New Ben Hogan Apex Tour Ball Wins Two Championships
Shady Oaks (TX) Women's Golf Club Joins PGA’s Mattiace in Winner’s Circle
Chicopee, MA, July 3, 2002

Len Mattiace isn't the only golfer winning championships with the new Ben Hogan Apex Tour golf ball. The new four piece ball with a soft energy transfer core, officially introduced last week by Spalding Sports Worldwide, recorded its very first official tournament victory in Texas when the Shady Oaks Country Club Ladies Golf Association took honors at the Fort Worth Country Club Interclub tournament, June 28. Competing among five teams over four days, the Shady Oaks women won by 37 shots over Colonial CC. Other teams competing were Rivercrest CC, Mira Vista CC and Ridglea CC.

Mike Wright, Director of Golf at Shady Oaks Country Club, hand-delivered the Ben Hogan Apex Tour golf balls to the women’s team Friday morning before the final round.

“Our team knew the Ben Hogan ball would be our lucky ball,” said Janet Herald, a member of the Shady Oaks Country Club team. “I remember Mr. Hogan from his days at Shady Oaks and he even helped me with my swing a few times. He was quite the gentleman, and he did everything first class. This ball mirrors his standards. For me, it was soft to hit and had great distance. It stopped right on the greens and they were firm greens.”

In addition to the women of Forth Worth taking honors, Mattiace will be listed as the first PGA player to win a championship with the new BEN HOGAN APEX TOUR golf ball. One day after his victory at the FED EX St. Jude Classic, Mattiace said: "The BEN HOGAN APEX TOUR golf ball gives me the perfect amount of spin around the greens and distance off of the tee than any other ball I have ever played. Some balls on the tour have great spin but can take you out of position after hitting the green. The APEX TOUR has outstanding control."

Spalding Sports Worldwide is the nation’s first full-line sporting goods company. Its leadership and innovative products have led to revolutionary breakthroughs in virtually every major sporting goods category. Under the Spalding umbrella are the STRATA, TOP-FLITE, ETONIC, BEN HOGAN, and DUDLEY brands. To find more information on BEN HOGAN, vist our website at http://www.benhogan.com or call the Consumer Relations Department at 800-SPALDING (772-5346).