There is a new era of young talent on the PGA Tour ready to start a new look of fit, trendy, energetic golf. Many new faces are making a name for themselves with their play and for some it pays off with lucrative equipment contracts and endorsement deals.
A brand that appeals to the younger demographic of tour players in Nike Golf and apparently they did their research on a couple of their new up and coming staff players.
Earlier this month Nike Golf announced the addition of PGA Tour athlete Kyle Stanley and Nick Watney currently ranked 20th in the world to the Tour Staff.
Stanley has signed a multi-year agreement will represent Nike Golf in clubs, ball, footwear, glove, apparel, headwear and accessories.
Stannley is making his debut as a Nike Golf athlete at the PGA Tour's season opener, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Stanley will play Nike VR_S Covert driver, blade irons, and wedges. He also will play with Nike's new 20XI-X ball, featuring more RZN technology. For soft-goods, he'll be wearing Nike Golf apparel from its Tour Performance Collection and the new Nike Lunar Control II footwear.
Stanley's Nike Golf Arsenal
- Driver: Nike VR_S Covert 9.5-degree, neutral position
- Fairway Wood: Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 3-wood/15-degree
- Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (2), VR Pro Blades (3-9)
- Wedges: Nike VR Pro 52-degree, 56-degree and 60-degree
- Ball: Nike 20XI X
- Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Performance
- Footwear: Nike Lunar Control II
As the top player for the Tigers for three years, Stanley enjoyed an illustrious collegiate career at Clemson University breaking 19 school records. He was the first player to earn ACC Player of the Year and ACC Freshman of the Year. Stanley was also three-time first team All-ACC and two-time first-team All-America at Clemson. A winner of the Ben Hogan Award, Stanley was also a member of the 2007 winning Walker Cup team during his amateur career.
After securing his PGA Tour card for the 2011 season, Stanley had a solid rookie year with four top-10 finishes. He clinched his first PGA Tour win at the 2012 Waste Management Open after finishing second the week prior at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Watney in a multi-year deal will represent Nike Golf in clubs, ball, footwear, glove, apparel, headwear and accessories. Watney will be making his debut as a Nike athlete playing with the Nike VR_S Covert driver and fairway woods, irons, wedges and a Nike Method Prototype putter. He will also play with Nike's new 20XI ball, featuring more RZN technology. As for soft goods he'll wear Nike Golf Tour Performance apparel and Nike Lunar Control II footwear. Watney will make his debut as a Nike Athlete at the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Watney's Nike Golf Arsenal
- Driver: Nike VR_S Covert 11.5-degree, neutral position
- Fairway Wood: Nike VR_S Covert 3-wood/14-degree and 5-wood/18-degree
- Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (3-PW)
- Wedges: Nike VR Pro 55-degree and 59-degree
- Putter: Nike Method Prototype
- Ball: Nike 20XI
- Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Performance Collection
- Footwear: Nike Lunar Control II
A fan of the Nike brand since he was a child, Watney is excited to say the least to continue his career with the number one sports brand on the globe. "I am excited to call myself a Nike athlete," said Watney. "I am proud to wear the Swoosh because it's the symbol of excellence across all sports and golf is no exception."
Watney is making his first equipment change during his 10-year career as a tour professional. The 31-year-old from Dixon, California, played golf at Fresno State University and turned professional in 2003 competing on the Nationwide Tour.
Watney, who joined the PGA Tour in 2005, has since won five times on the PGA Tour with wins at the 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, 2009 Buick Invitational, 2011 World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, 2011 AT&T National and the 2012 Barclay's. And his most recent victory at the CIMB Asia Open, Watney has seven global career wins.
No doubt this is a big year for Nike Golf. They have a staff of accomplished and budding PGA Tour golfers. It's hard to imagine. However, Nike Golf could see growth with an exciting new equipment line and a revised tour staff.
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