It’s Go Time for Rickie Fowler and Cobra AMP golf clubs
By: Emily Kay on 01/23/12 10:09 AMOne of golf’s worst-kept secrets is out: Rickie Fowler, who sports Puma golf attire, will switch out some of his Titleist clubs for Cobra-Puma Golf’s new AMP sticks. He joins LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson and Ian Poulter as representatives for the new line of clubs.
"Today Cobra Golf made it official, golfing sensation, Rickie Fowler will join their worldwide roster of professional golfers," the Carlsbad, Calif., company announced Monday. "Cobra Golf will supply Rickie with the latest golf clubs as well as Tour Staff Bags and a selection of accessories."
The AMP driver’s orange and black design will coordinate well with the former Oklahoma State golfer’s favorite school colors, which he sports under the Puma label.
“I am so excited to have the Cobra sticks in my bag and be a full part of the Cobra Puma golf team,” Fowler said in a statement. “I’ve been hitting the AMP Driver great; I’m getting a lot more distance and the orange details look really fresh. I can’t wait to get out at Torrey Pines and put my new Cobra clubs into play.”
When he first joined the professional ranks in 2009 as a member of the Nationwide Tour, Fowler signed a multi-year deal with Massachusetts-based Acushnet to play its Titleist golf balls and clubs, wear a Titleist glove, and carry a Titleist golf bag. He’ll still use the Titleist Pro V1x ball and wear Titleist gloves, according to a Titleist spokesperson, who was unsure whether Fowler would continue carrying any Titleist clubs.
Perhaps a change of even some of his weapons will yield the first PGA Tour win for the 23-year-old Californian, who’ll have the AMP Driver, 3-wood, and AMP Pro Prototype irons in his bag when he kicks off his 2012 season this week at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Cobra-Puma will also feature the fan fave in upcoming traditional and non-traditional marketing campaigns.
In line with its aim to hit social media hard, Cobra-Puma let the world know about Fowler's new clubs in a Twitter blast from its @cobragolf account and on YouTube.
Fowler and Thompson -- a star player for the 2010 U.S. Curtis Cup contested at Massachusetts' Essex County Club -- are perfect faces of the supplier that aims to put the fun back in golf and urge youngsters to take up the game.
"Whether it’s golf, cars, or computers, anywhere you go you have to have a balance of stuff that works, and that coolness and wrap-around that makes it intriguing as an entire package," company president Bob Philion told us recently.
To that end, Cobra-Puma, whose inflatable white igloo rocked Demo Day at last year’s PGA Merchandise Show, will be at it again for this year’s edition on Wednesday. The company intends to provide show-goers with the same golf experience they had last year, "infused with a big dose of fun," Philion said.
While Fowler won’t be in Orlando, the youngest and extremely popular member of the LPGA Tour will be front and center at Demo Day and throughout the week in Orlando -- strutting her stuff in fashion shows, hitting long balls with her new AMP clubs, and chatting up fans and potential Cobra-Puma customers.
"You’re going to see a lot of Lexi this year," Philion said. "We couldn’t be more thrilled that she has full LPGA status…and is representing both our brands."
The AMP (for Advanced Material Placement) will be available at retails stores on February 10.
