CARLSBAD, CALIF. – Oct. 22, 2004– Ashworth, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASHW), a leading designer of sportswear and golf apparel, has announced the winners of the first annual Callaway Golf apparel Merchandiser of the Year Award.
The National Callaway Golf apparel merchandising contest began in the Spring of 2004. Following contest guidelines submitted to all of the Callaway Golf apparel green grass accounts, participants were challenged with designing and implementing a display presentation to highlight the exciting new collections. The design theme for the contest: "Let the Game Begin" was the kick-off to the golf season, coinciding with the first major tour event of the year.
The contest was extremely well received, with over 350 entries responding over a three-month period. The accounts offered exciting, colorful and imaginative solutions with product displays that were also consumer-friendly, resulting in increased sell-through of all Callaway Golf products.
The finalists and a guest were chosen from each of five regions and flown to Carlsbad, Calif., to tour the Ashworth/Callaway Golf apparel global headquarters, where they met with management from sales, marketing and design. An awards banquet was held to honor all of the finalists and announce the grand prizewinner: Elizabeth Lopes from Willowbend CC, Mashpee, Mass., who was awarded the First Annual Callaway Golf apparel Merchandiser of the Year Award. Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, VP of Sales, Callaway Golf green grass division, presented a check for $1,000.00 to Ms. Lopes.
In his closing comments, Mr. Fitzpatrick summed up the event, commenting, "It's talented people like these who create the merchandising expertise in shops to attract new players to the game and rekindle the desire in existing players. I'm pleased that we can offer an opportunity to reward their outstanding talents, efforts and contributions to our growing brand."
The Regional winners include:
East Coast — Elizabeth Lopes from Willowbend CC, Mashpee, Mass.
Southeast — David Casto from Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Fla.
Western U.S. — Faye Whade from Glenmoor CC, Englewood, Colo.
Central U.S. — Sherwin Cox from Ross Rogers GC, Amarillo, Texas
Northeast — Betsy Heyman from Thunderbird Hills GC, Huron, Ohio
Ashworth, Inc. is a designer of men's and women's golf-inspired lifestyle sportswear, distributed domestically and internationally in golf pro shops, resorts, upscale department and specialty stores and to corporate customers. Ashworth products include three main brand extensions.
Ashworth Collection is a range of upscale sportswear designed to be worn on and off course. Ashworth Authentics showcases the most popular items from the Ashworth line. Ashworth Weather Systems utilizes technology to create a balance between fashion and function in a variety of climatic conditions. Callaway Golf is a trademark of Callaway Golf Company. Ashworth, Inc., 2765 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, CA 92008 is an Official Licensee of Callaway Golf Company.
To learn more, please visit our Web site at www.ashworthinc.com.
Contacts:
Ashworth, Inc.
Randall L. Herrel, Sr., 760-929-6142
Terence Tsang, 760-929-4611
Jim Fitzpatrick
Or
CCG Investor Relations
Sean Collins, 818-789-0100, x202
