Adams Golf

Adams Golf, Inc. was an American sports equipment manufacturing company based in Plano, Texas, focused on the golf equipment market. The company produced golf equipment (more specifically clubs). In 2012 it was acquired by TaylorMade (owned by Adidas), becoming one of its brands.[1]

Adams Golf, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustrySports equipment
FateAcquired by TaylorMade in 2012, becoming a brand of the Adidas Group [1][2]
Founded1991
FounderBarney Adams
Defunct2012 (2012)
Headquarters
Plano, Texas (Closed)
,
U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsGolf clubs
Adams (brand)
Product typeGolf clubs
OwnerTaylorMade
Produced byTaylorMade
Introduced2012
MarketsSports equipment
Previous ownersAdidas, Private

History

In 1983, Barney Adams joined Dave Pelz Golf in Abilene, Texas. When Pelz's Preceptor Golf went bankrupt in 1988, Adams bought the assets and started Adams Golf. He moved the company to Dallas in 1991.

Adams Golf initially specialized in custom fitted golf clubs, initially becoming associated with Hank Haney setting up a club fitting and repair shop at the Hank Haney Golf Ranch.

Adams "Tight Lies" fairway wood became a commercial success as the result of television infomercial, with sportscaster Jack Whittaker as the host and narrator; Haney, then Tiger Woods' coach; Bill Rogers, British Open winner and PGA Player of the Year in 1981; and LPGA Hall of Famer Carol Mann, as spokespersons.

In 1998, Adams Golf went public on Wall Street, with an initial public offering underwritten by Lehman Brothers. Barney Adams was selected as Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 1999.[3] Although semi-retired since 2000, Barney Adams retains the title Chairman of the Board until 2012.[4]

In 2012, Adams Golf was acquired by TaylorMade Golf (which was owned by Adidas by then) for USD 10.80 per share in cash (roughly 70 million). As a result, Adams was added to the corporation set of golf brands, such as Adidas Golf and TaylorMade–adidas Golf. TaylorMade assured that Adams' headquarters in Plano, Texas, would remain.[2] Nevertheless, by 2016 the Adams brand had lost market position, with some media considering it "an afterthought" at TaylorMade.[5]

Sponsorships

Adams Golf has maintained endorsement deals with many professional golfers playing on the leading tours, including Bernhard Langer, Brittany Lincicome, Yani Tseng and Tom Watson.

References
  1. TaylorMade buys Adams Golf, Mar 29, 2012
  2. TaylorMade reaches agreement to buy Adams Golf by Sam Weinman on Golf Digest, 19 March 2012
  3. "1999 Manufacturing Award Winner Southwest Area (North Texas-Arkansas-Oklahoma) Region". Ernst & Young. Archived from the original on October 7, 2006. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  4. "Barney Adams". GolfWRX.com. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  5. Johnson, Mike (5 May 2016). "Here's what happened with 10 equipment company acquistions[sic]". Golf Digest.
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