Vicarious Golf
Formed by co-directors Andrew Thompson, Brendan Moore and James Dowling, Vicarious Golf is a comparative newcomer to the market with the ambition, ability and plans to deliver a whole host of innovative products that are set to change the face of golf.
Winners in 2007 of the prestigious Shell Live Wire Award, the all Ireland Young Entrepreneur of the Year, the company operates from modern, purpose built offices and warehouse facilities in County Wicklow, Ireland. Vicarious Golf have already shown their potential by winning a first industry award, the ‘Best New Product' accolade at the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show, for the innovative V-towel.
Brendan Moore, Commercial Director, said: "A lot of big brands wait for years to win a global golf award, so to receive one in our first year is testament to the hard work the team have put in and tells us that we are moving in the right direction".
"It has been a whirl-wind past twelve-months designing, developing and launching V-Towel, but we could not be better positioned to penetrate the European golf market," Brendan added.
Award winning V-Towel
The patented technology of V-Towel marries a looped, full detachable, micro-fiber towel with a 270 degree cleaning bristle arc, moulded into one unique product which will keep golf clubs in optimum condition. The combination of the bristle arc and a detachable machine washable, micro-fiber towel which offers four times more absorbency than a traditional cotton towel, for unparalleled on-course club cleaning.
The unique drop-and-lock system makes V-Towel portable and easily attachable and detachable to any stand or cart bag. It is so accessible it can be used after every shot on-course thus improving the quality of the users ball striking by ensuring a clean contact between ball and clubhead.
A 270 degree bristle arc provides optimum club cleaning and has been designed to maximise the removal of dirt from the clubhead in a matter of seconds, leaving the all-important grooves on the clubface clear for maximum spin and distance control.
Available in eight colours to match any golf bag, V-Towel has a RRP £21.95 and provides great margin opportunities for retailers.
Andrew Thompson, Director of Product Development, added: "With V-Towel we could not have gone to any greater lengths to research, understand and develop a product. Our patented technology makes V-Towel the first of its kind in golf and we don't intend to stop there."
Early feedback reinforces what Vicarious Golf has known for sometime, that they have introduced one of the great new products in golf, with initial sales already strong for the lead up to Christmas and the New Year.
Thompson added: "In a cluttered market, retailers are screaming out for new fast-turnover items that fill a need but also capture peoples imagination. V-Towel does just that and also affords the retailer the opportunity to make a decent margin in the process - a true win-win."
Marketing and Endorsements
With ambitious growth strategies, Vicarious Golf has signed up Pure Sports Marketing to assist in all marketing activities.
Moore commented: "We will be working with Darren Phillips and his Pure Sports Marketing team to roll-out our products and brand globally. As well as being well respected within the industry they have a great understanding of golf globally, with an ambition for the brand and product that mirrored our own."
Vicarious are also in the final stages of negotiations to sign some major tour player endorsements, which are set to spearhead their entry into global markets as well as expedite penetration into the UK and Irish markets.
All this is backed up with an aggressive marketing plan to not only drive awareness of the Vicarious Golf brand but also to create demand for V-Towel product and drive sales for retailers.
Attractive retail support packages, including POS stands, will be made available to support sales and to ensure Vicarious products have a prominent position within the retail environment.
Distribution and Opportunities
In the UK and Ireland, Vicarious Golf will be working with Limaco Sports on the distribution of V-Towel as well as other Vicarious Golf products - so all sales enquiries should be directed to Conor Fox and his Limaco Team.
Whilst the brand has a number of overseas distributors in place - there are still a number of regions still available, and with Vicarious Golf once again exhibiting at Golf Europe this year, Hall B5 stand 253/352 as well as attending the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show, they anticipate completing their roster of like-minded distributors soon.
James Dowling, Finance Director, added: "It's vital we have a portfolio of products that deliver physical as well as financial benefits to both customers and consumers alike. With the launch of our first product, V-Towel, we feel we have all those ingredients in place and are looking for a good push up to Christmas and into 2009."
James added: "V-Towel is the first in a series of innovative club cleaning and golf products to be launched, so the best advice I can give is to keep an eye on our website at www.vicariousgolf.com for more details of forthcoming products and launch dates or contact Pure Sports Marketing for information".
Contact Details -
Distributor or Company Contact:
Vicarious Golf, Edward Street, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Tel: +353 59 6451722 Fax: +353 59 6451721
Email: info@vicariousgolf.com
UK and Ireland Sales Contacts
Limaco Sport Ltd, 12a Westpoint Trade Park, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
UK Tel: 0800 321 3297
Ireland Tel: 0818 305 305
Email: info@limaco.ie
http://www.vicariousgolf.com/
