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PGA News

The Professional Golfers’ Association of America

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Tel: 561-624-8400

Fax: 561-624-8448

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jamie Carbone

October 9, 2007 561/624-8446

jcarbone@

GOLF APPAREL PIONEER/INNOVATOR NANCY HALEY

NAMED RECIPIENT OF 2007 PGA ERNIE SABAYRAC AWARD

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Nancy Haley of Golden, Colo., whose more than 20 years as an apparel designer and manufacturer included introducing contemporary sportswear to golf, has been named the recipient of the PGA Ernie Sabayrac Award for lifetime contributions to the golf industry. Haley is the first female to be bestowed with The PGA of America’s premier industry honor.

Haley, 57, a native of Lathrup Village, Mich., leads Tehāma in its 10th year as one of the most prominent lifestyle brands in the country. She will be honored at The PGA of America Awards, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, in conjunction with the 55th PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The program, featuring all 2007 PGA national award winners, will be conducted in the Convention Center’s Linda W. Chapin Auditorium.

“Nancy Haley’s creativity and vision have made for one of the wonderful success stories in our industry,” said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. “Through Nancy’s skill as a designer and her passion for the game, more and more consumers have been attracted to a brand that is held in the highest regard in golf shops nationwide. In the spirit of a pioneer for whom this honor is named, The PGA of America is very proud to present Nancy Haley with the PGA Ernie Sabayrac Award.”

Haley is a 1972 graduate of Michigan State University, who began her career as an interior designer for a Denver architect. At age 22, she began her own business, Stratford House Interiors, designing interiors for model homes for developers in the Denver area. Following her marriage to Tony Haley in 1975, she changed the company name to Haley Interiors.

From 1975 to 1985, she continued in commercial design while raising two sons. She also began playing golf, and in 1985, began designing golf apparel in the evening in a studio in her home. A year later, Haley launched Sun-Daze by Nancy Haley, the first lifestyle sportswear for women golfers. She added a men’s line in 1989 and named it Haley Ltd.

After a successful debut, Haley merged it with the men’s collection and renamed the company Sport-Haley. The company stock was taken public in 1992 and Haley retired in 1996 with annual sales of just over $21 million

The retirement didn’t last long. In April 1997, Haley and actor-legend Clint Eastwood, who was a friend of Tony Haley through golf, agreed to form a partnership for an apparel company.

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Eastwood suggested the company name Tehāma, which was the name of Eastwood’s golf club, Tehāma Golf Club in Carmel Valley, Calif., as well as the name of a tribe that once inhabited the northern California region. Though scholars can’t be sure of the word’s origin, most historians believe Tehāma (“Tuh-HAY-muh”) means “high water” or “low land.” Haley provided her own definition of “abundance of nature.”

With Eastwood’s high-profile influence along with his presence at the 1997 and 1998 PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas, the Tehāma brand rapidly increased in popularity, experiencing $7.5 million in sales the first year, and growing by double digit rates since. In 2004, Tehāma announced licensing agreements with IZOD G brand and the Arnold Palmer brand. With headquarters in Lakewood, Colo., Tehāma has 170 employees and has expanded its presence in 40 Nordstrom stores nationwide and is distributed in Asia, Canada, Mexico, and South America and with plans for a Spring 2009 launch in Europe.

“To be recognized like this by The PGA, it’s unbelievable,” said Haley. “I’m someone who is not afraid to take a chance, and I think back upon the past 20 years I’ve been in the industry, it’s been hard growing two businesses, but the past 10 years have been fabulous. I remember being on the waiting list for the 1987 PGA (Fall) Expo, the first I attended. I convinced the Show manager that I could take any space, so they put me in a corner with a two-foot wide entrance. Presenting at that Show was the launching pad for Sport Haley. I can be a ‘bulldog.’ I believe, ‘there’s no such thing as ‘It can’t be done.’

“I know that it isn’t the clothing that determines whether one plays golf. It’s an emotional purchase that makes the wearer feel good. It’s really the instruction, the focus, the proper equipment and the courses that are essential to the game. I have focused my love for golf through my work and I hope that it brings enjoyment to others as they play this game.”

In 2005, Haley was named by Golf Digest as one of the “The 40 Most Powerful People in Golf,” alongside such names as Jack Nicklaus, Ely Callaway and Arnold Palmer. Additionally, she was ranked within the “Top 5 in Fashion” with the likes of legendary designer Ralph Lauren.

Haley and her husband, Tony, live in Golden, Colo., and are the parents of sons, Curtis, 30, and Kyle, 26.

Inaugurated in 1994, The PGA of America’s Ernie Sabayrac Award for Lifetime Contributions to the Golf Industry was first presented to its namesake, the late Ernie Sabayrac, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. A prominent figure in the origin of the PGA Merchandise Show and a pioneer in the development of the golf shop, Sabayrac revolutionized merchandising among PGA Professionals, introducing golf shoes, soft goods and logoed products in golf shops nationwide.

The Ernie Sabayrac Award was created to reflect The PGA of America’s commitment to golf industry manufacturers and distributors and to recognize the mutually beneficial relationship that has thrived for more than 50 years.

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About The PGA of America

The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

PGA Ernie Sabayrac Award Winners

1994 Ernie Sabayrac*, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

1995. Bob Rickey*, Cincinnati, Ohio

Gary Adams*, Carlsbad, Calif.

1996 Dick Tarlow*, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Karsten Solheim*, Phoenix, Ariz.

1997 Joe Phillips*, Juno Beach, Fla.

Bob MacNally*, Hinsdale, Ill.

1998 Ely Callaway*, Carlsbad, Calif.

1999 Jim Ireland, Jupiter, Fla.

2000 Jim Vincent, Camarillo, Calif.

2001 Jim Butz, Schaumburg, Ill.

2002 David Branon, Greenville, S.C.

2003. Thomas Crow, La Jolla, Calif.

2004. Patrick O’Grady, Cohasset, Mass.

2005. Ed Abrain, Sherman, N.Y.

2006. Ron McPherson, Scottsdale, Ariz.

2007. Nancy Haley, Golden, Colo.

* - deceased

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