The Loop

Start-up golf company PXG looking to shake up golf business with new spokeswoman

June 11, 2015
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It perhaps comes as no surprise what golfer will be the latest paid endorser for upstart golf company Parsons Xtreme Golf, whose founder Bob Parsons was also the man behind GoDaddy.com.

Parsons announced today that one-time LPGA player, model and recent MBA graduate of the Columbia Business School Anna Rawson, a former "GoDaddy.com Girl," will be a spokesperson for the new equipment brand. (The company provided the above image attached to the press release announcing the signing.)

In a statement, Parsons said, "From tee to green, you've never played like this before. With just one swing you can feel and see that PXG clubs are unlike anything else—and you can bet that our marketing is going to make some noise and shake up the industry too."

Rawson previously was featured in marketing GoDaddy.com in 2009. She then joined race car driver Danica Patrick, professional poker player Vanessa Rousso and original "GoDaddy.com Girl" Candice Michelle, a model and professional wrestler.

Rawson first played the LPGA Tour in 2008, and has also played events on the Ladies European Tour. She made 14 cuts in 46 LPGA events in three seasons with nearly $167,000 in earnings. The company did not provide specific details on Rawson's role with the company.

In a company statement Rawson said, "PXG is reinventing how people think about their golf equipment. The company isn't asking anyone to change the way they play—they're simply inviting golfers to improve their game by expecting more from their clubs. Not only do the clubs increase my distance and accuracy, they are strikingly beautiful. Just what I want in my bag. I couldn't be more thrilled to help build what I believe will be an iconic brand."

Of course, this is not the first time a golf company has signed a player with limited playing opportunities in professional events, or acquired a celebrity endorsement, particularly with an eye toward sex appeal. In recent years, Cobra-Puma Golf's list of endorsers includes Blair O'Neal and Fox Sports broadcaster Holly Sonders. Plenty of other sports stars under the Nike banner have been used to promote golf, including most recently Bo Jackson and Charles Barkley. Justin Timberlake was named creative director by Callaway Golf in 2011, and early in its history, the company used a list of celebrities to endorse its brand including Smokey Robinson, Celine Dion, Tommy Smothers, Mac Davis, Kenny G and Alice Cooper.

PXG's clubs, including a line of irons, metalwoods, wedges and putters, have been played on the PGA Tour by Ryan Moore since the start of the season. Rocco Mediate also has been using the clubs on the Champions Tour. A month ago the company announced it would be making its clubs available in limited quantity through an arrangement with the Cool Clubs chain of custom fitting centers.

The PXG 0311 irons, which feature a muscleback blade-like appearance, are a hollow design that features a high-strength steel face insert. They will retail for $300 per iron, or $2,400 for a set of eight.