Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group Closes Out Summer Campaign With a Dozen Successful Raids

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwired - Sep 10, 2013) - The U.S. Golf Manufacturer's Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group ("Golf Group") today announced a recent string of raids of various China-based counterfeit operations in multiple cities over a month-long span. Local Chinese authorities raided a dozen storefronts and distribution facilities located in Dongguan City, Zhuhai City and Qingdao City, from late July through August. These successes, which resulted in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit golf products, demonstrate the group's ongoing commitment to limit the production of fake golf products worldwide.

"After the tremendous progress made in 2012, we are very pleased with the continued success we've seen throughout this year," said Stephen Gingrich, Vice President of Global Legal Enforcement for Cleveland Golf. "The number of raids conducted in such a short period of time will hopefully have a deterring effect on others who might think about producing counterfeit clubs and products."

The first set of raids occurred on July 23^rd. Following a thorough investigation, Chinese authorities raided four separate storefronts in the Gongbei District of Zhuhai City in China. The targets included both golf shops and clothing stores. Officials from the Zhuhai AIC Gongbei Branch Bureau executed the raids resulting in the seizure of hundreds of fake items.

The Golf Group carried the momentum from late-July into August with simultaneous raids on two establishments in Dongguan City. The raids took place on August 1^st with the help of local authorities from the Dongguan AIC Tangxia Branch Bureau. The first target was the Dongguan Tangxia Legend Golf shop. The second raid was of an unnamed manufacturer which was storing and distributing counterfeit clubs. More than 1,000 pieces were seized by authorities as a result of these raids.

"The ability to once again execute multiple raids at the same time should show the lengths we're willing to go to in order to protect consumers from these shoddy and potentially dangerous products," said Jud Hawken, Associate General Counsel for PING. "Continuing to put pressure on counterfeiters helps us move in the right direction toward a marketplace where people don't need to worry about fake golf clubs or products."

The Group closed out a strong month with raids of six storefronts in two different cities on August 21^st. Four shops in Qingdao City were raided, including Hua You Golf, Jie Shi Da Golf, Jin Guo Ling Golf and Zhuo Hong Golf. With information from Group officials, local authorities were able to seize more than 850 counterfeit golf products from the four targets. On the same day, Dongguan PSB officers conducted successful raids against Dong Li Golf and Chenggong Golf, both located in Dongguan City. The two raids resulted in the seizure of nearly 500 additional fake products.

For more information about avoiding the purchase of counterfeit golf clubs and products and to read about or share your own story involving counterfeit golf products, please visit www.keepgolfreal.com.

About the Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group

The Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group consists of five of the most well-known golf companies in the world -- Acushnet Company whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron; Callaway-Odyssey; Cleveland Golf, Srixon and Never Compromise; PING and TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Ashworth. Since 2004, the Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group has worked with international law enforcement and government agencies to conduct raids and investigations of counterfeit operations, as well as raise public awareness of the issue. In 2012, the Group's efforts with the help of Chinese law enforcement led to the seizure of more than 500,000 counterfeit golf products highlighted by a clustering campaign initiative resulting in the arrest of more than 30 suspects from raids of 14 different locations.