Florida: The return of Tiger Woods to competitive golf could be a boon to golf equipment sales if the world number one shows he still has what it takes to win, an industry executive said.
"If he's competitive and he wins, it could be a real stimulus to product sales," Marty Hanaka, CEO of Golfsmith International retailers, told reporters.
"He is an athlete that is second to none in his arena. If he wins I think it's going to inspire lots of people to get back in the game and play better."
Woods said on Tuesday he would return to the course at next month's US Masters after taking a break following revelations of marital infidelities.
Hanaka said broadcasters would see a more immediate impact with the return of Woods.
"On the media side, people are breathing a sigh of relief because ratings really do go up and down without Tiger," he said, noting that equipment sales do not necessarily follow.”
"Equipment sales and TV ratings are not really linked at all," he said. "I think our business is more sensitive to innovative new technology and good weather patterns."
Golf industry revenues dropped about 15 percent last year in the rough economy, with purchases of equipment taking the biggest hit, according to Hanaka, whose 74 US stores had sales of USD 340 million last year.
Woods, however, could boost the fortunes of his equipment sponsors Nike should he hit the ground running at Augusta, Hanaka said.
"The Nike golf product is better than it's ever been," he said. "I think it will be affected by how well he does."
"If you think of the Nike ball, that swish that rolls in the cup on the final hole, that sells a lot of product. I think it will be heavily reliant on his ability to win."
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 10:58