PING to kick off 50th anniversary at PGA Merchandise Show

PING, the world-renowned golf company founded by Karsten Solheim in his garage in 1959 that grew into one of the game's most recognizable names, will use the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show to kick off its golden anniversary.

PING, the golf company founded by World Golf Hall of Fame member and renowned golf club engineer and manufacturer Karsten Solheim in his garage in 1959 that grew into one of the game's most recognizable names, will use the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show to kick off its golden anniversary.

PING plans to begin its celebration within a specially created exhibit at the PGA Equipment Forum on the Show floor, where the company will showcase its latest fitting tools and provide best practices while giving PGA Professionals an opportunity to test its latest equipment at the indoor Equipment Testing Center.

"When my father, Karsten, designed the original PING putter in 1959, and showed it to PGA Professionals, they were hesitant at first. Once they tried it, they liked it and offered a lot of encouragement for him to market the putter. They soon became his best customers and promoters," said John Solheim, PING Chairman and CEO. "This helped turn his garage-based operation into one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of custom-fit, custom-built golf equipment known for innovation and technology.

"It is extremely fitting that we begin our golden anniversary celebration at the PGA Merchandise Show with PGA Professionals, who played such a key role in our early success and the continued growth of the PING brand."

In addition, PING will present its latest lineup of products at the Outdoor Demo Day, scheduled for Wed., Jan. 28, 2009, at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge in Orlando, while showcasing its latest fitting tools, including nFlight Fitting software. PING fitting specialists will be on hand to share their latest best practices to support retail efforts in 2009.

From Thurs., Jan. 29 to Sat., Jan. 31, PING will again sponsor the PGA Best Practices Clubfitting Area of the PGA's Equipment Forum and participate in the Indoor Demo Days at the Orange County Convention Center. Once again, a dedicated segment of the PGA Equipment Forum will allow all Show attendees to receive hands-on best practices information from the one of the industry's leaders in clubfitting and test the latest PING products on both the indoor golf range and short games areas.

Additionally, PING will return as the exclusive golf equipment company sponsor of the 2nd Annual PGA Magazine Merchandisers of the Year Conference, Jan. 26-28, at the Reunion Resort in Orlando. The conference will bring together attending 2008 PGA Merchandisers of the Year selected by The PGA of America's 41 nationwide Sections. They will be joined in the unique forum by other merchandising experts.

"The PGA of America and PGA Professionals are honored to share a long history with the Solheim family and PING," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "The PGA Merchandise Show and the PING brand have nearly grown up together and we are thrilled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of PING at this year's PGA Merchandise Show."