Slazenger Golf Products Company has appointed golf industry veteran Chris Daltorio as the new President and CEO, setting forth a new platform that will allow golfers across the nation to have greater access to Slazenger apparel, gloves and balls.
“Chris Daltorio brings a depth of leadership and experience with the Slazenger brand. With his expertise and knowledge, we anticipate additional market growth,” said Geoff Frankel, Managing Partner for Resilience Capital Partners, LLC of Cleveland, Ohio.
Slazenger golf products — typically found at private and exclusive golf courses throughout the nation — earn high marks from customers. The company is known for high-end apparel, golf gloves and the Slazenger Raw Distance golf ball line. The August 2003 Darrell Survey reported that Slazenger ranked first in appearance, comfort, durability, fit and value for shirt usage. The Slazenger golf glove earned the highest spot overall with top ranks in appearance, durability, feel, fit and value. “Consumers embrace the product for its quality attributes,” Daltorio said.
Daltorio, who most recently worked as the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for TaylorMade-adidas Golf, has a long history with the Slazenger brand. He started as a Slazenger sales representative in Rochester, New York, in the early 1990s and earned his way through the sales ranks, performing multiple sales roles in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina and gaining the distinction as the top sales rep in the field for five years in a row.
“Slazenger has a phenomenal market opportunity. As we move forward with the balance of this year and into the next, we will focus on the fundamental aspects of creating quality products and enhance our programs for golf professionals and consumers,” said Daltorio, speaking from the Greenville headquarters.
Cleveland, OH-based Resilience Capital Partners, along with Zapis Family Group, a private equity fund purchased the company in 2002 from the former Dunlop Slazenger Group of Greenville, SC. Daltorio takes the reigns from Brian Sokol, who joins the Slazenger advisory board.
