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Launch Pad
Power of the Bionic hand
News from the
PGAs of Europe’s
Following the success of the Classic Bionic glove in 2008, as distributed in
the UK by GM Golf Brands, the Bionic Pro will become available to retail
Annual Congress
from March 1, and in the process it will establish a new retail price point
for gloves: £24.99.
Developed and made by the American Hillerich & Bradsby Co, which is best
known for giving baseball the iconic Louisville Slugger bat, the Bionic Pro provides
the better player with the same ‘anatomical relief pads’ as the Classic Bionic glove,
Winners on parade in Murcia
but the major advance with the Pro model is the ‘micro-thin, super-premium
cabretta leather’ from which it is made, designed to provide increased feel and Murcia is now firmly established as the PGAs of Europe’s ‘winter
flexibility, yet keeping the durability of the thicker, original model. home’, and thanks to the support of the Calidona group, Roda Golf &
Hillerich & Bradsby brought in leading orthopaedic hand surgeon Dr Jim Kleinert Beach Resort and Glenmuir, the Annual Congress, ITC and Awards
to design the Bionic glove, with the anatomical relief pads setting Dinner proved to be a memorable climax to 2008.
it apart. On the Roda golf course, Ireland won the International Team
“There are a number of features unique to Bionic gloves,” explains Kleinert, Championship for the first time in 10 years. The victorious trio were
“including the anatomical pad system, dorsal motion zones and the concept of Robert Giles, Eamon Brady and John Kelly, who finished on 20-under-
pre-rotated design. The anatomical pad system includes a series of 17 pads on a par, eight shots clear of Scotland, with England a further five strokes
single Bionic glove.” behind in third place.
The anatomical relief pads even out the bumps and dips of the hand to provide
better grip with the club. The improved traction leads to a lighter grip, thereby
helping golfers generate a relaxed and more controlled swing, while also reducing
Gold Medal Award for
hand fatigue. The pre-rotated finger design follows the natural motion of fingers
Sandy Jones
during the swing, while the motion zones are made from breathable and flexible
Lycra to help keep hands cool and dry. Sandy Jones joined a list of illustrious list names when the Murcia Golf
“The Classic Bionic Golf Glove has received wide acceptance in the Federation presented him with a Gold Medal Award for Services to
marketplace,” says Mark Richardson, director of GM Golf Brands, who expects the European Golf. The chairman of the PGAs of Europe, Jones received
Classic model to remain popular with mid to high handicappers. “Golfers the honour in recognition of his support of Spain’s Murcia region, and
everywhere continue to rave about its comfort, fit, performance, and durability. for the sport in the widest sense. Past recipients include Seve
While many golfers tell us they plan to continue playing with the Classic Bionic Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus.
glove, low handicappers asked us to make a thinner version. Bookings so far on
Bionic Pro have been extremely good.”
KPMG forecasts ‘big upturn’
KPMG’s Judit Drimmer (pictured) made a
presentation to the main Congress, in which
she stressed that historically, “after every big
‘down’, there is a big ‘up’”, and that golf can
confidently look forward to a return to more
affluent times on the horizon.
Members of the European Golf & Travel
Media Association (EGTMA) were among the
strong media presence at the main Congress
day at the Hotel Nelva, Murcia.
Ken Schofield joins
re-constituted Board
At the AGM, important changes were made to the Board with the
number of directors reduced from 12 to seven as a means of
streamlining the decision-making process. The board now comprises:
PRODUCT SPEC: BIONIC PRO GLOVE
Sandy Jones (chairman), Donato di Ponziano, Mikael Sorling, Frank
Made from micro-thin super-premium cabretta leather
Kirsten, Ken Schofield, Leif Ohlsson and Carlos Roca.
17 anatomical pads
Pre-rotated finger design
Bob Torrance wins 5-Star
Dynamic Lycra mesh flexion zones
Breathable leather and terry cloth absorb perspiration
Professional Award
SRP: £24.99
Bob Torrance, coach to Padraig Harrington among other Tour stars,
www.bionicglove.com
was one of the four 5-Star Professional Award winners. The others
GM Golf Brands: 0161 483 2000
were Jean-Etienne Lafitte of France, Germany’s Gunter Kessler and
Finland’s Timo Rauhala.
14 SGB GOLF FEBRUARY 2009
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