INSIDER Q&A
different but both were very
hands-on in their approaches
and shared the same goals of
doing what's best in the long
term for the company. Karsten
almost always made the deci-
sions based on his assessment
of the situation without the
input of too many others. John
takes a more collaborative ap-
proach to the decision-making
process, usually gathering
multiple viewpoints and rely-
ing on experts in their disci-
plines to help guide him to a
decision. Both their manage-
ment styles were right for
PING during their respective
eras as the industry evolved to
its current state.
• • •
how do you feel about the
state of the golf equipment in-
dustry as 2017 approaches
with constant innovation and
new products hitting the mar-
ket faster than ever before? We
see great opportunity for PING
regardless of the size of the in-
dustry. We all know that
change is inevitable and a
right-sizing of the golf busi-
ness landscape is currently
under way. We see that as
healthy. We know there will al-
ways be a need for high qual-
ity, innovative golf equipment.
• • •
what are some of the inno-
vations in equipment at PinG
right now that you're most ex-
cited about? In my role, I'm al-
ways most excited about what
we have in development be-
cause it represents the next
generation of better perform-
ing products. If we can design
and manufacture better equip-
ment on a regular basis, every-
thing else takes care of itself. It
sounds simple, but it's what
Karsten always focused on and
it continues to be our strategy.
• • •
what do you see as the next
steps in PinG's evolution as a
company? We come in every
morning thinking about im-
provements for every aspect of
our business to support our
goal of operational excellence.
That's always served us well
so we'll continue that ap-
proach. We plan for the future
from a product, business oper-
ations and management per-
spective. In that regard, we're
well prepared for the future as
the third-generation of the Sol-
heim family are transitioning
into larger roles in executive
management. We're continu-
ally evaluating our processes
and procedures to stay on top
of the latest technologies and
trends – whether it be manu-
facturing or marketing. From
the product development side,
we're excited about what our
innovation teams are research-
ing and developing for the
years to come.
• • •
aside from serving on the
board at PinG, what are your
plans for retirement? Right
now and for the foreseeable fu-
ture I want to spend time with
my wife Susan. She is the best
thing that ever happened to
me and we really enjoy each
other's company. She is the
reason I was able to have the
career I've had at PING.
TAP INS…
what's in your golf bag?
Right now, all G products.
Plus Crossovers 3 and 4. Also,
the PING Vault Voss putter.
• • •
what's your best score ever
and where? 2-under-par 71
from the back tees at Moon
Valley Country Club in
Phoenix, Arizona.
• • •
most treasured golf posses-
sion? Memories of a 45-year
career with PING.
• • •
what are you most proud
of? Managing through the
worst recession in U.S. history
without impacting our em-
ployees in a negative way.
• • •
who would be in your
dream foursome? My son,
son-in-law and grandson.
• • •
what is your fondest mem-
ory with PinG? The people.
We grew up together and
learned life lessons together.
We have created bonds that
will last a lifetime.
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