Bridgestone Golf, a manufacturer of golf balls, clubs and accessories, has appointed Dan Murphy as president and CEO.
Murphy was with Bridgestone Golf USA from 2004 to 2015, most recently as executive vice president of sales and marketing. During that tenure, he helped the brand increase market share to No. 2 in the ball category, grew domestic revenue by roughly 250 percent and negotiated title rights to the PGA Tour’s annual World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club (Ohio).
As president and CEO, he is responsible for directing the company’s core business functions, including product planning and production, marketing, sales and customer relations.
“I’ve been with Bridgestone Golf since the beginning and the passion runs deep,” Murphy said. “We make the most technologically advanced golf balls in the world and my role is to help ensure Bridgestone is recognized as the industry’s leading example of how science and data is used to make products that improve the performance of all golfers.”
“Dan’s leadership skills, product knowledge, industry connections and assemblage of talent are exemplary,” said Shigeru Nakayama, senior officer for Bridgestone Sports and chairman of Bridgestone Golf. “He’s unafraid to push the envelope to find ways to make golfers better and, therefore, lifetime Bridgestone loyalists.”
Murphy is enthused by a recent NGF report showing growth of America’s $89.1 billion annual golf economy. Citing the 20 million committed golfers who play 95 percent of all rounds, he points to Bridgestone’s influence, helping to make low handicappers even more competitive. Furthermore, Murphy is keen on Bridgestone’s ball and club technology helping to turn the sport’s 2.6 million newcomers into lifetime golfers.
Since 2015, Murphy was president of textile manufacturer Kentwool and vice president of American Achievement Corp. Before joining Bridgestone Golf almost 15 years ago, he held marketing and business development positions at TaylorMade, Dunlop Slazenger, Maxfli and General Mills.
Beyond golf balls, Murphy is committed to growing Bridgestone’s share of the golf club market. The same fitting data that informs R&D for the company’s golf balls is being applied to the creation of new club designs. Currently, Bridgestone offers a variety of options via its JGR and TOUR B Series clubs, and will unveil new lines in the coming months.
Photo courtesy Bridgestone Golf
