Nike Lunar Technology Keeps Soaring with the Introduction of the Nike Lunar Ascend

Nike Golf combines innovative technologies to create the ultimate lightweight summer golf shoe

BEAVERTON, Ore. (January 19, 2012) – Leveraging the success of the Nike Lunar Control men’s golf shoe, Nike Golf is expanding its Lunar offering with the addition of the new Nike Lunar Ascend men’s golf shoe.  Loaded with innovative Nike technology, the Nike Lunar Ascend features Nike’s Hyperfuse construction and Integrated Traction. 

Available on January 1, 2012, The Nike Lunar Ascend is engineered with the ingredients of the perfect lightweight and breathable golf shoe that combines stability and the comfort of Lunar cushioning.  To achieve these optimal combinations, Nike Golf collaborated with Nike Inc. to utilize Hyperfuse construction to deliver the perfect summer golf shoe.

An upper construction technique that originated in Nike Basketball, Hyperfuse construction is an innovative multi-layered construction that ensures lightweight support, comfort, breathability and durability.  Hyperfuse is an engineered composite of three different materials: an internal synthetic underlay for structure and support, a performance mesh layer for breathability and a thin TPU durable outer layer for additional protection and support.  The base stability layer and the breathable layer are fused together with the thin TPU skin layer for a no-sew construction.  Hyperfuse construction allows the Nike Lunar Ascend to achieve structure and stability while maintaining lightweight breathability. This Nike innovative technology results in a serious performance golf shoe.

The Nike Lunar Ascend utilizes the Tour-proven Lunarlon foam cushioning paired with an Integrated Traction performance outsole. Integrated Traction is a molded TPU outsole that enhances traction and ground feel while reducing the overall weight of the shoe. The lower profile of the Nike Lunar Ascend increases stability while utilizing Integrated Traction to eliminate spike pressure and maintain traction.  The Integrated Traction outsole allows more flexibility and greater natural motion for the foot.

Developed in Nike’s Innovation Kitchen, Lunarlon cushioning system is another proprietary technology from Nike that offers underfoot comfort, ground feel and stability. The Lunarlon foam midsole is lightweight, durable and highly responsive resulting in a unique combination of cushioning and support.

Packed with golf-specific technology, the Nike Lunar Ascend is the pinnacle lightweight and breathable performance summer golf shoe.

Key Features:

• Hyperfuse technology combines synthetics, mesh and TPU
• Lunarlon cushioning in heel
• Full-length comfort sockliner
• Full-length TPU Integrated Traction
• Nike Power Platform

Nike Lunar Ascend

Available: 1/1/2012

MSRP: $130.00 (MAP/Street $99.99)

Colors:  White/Black-Action Red-Granite; Black/Black-Grey-Electric Green; Soar/White-Metallic Cool Grey-Black; Cool Grey/White-Black-Action Red

Callaway Golf Appoints Justin Timberlake As Creative Director

Timberlake to Help Drive Marketing and Brand Direction for Callaway and its 2012 Product Line

CARLSBAD, Calif., December 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced the establishment of an advanced, creative position for multiple Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actor, musician and avid golfer Justin Timberlake. A Callaway Staff Professional since 2008, Timberlake will lend his versatile talents as a Creative Director for the Callaway portfolio of Brands. Timberlake will engage in the development and execution of high-level concepts within Callaway’s marketing activities and offer wide-ranging consultation on the visual representation of the Brand. The multi-year agreement was announced by Jeff Colton, Sr. Vice President of Global Brand and Product, Callaway Golf.

“We have worked with Justin for more than three years now and have been thoroughly impressed with the level of quality he brings to everything he is involved with,” said Colton. “Justin is an extremely gifted artist and an avid golfer with a deep passion for Callaway products, and his creative energy will serve us well as we connect with the next generation of golfers. The opportunity to bring someone with his multifaceted talents into our creative matrix is very rare, and his input has already made an impact.”

Timberlake’s initial work as a Creative Director for Callaway will support the Company’s 2012 RAZR line of premium golf equipment, including the recently introduced RAZR Fit™ Driver. Callaway’s 2012 product line will be launched in the first quarter of next year via the Company’s upcoming “Epic Demo” campaign being shot this week in Las Vegas across several iconic city landmarks, including the Bellagio Fountain. Timberlake’s contributions to Callaway’s Epic Demo campaign, which features Callaway staff professionals Phil Mickelson and Alvaro Quiros, includes collaboration with the creative teams and Director Joseph Kahn.

“It’s always great when professional projects surround subjects that I am passionate about, and the sport of golf and my work with Callaway definitely fit that criteria,” said Timberlake. “I’m looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to this category -- focusing on the social aspects, fun and lifestyle associated with Callaway and playing golf.”

In 2008, Timberlake became the first non-tour player to join Callaway’s team of Staff Professionals that includes Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Alvaro Quiros and icons such as Arnold Palmer. Earlier this year, he participated in a Father’s Day-inspired social media contest that awarded equipment via Callaway’s Facebook page.

A passionate golfer, Timberlake’s rising status in the sport also includes annual hosting duties at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open PGA Tour event in Las Vegas, NV. and participation in the major Pro Am tournaments. Along with his parents, Timberlake owns and operates Mirimichi, a world-class championship golf course and learning facility located near his hometown of Memphis, Tenn.

About Callaway Golf

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf apparel, footwear and accessories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, Top-Flite®, and Ben Hogan® brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or shop.callawaygolf.com.

Nike Athlete Tiger Woods Re-Takes the Stage with an Electrifying Win at the Chevron World Challenge

Woods made two crucial putts on the last two holes with his Nike Method 001 putter to win

BEAVERTON, Ore. (December 5, 2011) – Nike athlete Tiger Woods is back in the winners’ circle with a win at the Chevron World Challenge that came in a stunning dramatic “Tiger-like” fashion.

With two holes left to play in the final round, Woods needed a critical birdie putt on the 17^th to tie and another one on the 18^th to win. He accomplished both by making the 15-foot birdie putt on 17 and a 10-footer to seal his victory on 18, using his Nike Method 001 putter.  This marks his first win with the Nike Method putter and the 36^th Method victory for Nike Golf on the worldwide professional tours.

With 14 Nike Golf clubs in his bag, Woods was also pleased with his iron play with his Nike VR Pro Blades.

“My iron play was pretty steady all week,” said Woods. “But I think that I hit two really good iron shots in the last two holes, which was nice.  I made two good putts, too.”

Rounding out his Nike arsenal were his Nike VR Tour driver, Nike VR Pro Limited Edition fairway woods and the Nike VR Pro wedges.  He also used the Nike ONE Tour D ball.

On the body, Tiger wore Nike Golf apparel from the Tiger Woods Collection as well as the new Nike TW Free-inspired prototype golf shoes that emphasize natural motion in the feet.  These Nike prototype shoes will become available in late Spring of 2012.

Another Nike athlete emerged at the top of the leaderboard -- Paul Casey.  Casey made an amazing comeback after shooting 79 in the first round by charging up the leaderboard to finish in solo third position after posting three rounds in the 60’s from the second round on to finish.

Woods’ Nike Golf Arsenal

• Driver:  Nike VR Tour 8.5-degree (Graphite Design DI 6X)
• Fairway Woods:  Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 3-wood/15-degree and 5-wood/19-degree
• Irons:  Nike VR Pro Blades (3-PW)
• Wedges:  Nike VR Pro 56-degree and Nike VR Pro 60-degree
• Putter:  Nike Method 001
• Ball:  Nike ONE Tour D
• Apparel:  Nike Golf’s Tiger Woods Collection
• Footwear: Nike TW Free-Inspired Prototype Shoe

Nike Golf Adds University of Georgia Stand Out Russell Henley to its Stable of Professional Athletes

BEAVERTON, Ore. (November 29, 2011) – Nike Golf today announced the signing of 22-year old University of Georgia graduate Russell Henley.  Henley has signed a multi-year agreement to represent the Swoosh and will be using Nike Golf clubs, ball, footwear, glove, bag, apparel, headwear and accessories.

University of Georgia graduate Russell Henley at the 2011 Walker Cup. (Macnicol / Getty))

“I am excited to join the Nike Golf family as a professional athlete,” stated Henley. “Playing with Nike Golf equipment throughout college, I am anxious to begin my professional career with a brand that I know and trust.”

Henley was born in Macon, Georgia and played college golf at the University of Georgia. A four-time All-American, Henley had an illustrious college career. He won the 2010 Haskins Award as the most outstanding collegiate golfer. He also played in the 2010 US Open and tied for low amateur. Henley tied the University of Georgia men’s golf team record for most career wins with seven and was also named the university’s Student Athlete of the Year in 2011.

Henley competed in the Nationwide Tour’s 2011 Stadion Classic at UGA and won the event. He became only the second amateur in Nationwide Tour history to win a Nationwide tournament. Henley was a member of the 2011 US Walker Cup team before turning professional in September 2011 at the Nationwide Tour’s Soboba Golf Classic.

“Russell had a great college career with an impressive Nationwide Tour win as an amateur,” said Mark Thaxton, Director of Global Sports Marketing Operations for Nike Golf.  “We are thrilled to welcome Russell into the Nike Golf family and look forward to being a part of his continued success as a professional.”

Henley’s Nike Golf Arsenal

• Driver:  Nike VR Pro 9.5-degree
• Fairway Wood:  Nike SQ II 3-wood/13-degree
• Hybrid: Nike VR Pro 18-degree
• Irons:  Nike VR Cast (4-6), VR Pro Combo CB (7-9)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 47-, 52-, 56- and 59-degree
• Putter: Nike Method 001 prototype
• Ball:  Nike 20XI - X
• Apparel:  Nike Golf Tour Collection
• Footwear:  Nike Golf Lunar Control 

adidas Golf Introduces SAMBA GOLF Footwear

A global icon transitions to the golf course

CARLSBAD, CALIF. (November 17, 2011) – adidas’ iconic SAMBA is one of the most popular and recognizable shoes on the planet, with more than 35 million pairs sold worldwide. Now, for the first time, golfers can showcase the legendary footwear on the golf course with the introduction of the SAMBA GOLF shoe.

Introduced in 1950, the original SAMBA was created to enable soccer players to train on hard, icy ground and quickly evolved to become a dominant indoor soccer shoe. Over time, SAMBA’s combination of classic styling and comfortable fit fueled its transcendence into a modern-day essential worn everywhere from athletic fields to the mall and from city streets to the suburbs, and by virtually everyone regardless of age and gender. Athletes, celebrities, students, parents and grandparents have made SAMBA a ubiquitous part of global culture.

“SAMBA has been widely loved around the world for decades,” said Bill Price, Vice President of adidas Golf Footwear. “It’s time to bring its timeless styling to the golf course.”

SAMBA GOLF maintains the shoe’s classic silhouette and 3-Stripes design, and features a durable, suede toe-guard and the distinctive tan gumsole equipped with six cleats and THINTECH low-profile technology for improved traction, stability and support. The textile, synthetic-leather upper is water-resistant and provides lightweight, durable performance.

The footwear is offered in medium width and three colorways: Black/White /Gum, White/Black/Gum, and Satellite/White/ Gum- available at retail on March 1, 2012 at an MSRP of $100 USD; red/white/gum will be released on May 1, 2012.

About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company

TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf creates high-performance, technology-infused golf apparel and footwear worn by hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Ashworth, which became a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company in 2008, creates relaxed, lifestyle-oriented golf apparel synonymous with authenticity and quality. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (866) 530-TMAG (8624) or www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.ashworthgolf.com, and www.tmag.com.

About the adidas Group

About the adidas Group The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry offering a broad range of products across the three core brands adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 39,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 10.381 billion in 2009.