Endorsement deals for Wie and Pressel easy compared to veterans on LPGA Tour

From the recent dealings between Michelle Wie and Omega, Sony and Nike to the latest sponsorship of Morgan Pressel by Polo Ralph Lauren, apparel and accessories have become a hot commodity among the younger set of LPGA golfers leaving some veterans out in the cold. Prematurely poised for their ages and adored by teenagers who are said to spend dollars as easily for earrings as ringtones, these youngsters are going to transform women’s golf into a multimillion dollar industry.

The age difference doesn’t seem to play as big a part when sponsors endorse golfers on the PGA Tour. For example, Tom Watson and Davis Love III are among the players who also wear Ralph Lauren. These guys are not spring chickens, nor are they fashion plates! But ladies like hall-of-famer Beth Daniel? “I buy… hats myself,” Daniel said. “I buy… shirts…”

It’s all in what the advertisers will receive for the dollars they spend, their “bang for the buck". With all the attention on girls like Wie, Pressel and Creamer, the ad agencies will be cleaning up…and so will these ladies!

And, as Sonartec’s Jon Claffey stated in a recent Golf.com article, winning a tournament will score higher brownie points for the golfers. “I think winning validates the equipment in the public’s eye and builds a confidence. For us a win has a tremendous effect.”

That means Annika Sorenstam should be able to retain her endorsements over time (which top $7 million per year) in comparison to the younger “flashes-in-the-pan” who are just out for the quick buck.

As for Michelle Wie, blogcarnival.com said it best, “As long as she continues to bomb the ball and at least makes a go at several championships (as she already has), she will continue to be a draw for the LPGA. Now, if she completely fizzles (think Jennifer Capriati in her early years), then all bets are off.”