Atlanta, Georgia - EBERHARD GÖBEL USA, makers of the worldwide acclaimed birdiepal rain + sun umbrella, has reached an agreement with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews, Scotland to become the official umbrella of the British Open. For the next three years, EBERHARD GÖBEL will produce the British Open Collection, a line of licensed British Open umbrellas, in addition to its already existing high-end umbrella collection.

"We are extremely proud to be associated with such an event as the Open Championship," states Kurt A Boehni, CEO of EBERHARD GÖBEL USA. "The long, storied tradition of the British Open is well documented, and for our company to become involved with such a great event is exciting." The British Open, as one of the four "Major tournaments in professional golf, will be celebrating its 129th tournament in St. Andrews, Scotland, July 20-23. 

The British Open and its treacherous and uncertain weather patterns, which sometimes include harsh winds and cold rain, combined with the difficult course setup at St. Andrews, including over one hundred bunkers, tends to humble even the world's greatest golfers. Mr. Boehni further states, "With the difficult weather conditions often associated with the British Open, we have an excellent chance to showcase the technology, design and prowess of the birdiepal in unideal conditions." 

To kick off its new relationship with the British Open, EBERHARD GÖBEL USA will debut an extension to the birdiepal website with information including history of the Open Championship, leader board for the tournament, profiles of the courses and an online contest in which contestants can win a new umbrella from the British Open Collection, a Scotland vacation package or a trip to the 2001 British Open. More information is available at  www.birdiepal.com/britishopen.html. 

Birdiepal rain+sun, the revolutionary umbrella system designed specifically for the golfing enthusiast, was unveiled to the world at the 1999 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, and has been receiving worldwide acclaim. More information on the umbrellas is available at www.birdiepal.com. 

For more information on the birdiepal rain+sun system and the British Open Collection, please contact J.W. Cannon at EBERHARD GÖBEL USA; via email at jw@birdiepal.com, via postal mail at 120 Interstate NW Pkwy E, Suite 100, Atlanta GA 30339, or via phone at 770.953.9224.

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