Fascinating information out of Chicago this morning: Tim Clarke is out as president of Wilson Golf.
Clarke had been with Wilson for greater than 25 years and president since 2007, making him considered one of, if not the longest-tenured, leaders within the golf gear trade.
Neither aspect is offering particulars on the choice. World R&D Director Bob Thurman is taking on as interim golf GM.
Seventeen Years on the Helm
Clarke began with Wilson within the Nineties in gross sales and was elevated to president in 2007. At the moment, Wilson was at its nadir. Dangerous selections, a revolving management door and a shortly evolving golf market had made Wilson an also-ran. When Clarke took over in 2007, Wilson’s market share in irons was roughly one-half of 1 p.c and annual losses bumped into the $15-million vary.
Wilson was in grave hazard of going the best way of different ill-fated legacy OEMs akin to MacGregor, Spalding, Hogan and others. In truth, Wilson’s guardian firm—Amer Sports activities of Finland—was significantly contemplating shutting down the golf division. This was the state of affairs Clarke inherited.
Amongst Clarke’s first strikes was to rebuild the model by refocusing in premium irons. The FG59 blades, together with Padraig Harrington’s three main championships in just a little over a yr, helped re-establish a pulse. Subsequent, Clarke moved to “right-size” Wilson Golf. Gross sales shrunk significantly however that was by design with the intention to re-scale the corporate. Wilson Golf would finally return to profitability. However a return to its former glory, or something near it, wouldn’t occur throughout Clarke’s 17 years on the helm.
Driver vs. Driver
Clarke was a central character in Wilson’s two seasons of Driver vs. Driver. Say what you’ll about this system and the drivers it produced but it surely did generate loads of buzz for Wilson. That buzz, nonetheless, hasn’t led to substantial development.
As we speak Wilson stays on the skin wanting in regardless of the actual fact it has made strong and sometimes excellent gear over the previous decade. Wilson irons have been constant performers in MyGolfSpy’s Most Wished testing. The D7 Cast was 2020’s Most Wished participant’s distance iron whereas the FG Tour V6 solid cavity-backs had been the Most Wished participant’s iron in 2017. Wilson putters and golf balls have additionally carried out nicely in our testing.
Drivers have been a weak spot for Wilson. The brand new Dynapower Carbon did end above common for distance on this yr’s testing. The Titanium model was within the higher tier for forgiveness.
Gear apart, Wilson is like each different OEM exterior of the Large 5 in that it faces an uphill battle for golfers’ consideration. Corporations akin to Callaway and Acushnet may be capable of spend extra money on advertising in a yr than Wilson can in a decade. The Large 5 have the wherewithal to dominate the gear dialog. Smaller OEMs battle to get a phrase in edgewise.
Wilson Going Ahead
Chinese language athletic attire large ANTA Sports activities and billionaire Chip Wilson, the founding father of Lululemon, bought Amer Sports activities – and Wilson – in 2019. On the time of the sale, Clarke instructed MyGolfSpy that new possession recognized golf as a possible development section, significantly in Asia.
We’ve observed efforts towards that finish, with golf gear included in Wilson’s new Chicago and New York shops. Regardless of the emphasis on and, we presume, funding in golf by possession, Wilson nonetheless faces a problem. We’ve mentioned it earlier than: the golf OEM establishment is highly effective and resistant to vary. Main market share good points for challenger manufacturers are nearly not possible, irrespective of how good an organization’s irons, drivers, balls or advertising efforts could also be.
As for Tim Clarke, his efforts to stabilize a ship that in all probability ought to have sunk can’t go unrecognized. Wilson was in dire straits when he took over in 2007. Contemplating the altering golf gear panorama of the time, the corporate stayed afloat and have become worthwhile throughout his tenure. That stands as a formidable achievement for one of many trade’s reputable “good guys.”
*We might earn a fee if you purchase by way of hyperlinks on our website.
