Behind the Golf Brand Podcast with Paul Liberatore

Ep #24 - Wilson Golf: Chris Rusin (National Sales Director)

November 22, 2020 Paul Liberatore Season 1 Episode 24
Behind the Golf Brand Podcast with Paul Liberatore
Ep #24 - Wilson Golf: Chris Rusin (National Sales Director)
Show Notes Transcript

We made it to Episode 24 of the Behind the Golf Brand Podcast. Thank you for all of the comments and emails. In this week's episode I interview my friend Chris Rusin from Wilson Golf.

Wilson might not get as much attention in the golf world these days as other manufacturers, but when it comes to creating irons and golf balls  this is a company that delivers year after year and is on top of its game.

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Speaker 1:

The day we play a golf. Let me show you how we do it in the pros. Welcome to behind the golf grand podcast. I've never missed with the nine a conversation with some of the most interesting innovators and entrepreneurs behind the biggest names in golf. My friends were the golf clubs. I lived on the golf course. I lived on the driving range from pro talk. You should learn something each and every single round you play to fund from on and off the green. Why would you play golf? You don't play it for money. Just let me put the ball in the hole. This is behind the golf brand podcast. With Paul libertory behind the golf brand podcast is sponsored by OnPoint. The revolutionary three-dimensional dome golf ball. Marker on point provides a layman recognition as small as a degree of inaccuracy from the planned course of the putt face angle endorsed by Jim Furich us open champion and 17 time PGA tour winner. On point alignment technology has been proven to increase putting performance and help lower your score. Visit on-point golf.us, and be sure to use code GA 10 for a 10% discount on point, make more points.

Speaker 2:

What's up guys, Paul from golfers authority. I once again, do not know a podcast episode. This is because I never keep track. However, I got a really cool guest. Uh, I have my friend Chris from Wilson golf, small crazy story, but like Chris is actually friends with my, one of my friends in real life and he lives in Chicago. My friend lives here, but without further ado, this is Chris from Wilson golf. Welcome to the show, Chris. Thanks for having me, Paul. It's my pleasure now. Yeah, small world. I know. It's so weird. Like, so here's a story you guys. So I have a friend I coach little league with, and he's a golfer. He calls more than I do play golf like five times a week. And so he's like, Oh yeah, my best friend when I was a kid works for Wilson golf. And I was like, really? And he's like, yeah, he lives in Chicago, but he's from Ohio. That's where this guy's from. That's what both these guys are from. And so I was like, Oh, you should put him in contact with them. That was probably what, like nine months ago. It's been a while, but pho. Yeah. So right around PGA show. And so we're trying to like get connected at that time because yeah, like January. And so I, Christian, I haven't just kind of got to know each other and been emailing back and forth. And it's just such a small world. Right. You never really know like, kind of who knows who in a weird way. So how long have you been with Wilson? A little over 20 years now. First job out of college. I had one other job for an old golf company for a, for a couple of years, right out of college. And then, uh, then went to work for a, for Wilson, uh, back in, uh, 2000, June of 2000. Crazy. I graduate college. It's crazy. I know was like, so you must've gone to Ohio state then, right? I did not cancel it. Cause Ron did. Ron did. Yeah. So, no, I'm still an Ohio boy, but uh, uh, no. Went to cat. Oh, that's a good school too. Was a lot of good schools, man.

Speaker 3:

It's amazing out here. How many, as you know, speaking of the South side of Chicago earlier, how many people go to bowling green? How many people went to Miami, Ohio? It's amazing how many people, you know, went to Chicago, came back.

Speaker 2:

I mean, cause you guys didn't know, like I went to Purdue for undergrad. I know I was telling Chris about that. And so it's like, you know, I'm from Arizona. So there wasn't that many people, I don't think there's anybody. Well, there's one person actually. But I knew at Purdue for years, I was from Arizona and he was on the football team and we met and like you from Tucson, I was like, Oh my God. From Arizona. Cause no one was out the Midwest from Arizona. I remember walking into class, my first Christmas that arrived for Christmas. Right. Went back to Purdue and it was like negative 40 or 60 or something crazy. I remember like shuffling on the ice and thinking, what the hell am I doing? Go to ASU. Right. And that was my,

Speaker 3:

Yeah. Yeah, no, I'm, I'm questioning your decision as well, but Hey, that's good. Produce a good school. So I'm, I'll leave it at that. Yeah. So,

Speaker 2:

So then what was the golf company you worked with before you got the Wilson for that?

Speaker 3:

Uh, I was actually working for Adams golf. So yeah, back then it was just this little company called tight lies. And um, after school went down and worked for, uh, worked for them in out of Dallas. So went from Ohio to Dallas and then I'm from Dallas moved to Colorado to be an outside territory manager for Wilson. That was my first job. So yeah. Did that for three years or so then they moved me to Florida, uh, was an outside sales in the Tampa area, uh, for about three years and then moved up to Chicago to take over national accounts and then national accounts, national sales director. So it's been a, it's been a fun ride. That's coming all over the place. I've seen a little bit of everything and you worked your way up. Yeah. So it's been fun.

Speaker 2:

So then what you're so right now you're the national sales director for

Speaker 3:

Yeah. So I run sales for North America, both the us and Canada. Yeah. Correct.

Speaker 2:

The magic all the, all the guys too, or I guess you, but I mean, yeah.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. So we're broken into two separate entities. You know, we have, um, from, from my aspect, I manage all the, uh, the territory managers and what we call our specialty business. That's all your specialty retailers, uh, uh, Greengrass facilities, golf courses, other small retailers. Um, we have a separate division that manages your, your sporting good chains, um, in your big box retailers. Oh, that's cool. Yeah.

Speaker 2:

This year. I mean obviously with COVID it's been a crazy year. Right. I know a lot of brands have had like issues trying to like, just keep inventory in, right. Because of like supply chain really, you know, like it's a great year for golf, but it's like, it's literally, everyone's like, Oh yeah, we're killing it on, on sales. But it's like, but now we can't get our stuff in. And we were like purposely shutting parts of our website down. So we can't do sales online. Cause we've got to try to, you know, continue to support our big box retailers, you know? And I'm like, Holy crap. Like, I mean, did you guys see that problem too with your supply chain? You've probably had to have, right. I

Speaker 3:

Mean, yeah, it's, it's, it's been, uh, on precedent is, you know, you and I were talking about, I mean, who, who could have thought we were in the position we would be at? Um, you know, we, if I look at it from, uh, in, in hindsight, you go back to March, April, even into may. And um, you're, you're in a crisis mode about what you're gonna do, what, what, what the future looks like, what the future holds and, um, you know, with everything's shut down. And part of that was, um, you know, you, you, you get a master's degree in supply chain management when you, when the world shuts down for 90 days, 60, 90 days. Um, and to restart that engine and you know, when you're, you're looking at how you manage your business and when it picked up who would have expected, um, but the sustained surge, I mean, it literally is still going to this day. I mean, it's, uh,

Speaker 2:

It's not stopping. No, I

Speaker 3:

Was at, of course yesterday and it was packed here in Chicago, absolutely packed. There was 48, 49, um, overcast. And they had a full t-shirt yesterday and it's almost November crazy.

Speaker 2:

I had a really good conversation with a cough now. Right. And cough channel. And so recently, and they're saying my friend pose a really good question to me. And I was like, Holy crap. I think about this. He said, you know, discern unprecedented for everybody. Right. So the amount of people playing golf and he's like, what do you think is going to happen? Because he's not here. Right. And so he's like, he's like in Arizona, what do you going to happen this fall? And this winter with golf, because you know, in the next month rates go up, right. Like, because of receding, all the nice courses, getting ready to go, but he's like, look, no, one's traveling. Right. So like you're not gonna get the Canadians because they can't leave. And I was like, Oh my God. Think about this. And he's like, no, one's really like traveling out of state. So it's like, you know, I, what what's gonna happen with winter golf for like the Sunbelt and you know, you know, the Southwest. And I'm like, that's a really good, like, that's a real problem. Right. Because that's, this should for somebody like golf now or something like that. Cause they're selling things. But it's like, I never thought about that far. Like, Oh, it's gonna keep on going forever. But is it, is it going to go on forever? You know, the locals will play. I mean, that's not going to stop, but I mean, once things shut down where you're at, cause a winter. Right. I don't know. I mean, maybe it's a good thing, you know, maybe cause it's time for the manufacturers to catch up, you know, and try to get that inventory in. And like I saw,

Speaker 3:

Yeah. The question is what, what is, uh, people's ability? What is their radius? You know, they talked about even the summer, um, the lack of individuals traveling golfers that are traveling via air, but then you had, um, regional. So if you're going to go up to Kohler for, let's say we're in Chicago, driving up the Kohler's no big deal driver grabbing up the sand Valley, no issue. So regionally you had people that were willing to drive. The question is how far is the reach of Arizona, Florida going to be? And you know, I mean, a bunch of my buddies are going to jump in a car and drive to Florida. No doubt that. Exactly. So how, what's our reach going to be? And you, you bring up a good point. I mean, whether it's or Florida, um, just the, the, the influx of particularly Canadians European.

Speaker 2:

I never thought about the Katie. Cause that's like, that's a huge market, right? I mean, massive market. And it's like, they're not beading. They can't leave because they can't get back in. So it's like, you know, I don't know. I think unless things ease up, it's going to be, I don't know. It might be bad actually. I haven't. I was like, because it's going to be interesting. You know, I don't know that how it's going to reflect sales of product because people are always buying stuff. You know what I mean? But if they're not playing, maybe they're not going to be buying so, or they're not gonna care. I dunno. It's going to be weird.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. I think you just do, you described right there this year has been anything but normal, you know, it's uh, but yeah. The equipment sales have been solid, you know, you look at, I mean, I've done, you know, I was, we had a big report and uh, looking at the past 20 weeks of sales, I mean it's absurd. Absurd. Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. It's like, you would never expect it added this conversation. Another brand yesterday. I was like, you know what it's interesting is like, I think one of the reasons why golf is still doing so well, right? It's like, no one cares about sports right now. That's what I think. No, one's watching baseball. No one's watching football. No, one's watching basketball. All the ratings are completely down. Right. And it's like, and you thought, you know, historically you would say like, okay, when football starts, it was a drop for golf. Right. Because it was watching football on the weekends and whatever it is. And you're not really seeing that, like I'm not watching football could care less. You know? I mean, I have fantasy football and I have all that stuff, but it's just like, but I'm not sitting there watching the game because the games are boring. You know, it's like fans, it's like, I don't know. And like they, they literally saying like with NBA that's down right now, like no one was watching the playoffs. I just realized that there was baseball still going on right now. I was watching it last night, my wife. But like, I think the interest in golf is still going to be there, which is great for everybody. But then still the supply chain. It's like, I mean, everyone has this problem. Here's the other thing I learned too. And I don't know that this happened with you guys, but like a lot of people got furloughed of me, a lot of people at different, a lot of brands. And now it's like, these people are not coming back, you know, like once you, and so it's like, is that going to affect the back end of it? I don't know. I'm not trying to get so like to Cheney, but it's just, I just find it's interesting, right? Because I mean, whether you're big or you're small brand, everyone has the same problem

Speaker 3:

For sure. I mean, again, when you, when you're looking at, you know, a week over week lift of over 50% annually for the past 20 weeks, she had just trying to keep up with that. You can't, there's no brands built that way. And, um, you know, it's, uh, it's interesting the influx between particularly, and I think that bodes well for the game is not only for your, your serious competitive golfer and the people that are your early adopters. Um, but it's also the influx of new golfers. I mean, I looked at, I look at, from our beginner set, uh, sales and, and the demand for that. Um, you know, there's always this latent demand from that individual that has been wanting to get into golf, that individual that's been going to a top golf and they want to see what it's like on course. And so it's exciting to see that in. Um, I agree. I look

Speaker 2:

At all, everyone here in the Midwest, um, they just want to be outside. They're tired of being inside. They know that winter's coming. So you're right from ratings and TV, I would say it's evident when I walk around my neighborhood, I see more people outside just because they want to be outside than inside watching TV. But, uh, again, that these are all positive things for, for golf in the industry. I can't imagine any reason whatsoever. Um, the demand for golf slows down or stops next year. I really don't see any scenarios. I think you're gonna see a slow down probably with the holidays winter. Right. That's really, you're gonna see the normal slowdown. I don't know, like I don't next year. It's not gonna, I mean, there's no PGA show. Like, no one's going, if they're going to start, like everyone I've talked to, everyone's like, I'm not going for that. So it's like, even I know they're trying to push it. I don't know if it's gonna happen or not, but like still it's like, do they need it? You know, because people are still selling product. Right. So, yeah, I agree. And I I've heard, and I don't know if it's true or not. I know like, you know, like the head retailers, right? The head brands, like the title is the made, you know, like I heard that like they weren't selling, you know, like this was a bad year for them on the newer products. Right. At first, because no one was buying it, but it's like, I've heard conflicting stories. Right. I've heard stories saying like, okay, yeah, they're going to write off this year and be like, well, those drivers are going on the discount ban. Right. Because you know, there is some in the pipeline already coming out. Right. The Ts one has came out like last week. So it's like, it's like, are they going to write off these products? Are they going to try to like sell them? I was just, I don't know. I just don't think they need to, I know looking at retail, sell through data, uh, I can speak for us. Um, our premium D seven line, um, had arguably almost good year two is your one. Normally we would, we would cascade price points. We don't have to touch it. We've actually, we're probably weeks away from selling out of our complete inventory. So I mean, it's crap. Yeah. It's great. So normally when you'd have cascade down, you'd have excess inventory to move in Q4 and move into Q1. We'll have zero inventory to move and we'll have very clean pipelines for the new launch that we're excited about in January. So I think all, I would say a lot of brands are probably feeling certain levels of that. Yeah. Cause I talked to somebody about that too. And they're saying what the title is. I think it was, were like, yeah, it's all. Like they're, they're fine. You know, like I know there's a, I know there's a shortage of balls right now. I know that nobody can get the, um, the material to make the ball. For sure. I just don't get this far into supply chain with a guest. Like, I mean, with what you do at this, like obviously, you know, it's interesting because I don't know. I think this does fascinates me. Right. It's all about like, why, you know, why things happen. Right. That's how it comes down to capacity. It comes down to capacity. You got to figure when they were shut down for that period of time. Um, no different while you're having trouble getting certain household goods today. Um, and then when you moved back open that you've got, um, you've got raw material shortages. You have, um, output outages because you don't have as many people working in the factories. Then in really holistically when there were slow times in the factories that they could get caught back up, there was never a slow time in the factory. So when you put all these things together, um, uh, a fill in your, your pipeline for the existing products. So then you're actually trying to, pre-build all your new products. Uh, there's just only so much capacity to go around. So it's, uh, it is interesting. Um, we will have products. Um, that's a, it's a very good thing, but, uh, uh, next year could be, uh, could be in for an interesting run to if a product's gone, a product is going to be out. So yeah. I mean, a lot of brands have that problem right now. Not like, I don't think the big, not like you guys are the big brands right. Out of product, but like the smaller ones that like, are still trying to get their feet wet in the industry. They have no idea what they're doing. Right. So they, they think they ordered enough and they sell out and now they've got to wait two months before the next shipment comes in. Right. Because they're not, but they don't have that supply. Like it's like Italy from China or wherever it's coming from. It's like, you see a lot of brands are just like, just took them. I took the month they're pre-selling. Right. Which is I, no, it's fine. But it's like, they don't want to pre-sell either because they feel like it's kind of, I don't know. I feel like it's dirty. I feel dirty when I pray. I don't pre-sell stuff. When I say, Oh, it's presale. It's like, now you're giving them money. And now I know brands feel the same way I've talked to where they're like, yeah, it sucks because we want to give people their stuff, you know? And now it's like, and then we say, Oh, she'd be coming on the third. And it doesn't come until the 23rd because, you know, tariffs or whatever. But yeah, no doubt there where there's things outside of our control from shipping as well. So that's a whole nother complexity too as well. But, uh, you know, it's, uh, it's great to see the demand for golf, um, for, from, from, from all levels, whether it's participation or equipment. Um, and really we're, we're very bullish on the fact that it's gotten a lot of people into the game that were on the fence. And, um, you would never hope that I would take something, um, as we've all gone through to push people into this. But, um, people are realizing the joy of it and the excitement and the fun of it. Uh, I can engage now your friends and family, but, uh, something that you could do at all ages. So it's exciting. And it's up to us to, to help have them enjoy the game and keep them playing the game too. Right. But you guys are crushing it right now. I mean, this is good. I mean, I think like, I think about your sets, like no one else, I know Callaway does a set or whatever, but you guys pretty much my opinion make the best sets, right? Like for kids or people starting out, and those are all good. Like, yeah, they're not like the$500 driver, but like for the price point, it's a good set. And that will last you a couple of years, especially if you're new to the game or you don't want to spend a bunch of money. Like I know, like that's my opinion. I mean, if you look at who we are as a brand, you, we, uh, we, we are part of, uh, arguably the largest sporting goods company in the world that we make. We make premium aspirational products for the best players in the world, but we all still have opening price point entry level product. So whether you're grabbing a football that,

Speaker 3:

Uh, every NFL player has ever snapped has, or the official ball, the NCAA, we just took over the contract for the NBA, um, from anything from, um, a 2000 baseball glove to, uh, all of the clubs that Gary Woodland and Kevin Stroman and Brenda Steele play to win their tournaments in their majors. You've got the best equipment that's available out there today, but you also have equipment that people will trust if they're just getting started and they're taking their harder and money and saying, Hey, I'm not sure if I'm gonna like it, but I want something that's going to play well. And they've got roughly$400 of spend. We have an option for you, and then you can graduate up to, um, custom-fit equipment. So you're right. It's, it's, uh, it's having a blend of everything, but also just, uh, that's probably what makes Rolston one of the most unique golf brands in the industry today.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, because Wilson, like you guys like out, people realize this, but Wilson owns like six brands, right. Or five brands, like big brands, like Louisville, Slugger, right? Like Demarini, Demarini. I mean, like, it's, it's a, it's a monolith, you know, it's like huge. I don't think people realize that, like, you know, you're, you touch so many different sports.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. Pretty much. If you're playing a sport, odds are, you're going to have a Wilson product come across your, your hands or your equipment, um, some day or time. And if you're not, you're probably missing out on performance. I'll tell you that.

Speaker 2:

Oh yeah. I mean, like, you know, my kids used the little bats. Right. I mean, and you know, like actually I think my kids golf club sets or the Wilson kids, you know, like whatever it's called, like the yellow ones. Yeah. The profile. Yeah. Those are red one and a white, yellow one. Um, I know they have that, but I mean, it's cool because like, you guys have the ability to, you know, not only touch so many different markets right. Or different sports, but then like use that information, which we're learning about technology and bring them into multiple, multiple sports. Right.

Speaker 3:

It's, it's pretty cool. We have, uh, a facility in Chicago called our innovation center and it's where all the R and D are housed out of. And it's all golf team racket. Um, there's actually also individuals from our, our, um, baseball division as well. And that's you think about it, we're creating things that transfer energy to other things and you know, whether it's a tennis racket and a tennis ball, and how do you optimize speed and return rate, same thing with, uh, with, uh, uh, Louisville, uh, bat or Reni bat, how do you, uh, uh, transfer energy at impact and create the fastest exit speed for the baseball? And, um, we've got some really cool things coming down the pike and, um, you know, but it is it's, you've got all these great minds and, um, from materials to acoustics to design, um, it's, it, it is one of the reasons that our products do so well because we have such a depth of talent within our R and D department. And then you start getting to some of our sister brands. We, we work with atomic and Solomon on skis and that's materials and aerodynamics and, um, pre-core fitness equipment. Um, I mean, there's just of, we were, we're part of a burial, a$4 billion entity, um, nano we're a big company.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. They're massive. I mean, you're massive. Like, yeah. I mean, and it's not a lot of brands and golf that are like that, you know, like you have the big head companies, but they're not in other sports. You know what I mean? Like the only other one I can think of, right. You guys are big, are way better than Mizuno. I think

Speaker 3:

So. It's, uh, it's, it's cool. I mean, it's a, it's a great brand, uh, to be part of, um, and you've got very passionate people that are driven in their individual sport, but, um, so it's, it's cool to be part of our office in Chicago. And when you go in there and know that they are driven to provide the best products for the best players, um, whether it's, um, from your little league, all the way up to major league baseball to the NFL, to any other professional sports. So, uh, very cool to see that. And it's a great brand to be part of it.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. You guys will also make other products too. Like it's like, I mean, you have your baseball, football, basketball call a tennis, but then it's like, even like the other sports that you don't realize that Wilson touches, I like, they're also in like, you know, badminton and pickleball and like, you know, squash. And like, it's like, you're just able to transfer what you're doing in one sport and then put into another one. And then that technology is there. It's like sharing within the same, you know, same, you know, brand.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, for sure. No, that's great. I mean, it's, it's also from a, you know, we talk about all the people are getting involved in the game. Um, odds are the reason that one of the reasons we're growing, so accelerate in such an accelerated manner is, um, if you've had a Wilson product, your hand, you have a very good chance if you had a great experience with it, uh, because it's arguably the best sporting equipment in the world, no matter what sport you play, as you mentioned, it's soccer, volleyball, Badman racquetball squash, as you mentioned, outside of the core sports, um, that when you see a Wilson product or, you know, you're going to get a good, good experience with them.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. And it transfers over to like, you go, Oh, it's a Wilson and it has to be good. Right. Cause we already have you already have that product. Um, so do you like all Wilson call clubs in your bag? Be honest.

Speaker 3:

Well, heck yeah, I would. Yeah. And I will be honest. Uh, I do I test on other people's products hands down. No doubt. I, um, uh, I'll say it out there. There's some really good product out there from record competitive brands. But I would say that all to me, one of the coolest things for our brand is, um, is the advent of custom fitting and the growth of custom fitting. Um, and if someone truly comes in and they're branding Gnostic, and they're saying, man, I just want the best performance siren. I want the best game improvement iron. I want the best, um, whatever it may be. If they go in there with their eyes open and say, Hey, I just want to get custom fit. That's been the biggest benefit for a brand like Wilson, that, um, they go in there and they get fit and they realize that our product, quite frankly, outperforms, um, some of these larger brands from a distance dispersion feel, um, and price points. And they're saying, why should I spend this, um, when I can get this, that I'll perform it. And it's at a, at a, at a more attractive price point. So, um, I, behind that, I could, I get, let go by Wilson tomorrow and I'd still play the product. Cause I know it's better than everything else on the market.

Speaker 2:

You guys, I'm looking at your site right now, like this launch pad, the seven seminar. I don't know which one this is. This is, I don't know if this is coming out. It looks so sick. It's like black. I don't know this is coming soon. Maybe that's what you're talking about with the news.

Speaker 3:

I know there's so many good products in there. There are different products for different players. So if you're, if you're, uh, Gary Woodland type of player and you play as a blade, I'd argue, there's no a better blade. Our staff model blades, if you're all the way on the opposite end of the spectrum. And you're looking for game improvement, you have two clubs, whether it's the[inaudible] or launchpad and uh, to really, truly help your game. And then anywhere in between, uh, to really, um, separate you from the competitive set,

Speaker 2:

Thinking about too, is like your price points are, are, are good. You know what I mean? It's not like it's affordable. It's also a good product. Like sometimes like, you know, sometimes there are people get priced out, right. Because, but it's like, I think with, with what you guys have, it's you have the best of both worlds. You have quality products, but they also had a price point that people can afford. Right. Either depending on where they're at and their, and their golf or, you know, golf life, I guess, or any other sport for that matter.

Speaker 3:

No doubt. Yeah. Makes you wonder what, uh, why other clubs are three, 400 hours more per set. So, um, but no, I, I,

Speaker 2:

I know that, man, I know you guys are crushing down on a sets. I already know. You have to be like, just because like sets are sold out everywhere, you know? Yeah, for sure. And I know a lot of like some YouTubers have been, you know, doing those tests where it's like, Oh, we played, uh, you know, a set of clubs first, you know, the high end and we shot the same, you know, it's just funny because I think people, I think sets get a bad rap or have been a past and now it's like, you know, yeah. It might not be the latest and greatest driver iron or whatever it is, but it's still a good club or, you know, and it's still gonna give you what you need. Right. Like, I don't think people, I think people come to that realization, but it's a better way of saying it.

Speaker 3:

It was great technology out there. And I, I, I would, uh, ask anyone to go out there and get custom fit and realized that you can get a, you can buy yourself better quality contacts, consistency, um, if you're getting fit properly. And I think that's ultimately where we, we stand apart.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. So then what, like, what's coming down the pipe this year, you got new, you have new product coming out for 2021. I'm assuming, right?

Speaker 3:

Yeah. I've got some, some real good stuff coming out. We have, um, we'll have a new replacement for the[inaudible] iron for that game improvement, which, um, you know, if you're looking for speed and overall distance to get a great product coming out there, um, we'll have a new replacement for our V6 iron. That's a widely played on tour. Kevin Streelman people like Patrick Harrington play that, uh, Kevin Tway. So that's a great forged cavity back iron that will be coming out, uh, super excited. And then, um, we'll have a ball that's launching in about a month. Uh, staff, staff model will be a four-piece year thing. Um, and there's some cool stories behind that as well. There's, there's a cold, um, technology will be two different versions that, uh, will be, uh, definitely one of the versions will be a first in the industry and when we're, we're excited about it. So it's a different approach to what people are looking for and in how you optimized consistency and accuracy. So we're, uh, we're excited about that. And, um, so yeah, we w based on everything that we see, what we'll be, uh, we're excited and, and definitely optimistic for, uh, uh, continued accelerated growth in 21.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. You guys are going to crush it next year. I mean, you guys already are, but I mean, like, I don't know. I think you guys make great clubs. And I also think that like, you guys have for years have been thinking outside the box and like, you know, correct trading sets of clubs. And I think as golf is growing, or it has this year is going to continue into next year, even though like, who knows is going to happen is winter or whatever. But I mean, I don't know. I don't see it slowing down. I just don't. I think, you know, especially if we could another surge or a wave or whatever, it might be like, people, at least golf is consistent. You don't, you can do it by yourself. You know what I mean? Like, you don't have to be in a group, but I think like, that's cool that you guys had a, like a lot of new stuff coming out. That's why it's always says something about a brand too, right. When they're not afraid to still launch new products in a crazy market, like now, you know, it's not like, Oh, we're a wait and see what happens. Like now we already have sort of in production that we want to send out because we think it's going to change the game.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, no, no doubt. It's a made sure that you have the right life cycles, but you're also putting out product that, that truly separates it from the prior model. And, um, you know, from, from that standpoint of view, it's, it's, uh, continue to expose people to Wilson golf and the great line of irons and golf balls that we have. So from that standpoint, it's continued to, to give people reasons to, to consider Wilson when they're purchasing golf equipment.

Speaker 2:

So what is your favorite clubs you guys make right now? Like what do you like to use irons? For sure. I mean, are

Speaker 3:

One of the new irons that will be coming out next year is spectacular. I would say one of the, probably the most, uh, under noticed our wedges are staffed model wedges, forge wedges are,

Speaker 2:

Yeah,

Speaker 3:

You got about 15 players on tour that used them in one of those things you wouldn't know, but they are so good. And then the new golf ball is coming out in November. I'm excited for the story to unravel when, uh, the embargo lifts on that. So it's, uh, that's going to be a cool product as well.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. Even like your harmonized level of wedges, right? Like those are phenomenal wedges for like 150 bucks. You know what I mean? If you don't want to. Yeah. Like if you want a decent wedge, like a good wedge. Yeah. It's not like the latest and greatest, like it's not, you know, a$200 wedge, but it's a good wedge. I mean, we've reviewed it two years ago, you know, it's been around for a long time. It's like, and, uh, it's a great wage. I know that for sure. Product lines, product lines. Good. So you always upgrading your equipment since you were for Wilson. They're like, Oh yeah. Why wouldn't I it's like, do I love that?

Speaker 3:

Yeah. I mean, it's like a, it's like, I go, it's like a toy box. I go to an center and change stuff. Oh, heck yeah.

Speaker 2:

You go to innovation centers, walk in and you're like, ah, you can just,

Speaker 3:

I mean, yeah. I'll take that. I'll throw that shaft in there. Put that chapter in there. Try this, try that, try this. Yeah. There's always stuff that you don't like it, take it back. Let someone else said it, give it to someone else that works for the company. It's great. So yeah, they're there. Hey, there's a perk for working for the company,

Speaker 2:

This baseball bat.

Speaker 3:

We get to do some really cool stuff. Yeah.

Speaker 2:

What's so cool too, is like, you know, being in so many different sports that like you to probably get to meet a lot of people, right. Like a lot of different in different sports that play it. Right. Like, I mean, you guys are huge in baseball and you're huge in golf. I mean, I know that, right. So like it's kind of cool. That kind of flexibility, you know,

Speaker 3:

Roger Federer was really cool meeting him. Oh, wow. Yeah. Really good. Yeah. Just a, uh, just a kind gentlemen, um, clearly, or you're the, the, the best tennis player probably I'll just say our generation or ever, but really humble. Well-spoken great guy. Yeah. Great ambassador for the brand. I think one of the things you've taken away for Brandon what's ambassador for the brand, um, just great people. Uh, you meet whether it's Gary Woodland, Kevin Streelman, Brendan Steele, Roger Federer, um, just awesome people. Uh, and I think that says a lot about who we surround ourselves with as, as a company. And it says a lot, uh, again, I know it says a lot about our company, but that's great when you have individuals like that, um, supporting and promoting your brand. And, um, it's, uh, it's pretty cool.

Speaker 2:

I mean, that's the key, right? Like you actually have good ambassadors, right. Or whatever you want to call that they're actually good people that you want to spend time with, you know, or,

Speaker 3:

And it doesn't matter if it's Gary Woodland or a head professional at a Arizona country club, you want to make sure that that individual, uh, shares your, your, your vision and what you want to do for the brand. And, uh, we, we, again, we take that seriously when we do look for, um, people that are promoting the brand. So a hundred percent agree with that.

Speaker 2:

So do you have to go downtown a lot then? I'm assuming because your office is downtown or with COVID, has it been kind of tough

Speaker 3:

Two, but she had, it's been a, yeah. That's all work from home right now. So we've been down there a few times. Um, but, uh, yeah, it's, we'll, uh, we'll see how this all plays out and, um, hopefully I'm hoping to God it does. Yes. Wanting to get back there and get back to some sense of normalcy for all of us. Right.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. So, I mean, I think it's kind of cool to have you guys done also like a co-branded stuff, you know, products with, like, I know you do some with Seamus, right? Like the shaman's brand, is that something you guys do a lot of is like co you know, things that are kind of up in, you know, pretty solid brands that are popular, you know, to do like a, uh, a co-branded product.

Speaker 3:

And I think collaborations, you'll see, you'll see it, some of our team sports and racking, you'll start seeing it a little bit in golf and it has to be right. You know, you don't, you don't want to just it, because it can come across not necessarily what you want for the brand. So there are some things in the works that, uh, that if it works out could be fairly cool, but yeah, you want your, you want your brand to stand on its own all on its own merits, which it does. And then if there is a reason to have a collaboration with, with another entity that could make sense. Um, we could, but again, we, we, we look internally, so we've got some really unique things coming with some of our sister brands. So, and that's for the power that they have, that's more impactful than, than going outside. Quite honestly,

Speaker 2:

Your golf bag right now. Like what Wilson clubs.

Speaker 3:

So I have, uh, the new woods were coming out in January. I got, uh, got driving Fairwood in there, have a staff model utility. And then, uh, the new irons that will be coming out in, in January staff model wedges, and then, uh, Potter that will be coming out in January as well. So[inaudible]

Speaker 2:

Stuff.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, exactly. Again, perks, perks the perks of the job, but no, I mean, it's, I had the V6 that were in our, in our lineup for forever. Uh[inaudible] and long irons stay in the bag. They're gorgeous, you know, they've won multiple awards for third party. I mean, I already talked about, um, the success of the staff model wedges, the infinite line of potters are spectacular. And then, um, you know, we'll, we'll have coming with a staff model golf ball, um, is really, really good, so excited to learn layer. Yeah, we'll get a couple, hopefully we'll, we'll have some exciting news from a tour aspect on that as well. And it's great. I mean, it just, you know, we, we really take the time with our ambassadors and, um, whether it's the input on irons with, with Woodland and steel in the golf ball and Kevin Stroman, who's an Arizona resident and, um, project Carrington, Ryder cup captain, and three-time major champion has been, um, really instrumental when, when we do certain things and whether it's materials and look and feel and why we do certain things and turf interaction, these subtle things make a big difference when, um, when you design a golf club, uh, for the end-user

Speaker 2:

Yeah. I mean, it's, it's a little things, right. Like sure. It is like, that's what differentiates the product, if it's, you know, made to the right person, right. Or is it what they're looking for,

Speaker 3:

For sure. It is, it's not me telling them what to do. I don't know what the hell I just pick it up and it feels good, but there's a reason why it does. Um, there's a lot of people.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. The, the know-how and the, and the development of that product, you know, is, is what kind of differentiates yourself. So for sure. Well, let me ask you one last question then what, I mean, what out of all the new products are coming out as the one that you're most excited about is what the ball you think, just because it's a four layer ball, or would you say it's like the new putter that's kind of cool guys coming on the putter.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. I mean, it's, I look at it. I mean, what drives Wilson are premium irons and premium balls, and, you know, we've got a lot of things. We, we, we we're, we're very smart and we're very strategic on how we're launching products. So, I mean, I'm pumped for the new iron line. That'll continue to be the foundation which Wilson is built on. Um, but you can see we're starting to get some different, different areas, um, prices, the premium price point golf ball. It's, um, it's been something that we've been working on for man three, almost three and a half years in, in, even in, we got some stuff in our driver line. Um, if you've noticed that Gary Woodlands playing, uh, w Wilson lab's driver, Brian steels putting a Wilson lab driver in there, and it's not something we're launching commercially, but it's, um, creating innovative products that the best players in the world will put, put in their bags. We may or may not launch commercially, but we're, we'll, we're using technology that goes into these drivers, um, for what we launch commercially. And, uh, it's exciting. It's so we've got some really cool things on the, uh, on the horizon. Um, some of them might be next fall. Some of them might be 22 and quite honestly, maybe 2023, but, um, some things that we have coming are truly groundbreaking and revolutionary and, and, um, but that's down the road that what we have coming out in 21, uh, from, uh, from our iron star woods to our golf balls, um, uh, beyond excited for what we have and why they're coming out and how they're gonna fit and player's bag. So some really, really,

Speaker 2:

I didn't have the fun part about your job, right? Because like, you get to see these really cool things being built and designed, and, and then, you know, it's like making, you know, how does the end-user, how does it, I guess the audience react right at the end of the day, cause you've already seen it. You're like super stoked for it. Cause he goes, I can't wait. Just comes out. Right. Yeah. And you know, like this is going to be, some of us can be game changing. It could be, you know, a disruptive technology that no one else is thinking about. And it's like, you get to see it before. Right. And then you get to see like, it's almost like it becomes part because you're part of that larger group. It's like, you're a baby too. You know what I mean? It's like, you're seeing actually someone buying the end result, which is really cool.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. No, it's, uh, it's great to be part of it to, to see some of the peek behind the curtain and, uh, the amount of time and effort and what goes into designing a golf club or a golf ball or, or a driver for that matter. So yeah. It's cool to be part of the process. We've got a very talented team, um, from R and D to marketing to for all of our territory managers. So it's a great company to work for, but ultimately it does, it comes down to the performance of the product and, and, um,

Speaker 2:

Probably kind of speaks for itself. Exactly. Right. Like at the end of the day, it's like, it doesn't better than work then no, one's gonna buy it. Right. And if it doesn't, if it works really well, it's awesome. People are gonna look love it. I mean, you guys big, I already know you guys make phenomenal irons. I mean, I've used your irons that use your wedges personally and I've used your balls. Right? Like, I mean, I, I guess I had the sets for my kids. Right. Like, so it's like, if people are looking for a high quality product at a good price point, then Wilson's the list is like right away. Give it a try. Yeah. I mean, you won't be disappointed. Um, well, cool. Well, thanks so much for being on the show today. I really appreciate it. Maybe when it comes to Chicago next time to see my, uh, we can go golfing. Yeah. Consider it done. Yeah. We have a blast. Yeah. Get you out of here. And we'll uh, we'll go to the South side. Uh, I love it. Let's do it. So yeah, I was just in that area in Lamont yesterday. So yeah. Small world with my grandfather. So I love that small world. That's cool. Thank you again. And I hope to have you on the show again, it's a blast. Thanks for having me, man. And, uh, I look forward to working with you guys some more, hopefully this year. So you got it, my friend. All right. Thank you so much. You got a bud.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for listening to another episode of behind the golf bread podcast. You're going to beat me like stay connected on and off the show by visiting golfers authority.com. Don't forget to like subscribe and leave a comment. Golf is always more fun when you're winning, stay out of the beach and see you on the green.