(COVINGTON, GA) – Bridgestone Golf – innovator and manufacturer of premium golf balls, clubs and accessories – has appointed Dan Murphy as President and CEO.
Murphy was with Bridgestone Golf USA from 2004 to 2015, most recently as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. During that tenure, he helped the brand increase market share to No. 2 in the ball category, grew domestic revenue by roughly 250% and negotiated title rights to the PGA Tour’s annual World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club (Ohio).
As President and CEO, he is responsible for directing the company’s core business functions, including product planning and production, marketing, sales and customer relations.
“I’ve been with Bridgestone Golf since the beginning and the passion runs deep,” says Murphy. “We make the most technologically-advanced golf balls in the world and my role is to help ensure Bridgestone is recognized as the industry’s leading example of how science and data is used to make products that improve the performance of all golfers.”
Committed to remaining on the forefront of innovation, Bridgestone draws from nearly 1,000 golf ball patents and the leading rubber experts in the world to design the industry’s best golf balls. A major differentiator over all other brands, it leverages the invaluable knowledge of 900-plus polymer engineers in the R&D process. This engineering and manufacturing expertise is combined with real-world data collected from three million golf ball fittings over the past decade. The result is a line-up of models perfectly customized for any player type, from PGA TOUR superstar to beginner.
Under Murphy, Bridgestone will continue to be the industry’s leading voice on the importance of fitting and customization in the golf ball selection process. The company currently offers two easy and comprehensive fitting options, the BFIT Golf Ball Fitting App and a new online fitting tool. Its diverse ball portfolio includes the TOUR B Series, e6 SOFT, e6 SPEED, Extra Soft, Lady and more.
“Dan’s leadership skills, product knowledge, industry connections and assemblage of talent are exemplary,” says Shigeru Nakayama, Senior Officer for Bridgestone Sports and Chairman of Bridgestone Golf. “He’s unafraid to push the envelope to find ways to make golfers better and, therefore, lifetime Bridgestone loyalists.”
Murphy is enthused by a recent NGF report showing growth of America’s $89.1 billion annual golf economy. Citing the 20 million committed golfers who play 95% of all rounds, he points to Bridgestone’s influence making low handicappers even more competitive. Furthermore, Murphy is keen on Bridgestone’s ball and club technology turning the sport’s 2.6 million newcomers into lifetime golfers.
Since 2015, Murphy was President of textile manufacturer Kentwool and Vice President of American Achievement Corporation. Before joining Bridgestone Golf almost 15 years ago, he held key marketing and business development positions at TaylorMade, Dunlop Slazenger, Maxfli and General Mills.
The appointment of Murphy comes at an ideal time for Bridgestone Golf. Rising star Bryson DeChambeau used the Tour B X ball to win the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament two weeks ago and catapult to fourth on the official money list. Additionally, the company’s recent introduction of the TOUR B XS Tiger Woods Edition and the e6 SOFT Lady Edition (pearl white finish and pink Bridgestone logo) have proven widely popular.
Beyond golf balls, Murphy is committed to growing Bridgestone’s share of the golf club market. The same industry leading fitting data that informs R&D for the company’s renowned golf balls is being applied to the creation of revolutionary club designs. Currently, Bridgestone offers a variety of options via its JGR and TOUR B Series clubs, and will unveil new lines in the coming months.
About Bridgestone Golf
Bridgestone Golf USA is based in Covington, GA and manufactures premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under Bridgestone and Precept brands. The company started making golf balls in 1935 and, as the world’s largest tire manufacturer, leverages its 900-plus rubber polymer science engineers worldwide to produce high-performing products. Customer swing and related data, captured through its popular, nationwide ball-fitting program, advises continuous advancement of ball technology. Trusted by amateur golfers and professionals like Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedecker, Bryson DeChambeau and Lexi Thompson, Bridgestone equipment helps improve shots and scores. Bridgestone Golf USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo.
More information: bridgestonegolf.com.
