Leonard, Byrd, And Sutton Represent Ben Hogan Golf
Young Guns and Veteran Ryder Cup Captain Broaden Appeal
Chicopee, MA, January, 2004

They grew up in different eras of the game of golf, but Hal Sutton, Justin Leonard and Jonathon Byrd share many of the same values, determination and work ethic of Ben Hogan. The trio, who are among a host of tour players representing the BEN HOGAN brand in 2004, will complement the brand's marketing strategy, which is to appeal to a broader range of golfers.

Sutton, a tour veteran and the 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, has had a longstanding association with the BEN HOGAN brand.

"Hal has played an integral role in the product development of the BEN HOGAN APEX TOURT golf ball," stated Lou Tursi, executive vice president of sales, marketing, and customer service. " With Hal's wealth of knowledge, experience, and professionalism, it made sense to extend his current association with the BEN HOGAN brand."

In addition to playing the BEN HOGAN APEX TOUR golf ball, Sutton will continue to play with BEN HOGAN APEX irons, carry a BEN HOGAN bag, and wear a BEN HOGAN hat. In addition, he will wear the BEN HOGAN LEGACY glove.

Leonard, who has played BEN HOGAN irons since he was 10 years old with his first set of "Little Ben's," has represented Ben Hogan Golf since turning professional in 1994, when he played his way onto the PGA Tour without going to Qualifying School. Under the terms of his contract, Leonard will continue playing BEN HOGAN APEX irons, carry the BEN HOGAN bag, and wear a BEN HOGAN hat. Leonard, who ranks 11th on the career money list having earned more than $16 million on the PGA Tour, was also a member of the 1997 and the winning 1999 US Ryder Cup Team.

Byrd, who has earned close to $3 million on tour in just three seasons, will continue playing the BEN HOGAN APEX TOUR golf ball, BEN HOGAN APEX irons, carry a BEN HOGAN bag and wear a BEN HOGAN hat. He will also wear the BEN HOGAN LEGACY glove.

Leonard, Byrd and Sutton will be joined by a host of other tour professionals who will put BEN HOGAN irons into play for the 2004 season. Jim Furyk, Bernhard Langer, Scott McCarron, and J.J. Henry will all play with BEN HOGAN irons, as will Lee Trevino (Champions Tour), Michael Long (Nationwide Tour), and Emanuele Canonica (European Tour).

For 50 years, the BEN HOGAN brand has been inspired by Mr. Hogan's ability to grasp the mechanics of the game and translate them into the finest instruments. The Ben Hogan Company was formed in 1953, with a quest to make golf equipment "as close to perfect as modern tools and technology would allow." Today the team of Ben Hogan craftsmen continues to build Ben Hogan golf equipment one club at a time, ever mindful of Mr. Hogan's vision of perfection for the equipment that bears his signature. Ben Hogan Golf manufactures BEN HOGAN APEX, APEX EDGE PRO, APEX FTX and EDGE CFT* irons, BEN HOGAN special wedges, featuring the new COLONIAL, RIVIERIA and CARNOUSTIE wedges, BEN HOGAN by Bettinardi putters, and the BEN HOGAN APEX TOUR golf ball. To find more information on Ben Hogan Golf call the Consumer Relations Department at 800-772-5346.