Cleveland-Srixon link in Europe

Cleveland Classic 1

Cleveland Golf, the leading wedge manufacturer Srixon Sports, one of the top brands of golf balls, have confirmed they are joining forces in Europe. Srixon’s parent company SRI Sports in Japan bought Cleveland Golf last year for over $200 million to become the fourth largest golf company worldwide.

Cleveland Golf and Srixon will now trade together under Srixon Sports Europe (SSE) from October 1, based at Alton in Hampshire.

Both companies claim increasing shares in their respective fields, but Srixon Sports Europe CEO Leslie Hepsworth promises even better products.

“When you a 400-strong California-based company [Cleveland] with Srixon’s digital technology and strong patents in Japan, there will be improvements across both brands in performance, shelf appeal and technical specifications. We are really going to upset some of the major competitors. “This is the biggest opportunity in the golf business since Callaway grew rapidly in the early 1990s,” he says adding that their combined worldwide plan is to achieve a billion-dollar turnover by 2011.

The latest heel-toe-weighted putter from Cleveland

The new company is already planning a Centre of Excellence, featuring a driving range, Trackman system, putting green and short game area at an undisclosed location by the beginning of next year.

"It will ensure golfers play with the right ball for their clubhead speed and handicap and give pros, retailers and their customers the opportunity to be fitted for equipment within both brands.”

The centre, at an undisclosed location, will open on January 1, 2009.

Cleveland golf this week announced a new line of Classic putters with precision-milled faces to provide 'a soft yet solid feel throughout the stroke.'

All three models have heel-toe weighting for more forgiveness and with a hand polished satin finish to minimise glare and improve durability.

Each is priced at £59.