WEAR THE BEAR: JACK NICKLAUS DRESSES GOLFER NEAL SHIPLEY

Nicklaus Companies, owners of the Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear trademarks, is pleased to announce that Neal Shipley, who recently turned professional after a stellar amateur golfing career, has been named a global brand ambassador.

In seven PGA Tour starts this year, Shipley has recorded two top-25s highlighted by a T6 at the ISCO Championship. This weekend he competed in the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities and made another weekend cut to finish at T37.

Last month, Shipley, the 23-year-old Ohio State alumnus, joined Nicklaus Companies’ founder and fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus as one of only a handful of golfers in history to win low amateur titles at both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year. Shipley hopes to continue the proud legacy represented by the Nicklaus brands.

“Since I first picked up a golf club, it’s been my dream to turn professional and compete on the PGA TOUR,” Shipley said. “I am incredibly fortunate to have the support of a partner like Nicklaus Companies at the start of my career. I look forward to proudly representing and wearing the iconic Golden Bear logo for years to come.”

As an amateur at both the Masters and U.S. Open earlier this year, Shipley wore performance-driven pieces from the Jack Nicklaus Black Label line and the Jack Nicklaus Blue Label apparel collection developed by Perry Ellis International.

“Neal brings a fresh approach to the game and we believe he reflects the spirit of the Jack Nicklaus brand and apparel collections,” said Philip Cotton, Chief Executive Officer of Nicklaus Companies. “It’s been an exciting six months for Neal on the golf course and it has been a thrill for Nicklaus Companies to be on the ride with him. We are delighted to now have the opportunity to make the relationship longer term and are looking forward to working with Neal over the coming years. We plan to leverage our global network as well as the unique 8AM Golf platform, to help Neal succeed on his professional golf journey as he continues to reflect and help build upon the storied history of our Golden Bear and Jack Nicklaus apparel brands in professional golf.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Neal Shipley to the Jack Nicklaus Apparel brand family,” said Brad Holder, Senior Vice President of Perry Ellis International. “His dedication to the sport, background, and his already impressive accomplishments make him the perfect ambassador for Jack Nicklaus Apparel. We look forward to supporting Neal as he continues to make his mark in the world of golf while representing our brand with pride and distinction.”

Perry Ellis, the Nicklaus apparel partner for over a decade, licenses, designs, manufactures, and distributes Jack Nicklaus Blue Label and White Label collections through its retailers across the United States.

Andy O’Brien, President of Nicklaus Brands, added: “The Golden Bear brand has been recognized worldwide as a symbol of excellence for more than half a century. Having someone as dynamic and youthful as Neal Shipley represent our Nicklaus brands significantly enhances our reach and visibility and resonates with a new generation of golf fans around the globe.”

The Golden Bear branded apparel that Shipley will wear on the PGA TOUR will be available at select retailers and at Nicklaus Design golf courses. It will also be featured on Nicklaus Companies’ e-commerce sites shop.nicklaus.com, golfapparelshop.com, and fairwayjockey.com.