January 14, 2004

By: Sharon Madison
Website: http://www.1st-in-golf.com

Spalding Sports Worldwide renamed The Top-flight golf company

As a result of the recent sale of the Spalding brand to Russell Athletic Corporation, the former Spalding company (Spalding Sports Worldwide) today announced its new company name, The Top-Flite Golf Company. Rejuvenated by the sale of its sporting goods business, which strengthened its balance sheet, The Top-Flite Golf Company will focus its resources on growing its core golf business, which accounted for 70% of revenues of the former company.

“The Top-Flite Golf Company is the natural and logical choice for the new name of our company,” stated Jim Craigie, President and CEO of The Top-Flite Golf Company. “TOP-FLITE® is our number one brand in terms of revenue and profits, and it is also the most widely played name in golf today.”

The Top-Flite Golf Company will have two megabrands - TOP-FLITE and BEN HOGAN® - covering all key golf categories but differentiated by price points and channel focus. BEN HOGAN, the company’s Premium Megabrand, will continue to focus on premium golf equipment sold largely in the golf course shops and off course golf stores and select sporting good retail outlets, while TOP-FLITE, the company’s Value Megabrand, will focus on high quality golf equipment sold in all channels of trade. The STRATA® brand of premium golf balls will eventually fold back under the TOP-FLITE brand where it was originally launched in 1996, and will continue to be sold in its current channels of distribution by product.

Also see: golfing specialties.

Author Notes:

Sharon Madison contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-golf.com.  A source of information on golf equipment, golf manufacturers, supplies, tips and more.