FIELDREPORT - duncan lennard


and quiet technical outerwear in offering, for the first time, a full multi-layered ProQuip-outfit. According to Brooks, the rain-resisting knitwear has been selling especially well. ProQuip claim to be the first brand to bring water-repellent wool to the market. Both their 100% merino and 100% lambswool offerings can withstand water for up to 24 hours – presenting the strange sight of water beading up on wool – thanks to the way the yarn is treated during manufacture. Available lined or unlined, they are also machine washable and can be put in the tumble dryer without emerging hobbit- sized.


also been introduced. “Their styling is fairly safe, aimed at general market,” Brooks confirms. “But they have been received very well.” Buoyed by 2013’s expansion, ProQuip head into


Ryder Cup year determined to keep their momentum going. The new year will see overhauls of two of their four main rainsuits – Ultralite and Tourflex – with new styling and an addition of a scorecard pocket on the chest. “The Tourflex will have optional zip-off sleeves at


the elbows because the market seems to be returning to that kind of style,” Brooks informs. “Elsewhere, we will see expansion in our technical wind garments, which have been probably our best success. That fabric technology has been expanded into another couple of designs: there will also be a full zip jacket for the Tourflex, and also a gilet.” Orders are being taken now for the new lines that will officially be available from 1 March 2014. The palette will also be broadened, with the likes of purple and turquoise added.


And there will be some “Probably the fastest moving line here has been


our lined garment, with a zip neck, in lambswool,” Brooks adds. “It’s just a popular style. It’s very practical, and I guess golfers choosing to wear lambswool want to keep warm; so the combination of a water-repellent finish and windproof lining is proving an attractive combination.” Indeed, Brooks believes windproof garments


have taken something of a grip of the market in recent times. “We are seeing a lot more people wearing a technical wind garment as opposed to a sweater,” he insists. It’s a trend ProQuip are increasingly catering for, through pieces like their Ultralite ½ sleeve wind top. With its Teflon-coated outer layer, mesh lining and slimmer fit, the top works best offering that little extra protection in spring and autumn – and exemplifies the brand’s commitment to the layering concept. “We are seeing greater interest in and acceptance


of technical garments,” Brooks continues. “More people are choosing to wear technical garments under shirts and sweaters to maintain body temperature, and we’ve been pleased with the uptake on our breathable, wicking unisex baselayers.” It’s been a similar story with the new-for-2013


performance polo shirt, which sits alongside the brand’s cotton pique polo. A stretch polyester garment with a slim fit, it offers UV protection and moisture wicking. The relatively conservative styling has seen Bright Blue and Fire Red mix with white and black. A striped poly-cotton version has


extra accessories on offer – winter mittens, a waterproof Merino beanie hat and a bucket hat, which will retail for about £30. Underpinning all this new product is a greater commitment to stock availability. “We’ve invested heavily in


having stock available all year round,” says Brooks. “Over the last 18 months we’ve more or less doubled the amount of stock we hold. I would suggest we are the easiest golf company in the industry to order from. Retailers know that if they run out of something they can have an order with them within 48 hours.” ProQuip have also craſted their terms of business


to try to help retailer cash flow. Under their direct debit terms, the retailer automatically gets full settlement discount, with payment not due for 90 days. But despite all their recent launches, ProQuip’s


reputation will inevitably be shaped by what happens at Gleneagles in late September. While nobody wants the bad weather the meteorologists seem to predict, it would at least give the brand’s technology a chance to shine, as it did at Celtic Manor.


And a European win wouldn’t hurt either! www.proquipgolf.com


ProQuip unveil ambassadors at 2014 Ryder Cup venue SGBGOLF 11


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