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Nike Golf Rolls Out First Tour Van Contact Dean Stoyer BEAVERTON, Ore. (March 17, 2003) - Nike Golf, less than one month into its second year as a club manufacturer, has extended its commitment to its growing Tour Staff with the addition of its first Nike Golf Tour Van. On the surface, it is a symbol of Nike Golf's design and engineering excellence, adorned with the profile of a Nike Forged Titanium Driver. Inside, those high standards will be put to the test practically every day. The Tour Van will be Nike Golf's testing facility, equipment stock room, meeting space, workshop on wheels and billboard, all rolled into one. The company plans to utilize every inch of the 30-foot long vehicle, both inside and outside, as it travels from tour stop to tour stop throughout the season. Field equipment technicians will travel with the van while designers and engineers from Nike Golf's club R&D facility in Ft. Worth, Texas and it's world headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. will be able to fly into tour stops and work from the road. The Tour Van will be outfitted with enough precision machinery, components and tools to build complete sets of Nike Golf clubs and modify or repair individual clubs on-site. Nike Golf plans to eventually add a launch monitor and equipment to test club COR conformity at events. Every element of the Tour Van's functionality is designed to save time for Nike Golf's field technicians, which in turn enhances the service they provide for Nike Golf's Tour Staff. "The Tour Van became a necessity when we added as many new Tour Staff players as we did this off-season," said Debbie Hall, Nike Golf Sports Marketing Manager. "We are now set up to address the needs of every player on-site whether it is a general service issue or an emergency. The Tour Van also allows us to efficiently test new equipment, including clubs and balls, directly on tour, something that had been feasible but challenging in the past." Among the Nike Golf clubs that are currently available to its Tour Staff and consumers are: Nike's Forged Titanium Drivers; Forged Blade-Style Irons; Forged Pro Combo Irons; T-40 Fairway Woods; and Forged Wedges. Nike Golf will introduce its Blue Chip Putter Series and CPR hybrid clubs in April and May, respectively, although professionals John Cook and Spike McRoy have already put CPR clubs and prototype putters in competitive play. The trailer and Top Kick 5500 cab were made available to Nike Golf through a partnership with Buick. Nike Golf will also be a part of Buick's "American Style" interactive exhibit touring the U.S. this summer. While Nike Golf's first Tour Van is dedicated to the PGA Tour, the company plans to roll out a second tour van to service the European tour beginning May 5th, 2003. A third tour van may possibly be added to service the Nationwide Tour by spring 2004. More than 70 Tour Staff players currently represent Nike Golf worldwide. Nike Golf, located in Beaverton, Oregon, is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game in every product category. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. |