MD Golf started working with Wellington-based Golf Distributors Ltd at the beginning of 2009, and having visited New Zealand in June, MD Golf director Michael Morton is delighted with the early reaction to the brand. "I was amazed to see the progress [Golf Distributors] had made with the brand in such a short period of time," says Morton. "I visited four outlets and the stores had good depth right across our brand, the retailers were delighted with the margin they were returning and [they saw] a real opportunity to grow the brand. The other great benefit for our company is that [New Zealand's] summer is our winter, which helps sales targets in the difficult months from November to January."
MD Golf is also making in-roads into the Australian and Japanese markets, where box sets and the Seve Icon range are proving popular. Adds Morton: "I honestly believe that within two years Japan will be a bigger market for us than the UK!"
