Callaway Golf Company finally has a new chief executive officer – and it’s a familiar face in the golf industry. Chip Brewer, president and CEO of Adams Golf Co. the past nine-plus years, has been named by Callaway’s board to replace interim president and CEO Tony Thornley.
Brewer’s move to Callaway has been speculated in the industry for the past couple of months. GearEffectGolf.com reported that Brewer was Callaway’s main target this past January at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
New Callaway President Chip Brewer
Adams Golf founder Barney Adams will replace Brewer as that company’s interim CEO.
Thornley, who replaced ousted Callaway CEO George Fellows, had been interim president and CEO since this past June. He will resign from his interim positions on March 5 but will continue to serve on Callaway’s Board of Directors. It is expected that Brewer will be appointed to the Board of Directors once he officially joins the Company.
“After a very thorough search, we believe that we have selected the ideal candidate to lead us through the next chapter at Callaway,” said Ronald S. Beard, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Chip has extensive knowledge of all facets of the golf business, particularly in the sales and marketing area, and has a real passion for the game of golf. Chip also has great relationships with customers and others in the golf industry and he has done a great job turning around and leading Adams Golf. We believe he is the right leader to entrust with our valuable brands and the Board looks forward to working with him to restore profitability and increase shareholder value.”
Brewer has been with Adams Golf since 1998 and has served as its President and Chief Executive Officer since 2002. He gives Callaway Golf a true “golf” presence in the leadership role – one that was lacking during Fellows’ regime. That is, Brewer is what you would term a “golf guy.” Fellows came from the packaged good industry.
Brewer knows the golf industry, has a proven track record and knows how to compete with rivals such as TaylorMade-adidas Golf, the Acushnet Company (Titleist) and Ping. Each of those companies is led by people steeped in the golf industry, and it’s no coincidence they’re among the more successful equipment companies in golf.
“Having been around golf my entire life, I know Callaway and its products very well and I am very excited about joining such an iconic company and being part of its great heritage,” Brewer said. “There is a lot of opportunity ahead for Callaway and I look forward to working with the Board and senior management team to build upon the strength of its brands to restore profitability and increase shareholder value.”
