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Fairway Skins takes pride in presenting elegant leather golf accessories for women, including floral gloves and matching zippered pouches, all fashioned from the finest Cabretta leather. Historical botanical prints, many dating from the nineteenth century, comprise the colorful flower designs gracing each glove and pouch. Women with discerning taste appreciate quality and color, and Fairway Skins revels in fulfilling these criteria with artistry and flair. The distinct colors of the floral designs complement any ladies’ golf apparel. And Fairway Skins gloves and pouches resist all the natural elements, including wind, rain and sun, for durability and practicality on the links. |
 E2G: Tell me about your company … what do you do?
Marje Helfet: Fairway Skins makes elegant women’s golf gloves and other fine leather accessories. We have placed beautiful antique floral prints on the gloves and plan to carry that theme to other products.
E2G: How did you get started in the golf industry?
Marje Helfet: I decided that women’s gloves could be significantly upgraded to have color and style and be fashionable. From there my business partner and I noticed that the suppleness and elegance of leather appeal to discriminating golfers.
E2G: What is your company’s current focus?
Marje Helfet: Currently we are introducing a new product: a Cabretta leather 4”x5” pouch which clips onto your golf bag and can hold cash and credit cards or can be used as a case for your cell phone (tsk, tsk). This pouch also features the elegant botanical image.
E2G: Do you specialize in a certain segment of the golf market?
Marje Helfet: Yes, our products are specifically for women and at the moment our segment would be accessories: gloves and pouches.
E2G: Describe your current product line?
Marje Helfet: Our current product line consists of attractive crème-colored ladies gloves, each featuring on of six different colorful botanical designs. Complementing our gloves are small our Cabretta leather pouches in matching botanical designs.
E2G: What sets you apart from your competition?
Marje Helfet: To the best of our knowledge no one else is making 100% leather accessories for women featuring botanical images and with a focus on performance as well. Both our gloves and pouches make a statement: I care about this game and I want to look good. We are a small company, and due to the quality of our products we market to upper-end golf shops, resorts and clubs.
E2G: What kind of technology do you have that sets you apart from your competition?
Marje Helfet: The technology we use involves the placement of the image onto the leather. Due to the “give” or “stretch” quality of very fine leather, we spent months developing the right materials and method for applying our images. Most important, of course, was ensuring that the image will be there forever.
E2G: What is the main way that golfers will benefit from your product?
Marje Helfet: When you play golf, it is imperative to have a positive attitude and feel good about being out there. Our gloves, due to the nature of the Cabretta leather, grip the club extremely well and at the same time the wearer knows that she exudes a sense of style and fashion, which translates to feeling good about herself.
E2G: What is one thing that you want golfers to know about your company and product line?
Marje Helfet: We make a quality product and we are here to stay.
E2G: Where can golfers find your product?
Marje Helfet: Our products can be found at better golf shops, clubs and resorts, as well as on our Web site: www.fairwayskins.com
E2G: Does your product help grow the game?
Marje Helfet: Fairway Skins contributes to the growth of the game in that women now comprise a major segment of what was once a man’s game. Now countless women play and feel that the fairways belong to them, too. The Fairway Skins product line helps validate women in golf as we all help grow the game we love.
E2G: How do you see the game being played in ten years?
Marje Helfet: Not much differently, except I think we’ll see more young people on the course. With the emergence of the likes of Tiger Woods and Michele Wei golf has become a more popular game for the younger age group to play.
E2G: What are the biggest challenges the industry faces in the next ten years?
Marje Helfet: The challenges will be: not overbuilding, being conscious of our fragile environment, how to keep green fees reasonable and the never ending quest for the four-hour round.
E2G: What is the single ingredient in your product that attracts the golfer?
Marje Helfet: Beauty.
E2G: Do the tours help or hurt everyday amateur players?
Marje Helfet: Any time professional golfers appear in front of millions, their quality of play and their professionalism enhance the game and inspire others.
E2G: Parting thoughts?
Marje Helfet: Golf is a very regulated, rule oriented sport. It draws people who operate well in a defined environment. Golfers respect the game and recognize that to deviate from the rules just gives golf a bad name. Consequently, nearly everyone involved with the sport has a good set of values and principles. I think it is the sport with the most integrity played today, and consequently draws people who honor the game. Our tour champions are perfect examples. |
Marje Helfet 