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NEWS

Cutter & Buck, Sorenstam Renew Partnership

Cutter & Buck: Announces a multi-year extension with Annika Sorenstam to design, produce and market the Annika Collection. The collection was launched in 2004 and the contract extension will run through 2016.

Golf World Announces 100 Best Golf Shops

Golf World: Publishes its annual 100 Best Golf Shops list in the Feb. 1 issue. This marks the 25th consecutive year of the listing that recognizes the best private, resort, public and off-course golf shops.

By Janice Ferguson
GPA Writer

There weren't any aerial swing-from-the-ceiling acrobatics like Pink at this year's Grammys, but the golf industry had its own version of Show Stoppers at last week's PGA Merchandise Show. Aisle by aisle, booth by booth, The Apparel Wire found the new, the interesting and the future of golf apparel and accessories.

And the winners are ...

Hawke & Co.: A new brand of men's golf shirts that PGA player Jim Furyk is wearing. And while the shirts looked very nice, the live hawk named Copper stopped attendees in their tracks. Sophisticated, minimal and functional might be the company's product description, but there was nothing minimal about having a stunning, big and beautiful bird of prey at the booth.

Online: www.hawkeandco.com

G2 Fitness: With its TrainerMat, there are no more excuses for not working out body areas needed to play golf. The fitness aid features stretching exercise programs illustrated on the mat. LPGA player Natalie Gulbis endorses the product - need we say more?

Online: www.trainermat.com

Fore!! Axel & Hudson: Made a splash in the kid's apparel category with its adorable line of clothing for boys ages newborn to size 12. Too cute for words were the caps and fedora hats. The new brand is eco-friendly with most pieces crafted from ultra-soft and sustainable bamboo/Lycra. Hopefully a little girl's line isn't far behind.

Online: www.foreaxelandhudson.com

Lambda: Does anyone make boot with golf spikes? If no one did, Lambda does now. The brand features stylish low ankle boots for men and riding style high boots for women. The boots are handmade in Porto, Portugal, out of classic, water-repellent European leather. The PGA Show was company's debut in America, so don't miss a hot new trend in golf shoes.

Online: www.lambda-golf.com

Eritage: Yet another men's apparel company to hit the scene, Eritage's Intelux is the next generation of luxury performance fabric technology - one of the key features being anti-snag. The polyester seersucker pants and shorts caught a lot of eyes, but so did the impressive booth constructed from reclaimed wormy chestnut wood pulled from the floors of a Tennessee foothills dairy barn built in 1918.

Online: www.eritageapparel.com

Abacus and Page & Tuttle: The companies represent both sides of the pond in the outerwear category. Swedish-based Abacus' Traigh soft shell jacket for men and women is so sleek and athletic looking with its fleece lining and micro tech finish. The jacket is ideal for spring skiing, running around town or playing golf. Page & Tuttle's Free Swing windshirt features patented inverse technology with a unique arm cut that allows for a full range of motion. No restriction of movement, no ride-up, no tugging and no bunching at the shoulders. The construction is sewn differently than any other wind shirt.

Online: www.abacus-outdoor.com and www.pageandtuttle.com

Kent Wool: Introducing socks at the show, the South Carolina company has been manufacturing high-end wool since 1843. Not until a group of golf-playing employees, though, realized that golf socks are often an afterthought when it comes to course comfort. The integrated wool blend was researched and rigorously tested to create a product that keeps feet at a constant temperature, reduces fatigue and enhances cushioning at strategic micro-stress points.

Online: www.kentwool.com

Scheyden: The Classic Flip Up eyewear instantly adapts to changing light conditions and allows for the flexibility of wearing or not wearing the sunglasses without taking them off. The Fixed Gear styles have an evolutionary temple design that allows complete comfort while wearing a hat. The non-polarized, high-contrast bronze lens identifies subtle contours on the greens. Designed by an airline pilot, the precision and technical specifications rival aerospace tolerance.

Online: www.scheyden.com

HONORABLE MENTION
The Greg Norman Collection bubble machine tested its waterproof outerwear fabric to Gore-tex and won. It was an impressive display, and we were just happy to find that the bubbles weren't coming from any sharks in the tanks. ... Ian Poulter Design was clever using a light logo that shone high on the wall near its booth to help direct attendees to the booth. We also caught a glimpse of the new Blackwatch collection, so stay tuned for more. ... New York City designer Elizabeth McKay made her second trip to the show and we fell hook, line and sinker for her rope twist signature detail on pants, shorts and dresses. ... Barth & McCallig scarves and umbrellas are such a nice diversion to the norm, and the Hermes-like quality make them an ideal addition to any pro shop inventory. ... Peter Millar has teamed up with Loro Piana to make beautiful 100 percent wool jackets and vests for men. There's even a PM fragrance now, making the brand a true head to toe stylish outfitter. ... Sumi-G belts are every bit as slick and sleek looking as the brand's innovative headcovers, shoe bags and accessories. With interchangeable buckles, these belts will become a fashion staple. ... Puma is rocking the golf fashion world once again with the unveiling of its special edition collection that combines performance enhancing materials, cool island hues and shiny hardware. Look for the 18-hole graphic to get kicked up a notch with a pop art approach. ... UBU is packing personality with its 2010 jackets, coats and vests that give pro shops an opportunity to bring in something different for their retail space. Some of these women's jackets are reversible as well. Combine with an already reasonable price tag, and it's like getting two pieces for the price of one. ... Carnoustie president Marshall Mancillas does it again with his impeccable display of men's sportswear. Beautifully mixing and layering colors, styles, and designs, walking by the booth is always an inspiring lesson in merchandising. ... Move over plaids and stripes, Sligo's Moroccan tile-inspired pants take patterned pants to the next level on the course. Cleverly named Digitile, the pants come in slate and platinum colors. ... Travis Mathew's vintage black and white Volkswagen van made its booth display a must-stop for almost every attendee. It was the perfect prop for showcasing the collection's fusion of performance and style, complete with TM's signature MP3 player specified pockets.

A full schedule of appearances and activities took place in the Apparel Section of the PGA Merchandise Show. And the Apparel Wire was on hand to catch them all ... OK, maybe not all, but close.

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The first day of the PGA Merchandise Show brought a number of visible changes in the apparel section.

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