across canada - Jonathan Wong Apparel Inc. distributes vibrant

JW APPAREL
CONTINUES
TO EXPAND
W
GALVIN GREEN EXPANDS ITS REACH
ACROSS CANADA
G
alvin Green is the number-one selling
outerwear brand in the UK and it’s
steadily gaining popularity across
Canada. e trendy yet functional apparel line is
now available in excess of 200 golf shops, including 2013 newcomers from Richmond CC in B.C.,
Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta, St. Charles CC in
Manitoba, Credit Valley G&CC in Ontario,
Mount Bruno CC in Quebec and Fox Harb’r and
Cabot Links in Nova Scotia, to drop a few names.
Here’s a taste of what we’re hearing from some
of the golf shops that have added Galvin Green:
St. Charles CC Head Professional Cory Kartush kept a close eye on Galvin Green for several
years before deciding to bring it into the shop
this year. “Every member who has been into the
golf shop this spring and tried on Galvin Green
rain pants has purchased them,” Kartush said.
e Winnipeg pro said he likes the layering concept for the clothing, the clean, fitted look and a
colour range that is “energetic” but not off the
charts. “e quality of Galvin Green apparel, in
my mind, is unmatched. It’s some of the highest
quality product in the golf industry—period.”
“Introducing Galvin Green allows me to now
sell outerwear in the good, better and now best
categories,” says Adam Cherry, Director of Golf
at Credit Valley G&CC. “I had a member in last
week and started to explain the differences and
he went straight to the best when I explained him
the product.” Cherry says he’s had terrific support
from Galvin Green Ontario sales rep Brian
Simpson in providing detailed product knowledge that allows his staff to educate members
about how easy it is to wash and wear Galvin
Green outerwear and that washing is actually
beneficial for GORE-TEX products among other
features.
“We decided to carry Galvin Green for two
main reasons: I love the brilliant colours, and
the quality of product (and fit) are priceless,”
says Allie Barclay, Director of Retail Operations
at Cabot Links in Cape Breton. “Links golf
played along the ocean coast is synonymous
with wind! Investing in some great windproof
rainwear seems like a sensible investment, and
I haven’t seen anyone who doesn’t look good in
JW
Swedish blue.”
elcome to the JW Apparel
newsletter for spring 2013. We
experienced a solid year in
2012 for all brands that we distribute from
coast to coast in Canada. We’re looking forward to continued growth
this year and building
upon the partnerships
that make our businesses
profitable for everyone.
JW Apparel Inc. continues to evolve and we
are currently carrying
four successful brands
including Galvin Green apparel, G/FORE golf
gloves and shoes, the LINKSOUL men’s
clothing line and our newest addition, Original Jones golf bags, out of Portland, Oregon.
Earlier this year, Galvin Green signed
Canadian Rebecca Lee-Bentham as a player
ambassador and Galvin Green Canada
reached a long-term commitment to become
a sponsor of the PGA of Canada.
ere’s lots of information in the newsletter, including interviews with Rebecca,
LINKSOUL Chief Creative Officer John Ashworth, a Quick Nine with G/FORE founder
Mossimo Giannulli and some comments
from Mike Weir, who is wearing both
LINKSOUL and Galvin Green on the PGA
Tour this year.
Please stay in touch and let us know if
there’s anything we can do to help you grow
your business.
Sincerely, Jonathan Wong
Apparel Inc.
President, Jonathan Wong
reen.com
ing
alv
416-716-1690 | canada@g
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2013
GALVIN GREEN BEST
AUTUMN/WINTER COLLECTION
SELLERS FOR 2013
Galvin Green’s 2013 Autumn/Winter collection has been specially designed for the demanding weather conditions serious golfers
encounter throughout the changing seasons—
the perfect fit for golf in Canada.
Here’s a look at a few of the featured items
for the fall as we head into winter:
Developed for use in tough cold-season
climates is the new waterproof GORE-TEX
full-zip ACE rain jacket, which features a
sleek, fresh design with many practical details including concealed, integrated pockets
in the front and an adjustable bottom edge
for best fit.
In the WINDSTOPPER category, Galvin
Green introduces BARTON, a new half-zip
jacket in a slightly thicker material for extra
warmth.
DAWSON is a new full-zip intermediate layer INSULA jacket featuring a threecoloured design. is technological garment
ensures comfort and warmth, while its excellent breathability keeps the body dry by
allowing excess heat and perspiration to
pass through.
EAST is an awesome new base layer
concept in the SKINTIGHT ermal Series
specially developed for playing in cold
weather. e combination of advanced
stitching technology and high-technology
fibre gives the garment a light, airy structure
that retains a lot of warmth and feels great as
it hugs the body.
BEA is a new single-coloured full zip
body warmer for ladies in WINDSTOPPER
material with warm Primalo padding on the
inside. It is a fresh, feminine model with an
adjustable bottom edge and decorative zips.
An interesting new product is Galvin
Green’s innovative INSULA Wrist Warmer. DENNIS keeps the wrists loose, bringing increased warmth and comfort to the
whole hand. is is an extremely smart accessory that helps the player retain movability and sense of grip in the cold.
GORE-TEX
Men: Acton
Women: Alison
ACE
WINDSTOPPER
Men: Burns
Women: Beyonce
BARTON
PANTS
Men: Ned
Women: Naomi
DAWSON
SHIRT
Men: Merwin
Women: Marissa
EAST
ACCESSORY
Skintight
Men & Women
DENNIS
02 |
JONATHAN WONG APPAREL
INSULA
Men: Dave
Women: Dinah
REBECCA LEE-BENTHAM
STYLIN’ IN GALVIN GREEN
Galvin Green Canada kicked off 2013 by signing second-year LPGA Tour player and former Team Canada
member Rebecca Lee-Bentham as an international brand ambassador. We caught up with the Toronto
resident during the rain-delayed Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic and here is what she had to say.
JW: How does year two on the LPGA Tour compare to
your rookie season?
RLB: I feel more prepared and aware of what to expect. I know the courses better and feel a lot more
comfortable with the girls on Tour.
JW: What have you learned about your golf game so
far this year?
RLB: It’s a constant process. JW: What music is on your iPod right now?
RLB: Most recently I’ve been listening to a mix of
David Crowder Band, Michael Bublé, Lupe Fiasco,
One Republic, Ed Sheeran and Judith Hill. JW: Did your Galvin Green outerwear come in handy
for the rain-shortened Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA
Classic, or at other events?
RLB: I feel like the LPGA has gotten rain almost
everywhere we’ve played, so yes, the gear has come
in handy on more than several occasions. JW: Which is your favourite event to date? Why?
RLB: e CN Canadian Women’s Open, because they
always run an amazing event and I love feeling the
support from my home country.
JW: Who do you look up to as mentors on the Tour?
RLB: Chella Choi is like my big sister on Tour. JW: Do you hang out much with the other Canadians on
the LPGA Tour? Who?
RLB: We don’t get a lot of time to “hang out,” but all of
us former Team Canada members get along well. JW: Where do you play when you’re home in Toronto?
RLB: Before turning pro, I had a ClubLink membership
since I was 13. So I played mostly out of the ClubLink
courses in the GTA.
JW: Aside from the golf—What is the coolest thing you
have done while being out on Tour this year?
RLB: Staying at the Altantis Resort during the PureSilk
Bahamas LPGA Classic. As a result of the massive flooding on the course we had time to do a lot of fun things
at the resort.
JW: What is your favourite golf course in Ontario to play,
and why?
RLB: Ontario has so many nice courses, so it’s hard to
say, but I really enjoyed playing Magna GC and Hamilton G&CC. JW: What do you enjoy most about wearing Galvin
Green?
RLB: Galvin Green has the most protective and comfortable rain gear.
SCOREGOLF AWARDS
Galvin Green received a terrific shout-out from SCOREGolf Canada as writer Rick Young selected Galvin Green
as the Outerwear Brand of the Year for 2012 as part of the 11th annual Younger Awards. Rick’s take: “e combination of GORE-TEX and WINDSTOPPER fabrication platforms already puts Galvin Green in a unique position in the marketplace based on performance and
functionality. But the Swedish company never forgets its fashion sensibilities. Striking a balance between great colours, patterns, detailing and fit, breathability,
moisture wicking and, of course, rain and wind resistance, Galvin Green takes the award in a category almost as tough to choose a winner as apparel.” Other
nominees included Zero Restriction, Sunice, FootJoy, Sun Mountain, adidas, Nike Golf, ProQuip USA and Sunderland of Scotland.
JONATHAN WONG APPAREL
| 03
IN GALVIN GREEN
PHOTO: PHILIPPE CASGRAIN
WEIR LOOKING GOOD
Four years ago, Jonathan Wong
provided Mike Weir with his first
Galvin Green outerwear as he headed
to the 2010 Open Championship on
the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. Weir still has the half-sleeve
jacket and wore it most recently during the grand opening Weir Golf Design’s new Blue Course at Laval-surle-Lac near Montreal. Weir is also
wearing Galvin Green pants and trying out the SKINTIGHT base layer that
is perfect for cooler days.
PGA OF CANADA PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED
e PGA of Canada and Galvin Green Canada announced a long-term partnership at the start of 2013
that established Galvin Green as a main sponsor of the Association’s National Education Program, as well as
being a supporter of the PGA’s PRO:Files magazine and the PGA of Canada website. PGA of Canada members
have also had an opportunity to purchase specialized PGA of Canada Pro Packs featuring branded Galvin
Green shirts, sweaters and outerwear through the PGA of Canada website.
“Nearly 40 PGA of Canada members have purchased Galvin Green apparel through the Pro Pack Program
this spring and we’ll be introducing a fall Pro Pack shortly,” says Galvin Green President Jonathan Wong. “We
have had tremendous support from golf professionals across the country and we look forward to working
with them in the future as we continue to grow the Galvin Green brand in Canada.”
Galvin Green is also the official sponsor to the PGA of Sweden, an official supplier to the PGA of Germany
and PGA of Denmark and official licensee for the 2014 Ryder Cup Europe.
GALVIN GREEN SUPPORTS GJAC AWARDS
Galvin Green Canada is once again pleased to be an official
sponsor of the fih annual Golf Journalists Association of Canada
Writing and Photography Awards. Galvin Green will be outfitting
selected award winners in the writing and photography categories
with outerwear from the 2013 Autumn/Winter Collection. Winners will be announced at the GJAC annual banquet on Monday, July 22 at Burlington Golf and Country Club.
04 |
JONATHAN WONG APPAREL
LINKSOUL COMES TO CANADA
John Ashworth and Mike Weir
More a philosophy than a brand, the mission of LINKSOUL
is to reconnect golfers with the art and soul of the game. Craed
by legendary apparel designer John Ashworth—founder of the
Ashworth and Fidra brands—LINKSOUL represents the evolution of his fashion sensibilities for a golfer’s way of life.
Now available across Canada through distributor Jonathan
Wong Apparel, e LINKSOUL John Ashworth & Co. collection
is marked by a return to luxurious, lightweight cotton. Remarkably easy to care for and incredibly comfortable, the garments
provide true and natural performance and are an ideal alternative to 100 percent polyester clothing.
“I love the creative part of the business and trying to create
distinctive designs that people like,” says the laid back Ashworth,
who resides in Oceanside, California. “LINKSOUL is way more
than a golf brand; it just happens that it’s wearable for golf. It’s
not a golf uniform; it’s a casual cotton California look that is stylish on and off the golf course.”
LINKSOUL is worn on the PGA Tour by John Merrick, Lucas
Glover, Mike Weir and Champions Tour stars Michael Allen and
Rocco Mediate, but Ashworth doesn’t pay the players; it’s their
love for the garments that keeps them in LINKSOUL.
e line includes luxurious innoso cotton-collared golf
shirts in so colours, artsy T-shirts, cool shorts including board
shorts, sweaters, pullovers, as well as golf bags. Ashworth says
he has no desire to create a large company, rather he’s focusing
on being really good at what they do. e LINKSOUL collection
is continually evolving, with new product coming to market
every two to three months to keep up with the demand from
Sunbelt markets like Florida, Arizona and California.
For more information visit: www.linksoul.com
John Merrick
WEIR CONNECTS
Last fall, Mike Weir was in
Carlsbad, California visiting the
TaylorMade testing facility for
some product testing, when he
crossed paths with John Ashworth in a nearby Starbucks. “We got chatting,” Weir
says, “and John told me about his line and invited me to swing by the shop, so I
went to the LINKSOUL Lab and hung out there for a couple of hours and really
liked the idea and vision that he has. I have always liked a cotton shirt for myself.
I just like the way it fits me. en we were in Hawaii in January and played nine
holes together and that’s how we struck the relationship,” says Weir, who has
been wearing LINKSOUL while playing on the PGA Tour this year. “In my mind
I was looking for a shirt that fit me and my personality. I feel very comfortable
wearing it. On the golf course, I’m kind of an intense guy, but off the golf course
I’m very laid back, so it’s a perfect fit for my personality.”
WITH LINKSOUL
JONATHAN WONG APPAREL
| 05
G/FORE EXPERIENCING STRONG
GROWTH IN CANADA
Now available in more than 50 golf shops across Canada, G/FORE golf
gloves have quickly become a fashion statement for Canadian golfers who
enjoy stylish, eye-catching premium golf gloves.
“Vibrant colours are now in and Canadian golfers are enjoying matching
their gloves with their golf apparel and outerwear,” says Jonathan Wong, who
is into his second year distributing the gloves in Canada. “I believe they have
a bright future as we continue to increase brand awareness across Canada and
we’ll introduce golf shoes in the fall.”
e gloves and now the new Gallivanter shoe line that will be launched in
the fall have been fueled by California founder-designer Mossimo Giannulli.
“I come from a fashion and business background, but golf ’s a true passion
for me. I love the game because it’s a family sport, a social opportunity, a business tool and a personal challenge in one. G/FORE gloves weren’t designed
in a cubicle and tested in a factory; they were born out of a desire to express
myself while playing, and to help inject a little more fun and flair back into
the game,” he says.
Giannulli’s vision is that G/FORE can help golf once again move forward—
always with a healthy respect for the past—back into a new, more vibrant era.
For 2013, the glove collection expands the line to 18 colours, including exciting additions such as acqua, blossom, poppy, lavender and sand. “ey all
look great—and I know first-hand that they perform on the course,” he says.
GRETZKY HANDS
IT TO G/FORE
e Great One, Wayne
Gretzky is a big fan of
G/FORE and plays annually
in the Web.com Tour BMW
Charity Pro-Am. “I don’t
know my golf but I know my
gloves! I’m sorta old-school.
When I grew up, everybody
had a white glove. And now
G/FORE’s come out with all
these colours, but the thing
that’s so intriguing about the
gloves is not only do they
look cool in the different
colours, but they truly are
better wearing and better fitting gloves. ey’re very so
and very durable.”
06 |
JONATHAN WONG APPAREL
A quick nine with G/FORE founder Mossimo Giannulli
1. What is your favourite colour and why? Depends on the day. Colour
is one of the greatest accessories used to reflect your mood.
2. What has been the response to the design your own custom G/FORE
glove? e world has embraced customization. is has been big
for us and allows the consumer to have fun with colour.
3. If you could play a round of golf with three other living golfers who
would you pick? Why? Butch Harmon, Sean Foley and Hank
Haney. Watch them duke it out!
4. Why did you decide to introduce a shoe line for 2013. When can we
expect to see the shoes in golf shops? Shoes are a natural progression
and an arena where change is needed. ere hasn’t been a cool
fashion shoe that embodies all the new technology until now. Look
for them to be in stores in September. 5. What type of car do you drive and what colour is it? I am a car guy
and happen to have a few...but always black!!
6. Who are some of the famous people who wear G/FORE gloves?
Wayne and Janet Gretzky, Anthony Anderson, George Lopez,
Michael Phelps, Nathan Followill, Chris O’Donnell, Jerry Ferrara,
Josh Duhamel, Smokey Robinson, Tim Allen, Will Ferrell, Wilmer
Valderrama, Ryan Sheckler, Bill Murray, Oliver Hudson, Anna
Rawson, Win McMurry, Tim Rosaforte and George Strait.
7. What is the most popular colour for a G/FORE glove this year for
men and women? Acqua and Blossom.
8. What colour/make is your driver? Matte Black/Ping. I can’t go
against Karsten.
9. What is your favourite hockey team? Hockey... what’s that?
THE SINGLE STRAP ORIGINAL JONES GOLF BAG
RETURNS TO CANADA
“Throughout the 1970s and 1980s this bag was
the standard that everyone who walked a golf
course looked up to and wanted over their
shoulder, so to see something so simple making
a comeback is very exciting.” Jonathan Wong
Following on the successful launch of the Single Strap Original Jones Golf Bag earlier
this year across Canada is the brand new Original Jones Stand Bag. Initially, the new
stand bag was planned for a 2014 release date, but due to popular demand across North
America, the Original Jones Stand Bag will be available in Canada starting in late June.
“We have already had incredible support and interest from our Canadian customers and we’re looking forward to building upon those relationships and telling our
story,” says Chris Carnahan, Business Director at Jones Sports Co.
e Original Jones Stand Bag will be available in four colour options: black/gray,
red/black, gray/white and navy/white. Features include the Jones single strap, ambidextrous carry, signature twisted handle, signature two-zippered ball pouch, signature furtop club divider, two full-length outerwear pockets, clear owner ID sleeve, exterior
umbrella sleeve, updated stand mechanism and easy customization.
Jonathan Wong Apparel Inc. signed on with Jones Sports Co. of Portland, Oregon
earlier this year as the Canadian distributor for the most successful and iconic carry
bag in the history of golf. e Original Jones Golf bag collection includes the Original
Jones Bag Single Strap bag, the Players Series bag, the Jones Rider, the Original Jones
Stand Bag and an Original Jones Junior Bag.
Jones sport also created a couple of limited edition bags for 2013, including one for
the Masters and a second to commemorate the U.S. Open. “For 2014 we’re going to be
looking at a couple of Canadian-exclusive bags,” Carnahan says. “We want to be a brand
that gives our customers something that is their own, so we will come up with something that is uniquely Canadian.”
For more information, check out www.jonesgolfbags.com, follow them on
twitter at @JonesSportsCo or at www.facebook.com/JonesSportsCo.
SCOREGOLF AWARDS
e Original Jones Bag received high praise from SCOREGolf Canada, as writer Rick Young selected the new bag as the Golf Bag
of the Year for 2012 as part of the 11th annual Younger Awards. Rick’s take: Despite the swirl of legal haggling surrounding its return
to the golf market, the simplicity of the iconic Jones Bag was too tough to ignore amid a full slate of outstanding bag products this
season. For those who love to walk the golf course the Jones Bag’s weight, single-strap function, balance and pocket space offer a
minimalist approach to carrying gear. Other nominees included: PING Hoofer Carry, Ogio Recoil Stand, ClubGlove Afficianado,
Nike Golf Vapor X, Sun Mountain KG:2 Stand Bag and TaylorMade RBZ.
JONATHAN WONG APPAREL
| 07
Canadian Distributor for:
Galvin Green – www.galvingreen.com
G/FORE – www.gfore.com
LINKSOUL – www.linksoul.com
Jones Sports Co. – www.jonesgolfbags.com
Canadian Sales Team:
Atlantic Canada
Duane McGregor
902-629-9912 – [email protected]
Ontario
Brian Simpson
905-466-2971 – [email protected]
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Darcy McIlwain
403-253-4150 – [email protected]
Quebec and the Ottawa Valley
Martin Simard
514-943-3403 – [email protected]
Brett Fletcher
514-824-6899 – [email protected]
British Columbia
Trevor West
604-897-0942 – [email protected]