Wilson Golf
LEADERSHIP
Mike Dowse, Wilson Worldwide CEO
Tim Clarke – President, Golf
Doug Wright – Global Commercial Director, Golf
Chris Rusin – National Sales Director
Terry Larsen – Global Product Director, Recreational Golf
Jon Pergande – Global Manager, Premium Club Development
Tom Gruger, Global Marketing Director – Golf
Jean Pierre Degembe, Global Director, Sourcing
Over the past century, Wilson Golf has become one of the most iconic golf equipment manufacturers in the industry. The company designs, manufactures and distributes premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world.
Wilson Staff irons have actually won 62 major championships since 1914, more than any other iron manufacturer in history.
In 1936, Wilson was actually one of the six founding members of the National Golf Foundation. It continues to have a major presence in golf as an equipment manufacturer, as it now has (more than 85 years later) staff and offices in more than 100 countries around the globe.
Over its 100+ year history the company has experienced its share of changes, but has long maintained strong apparel and equipment recognition for more than a dozen sports.
As a company in the portfolio of Amer Sports, Wilson remains the world’s largest manufacturer of ball sports equipment and employs 1,600 people globally. Beyond its recognition from the 2000 film “Cast Away”, Wilson’s official branded balls are used by the NFL, NCAA, and a host of other professional and collegiate sports and teams.
“We’re the top equipment brand across all sports – such as tennis, baseball, football, basketball and more. Our entire organization believes that we can accomplish the same in golf,” said Wilson Golf President Tim Clarke. “It’s been a consistent trend that athletes across the board are flocking to the game of golf. These athletes may trust Wilson from other equipment or product offerings they’ve played with before, so it’s no surprise that our golf equipment delivers that same excellence.”
The company has a storied golf history, with classic forged irons used by major championship winners and brand ambassador heavyweights like Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, and Billy Casper. Even Chevy Chase’s character in “Caddyshack” used Wilson clubs.
Although Wilson Golf has had to compete with some of the more specialized brands in the industry the brand has still managed to maintain a presence on the PGA TOUR with names such as three-time major winner Padraig Harrington and PGA TOUR winners Brendan Steele, Kevin Streelman and Kevin Tway. Wilson Golf utilizes feedback from these players as well as pros on other tours in order to continue to produce innovative products and stay competitive in the modern landscape.
Wilson is among the golf companies who have enjoyed a resurgence during the pandemic.
“Like most brands, we’ve definitely enjoyed the momentum of the sport over the past few years,” said Clarke. “Some of the supply chain issues the industry experienced drove a change in consumer behavior, as they increasingly looked at alternative solutions to meet their product needs. This change in mindset drove heavy trial of our award-winning premium golf products, and we’re happy to say that resulted in increased popularity and sales.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Wilson Golf has spent more than a decade and a half slowly building its market share since Tim Clarke took over as company president. The brand, which was once owned and operated by PepsiCo management, has worked to distance has distanced itself from boxed sets and entry-level products and successfully signed high-ranking PGA professionals.
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