Jack Nicklaus Line By Drexel Heritage Redefines Casual Country Club Elegance

Furniture World Magazine

Drexel Heritage Furnishings introduced a new casual line of Jack Nicklaus-licensed clubhouse furnishings at the Spring International Home Furnishings Market in High Point. The line will be used in clubhouses at Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, which number more than 120 in the United States and more than 200 worldwide. The collection will also be available to consumers on a limited basis through Drexel’s network of independent dealers. “This is an ideal partnership,” said Dan Grow, chief executive officer of Drexel Heritage Furnishings. “We’re proud to be associated with Jack Nicklaus, who is known the world over for his passion for excellence in everything he does. That same passion for excellence has distinguished Drexel Heritage in the fine art of furniture making for nearly 100 years.” The collection is the result of a collaborative effort between Drexel designers and Barbara Nicklaus, wife of the golf legend, who has been directly involved with the development of the line since the Nicklaus Companies and Drexel began discussing the idea. “I am both flattered and excited to be a part of the Drexel Heritage team,” said Barbara Nicklaus. “Over the last year, I have enjoyed working closely with Drexel Heritage to design and develop this special collection. I think we have put together a line of furniture which features pieces that work equally well in a clubhouse setting or a private home. We look forward to introducing this new collection.” “We are capitalizing on the appeal of two prestige brands, Nicklaus and Drexel Heritage, and developing a collection of furniture that draws its design inspiration from the casual elegance of the country club environment,” added Andy O’Brien, vice president of marketing for the Nicklaus Companies. The collection of 37 pieces – 25 wood and 12 upholstery and 50 fabrics – includes a variety of occasional pieces such as end tables, coffee tables, decorated chests, armoires, entertainment centers, sideboards and barstools in eight custom finishes. Jack Nicklaus hardware – bronze/brass fixtures in the shape of the golf legend’s trademark “Golden Bear” – completes the look. Together, the design of the pieces as well as the finish treatment make a broad style statement, allowing the collection to work well with the variety of design motifs used at Nicklaus clubhouses worldwide. “There’s something there for every region of the country,” said Vicki Solada, vice president of wood and upholstery merchandising for Drexel. The Jack Nicklaus line reflects the growing popularity of golf-course communities and the appeal of the casually elegant country club lifestyle. “It’s a lifestyle people either enjoy or aspire to,” said O’Brien. The line represents Drexel’s second co-branding venture that marries Drexel quality to a name synonymous with golf history and tradition. The Pinehurst Collection, with its honey-tone antique look that captures the casual comfort of the storied North Carolina golf retreat, has been a huge success since its introduction at the International Home Furnishings Market in April 1998. Drexel Heritage Furnishings, a division of Lifestyle Furnishings International, makes fine furniture sold under the Drexel Heritage and Lillian August brands. Visit Drexel Heritage on the World Wide Web at www.drexelheritage.com.