Acushnet suing TaylorMade over Villegas

Some in the golf industry thought it odd when TaylorMade announced on Tuesday that Camilo Villegas would sign with them to play their clubs and ball starting in 2011.

Apparently the Acushent Company -- parent of Titleist -- thought it odd, too, and has filed suit in Superior Court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Villegas in search of a preliminary injunction against TaylorMade-adidas and Villegas regarding any future comments pertaining to a potential future relationship between them.

According to Acushnet, Villegas is currently under contract with Acushnet to play the company's Titleist Pro V1 golf ball, and wear FootJoy golf shoes and gloves, and is prominently featured in the advertising and promotion of those products (Villegas is also under contract with Puma/Cobra to play Cobra equipment). The suit claims TaylorMade-adidas intentionally interfered with Villegas' current contract nearly five months before the end of its term. Acushnet is seeking damages in addition to injunctive relief.

-- E. Michael Johnson