Field Notes

BOURBON, MO – Imperial, voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for nine consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and recognized as the #1 headwear brand in the combined on- and off-course retail golf channels” by Golf Datatech, debuted its new Spring Collection last week at the 2026 PGA Show in Orlando, FL. The new assortment blends heritage influences, modern trends, and trusted Imperial fabrics. Each style brings its own personality, unified by easy-to-wear silhouettes, intuitive decoration options, and on-trend looks designed to integrate seamlessly into any shop’s assortment. Click here to view a digital catalog of Imperial’s Spring Additions “Coming out of the 2026 PGA Show, the energy around the Spring collection has been extremely positive,” said Andrew Blatnik, National Sales Manager, Golf. “There’s real momentum behind this line. Customers are reacting to the blend of heritage and modern design, and the new decoration options, especially the new HP+3D patch, give them more ways to create something that feels truly their own.” Spring 2026 Style Highlights ●      5068 – The Persimmon A modern, two-tone twist on the classic 5054 - The Wrightson, featuring a putty crown and contrast visor in a retro 5-panel silhouette. Built with trusted Imperial performance fabric, it taps into current retro and two-tone trends while maintaining consistent fit and quality. ●      X210C – The Heirloom A premium evolution of the pigment-dyed classic, crafted from lightweight cotton canvas with a stone wash for a soft, lived-in feel. A refined everyday cap that elevates a familiar silhouette. ●      X210CM – The Heirloom Meshback A meshback extension of The Heirloom, pairing soft mesh panels with stone-washed canvas for a weathered yet polished aesthetic that goes beyond the traditional trucker. ●      1983 – The Griffin A low-profile, soft-structured cap inspired by Imperial’s 1990s archive. Stone-washed cotton canvas and a brushed visor deliver a subtle, heritage-driven look that is easy to merchandise. ●      5066 – The Retreat A retro 5-panel style made from wide-pinwale cotton corduroy with a heavy stone wash. Trend-forward texture and a structured shape give this cap strong lifestyle appeal, especially for younger consumers. New Decoration Capabilities The Spring 2026 Collection is further elevated by new decoration offerings designed to enhance brand expression and retail impact. The HP+ 3D Patch delivers dimensional depth, fine detail, and long-term durability through a soft, flexible, rubber-like finish available in up to six Pantone-matched colors. The Hi-Def Silicone Patch introduces a lightweight, low-profile option that combines high-definition silicone with a woven substrate for clean edges, precision detail, and modern appeal across a wide range of headwear styles. Together, these new decoration techniques provide customers with greater flexibility, differentiation, and premium execution, supporting strong visual storytelling and confident sell-through. “We saw a lot of products at the PGA Show, but Imperial’s Spring collection really stood out. The new styles feel fresh, striking the right balance between lifestyle and performance,” said Lauren Whitman, Head Golf Professional at Stonebrook Golf Club. “What truly sets the line apart, though, are the decoration options. The HP+ 3D patch delivers a premium look and feel that’s hard to achieve with traditional embroidery or other patches—it’s modern, durable, and the kind of detail that pops off the shelf and immediately grabs a customer’s attention.” The Spring 2026 Collection reinforces Imperial’s position as a trusted partner for golf shops and retailers seeking products that honor tradition while embracing innovation. 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 nine 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, voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for nine 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, announced its 2025 award winners at the company’s sales meeting leading into the 2026 PGA Show. Imperial named Andy Glick, Sales Representative for Illinois, as the 2025 Sales Representative of the Year. In just three years with the company, Andy has made a measurable impact in his territory through a creative, forward-thinking approach to selling and a relentless focus on delivering the right solutions for his customers. Known for his professionalism and consistency, Andy has earned the trust of customers, internal partners, and leadership alike. “Andy represents exactly the kind of sales professional we want leading our brand,” said John Anderson, VP of Sales, Golf. “His creativity, work ethic, and respect for both customers and internal teams have driven meaningful results in a short period of time. He’s helping set the standard for the future of our sales organization.” Imperial also recognized Andrew Lamie as the 2025 Customer Service Award winner, honoring his accuracy, responsiveness, and commitment to customer intimacy. Andrew consistently communicates quickly and reliably, and builds trusted relationships that help ensure smooth production and an exceptional customer experience. “Andrew exemplifies what this award represents,” said Nicole King, Customer Service Manager. “His attention to detail, responsiveness, and customer-first mindset create a ripple effect across the organization and plays a key role in delivering a consistently strong customer experience.” About Imperial Headwear 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 nine 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, a CPC company and market leader in the design, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of headwear and apparel, announced the appointment of Matt Ritchie as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). The newly created role underscores Imperial’s continued investment in commercial leadership to support accelerated growth across its brand portfolio. Ritchie will lead Imperial’s integrated commercial strategy, overseeing go-to-market execution, customer experience, and revenue growth initiatives, while partnering with the senior leadership team to advance long-term strategic objectives. He brings more than 18 years of leadership experience across sales, marketing, and commercial operations in complex, multi-channel B2B environments. Most recently, Ritchie served as Senior Vice President of Sales at Interior Logic Group, where he led a national sales organization of more than 100 professionals and managed a $1.85 billion sales budget. His tenure included modernizing sales processes, implementing enterprise CRM, launching new products, and driving data-led decision-making that delivered measurable market share and revenue growth. In addition, Ritchie will lead the integration of The Winston Collection, Imperial’s recently acquired premium golf equipment and accessories brand based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. “Matt’s ability to align teams, strengthen go-to-market execution, and drive sustained growth makes him a strong addition to our leadership team,” said Jeremy Davis, CEO of Imperial. “His experience will be critical as we continue to scale the business and strengthen our position across the golf and lifestyle categories.” 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®, Winston Collection, and the Peter Millar Licensing Company.  Imperial is a consumer apparel brand that 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 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.

BOURBON, MO —  Imperial, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium headwear with a heritage dating back to 1916, has once again been recognized by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) as the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities. This marks the ninth consecutive year Imperial has earned the top honor from AGM members. The distinction is based on AGM’s annual membership study, conducted late last year and recently released. In the latest results, Imperial earned a commanding 36% of total votes, nearly three times the share of the next closest brand at 13%, reinforcing the company’s clear leadership position within the golf headwear category. Imperial’s continued success is driven by an ongoing commitment to product, design, and embellishment innovation, setting the standard for performance, quality, and customization in the marketplace. From advanced fabrications and modern silhouettes to industry-leading decoration techniques, Imperial continues to expand its capabilities to help golf retailers differentiate their assortments and elevate the consumer experience while maintaining fast turnaround times and low minimums that provide flexibility for today’s golf shops. The brand also continues to lead across all facility types, with particularly strong performance at private clubs, where it remains the top-selling headwear brand among respondents. Imperial’s momentum is further supported by its position as the #1 headwear brand in the combined on- and off-course retail golf channels, as reported by Golf Datatech. “Being recognized by AGM members year after year speaks volumes about the strength of our partnerships and the consistency of our product,” said David Shaffer, President of Imperial. “We’re proud to lead the category by such a meaningful margin. By continuing to invest in product and embellishment innovation, while offering quick turnarounds and low minimums, we’re able to help our retail partners react quickly, stand out on the shelf, and better serve their members and guests.” Headquartered in Bourbon, Missouri, Imperial continues to invest in innovation while upholding the craftsmanship, service, and trust that have defined the brand for more than a century. 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®, Winston Collection and the Peter Millar Licensing Company.  Imperial is a consumer apparel brand that 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 nine 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 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.