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Posted on September 4, 2008 by David Tymon | Posted under Golf
Ashworth Golf - Number One for Golf Clothing
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Ashworth Golf began life as Charter Golf in 1987, through the partnership of Entrepreneur Gerald Montiel, and golf fanatic John Ashworth. In 1984, Montiel decided to open a chain of sporting goods stores and after meeting Ashworth at a golf tournament, offered him a job as a golf clothing and equipment buyer for his new venture. The sports chain was short lived however, as soon after its launch it went into liquidation and the pair launched a new business, a chain of golf driving ranges. It was during this new venture that the concept of producing golf clothing was born. Whilst looking at potential locations for the ranges, Ashworth decided that golfers could be better equipped than with the current polyester trousers and hard collars offered at the time. Despite neither of the pair knowing anything about the clothing industry they started Charter Golf clothing out of a small office in Los Angeles. Ashworth came up with the designs, while Montiel sought investors to get the company off the ground. Remarkably, without any revenue or products, the pair managed to raise capital of $685,000 by selling 20% of the company in shares. With the money, the company produced a number of sample shirts which were sold to golf buyers in Southern California. By the end of its first year of trading, the company had sold $374,000 worth of shirts, trousers and shorts. Ashworth enlisted the help of his friend Fred Couples who gave his endorsement to the brand by wearing it on the PGA Tour. In 1989, as the company's reputation for producing comfortable and stylish clothing grew, its lines were stocked in 2,300 outlets. Sales rocketed to $2.14 million and this funded relocation to new premises in Carlsbad, California and the enrolling of another PGA Tour member John Cook, to further endorse the brand. A year later Charter was listed on the NASDAQ and continued to expand at a rapid pace. This success was mirrored by the professionals who wore the brand as Fred Couples was named the PGA player of the year by Golf World magazine In 1994, Charter Golf officially changed its name to that of its premier clothing line and became Ashworth Golf Inc. Ashworth has continued the growth and innovation of Charter ever since, with the implementation of new fibre and garment technology. They were the first golf company to create an entire line of technical clothing in the 'Weather Systems' line which features knit-solar protection fabric, moisture-removing performance knits, and new lightweight, waterproof, breathable clothing. About The Author: Discount Golf Clothing & Golf Wear www.GolfOnline.co.uk, Unit 4 Chantry Place, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 6NY U.K. Tel: 0870 770 5380 0r 0208 421 7980 Outside UK: +44 208 421 7980 |
Tags: ASHWORTH GOLF, GOLF CLOTHING, GOLF CLOTHES, DISCOUNT GOLF EQUIPMENT UK
