Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOLF) has announced that it has acquired full intellectual property rights to the MacGregor Golf brand throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, and Africa.
MacGregor Golf, one of the oldest golf brands in the world, has a 112-year history filled with innovation and PGA Tour success including a record 59 major championships.. Drivers, fairway woods, hybrid utility woods, irons, wedges, putters, golf bags, golf gloves, golf balls and other accessories are marketed under the MacGregor Golf brand name.
The MacGregor Golf brand will further solidify Golfsmith’s proprietary brand and product strategy, which is positioned in a complementary manner to the strong presence of the major golf brands within its overall merchandising mix, including the likes of Adidas®, Callaway®, Cleveland®, Cobra®, Nike®, PING®, TaylorMade®, Titleist®, and many more.
“MacGregor Golf, like Golfsmith, is a well respected, established worldwide brand,” said Martin Hanaka, chairman and chief executive officer of Golfsmith. “Based on our Q1 results where we showed measurable improvement of our balance sheet, we are able to strengthen our position in the marketplace through added investment in our proprietary brands business, much like those we have made in the key manufacturer brands. There will be no reduction in our premier brands. We will continue to focus on always bringing the very best brands to market based on whatever products our customers want to improve their games.”
Product introduction plans for the re-launch of the MacGregor brand include game-improvement clubs, golf balls, bags, gloves and other golf accessories. New MacGregor products will be available soon with the majority of planned product launches scheduled for Spring 2010.
“Golfsmith’s core purpose is to improve the games and lives of every golfer we touch through great service and innovative products,” said Hanaka. “Adding MacGregor to our mix of great brands broadens our appeal to a larger golfing audience and no doubt allows us to compete more effectively in the golf specialty retail landscape.”
“Both Golfsmith and MacGregor share a common heritage in understanding and servicing the needs of golfers, as well as developing and selling world class golf equipment,” said Greg Norman, former chairman of MacGregor Golf. “I‘m pleased to see that MacGregor has found such a well suited partner to build on its long, rich history in the game.”
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOLF), is a 42-year-old specialty retailer of golf and tennis equipment, apparel and accessories.
The company operates as an integrated multi-channel retailer, offering its guests the convenience of shopping in more than 70 stores across the United States, through its Internet site and from its assortment of catalogs. Golfsmith offers an extensive product selection that features premier branded merchandise, as well as its proprietary products, clubmaking components and pre-owned clubs.
Golfsmith www.golfsmith.com