Clarifying the Relationship ***

I now understand the appeal of Donald Trump. He's says "You're fired," and everyone knows where everyone stands. This, as opposed to this corporatespeak doozy of a press release from Titleist.

ACUSHNET COMPANY CLARIFIES RELATIONSHIP WITH PROFESSIONAL GOLFER PAUL CASEY

Fairhaven, MA (November 19, 2004) - In the wake of recent comments made by professional golfer Paul Casey, Acushnet Company, owner of the Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra golf equipment brands, today clarified its relationship with the 2004 European Ryder Cup Team member.

"First and foremost, we want people to understand that Mr. Casey's comments do not reflect the views of the Acushnet Company and were not made in his capacity as an endorser of our products," said Wally Uihlein, Chairman and CEO, Acushnet Company.

"In addition, Mr. Casey's contract with Acushnet Company expires on December 31, 2004, and both parties have mutually agreed that it will not be renewed or extended."

Acushnet Company will have no other comment regarding this matter. Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra and Pinnacle comprise the major golf brands of Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE-FO). Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra and Pinnacle are trademarks owned or licensed by Acushnet Company.

He's clarified! Err, fired. This was an important move for Titleist to make, because when Casey made his remarks about hating the American Ryder Cup team, most people's first reaction was, wow, he's saying that as a Titleist man!

***Update: This UK Telegraph story sums up the mess well and clarifies what Casey actually said, versus what the tabloids pinned on him. And John Huggan does an even better job summarizing the matter, with a source telling him that Titleist had planned to let Casey go long before this incident.