Forgan of St Andrews, the world’s oldest clubmakers, has announced a sponsorship deal with one of Scotland’s hottest young golf talents, Krystle Caithness.
The 21-year-old Ladies European Tour star, who this year secured a runners-up spot in the ABN AMRO Ladies Open, will play the new Forgan Ltd Edition irons and carry a Forgan staff bag during the two-year agreement.
Krystle is the first ever female golf professional to be produced by St Andrews, so her sponsorship continues the historic ties that Forgan brand has with the town – it was created there in 1860 and celebrated its 150th anniversary with the Open Championship this year.
Simon Millington, Forgan chief executive, says: “Krystle is a local girl and is also one of the brightest prospects on the LET so she will be a fantastic ambassador for Forgan, which has a proud association with the home of golf.
“Forgan sponsors a couple of old warhorses in Ian Woosnam and DJ Russell on the European Seniors Tour but we want to support younger players too, especially in the women’s game where it’s very hard for players to secure financial assistance.”
Krystle, from Cupar, has recorded four Top 10 finishes on the LET this year and has represented GB&I in the Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy. In 2006 she won the prestigious St Rule Trophy, which boasts previous winners including Annika Sorenstam and Catriona Matthew.
She put pen to paper with Millington during the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield Links and was joined by Forgan Pro DJ Russell, the course’s designer (see picture)
Said Krystle: “I’m delighted to be joining forces with Forgan. Living just 10 minutes from the Auld Town and being a lifelong member of St Regulus Golf Club, you could say St Andrews is in my blood – so it’s great to be associated with a golf club maker whose history is entrenched in the town.”
Currently lying 24th in the Henderson Money list, Krystle attended the University of Georgia in the United States for one year and started the second year but decided to leave early because she wanted to turn professional. She started playing golf aged four.
Forgan of St Andrews launched its Limited Edition forged blades this year to celebrate its landmark 150th anniversary – which coincided with the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship.
Painstakingly manufactured from a high grade forged steel, with Dynamic Gold steel shafts and a choice of custom fit options, the beautifully-crafted irons are destined to become a collector’s item in this historic year for golf.
But the irons have also been built to be hit and European Seniors Tour stars Ian Woosnam and DJ Russell will both have the sought-after blades in their bags this year.
Each club, from 3-SW, has been carefully engraved with distinctive ‘150 years’ and ‘Since 1860’ logos, making them one of the year’s most desirable sets of irons.
Forgan is now owned by renowned sports e-tailers, Sports PLC, and is at the forefront of personalised club fitting having pioneered a full online custom fitting service in the UK via www.forgan.co.uk and the USA, through www.forgan.com .
All Forgan woods, irons, utility clubs, wedges and putters are available in custom fit options – with the golfer completing an easy website process to create their own perfect custom-fit profile before going on to order the clubs online.