MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Canada -- Sligo Wear staff player Justin Hicks is literally "geared up" this week to defend his Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic title at this week's Nationwide Tour stop in Ontario, Canada.

Trailing by one shot after 54 holes, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder posted a 2-under 69 to get into a playoff with Casey Wittenburg and eventually won with a birdie on the first extra hole. Hicks, 34, recalls the career-changing win:

"The memories flooded back into my mind the moment I returned to the course including the emotional playoff win," said Hicks. "It was a tremendous lift for my career at the time and I hope I can string together a few good rounds of golf to give myself a chance to defend."

Sligo Wear, which has already been at the forefront of several key wins this year including Brian Gay's landslide PGA Tour victories at the St. Jude Classic and Verizon Heritage Championship, blends unique trends and fits of North America and European fashion with technical fabrications an athlete requires. Its intelligent combination of construction and modern materials make it a must-have for any serious golfer who wants to perform their best.

"Our ambition was to create performance apparel that looks and feels good, so that every type of shot can be executed with absolute confidence," said Shawn Aucoin, Sligo Wear Director of Sales "Judging by the positive feedback we've received from our Tour Staff professionals and the many other players we worked with to develop these unique collections, we succeeded."

In addition to Hicks and Gay, other Sligo Wear athletes include the Nationwide's Steve LeBrun, Travis Perkins and Bubba Dickerson. The 2009 Sligo Wear collection is now available at golf shops and retail stores across North America and can be viewed at the company's website www.sligowear.com.

Contact: Shawn Aucoin, Sligo Wear Inc. -519-217-5446