Fashion Q&A: The Keri behind keri golf

Courtesy of www.kerigolf.com

Adams' Idea a 7OS clubs in choice of three stylish cart bags.

We've all seen our favorite female players, such as Christina Kim, toting wild, ultra-feminine golf bags around the course.

Many of them come from the keri golf line, a golf-bag and accessory design company led by Keri Murschell.

But no one really knows the woman behind the popular line, so we caught up with Murschell to talk about her inspiration, her new partnership with Adams Golf and some tips on which bag to purchase this holiday season.

Tell us about your golf history and how the keri golf brand got started?

I grew up playing sports and after college started playing golf for fun. I fell in love with the game instantly and tried to play whenever I had free time. After unsuccessfully searching for a cute ladies bag I bought a plain black bag and tied ribbons on it. The added flair made it more my style and feminine. One day, I was driving home from work listening to Oprah on the radio. She was talking about finding your passion, (then) I thought about my love of golf and fashion when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I re-routed to a fabric store and began working on concepts and designs. That’s how keri golf started.

Why golf bags? Did you see a market for it?

Yes, there were (and still are) few choices of attractive ladies bags, especially for younger golfers. Most golf bags were old and outdated in their styling and didn’t have all of the details that a woman needs. Keri golf bags pay attention to these details, such as having pockets for everything and a detachable clutch that works as a wallet in the clubhouse after a round.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I love fashion and drew inspiration from that industry, particularly handbags. Women love their handbags and are selective about the patterns, prints and details. I took what was in the market, looked at the use of design and colors and translated that into golf bags. I like to use bright colors and bold patterns because they look the best out on the course.

What excitement do your fans have to look forward to in 2011?

Keri golf has grown significantly with a partnership with Adams Golf, which is really exciting. We are making fantastic sets, which include bags and clubs together, that really energize the ladies market. Adams Golf uses the best technology in the clubs and it is just a great partnership that incorporates fashion with great product design.

Tell us a little bit about the Adams Golf partnership and how that came to be?

This partnership started because we wanted to create a high-end set of clubs, with accompanying bags for women. The first set sold out quickly and that success launched other designs. We continue to market products that are specific to women’s needs and have products for every skill set and budget.

How do you get people to continue to be interested in fashionable golf accessories during an economic recession?

Fashion is only one component to keri golf. We’re dedicated to the durability of these bags and they’re made with the finest materials. So they’re built to last and hold up on the golf course, while you’re traveling and everywhere in between. We stand behind our products so the investment will last. In addition to superior quality, the bags have great pocket and compartment space, making them just as functional as others on the market.

What keri golf piece do you recommend as the ‘perfect’ Christmas gift?

The Rory stand bag and Lillian cart bag combine the bright poppy with a fun animal print, and both are fashionable right now. But you can’t go wrong with anything from the Newport Collection; the reds are always beautiful under the tree and on the golf course.

Describe keri golf in three words:

Fashionable, functional, fresh.

Where can the products be purchased?

The bags and sets designed with Adams Golf can be purchased anywhere Adams is sold. The keri golf collection is available at a number of golf course shops nationwide, as well as online at www.kerigolf.com.

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Fashion Q&A: Geoff Tait, Quagmire Golf

Quagmire Golf founders Geoff Tait, left, and Bobby Pasternak, right.

It isn’t often that we hear of new and innovative ways golf-apparel companies one-up each other,?but this seems to be the norm for Quagmire Golf. We had a chance to catch up with Quagmire’s Geoff Tait to get the scoop on how they keep customers satisfied on the links.

Can you tell us a little bit about who you are, your role and how the Quagmire brand came to be?

My buddy Bobby Pasternak and I started Quagmire in 2006. We met as counselors at a camp that took young golfers to play some of the best courses in the U.S. Nearly all the kids were rocking clothes that they’d wear to hang with their friends, as opposed to golf brands. We saw an opportunity and stepped up with a line that’s inspired by skate, surf and street culture.

Bobby manages the sales side of our brand, and I design each collection. Our slogan is “Not Fit for the Fairway,” so I’m always looking outside the golf market for inspiration. The goal is to make clothes that are full of personality and fit with the lifestyle my friends and I lead. Basically, Quagmire is a brand for guys and ladies who enjoy golfing, but are also super-psyched to spend time at the 19th hole.

Rumor has it you’ve come out with this ultra-hip ColorFusion technology for this season’s polos. Can you tell us about it and where this idea flourished from?

I really loved the Hypercolor shirts back in the day and thought it would be an awesome fit for our 2011 collection if we could do it right. After some exploring, I was able to get my hands on some inks that change color in the heat and sun. So, I started working on some designs and before long had a bunch of ColorFusion tops for men, women and kids.

We’re really looking forward to launching the collection because it’s already generated more comments and buzz than we can believe. Everyone we show it to just goes “Wow. That’s so cool.” The reception from retailers and consumers has been so mind-blowing that we stepped up production to have the pieces available this year. We’re launching on our website for Cyber Monday (Nov. 29).

What about all the sweaty golfers and their armpit stains?

If you really are that hot, then your whole shirt will change colors, so you won’t have to worry about those pits looking hot.

What about your lifestyle line and what it entails?

Last year we introduced the yoga and collegiate pieces exclusively for corporate purchases. The collection did well and is still available for custom orders.

As for the rest of our lifestyle apparel, the number of pieces in that category expands each season. In 2011, we’re launching Quagmire Kids, a bunch of T-shirts and Quagmire Premium, which is a bit more sophisticated but still mixes well with our fun, quirky golf pieces. The fabrics really set it apart, including some really rich and soft bamboo, cotton and cashmere blends. You can not only rock these pieces on the golf course but also at the office, class or on a hot date.

Quagmire is known for its racy and controversial marketing schemes. Could you tell us a little bit about that, especially your photo shoots?

It’s just who we are. Those little details are what count and help set us apart from all the brands out there that do the same things as each other.? If an idea comes to mind and we like it, we do it, no holding back.

Hot girls wearning bikinis in the bunker? Sure, why not? Every guy wants to be surrounded by those girls.

What other exciting avenues will Quagmire take this year?

We’re totally amped about ColorFusion and Quagmire Kids. We’re also introducing some tie-dyed tops as part of the golf line along with tops featuring recycled polyester, which is cool to be able to work with. Personally, I’ve been rocking the Quagmire Premium cashmere hoodie and skinny ties all over the place.

We also have some other exciting things up our sleeves, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

Will we be seeing you at the PGA Merchandising Show in Orlando? If so, which booth?

We wouldn’t miss it. We have a sweet booth set up at No. 5242.?

Which touring professionals can we see sporting the brand?

Right now, Aron Price and Matt Weibring are sporting Quagmire on the PGA Tour, and Stephanie Louden is holding her own on the LPGA Tour. We also have a few players on the Nationwide, Canadian and Futures tours, including Brennan Webb, J.C. Deacon and Kristina Tucker. Not to mention Branden Grace, the newest addition to the Quagmire team on the European Tour.

Stay tuned for some big news about this in a few weeks.

What have your professionals done for the brand?

Chez Reavie winning the 2008 Canadian Open dressed entirely in Quagmire was massive for the brand. The amount of media coverage and orders it generated was crazy. A lot of buzz has also come from sports stars and celebrities outside of golf wearing Quagmire. Charles Barkley, Joe Carter, Jeremy Roenick, Joe Thornton, Devon White, the poker star Daniel Negreanu, Robbie Krieger from the Doors and so many other guys I’ve lost count.

Where can we find and purchase Quagmire?

Hundreds of shops across North America carry the line, as does the golf fashion site FairwayStyles. For an added dose of Quagmire spice, folks can also check out and purchase stuff on our website, www.quagmirestyles.com.

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