FORGING FAREWELL

Wilson Golf announced it has closed its forging unit at the Wilson golf club manufacturing plant in Tennessee. The decision to get out of the forging business is purely based on economics, according to the Company's management. The small contribution by forged clubs (estimated to be three to four percent) of overall sales isn't worth the maintenance. The decision to drop forged clubs also keeps Wilson's Fat Shaft irons (cast) message clean and resolves any confusion the trade and consumers might have as to what the company wants to be.

That message now is clear: Wilson Golf is a manufacturer of game improvement products with a technological story (Fat Shaft). Wilson expects to have enough of its forged Staff RM irons and wedges to last through 2000, but don't be surprised if they're gobbled up quickly, especially since hard-core Wilson playersknow they're the last of a breed designed by master club maker Bob Mandrella. However, Mandrella, won't be idle. Look for him to design an iron featuring soft carbon steel for Wilson that could be on the market in 12 to 18 months. Wilson's direction is clear cut towards it business strategy but it remains to be seen if this announcement will have an effect on its Tour staff in the future?