The PGA's tournament programme has been given a major boost by the news that Skins, the Australian manufacturer of performance-enhancing sportswear, has agreed to sponsor its fourball championship for the next three years.
Skins has become the UK's market leader in the rapidly growing compression and therapeutic sportswear category in just two years and its tie-up with the PGA is a natural progression for the company.
The event will be called the Skins PGA Fourball Championship and Skins general manager for Europe, David Ling, explained: "We are launching a range of apparel for golfers in the spring.
"It has been specifically designed to cope with the stresses and strains golf imposes on the body.
"We are thrilled by the range and our three-year agreement with the PGA. It demonstrates our long term commitment to this important sporting category and supports our belief in the performance characteristics of technical compression wear and the benefits the range will offer PGA professionals as well as golfers of all abilities.
"We're also very excited about the PGA Fourball Championship and look forward to meeting the PGA professionals who take part in it."
More than 500 PGA professionals and assistants competed in this year's championship, which comprised qualifying rounds in each of the seven PGA regions and culminated with the final at Forest Pines, Lincolnshire.
The final of the 2010 tournament, which has Skins as its title sponsor and carries a prize fund of £30,000, will return to Forest Pines and see Dublin-based assistants Pat Devine and Stuart Taylor defend the title they claimed so memorably last October.
In addition to sponsoring the fourball championship, Skins has also been appointed a PGA Official Supplier and the Association's chief executive, Sandy Jones, said: "This is another very welcome vote of confidence for our tournament programme.
"The fact that we are attracting new sponsors, especially major players like Skins, in difficult times shows the strength of the PGA brand.
"Moreover, the tie-up with Skins is as much a natural progression for the PGA as it is for them.
"Technology has played a big part in golf's development. So far, though, that has been restricted to golf clubs, golf balls and waterproof clothing.
"That apparel has been developed which may help golfers of all abilities improve their game and enjoy it even more has to be a good thing."
In developing the new range, Skins has built on the extensive scientific evidence that demonstrates its products actually work.
Its proprietary fabric applies pressure to specific parts of the body using 'dynamic compression', which means, unlike most compression apparel, pressure is applied over specific body parts.
This boosts oxygen delivery to working muscles and results in more focused power and minimised muscle vibration. In addition, Skins can reduce muscle soreness and accelerate recovery time.
Furthermore, Skins apparel promotes evaporative cooling of the body, can optimise its temperature in cold or warm conditions and boasts 50+ UV protection against the sun.
These proven attributes have resulted in Skins being endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA).
"There is little doubt the garments will accelerate a player's recovery and help them complete 18 holes or more without flagging," said APA member and renowned Australian sports physiotherapist Michael Dalgleish. "I'm convinced that golfers who start to wear Skins will be become attached to them."
03 December, 2009