Field Notes

Imperial was recently voted the #1 headwear brand across the board for Public, Private and Resort golf facilities by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) for the first time in recent history. Imperial has previously been voted the #1 headwear brand for Private golf facilities for five consecutive years and #1 for Public facilities for the first time ever last year. For 2021 however, the AGM Annual Member Survey of top sellers by facility type reported Imperial as #1 in headwear in all three categories. "Imperial has been a consistent supplier to golf professionals and merchandisers since 1916 and provides expert craftsmanship, style and comfort in the ever-changing golf industry," said Patrick Casey, AGM President and Assistant General Manager at Brentwood Country Club of Los Angeles. "Their ability to provide product that has evolved with the business and game of golf, while still offering a classic and traditional offering makes them an ideal partner for golf shops in today’s retail market." Founded in 1916, Imperial Headwear is the leading manufacturer of premium quality headwear, apparel and accessories for the golf market. Imperial’s products can be found at 97 of the Top 100 and over 70% of the Top 400 Golf Courses in the United States. “Imperial is very proud to have been voted the #1 headwear brand in golf this year by the AGM,” said David Shaffer, President of Imperial. “The membership of the AGM represents the best merchandisers in the country, and to have this group vote Imperial the best headwear brand is an amazing accomplishment and the culmination of a lot of hard work from our entire team.”

To view a digital catalog of Imperial’s 2022 Collection, please click here. To view a digital catalog of Imperial’s 2022 Quick Turn Import Only styles, please click here. The new product catalogs debut for Imperial sales representatives and customers today. The 2022 Collection from Imperial continues to build on the brand’s comprehensive selection of headwear, apparel and accessories. Overall, 16 new headwear styles were added to the line this year, in addition to dozens of new color options for their best sellers. “Imperial has the most complete catalog in the golf industry and it’s extremely easy to navigate,” said Greg Morris, Director of Golf at The Summit Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. “There is literally something for everyone in their line.” Perhaps the most exciting announcement from Imperial is a new Custom Rope Cap Program. For years, Imperial’s ‘retro fit’ performance rope cap,The Wrightson, has developed into one of the best selling hats in golf. In order to provide more variety to their customers, Imperial has added five additional base fabric colors to create a collection of 14 total colors that can be combined with any of their 32 solid and multi-color ropes in small quantities. Optional white and black meshbacks are available as well. The brand has also expanded their lineup of stock rope cap styles in this collection. New for 2022 is a lightweight cotton version called The Barnes and a washed pigment dyed style called The Manifold. Imperial has also built a Mile High Fit rope cap called The Grand Teton , as well as a 6-panel rope hat with a multi-color rope and metal eyelets called The Habanero. Other notable highlights of Imperial’s 2022 collection include: The Humdinger Built off the same unstructured silhouette as Imperial’s best-sellingX210P - The Original Performance , this new style is made from lightweight, breathable performance poly fabric in heathered yarn. The Oglethorpe The Oglethorpe is a knit performance tonal camo cap. Its performance fabric has all of the lightweight breathability and popular moisture wicking features as the styles in Imperial’s core performance collection. WhereThe Oglethorpe proves to be unique is in its knit texture and tonal camo pattern with contrasting black undervisor. The Whitaker This modern and luxurious take on a classic performance cap features a lightweight ‘washed’ poly fabric, which gives it a soft brushed look and feel. In the back, it includes Imperial’s brand new rubberized hook & loop closure in black. The Hullabaloo In another modernization of a classic trend, Imperial recognized the resurgence in popularity of tie-dye patterns withThe Hullabaloo. The most colorful addition to their 2022 lineup is a new lightweight performance poly fabric style that comes in multi-color, pink or blue tie-dye. “For 2022, we’ve focused on expanding our best selling rope hat styles and colorways, as well as offering new fabrics with an emphasis on rich color palettes and playful patterns, said David Shaffer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Imperial. “We are committed to bringing unique hats to the golf market that consumers recognize uniquely as Imperial, therefore allowing our customers to enjoy swift sell through and great margins.”

Imperial announced today a new sustainability platform where the brand commits to striving for improvement goals and alignment with like-minded suppliers. Imperial’s platform is based on the pillars of Compliance, Environmental Excellence, Waste Reduction and Energy Conservation: Compliance: Comply with all customer, international, federal, local and governmental policies. We will audit for compliance and maintain action plans that ensure that we move forward. Environmental Excellence: Strive to create a positive impact on the environment through our business policies and development of our people. Our roadmap will consist of looking for environmentally friendly alternatives in all aspects of our business: raw materials, production methods and production equipment and facilities. Waste Reduction: Strive for zero landfill. We will track and develop for month to month and year over year improvements. Energy Conservation: Strive do more with less through execution of a vision that continually reduces all resources. We will develop action plans that drive and track continual improvement across all these resources. Imperial commits to periodically keeping its customers and entire industry updated on their progress toward operating a more sustainable company. As of January 1, 2022, approximately 33% of the power used in Imperial domestic decoration and USA made visor facilities will be provided by solar energy. By the end of 2023, Imperial has the ambitious goal to move its best-selling performance fabrics, including the X210P lineup, to 100% recycled polyester. In addition, Imperial also intends on implementing Oeko-Tex®* certified cotton into its collections. Both changes will account for over 75% of products sold and set them on course to make that 100% by the end of 2024. “The journey towards sustainability and improved environmental responsibility will not be easy and will require many strategic decisions, new ways of thinking and working,” said David Shaffer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Imperial. “One technology or process will not be the complete answer. It's more about being bold and having the courage to stand up, make these declarations and begin to align the tactics for our organization and operations.”

Imperial announced today a new partnership and e-commerce fundraising collaboration with the Carolinas Golf Association. Imperial will become an official “Partner of the Carolinas Golf Association” under the new agreement, and provide headwear for contestants in the CGA’s top competitive events in 2021, including the 107th Carolinas Amateur and the 95th Carolinas Women’s Amateur.Imperial will also be offering limited edition CGA headwear on their website – imperial1916.com – and a portion of the proceeds will be directed back to the Carolinas Golf Foundation, which supports a variety of Carolinas-based golf initiatives, including junior golf, player development, scholarships and turf grass research. “I am very excited to work with the Carolinas Golf Association to raise money for the Carolinas Golf Foundation,” said David Shaffer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Imperial Headwear. “The CGA is run by great people, who do wonderful things for the game of golf and specifically amateur golf in the Carolinas.”The Limited Edition collection of hats offered online will include 14 styles in multiple colors with either a Carolinas Golf Association logo printed twill patch or a special military appreciation version of the CGA logo, featuring a camouflage and United States flag background. $10 from each cap sold online will go directly to the Carolinas Golf Foundation and free ground shipping is available on these hats too. Click here to view the entire collection of CGA headwear. “The CGA is looking forward to a special partnership with Imperial Headwear,” said Greg Norris, President of the Carolinas Golf Association. “They are the classic golf brand, make great products and proactively support projects that help grow the game.” About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals. The CGA annually conducts 43 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 140 One-Day (net and gross) events and qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping;Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed more than $1,500,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs.