Between sales calls and product testing, pro golfer John Daly has recommited himself to the game

[Gxgolfer]

By Tod Leonard

Full Article>>>Here

John Daly, balancing a taco salad and a large cup of Diet Coke on his tray, made his way to a table in the employee cafeteria at the Carlsbad headquarters of TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company.


John Daly (left) has become a familiar face at the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company in Carlsbad, where he shared a laugh with technician Kia Ma after explaining how he wanted his clubs adjusted.
Just as one of the world's most famous professional golfers was about to sit down for a bite last week, a chorus of high-pitched squeals rose from the employees, most of whom were on a lunch-hour break from their jobs on the golf club assembly line.

The commotion wasn't for Daly, though; somebody had just opened up a prized gift during the Secret Santa exchange. The workers were all so wrapped up in their festivities, they barely gave Daly a glance.

And why should they? The guy has been hanging around the offices for a month. By now, Daly is just another workaday subject in the place TaylorMade likes to call “The Kingdom.” Only he doesn't need a photo badge to get into the building.

In the precious time professional golfers have between their 11-monthlong seasons, most want to sit down in an easy chair at home and relax. Daly has parked himself and his $1 million luxury bus in the massive employee parking lot at TaylorMade, back in the hills not far from Legoland.

“My new residence, right here,” Daly said with a grin.


John Daly signed copies of his book outside TaylorMade's Carlsbad headquarters as Paul Loegering, TaylorMade global sports marketing tour representative, looked on.
When Tiger Woods roughs it, he does so on his $20 million, 155-foot yacht named “Privacy.” Daly has the bus, and TaylorMade employees have been knocking on his door just to shoot the bull.

“I'm so used to being on the road with this, when I pull up to my home in Memphis or Arkansas I'll sleep on the bus,” said Daly, who has a white-knuckle fear of flying. “It's crazy, but I'm as comfortable on the bus as I am at home.”

Daly, 40, who signed a multiyear endorsement contract with TaylorMade in February, arrived in North County a month ago to get a jump on testing new clubs and balls for the PGA Tour season that begins next month.

[sync71]

The link isn't working for me. But glad to hear that Daly is really getting a jump on the season.

[martineli69]

Seems like the pro's are starting with their new year resolutions!!! First Ernie's 3 year plan, then rumors of Phil being "fit", DD with 2 more years of PGA tour golf and now JD has a new found love for the game... 2007 should be an interesting year....

 

I hope someone closes the gap between them and Tiger... not that it will happen, but it would be nice...

 

Cheers

 

-Juan

[Gxgolfer]

The link isn't working for me. But glad to hear that Daly is really getting a jump on the season.

 

Link Fixed in first post.

 

“John is awesome ... beyond awesome,” said Michael Mark, president of NYCA, the Encinitas-based marketing firm that is handling the Daly campaign. “His is a persona that transcends the game.”

 

The Fireball balls cost $20 a dozen – inexpensive by today's standards – and will be sold at places such as Wal-Mart and Target. “I want it to be a price people can afford,” Daly said.

 

Ferris said Daly drove himself to a buyers' meeting at Wal-Mart's Bentonville, Ark., headquarters to pitch the ball, and then dined with Wal-Mart's chief financial officer at the Skins Game. When Daly was done, Ferris said, he'd convinced the massive retailer to buy about 40 percent more balls than it had planned.

 

“He told Mark (King), 'I got you another $1.2 million,' ” Cuppett said, laughing. “John loved that.”