CHICAGO -- Wilson Golf today introduced D.J. Trahan, winner of the 2006 Southern Farm Bureau Classic, as the newest Wilson Staff Advisory Member. Trahan’s multi-year deal with Wilson will begin on January 4th at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Maui, Hawaii where he will be playing the Wilson Staff Pi5 irons and Wilson Staff Tw7 wedges. Trahan will also carry a Wilson Staff bag and wear Wilson Staff headwear.

The strategic signing comes after an exciting 2006 season for Wilson as key Staff ambassador Padraig Harrington won the prestigious Order of Merit as top money winner of the European Tour, while fellow Staff member Markus Brier earned his first European PGA Tour victory. Wilson Staff member Anthony Wall also had an excellent year, with five top-10 finishes, including three for second place.

As Wilson seeks to expand its U.S. PGA Tour presence, the Atlanta-born Trahan will join a veritable “who’s who” in golfing history that have represented the historic golf brand through the years. Trahan will share the Wilson legacy with golfing greats such as Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart, and John Daly among other great American golfers.
Trahan was a member of the Walker Cup National Team in 2001, as well as an American representative at the World Amateur Team Championship before having turned professional in 2003. During the 2006 season, Trahan had a strong second half, earning his first PGA Tour victory while reaching the single season $1 million earnings plateau. Recognized as a golfer with both power and accuracy, Trahan promises to be a great addition to an already solid Wilson team.

“Wilson is a perfect fit for me and my game,” said Trahan. “The Pi5 irons have that classic Staff look, and are incredibly forgiving. I’m looking to build upon my 2006 season and hope to really break out with my new Staff equipment. There’s an incredible tradition with Wilson Golf that reaches back almost a century, and it’s very special to become part of an American icon.” His bag now includes Wilson Staff 4 through 9 irons from the Pi5 family, as well as the Tw7 Gap, Sand and Lob wedges (52°, 56° and 60°)

Five Top-10 finishes in his sophomore year on the PGA Tour, including his wire-to-wire win at the Southern Farm Bureau Classic opened many eyes to his talents. This week, Trahan will look to jump-start his 2007 season, which begins on Thursday at the “2006 Winners Only” Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua Golf Resort in Maui.

“We’re truly excited to be able to introduce a rising star like D.J. as part of our Wilson Staff family,” said Tim Clarke, General Manager, Wilson Golf. “He’s an exciting young player, he’s fun to watch and he has a great love for the game. We’re very happy to have him as part of our Wilson family, and hope he continues to flourish here as many of our athletes have throughout the years. I don’t think you should be surprised when his name becomes commonplace on the leader board.”

The Wilson Staff Pi5 irons are one of four iron sets from the premium Wilson Staff line of clubs:
• The elegant, timeless Wilson Staff Fi5 (Forged) iron
• The mid-size Wilson Staff Ci6 (control) iron, winner of Golf Magazine’s ClubTest 2006
• The recently unveiled Wilson Staff Di7 (Distance) iron, which breaks the mold and promises that it’s “not like other clubs” (visit www.wilsonstaff.com/di7 for more information)

For information on these or any other Wilson Golf equipment, please log onto www.wilsongolf.com.

For more than 90 years, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. The Wilson Staff, ProStaff, Ultra and Hope consumer brands continue that tradition today by delivering the highest quality golf equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the golf course and overall enjoyment of the game.

Wilson Golf is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sports equipment by Amer Sports. Consumers can log onto www.wilsongolf.com or call 773-714-6400 for more information.

For additional press information please contact The Sherry Group at 973-984-3000.
Daniel Pepitone --–dpepitone@sherryllc.com – Ext. 120
Jen Voss -- jvoss@sherryllc.com Ext. 124
Mike Gugliociello -- mgugliociello@sherryllc.com Ext. 122