l
Q&A
OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE
x
FALL 2014
x
obsports.com
When did you first know you wanted to
become a clothing designer? It began un-
knowingly as a teenager, I was very conscious
of my clothes and style even as a kid. I was
embarrassed but secretly proud to have been
voted Best Dressed as a junior in high school. It
wasn't until I was 26 that I decided to go for it.
What was your first job in the apparel in-
dustry? I was a buyer/merchandiser for the
golf and tennis department and store manager
at a sporting goods store in Denver in 1985. I
was able to go to trade shows to see all the dif-
ferent collections and brands. Most of the golf
stuff was awful at the time, which gave me the
confidence to develop a different look. I started
developing my own clothing line in 1986.
Where does your artistic influence come
from? I love to travel, it's always inspirational
and influence can come from everywhere and
anywhere. It's important to stay open because
you never know what's around the corner.
fi
John Ashworth.
SOUL MAN
n HOW JOHN ASHWORTH BECAME A GOLF APPAREL ICON BY joEL BEErs
W
hen John Ashworth launched a line of golf clothing in 1987 from
a humble office in downtown Los Angeles' dense garment dis-
trict, he had big dreams. And they all came true. Within 10
years, Ashworth's company had grown into a $75 million corpo-
ration and had a rather famous golfer, Fred Couples, as its premier face on the
PGA Tour. • Ashworth left the company in 1997. But he's never left the industry.
His latest venture is Linksoul, an apparel line based in California that blends
golf turf with the Pacific surf. • We caught up with the influential designer and
businessman, who shared his thoughts on his past, present and future.
