By Marty Henwood (June 2010)
Toronto-based apparel label Quagmire and Tiger Woods have joined forces.
Well, sort of.
With the much-anticipated Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’11 video game from EA Sports now on the shelves, you won’t have to look far to see a little touch of Canadiana in the form of Quagmire Golf.
Designers of the best-selling game were looking for a new, fresh apparel face to appeal to the younger generation, and they found that in Quagmire. Co-founders Geoff Tait Bobby Pasternak brought a little skiing and snowboarding to the world of golf apparel five-plus years ago.
“We are pretty jacked about being included in the game,” says Tait. “It’s kind of iconic for the brand. It is pretty sweet to know that people around the world can put on exactly what they can buy from Quagmire. It is real pictures of real clothing from the line.”
Tait and Pasternak see this is as a real coup for the brand, and well they should. Game players of Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’11 can outfit their golfers in Quagmire duds.
“I think this puts us on a worldwide spectrum,” adds Tait. “The clothing has our logos on the pages and the clothes. So people will be able to look up the brand once they read the Quagmire name on the shirts and shorts. It is ideal advertising and a great display of the clothing, all the time.”
The EA Sports game deal is just the latest piece of good news coming out of the Quagmire head office.
Tait says he and Pasternak are thrilled with business, doubling sales yet again in Canada while picking up a lot of steam south of the border. The co-owners just completed their cross-Canada trek and were extremely encouraged with the results, even in the west, which has battled brutal weather this spring.
Next up, rolling out the 2011 lineup.
“The 2011 line is ready - we are just waiting on a few samples but it is by far the best yet and the line I'm most proud of to date,” says Tait, adding the company will be introducing Quagmire ColourFusion, a new premium line as well as Quagmire Kids.
There will be plenty of change to the new line, including wicking and cotton ColourFusion shirts. The premium line showcases rich bamboos and cottons along with dress shirts, jackets and ties. Tait says there are many more secrets that he and Pasternak aren’t quite ready to reveal yet. As always, Quagmire prides itself on the element of surprise – and that approach is working.
“I guess I’ll have to learn how to tie one if we are going to sell them,” laughs Tait, referring to the ties. “This is all cool stuff that you can wear to work, to the bar or on a hot date.”
So far in 2010, the big sellers among the guys have been the Pondskipper, Big Dogs and Beercart styles. For the ladies, the Triplebogey, Trim and Moneyshot are flying off the racks. Most styles can be found on the Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’11 game as well.
As they continue to build their brand, Tait and Pasternak have set their sights high. With business booming in Canada, they are looking to expand in the U.S. market and ink a couple of big-name PGA Tour stars.
The Quagmire Express keeps rolling along and shows no signs of slowing down.
“It seems everyone is really opening their minds and shops to the younger cooler brands,” adds Tait. “It’s not just an old boys’ sport anymore and guys and girls are looking for function and fashion. Versatility in the clothing is important.
“I think we have found a great niche of wearable, stylish clothes that can be worn anywhere. Quagmire is really for all ages, the young and young at heart, and you don't have to be a good golfer to wear the brand. You just need to have the attitude of loving life and crushing the odd pint!”
Just how the Quagmire boys planned it all along.
To check out the Quagmire brand, please visit www.quagmiregolf.com
More articles by Marty Henwood
