PowerBilt feeling Fuzzy about new premium lineup

Citation, orange and Fuzzy. Those are three key words signifying what’s happening at PowerBilt in 2007.

Fuzzy, of course, refers to Fuzzy Zoeller, the popular tour pro whose multititled resume includes the 1979 Masters and 1984 U.S. Open. A former PowerBilt staff player, Zoeller returns to the company ranks this season after a 15-year absence. Among his duties, he will carry a bright, orange staff bag on the Champions Tour and assist in designing clubs for both tour and amateur players.

“I’ll be swinging PowerBilt clubs on tour again and bringing back the orange PowerBilt bag,” said Zoeller. “I’ve had great success with PowerBilt, (including) 10 of the 12 professional tournaments I won.”

As to Citation, that’s the venerable PowerBilt model that Zoeller will play. The name also represents a vastly upgraded line of performance drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters that the company introduced just two weeks ago at the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

“Fuzzy will help PowerBilt make inroads with golf professionals,” said Larry Edlin, PowerBilt Golf president. “He’s highly regarded for his knowledge of the game and, of course, his personality (is a winner). PowerBilt is one of the great heritage brands in the game.”

The Citation driver has a suggested retail price of $249.99.

Indeed, PowerBilt’s history in golf is deep. Parent company Hillerich and Bradsby itself was founded in 1884 and the sporting goods manufacturer, based in Louisville, Ky., is still family owned. H&B began making golf equipment in 1916 and introduced the PowerBilt name in 1933. A year later, Olin Dutra won the U.S. Open playing PowerBilt clubs.

In early reviews at the PGA Show, CBS SportsLine.com attendees praised the new Citation lineup of clubs for looks, performance and value. Reviewers rated the clubs “must consider,” and specifically praised the hybrids as “above average” in their price range.

Among the three new series of putters introduced by PowerBilt, reviewers rated all three “very satisfactory” but singled out the new heavy-putter “H” models for extraordinary praise.

In addition to Citation, PowerBilt also offers GrandSlam and TourBilt clubs at lower points on the price scale, along with boxed sets for adults and juniors.

Here’s a look at the latest products in PowerBilt’s premium portfolio.

CITATION WOODS

The big thumper in the Citation lineup is a 460cc multimaterial driver in two models: Draw and Neutral, based on strategic internal weighting.

The Draw series is available in four lofts (9, 10.5, 12 and 14 degrees), while the Neutral driver comes in 9 and 10.5 degrees.