USGA Ex Committee Signs Apparel Contract; Ball, Hat And Bag Deals Next?

I can't wait to see some crusty old lawyers with a big ole Ralph Liftshitz Lauren logo on their sleeves!

USGA Announces Long-Term Apparel Agreement with Polo Ralph Lauren  

Far Hills, N.J. (January 27) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has signed a five-year agreement with Polo Ralph Lauren that designates the company as the official apparel outfitter for the USGA and the U.S. Open Championship.

Under the agreement, Polo Ralph Lauren will outfit all USGA committee members and staff, as well as more than 5,000 volunteers at the U.S. Open, one of the nation’s preeminent golf championships. The company will also design and construct product display fixtures for the 39,000-square-foot Merchandise Pavilion at the U.S. Open, and serve as the championship’s largest on-site apparel supplier.

The USGA conducts twelve other national championships for which Polo Ralph Lauren will provide USGA committee and staff apparel.  The company will also outfit USA team members in the biennial Walker Cup and Curtis Cup Matches.

“One of the USGA’s primary goals is to conduct the best championships in golf,” said Mike Butz, interim executive director of the Association. “We are very excited about partnering with Polo Ralph Lauren, given their creativity and the quality of their apparel, to help take our championship experiences to a new level of excellence.  We want to ensure that everyone who participates – from players to officials to spectators -- realizes they are part of something that is very special.”

Make that reason #43 David Fay got out of town: having to write the "We're excited about partnering with Polo" statement.