A large tractor trailer that will bring a custom-club shop to every stop on the PGA Tour left Carlsbad Wednesday morning with a send-off unlike any other.
Employees cheered as the TaylorMade Tour Van rolled out of company headquarters to begin its 20,000-mile, 30-plus-event journey across the nation.
The 42-foot trailer expands to create a work area with space for three full-time golf builders making clubs for the tour professionals during the PGA Tour.
Driver Wade Liles (aka “TaylorWade”) has been driving the truck for more than 13 years.
He said it takes about 5 minutes to make a TaylorMade club out on the tour and the six-person team can make up to 150 clubs a day.
TaylorMade CEO Mark King said business in 2009 was flat but the company has seen growth since. In fact, despite the sluggish economy the company saw record profits in 2011.
“The more we do things differently, the lime green color, it’s been accepted by consumers in an unbelievable way,” King said.
“We just try to bring some energy and excitement to a category that in the past 10 years really hasn’t had a lot and we just think that’s our job.”
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With hundreds of employees standing outside waving rally flags under green balloons and confetti cannons, the company knows how to throw a party.
Liles climbed into his rig and rolled out beginning the trip that he admits has more than a few perks.
Sure, he gets to play some of the best golf courses in the nation but there’s also the fishing.
“There’s nothing like catching a 10-pound bass at 6:00 a.m. and then walking rounds with Sergio,” he said.
The truck's first stop is the Humana Challenge in Palm Desert, before it embarks for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course at the end of the month.
