Jack Nicklaus introduces his own golf ball line

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Golf's greatest champion, ambassador and philanthropist is combining his passions into one industry-shaping business with today's announcement that Jack Nicklaus will be introducing a line of golf balls, with an emphasis on simplifying the game, as well as giving back to the game and to charity. Nicklaus is introducing three golf balls -- Nicklaus Black, Nicklaus Blue, and Nicklaus White -- to accommodate three skill levels of player, using the traditional tees from which they typically play.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131003/NY91615)

The balls, which are going into production this month and will begin shipping in November, will initially be sold exclusively online at www.nicklaus.com and through golf/pro shops at the more than 200 Nicklaus Design courses nationwide. A percentage from every golf ball sold in those shops will be donated directly back to the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation to support pediatric programs and hospitals nationwide, while visitors to Nicklaus.com will have the ability to support the Foundation with voluntary contributions.

"We all know that the game of golf can be challenging enough, so we are trying to simplify the decision-making process of selecting the right golf ball and at the same time provide consumers the highest-quality golf balls and at a price that encourages charitable support," Jack Nicklaus said. "By buying these balls, players will get the added benefit of supporting these wonderful charities that help children in need as well as the families that dearly love them.

"The idea of creating three balls corresponds to the teeing areas golfers typically play. The Nicklaus White ball is designed for the players who might typically play the forward or white tees. Nicklaus Blue is designed for players who would typically play the middle or blue tees.  And, finally, Nicklaus Black is designed for the single-digit or better golfer who generally plays from the back tees."

The introduction of a Nicklaus-designed and branded golf ball is the latest venture since Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein in 2007 to help further the growth of the company and to realize the full potential of the brands and branded businesses. Howard Milstein is Chairman and CEO of New York Private Bank & Trust, and is actively involved in the Nicklaus Companies as Co-Chairman along with Jack. 

Milstein said, "The beauty of these balls is they solve the golfers' dilemma of which ball to play -- all you need to know is the tee you play from -- and no matter what your skill level, you know we've designed the highest quality golf ball best suited to your game." 

Nicklaus added, "For more than three years, we have contemplated entering the golf ball business, so over that time, I have been researching and testing golf balls. There are a lot of very good balls on the market, but I was not able to find a ball that fully met my expectations and hopes -- not just for me or other professionals, but more important, for the everyday golfer. So I simply decided not to enter the business until I found that ball. Well, I found that ball. Actually, I found three.

"These golf balls are designed for every level of play, from the everyday or recreational golfer -- be it men, women, children, or seniors -- to the tour professional. No matter the age or ability, there is a golf ball to fit your game. Our strategy is based on a simple principle: skill level is an extremely important factor when selecting the right golf ball. From the tees you play, we know your swing speed; this is paramount when choosing a golf ball. But no matter the percentage of players who know their swing speed, 100 percent of them know the tees they play."

Over the decades spent fashioning his record-setting career -- one that includes a record 18 professional major championships, 120 professional victories worldwide, including 73 on the PGA Tour, as well as four captaincies of The Presidents Cup -- Jack has exhibited a passion for introducing and growing the game worldwide. Jack has been a Trustee and national co-chair for The First Tee, and this year he launched an initiative with SNAG (Starting New At Golf) called the Jack Nicklaus Learning Leagues, which gives children ages 5 through 12 the opportunity to be introduced to the game at parks and recreation facilities nationwide. Jack was also a "Global Ambassador" for the game's unified campaign to have golf returned to the Olympic Games. In July, Jack received the Ambassador of Golf Award, presented annually to a person who fosters the ideals of the game on an international level and whose concern for others extends beyond the golf course.

With accessibility and growth of the game paramount, the online model will save golfers money by reducing hidden distribution costs typically built into golf balls sold through traditional retail channels. For example, Nicklaus Black will sell in pro shops for $50 a dozen, but while that is the recommended price when sold through nicklaus.com, visitors to the site will pay $32, plus a voluntary contribution of up to $20 for those who can afford a donation. Nicklaus Blue and Nicklaus White are priced somewhat lower at $46 in pro shops, but on nicklaus.com, visitors only pay $28 a dozen plus the optional contribution. This distribution approach lets people buy the highest quality balls in a way that encourages them to support the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which champions the health, safety and well-being of children nationwide. During a month-long pre-order period, customers can order the ball for discounted introductory prices of $30 (Nicklaus Black) and $26 (Nicklaus Blue and Nicklaus White).  

"My partner, Howard, who is a well-known philanthropist, emphasized from the start that if our company entered the golf ball business, it was going to be with a philanthropic vision," said Nicklaus, who along with his wife Barbara, established the Foundation in 2004. "Specifically, he wanted to make as a priority the ability to raise funds for the Foundation through sales of the golf ball. Profit was secondary. So that is our mission. When Barbara and I created the Foundation, the goal was to provide access to world-class healthcare for all children and support innovative programs focused on childhood illnesses. With the introduction of this golf ball, we have created one more vehicle to help children in need."

To find out more about the new Nicklaus Golf Ball, including product specs, features and benefits, or to place your advanced order today, visit www.nicklaus.com. Customers and fans are invited to share their feedback via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using hash tag #nicklausgolfball. 

About the Nicklaus Companies

For more than 50 years, the mission of the Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience, and to bring to the national and international consumer golf-related businesses and services that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of Jack Nicklaus. These services include golf-course design, the development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of golf products and services. Nicklaus-branded products have been marketed worldwide since 1962. The Jack Nicklaus- and Golden Bear-branded lifestyle collection of products include: beverages; wine; home appliances; flooring; cabinets; apparel; and footwear.

Nicklaus Design is widely regarded as the world's leading golf course design firm, with nearly 400 courses open for play in 36 countries and 39 states. That record is chief among the reasons why Golf Inc. Magazine voted Jack Nicklaus the "Most Powerful Person in Golf" for a record six consecutive years.

More than 75 Nicklaus Design courses having been ranked in various national or international Top-100 lists, and no fewer than 100 Nicklaus courses have hosted a combined total of more than 750 professional tournaments worldwide. That includes Muirfield Village Golf Club, which this week is hosting The Presidents Cup. Muirfield Village is the only club in history to have hosted golf's three most prestigious international team events-The Ryder Cup (1987), Solheim Cup (1998) and now The Presidents Cup. Next year, The Ryder Cup will be played on another Nicklaus-designed course, the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles in Scotland, and the 2015 Presidents Cup will be played at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in New Songdo City, outside of Seoul.

For more information on the Nicklaus Companies, please visit www.nicklaus.com.

SOURCE Nicklaus Companies

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