Golf equipment brand Ben Hogan has closed after its owners cited the impact of the pandemic and a lack of capital to invest in future growth.
The brand, which was bought out of receivership in 2015 by majority shareholder ExWorksCapital, turned to a direct-to-consumer business model in 2017 and enjoyed its best year of trading in 2021. However, that failed to secure the company’s future and its board filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US in March this year. The company officially shut down on July 22.
Scott White, Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company’s CEO, said: “I am very proud of what we accomplished at the company over the last few years. We had a great team and produced some excellent products that we think would have made Mr Hogan proud. We were simply underfunded and couldn’t pursue a lot of the more expensive initiatives that would have accelerated our growth.”
Ben Hogan products were licensed to Perry Ellis International, whose chairman, George Feldenkreis, commented: “We are grateful for our partnership with the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company, which had a premier reputation known for producing performance, quality and technologically advanced golf clubs and accessories.
“We kindly request your patience, as we seek a new licensee for this golf equipment product category. We are already exploring options for a new club-manufacturing partner while exploring the current market for future opportunities. I would also like to assure you that this decision has no impact on existing apparel products or other golf brands produced by Perry Ellis International or our other licensees.”
Oscar Feldenkreis, chief executive and president of PEI, added: “We believe in the Ben Hogan brand, and with sound conviction we will conduct business as usual. The balance of the Ben Hogan business in apparel continues to grow in consumer appeal while flourishing and remaining one of the most successful and recognizable brands within our golf portfolio and retail distribution. We will endeavour to assist with customer enquiries regarding this announcement. For details email ben.hogan@pery.com.”
Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company was founded by golf legend Ben Hogan in 1953 and grew throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80 to become one of the most successful equipment brands in the game.