Field Notes

Imperial has once again been voted the #1 headwear in golf by The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM). Imperial is the definitive leader across all golf facility categories – Private, Public, Resort, Off-Course – with 48% of survey respondents reporting as their best performing and selling headwear partner. The survey report was released at the 2024 PGA Show and was conducted by Golf Datatech for the first time in the association’s history. The AGM continues to establish benchmarks for operations and trends within the current golf retail space. Respondents to the survey are members of The AGM, a body that includes: golf professionals, buyers, merchandisers, club managers, owners, and other industry professionals that comprise a majority of the most successful retail operations in the United States and Canada. The AGM’s announcement of Imperial as #1 in headwear is a great honor and a testament to the work and passion of the great team we have. From pushing the boundaries of creating not only the best products in golf but also focusing on sustainability, Imperial is aiming to continue to build upon our 108 year legacy as an industry leader. Mike Wrightson, President of Imperial

Meta description: Are you ready to update your pickleball style in 2024? Explore fun and fresh new hat, apparel and accessory styles from Imperial. As the anticipation for the new pickleball season intensifies, there's no better time to elevate your on-court style and gear up with the latest trends in pickleball clothing. Imperial, renowned for its commitment to quality and style, has recently unveiled an exciting new array of pickleball apparel and accessories to ensure you step onto the court with unparalleled confidence and flair in the upcoming 2024 season. Whether it's a casual game with friends or a competitive match, our cool and classic pickleball collection caters to all facets of the pickleball lifestyle. Embracing the Pickleball Lifestyle Pickleball isn't just a sport; it's a lifestyle. As seasoned budding players gear up for the 2024 season, it's essential to merge performance with style. Our commitment to mastering the marriage of fashion and function shines through in our latest pickleball collections, aimed at providing players with the perfect blend of comfort, durability and, above all else, style. Get Swingwing With Pickleball Gear that Excites Steal the Show in a Dazzling Pickle Man Mascot T-Shirt Designed for comfort and adorned with a playful pickleball mascot, this buttery soft men's crew neck short-sleeve pickleball shirt is a testament to our dedication to creating stylish and comfortable apparel for the pickleball community. Whether wearing it for a quick match or taking it to brunch, this t-shirt ensures you look and feel your best. Flex Your Skills With a Pickleball Performance Visor A fusion of performance and fashion, the Pickle Queen Performance Visor combines moisture-wicking fabric and an adjustable closure, ensuring you can shield yourself from the sun in style. Its sleek design is perfect for on and off-court wear, adding a touch of elegance to your appearance and providing essential sun protection during intense matches. Warm Up With a Big Dill Premium Crewneck Sweatshirt For off-court style, the Big Dill Premium Crewneck Sweatshirt offers ultimate comfort and a unique design, reflecting Imperial's commitment to creating trendy and distinctive apparel. This sweatshirt is not just for post-match hangouts; it's a versatile and stylish addition to your everyday wardrobe, offering coziness and fashion-forward aesthetics. Switch Up The Vibes With a Llama-Inspired Cap The Volley Llama Performance Rope Cap is a versatile and stylish addition to your pickleball wardrobe, giving you the perfect blend of performance fabric and an adjustable rope closure for a snug and comfortable fit. It's not just a cap for the court; it's a fun and functional accessory that adds a touch of personality to your everyday outfits. Design Your Own Pickleball Hat With Clever, New Styles At Imperial, the focus is on expressing yourself and with our DIY tool, you can create your own custom pickleball hat with unique customizations and logo designs. Our customized hat tool gives you the freedom to choose every detail that goes into your ultimate look. From selecting the style and fit to the color and logo, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're a fan of golf hats, bucket hats, rope hats or trucker hats, our tool makes it easier than ever to curate your own pickleball-inspired personalized hat that reflects your individual style and personality. Just take this one-of-a-kind creation, pairing a fun and soothing wave-patterned microprint bucket hat with a clever pickleball-playing octopus. A design like this is truly unique, showcasing your own fun and fanciful personality. Whether you want to captivate the competition with a playful design or distract them from your skills, we’ve got you covered. Rocking Your Pickleball Look on the Court and Beyond Our ever-evolving pickleball collection isn't just about dressing for the game; it's about making a statement both on and off the court. Picture donning the Imperial pickleball Mascot T-Shirt and matching visor, exuding a sleek and confident aura as you master each point on the court. As the game ends, the transition to the post-match hangout is equally seamless as you comfortably sport your pickleball sweatshirt, effortlessly blending performance with style in every aspect of your pickleball journey. These pieces aren't just for the court. They’re a fun addition to your everyday wardrobe, ensuring you stand out and feel your best in every setting. A Major League Pickleball Partnership Opens the Door to Exciting Wardrobe Inspiration In a groundbreaking collaboration, Imperial has joined forces with Major League Pickleball to introduce a range of products featuring professional pickleball team logos. Now, players can display their support for their favorite teams while exuding style and confidence on the court. This partnership marks the harmonious merging of professional sportsmanship and fashion, introducing a fresh dynamic to the pickleball community. Imperial's partnership with Major League Pickleball has brought forth a wide variety of team styles and logos to pair with the revered Imperial Original Performance Cap. Crafted with performance polyester fabric, this lightweight and breathable cap features a soft structured profile and a micro-velcro elastic loop closure. Whether you're on the court or off, this cap provides all-day comfort and moisture-wicking properties while showcasing your support for your favorite pickleball teams – like the Orlando Squeeze. Make 2024 Your Year With Imperial's New Lineup of Pickleball Designs In addition to the option of creating your own custom hat, Imperial has also introduced a new lineup of pickleball designs, featuring a variety of styles and color options. Whether you're drawn to the classics or seeking something more modern and trendy, Imperial's diverse range of designs ensures that every pickleball enthusiast can find the perfect match for their unique style preferences. As the 2024 pickleball season approaches, Imperial’s latest collections, combined with the unparalleled freedom to design your own custom hat, offer an array of choices to embrace the season with confidence and distinction. Whether on or off the court, Imperial stands ready to provide the perfect blend of style, performance and personal expression to complement every aspect of your pickleball journey.

Today, Imperial announced Carl Montanye hire as the company’s new National Sales Director – Golf. Carl is a welcome and exciting addition to our team. His strategic and analytical approach to sales management, combined with his green grass experience is an invaluable asset. David Shaffer, SVP of Sales Carl is a dynamic professional with over 20 years of sales management success for many major sports brands. He joins us after fifteen years with adidas golf, where for seven years he was the Eastern US Regional Manager. A versatile and innovative strategist, Carl believes in strong, connected teams driven by foundational training, streamlined communications, competitive internal goal setting, and a good sense of humor. His unique placement and experience in sports and golf brands continues to build on an expanding Imperial network of business channels. Carl resides in Naples, FL, with his wife of 23 years, Aimee, his son, William, and daughter, Marcelle.

Playing with Purpose After over 100 years of making America’s finest headwear and becoming the top headwear brand in the golf retail space as reported by Golf Datatech, Imperial continues to build on its commitment to the growth and vitality of sports. From this commitment comes the announcement of Imperial Foundation, a separate philanthropic organization that aims to ‘grow the game’ —especially the game of golf and those who support it—and give back to the people in the communities they serve. Imperial has pledged that their mission in this new program must promote one or more of three pillars, and must have an Imperial team member personally involved in the cause. Imperial Foundation Pillars Vitality of Sports — Supporting those who allow access, encourage instruction and provide opportunity for youth and underprivileged participation in sports. The growth and vitality of athletics is essential for the future generations to enjoy and compete in the games we love. Community — Aiming to make the communities we serve a better place for our team members to thrive. Sustainability — Making smart decisions with the best interest for our planet in mind, and leaving a meaningful legacy of making the world a better place. "Imperial Headwear has been a long time and frequent supporter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, their support has allowed the GCSAA to fund various research, education and scholarship programs. The establishment of the Imperial Foundation will further those efforts in support of many worthy causes." Matt Brown, Director of Corporate Sales at Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Imperial believes that ‘growing the game’ is rooted in making it more accessible for all ages, genders and ethnicities and supports that through various partnerships with organizations that share in that same belief. “Imperial is a steadfast partner with National Links Trust and has demonstrated a shared belief in accessibility and sustainability in the golf space. We are excited to hear about the creation of the Imperial Foundation and its commitment to the vitality of sports, especially golf, and are eager to witness their impact on organizations like ours around the country.” Damian Cosby, PGA, Executive Director at National Links Trust For more information, please visit imperial1916.com/pages/the-imperial-foundation.