Wilson Golf has announced it will not renew its endorsement contract
with the 1998 PGA Champion, Vijay Singh, after a relationship lasting 17
years.
"In recent years, Wilson Golf has moved away from utilizing high-prized
PGA Tour pros in our marketing efforts, and increased the number of PGA
club professionals within our Staff Program," said Luke Reese, Vice
President & General Manager, Wilson Golf Worldwide.
Wilson's strategy is to grow its club professional staff, increase its
point of sales market as well as its demo days and sampling program for
its new Smart-Core golf balls.
"We had a long, outstanding relationship with Vijay; he was a great
ambassador for us, and it was by no means an easy decision to forgo
renewing his contract. You don't get a better guy than Vijay Singh.
Frankly, it is just not our strategy. We plan on increasing our Advisory
Staff Pros from 1,100 to 2,500 next year," Reese commented to Web
Street. "It is simply a matter of our increased focus on grassroots
marketing, and our commitment to the local golf professional. We wish
Vijay the best in his future endeavors," Reese added.
Vijay Singh has been a member of the Wilson Staff Advisory Team since he
turned professional in 1982. He has played with Wilson Staff irons for
the past 18 years. Although Wilson will not re-sign him, it does plan on
retaining John Huston, Glen Day and the 1999Open winner Paul
Lawrie.
Currently all three play the Wilson Fat Shaft irons, something Singh
does not.
