Field Notes

BOURBON, MO (June 11, 2025) — Imperial, the premium headwear brand known for quality, fit, and style, is proud to announce its newest partnership as the Official Headwear Partner of CityPickle, a leading provider of pickleball experiences in urban cities across the U.S. CityPickle has redefined pickleball in New York City and beyond, offering accessible, high-quality courts and experiences in iconic locations including Wollman Rink in Central Park, Hudson Yards, Industry City, and Union Square.  “Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and Imperial is committed to being a part of that momentum,” said Jerry Biag, Director of Marketing at Imperial.  “We’re proud to partner with CityPickle, a leader in bringing this sport to vibrant urban communities. Being named their Official Headwear Partner is an honor and an exciting next step in our efforts to serve the pickleball community.” “At CityPickle, we’re always looking for ways to elevate the player experience both on and off the court and Imperial is the perfect partner to help us do that,” said Co-Founder of CityPickle Erica Desai. “Imperial’s premium headwear brings style and functionality to the court, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with a brand that gets pickleball and understands our mission to grow the game in exciting, urban spaces across the US,” said Co-Founder of CityPickle Mary Cannon.  Visit www.imperial1916.com. About Imperial Founded in 1916, Imperial is a CPC company with expertise in design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution. Imperial owns and operates several brands and companies, including Imperial, Pukka®, and the Peter Millar Licensing Company. These brands serve diverse markets, including direct-to-consumer (DTC), golf, corporate, destination & leisure, team dealer, and supply chain channels.  Imperial is the Official Licensed Headwear of Major League Pickleball and other pickleball communities.  Imperial’s customers include prestigious golf events such as the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup. The company also maintains manufacturing and licensing partnerships with global brands like Nike, Peter Millar, and Tommy Hilfiger.  Imperial supports the Imperial Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering the growth and vitality of sports—especially golf—and enhancing the well-being of communities it serves. CPC, Imperial’s parent company, is a Kansas City-based investment holding firm focused on a long-term strategy to buy, build, and hold™ great companies. For further information please visit Imperial1916.com. Follow Imperial on LinkedIn at @imperial-headwear or Instagram at @ImperialHats. About CityPIckle CityPickle is New York City’s home for pickleball. The lifestyle brand debuted NYC’s first indoor pickleball club in Long Island City. The club features climate-controlled courts and a full bar and restaurant, making it the ideal destination to connect in person, spend quality time, and host events. CityPickle operates 14 courts in Central Park’s Wollman Rink during the spring, summer, and early fall. The brand brings the joy and community of pickleball to thousands through its seasonal activations; locations include Hudson Yards, Union Square, Brooklyn’s Industry City, and Philadelphia’s Dilworth Park at City Hall.

BOURBON, MO – Imperial, voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for eight consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech, announces the launch of its 2026 Collection, including a new Small Batch Series and expanded Core Line offerings.  Click here to view a digital catalog of Imperial’s 2026 Collection.  Click here to view a digital catalog of Imperial’s Spring & Summer Small Batch Collection.  Imperial’s latest innovations continue to raise the bar in premium headwear and performance-driven design, showcasing a seamless blend of timeless tradition and modern innovation. The 2026 Collection features advanced fabric technologies, cooling innovations, and adaptive comfort to meet the needs of today’s active lifestyle, on the course and beyond.  “As players become more mindful of performance and wellness, headwear is no longer just a finishing touch, it’s functional gear,” said Dan Parenti, SVP of Product Development at Imperial. “Moisture-wicking, breathability, and cooling technologies help keep athletes focused and comfortable from the first tee to the final putt.”  This renewed focus on performance has led to bold advancements in both construction and materials, resulting in a collection designed for versatility, utility, and elevated aesthetics.  2026 Small Batch Highlights  The 2026 Small Batch Collection delivers limited-time statement pieces designed for high performance and visual impact, combining exclusive materials with specialty treatments and modern silhouettes:  ● X210PF – The Breeze Performance Perf: An evolution of Imperial’s top-selling golf hat, The Breeze adds perforated side and back panels for enhanced airflow. Lightweight and UPF 50+ rated, it’s ideal for peak activity and heat. Available in nine colors.  ● 7070C – The Celsius & 5070C – The Fahrenheit: Featuring CoolCore™ performance poly, both styles can cool up to 30% below skin temperature when wet. The Celsius offers a mid-crown pro fit, while The Fahrenheit brings retro flair with a 5-panel rope design. Each comes in five colors.  ● 7068 – The Ironclad: Mid-crown Pro, structured profile with subtle gradated perforation, designed for breathability and structure in equal measure.  ● X250T – The Method & X250 – The Plan: Both built with heavy-washed, lightweight cotton canvas for a broken-in, vintage look. The Method adds a two-tone color treatment with a contrasting bill.  ● 7064 – The Elements: A performance-driven, two-color cap with moisture-wicking properties and gradated perforation, tailored for durability and comfort.  ● L310R – The Elixir Small Fit: A fashion-forward, low-profile cap available in performance fabrics and seasonal prints.  2026 Core Line Additions  Alongside the limited-edition drops, Imperial also expands its Core Line with new staples for everyday wear, crafted with forward-thinking materials and premium finishing:  ● The Lab Series – S1510 Gravity & S1512 Noble: Featuring a performance poly that is brushed to mimic the touch, feel, and appearance of cotton, these styles are ideal for those who want classic texture with modern functionality. Inside, NuYarn® merino wool sweatbands and memory structure technology offer adaptive comfort, natural odor resistance, and temperature regulation. Finished with buoyant visors and perforated panels for breathable, all-day wear.  ● L345 – The Honey: A small-fit, low-profile performance cap with all-day comfort and ventilation, offered in six versatile colors.  ● 5462 – The Wistman: A rugged faux leather style, specially treated with a worn-in effect and detailed with antique brass hardware.  ● CC051 – The Geysir: A traditional bucket hat silhouette, made with CoolCore™ poly and a woven canvas crown.  ● DNA3161 – The Sauciest Sauce: A playful tour visor crafted from terry cloth and organic cotton twill, offered in soft pastel tones.  ● XL7054 – The Wingman XL & XL5054 – The Wrightson XL: Two of Imperial’s best-selling styles, now available in XL sizing for enhanced fit and comfort.  ● 10107H – The Everglow: A lightweight men’s long-sleeve tri-blend hoodie tee, designed for soft layering and transitional weather.  ● 70710 – The Beech: A cozy fleece stadium blanket, paired with a matching canvas carry bag—ready for golf’s cooler moments.  The 2026 Collection reinforces Imperial’s status as a leader in golf and lifestyle headwear, seamlessly blending its century-old craftsmanship with modern materials and performance features. From refined essentials to limited-run innovation, the lineup offers something for every player, and every moment.  For more information, visit www.imperial1916.com.  About Imperial  Imperial is a consumer apparel brand founded in 1916 with design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities. Imperial sells its products into several markets, including the direct-to-consumer (DTC), golf, corporate, and supply chain channels. Customers include the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup. Imperial also has manufacturing and licensing relationships with Nike, Peter Millar, Tommy Hilfiger, Vans, adidas and many other global brands.  Imperial products can be found at all Top 100 and over 75% of the Top 400 golf courses in the United States and has been voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for eight consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech.  Imperial is also proud to fund the Imperial Foundation, a separate philanthropic organization committed to the growth and vitality of sports, especially the game of golf and those who support it, as well as the overall health and well-being of the people in the communities Imperial serves.  For further information please visit Imperial1916.com. Follow Imperial on Instagram at @ImperialHats. 

BOURBON, MO – Imperial, the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for eight consecutive years voted by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM), and the top-ranked brand across both on- and off-course retail channels per Golf Datatech, is excited to announce a new collaboration with The Lads. Led by major champion and former world number one Jason Day, The Lads is a fast-growing social media and YouTube channel showcasing top-tier golf and unforgettable entertainment. Featuring Day’s close friends Ryan Ruffels, Luke Reardon, Jeg Coughlin, and Asaeli Marika Batisbasaga, the group delivers elite performance on the course and high-energy camaraderie off it. Together, they’re redefining the game with precision, personality, and plenty of laughs. “We’ve each worn our share of Imperial hats over the years, so creating a collection with them was a no-brainer. Their reputation in golf is unmatched, and they nailed our vision with quality and detail. We’re proud of what we’ve built together and excited to keep growing the Lads line—more styles, more colors, more for the community” said Ryan Ruffels of the Lads.  “The Lads’ chemistry and level of golf is unlike anything else online,” said Jerry Biag, Director of Marketing at Imperial. “We’re honored to partner with them and bring a premium headwear collection to market that truly reflects their distinctive style and spirit.”  This collaboration includes officially licensed Lads merchandise on www.imperial1916.com.     Visit www.youtube.com/@TheLadsGolf or follow the Lads on Instagram @thelads_golf     About Imperial Founded in 1916, Imperial is a CPC company with expertise in design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution. Imperial owns and operates several brands and companies, including Imperial, Pukka®, and the Peter Millar Licensing Company. These brands serve diverse markets, including direct-to-consumer (DTC), golf, corporate, destination & leisure, team dealer, and supply chain channels. Imperial products can be found at all Top 100 and over 75% of the Top 400 golf courses in the United States and has been voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for eight consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech. Imperial’s customers include prestigious golf events such as the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup. The company also maintains manufacturing and licensing partnerships with global brands like Nike, Peter Millar, and Tommy Hilfiger. CPC, Imperial’s parent company, is a Kansas City-based investment holding firm focused on a long-term strategy to buy, build, and hold™ great companies. For further information please visit www.Imperial1916.com. Follow Imperial on LinkedIn at @imperial-headwear or Instagram at @ImperialHats.

We recently caught up with Abby Liebenthal—founder of Fore the Ladies, Inc., and longtime friend of Imperial—to talk about how the community has grown, what’s ahead for the brand, and her favorite pieces from the newest Fore The Ladies Collection. Whether you're already part of the FTL crew or just discovering it, Abby’s passion for making golf more approachable and inclusive shines through in everything she does. Q: For anyone who doesn’t know—what is Fore the Ladies, and why did you start it? Abby Liebenthal: Fore the Ladies began in 2019 as a way to make golf more approachable for women. I noticed there were so many women interested in trying the game but unsure how to start. So I created an environment that was social, welcoming, and fun— the opposite of what golf has traditionally been known for—  and we continue to expand upon introductory golf clinics to leagues, golf trips and any other golf-focused activities our community is requesting. We really strive to remove any intimidation factors and barriers to entry, and focus on creating community with like-minded golfers. Q: And since then, it's really grown. How has the journey evolved? Abby: It's been amazing to watch it take off. We've hosted more than 300 events across the country and have built this incredible network of women who support each other both in golf and life. What started as a single golf clinic turned into a community I’m constantly inspired by. We now have women who met at a clinic and are traveling together to golf destinations. That’s the real magic. Q: Let’s talk about your collaboration with Imperial. What’s it like to see the Fore the Ladies collection come to life? Abby: I still get so excited every time we launch something new with Imperial. They really understand the spirit of our brand—playful, inclusive, a little cheeky—and it comes through in every product. This latest drop is my favorite yet. I love how wearable and versatile the styles are, whether you're on the course or just out running errands.   Q: Any favorites from the newest release? Abby: I’m obsessed with the new ponytail hats—we wanted something that felt fresh for spring but still very “FTL.” And I think people are really going to love the new embroidered t-shirts, the subtle embroidery turned out so great! Q: What’s next for Fore The Ladies? Abby: More events, more growth, and hopefully more women giving golf a try. We’ve got some cool things in the works—some destination events, new content—and of course, continuing to partner with brands like Imperial to keep bringing our community things they’re proud to wear. Check out more behind the scenes from Imperial x FTL by watching the latest episode of The Create Series.Shop the Fore the Ladies Collection here.