BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Nike Golf formally unveiled the expansion of its full service, state-of-the-art research and design (R&D) facility known as "The Oven," in Fort Worth, Texas. The newly enhanced 49,100-square-foot facility, which originally broke ground in October 2002, has increased its total square footage by 17,600.

This is Nike Golf's second R&D expansion in just three years. The Nike Oven is dedicated to research and design for the development of performance golf clubs, testing of both clubs and golf balls, as well as collaborating with and providing superior service for Nike Golf Tour athletes. Hand in hand with the creation of new products, the facility is an essential component for Nike Golf's talented tour athletes, who depend on "The Oven" for testing and fitting to ensure that they are personally equipped to perform at their very best.

"The Nike brand is globally synonymous with innovation, performance and the pursuit of athletic excellence," said Cindy Davis, President of Nike Golf. "The expansion of 'The Oven' is an indication of Nike Golf's commitment to our athletes, as well as to solidifying our role as an undisputed leader in the research, design and development of clubs and balls."

The most significant component of the expansion is the addition of a 129,000 square-foot short game area that includes three synthetic greens, one natural grass green, bunkers and practice holes. The practice holes and hitting areas are designed for the purpose of providing various distances for short irons so that iron and ball testing is both extensive and constructive for Nike engineers and Nike athletes. The short game area also is enhanced by a water feature that runs through the middle of the short game course.

The other standout enhancement to "The Oven" is Nike Golf's research building, which has almost doubled in size and houses offices and a new large auditorium for meetings and presentations.

"The Oven" is the idea tank where Tom Stites, Nike Golf's Director of Product Creation for Clubs, and his staff of engineers and technicians develop, research and test the innovative technology that has helped Nike Golf to become one of the fastest growing companies in the history of the golf industry. Rock Ishii, Nike Golf's Product Director for golf balls and his staff of engineers and technicians also utilize the facility as the primary location for ball testing. In conjunction with club testing, the ball team obtains launch parameters, track trajectory and measures actual carry, roll and dispersion.

The Nike Oven features technologically advanced equipment that takes Nike Golf's research to the next level. This equipment includes a computer controlled mechanic golfer, state-of-the-art putting lab, track man, launch monitors, assembly room, club milling and grinding laboratory as well as other test areas for conducting:

--Numerous proprietary instruments for golf club analysis.
--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.

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