NEWS
Glove It will debut its junior golf collection at the PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 25-27, in Orlando, Fla.
Jack Nicklaus re-launches his Summer/Fall 2007 golf apparel collection with a fresh take on classic styles.
Danish shoemaker Ecco announces the extension of its endorsement agreement with Colin Montgomerie. Under terms of this multi-year agreement, Montgomerie will wear Ecco golf shoes exclusively during all on-course activities, appear at Ecco functions and participate in product development.
Trigelle will launch its new Classic Fit Collection at the PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 25-27, in Orlando, Fla.
Fairway Skins Co., maker of high-fashion ladies' golf gloves, has been awarded the GolfTest USA "Seal of Approval."
Dallas-based fashion creator Willie Scott will introduce One Club Classic Golf Apparel at the PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 25-27, in Orlando, Fla.
Lanctôt launches a new golf apparel line called, Nivo, which features European influences.
Sunderland of Scotland launches a new rainproof, all stretch jacket and trouser, utilizing its WhisperDry technology.
Keri Golf introduces its Spring 2007 collection of fashion and performance specialty cart and stand bags.
FEATURE
Profile: No doubt, golf in Gilkison's gene
By Lea Hart
GPA Fashion Correspondent
Working in the golf industry might just be in Andy Gilkison's genes.
His father, John, was a sales representative for Titleist for 37 years, while his brother, Dan, and brother-in-law, Erik, are currently Titleist sales reps, and his brother, Bob, is a sales rep with Callaway.
When Gilkison was in high school, he would hit the road with his father during the summer as his dad traveled to make sales calls. In spite of that, he looked to carve his own path and entered college with plans to be a stock broker. When the stock market crash in 1989 changed his perspective, he too gravitated toward the golf industry.
He began his career with Cleveland Golf as a traveling customer service representative. He went on to work for Tommy Armour, and then was recruited by Titleist. Gilkison remembers feeling the Titleist job was "a dream come true," because it was one of the best opportunities in the industry. But with his father having worked with Titleist for so long, he went in wanting to distinguish himself.
Following five years there, he went on to serve as national sales manager at Ogio. He credits each position to helping him learn and grow in the industry, but he's always had a long-term goal in mind.
"For a long time, I envisioned being a part of something completely new," Gilkison said.
So when PAHR Fairway Essentials, a new golf apparel start-up based in Carlsbad, Calif., came calling, Gilkison jumped at the chance to be part of shaping a new brand. He was recently named vice president and partner with PAHR and will oversee distribution and sales worldwide, as well as the day-to-day operation of the company.
For Gilkison, the challenge of starting completely from scratch holds a lot of appeal. Not only does he have a hand in developing the company from the ground up, but as a partner he also has an ownership stake in PAHR.
He said he felt like it was the right time in his life to make that leap. He and wife, Janna, were recently married, but don't have the responsibility of any children yet.
Also behind PAHR are PGA professional Doug Timmons and Steve Astephen, a manager for action sports athletes. The team sees golf apparel headed in a new direction -- one that is more lifestyle oriented. In Gilkison's words, a golfer should be able to play on the course during the day and feel fashionable going to dinner wearing the same outfit.
PAHR features a full line of men's and women's tops and bottoms. They don't expect to become the largest in the industry, but they do hope to fill a niche.
"It's not so much that we're here to take things over," Gilkison said. "We're here to create a new niche and bring new golfers into the game."
PAHR plans to provide innovative, quality products that appeal to the younger generation from a fashion stand-point, while showing that generation that "golf is a cool sport," Gilkison said.
A soft launch was set for the holidays with the full product launch taking place next month.
For more, go to www.pahr72.com.
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