PING, founded by World Golf Hall of Fame member and renowned golf club engineer and manufacturer Karsten Solheim, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2009 and plans to begin its celebration at the global golf industry’s 2009 PGA Merchandise Show, 29-31 January, in Orlando, Fla.
“When my father, Karsten, designed the original PING putter in 1959, and showed it to PGA professionals, they were hesitant at first. Once they tried it, they liked it and offered a lot of encouragement for him to market the putter. They soon became his best customers and promoters,” said John Solheim, PING chairman and CEO. “This helped turn his garage-based operation into one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of custom-fit, custom-built golf equipment, known for innovation and technology.
“It is extremely fitting that we begin our golden anniversary celebration at the PGA Merchandise Show with PGA Professionals, who played such a key role in our early success and the continued growth of the PING brand.”
PING will return as the exclusive golf equipment company sponsoring the 2nd Annual PGA Magazine Merchandisers of the Year Conference, 26-28 January at the Reunion Resort in Orlando. The conference will bring together attending 2008 PGA Merchandisers of the Year selected by The PGA of Americas 41 nationwide Sections. They will be joined in the unique forum by other merchandising experts.
“The PGA of America and PGA Professionals are honored to share a long history with Karsten Solheim and the PING company of innovative, custom-fit quality products,” said PGA of America president Brian Whitcomb. “The PGA Merchandise Show and the PING brand have nearly grown up together and we are thrilled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of PING at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show.”
PING is still a family-owned company. Today, PING designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of golf equipment including metal woods, irons, putters and golf bags. PING has become synonymous with innovation, quality and service in the world of golf.
Solheim, who passed away in 2000, is the only person to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as a golf club manufacturer.
PING www.pinggolf.com
PGA Merchandise Show www.pgamerchandiseshow.com