GOLF BALL DEBATE PROMISES DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS

Frank Thomas, Jaime Ortiz-Patiño To Offer Opinions at European Golf Trade Show

Chester, NJ; September 27, 2001...Once again, the golf ball is taking center stage in an international discussion that promises to showcase divergent views on an increasingly difficult topic.

Frank Thomas, the former technical director for United States Golf Association, will debate Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, PGA of Europe President, on whether or not development of the golf ball and related technologies should be ceased. Andrew Gorgemans, Secretary General of the World Federation of Sports Goods Industries, will serve as the moderator at this special seminar, being held in Munich on October 8 during the Golf Europe 2001 trade show.

Responsible for establishing today's International equipment standards designed to protect the game, Thomas promises to present a strong case for being cautious before reducing the distance potential of the golf ball. He is also opposed to introducing a different set of rules for professional Tour players.

"Actions of this nature may detrimentally affect 99.9 % of the golfing population, whose skill levels have not compromised the integrity of old golf course designs," Thomas said. "People relate to golf's visible super stars because everyone plays by the same set of rules, he added.

Patiño has called for the governing bodies of golf to be unified in seeking an end to the development of the golf ball. Leading tournament players are claiming that a new technology golf ball can add as much as 20-yards to their length off the tee.

"We must prevent our beautiful old golf courses from being destroyed by the ever-increasing distances created by new technology," he said.

Since leaving the USGA Thomas has been immersed in writing about, consulting to and testing specifications for new golf equipment and technologies on behalf of his company, Frankly Consulting, a golf industry consulting firm with the mission to promote the game of golf and introduce systems which will enhance the enjoyment of the game without compromising its' integrity. He serves as Chief Technical Advisor to Golf Digest, penning a monthly column, as well as contributing to the golfdigest.com "Equipment Extra" on a weekly basis.