The golf industry was already facing its fair share of struggles before COVID-19 put the entire world on pause. The world is dealing with a coronavirus pandemic, but difficult times often bring out the best in many people. Neighbours help neighbours. Strangers help strangers and companies pitch in to help those in need. If you know of anyone or a business who are helping out in the fight, please share your story or photos by emailing – randy@linksmarketing.ca.
In our first story, lets Tip the Cap to Summit Golf Brands. Summit Golf Brands are distributed in Canada by Jonathan Wong, JW Apparel. Due to different regulations and agencies, the following news does not apply to Canada, but Summit Golf Brands should be saluted for doing the right thing.
Over the last couple of weeks, Summit Golf Brands, along with everyone else, became aware of the nationwide shortage protective masks around the United States and, in particular, the Wisconsin county hospital, fire, and police departments where the SGB Decoration and Fulfillment Facility is located. As a designer and manufacturer of performance apparel, which is essentially what a protective mask is, SGB thought it might be able to help. In a matter of days, Billy Draddy (Creative Director, Summit Golf Brands), coordinated with his Production and Operations Teams to research requirements and develop several prototypes using existing inventory of polos, which SGB will use initially as a source for fabric in the production of the protective masks. Working with the local county Office of Emergency Management in Wisconsin and area hospitals, SGB was able to accelerate approval for the protective masks. The protective masks are being produced by SGB employees in Wisconsin and will go directly to those fighting this virus on the front lines. “Our primary goal as we collectively work through these challenging times is the safety and well-being of our team members and we continue to take every precaution to ensure that outcome above everything else. As we collectively work through these challenging times, we have also adopted a company-wide perspective to look for opportunities when we encounter difficulties – both internally and externally. In the protective mask shortage, we saw an opportunity to use our existing product and design skills to help fight the pandemic and the entire company has rallied behind this effort. I continue to be overwhelmed at the resiliency and resourcefulness of our entire team and even more so by those who are battling this pandemic on the front lines.” – Chad Delp, CEO, Summit Golf Brands “The idea for the first prototype actually came following a suggestion from one of our customers. Sometimes, in times like these, you just have to do the next right thing. This just felt like the next right thing. We’re hopeful that it can help.” – Billy Draddy, Creative Director, Summit Golf Brands
Summit Golf Brands (“SGB”) designs and sources high-end golf apparel and sportswear that is sold at leading country clubs and resorts around the world. SGB currently sells the brands Fairway & Greene, Zero Restriction, B Draddy and EP New York to over 3,000 accounts in more than 25 countries. In Canada Summit Golf Brands is distributed by Jonathan Wong, JW Apparel. Contact 416-716-1690 or visit their web site at www.jwapparelinc.com
