OXNARD, Calif. — If European golfers are experiencing rising temperatures on the course, don’t blame global warming. The real culprit is Mercury Golf which has turned on the heat since the Long Drivers of Europe (LDE) began the 2004 Championship Series in Milan two weeks ago. Players using Mercury shafts have been exceptionally successful thus far in the Series, scorching the grids and winning championships in Italy, Ireland, Sweden and Holland.

“ We’re delighted with the success we’ve had in Europe, and we’re anxious for more wins once the Long Drivers of America (LDA) RE/MAX finals begin here in the United States,” says Terry Gould, CEO of Mercury Composites. “Already there have been numerous wins for Mercury in the Open Qualifiers held around the USA and this is just the beginning of the journey to the 2004 World Finals to be held in Mesquite, Nev., later this year.”

First up in the Long Drivers of Europe Series was Emil Hygrell of Sweden who used a Mercury graphite shaft to become Long Drive Champion of Italy. Next, Guinness World Book of Records holder Phil Naylor of the United Kingdom won the Irish championship in Dublin, while Mercury player Hygrell again claimed victory in Stockholm, Sweden, as did Sweden’s Jessica Wallstrom who won in the ladies division with a Mercury shaft.

Finally, this past weekend, Patrik ‘The Hulk’ Andersson successfully defended his LDE championship title in Amsterdam wielding a Mercury shaft in his driver. In addition to first place, Christian Sterning and Mikael Lindblom placed second and third, respectively, using Mercury shafts.