Slazenger Golf Names Winner of Ryder Cup Sweepstakes

Military Officer Selected to Support U.S. Team at 2001 Ryder Cup

Contact Brooke Smith
Mullen/LHC
336-774-9228
brooke.smith@mullen.com

GREENVILLE, S.C. (September 10, 2001) -- Slazenger, the world-class brand recognized since 1881 for golf balls and equipment performance and innovation, today announced the winner of the Slazenger 2001 Ryder Cup Sweepstakes. Russell Blackburn, a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer stationed in Norfolk, Virginia was chosen as the winner of the prestigious trip for two, which includes 2001 season tickets to The Ryder Cup, three rounds of golf at St. Andrews and Kingsbarn, four nights at the exclusive St. Andrews Old Course Hotel, three nights at the Hilton National Coventry Hotel, and much more.

"Slazenger is delighted to present this amazing trip to Mr. Blackburn. It's absolutely fitting that a Naval officer would be chosen to travel to the Ryder Cup and support our country's team," said David Vogrin, Senior Marketing Manager for Slazenger Golf. "Our brand has long been associated with the prestigious Ryder Cup and some of the world's most beautiful and challenging golf courses, so we know what a great experience this trip will offer."

"I feel like I've won the golf lottery," said Blackburn. "An average person like myself doesn't often have an opportunity such as this, to attend the Ryder Cup and play some of the world's greatest courses. I'm extremely excited and honored that Slazenger is sending me on this trip of a lifetime." Blackburn has invited Charles Lyon, a fellow sailor in the Navy, to accompany him on the upcoming trip.

The Slazenger Ryder Cup Sweepstakes began on April 25, 2001 and ran through August 15. Entries were accepted through mail-in forms and online at www.slazengergolf.com. The drawing was conducted by an independent judging organization based in Greenville, S.C.

Slazenger recently introduced the new Black Label golf ball, a solid construction urethane golf ball specifically designed for the golfer who demands the prestige, quality, and consistently superior performance of the Slazenger brand. Slazenger's portfolio of balls also includes the Players Ball, played on the PGA Tour by Scott McCarron, and the Raw Distance, a solid ball for the player looking for raw distance.

One of the industry's fastest growing apparel companies, the Slazenger brand has built its reputation by manufacturing superior products of unmatched quality and consistency. Slazenger is the only apparel manufacturer consistently chosen to provide apparel products for The Masters, the U.S. Open, The PGA Championship, The British Open and the Ryder Cup.

Slazenger Golf, based in Greenville, SC, is part of Dunlop Slazenger Group America and offers amateur and professional golfers worldwide unparalleled choices in high quality golf balls, golf apparel, golf gloves and accessories.

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