United Turf Industries Announces 400 Percent Increase in the Number of SofTrak Backyard Putting Greens Dealerships Established this Year

Contact Dan Shepherd
Buffalo Communications
703-761-1444
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com

WICHITA, Kan. (September 25, 2002) - United Turf Industries ("UTI") - developer of SofTrak Putting Greens ("SofTrak"), the low-maintenance synthetic turf that closely simulates the look, feel and performance of natural turf for residential and commercial use - today announces an increase of more than 400 percent in the number of new SofTrak dealerships established nationwide this calendar year compared to last.

Thirteen new SofTrak Putting Greens dealerships have been established year to date, compared to three in all of 2001. With the 4th Quarter remaining, the number of new SofTrak dealerships is virtually certain to rise further. There are nearly 60 SofTrak dealerships worldwide, predominantly in North America, but also in Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and South Korea.

To become an authorized SofTrak dealer, candidates must complete extensive training and certification in all aspects of SofTrak's sophisticated design and construction system. The construction system includes two layers of crushed stone base, which enables undulations and contours to be designed into the green as well as quick, thorough drainage of water. SofTrak dealers are responsible for prime territories that blanket the U.S. and other key areas.

Along with the number of dealerships being established, sales of SofTrak Putting Greens have spiked substantially this year, which helped UTI eclipse the 1 millionth square foot of SofTrak turf sold early this year.

UTI President and Founder Lance Pierce attributes UTI's explosive growth to SofTrak's comprehensive dealer training and design-construction system, its high-performance, low-maintenance characteristics, and increasing consumer brand awareness.

"We knew SofTrak was the best-performing synthetic putting green on the market, but our superiority didn't become well-known until PGA Tour players began having SofTrak greens built at their homes," says Pierce, whose dealers have designed and constructed SofTrak greens in the backyards of PGA Tour stalwarts Fred Couples and Steve Flesch, among others.

Flesch, whose SofTrak green was completed last December, says SofTrak provides him with a PGA-Tour-quality putting surface. He's in the top 50 for prize money earned this season, having won $1.1 million to date.

Couples is averaging 1.76 putts per green this season, which is better than Tiger Woods and Rich Beem. "My SofTrak Putting Green helps me improve my short game yet it's fun for our entire family and it looks great in our yard," says Couples.

"We've received widespread publicity about the PGA Tour players choosing SofTrak, which has boosted SofTrak's credibility and awareness with golfers," says Pierce. "They want high-quality, low-maintenance greens that look good and are fun. They also want to improve their game and lower their scores through practicing conveniently in the privacy of their own yards, and if it's good enough for PGA Tour pros, then it's certainly good enough for them."

In addition to Couples and Flesch, PGA Tour player instructor Dean Reinmuth had a giant SofTrak green constructed at his flagship golf school in San Diego. A regular guest instructor on The Golf Channel and a member of the Top 50 Instructors in the U.S. (Golf Digest magazine), Reinmuth works on SofTrak with PGA Tour players including Grant Waite, Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Wentworth.

"SofTrak is the highest-quality putting and chipping surface on the market," says Reinmuth, who was PGA Tour player Phil Mickelson's instructor for 13 years, including when Mickelson won the U.S. Amateur and a PGA Tour event as an amateur. "Not only do putts roll smoothly on my SofTrak green, but it holds and spins shots from more than 100 yards."

About SofTrak Putting Greens

From backyards to commercial venues, golfers and businesses are turning to SofTrak Putting Greens for their convenience, landscape-enhancing aesthetics, and realistic performance. SofTrak Putting Greens help golfers improve their games while simultaneously providing entertainment for family, friends and business associates. Developed by United Turf Industries of Wichita, Kan., SofTrak greens are virtually maintenance free. SofTrak's exclusive fibers are finer, softer, and denser than those of other synthetic greens. Combined with SofTrak's exclusive RQS-2000 infill, the SofTrak system provides the most realistic roll and effective practice surface on the market. For information about SofTrak's authorized-dealer program, call either of the following toll-free numbers, 800.540.4899 or 866.SOFTRAK, or visit www.unitedturf.com.