Nicklaus Companies, the proud proprietors of the Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear trademarks, have just announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement with PGA Tour rookie sensation, Neal Shipley.
This deal, which extends through the 2026 PGA TOUR season, solidifies Shipley’s role as the global brand ambassador for Nicklaus Companies, a partnership sure to leave an indelible mark on the golfing world.
Fresh from an illustrious amateur career, Neal Shipley has already made significant waves since turning professional.
His stellar performance at the majors and a recent T6 finish at the ISCO Championship highlight his burgeoning career. Not bad for a lad who only just graduated from Ohio State!
Shipley joins an elite group of golfers, including the legendary Jack Nicklaus, to have won low amateur titles at both the Masters and the U.S. Open in the same year.
With this partnership, Shipley aims to carry forward the proud legacy of the Nicklaus brands.
“Since I first picked up a golf club, it’s been my dream to turn professional and compete on the PGA TOUR,” Shipley shared.
“I am incredibly fortunate to have the support of a partner like Nicklaus Companies at the start of my career, and I look forward to proudly representing and wearing the iconic Golden Bear logo for years to come.”
Earlier this year, as an amateur at both the Masters and the U.S. Open, Shipley sported performance-driven pieces from the Jack Nicklaus Black Label line by Nicklaus Companies and the Jack Nicklaus Blue Label apparel collection by Perry Ellis International.
Philip Cotton, Chief Executive Officer of Nicklaus Companies, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “Neal brings a fresh approach to the game and we believe he reflects the spirit of the Jack Nicklaus brand and apparel collections.
It’s been an exciting six months for Neal on the golf course and it has been a thrill for Nicklaus Companies to be on the ride with him.
We are delighted to now have the opportunity to make the relationship longer-term and are looking forward to working with Neal over the coming years.
We plan to leverage our global network as well as the unique 8AM Golf platform, to help Neal succeed on his professional golf journey as he continues to reflect and help build upon the storied history of our Golden Bear™ and Jack Nicklaus™ apparel brands in professional golf.”
The sentiment was echoed by Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International, who stated, “I am thrilled to welcome Neal Shipley to the Jack Nicklaus Apparel brand family.
His dedication to the sport, background and his already impressive accomplishments make him the perfect ambassador for Jack Nicklaus Apparel.
We look forward to supporting Neal as he continues to make his mark in the world of golf while representing our brand with pride and distinction.”
Perry Ellis, the long-time apparel partner of Nicklaus, has been licensing, designing, manufacturing, and distributing Jack Nicklaus Blue Label and White Label collections through its retail network across the United States for over a decade.
Andy O’Brien, President of Nicklaus Brands, chimed in: “The Golden Bear brand has been recognised worldwide as a symbol of excellence for more than half a century.
Having someone as dynamic and youthful as Neal Shipley represent our Nicklaus brands significantly enhances our reach and visibility and resonates with a new generation of golf fans around the globe.”
Golf fans can look forward to seeing Shipley don the Golden Bear branded apparel on the PGA TOUR, which will be available to consumers at select retailers, golf courses designed by Nicklaus Design worldwide, and online at shop.nicklaus.com, golfapparelshop.com, and fairwayjockey.com.
