Adidas Golf and Ashworth named Bill Bishop from Fort Lauderdale, FL, as their national sales representative of the year, an award that recognizes an accomplished sales representative who delivers top-tier results representative of two of the top golf apparel companies in the industry.
“Bill's ability to take iconic brands like adidas and Ashworth and position them in the golf marketplace is both admirable and impressive,” said Kevin Ross, VP of adidas Golf and Ashworth. “We're proud of Bill and think no one is more deserving of this honor than he is.”
Bishop grew up in Killeen, Tex., and attended Texas Christian University on a full football scholarship – the third in his family to play in the school's program next to his father and older brother. A passionate family man (with wife of 33 years, Sandy, three grown children), Bishop served as the national merchandise director of the NFL for eight years, before he joined a small California startup golf apparel company in 1988.
That company was Ashworth, and since, Bishop has been honored with five Salesmen of the Year Awards from the company as well as the Cornerstone Award and the Heritage Award, which is given for lifetime achievement for Ashworth. Bishop began selling adidas Golf goods upon the company's purchase of Ashworth, and it appears that the profession runs in the family: son Jimmy is also an adidas Golf representative, selling shoes, sunglasses and accessories.
“My hope in being honored with this award is [to show] that if I can do it, anyone can,” Bishop said. “There's never been a time in history that a single company has had a greater lineup of hot and innovative products to sell, nor has there been a company that has created a better selling culture in which to sell. I have never been more excited, energetic or passionate about selling and look forward to future growth.”
Bishop's other past honors include:
* 2009 adidas Salesman of the Year
* 2009 adidas Salesman Club Award
* 2010 adidas Chairman's Club Award
