NEWS
Upright Golf joins with the manufacturers of the popular Valley Forge Golf Gloves to create the Upright VF Putting Combo.
APPAREL
Sandbaggers still strong at age 20
By Lea Hart
Twenty years ago, golfer Joan Villani was looking for a golf shoe that wouldn't make her foot sweat and was comfortable to wear. When she couldn't find that perfect shoe, she created her own.
With the creation of the Kiltie -- an open-toe golf sandal -- Villani started her own company, Sandbaggers, in 1987. Today, Sandbaggers carries the Kiltie and dozens of other styles of women's golf shoes. The only difference in today's Kiltie: no metal spikes on the bottom.
Sandbaggers were initially produced in Maine, where the company still has its headquarters today. The company had a long relationship with local mills. Like many products in the 1990's, however, production moved to Mexico.
A few years ago, Alan Dunkerly bought Sandbaggers from Villani when she was ready to move on from the business. She stayed on for a while, but today Dunkerly runs Sandbaggers with the help of his small staff.
Where Villani wanted a shoe that was of the best quality and very comfortable, Dunkerly and his designers have kept those qualities and added an extra element of fashion to today's Sandbagger designs.
Anna Gilbert, sales manager for Sandbaggers, said the variety of styles and colors today is much larger than it was when the company first began.
Other changes have taken place as well. All Sandbaggers shoes have grip soles and the company has added orthotic inserts to all of its shoes. The orthotic insert is made of a custom blend of rubber and cork. Gilbert said the orthotics function like a "horseshoe" support under the heel. They increase stability in the foot, which translates into better performance for the golfer.
After 20 years, Sandbaggers prides itself on fit and style. In addition to the orthotics, the company uses soft leather for added comfort. Gilbert said women should be able to take the shoe out of the box and wear it on the golf course; they should not have to break it in.
Consistency has also been a Sandbaggers strong suit.
"We don't launch one product for one season and then take it away," Gilbert said. "Women can re-order the same shoe and keep a consistent fit."
Gilbert said many customers select a style and a fit that is best for them and simply re-order the same shoe.
"That way, there's no guesswork," she said.
Even with that consistency, Sandbaggers finds ways to push the envelope on style. Shoes such as the Eva are open on the top of the foot and offer an ankle strap, for example. This is a look that Gilbert says is unique for golf shoes.
"We're trying not to look like everyone else," she said.
Where Sandbaggers main consumers were traditionally women in the 60-and-over age range, today the company caters to women of all ages with a wide variety of style and color options.
"Style is something that women of all ages appreciate," she said.
Pricing for Sandbaggers' shoes falls in the $50 to $120 range.
As the company turns 20 this year, it looks forward to continued managed growth in the future. Gilbert said more women are finding the company through the internet and through increased appearances at events such as the PGA Merchandise Show. But as a small company, it still does not want to grow too fast.
With fresh styles and colors, the company wants to continue to "challenge the way that people think about golf shoes," she said.
And in turn, Gilbert believes those unique looks will help the company to grow.
"If we looked like the other guys, it would be hard to compete," she said.
For information on Sandbaggers, go to www.hersandbaggers.com.
|
