ORLANDO, FL (January 23, 2014) – TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s SLDR Driver, Executive Women’s Golf Association CEO Pam Swensen, and the USGA’s “While We’re Young” campaign were among the winners in the 21st edition of the ING Industry Honors, announced at the PGA Merchandise Show.
Called by some the “Academy Awards of the Golf Industry,” the ING Industry Honors program recognizes outstanding achievement in the golf business. Master of Ceremonies was former LPGA Tour star Jan Stephenson, and a Q&A with current star Paula Creamer followed the presentations.
Nominees in a dozen categories are submitted throughout the year from anyone in the golf industry. Sub-committees that include experts in each category then trim the entries to the top three in each category. ING members then vote electronically to determine the winners, who are announced and recognized at the Industry Honors Presentation Press Conference.
The TaylorMade Driver won in the Product Ingenuity-Market Leading Companies category. The SLDR has a center of gravity that is lower and more forward than any driver TaylorMade has ever produced. That allows golfers to launch the ball higher and with less spin, which is the key to longer drivers.
Capturing the Product Ingenuity-Emerging Companies category was Nexbelt’s GO-IN! Golf Series of belts, which allow the wearer to adjust the belt in ¼ inch increments as opposed to the outdated pin/buckle style belt. This unique ratcheting system, dubbed PreciseFit, allows the golfer a reduction of up to 15 waist sizes with the same belt.
The USGA was a two-category winner with its “While We’re Young” pace of play campaign. The overall program won the PR/Promotions category, and also took the TV Commercial Series category with its ads featuring various pro tour stars.
Another big winner in the ING Industry Honors Business Achievement category was Swensen. Under her leadership, the EWGA is leveraging the power of its 14,000+ members and their $66M impact on the game to create new opportunities for existing members and welcome new ones with 125 EWGA Chapters in nearly every U.S. major market and internationally.
In the important Player Development category, Little Linksters Association was a winner in close voting over Haggin Oaks Golf Club and the Quik Course Concept. The organization founded by award winning PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is based in Orlando.
A complete list of winners is below. The presentation took place Thursday in the ING Hospitality Room, and was sponsored by PGA Golf Exhibitions. For more information, visit www.inggolf.com.
THE 2013 INDUSTRY HONORS RESULTS
BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT
Winner: Pam Swensen, CEO, Executive Women’s Golf Association
Also Nominated: Eric Affeldt, CEO, ClubCorp; Frank Thomas, Founder, Frankly Golf
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Winner: Little Linksters Association
Also Nominated: Haggin Oaks Golf Complex; The Quik Course Concept
PRINT ADVERTISEMENT – Products & Services
Winner: Ashworth – “Golf Is A Game Of Feet, Not Inches”
Also Nominated: Callaway – “It’s Not Complicated”; Winn Grips – “Tacky Elegance Dri-Tac”
PRINT ADVERTISEMENT – Trade Publications
Winner: Golf Course Superintendents Association of America – “Work Of Art”
Also Nominated: John Deere – “Business Class; More Than Just Equipment”; Toro – “Create Ambience … Generate Revenue”
PRINT ADVERTISEMENT – Travel & Real Estate
Winner: Pinehurst Resort – “Until Then, The First Tee Is Open”
Also Nominated: Colonial Williamsburg – “Couples Getaway”; The Cliffs – “Monday”
PRODUCT INGENUITY – Emerging Companies
Winner: NexBelt GO-IN!
Also Nominated: Golfalyzer; The YAR Putter
PRODUCT INGENUITY – Market Leading Companies
Winner: TaylorMade SLDR Driver
Also Nominated: Adams Golf Tight Lies Fairway Woods; Cobra AMP Cell Driver
PUBLIC RELATIONS/PROMOTIONS
Winner: USGA’s While We’re Young Campaign
Also Nominated: National Women’s Golf Alliance; TaylorMade Golf’s One Bucket Campaign.
TOURNAMENT SERVICE
Winner: Golf Fore Kids Tournament
Also Nominated: The National Golf Club Challenge; The Thunderbirds
TV INDIVIDUAL COMMERCIAL
Winner: Bridgestone – “Assistant Manager”
Also Nominated: Mitsubishi Electric – “Comfort Zone, With Fred Couples”; NIKE Golf – “Apologies, With Tiger Woods”
TV COMMERCIAL SERIES
Winner: USGA – “While We’re Young”
Also Nominated: Bridgestone – “Play What Fits Your Game”; Srixon – “Question Your Ball”
SPECIAL CATEGORY
GOLF COURSE DESIGN
Winner: Tom Doak & Bill Core/Ben Crenshaw for the two courses at Streamsong.(For more information visit http://www.streamsongresort.com)
