Monday, December 01, 2008

By RON AGOSTINI
ragostini@modbee.com

last updated: August 06, 2008 02:48:45 AM

Padraig Harrington has won back-to-back British Opens with foot talent connected to Modesto.

Worry not. The story is legit.

Harrington, the world's No. 3-ranked player, wears Hi-Tec CDT Power Shoes which he claims have added at least 15 yards to his tee shots (more on that later). Hi-Tec's North American distribution center is based in Modesto.

Which means our fair berg is joined at the hip -- or shall we say the feet? -- with the superstar from Ireland, especially after he outdueled Greg Norman last month at Royal Birkdale.

"I've met Padraig a couple of times and played golf with him once. He's a sweet guy," said Bob Kaiser, the CEO of Hi-Tec. "We're kind of a bit player in golf."

That's not entirely correct.

Hi-Tec, a lightweight footwear company begun in England during the 1970s, is best known in this country for its various outdoor shoes. Golf-wise, Kaiser said its shoe sales are ranked fourth in Europe behind FootJoy, Nike and Ecco.

"We're smaller in the states," said Kaiser, who played for San Diego State during the early 1980s. "We concentrate more on our outdoor lines and forest business."

That said, Hi-Tec has established more than a toehold in the golf industry. Ian Woosnam and Laura Davies have been Hi-Tec clients, but Harrington's 12-year-old union with the company has grown far beyond the normal player-equipment contract.

"When Padraig came to us, he wanted more than just to wear the shoe," Kaiser said. "With him working with us, we created a shoe that would give him more power."

Hold on a minute. Muscles, talent, experience and state-of-the-art golf balls and clubs add yards. More distance via shoes? Hi-Tec says "yes" and points to Harrington's success as proof.

Visit www.hi-tec.com for a detailed breakdown on Hi-Tec's bridge to more power, but here's the essence: The shoe provides more reinforcement on the lateral side so the player can load better on the backswing, and a rollbar on the other side encourages an easier weight transfer.

"The shoes allow Padraig to coil more effectively and then release through the ball. He stays on more of a straight line and enjoys more balance and stability," Kaiser said. "Reebok and Nike are kind of playing catch-up with us on that concept."

Kaiser enjoyed a round of golf with Harrington and Colin Montgomerie before the World Match Play Championship several years ago when the event was contested at La Costa near San Diego. Recalled Kaiser, "Monty outdrove Harrington a few times and turned to me and said, 'Bobby, just think how much farther I'd outdrive Paddy if I was wearing your shoes!' "

THE SHAG BAG -- Modesto High senior Fredrik Palmer is one of 70 juniors who've been selected to compete in the Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, a Champions Tour event which pairs the pros with juniors Aug. 29-31. Before this year, the local First Tee chapter has been represented by Julianna Uhrik (2004), Marina Martinez (2006) and Katie Canadas (2007). ... Uhrik, an amateur who recently ended her four-year career at Oregon State, nearly earned a spot in the Safeway Classic, an LPGA Tour stop, later this month in Portland. She shot a 70 for second place during a qualifier, one stroke behind the winner, who annexed a tournament berth. The high finish did vault Uhrik into the last-chance qualifier the week of the event. ...

New Cal State Stanislaus golf coach John Cook placed an impressive seventh at the annual Long Beach Open. ... Former Merced mini-tour pro Ron Ewing, a reinstated amateur, posted a 3-under-par 67 for medalist honors Monday in qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Ripon's Spring Creek CC. Ewing will travel to the Mid-Amateur, for players at least 25, Sept. 6-11 at Milwaukee (Wis.) CC. He will add to his USGA résumé after his appearances at the 1985 U.S. Junior and the 1996 U.S. Open. Picking up the other Mid-Amateur berth at Spring Creek was Tony Perino of Diablo with a 69. Oakdale's Jamie Looper shot a 71. ...

The 10th Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, won last weekend by Parker McLachlin, enjoyed a resurgence during its first year with a title sponsor. Attendance reportedly increased, and the "Fiesta Loco" at Montreux CC's nasty par-3 16th -- a mariachi band saluted all birdies -- was a hit with fans though it bothered a few players. ... The American Century Celebrity Championship sold a record 31,266 tickets at Edgewood Tahoe last month while Rick Rhoden won for the seventh time.

HOLES-IN-ONE -- Leighton Finch, Modesto, 135-yard eighth at Modesto Municipal, 9-iron. ... Gerald Cunningham, Ripon, 173-yard 10th at Dryden Park, 4-iron. ... Ken Miller, Merced, 169-yard 17th at Mountain Springs, Sonora, 7-wood. ... Kelly Hatfield, Hughson, 196-yard ninth at Oakdale CC, 5-iron. ... Cliff Lasreniere, Modesto, 90-yard 17th at Jack Tone Golf, Ripon, pitching wedge.

Bee sports columnist Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com or 578-2302.

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