AHEAD RANKED #1 BY GOLFWEEK FOR HYBRID APPAREL

New Bedford, MA, December 11, 2006 .  .  .  .    AHEAD a leader in branded headwear and golf apparel is ranked the #1 choice for hybrid golf apparel in the current issue of GOLFWEEK Magazine. Golfers are well acquainted with the term hybrid in regards to golf clubs, but it’s a relatively new concept in the headwear & apparel side of the industry.  Hybrid golf apparel uses synthetic fabrics and blends them with natural fabrics like cotton, giving golfers hi-tech benefits of moisture wicking performance plus the benefits of natural fibers such as the comfort, care and feel of cotton.

The Golfweek Magazine panel of experts tested approximately two dozen shirts across three different categories: classic, hybrid and tech.  The shirts were ranked on a 100 point scale based on the following criteria: styling, fit, comfort, luxury, tech fabric, “cool” factor, hand (fabric finish), crossover appeal, and value.  AHEAD’s EX05  Pima Mesh Back Color Block Polo finished on top of the list with a score of 96.

“Among the 21 shirts tested, this is the most comfortable one to play golf in,” commented said Auke Hempenius, Golfweek’s fashion savant who oversaw the testing and ranking.  “Talk about comfort!  The Ahead hybridwear is a great blend of natural and synthetic fibers, beautifully cut with generous raglan sleeves and great colors.”

This accolade comes just two weeks after the magazine ranked Retief Goosen, AHEAD’s apparel and headwear endorsee, as the 4^th best dressed on the PGA TOUR.  “The understated Retief Goosen is a classic dresser,” noted Hempenius. “The unusual colors of his Ahead raglan-sleeve shirts are the wave of the future.  The sienna orange and apple green are outstanding. He doesn’t draw a lot of attention to his clothes.  Why?  Because they fit perfectly!”

“The hybrid concept has long been a part of AHEAD’s history” explained Bill Godden, Director of Apparel.  “When we introduced apparel in 2001, we realized that there was a niche opportunity to be had and subsequently we’ve earned the reputation for offering “fashion basic” apparel.  The term “fashion-basic” is actually a hybrid of two concepts; “fashion” that everyone knows goes in and out of style and “basics” that are always in style.  Our fashion-basic apparel gives retailers a much longer shelf life because golfers appreciate the blend of contemporary and classic design.”

The 2007 Men’s Spring Apparel collection features a selection of AHEAD® HYBRIDWEAR apparel and headwear. For more information and to view the new spring line go to www.aheadweb.com.