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Nike Golf Celebrates Opening Of State-Of-The-Art Golf Club Research And Design Facility Contact Dean Stoyer Nike Golf 503-532-6018 Dean.Stoyer@nike.com FORT WORTH, Texas (August 8, 2003) - Today, Nike Golf unveils its first full-service and dedicated research & design facility for the development of performance golf clubs and the testing of both golf clubs and golf balls in Fort Worth, Texas. The 28,000 square foot, state-of-the-art R&D facility, which Nike Golf broke ground for in October 2002, will be home to more than 100 ongoing club projects in varying stages of design and development. Stites, along with more than 30 engineers and technicians, will work out of the new facility. All of Nike Golf's club research, design and testing will be conducted at the Fort Worth facility. "There is no better example of Nike Golf's commitment to advancing the technology of golf equipment than this incredible facility," said Nike Golf President Bob Wood. "We are providing our club team with the resources they need to continue to turn out superior products and, as in the case of our new Slingshot irons, develop revolutionary designs." As part of the grand opening ceremonies, Wood, Stites and Ft. Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief are addressing invited guests at the facility site today in addition to some of the golf industry's top golf writers from Korea, Japan and throughout the United States. "This facility will be home to many of our Tour Staff players when they are in town," added Stites. The Nike Golf Tour Staff is comprised of more than 100 players worldwide, many of who are currently playing or testing clubs from Nike Golf. "The added advantage of sharing the same space for the development of new designs with the servicing of our Tour Staff is capturing their input and applying it to clubs and golf balls that will eventually be introduced to the average player." About the Facility The new facility is located within the avid golf community of Fort Worth, Texas. Nike Golf's private facility is adjacent to Leonard Golf Links, a world-class public practice facility. Inside the building, computer-driven machinery sits next to classic, turn of the century milling and grinding stations in stark contrast. "Great clubs require accuracy of design and fabrication. Our mill shop allows us to be very accurate when machining the surfaces of clubs. Only the most uniform surfaces repel the ball accurately," concluded Stites. "Our hand-grinding area is staffed by the world's most talented club craftsmen. These shape artists fit clubs for players with even the most discerning eyes." Facility offices, along with research and design areas, include the following: Iron Byron: A pneumatic club-testing machine used on woods and irons. Measures the dynamic impact of club on ball in various positions (high face, mid face, low face, heel, center and toe impacts.) Provides testing of all positions at various launch conditions for ball speed, club speed, launch angle and ball spin. Weather conditions are also monitored and the actual carry and roll for each test is recorded. Exclusive Nike Launch Monitor: This is the result of a 2-year research program demonstrating state-of-the-art accuracy for measuring player launch conditions for ball speed, launch angle and spin rate (back and side spin). Sheeley Room: Dedicated to Gene Sheeley, the master club builder for 35 years at the Hogan Company. From 1939 to his death, Gene built clubs and served his country. He is one of the greatest iron designers of all time and mentor to Stites and colleague Mike Taylor. Assembly Room: Site for assembly operations of custom and special make up club sets. Club Milling: Where prototypes are physically made for player testing and evaluation. Club Grinding: Where Tour irons and woods are fabricated for use and testing. Test Areas for conducting the following: Shaft testing for flex, frequency, torque and durability Cannon testing for durability and COR compliance COR Pendulum for metal wood COR compliance and performance Mass moment of inertia testing process and center of gravity measurement process CAD Room: 3D screen drawing of irons, woods and putters. Site for laser and digitizing process to produce a wax or resin model. Outdoor Practice Area: Chipping and putting area and bunker station are adjacent to the main building with a 30-stall practice range nearby. 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 www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter.