Clarifying the Relationship ***
Friday, November 19, 2004 at 11:16 AM I now understand the appeal of Donald Trump. He's says "You're
fired," and everyone knows where everyone stands. This, as opposed to
this corporatespeak doozy of a press release from Titleist.
ACUSHNET COMPANY CLARIFIES RELATIONSHIP WITH PROFESSIONAL GOLFER PAUL CASEY
Fairhaven, MA (November 19, 2004) - In the wake of recent comments made
by professional golfer Paul Casey, Acushnet Company, owner of the
Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra golf equipment brands, today clarified its
relationship with the 2004 European Ryder Cup Team member.
"First and foremost, we want people to understand that Mr. Casey's
comments do not reflect the views of the Acushnet Company and were not
made in his capacity as an endorser of our products," said Wally
Uihlein, Chairman and CEO, Acushnet Company.
"In addition, Mr.
Casey's contract with Acushnet Company expires on December 31, 2004,
and both parties have mutually agreed that it will not be renewed or
extended."
Acushnet Company will have no other comment
regarding this matter. Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra and Pinnacle comprise
the major golf brands of Acushnet Company, an operating company of
Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE-FO). Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra and Pinnacle
are trademarks owned or licensed by Acushnet Company.
He's clarified! Err, fired. This was an important move for Titleist to make, because when Casey made his remarks about hating the American Ryder Cup team, most people's first reaction was, wow, he's saying that as a Titleist man!
***Update: This UK Telegraph story sums up the mess well and clarifies what Casey actually said, versus what the tabloids pinned on him. And John Huggan does an even better job summarizing the matter, with a source telling him that Titleist had planned to let Casey go long before this incident.
Paul Casey