Harrison Sports shafts helped achieve a fourth title on the Champions Tour with Jim Thorpe's record-tying performance in the Long Island Classic Aug. 15-17. Thorpe, who plays with a Harrison Pro 2.5 FL 60 in his driver and the Pro 2.5 Tour 80 in his fairway wood, shot 15-undder 195 over three rounds at the par 70 The Red Course at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, N.Y. Thorpe's second-round 60 tied the Champions Tour record for lowest competitive score.

The win moved Thorpe into first place in the Ford Senior Players Championship point standings and the $225,000 first place check lifted him into 11th place on the 2003 Champions Tour money list with total earnings of $861,906. It was his seventh top-10 of the year, ranking him eighth in that statistic. He also ranks fifth in eagles, which testifies to the length he generates off the tee with the help of the Harrison Sports shaft in his driver.

The Harrison Pro 2.5 FL 60 is a light weight (63 gram) shaft constructed of boron-reinforced X-6200 graphite. It is designed to add both distance and control. In the club of an experience golfer, it permits a longer club length without sacrificing swing weight. The Harrison Pro 2.5 Tour 80 shaft also is made of boron-reinforced X-6200 graphite. A heavier shaft, its feel, launch angle, flex profile and shot dispersion help deliver maximum control, stability, precision and distance.

"The unique design of Harrison's FL 60 Series produces less shaft lag," Harrison Sports President Michael Cheng said. "Shaft lag cheats golfers of distance because the shaft does not kick through the impact zone at the right time. Less shaft lag means greater distance. In addition, its features reduce shaft twisting, which means there is less likelihood of hitting a hook or a slice that could cost distance.

"We congratulate Jim Thorpe on his victory, and we are grateful that his effort proves on the course in the highest levels of competition the value of using Harrison Sports shafts in your golf clubs," Cheng continued. "We note too that Rodger Davis finished tied for fifth at the Long Island Classic, and he uses the Harrison Striper J shaft in his driver. Tom Jenkins finished tied for ninth, and he uses the Harrison Pro 3.5 FL Lite in his driver. It was a great week for Harrison Sports!"

The 2003 PGA and Champions Tour season has seen 71 top-10 finishes by golfers using Harrison Sports shafts, including four Champions Tour victories and two PGA Tour titles, including the U.S. Open. Since their introduction on the professional tours, Harrison Sports shafts have been used to record 195 top-10 finishes, with 24 championships that include major titles on both the Champions and PGA Tours.

Davis uses his Harrison Striper J-shafted driver to rank third in driving distance on the 2003 Champions Tour, averaging 286.6 yards. He ranks fourth in eagles and fourth in birdie average. His $58,312.50 payday at Long Island was his sixth top-10 of the year, ranking him 14th. His $695,934 in total earnings rank 20th. The Striper J uses satellite-grade graphite in creating a shaft of superior control and distance.

Jenkins' passed the $1 million mark in 2003 Champions Tour earnings with his 11th top-10, which ranks second. The $36,000 won at Long Island makes his year's total $1,001,820. His 69.89 scoring average ranks fifth. He plays with the Harrison Sports Pro 3.5 FL Lite shaft in his driver. Constructed from boron-reinforced X-5200 graphite, it weighs a light 60 grams, and like the Pro 2.5 FL 60 used by Thorpe, it permits a longer club length without sacrificing swingweight. It is a match for golfers seeking maximum clubhead speed, accuracy and control.

"All Harrison Sports shafts are manufactured to precise specifications," Cheng explained, "and the good thing is they are available to any golfer, not just superior tour professionals. There is a shaft with the characteristics that will match any swing. Golfers can visit a professional club fitter to find out the proper match, or they can specify that they want Harrison shafts when ordering OEM clubs. Our goal is to help any golfer ­ at any level ­ improve his or her game."

© Copyright 2003 Harrison Sports, Inc.