One of the greatest international rugby players of all time, All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick, has joined leading golf weatherwear brand ProQuip as a brand ambassador in a push to increase sales in the corporate golf market and new territories overseas.
Fitzpatrick, the world’s most capped hooker and an international record holder for the greatest number of consecutive Test match appearances (63), will work closely with ProQuip – official weatherwear supplier to the PGA European Tour and 12 Ryder Cup teams – to strike deals with businesses involved in golf and tournament sponsorship, and seek opportunities in emerging international markets such as China.
Renowned for his professionalism and inspirational team leadership as All Blacks captain (1992-7), Fitzpatrick is now a highly regarded motivational speaker and managerial consultant.
“I am very proud to be working with ProQuip,” said Fitzpatrick. “It is a highly innovative golf brand that makes outstanding products. However, in business terms, it is a sleeping giant and has a huge amount of potential. I will be working with ProQuip to open doors at the corporate level and do the deals that will make this a substantial international business.”
ProQuip has been chosen by 12 Ryder Cup captains (eight European, four American) to provide waterproofs for their teams. Its Ultralite range, as worn by the 2004 US Ryder Cup team, remains an industry standard for lightweight, waterproof/breathable golf clothing.
ProQuip managing director Richard Head believes Sean Fitzpatrick’s standing in the corporate world, plus his international contacts, will deliver the sort of opportunities that will drive the ProQuip business forward in the UK and abroad.
He said: “Sean was an exceptional international rugby player and captain – and he is an exceptional business person to have working for us. Through him, we are already talking about doing the sort of corporate and international deals that will enable ProQuip to grow significantly.
“What will make the ProQuip brand stand out in this sector is that instead of simply embroidering off-the-shelf garments with company logos, we will design and manufacture exclusive, customised waterproof suits and wind tops to give the customer precisely what they want and maintain a consistent global brand identity.”
ProQuip, which is already firmly established as a premium brand in the American golf market, has recently signed deals with the French Golf Federation and South African PGA Tour with a view to securing corporate and retail business in those countries. The Netherlands and Germany are also being targeted.
“It comes at a perfect time for ProQuip because we have been busy working on a number of innovations in both fabrics and design that will genuinely revolutionise the look, feel and performance of golf weatherwear,” added Richard Head. “We will be unveiling these later this year.”
ProQuip was founded in 1981 to produce and market premium quality, performance weatherwear for the golf and outdoors markets. The brand quickly achieved an enviable reputation in the USA and UK golf markets as the preferred choice of leading professional golfers, national golf administrators and leading corporate organisations for its high quality, well styled, comfortable and durable rainwear garments, based on innovative fabrics.
One fabric in particular – GORE-TEX® – was the basis of much of ProQuip’s early success – as it still is today. ProQuip also works closely with other fabric manufacturers to produce highly technical fabrics that can accommodate conditions such as high humidity.
The ProQuip range was progressively broadened beyond rainsuits to include shower and windwear, all made to exacting standards of comfort, styling and durability creating a range suitable for all weather conditions.
GORE-TEX is a registered trade mark of WL Gore & Associates
ProQuip www.proquipgolf.com
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