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INDUSTRY NEWS
OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE
x
FALL 2016
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obsports.com
Nike merchandise that golfers will
continue seeing in golf shops include
all forms of outerwear, with the polo
shirt king among consumers.
"It's almost like the uniform of
golf," said Gielow. "We look at ap-
parel as a piece of equipment – it's
based on comfort, based on cooling
factors, moisture wicking. All of those
factors are part of our look and feel
and styling."
Among the other innovations in its
polos, the company recently intro-
duced a new, streamlined collar it calls
the "Blade," paying
tribute to the mock-
turtleneck favored by
Tiger Woods and David
Duval a decade ago.
Based in the Pacific
Northwest, Nike is also coming out
with promising new waterproof and
wet-weather apparel, as well as a line
of women's golf clothing worn on
tour by Nike golfers Michelle Wie and
Suzann Pettersen.
In the footwear department, Nike's
faithful can count on features making
their way into golf shoes from other
sports where the company is tradi-
tionally dominant.
"We'll have golf shoe offerings with
all of the innovations that you might
associate with running or even basket-
ball," said Gielow. "We call our
footwear 'the foundation of golf.'"
While he couldn't comment about
reports that PGA Tour star Jason Day
may be signing on to wear Nike ap-
parel and shoes, Gielow said, "We are
committed to being the undisputed
leader in golf apparel … and we will
continue to support tour players
through sponsorships."
Gielow said that basketball, track
and field and athletic training con-
tinue to be the three largest markets
for Nike, but he highlighted one
unique fact about the professional
golf circuit that works in the com-
pany's favor.
"Golf gives us the opportunity to
spotlight the Swoosh 365 days a year,"
he said. "It's the only sport that runs
throughout the calendar, so it's very,
very important to us."
NIKE GOLF: A
CHRONOLOGICAL
LOOK AT THE
HISTORY OF THE
BRAND, 1984-2016
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