Rife being Bought???

[just372]

Anyone have more concrete news?

So I pre-ordered a new Rife Trinidad, and after rife pushing back the ship date from mid April to mid May, and now to mid June, I get an email from the place I pre-ordered from. Here is the relevant portion-

"Rife has pushed back all deliveries of new putters until mid-June. I am disappointed that they have been unable to get the new putters to market as I'm sure you are as well. I learned yesterday that they are transitioning ownership to a new company and a formal announcement will be made soon. From what my rep's are telling me they are very excited about the change and see it as a positive step towards avoiding issues like they are having today"

I thought this was very interesting, and wonder who the new owner will be?
Puma?
Tour Edge?
Cleveland/Srixon?


What are your thoughts?

[cwbrion]

I think PUMA might be the only fit from list. I had been hearing that RIFE was in trouble and would soon be sold. I think your inside email is probably the most up to date info. Cleveland/Srixon already make putters with "groove Technology" and do not have much of the putter market. I think TE is happy with the David Gload line of high end putters and also already have a couple of lower quality lines. So are you gonna stick with your order, now three months in the making, or will you get your money back????

[just372]

Have you seen the trinidad? As a die hard center shaft blade guy, I will wait as long as it takes. I am only regretting not buying one of the prototypes from Rife in Feb, so I could have used it all this time.

[Dizz]

I do know Rife hasn't paid the bills in some time so that's the reason they can't get you a putter. Hopefully this new ownership can help with that- they make a good product.

[SlapShotGolfer]

[quote name='cwbrion' date='12 May 2010 - 10:32 AM' timestamp='1273678360' post='2436988']
I think PUMA might be the only fit from list. I had been hearing that RIFE was in trouble and would soon be sold. I think your inside email is probably the most up to date info. Cleveland/Srixon already make putters with "groove Technology" and do not have much of the putter market. I think TE is happy with the David Gload line of high end putters and also already have a couple of lower quality lines. So are you gonna stick with your order, now three months in the making, or will you get your money back????
[/quote]

My first thought was PUMA as well, not that they have the cobra line and they used to have putters and now don't, it feels like a good fit. If it's true, wouldn't PUMA become a huge competitor compared to where they are now?

[PreppySlapCut]

This would make Puma fairly large in the golf arena.

[rybo]

There was a pretty good rumor/inside information that Nike was buying them about a year ago. Not sure what happen but it got pretty close then fell apart. Maybe it's back on.

[Orlimar1]

Adams would be swell. But that would make too much sense.

[gee2626]

Doesn't Cleveland/Srixon already own the Never Compromise line?? If that were the case, then I think that would eliminate them as a potential suitor.

[TM golf guy]

I don't think it is a golf company that is buying them, but I'm not 100% on that.

[turbo4door]

Whoever it is, I hope they have someone to take over their customer service.

STill waiting on a call back about fitting schedule. I guess this explains the no-call.