SAN DIEGO, California – Feb. 10, 2005 – The winner of the PGA Tour’s FBR Open (Scottsdale, Ariz.) used Graphite Design International (“GDI”) shafts in his driver and 4-wood, and switched to GDI’s PM 902 shaft in his 3-wood before the tournament, according to the Darrell Survey.
Three other players switched to GDI shafts prior to the FBR Open and experienced favorable results, including a top 10 and top 11 finish that resulted in over a quarter of a million dollars in earnings.
And for the fourth time in five tournaments, GDI won the overall manufacturer and brand counts for fairway wood and driver shafts, with 21.4 and 20.9 percent of the field using GDI shafts, respectively. The next closest competitor came it at 17.4 in both categories.
GDI is off to a fast start in 2005, helping the world’s best players amass roughly $6.5 million in winnings. The hot beginning to the new season builds upon GDI’s 2004 success -- a banner year in which PGA Tour players earned over $60 million using GDI shafts including the winners of the 2004 Masters and PGA Championship.
Other highlights from the 2004 regular season included GDI shafts being played by:
- The No. 1 player in the World Golf Rankings
- Two of the top three money leaders on the PGA Tour
- Two of the three highest winning, active players on the PGA Tour
- The leader in Driving Accuracy Percentage
GDI shafts were in the clubs of 39 winners in 2004, including the PGA Tour, LPGA, Champions and Nationwide Tours. On the Japan PGA Tour, GDI has won the manufacturer and brand counts for a staggering 75 consecutive events dating back to 2002.
On the Champions Tour, GDI was instrumental in leading a paradigm shift of players using graphite composite shafts in irons – as opposed to traditional steel shafts. Two of the top four money winners on the Champions Tour used GDI’s GAT shafts in their irons, including the Charles Schwab Cup winner.
“To have the world’s best players experience success after switching to GDI shafts is the ultimate validation of our accuracy and distance technology,” says Akio Karashima, CEO of GDI. “These victories by Tour players validate the game improvement potential of GDI shafts, not just for professionals, but also for amateur and recreational golfers as well.”
About Graphite Design International
GDI, established in Japan in 1989 and in the U.S. in 1997, is one of the world's three largest golf-club shaft manufacturers. GDI made its mark manufacturing high-performance shafts for most of golf's major OEMs worldwide, including the top four companies by sales volume, and GDI shafts continue to be preferred by top clubmakers, worldwide.
The company recently made its entire line of performance enhancing shafts available by way of its “Shop Direct” that provides consumers unprecedented convenience in researching and purchasing GDI products via the Internet. Shop Direct product offerings include the new Tour AD models, the popular YS-6, YS-7 and YS-Power models, GAT shafts for irons, and the new PM model, played by the 2004 Masters Champion.
GDI's trademarks are revolutionary technology, design and sourcing the most advanced materials so GDI shafts are of highest quality and performance. GDI shafts specifically promote “Accuracy and Distance” among players of all levels, and are commonly referred to as “Ultimate Performance, Proven on Tour.”
The core components of the company’s “AD” logo, these key competitive advantages help professionals and amateurs optimize their game after switching to GDI shafts. The company’s popular YS series, new PM (Prototype Model) shafts, and the recently introduced Tour AD line are taking this message to the next level.
For more information about GDI: 888.707.6132, info@gdintl.com , www.gdintl.com .
Shane Sharp
National Account Executive
Buffalo Communications
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
803.547.2118 (o)
704.519.8381 (m)
