HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF. (April 7, 2021) – TravisMathew is proud to officially announce an exciting new partnership with golf legend Lee Elder. Through this partnership, Mr. Elder will represent the company by wearing TravisMathew apparel and Cuater shoes on the golf course – including this week for his ceremonial opening tee shot at Augusta. He will also work with our team on original content to share his story as a champion, and a trailblazer in golf.
The 2021 Masters Tournament Honorary Starter. Mr. Lee Elder (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
Mr. Elder won numerous professional events, all while setting a historic path throughout his career on Tour. After serving in the U.S. Army, he joined the United Golf Association Tour, recording 18 victories in 22 starts. Additionally, he won four PGA Tour events, eight Champions Tour events, and in 1975 he was the first Black player to compete in The Masters. In 1979, he also became the first Black golfer to qualify for the Ryder Cup. And this week, he is making history again as an Honorary Starter at Augusta on Thursday.
“All of us at TravisMathew are incredibly excited to play even just a small role in this historic moment at Augusta,” said TravisMathew CEO, Ryan Ellis. “Mr. Elder has spent his career breaking down barriers and continues to do so. We are very much looking forward to him educating and sharing his story with our employees and customers.”
Mr. Elder shared his thoughts on the partnership, “TravisMathew makes wonderful clothes. They are very comfortable and something I can play in, and swing in freely without feeling restricted in any way. They are also a very good company and I am happy to be affiliated with them and look forward to a long-term relationship. In addition to wearing their apparel, I’m excited to work with TravisMathew to share my story.”
We’re proud to welcome Mr. Elder to TravisMathew. For more information, please visit http://www.travismathew.com.
About TravisMathew:
TravisMathew is a leading innovator in lifestyle & performance apparel. Using best-in-class fabrications and designs, we are pushing forward a growing market trend toward casualization. For us, comfort comes first. Every TravisMathew product is created with attention to detail, designed to deliver the perfect fit and a soft, lightweight feel. By offering hundreds of varied, unique designs across monthly new product releases, we are establishing a new standard for the young professional. We want to elevate your look with details, subtleties, and craftsmanship that will get you noticed… but without flash or pretension. As an aspirational brand, TravisMathew prides itself on being approachable. Anyone and everyone can look great—and feel great—in TravisMathew. For more information, please visit http://www.travismathew.com.
Well, the time has come. It’s now officially #testingszn here at Until The Next Tee. Very recently, I’ve received a new product to review. Many thanks go out to Jon Claffey the Vice President of Marketing for Tour Edge Golf for giving me the opportunity to have a first-hand look at the new Exotics C721 driver.
For those not in the know, Tour Edge Golf has been on quite a roll over the last several years. The Batavia, Illinois based golf equipment manufacturer has seen record sales and continued growth. Earlier this year, Tour Edge received a huge boost when the legendary Bernhard Langer signed a contract with them to play their equipment. Quietly, Langer had the EXS Pro Hybrid in his bag during The 2020 Master’s Tournament.
When I think of Tour Edge Golf, I really think of them as one of the biggest “movers and shakers” in the golf industry. While they’ve been around for much longer than 2019, I have long felt that, that was the year that they really stood out. With that year’s release, the Exotics EXS, they proved that you can produce a premium product with all of the best technology without the massive price tag attached to it. The Exotics EXS 220 and EXS Pro range gave them even more momentum which brings us to the Exotics C721.
In the video below, I unbox the Exotics C721 and let me tell you, as you can see from the pictures above. This driver just from an aesthetics standpoint alone is different.
With the unboxing out of the way, the testing process has begun for this stick. Only time will tell whether this driver is an upgrade over the previous two generations. Stay tuned right here for more content on the testing process of the Exotics C721 driver.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — March 26, 2021 — SRIXON®, a global leader in golf ball technology and innovation, announces the all-new Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE. This exciting new golf ball offering from Srixon officially launches in North America on April 15, 2021.
“The new Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE looks great, but it’s so much more than that,” said Brian Schielke, General Manager at Srixon. “Easier putting alignment and increased visual feedback on your chip and pitch shots really adds to the greenside performance. It’s a ball every golfer must try.”
The Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE is different, featuring a new thermoplastic urethane cover that has been infused with bright pigments rather than being painted on. The 50/50 Matte Urethane Cover delivers a high contrast, matte cover that provides the same tour-level spin and stopping power you’ve come to expect from the original Q-STAR TOUR.
With DIVIDE’s unique two-tone cover construction, putting alignment comes easy with a 360° line, while every shot will produce a strobe effect to help show off the speed and direction of spin.
DIVIDE might not look like a classic golf ball, but it still delivers true tour performance. Featuring the same FastLayer Core and 338 Speed Dimple Pattern found on the classic Q-STAR TOUR, DIVIDE provides the distance and control expected from a tour-caliber golf ball.
Key Technologies Inside Q-STAR TOUR DIVIDE:
New FastLayer Core: The new FastLayer Core offers distance and soft feel without compromise due to a gradual transition from soft inner core to firm outer edge.
50/50 Matte Urethane Cover: The high contrast, matte cover makes spin visible and putting alignment easy.It’s cast from soft urethane for tour-level spin and stopping power.
338 Speed Dimple Pattern: Providing a penetrating ball flight in any conditions, the 338 Speed Dimple Pattern increases lift and reduces drag to maximize distance.
Welcome back to TeeBox Chatter everyone! Thank you for taking the time out of your hectic lives to have a listen. I appreciate more than you think.
The collaboration between Jason Hiland and Tommy Armour III resulted in the TAIII irons. (Photo Credit: SUB 70 Golf)
Joining me this his week, my guest is an all-around nice guy and the CEO of SUB 70 Golf Jason Hiland. Join us on the tee box of the first hole as we “chatter it up”. This week the WGC Dell Technologies is being played. So, we talk about Match Play and another format that we see once a year. Stableford Scoring. Different is good.
Also we talk about all things SUB 70 Golf. A brand different from the rest. From Jason’s beginnings in the golf industry to hand-written notes, and products new to the stable in 2021. It’s a fun chat. Be sure not to miss it.
CARLSBAD, CA and DALLAS, TX / March 8, 2021 / PRNewswire / — Callaway Golf Company (“Callaway”)(NYSE:ELY) and Topgolf International, Inc. (Topgolf) announced today that the companies have completed their previously announced merger, following approval by shareholders of both companies. The combined enterprise creates an unrivaled tech-enabled golf company delivering leading golf equipment, apparel and entertainment.
Topgolf is a leading tech-enabled golf entertainment business, with an innovative platform comprised of its ground-breaking open-air venues, revolutionary Toptracer technology, and innovative media platform. Callaway is a leader in the global golf equipment market with a scale position in active-lifestyle soft goods and a proven ability to deliver strong results.
The Callaway Golf and Topgolf merger is complete.
Callaway and Topgolf are just better together͕” said Chip Brewer͕ President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway. Callaway’s leadership in the global golf equipment market and geographic diversity, combined with Topgolf’s revolutionary technology platform and access to golfers of all abilities͕, will allow both companies to accelerate growth and create competitive advantages. This transformational merger has already created and will continue to create meaningful shareholder value. We are very excited to begin this next chapter and I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together͘”.
Erik Anderson, Executive Chairman of Topgolf, added “I am tremendously proud of everything we’ve achieved at Topgolf since our founding in 2000. Our dedicated team of associates, ground-breaking Toptracer technology, and proprietary venues and media platforms have transformed the intersection of sports and entertainment. Together with Callaway, Topgolf has the opportunity to build upon its rapid growth story, bring the Topgolf experience to new communities and advance our mission of making golf a more inclusive and accessible game͘”.
Transaction Details
Under the terms of the merger agreement, which was previously announced on October 27, 2020, Callaway issued approximately 90 million shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Topgolf, excluding Callaway, which previously held approximately 14% of Topgolf’s outstanding shares. Immediately following the merger, Callaway shareholders owned approximately 51.3% and former Topgolf shareholders (excluding Callaway) owned approximately 48.7% of the outstanding shares of the combined company.
Board of Directors for the Combined Company
The combined company’s Board of Directors now consists of 13 directors, including three new directors appointed by Topgolf shareholders. Chip Brewer will continue to lead the combined company as President and Chief Executive Officer. Dolf Berle will continue to lead the Topgolf business through a transition period, at which time he intends to step down to pursue other leadership opportunities. John Lundgren will continue as Chairman of the Board of the combined company, while Erik Anderson will serve as Vice Chairman.
The combined company will be headquartered in Carlsbad, California with Topgolf continuing to operate from its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Goldman Sachs served as the financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to Callaway. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan served as financial advisors and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel to Topgolf.
Notice of Inducement Equity Awards
In connection with the merger, and effective as of the closing date, Callaway granted to 189 employees of Topgolf an aggregate of 385,389 inducement performance stock unit (“PSU”) units (at the target level) and an aggregate of 456,274 inducement restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards͘. The awards were granted under Callaway’s 2021 Employment Inducement Plan͕ which provides for the granting of equity awards to new employees of Callaway. The RSU and PSU awards were approved by Callaway’s Board of Directors and/or Compensation and Management Succession Committee and were granted as an inducement material to the new employees entering into employment with Callaway, in accordance with New York Stock Exchange Rule 303A.08.
The RSU awards will vest and the restrictions will lapse in three equal annual installments commencing on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment through each applicable vesting date.
The PSUs will vest after three years based on performance against certain corporate financial objectives over a three-year performance period beginning January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023. The number of shares earned under the PSUs may be 617,689 in the aggregate if maximum performance is achieved during this three-year period. However, final vesting of the PSUs will not occur until the third anniversary of the grant date, following the end of the three-year performance period, and will be subject to continued employment through that date.
“Callaway and Topgolf. are just better together” – President and CEO of Callaway Chip Brewer
About Callaway Golf Company
Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) is a premium golf equipment and active lifestyle company with a portfolio of global brands, including Callaway Golf, Odyssey, OGIO, Travis Mathew and Jack Wolfskin. Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway manufactures and sells premium golf clubs, golf balls, golf and lifestyle bags, golf and lifestyle apparel and other accessories. For more information please visit http://www.callawaygolf.com, http://www.odysseygolf.com, http://www.OGIO.com, http://www.travismathew.com, and http://www.jack-wolfskin.com.
About Topgolf Entertainment Group
Topgolf Entertainment Group is a technology-enabled global sports and entertainment leader built on a foundation of community, inclusivity and fun. What started as a simple idea to enhance the game of golf has grown into a movement where people from all walks of life connect at the intersection of technology and sports entertainment. Topgolf Entertainment Group’s platforms include Topgolf venues,
Topgolf Media, Topgolf International, Toptracer and Topgolf Swing Suite. To learn more about Topgolf, visit http://www.topgolfentertainmentgroup.com or follow Topgolf on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
