Known by many as “half-man, half-amazing” – Andres Gonzales put on an amazingly complete wire-to-wire performance to capture his first Nationwide Tour win at the Soboba Golf Classic. He finished 8-under par and two strokes ahead of his closest competitor.

“I was nervous today because I knew if I won this one I’d have a pretty good chance of getting back on the PGA TOUR,” he said. Gonzales was a rookie on Tour in 2011 and is very motivated this season to have enough success on the Nationwide Tour to be one of those who punches his ticket for a return trip to the “big show” in 2013.

• Andres picked up a check for $135,000 this week, more than he had made in his previous 24 career starts on Tour ($132,748).
• He became the first wire-to-wire winner on the Nationwide Tour since the 2008 Price Cutter Charity Championship. There have been only four such winners on Tour in the past 10 years.
• He became the fourth first-time winner (in five events) on Tour this year

We caught up with Andres last season as he was experiencing life as a Rookie on the PGA Tour:

She keeps adding to her incredible portfolio. Yani Tseng battled the conditions and weather delays at Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix to capture her second win of 2012 and 34th career victory worldwide. She’s on an unprecedented path of success and continues to pad her #1 World Rankings with every win. We congratulate Yani on another amazing and impressive performance. She truly is … one of a kind.

With this latest win, Yani:

“Crossed the $8 million mark in career earnings. Her LPGA career earnings are now at $8,078,269

Becomes the fastest to reach the $8 million mark in career earnings, taking 4 years, 1 month and 2 days to reach the mark and accomplishing it in 99 events. The previous record had been held by Lorena Ochoa, who reached the $8 million mark in 4 years, 4 months, 16 days. It took Ochoa 115 events to pass the mark.”

See more at  lpga.com – In The Winner’s Circle With Yani Tseng

PLANO, TEXAS, March 19, 2012 – The adidas Group and Adams Golf, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADGF) today announced that the TaylorMade-adidas Golf business segment has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Adams Golf for $10.80 per share in cash. The transaction value is approximately $70 million (approximately € 53 million), which represents a premium of approximately 71% to the share price prior to Adams Golf’s announcement that it was examining strategic alternatives on January 4, 2012.

Through the acquisition of Adams Golf, TaylorMade-adidas Golf reinforces its position as the world’s number one player in golf. The addition of Adams Golf enables TaylorMade-adidas Golf to broaden its product range and to extend its presence across a wider array of golfers.

“This acquisition reflects our commitment to continued growth in the golf category,” said adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer. “The proposed combination of Adams Golf and TaylorMade-adidas Golf brings together two highly complementary sets of brands, combining Adams’ focus on game-improvement as well as senior and women golfers with TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s focus on the younger and the low-to-mid handicap golfer.”

“We are very excited to team up with Adams Golf, whose management team we have respected for many years,” commented Mark King, President and CEO of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. “Our mission is to be the best golf company in the world across all geographies, products and customer demographics, and adding Adams Golf is another important step in achieving that goal.”

“This merger provides strong opportunities for our employees, suppliers and partners,” said Barney Adams, Interim CEO of Adams Golf. “The Adams Golf brand will fit nicely into TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s stable of brands, and together we will be able to increase our reach and better serve our customers by leveraging a wider set of resources. We are also excited that TaylorMade-adidas Golf has decided to maintain Adams Golf’s headquarters in Plano, Texas.”

The Board of Directors of Adams Golf has unanimously approved the transaction. Certain insiders, who include John M. Gregory, Joseph R. Gregory, SJ Strategic Investments LLC, B.H. (Barney) Adams, Russell L. Fleischer, Mark R. Mulvoy and Robert D. Rogers, collectively own approximately 35% of Adams Golf’s outstanding shares and have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transaction. The adidas Group plans to finance the acquisition with cash on hand or through existing credit lines. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals as well as approval by Adams Golf shareholders. The transaction is expected to close mid-2012.

In connection with the transaction, Barclays is acting as financial advisor to the adidas Group, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP is serving as legal counsel. Morgan Stanley is acting as financial advisor to Adams Golf and Haynes & Boone, LLP is serving as legal counsel.

About Adams Golf
Adams Golf designs, assembles, markets and distributes premium quality, technologically innovative golf clubs for all skill levels. Recently launched products include the Speedline Fast 12 drivers, Fast 12 LS drivers and the Speedline Fast 12 fairway woods, along with the Idea a12 OS irons and hybrids, Idea a12 hybrids, Idea Pro a12 irons and hybrids, Idea Tech V3 irons and hybrids, Redline irons, Idea a7 and a7 OS irons and hybrids, and Speedline 9088 UL drivers. Adams Golf also develops new products under the Yes! Putters, Women’s Golf Unlimited, Lady Fairway and Square 2 brands. In 2011, net sales were approximately $97 million (€ 73 million).

About the adidas Group
The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry, offering a broad range of products around the core brands: adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade, Rockport and Reebok-CCM Hockey. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 46,000 employees and generated sales of over € 13 billion in 2011.

About TaylorMade-adidas Golf
Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company sells golf clubs, balls clothing and accessories under the TaylorMade, adidas Golf and Ashworth brands. TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company posted 2011 sales of over € 1.0 billion.

Additional Information About the Transaction
In connection with the proposed transaction, Adams Golf will file a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The definitive proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC will contain important information regarding the merger, including, among other things, the recommendation of Adams Golf’s board of directors with respect to the merger. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT ADAMS GOLF FILES WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. You will be able to obtain the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about Adams Golf and the merger, free of charge, at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement and other filings made by Adams Golf with the SEC can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 East Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074, Attention: Investor Relations.

Participants in the Solicitation
The directors and executive officers of Adams Golf and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Adams Golf’s directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2012 (as it may be amended from time to time) and its Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2011. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. Investors should read the proxy statement carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially. Actual results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the ability to obtain regulatory approvals of the acquisition on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of Adams Golf’s stockholders to approve the acquisition; the risk that the acquisition may not be completed in the time frame expected by the parties or at all; the parties’ ability to satisfy the closing conditions and consummate the transactions; and Adams Golf’s ability to maintain its existing relationships with its employees, customers and suppliers. Additional information regarding factors that may affect future results are described in Adams Golf’s filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made. Neither Adams Golf, Inc. nor TaylorMade-adidas Golf undertakes any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of the press release.

For more information, please contact:
Pamela High
Chief Financial Officer
Adams Golf
(972) 673-9000
InvestorInfo@adamsgolf.com

The early morning shoot started out cold but then the sun came out over the mountains and quickly warmed things up. The three beauties put on a great show for the camera and their gorgeous smiles and golf swings will be seen soon on websites, retail catalog and in-store promotional materials for Adams Golf products very soon.

Thanks to our friends at www.thehackersparadise.com for this thorough review of the Speedline Fast 12 Fairway Wood.

About the technology, specifically, the Velocity Slot Technology …

Ok so let’s dive into the tech that’s in this club. First comes the velocity slot. It’s Adams’ second generation of this technology and they’ve designed it to give you more ball speed and more forgiveness across more of the clubface. It’s also designed to launch the ball higher into the air without affecting spin rate. This is accomplished by providing more flex across the clubface which also increases the sweet spot of the club. What good is a higher launch with too much spin on it right?

About the testing of the club …

The feel of the Speedline Fast 12 is a great blend of ‘crispness with forgiveness.’ The feeling you get on a well struck shot isn’t the traditional ‘nothing’ you typically feel but more of a sharp, crisp feeling. The feeling isn’t as prevalent out on the toe or heel, especially with severe misses, but it’s pretty constant. I didn’t notice a ‘trampoline effect’ from the velocity slot which I was surprised at given the purpose behind it but it was nice to not notice that. The shaft pairs well with the clubhead and it always felt that it loaded for me nicely on every shot I put on it. There was always the right amount of flex to it and the weighting of the shaft added to the ease of hitting this fairway wood.

Read the entire testing review here Speedline Fast 12 Review

The beautiful desert and mountains outside of Tucson worked out to be a perfect setting for our shoot. Both men talked about playing the new Speedline Fast 12 Fairway Wood and the new Speedline Super XTD Fairway Wood. It was a perfect day for what should turn out to be a great commercial.

Flags from across the globe welcome fans to the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

In the fairway ... this is one of our "sets" for the shoot

Robert Karlsson talks about his new Speedline Super XTD Fairway Wood

The camera rolls as Karlsson delivers his lines

Our cameras follow Aaron Baddeley to the #2 fairway

Baddeley, using his Speedline Fast 12 3wood, hits his ball into #2 green.

Well, that didn’t take long. Kenny Perry, one of the newest members of the Adams Golf family, picked up his first win of the 2012 season and his first win since switching to Adams Golf clubs. It wasn’t just another win, it was record-breaking as he broke the Champions Tour’s 36-hole scoring record and tied the tournament’s scoring mark at 20-under par.

“I really wanted that [final] putt,” said Perry, who won his second Champions Tour title. “I really wanted to shoot 20 under. I didn’t want to fall back to 19 like I did at Colonial one year. I had a seven-stroke lead coming in and I doubled and I went from 21 to 19. I said, ‘I ain’t doing that this week.’ So, I was able to get that putt in. Ecstatic. It’s a great win for me.”

What Was In Kenny’s Bag For This Win?

Speedline F11 Driver - 9.5 degree

Idea Super XTD Hybrid – 15 degree

Idea Super XTD Hybrid – 17 degree

Redline Irons – 3 thru PW

Yes! Tracy Putter

And Kenny wasn’t the only Adams staffer making a run on the ACE Group Classic leaderboard. He was joined in a Sunday charge by Bernhard Langer who finished in second place along with  Mike Goodes who finished tied for third. A terrific day on the Champions Tour for Adams Golf – congratulations to all of our players.

Some final round highlights thanks to pgatour.com

After a remarkable year in 2011, is it any surprise that World No. 1 Yani Tseng is off to a fast start in 2012? She successfully defended her title Sunday at the Honda LPGA Thailand by one stroke. This was Yani’s 13th LPGA victory, she also has 10 other professional wins around the globe for a total of 23.

“It’s a good start for me,” Yani said after the tournament. “I finished top-10 last week and won this tournament. We still have another 20-something tournaments out there for us. So just have to keep working hard and doing well and try to win another 12 tournaments too [laughs].”

From lpga.com

13th career LPGA victory; 23rd career victory worldwide

Increased LPGA career earnings to $7,776,083 – passing Betsy King to move into 14th on the LPGA Career Money List

Earned her 21st point toward the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame – needs six more points to qualify and 10 years of LPGA service

13 LPGA wins ties LPGA Founder Betty Jameson, 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Rosie Jones and Liselotte Neumann for 36th on the LPGA All-Time Wins List.

4th win in last 9 starts dating back to Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in September 2011

With her victory, she becomes the first ever back-to-back winner in the history of the Honda LPGA Thailand. Also marks the second time in her career that she’s successfully defended a title – the first coming at the RICOH Women’s British Open (2010 & 2011).

Takes the lead in the Rolex Player of the Year race (33 points) and 2012 LPGA Official Money List with $251,406

Qualifies to represent the Honda LPGA Thailand at the season-ending CME Group Titleholders

Many of the different media outlets converge in Orlando to see the latest products from the different companies. Here’s a sample:

Fairways + Greens: “19 PGA Show Products We Love”

Golfweek: Demo Day ’12 – Video

GolfWRX.com: The Big Winners From The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show

GolfWRX.com: Interview & Pics: Adams Demo Day

GOLF.com: Highlights from 2012 PGA Show in Orlando

golfchannel.com: Win McMurry Warms Up To Adams Hybrids – Video

And here are some different scenes from the big Demo Day event held at Orange County National Golf Club

The day begins with an early morning set up by the Adams Golf crew.

It's the calm before the storm

The Adams Golf truck & trailer are on site

The crowds start to arrive

Lots of activity throughout the day

The Speedline Fast 12 Fairway Woods were a hot topic

Lots of golfers took the Speedline Fast 12 Drivers for a swing

The new Speedline Super XTD Fairway Wood had everyone buzzing with excitement

The Idea Super XTD Hybrids received loads of attention

Lots of excitement around these beauties .. the new Idea Black CB3 Irons

The better players wanted to check out the Idea MB2 Irons

Plenty of hybrids to try ... especially the Idea a12 and a12OS

Looked like a tour event with the bags full of Idea Pro a12 Irons

And of course, we couldn't forget the #1 Hybrids on Tour - Idea Pro a12

Golfers of every ability had something to try

Brittany Lincicome, an LPGA star herself, put on a show for the crowd

The Golf Channel cameras and Win McMurry caught up with our CEO and VP of R&D

Long Hitting rockstar, Jamie Sadlowski, put on a display of power for the crowd

Jamie Sadlowski shows why he's a two-time World Long Drive Champion

World Long Drive Hall of Famer, Bobby Wilson, and Brittany Lincicome entertain the crowd

...and that's a wrap - 'til next year!

In this short video, thanks to GolfingWorld TV, Robert gives a tour through his new bag and talks about his new irons and woods while preparing for the Abu Dhabi Championship.