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Straight Down's Mike Rowley featured in FORE MagazineFriday, April 21, 2006 The March/April issue of the SCGA's FORE Magazine features San Luis Obispo's Mike Rowley, owner and founder of the golf apparel company Straight Down Clothing and host of the annual Straight Down Fall Classic at San Luis Obispo Country Club. Some excerpts from the article are included below.Rowley, a San Luis Obispo resident, started the golf apparel company STRAIGHT DOWN CLOTHING in 1987, and ever since, the name has become synonymous with both quality and comfortable sportswear. Rowley, a scratch golfer, inherited the golf itch from grandfather Lester Coleman, who taught him both the skill and meaning of the game. Coleman was a golfer himself, playing practice rounds with Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan, among others, while his brother, Fay, also worked at Brentwood and Los Angeles CCs, as wells as the now defunct Fox Hills CC (Fay was also the 1930 SCGA Amateur champion). The golfer not only tackled the clothing world, but the tournament one as well. In addition to playing in a number of competitions, including the SCGA's Foursomes Championship, he actually started his own Straight Down Fall Classic, now in its ninth year and held at San Luis Obispo Country Club. The invitation-only event, held the week after the PGA's Tour Championship, is highlighted by professionals such as John Daly, Fred Couples and long-time friend Loren Roberts, who sports the Straight Down logo on the Champions Tour. California's 1998 Amateur Champion, Ed Cuff, is a three-time winner of the pro/scratch player tournament, and Rowley, with partner and Tour player Roger Tambellini, won in both 1999 and 2002. Roberts, also a Cal Poly alumnus, began wearing the product in July 2005, while Tambellini started in 1998. Nine others, including Mark Johnson, Don Pooley and Charley Hoffman, wear the Straight Down label as well. "Now guys are wanting to wear our product," Rowley says. "We are trying to protect the player, though, and maintain the exclusivity of our product. We don't want masses of Straight Down-sponsored athletes out there wearing our clothing, we want them to feel special." For more information, visit www.straightdown.com or call (800) 726-0063. Article: Straight Down the middle on style (PDF) FORE Magazine, Katie Denbo Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf |
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