Acushnet Company Applauds Joint USGA / R&A Decision On COR

Contact Joe Gomes
Director of Communications
508-979-3211

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (August 6, 2002) - Acushnet Company both applauds and supports the joint decision announced by the USGA and the R&A with respect to golf club head COR. The USGA announced that its COR limit for all play (both competitive and recreational) would remain at .830 and the R&A announced that it would move to the .830 limit for all play in 2008. In the interim, the R&A will adopt a "condition of competition" for its Open Championship at the .830 limit.

"The joint decision announced by the USGA and R&A is good for golfers and is good for golf," commented Acushnet CEO Wally Uihlein. "This decision will insure that the integrity of the game is protected by ultimately having one set of rules worldwide for all levels of play and it will insure that the transition to uniformity will be sensitive to and fair to all affected constituencies."

"The USGA and the R&A both deserve a great deal of credit for their deliberate and responsible handling of this very difficult and complicated issue. We commend their efforts in making the process work and for delivering a good outcome for the game of golf," continued Uihlein.

Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra comprise the major golf brands of the Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE - FO). For more information, please visit us online at www.titleist.com, www.footjoy.com or www.cobragolf.com or contact Joe Gomes, Director of Communications (508.979.3211).