Top-Flite

Top-Flite

Product type	Golf equipment (balls, bags, gloves, accessories)
Owner	Dick's Sporting Goods
Country	USA
Markets	Sports equipment
Website	topflite-golf.com

Top-Flite is an American brand of sports equipment, most recognized for its golf balls, currently owned by Dick's Sporting Goods. Dick's purchased the brand from Callaway Golf Company.

Spalding became a division of the Russell Corporation in 2003[1]—exclusive of its golf operations (which included the Top-Flite, Ben Hogan Golf Company and Strata brands), which were eventually bought by the Callaway Golf Company later the same year.[2]

In 2003, Ron Drapeau announced Callaway Golf Company's intention to purchase Top-Flite Golf and its Ben Hogan Golf Company division soon after Top-Flite Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[3] Due to competition from Adidas, the acquisition cost Callaway Golf $169 million.[4] Callaway had already invested $170 million in its own plant in Carlsbad, California, this acquisition made it the second largest golf ball manufacturer at 22% of the market, behind only the Acushnet Golf.[5]

In 2012, Oliver "Chip" Gordon Brewer III was named CEO of Callaway. Callaway sold the Top-Flite brand to Dick's Sporting Goods, citing declining sales,[6]

References

1. "Russell Is Buying Most Of Spalding Sporting Goods Unit". New York Times. April 18, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
2. "Callaway Golf Beats Out Adidas To Buy Top-Flite". New York Times. September 5, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
3. "SEC Filing". Topgolf Callaway Brands. 2003-06-30. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
4. "Company news; Callaway Golf beats out Adidas to buy top-flite". New York Times. September 5, 2003. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
5. Stogel 2004.
6. Mike Stachura (April 4, 2012). "Callaway sells Top-Flite to Dick's". Golf Digest. Retrieved December 24, 2015.

Sources

• Stogel, Chuck (2004). "Driving to the top: with aggressive brand acquisitions, product development and strong leadership at the helm, Callaway is picking up its game". Brandweek. 45 (4): 24–28.

External links

• Official website