Nike and Callaway Sign Two Guys You've Never Heard Of

[Tony Covey MGS]

Just a quick note on a couple of collegiate signings that were announced yesterday.

 

Nike Golf signed the #1 ranked amateur and former Stanford guy, Patrick Rodgers, while Callaway signed NCAA Individual Champion (and also former Stanford guy) Cameron Wilson.

 

The signings are potentially noteworthy because Wilson and Rodgers are exactcly the kind of guys who historically would have been near-locks for Titleist (sign 'em young, hold 'em for as long as you can, bring 'em back later).

 

Over the last couple of seasons Nike has made a much bigger push at the collegiate level (get in early if you will), and it looks as if Callaway might be planning to join th battle for young talent as well.

 

Obvoiusly, these could be isolate cases where either guy just happened to "fit the brand" (and perhaps didn't fit the Titleist brand), but it could also be an indicator of shifiting demogrphapics, as companies fight to hold their existing ground while doing whatever they can to dip into everyone else's share during what is, without question, a very difficult time for the industry.

 

PRESS RELEASES

 

Nike Golf Officially Welcomes Patrick Rodgers To Its Athlete Roster

 

The top-ranked amateur in the world will make his professional debut at the Travelers Championship

 

 

BEAVERTON, Ore. (June 17, 2014) - Today Nike Golf announced that former Stanford athlete and No.1-ranked amateur in the world Patrick Rodgers has joined the brand, signing a multi-year agreement to represent the Swoosh head-to-toe.

 

The 21-year-old, who was recently named the winner of the 2014 Haskins Award - given to the outstanding collegiate male golfer of the year - in addition to this year's Ben Hogan Award and Jack Nicklaus Award, will use Nike Golf clubs, ball, footwear, glove, bag, apparel, headwear and accessories. Rodgers will make his professional debut as a Nike Golf Athlete at the Travelers Championship June 19-22 in Cromwell, Conn. He joins an elite group of fellow Nike Athletes who are also Haskins Award winners, including Tiger Woods, Kevin Chappell, David Duval, Russell Henley, Jamie Lovemark and Bob Tway.

 

Since switching to Nike Golf equipment earlier this year, Rodgers has won five out of his last seven college tournaments.

 

"Nike has always been behind the most elite players in every sport. To be joining the Nike stable is exciting because I know I am joining the best," said Rodgers. "I was thrilled with the immediate impact the Nike equipment had on my game and I am excited for the future knowing I am aligning with the premier company in sport and golf."

 

A three-time NCAA Division I All-American and 2014 PAC-12 Player of the Year at Stanford University, Rodgers broke the school record for lowest career stroke average of 71.1 set by Woods, with a 70.33 average score, and tied Woods' all-time wins school record with 11 victories. A member of the 2011 and 2013 U.S. Walker Cup teams, the Avon, Ind. native also set a single-season scoring record this year of 69.4.

 

"Patrick's phenomenal college career and outstanding achievements as an amateur make us excited and proud to welcome him to the Nike Golf family," said Mark Thaxton, Senior Director of Global Sports Marketing Operations. "He is a tremendous athlete with a passion for sport and the Nike Brand, and we look forward to being a part of his continued success as a professional."

 

Rodgers' Nike Golf Arsenal

 

Driver: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 9.5-degree (Speeder 757 X shaft)

Fairway Wood: Nike VRS Covert 3-wood/13-degree and 5-wood 17-degree

Irons: Nike VR Pro Blades (3-PW)

Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Performance Apparel

Footwear: Nike Lunar Control and Nike TW' 14

 

 

Callaway Golf Signs Cameron Wilson

 

Team Callaway adds Wilson following a standout amateur career

 

CARLSBAD, Calif. (June, 17 2014) - Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today confirmed that it has signed recent NCAA Individual Champion and Stanford University graduate Cameron Wilson to join its professional Tour staff. Wilson will make his pro debut this week in his home state of Connecticut at the Travelers Championship in Hartford. 

 

Wilson, 21, is coming off an outstanding amateur career and senior season at Stanford. In addition to his NCAA title, Wilson recorded three wins, 11 top-10s, a 69.76 stroke average (the second lowest in program history), and was a finalist for the Ben Hogan Award, given to the most outstanding college player. He recently competed in his second U.S. Open (also played at Olympic Club in 2012) and has reached as low as No. 4 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. 

 

"I'm extremely excited to join the Callaway Golf family, as they have some of the youngest and brightest players in the game," Wilson said. "I'm eager to started on my professional career and having Callaway behind me will only add to my confidence."

 

Wilson, who grew up in Rowayton, Conn., will use Callaway clubs, ball, bag, and will wear a Callaway hat. He already has a busy pro schedule, having received sponsors' exemptions for the Travelers' Championship, John Deere Classic (July 7-13), and Frys.com Open (Oct. 6-12). 

 

[fozcycle]

Cameron Wilson

 

• Stanford Senior from Rowayton, CT - 5' 11". Stanford media guide profile
• Cameron is highlighted in this Stanford video of two great seniors finishing their careers on the Farm
• Co-wins the Biff Hoffman Award for 2013-14 as Stanford's top senior male athlete across all sports
• Won the 2014 NCAA Championship played at Prairie Dunes with rounds of 71-63-70 204. Cameron is the 3rd Stanford golfer to win the individual NCAA Championship joining Tiger Woods in 1995 and Sandy Tatum in 1942. His 63 was the second lowest NCAA tournament round by a Stanford player behind Notah Begay's 62 in 2004
• Named 1st team Ping All-American in 2013-14 by College Golf Association of America
• Cameron finishes his Stanford career with a stellar 2013-14 senior season including 3 wins (tied for 3rd all time in a single season at Stanford) and the 2nd lowest all time stroke average in a season of 69.76, second only to teammate Patrick Rodgers' 69.41. He ends up with the 7th lowest career stroke average of 71.92
• Cameron & Patrick Rodgers named 2 of 3 finalists for the Ben Hogan Award | Complete NCAA Story
• Cameron Wilson named one of five finalists for the Nicklaus Award presented to the outstanding senior in college golf
• Named 1st team All Pac-12 for the 2013-14 season
• Won the Western Intercollegiate played at Pasatiempo April 2014 with rounds of 67-67-69 203
• Tied for 1st at the 2013 Illini Invitational at famed Olympia Fields - 75-65-70 210
• 2013 Summer: Wins 2013 MGA IKE (69-65-69 203), tied for 1st at Westchester GA Open 71-67-68 206, ties for 1st at Metropolitan Open 72-68-69 209, T-5th at Sunnehanna Am 69-70-71-68 278, T-12th at Porter Cup 71-67-66-71 275
• Shot a course record 61 at the CordeValle Collegiate and tied for 2nd
• Low qualifier at 71-65 for the 2012 US Open at Olympic Club
• Won the 2012 MGA IKE championship by a record 9 shots on rounds of 74-65-69 208
• Was injured for most of the 2012 summer and early fall college season
• Finished 4th in the 2011 Illini Invitational with rounds of 69-67-76 212
• Tied for 7th in the 2012 Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo with rounds of 69-72-70 211
• Low sectional qualifier for 2011 US Amateur
• Won the 2009 Metropolitan Amateur in NY
• Reached the round of 32 in the 2009 US Amateur; qualified for the 2010 US Amateur
• Member of the 2010 Junior World Cup team
• 2009 Carter Cup win
• Reached the US Open sectionals in both 2009 & 2010

[BIG STU]

I am not a business guru by any streach of the imaganation but the move in the past to sign Tiger when he was young was a great decision. Also signing Michelle Wie was a great decision. As far as signing Rory was a smart business decision. I think they jumped quickly on Rodgers and Wilson because someone saw the potential. I do know Rodgers is a great interview put the plug in early for Nike with enthusium on the GC the other night

[revkev]

Let's talk about the Rodgers thing for a moment. Could you imagine the investigation that would take place were he a football or hoops star who started to use some sort of equipment for his senior year and then signed with that company after graduation?

 

There would be NCAA and league sanctions against that program beyond a doubt.

 

This is at the heart of the lawsuits against the NCAA by former and current athletes. Why shouldn't Rodgers or Wilson been able to sign and capitalize on their talents and abilities earlier if they were able to. That's not playing professional golf.

 

I was a music major in college. Guess how I often made spending cash. By playing or teaching ......Music. What a novel idea.

[BIG STU]

Let's talk about the Rodgers thing for a moment. Could you imagine the investigation that would take place were he a football or hoops star who started to use some sort of equipment for his senior year and then signed with that company after graduation?

 

There would be NCAA and league sanctions against that program beyond a doubt.

 

This is at the heart of the lawsuits against the NCAA by former and current athletes. Why shouldn't Rodgers or Wilson been able to sign and capitalize on their talents and abilities earlier if they were able to. That's not playing professional golf.

 

I was a music major in college. Guess how I often made spending cash. By playing or teaching ......Music. What a novel idea.

Something I have noticed in the last few years that is different than when I grew up. Amateurs could not carry a bag with a logo or wear a hat with a commercial logo. Way back I played in a qualifier for the USGA junior tournament. I had a brand new Hogan Sun Jet carry bag and it had Hogan on the side. I had to take duct tape and cover it up. You could wear headgear with your club's name or your school name on it but no commercial businesses on it golf or otherwise. Now I see amateurs in these tournaments with carry bags with say Titleist or the swoosh on it and they also wear hats with the same thing. When did they change this rule?