The Acushnet Company has agreed a multi-year deal with Jesper Parnevik to continue playing Titleist golf balls and wearing FootJoy shoes and gloves. The deal, which is to run until the end of 2003, comes less than a week after another leading Titleist and FootJoy ambassador Davis Love III, also extended his contract with the company.
A native of Sweden and twice a member of the European Ryder Cup team, Parnevik has relied on Titleist golf balls and FootJoy shoes exclusively since turning professional in 1986. He starred in FootJoy’s Sign Boy TV Ad campaigns, most notably in the “You’re the Swede!” ad.
Parnevik started out on the PGA European Tour but in 1994 he also joined the USPGA Tour when he earned his playing privileges through its qualifying school. He has won 12 international events during his 15-year professional career, including four on the European Tour and a similar number on the USPGA Tour. This year, Parnevik has posted victories at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and GTE Byron Nelson Classic, both with the Titleist Tour Prestige golf ball. “We are excited that our relationship with Jesper will continue,” commented Wally Uihlein, Chairman and CEO of Acushnet Company. “Jesper is a world-class golfer whose dynamic persona is recognised and appreciated internationally. He is comfortable playing the products he has trusted en route to becoming the exciting player he is today and he is a great ambassador for the Titleist golf ball and FootJoy brands.”
“I am extremely excited about extending my association with the Acushnet Company, as I have played Titleist golf balls and FootJoy products throughout my professional career,” commented Parnevik. “I am playing the best golf of my career right now and look forward to taking my game to the next step, which is winning Majors. I appreciate the product leadership of the Acushnet Company and the loyalty it has shown in allowing me the freedom to flourish under the Titleist and FootJoy brands.
Parnevik’s decision to extend his Titleist and FootJoy deals comes hard on the heels of a similar decision made by America’s Davis Love III. Last week, Love signed a multiyear-contract extension that will keep him with Titleist and FootJoy until 2010 and he did so despite concerted overtures from competitors to lure him away. Love’s deal means that he will continue to use Titleist balls and clubs. He will also continue to don a Titleist cap, wear FootJoy shoes and glove and use a Titleist bag. Love, when asked about the deal, was reported as saying: “In the end, I wanted to be with Titleist.”