SAN DIEGO, CA – March 21, 2012 – Graphite Design, maker of some of the most widely played premium shafts on the PGA TOUR, today announced that Mr. Tak Yamada, a member of Graphite Design International’s Board of Directors and the VP of Sales & Marketing, has been appointed to serve as President of Graphite Design International.
According to Mr. Tak Yamada, “Graphite Design is the worldwide leader in composite golf shafts, offering exceptional performance and feel to professional and recreational golfers. It is our mission to provide the best golf shafts in the world with superior quality and service to create and maintain brand loyalty.”
“Our goal is to continue to shape Graphite Design International to be a leader in the United States, just as it has been in Japan for over 20 years,” added Mr. Yamada. “Graphite Design International has a very skilled and experienced management team which gives us the opportunity to ensure that we are aggressively moving our strategy forward, driving long-term growth and fulfilling our core mission to become the leading shaft played on all Tours worldwide.”
Graphite Design was founded in 1989 in Japan where the company quickly became known for designing premium golf shafts. Using the highest quality composite materials solidifies the company’s reputation for manufacturing quality golf shafts. As demand for Graphite Design shafts increased globally, Graphite Design International was founded in San Diego, CA in 1997. Mr. Yamada, has been with Graphite Design for the past 12 years.
Since its introduction, Graphite Design has become the industry leader in shaft technology and the preferred shaft brand for golf professionals worldwide. As one of the world’s largest golf-club shaft manufacturers, the company made its mark manufacturing premium shafts for golf’s major OEMs. Graphite Design Tour AD shafts continue to be preferred by top club makers the world over while the company’s other models including the new G Series are also gaining recognition on tour and becoming popular among golfers.
In 2011, Graphite Design International introduced The G Series wood shaft with X Directional Technology, or XDT. This next generation of premium Graphite Design shafts is designed to be very adaptable to today’s new head technology. The new XDT incorporates the use of the already proven Graphite Design Material Stiffness Integration (MSI) design method as well this new and unique application of graphite fiber alignment throughout the shaft structure. During the development phase of XDT, measurable performance gains were discovered through a more balanced distribution of the graphite fibers within the plies of the shaft design. This proprietary application of XDT has made the new G Series the most balanced, versatile high performance golf shaft available today. In March of 2012, Graphite Design International introduced the G Series hybrid shaft.
The company’s Tour AD logo is featured on all of Graphite Design’s PGA Tour-proven shafts to specifically promote “Tour Accuracy and Distance” and is a moniker that has long been known for high quality and superior performance. This is represented by the company’s success that has been documented by professionals and amateurs alike. Graphite Design is the most dominant shaft on the JGTO Tour and has been for the past eight years.
About Graphite Design
Graphite Design International manufactures the highest quality shafts in the world for Pure Distance and Perfect Accuracy. Graphite Design shafts can be seen in play by the best professional players on the PGA, Nationwide, Champions, Japan, European and LPGA tours. Graphite Design shafts reinforced its dominance on the Japan Tour, where it has claimed 163 consecutive graphite wood shaft brand counts — an unprecedented streak which dates to 2003. On the PGA Tour, Graphite Design shafts have helped professionals earn 80 victories since 2004 and millions of dollars in prize money. A total of 60 US distributors and 16 European and Asian distributors supply Graphite Design shafts to custom club fitters around the world.
Revolutionary technology, design and sourcing the most advanced materials are trademarks in all Graphite Design shafts, making them the highest quality performance shafts on the market. Validating the company’s “AD” logo, all of Graphite Design’s PGA Tour-proven shafts specifically promote “Accuracy and Distance” and these key competitive advantages are helping professional and amateur golfers optimize their games after switching to Graphite Design shafts. For more information about Graphite Design, call 888.707.6132, e-mail info@gdintl.com, or visit www.gdintl.com.
