The Homogenization Of The Golf Media

Back in October, I had a chat with the gregarious Nancy Haley, who was on her way out as CEO of Tehama at the time and she mentioned one of the effects of megabrands on the golf industry and how golf shops were becoming homogenized.

Her theory was that golf shop proprietors are getting complacent in their buying, counting heavily on big name apparel companies as one-stop shopping instead of discovering new items that might make a shop unique and different than the one down the road.

You can read that entire story here.

In many ways, the same thing is happening to the golf media, and media in general for that matter.

In the case of the golf media in this country, it’s occurring in the opposite way than in the apparel business, according to Haley’s theory. Continuing with our series on the Canadian golf media, it is an industry that has been fragmented into small pieces. Read more

Tehama Enhances Girl Power

Tehama is introducing the new Golfer Girl Grouping, featuring lady golfers embellished with rhinestones, chain detail, bugle and seed beads on the front of a t-shirt.

The t-shirts are created with a blend of pima cotton, modal and spandex designed to offer a comfortable, lightweight shirt for the golf course and other casual, social functions. The three Golfer Girl tees range in colours and designs.

A hoodie is also available to coordinate with the tees, featuring rhinestones embellishments lining the sleeves and hood. It’s available in black and white.

For more information, visit the website, www.tehamainc.com.

What Sealed The Deal For Tehama

Third in a three-part series

The fun that Nancy Haley injected into the golf industry came as naturally as her smile inside the Tehama booth each year at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, but her gregarious personality seemed somewhat diminished at the 2009 show, despite her best efforts to mask her emotions.

Haley admitted that her mom had just passed away and it wasn’t long after the show that her dad died as well, so her enthusiasm level being down, although certainly not absent, was completely understandable.

Add to that factors such as the faltering economy and her own frustrations with the business, which we discussed in yesterday’s blog, “I’m disillusioned and I’m tired,” she admitted recently.

It wasn’t a typical show for Haley, who was usually laughing with clients inside the Tehama booth in years past, but in 2009, she was meeting with suitors for the brand. Read more

Golf Shops Are Being Homogenized, Says Nancy Haley

Second in a three-part series

Nancy Haley still considers Tehama one of the top brands in the golf industry, but as she winds down a career in which she built that brand, Sport Haley, Izod G and others, she is concerned with one particular trend in the golf industry.

“I have to say, watching over the last year what’s happened to the golf industry, it’s been disturbing to me after being in the golf industry for 22 years to see how things can change,” she said.

Haley estimates that huge megabrands that offer equipment, apparel, shoes, as well as products across the sporting spectrum have two-thirds of the apparel pie in the golf industry, while smaller companies that focus strictly on apparel might have one-third. Read more

Hollywood Haley or HoJo Haley?

First in a three-part series

Depending on the situation, Nancy Haley could either be Hollywood Haley, considering her business partnership with movie icon Clint Eastwood, or HoJo Haley for her ability to extract howls of laughter from an unknown, such as the one she chatted with for purposes of this blog.

It was the same unknown slob who dubbed her HoJo Haley after hearing that that the architect of the Tehama apparel line was staying at a Howard Johnson and not the Four Seasons on a trip to Toronto however many years ago.

For some reason, that seemed funny at an event which was hardly Hollywood in grandeur, but certainly fun with an assembled cast of golf buyers and media at Launch in northwest Toronto, where Haley joined the crowd hitting golf balls from a heated bay out on to the frozen tundra that evening with impressive form.

A dare she took that evening qualifies her for honourary Canadian citizenship as she switched sides and started hitting golf balls left-handed, with equal results and admiration from the stunned crowd around her. Read more

Tehama Acquisition Has Strong Canadian Connections

It was always with a big grin and a frequent laugh that the effervescent Nancy Haley took part in the golf industry, whether it was at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando or on the occasional visit to Canada.

One of those trips saw her smacking drives out on to the frozen tundra from the heated hitting bays at Launch in northwest Toronto. On another trip up north, she welcomed customers and media to a special screening of Space Cowboys, starring her business partner Clint Eastwood, not too far from Launch.

Also not too far from Launch are the offices of Gord Peters, who is now president of Tehama after it was announced yesterday that Nacabi Trading Inc., had acquired the company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

If you’re not familiar with Nacabi Trading, it is a new company put together by its Canadian principals before entering into negotiations for Tehama, which had been rumoured for months to be up for grabs. Read more

Nacabi Trading Acquires Tehama

Nacabi Trading Inc. has completed a transaction to acquire Tehama, founded in 1997 by veteran designer Nancy Haley and Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood and a company that had been rumoured to be available for over a year.

“We were immediately drawn to Tehama’s philosophy, culture and story,” said Canadian Steven Banks, who becomes the company’s chief executive officer. “Our vision is to evolve the foundation of the brand that was so appropriately established 13 years ago.

“We believe in the integrity of Tehama, its people and its quality garments,” added Banks.

Gord Peters, another Canadian who becomes company president, agreed. “We see endless opportunity for this brilliant brand to move through the upscale sportswear industry into a whole host of related lifestyle categories,” said Peters.

Nacabi plans to bring Tehama’s distribution to specialty retailers on an international level, and its management has had experience with highly regarded brands through its businesses, Gordon Mitchell, Inc. and Jensan Apparel, Inc.

In addition to its signature brand, Gordon Mitchell has held licenses for Alfred Sung and Jack Victor, while Jensan Apparel has had licensing arrangements for Alexander Julian-Canada and Mexico, Bill Blass Dress Shirts and Boston Traders Sportswear.

“Nacabi brings the capital, knowledge and experience to take the Tehama brand to new levels within the golf, resort and mainstream retail markets,” said Haley, who will remain involved as vice chair of the advisory committee for Tehama.

“Nacabi and I have the same vision of maintaining the Tehama brand as an industry leader for many years to come,” she added.

The company will be headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with operating offices in Denver and Toronto.

Tehama Line Is a “Class Act”

The “Class Act” line leads the way in cashmere sweater offerings from Tehama for this fall.

The V-neck sweater can be worn alone or layered for wear on the golf course, at the office or as evening wear

“We’ve blended cashmere with luxurious fibres like silk, angora and viscose to achieve added softness and lustre,” said Anne Ingham, vice president of design for Tehama.

“The final products are not only ultra-soft, but pleasing to the eye with fashionable argyle and solid cable patterns in a variety of trendy colors,” she added.

This Tehama grouping for men showcases layering pieces for cool weather that are easily merchandised together. Designs feature 60s/2ply yarns, argyle pattern work, bio-wash finish, nailhead and windowpane pattern work.

Fabrications presented within this grouping include silk/combed cotton/cashmere sweater knits, pima cotton interlock, double-mercerized pima cotton jersey and polyester/rayon super 120’s wovens.

Tehama Introduces New Minerale

Tehama has introduced new Minerale within its eco-friendly Green Collection for men.

The garments utilize activated carbon to provide cooling, odor resistance, static resistance and UV 50 sun protection. Minerale is a natural technology that is derived from minerals that are originally found in volcanic ash.

“Minerale carbon is for the man who wants to be cool, not only on the course, but also at the office, out with the guys and throughout everyday life,” said Nancy Haley, chief executive officer for Tehama.

“The Tehama man now demands a super-natural solution that combines green qualities with all the great new styles, designs and colours that our Tehama customer expects from us,” she said.

Fall Fashion Preview: Tehama

“In our ladies’, we do a collection in the fall that’s based on fall-type items like long-sleeved argyles, long-sleeved polos, long-sleeved mocks, corduroys.

The argyle sweater in the ladies’ group, it’s just argyle on the sleeve and then, it’s got buttons up the front and the buttons have a little bit of a crest crown.

We also put a Tehama crown crest on the back of the cardigan as well. It’s up at the top at the neck.

On the men’s, we have a couple of different polos that we use the Tehama crest in. In the Hang ‘em Dry, we have a screened-back, argyle print on the left chest.

We always promote layering. We offer a long-sleeved mock in men’s. We do a Pima interlock cotton – really nice, really soft – that they can layer the sweaters on top of or a polo, or whatever they feel like.

In ladies, same thing. In that fall fashion collection with that argyle sweater, there’s a zip neck mock that has some great theme elements.

The real highlight for us in the fall is the argyles with the crests and then, the layering pieces.

On the men’s side, the argyle sweaters are made of silk, cotton and cashmere. We have three different versions, three different colourways, so you can put together an assortment.

“You could have the hickory/heather sweater and put the lagoon, long-sleeved mock or the long-sleeved polo with it. Then, we have a navy blue argyle sweater that has it just across the chest, so all the patternwork is a little different and you have your choice.

There’s a charcoal, long-sleeved men’s sweater, as well, that has (the pattern) pretty much down the front of the sweater.

We find argyles, diamonds, anything of that nature that relates back to golf, sells really well.”

Anne Ingham, Vice President of Design, Tehama

The Special Touches for Fall

Tehama is introducing new details and sublime finishes to its autumn premium fashion collection for men and women.

New details include a signature Tehama Crown Crest, which will be found throughout the line and on the men’s  Quickdraw printed argyle crest polo. In the women’s line, the crest will be adorned with rhinestones on the back of a cashmere layered sweater.

Fancy patternwork will also be featured on bottoms for both men and women, including an intricately printed shadow leaf fine cord pant for women.

Silver Tehama buttons and grommets will top off zippers on an Iridescent Metallic Quilted Vest, while six silver buttons will embellish a new Hang ‘Em Dry polo for women.

For men, the premium collection will feature garments such as the new double-mercerized Pima Wildcard Stripe Polos, in plum and hickory that will feature a complementary colour on the underside of the double collar.

Green Isn’t Just for St. Patty’s Day

Tehama is expanding its Green Collection for fall.

“Tehama was the first to make a statement by launching an entire collection of eco-friendly apparel for men and women,” said company co-founder and chief executive officer Nancy Haley. “As a result, the industry has acknowledged us as the leader in the eco-division of apparel.”

The new Tehama Minerale fabric is derived from minerals originally found in volcanic ash and is designed to improve the performance and comfort of fabrics through evaporative cooling, odor resistance and added UV protection.

The new Seacell is a fabric made out of Lyocell, a 100 per cent wood pulp fibre, and seaweed, that is designed to release amino acides, vitamins and minerals directly into the skin upon contact with moisture.

This process is designed to hydrate and nourish, is naturally anti-bacterial, helps keep the skin smooth and firm, detoxifies and oxygenates, soothes skin rashes and promotes cell regeneration.

Meanwhile, the new soft and fine Merino from Tehama is naturally wicking to regulate body temperature and is breathable and odor resistant.

Other new eco-technologies in the Green line include Vitamin C, coconut and bamboo cotton, recycled polyester, organic polyester/cotton blends and organic cotton garments.

Tehama to Introduce Minerale in Orlando

Tehama will introduce Minerale within its Fall, 2009 collection at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

Minerale fabric uses natural technology derived from minerals to improve performance and comfort through evaporative cooling, odor resistance and added UV protection.

The naturally occurring minerals in Minerale fabrics are also used to purify and soften water with their ability to absorb impurities.

Minerale fabrics are also designed to wick and evaporate moisture quickly and be refreshed with normal washing and drying.

“Minerale enables us to offer superior technical qualities of enhanced wicking, UV protection and odor management in a pure, white fabric. This is something we’ve not been able to get with the carbon fabrications,” said vice president of design Anne Ingham.

“It truly opens up the possibilities for keeping our styles fresh and meeting our customer requests, while still being green,” she added.

The women’s collection will feature three items with Minerale technology, including a Mandarin collar zip placket polo, colourblock polo and sleeveless colourblock polo.

The men’s collection will include a cyclone colourblock polo in three colours with Minerale technology.

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Green has always been that place where memories are made by a missed or made 15-footer for birdie, or in the case of golf apparel, green may be the hot colour for the coming season, but the word is taking on a new meaning in a game dominated by green, just as it is in the rest of the world.

The bubbly Nancy Haley is rarely without a smile, but the chief executive officer of Tehama says she is serious about apparel made with the environment in mind, while offering a technical story to provide comfort and style on the golf course.

“Everybody wants a shirt that works now. Some people just like pretty shirts, but most of the consumers now are a lot more demanding,” she said of the recent trend towards technical apparel.

“What is this shirt going to do for me? Is it going to keep me cool? Is it going to keep me warm? They have a high expectation for a shirt that actually functions,” added Haley, who has taken that level of expectation to a new level with the introduction of Tehama Green, which is designed to be environment-friendly.

It’s not easy being green, according to Haley, who spent more than a year researching the possibilities of greenwear and given her credentials, including this year’s PGA of America’s Ernie Sabayrac Award for lifetime achievement in the golf industy, it’s difficult to dismiss it as a passing fad. Other companies are going in the same direction.

“What’s really great about this is that this is just the beginning because this is a part of a lifestyle,” said Haley, who launched Sport-Haley in 1986, took it public in 1992 and left four years later, allegedly to retire.

Shortly afterwards, she and her husband Tony were socializing with Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood, an avid golfer who asked about her future plans. To make a long story short, Haley launched Tehama in 1997 with Eastwood as her partner and her reputation for innovation continues with the green products.

“People are worried about their energy. They’re worried about gas consumption. They’re worried about everything in their life and clothing is an enormous part of your life,” she said.

“I think that this is just the start because, within the next five years, I think it’s going to be the norm. I don’t think you’re going to have to talk about eco-clothes or recyclable clothes. I think it’s just going to be something that people expect. It’s just going to be everywhere.”

Of course, a natural product such as cotton is standard in apparel, golf or otherwise, but others such as bamboo are becoming increasingly popular for their desirable qualities.

“(Bamboo) is very, very soft. That’s the property about bamboo and it’s also anti-microbial — it helps controls body odor, but he best thing about bamboo is how soft it is,” said Haley.

While natural products such as cotton and bamboo offer one way to environment-friendly apparel, the recycling trend is also opening up new possibilities. Haley has discovered that recycled plastic bottles also help the cause.

“This is cool,” she said. “They remove all the caps and they take all the labels off and they sort the bottles by colour. They squish the bottles into big cubes just like recycling, then they take the bottles and they turn these cubes into flakes.

“The flakes then are woven into a yarn and they’re connected, usually with another yarn. They have a polyester corn, so the poly flakes will work with that, so you can have a blend — it can go around cotton, you can have a cotton/poly blend, or you can have a 100 per cent polyester.

“You can weave it into a very, very fine denier,” she said, adding the finished product can be quite silky. “They’re really great for the really hot weather because they dry so fast. When it’s fine denier, it’s not going to be like those shirts in the ‘80s that were really heavy polyester.”

Of course, the very nature of the product opens it up to garbage jokes, but Haley, whose sense of humour is as great as anybody’s, says the recycling process used is just like anything else that’s new.

“The recycled poly is a very expensive process. Don’t let anybody ever tell you that, because this is a recycled product from garbage pop bottles, that this is a garbage product.

“It’s actually more expensive and it’s a finer product than the generic polyester that’s made today,” added Haley, who is also introducing garments geared at health and well-being, including product designed to add Vitamin C in the system of the wearer.

“Everybody’s like, ‘No way, how does that work?’ Vitamin C is a vitamin that you have to take every day. Your body does not store Vitamin C, so they give you Vitamin C creams for your face – it’s good for your skin. It’s a natural hydrating vitamin,” said Haley.

“The way it works in the fabric is that they take the Vitamin C and they put it into a liquid form and they put a bonding agent in the fibre of the fabric, so the Vitamin C adheres to the fabric in the bonding agent.

“When your body sweats, it secretes sebum – it’s the moisture that comes out of your body – then the sebum touches the shirt. It draws the Vitamin C out of the fibres. It actually does go into your system and it helps hydrate your system. It’s good obviously for your health and well-being.

“It will last about 10 to 15 washes, depending on how hot you wash your garment and how hard you are on it,” said Haley, adding that Vitamins D and E could be next.

“It’s all about stepping outside the box, doing something that nobody else is doing. I mean, everyone is trying green, but if you’re going to do it, don’t do it in a little way. Do it in a big way.”

Tehama Deepens Its Outerwear Collection

Tehama has added new layers to its outerwear collection with several pieces for men and women.

“From fall to spring, an active enthusiast’s wardrobe requires variety for all elements,” said Tehama chief executive officer and co-founder Nancy Haley. “Because Tehama offers an entire collection of outerwear for men and women, we provide a year-round solution for every region.”

Included in the 2009 collection is the Essential Colorblock Windshirt for men, a half-zip pullover with color-blocking that includes black/oriental red and navy/Baltic.

The women’s Coco Quilted Microfibre Vest is designed to complement any wardrobe with colours such as black, chalk and brick and featuring front and side-panel quilting and matte nickel zipper pulls.

Tehama is also offering several outerwear options within its Green Collection, featuring a Dempsey Recycled Polyester Fleece for men, a full-zip jacket created with recycled plastic bottles that is available in navy and charcoal heather.

The company has also updates its Ricky and Lucy all-year jackets for men and women by applying new colour blocking touches.

Tehama Adds to Hang ‘em Dry Offerings

Tehama has announced two signature groupings to its Hang ‘em Dry category, one each for men and women for spring, 2009.

Hang ‘em Dry offers polyester and cotton/polyester blend fabrications that are lightweight, moisture-wicking, antibacterial and offer UPF 30-plus protection. Within the new collections, golfers will see body-mapping, colour blocking, mechanical stretch and other details.

One showcased item for men will be the Luther Colour Block Polo that features Cool Plus polyester and an antibacterial finish. It’s available in oriental red and black, while another grouping features hues of Baltic and celery, with an Oasis Madras Plaid short and Pringle Print Polo.

The women’s collection includes an Aztec Print Sleeveless Polo in black with a 19-inch Print Eyelet Knit Skort in black and white. The polo has a zip-placket, self collar and filigree art stamp. The skort has a retro pattern of black and white to complement the art on the polo.

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