John A. Solheim, Ping Chairman/CEO, was honored today with the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award at the HSBC Golf Business Forum in Shanghai, China.
Solheim was recognized for his contribution to golf and for his achievements, leadership and innovation within the business side of the game. He got his start in the business ethe family’s garage. John A. Solheim aspired to be an architect, but as Ping’s business expanded, he turned his passion to designing golf clubs and helping his legendary father grow the privately-held entity into one of the most influential golf companies in the world.
Ping Golf Chairman John A. Solheim
Ping’s perimeter-weighted putters and Eye2 irons changed the way clubs were designed more than 35 years ago. As chairman and CEO, Solheim leads the company’s strategic direction and oversees the design and development of Ping products. According to Golf Datatech, the Ping G30 driver has been most successful driver – in terms market share and dollar sales – in 2015.
“This prestigious award has been given to the game’s biggest names over the years, so I’m very honored to have the Solheim name next to many of golf’s legends,” Solheim said. “I accept this on behalf of my family and the entire company because achievement is always the result of teamwork. We have a lot of great team leaders at Ping who make my job easier, and together we give PING the reputation it enjoys in the golf world.”
In particular, HSBC saluted the Solheims (Karsten Solheim and his wife, Louise) for creating the Solheim Cup in 1990, and for John Solheim’s role in elevating it to global success and creating the Ping Junior Solheim Cup in 2002.
“My parents provided me so many wonderful examples of leadership through the years, and creating the Solheim Cup has left a tremendous legacy,” Solheim said. “They were committed to growing women’s golf and inspiring girls to take up the game. Along with my family and everyone at Ping, we continue to hold that event near and dear to our hearts because it’s the right thing to do and we truly enjoy being ambassadors for the game we love.”
