PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jan. 21, 2005 – Ping executives have announced that a newly formed company, Ping Golf Japan KK, has started handling the sales and distribution of all Ping golf equipment in Japan.

"In an effort to get closer to our customers, we are establishing Ping Golf Japan KK," said John A. Solheim, chairman and CEO of Phoenix-based PING. "We believe success starts with designing the right product with leading edge technologies, and then providing the right service - before and after the sale. This venture will help us achieve this customer service goal by delivering custom-fit clubs in a timely manner throughout Japan."

Ping Golf Japan KK, which assumes the responsibility currently held by Ping Japan, will focus on providing the Japanese golf market with products and services consistent with PING's reputation throughout the United States and Europe. The facility, located north of Tokyo in Saitama, will include sales offices as well as an assembly facility that will be able to offer rapid delivery of custom-fit product. The new company will strive to ship customized product within 48 hours of receiving the order.

In addition to technologically-advanced product from the United States, Ping Golf Japan KK will offer a full range of golf equipment, including irons, woods, putters, bags and accessories that are designed and developed for the Japanese consumer. Ping Golf Japan KK will retain virtually all of Ping Japan's employees through the transition. The newly formed company will also assume the fitting studio facility from Ping Japan, located at 3-24-1 Sakura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

"Our distributor, Ping Japan, has done a good job of structuring our distribution in the Japanese market over the last seven years, but we feel we need to have a stronger presence in Japan in order meet the needs of the Japanese consumer," Solheim said. "We just cannot give this market the attention it deserves from Phoenix."

Ping designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of golf equipment including metal woods, irons, putters and golf bags. The family-owned company was founded in 1959 in the garage of the late Karsten Solheim, a mechanical engineer with an extensive background in the aerospace and computer industries. His frustration with his putting inspired him to design his own putter, which created a "pinging" sound when striking a golf ball.

This sound was the source of the name now synonymous with innovation, quality and service throughout the world of golf. Solheim and his company are credited with numerous innovations that became industry standards, including perimeter weighting, custom fitting and the use of investment casting in the manufacturing of golf clubs. His insistence on adhering to strict engineering principles and tight manufacturing tolerances raised the level of product performance and quality throughout the golf industry. Solheim is the only person to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as a golf club manufacturer. Today, the Phoenix-based company is under the direction of Solheim's youngest son, John A. Solheim. Ping game-improvement products can be found in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit pinggolf.com.

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