“This license agreement gives us enormous credibility and is a platform which will promote our involvement in future golfing events with The European Tour. We have taken full advantage of the opportunities that The 2010 Ryder Cup has already offered businesses in Wales and we look forward to exciting and successful times ahead.”
Since its launch in 2003, Asbri Golf’s sales and customer base has exceeded all expectations, with the initial concept of being a brand only within Wales. However, through increasingly high demand and assistance from International Business Wales, the trade and investment arm of the Welsh Assembly Government, the company now supplies to over 20 countries worldwide and over 350 retailers within the UK.
Asbri’s extensive range of bespoke products includes golf bags, headwear, towels, umbrellas, pitchforks and other accessories, all of which can be customised with any club or corporate logo.
Paul Williams, sales & marketing director for Asbri Golf added, “The strategy is to launch our new Ryder Cup accessory range in May 2009, which will be available through official retailers and stockists within Wales. We have received invaluable support from golf professionals throughout Wales to establish our brand, and now we can offer them official merchandise for sale to both members and visitors at their golf clubs.
“Our license agreement is to supply Welsh retailers and businesses, but the product range will also be sold exclusively through The Official Ryder Cup Online Shop. We’d like to thank all stockists for their continued support and special thanks to Ryder Cup Wales and Ryder Cup Europe who have assisted us in achieving the official licensee status.”
Rob Holt, chief executive of Ryder Cup Wales, commented, “We are delighted to see Asbri Golf secure this agreement with Ryder Cup Europe. It is a perfect example of how a young and dynamic Welsh business has used the leverage of The 2010 Ryder Cup to showcase and elevate their brand to the international market. Asbri Golf has been an official sponsor of our Summer of Golf events this year and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them in the run up to 2010.”
Richard Hills, European Ryder Cup director, said, “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Asbri Golf. From the announcement, in 2001, that Wales would host The 2010 Ryder Cup, it has always been Ryder Cup Europe’s intention to work with as many Welsh companies as possible, working through this initiative with the Welsh Assembly.”
Asbri Golf www.asbrigolf.co.uk