The Loop

What TaylorMade video says about Phil Mickelson

August 05, 2011

Those of us who travel in these circles (and certainly more and more golfers who troll the internet for the latest in equipment gossip and news) are getting used to the image: TaylorMade CEO Mark King bounding up toward a stage, slapping high fives on all sides from staff and clients like company endorsee Hale Irwin reenacting the 1990 U.S. Open at Medinah, leading full-throated exaltations over the latest TaylorMade innovation, and oozing equal parts televangelist and telemarketer (even the most jaundiced observer concedes King, who is a hot ticket at corporate conferences lately and gets a healthy five-figures a speech as a client of the Washington Speakers Bureau, is doing a better Steve Jobs than even Steve Jobs ever did).

Mickelson might not take the job if offered, but he would be an intriguing rival to King. In the end, whoever that new leader might be at Callaway, he or she needs the heartbeat King so proudly talks about and wears openly on his sleeve.

--Mike Stachura