Winner of Deutsche Bank Championship Uses Graphite Design Shaft
(Sept 6th 2005) GDI Wins 94th Straight Manufacturer, Brand Count on Japan PGA Tour
(SAN DIEGO, Calif.) – The winner of the PGA TOUR’s Deutsche Bank Championship used Graphite Design International’s (“GDI”) YS-6 shaft in his fairway wood en route to earning $990,000 according to the Darrell Survey.
With the win, GDI shafts have now been in the clubs of 16 winners on the PGA TOUR in 2005 and 32 winners worldwide. Known for their industry-leading combination of accuracy and distance, GDI shafts have helped the world’s best players amass over $47 million in earnings year-to-date.
According to the Darrell Survey, GDI shafts have been the “most popular” in the weekly manufacturer and brand counts for graphite wood shafts on the PGA TOUR 13 times. Additionally, two of the top three players on the World Money List and three of the top five in total driving (distance plus accuracy) on the PGA TOUR use GDI shafts.
At the Fuji Sankei Classic on the Japan PGA Tour, GDI won the manufacturer and brand counts for graphite wood shafts for a staggering 94th straight tournament – a streak dating back to the 2002 season. GDI also captured the manufacturer and brand counts in the Hybrid category by 35 percent over the nearest competitor.
On the Champions Tour, the winner of the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach used GDI’s GAT shafts in his irons. This supports the paradigm shift that GDI is setting within the golf-equipment industry: graphite-composite shafts in iron clubs (opposed to traditional steel shafts).
“We are excited about GDI’s continued success on the PGA, Champions and Japan PGA Tours,” says Akio Karashima, CEO of GDI. “Recreational and amateur players who switch to GDI shafts will experience similar game improvement with their irons, hybrid clubs, fairway woods and drivers.”
GDI’s record-setting year in 2005 builds upon the company’s success in 2004 -- 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.
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. The company 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 through its “Shop Direct” program that provides consumers unprecedented convenience in researching and purchasing GDI products via the Internet. Shop Direct offerings include GDI’s 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 .
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