UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant  x

 

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Check the appropriate box:

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x

Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

ADAMS GOLF, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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B.H. (Barney) Adams
Chairman of the Board

 

Adams Golf, Inc.
2801 E. Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75074

 

April 23, 2008

 

Dear Adams Golf Stockholder:

 

I am pleased to invite you to Adams Golf’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. central daylight time on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at Adams Golf, Inc.’s offices, 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074.

 

At the meeting, you and the other stockholders will be asked to (1) re-elect two directors to the Adams Golf Board and (2) ratify the appointment of KBA Group LLP as our independent auditors for the current fiscal year. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about our business. You will find other detailed information about Adams Golf and its operations, including its audited consolidated financial statements, in the enclosed Annual Report.

 

We hope you can join us on May 20th. Whether or not you can attend, please read the enclosed Proxy Statement. When you have done so, please mark your votes on the enclosed proxy, sign and date the proxy, and return it to us in the enclosed envelope. Your vote is important, so please return your proxy promptly.

 

Yours truly,

 

 

B.H. (Barney) Adams

 



 

 

Adams Golf, Inc.
2801 E. Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75074

 

April 23, 2008

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 20, 2008

 

Adams Golf will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders at the principal executive offices of Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. central daylight time.

 

We are holding this meeting:

 

·                  to re-elect two Class I directors to serve until the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and

 

·                  to ratify the appointment of KBA Group LLP as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2008.

 

Your Board of Directors has selected March 26, 2008 as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting. A list of stockholders on that date will be available for inspection at Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 East Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074 for at least ten days before the meeting.

 

This Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy and Adams Golf’s 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders are being distributed on or about April 23, 2008.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

Eric T. Logan
Secretary

 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON. THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL HELP TO ENSURE A QUORUM AND SAVE ADAMS GOLF THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION.

 



 

 

 

ADAMS GOLF, INC.

 

Proxy Statement

for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held

May 20, 2008

 

This Proxy Statement and Form of Proxy are being distributed on or about April 23, 2008

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Proxy Statement

1

 

 

Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors

6

 

 

Corporate Governance

9

 

 

Transactions with Related Persons and Certain Relationships

10

 

 

Board Structure and Committee Membership

11

 

 

Director Nomination Process

14

 

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

17

 

 

Compensation Committee Report

28

 

 

Executive Compensation

29

 

 

Director Compensation

35

 

 

Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive Officers

38

 

 

Proposal No. 2 – Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

40

 

 

Audit Committee Report

41

 

 

Annual Meeting Advanced Notice Requirements

43

 

Please see the back cover of this Proxy Statement for directions to the Annual Meeting.

 



 

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Adams Golf, Inc. is soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. You are receiving a proxy statement because you own shares of Adams Golf common stock that entitle you to vote at the meeting. By use of a proxy, you can vote whether or not you attend the meeting. The proxy statement describes the matters we would like you to vote on and provides information on those matters so you can make an informed decision.

 

This proxy statement includes information relating to the proposals to be voted on at the meeting, the voting process, compensation of our directors and officers, and other required information.

 

In this proxy statement, unless otherwise indicated, the words “the Company,” “Adams Golf,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Adams Golf, Inc.

 

Purpose of the Annual Meeting

 

The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to elect directors, to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of the independent registered public accounting firm, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

 

Annual Meeting Admission

 

You are invited to attend the annual meeting in person. The annual meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. central daylight time on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at our offices at 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074.

 

Quorum

 

A majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock must be represented in person or by proxy at the meeting to establish a quorum. Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for determining the presence of a quorum. Broker non-votes occur when you fail to provide voting instructions for shares you hold in “street name.” In that case, your broker may be authorized to vote your shares on routine items but is prohibited from voting your shares on other matters. The “non-votes” on those other matters are known as “broker non-votes.”

 

Stockholders Entitled to Vote

 

Each share of our common stock outstanding as of the close of business on March 26, 2008, the record date, is entitled to one vote per share at the Annual Meeting on each matter properly brought before the meeting. As of the record date, there were 6,221,745 shares of common stock

 

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issued and outstanding. This number does not include treasury shares, which are not entitled to be voted at the meeting.

 

Adams Golf stockholders hold their shares in various forms, including through a stockbroker, bank, trustee, or other nominee and directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially:

 

·                  Stockholder of Record – If your shares are registered directly in your name with Adams Golf’s transfer agent, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, you are the record stockholder of those shares and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you by Adams Golf. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to Adams Golf or to vote in person at the meeting.

 

·                  Beneficial Owner – If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account, by a bank, trustee, or other nominee, you are considered to be the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker, trustee, or nominee who is considered the record stockholder of those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, trustee or nominee on how to vote and are also invited to attend the meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting. Your broker, trustee, or nominee is obligated to provide you with a voting instruction card for your use.

 

Proposals You are Asked to Vote on and the Board’s Voting Recommendations

 

The following proposals are scheduled to be voted on at the meeting. Our Board recommends that you vote your shares as indicated below:

 

Proposal

 

The Board’s Voting Recommendation

 

 

 

1. The Election of Two Director Nominees

 

“FOR”
Each nominee to the Board

 

 

 

2. Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

“FOR”
Ratification of the Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

 

Other than the proposals described in this proxy statement, the Board is not aware of any other matters to be presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If you grant a proxy, any of the persons named as proxy holders will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting. If any of our nominees is unavailable as a candidate for director, the proxy holders will vote your proxy for another candidate or candidates as they may be nominated by the Board.

 

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Required Vote

 

The nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. This means that the director nominee with the most votes for a particular slot is elected for that slot. Votes withheld from one or more director nominees will have no effect on the election of any director from whom votes are withheld.

 

The approval of each other proposal requires the affirmative “FOR” vote of a majority of those shares present and in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide the stockholder of record with voting instructions, your shares may constitute broker non-votes, as described in the section on page 1 entitled Quorum. In tabulating the voting result for any particular proposal, shares that constitute broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of any vote.

 

Voting Methods

 

If you are a “stockholder of record,” you may vote your shares in person at the Meeting, vote by telephone, or vote by mailing in the enclosed proxy card. Please refer to the specific instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card.

 

If you hold your shares in “street name,” you must obtain a proxy from your broker, banker, trustee or nominee giving you the right to vote the shares at the Meeting. Please contact your broker/banker/trustee/nominee to obtain instructions for voting your shares.

 

Revoking Your Proxy

 

You may revoke your proxy by doing one of the following:

 

·                  by sending a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company that is received prior to the Meeting, stating that you revoke your proxy;

 

·                  by signing a later-dated proxy card and submitting it so that it is received prior to the Meeting in accordance with the instructions included in the proxy card; or

 

·                  by attending the Meeting and voting your shares in person.

 

Counting the Vote

 

In the election of directors, you may vote “FOR” all of the nominees or your vote may be “WITHHELD” from one or more of the nominees. With respect to each proposal, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN.” If you sign your proxy card or broker voting instructions card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.

 

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Results of the Vote

 

We will announce preliminary voting results at the meeting and publish final results in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2008.

 

Delivery of Proxy Materials

 

Security and Exchange Commission rules now allow us to deliver a single copy of an annual report and proxy statement to any household at which two or more stockholders reside, if we believe the stockholders are members of the same family. This rule benefits both you and the Company. We believe it eliminates duplicate mailings that stockholders living at the same address receive and it reduces our printing and mailing costs. This rule applies to any annual reports, proxy statements, proxy statements combined with a prospectus, or information statements. Each stockholder will continue to receive a separate proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

Your household may have received a single set of proxy materials this year. If you prefer to receive your own copy now or in future years, please request a duplicate set by contacting Ms. Patty Walsh, Director, Investor Relations at (972) 673-9000 or by mail at 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074 or by email at InvestorInfo@adamsgolf.com.

 

If a broker or other nominee holds your shares, you may continue to receive some duplicate mailings. Certain brokers will eliminate duplicate account mailings by allowing stockholders to consent to such elimination, or through implied consent if a stockholder does not request continuation of duplicate mailings. Since not all brokers and nominees may offer stockholders the opportunity this year to eliminate duplicate mailings, you may need to contact your broker or nominee directly to discontinue duplicate mailings.

 

List of Stockholders

 

The names of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at the Annual Meeting for any purpose germane to the meeting. The list will be available ten days prior to the meeting between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 p.m. at our principal executive offices at 2801 East Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074, by contacting Ms. Patty Walsh, Director, Investor Relations.

 

Cost of Proxy Solicitation

 

Adams Golf will pay for the cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials. In addition to mailing these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person, by telephone, or by electronic communication by our directors, officers and employees who do not receive any additional compensation for these solicitation activities. We will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to beneficial owners of stock.

 

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Transfer Agent

 

Our Transfer Agent is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services. All communications concerning record stockholder accounts, including address changes, name changes, common stock transfer requirements, and similar issues can be handled by contacting our Transfer Agent at 877-884-3492 or on the internet at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. One class of directors is elected at each Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a three-year term of office.

 

The directors elected at this meeting will serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in 2011. Directors not up for election this year will continue in office for the remainder of their terms.

 

The Board of Directors has nominated two directors to serve for a three-year term expiring in 2011.

 

If a nominee is unavailable for election, proxy holders will vote for another nominee proposed by the Board or, as an alternative, the Board may reduce the number of directors to be elected at the meeting.

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of these director nominees.

 

Directors Up for Election in 2008 for Terms Expiring in 2011

 

 

 

 

 

Director Class

 

 

 

 

Name and Principal Occupation

 

Age

 

(Terms)

 

Director Since

 

Other Directorships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John M. Gregory

 

55

 

Class I

 

2007

 

Stellar Pharmaceuticals

Chief Manager, SJ Strategic

 

 

 

(Exp. 2011)

 

 

 

UPM Pharmaceuticals

Investments LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert D. Rogers

 

71

 

Class I

 

2004

 

Texas Industries, Inc.

Retired President, Chief

 

 

 

(Exp. 2011)

 

 

 

Con-Way, Inc.

Executive Officer and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Texas Industries, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John M. Gregory – Age 55, a director since November 2007. Mr. Gregory is currently Chief Manager of SJ Strategic Investments LLC, a private, family-owned investment vehicle with a diverse portfolio of public and private investments. Previously, he founded King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:KG) and served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for nine years. Currently, Mr. Gregory serves on the board of Stellar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Canadian based pharmaceutical company (OTCBB: SLXCF; TSXV: SLX), and serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UPM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held pharmaceutical company. Mr. Gregory is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1976.

 

On November 2, 2007, Stephen R. Patchin and Paul F. Brown, Jr. each resigned as a director of Adams Golf. On November 5, 2007, the Board of Directors of Adams Golf elected John M. Gregory and Joseph R. Gregory as directors.

 

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Messrs. Patchin and Brown resigned, and the new directors were selected, in connection with and pursuant to the sale on November 2, 2007 by Royal Holding Company, Inc. to SJ Strategic Investments LLC and Joseph R. Gregory of 676,143 and 917,485 shares of Adams Golf Common Stock, respectively. Mr. Patchin is the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Holding Company, Inc. Mr. Brown is the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Royal Holding Company, Inc. John M. Gregory is the Chief Manager of SJ Strategic Investments LLC. John M. Gregory and Joseph R. Gregory are brothers.

 

After Messrs. Patchin and Brown indicated to the Adams Golf Board that they would be resigning in connection with the sale, Messrs. Gregory and Gregory indicated to the Board that they were interested in being selected as directors in connection with the sale to replace Messrs. Patchin and Brown. Certain of the independent directors of Adams Golf subsequently agreed to meet with Messrs. Gregory and Gregory to discuss and consider their potential selection as directors. Messrs. Gregory and Gregory were elected as directors of Adams Golf at a board meeting held on November 5, 2007. John M. Gregory took the vacated seat of Mr. Patchin, which expires at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2008, and Joseph R. Gregory took the vacated seat of Mr. Brown, which expires at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2010.

 

Robert D. RogersAge 71, a director since February 2004. Mr. Rogers has been a Director of Texas Industries, Inc. since 1970, and was elected as Chairman of the Board in October 2004. He retired from his position of President and CEO of Texas Industries in May 2004, a position he had held since 1970. Mr. Rogers is also a director of Con-Way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) and serves on the company’s finance committee. In addition, he is a member of the Executive Board for Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business.

 

Directors Continuing in Office

 

 

 

 

 

Director Class

 

 

 

 

Name and Principal Occupation

 

Age

 

(Term)

 

Director Since

 

Other Directorships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

44

 

Class II

 

2000

 

n/a

President and Chief Executive

 

 

 

(Exp. 2009)

 

 

 

 

Officer of the Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell L. Fleischer

 

40

 

Class II

 

2005

 

n/a

CEO, Healthvision

 

 

 

(Exp. 2009)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.H. (Barney) Adams

 

69

 

Class III

 

1987

 

n/a

Chairman of the Board of the

 

 

 

(Exp. 2010)

 

 

 

 

Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph R. Gregory

 

53

 

Class III

 

2007

 

n/a

President & CEO,

 

 

 

(Exp. 2010)

 

 

 

 

Gregory Management Co., LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman & CEO,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epic Secure Solutions, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark R. Mulvoy

 

66

 

Class III

 

1998

 

n/a

Retired Editor of Sports Illustrated

 

 

 

(Exp. 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

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Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III – Age 44, a director since October 2000. Mr. Brewer has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Adams Golf since January 2002. He was our President and Chief Operating Officer from August 2000 to January 2002 and our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from September 1998 to August 2000.

 

Russell L. Fleischer – Age 40, a director since February 2005. Mr. Fleischer has been Chief Executive Officer of Healthvision (formerly Quovadx) since July 2007. From September 2006 until July 2007, he was an Executive in Residence for Golden Gate Capital. Mr. Fleischer was the Chief Executive Officer and a director of TriSyn Group, a privately held software company from December 2002 until September 2006. He was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Adams Golf from November 2000 to December 2002.

 

B.H. Barney Adams – Age 69, a director since 1987. Mr Adams founded Adams Golf in 1987 and has served as our Chairman of the Board since that time. Mr. Adams served as our Chief Executive Officer from 1987 until January 2002, and as our President from 1987 until August 2000. Mr. Adams is the inventor of the Tight Lies® Fairway Wood.

 

Joseph R. Gregory – Age 53, a director since November 2007. Mr. Gregory is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gregory Management Co., LLC, a private investment management company, and is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Epic Secure Solutions, Inc., a privately-held security software company. Previously, he was a co-founder of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: KG) where he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Pharmaceuticals. He serves on the boards of numerous community charities, and runs a private family foundation focusing on children’s issues. Mr. Gregory is a graduate of the University Of Maryland School Of Business, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1977.

 

On November 2, 2007, Stephen R. Patchin and Paul F. Brown, Jr. each resigned as a director of Adams Golf. On November 5, 2007, the Board of Directors of Adams Golf elected John M. Gregory and Joseph R. Gregory as directors.

 

Messrs. Patchin and Brown resigned, and the new directors were selected, in connection with and pursuant to the sale on November 2, 2007 by Royal Holding Company, Inc. to SJ Strategic Investments LLC and Joseph R. Gregory of 676,143 and 917,485 shares of Adams Golf Common Stock, respectively. Mr. Patchin is the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Holding Company, Inc. Mr. Brown is the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Royal Holding Company, Inc. John M. Gregory is the Chief Manager of SJ Strategic Investments LLC. John M. Gregory and Joseph R. Gregory are brothers.

 

After Messrs. Patchin and Brown indicated to the Adams Golf Board that they would be resigning in connection with the sale, Messrs. Gregory and Gregory indicated to the Board that they were interested in being selected as directors in connection with the sale to replace Messrs. Patchin and Brown. Certain of the independent directors of Adams Golf subsequently agreed to meet with Messrs. Gregory and Gregory to discuss and consider their potential selection as directors. Messrs. Gregory and Gregory were elected as directors of Adams Golf at a board

 

8



 

meeting held on November 5, 2007. John M. Gregory took the vacated seat of Mr. Patchin, which expires at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2008, and Joseph R. Gregory took the vacated seat of Mr. Brown, which expires at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2010.

 

Mark R. Mulvoy – Age 66, a director since April 1998. Mr. Mulvoy is a retired executive of Sports Illustrated magazine where he was employed from 1965 to 1996. He was Managing Editor of Sports Illustrated from 1984 through 1996 and Publisher from 1990 to 1992.

 

There is no family relationship between any of the nominees or between any nominee and any executive officer of Adams Golf, except that Mr. John Gregory and Mr. Joseph Gregory are brothers.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Fleischer, John Gregory, Joseph Gregory, Rogers and Mulvoy is an “independent director” pursuant to Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Our business, property and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. Members of our Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with our Chairman, our President and Chief Executive Officer and other officers, by reviewing materials provided to them, by visiting our offices and production facility, and by participating in meetings of the Board and its Committees. The Board of Directors is committed to good business practices, transparency of financial reporting and sound corporate governance.

 

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors

 

Independent directors occasionally meet in executive sessions without management and may or may not select a director to facilitate the meeting. In 2007, our independent directors held two such meetings.

 

Communication with Directors

 

Stockholders may communicate with the Independent Directors or Chairs of our Audit and Compensation Committees on board-related issues by writing to the Committee Chairs or to the outside directors as a group c/o Ms. Patty Walsh, Director, Investor Relations at Adams Golf, 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074. The envelope should clearly indicate the person or persons to whom the communication should be forwarded.

 

Communications will be distributed to the Board, or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications. The Board of Directors has directed that certain items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board do not need to be forwarded to our Directors, such as:

 

·                  spam

·                  junk mail and mass mailings

 

9



 

·                  product inquiries and suggestions

·                  resumes and other forms of job inquiries

·                  surveys

·                  business solicitation or advertisements

 

In addition, material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable will be excluded, with the provision that any communication that is filtered out must be available to any outside director upon request.

 

Code of Conduct

 

Adams Golf has adopted a code of conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. To obtain a copy of our Code of Conduct, please contact Ms. Patty Walsh, Director, Investor Relations, c/o Adams Golf, 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074.

 

Transactions with Related Persons

 

We do not have a specific set of policies and procedures with respect to the approval of related party transactions. Our published Code of Conduct, discussed above, which is found in our Employee Information Guide, governs our decision-making with respect to related party transactions. In general, related party transactions are infrequent in nature and are always disclosed to the Board. If a related party transaction affects a specific Board member, that Board member will be recused from the voting with respect to the approval of the related party transaction. In fiscal 2007, there were no third party transactions that were reviewed for approval.

 

Ms. Cindy Adams-Herington, the daughter of our Chairman, Barney Adams, owns 40% of Plano Paper and Supply. Her husband, Mr. Tom Herington owns 60% of Plano Paper and Supply. Our Chairman, Mr. Barney Adams, is a lender to Plano Paper and Supply. In June 2005, Adams Golf, in an open bid process, selected Plano Paper and Supply as a supplier of shipping boxes for our products. In 2007, we made total purchases of $398,833 from Plano Paper and Supply.

 

Relationships

 

Two adult children of our Chairman, Barney Adams are employees of Adams Golf. Mr. Edwin Adams serves as our General Counsel. In 2007, Edwin Adams received an annual base salary of $131,950 and a performance bonus of $32,988. Ms. Cindy Adams-Herington holds the position of Vice President, Advertising and Marketing and received an annual base salary in 2007 of $163,909 and a performance bonus of $85,761. Neither Edwin Adams nor Cindy Herington has employment contracts or change of control arrangements with us.

 

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Director Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

The Company’s policy is that our Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders unless extenuating circumstances prevent them from attending. All of our then serving Directors attended last year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

BOARD STRUCTURE AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

 

The Board is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. The Board has seven Directors and two committees: the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The membership during fiscal 2007 and the function of each Committee are described below.

 

During fiscal 2007, the Board of Directors held four meetings. The Audit Committee held four meetings and the Compensation Committee held two meetings during fiscal 2007. All of our Directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and all committees on which he served, except for John Gregory and Joseph Gregory who did not attend any meetings as they were elected to the Board after the last meeting in 2007.

 

The following chart shows the composition of the committees of the Board of Directors and the number of meetings held by each committee during fiscal year 2007.

 

Director

 

Audit
Committee

 

Compensation
Committee

 

Independent
Director (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.H. (Barney) Adams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul F. Brown Jr. (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell L. Fleischer

 

X

 

X(3)

 

X

 

John M. Gregory (4)

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Joseph R. Gregory (2)

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Mark R. Mulvoy

 

X(5)

 

X

 

X

 

Stephen R. Patchin (4)

 

 

 

X(3)

 

 

 

Robert D. Rogers

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2007 Meetings

 

4

 

2

 

 

 

 


(1)   Individuals who are independent directors in accordance with NASDAQ’s independence standards set forth in Rule 4200(a)(15).

(2)   Paul F. Brown Jr. resigned from the Board of Directors on November 2, 2007. Joseph R. Gregory was elected to the Board of Directors on November 5, 2007.

(3)   Stephen R. Patchin resigned from the Compensation Committee on November 2, 2007. Russell L. Fleischer was appointed to the Compensation Committee on November 5, 2007.

(4)   Stephen R. Patchin resigned from the Board of Directors on November 2, 2007. John M. Gregory was elected to the Board of Directors on November 5, 2007.

(5)   Mark R. Mulvoy was appointed to the Audit Committee on November 5, 2007.

 

11



 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditor, and the performance of the Company’s internal auditing function. In addition, the Audit Committee:

 

·      Reviews the annual audited and quarterly consolidated financial statements;

 

·      Reviews the Company’s financial reporting process and disclosure and internal controls and procedures, including major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation, and critical accounting policies to be used in the consolidated financial statements;

 

·      Appoints, oversees and approves compensation of the independent auditor;

 

·      Reviews with the independent auditor the scope of the annual audit, including fees and staffing, and approves all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by the auditor;

 

·      Reviews findings and recommendations of the independent auditor and management’s response to the recommendations of the independent auditor; and

 

·      Discusses policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, the Company’s major risk exposures, and the steps management has taken to monitor and mitigate such exposures.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that our Audit Committee members are independent and two of the three members qualify under the Nasdaq listing standards as “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The charter of the Audit Committee is available at www.adamsgolf.com under Corporate – Corporate Governance.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The primary functions of the Compensation Committee are to review and refine our executive compensation philosophy and guiding principles to reflect Adams Golf’s mission, values and long-term strategic objectives and to adopt and administer executive compensation programs in a manner that furthers the interests of our stockholders.

 

None of the members of the Compensation Committee (i) was an officer or employee of the Company during the fiscal year 2007, or (ii) had any relationship requiring disclosure by the Company under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission requiring disclosure of certain relationships and related party transactions. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

 

12



 

Russell L. Fleischer and Mark R. Mulvoy are the members of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Mulvoy serves as the Compensation Committee Chairman. Both Mr. Fleischer and Mr. Mulvoy qualify as independent directors under the NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee does not currently operate under a Compensation Committee charter.

 

Role of Committee

 

The fundamental responsibilities of our Compensation Committee are:

 

·      to adopt, review and refine the Company’s executive compensation philosophy and guiding principles that reflect Adams Golf’s mission, values and long-term strategic objectives;

 

·      to administer Adams Golf’s executive compensation program in a manner that furthers Adams Golf’s strategic goals and serves the interest of our stockholders;

 

·      to establish compensation-related performance objectives for executive officers that support our strategic plan;

 

·      to evaluate the job performance of the Chief Executive Officer in light of those goals and objectives;

 

·      to determine the total compensation levels of the senior executive officers and to allocate total compensation among the various components of executive pay;

 

·      to make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding incentive and equity-based compensation plans; and

 

·      to recommend to the Board the compensation arrangements with non-employee directors.

 

Committee Meetings

 

Our Compensation Committee meets as often as necessary to perform its duties and responsibilities. The Compensation Committee held two formal meetings during fiscal year 2007 and multiple informal conference calls regarding employment contract and director compensation issues.

 

The Compensation Committee frequently receives and reviews materials in advance of each meeting. These materials are typically compiled by management and include information that management believes will be helpful to the Committee as well as materials that the Committee has specifically requested. Depending on the agenda for the particular meeting, these materials may include:

 

·     financial reports on year-to-date performance versus budget and compared to prior year performance;

 

13



 

·              calculations and reports on levels of achievement of individual and corporate performance objectives;

 

·              information on the executive officers’ stock ownership and option holdings.

 

For a further discussion of the Compensation Committee’s role in executive officer compensation, please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement beginning on page 17.

 

DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS

 

We have adopted corporate governance procedures that mandate that a majority of independent directors must nominate all new directors to the entire Board for a vote. These governance procedures allow us to comply with NASDAQ nominating committee standards. Subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock or any other class of our capital stock (other than common stock), or any series of the foregoing that has been outstanding, nominations for the election of directors may be made by our Board of Directors, any committee appointed by our Board, or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. We do not currently have a standing nominating committee or a charter with respect to the nominating process. Our Board of Directors believes that it is not necessary to have such a committee because the Board’s size and composition allow it to adequately identify and evaluate qualified candidates for directors. However, our Board of Directors may consider appointing such a committee at some time in the future.

 

On November 2, 2007, Stephen R. Patchin and Paul F. Brown, Jr. each resigned as a director of Adams Golf. On November 5, 2007, the Board of Directors of Adams Golf elected John M. Gregory and Joseph R. Gregory as directors.

 

Messrs. Patchin and Brown resigned, and the new directors were selected, in connection with and pursuant to the sale on November 2, 2007 by Royal Holding Company, Inc. to SJ Strategic Investments LLC and Joseph R. Gregory of 676,143 and 917,485 shares of Adams Golf Common Stock, respectively. Mr. Patchin is the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Holding Company, Inc. Mr. Brown is the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Royal Holding Company, Inc. John M. Gregory is the Chief Manager of SJ Strategic Investments LLC. John M. Gregory and Joseph R. Gregory are brothers.

 

After Messrs. Patchin and Brown indicated to the Adams Golf Board that they would be resigning in connection with the sale, Messrs. Gregory and Gregory indicated to the Board that they were interested in being selected as directors in connection with the sale to replace Messrs. Patchin and Brown. Certain of the independent directors of Adams Golf subsequently agreed to meet with Messrs. Gregory and Gregory to discuss and consider their potential selection as directors. Messrs. Gregory and Gregory were elected as directors of Adams Golf at a board meeting held on November 5, 2007. John M. Gregory took the vacated seat of Mr. Patchin, which expires at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2008, and Joseph R. Gregory took the vacated seat of Mr. Brown, which expires at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2010.

 

14



 

Our Board of Directors evaluates candidates based on financial literacy, knowledge of our industry or other background relevant to our needs, status as one of our stockholders, “independence” for purposes of compliance with the rules of the Securities Exchange Commission and NASDAQ, moral character and willingness, ability and availability for service. Aside from the qualities stated above, our Board does not have a set of minimum qualifications that must be met by director nominees.

 

We have not paid fees to any third party to assist in the process of identifying or evaluating director candidates. Because we do not have a standing nominating committee, this year’s nominees (all of whom are currently serving as directors) were selected for re-election by our entire Board.

 

Nominations by Stockholders at the Annual Meeting

 

Our By-laws provide that stockholder proposals and director nominations by stockholders may be made in compliance with certain advance notice, informational and other applicable requirements. For a detailed description of our Annual Meeting advance notice requirements and our stockholder nomination procedures, please see page 43 of this document.

 

15



 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Below are the names and ages of the executive officers of Adams Golf as of December 31, 2007 and a brief description of their prior experience and qualifications.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

44

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

Eric T. Logan

 

42

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III – Please see biography of Mr. Brewer on page 8.

 

Eric T. Logan – Age 42. Mr. Logan has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Adams Golf since October 2003. He was Chief Financial Officer of Daisytek International from May 2003 to October 2003 and U.S. Chief Financial Officer of Daisytek International from September 2002 to May 2003.

 

16



 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Our Compensation Discussion and Analysis addresses the following topics:

 

·                  the members and role of our Compensation Committee;

 

·                  our compensation-setting process;

 

·                  our compensation philosophy and policies regarding executive compensation;

 

·                  the components of our executive compensation program; and

 

·                  our compensation decisions for fiscal year 2007 and the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Committee” refer to the Compensation Committee of Adams Golf’s Board of Directors.

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

Our compensation philosophy and objectives are intended to align the interests of management with those of our stockholders. The following principles influence and guide our compensation decisions.

 

We Focus on Results and Strategic Objectives

 

Our compensation analysis begins with an examination of Adams Golf’s business plan and strategic objectives. In analyzing Adams Golf’s business plan and strategic objectives, the Compensation Committee may consider any of the following:

 

·                  Adams Golf products to be launched in the fiscal year;

 

·                  the competitive environment;

 

·                  targeted revenue growth rates;

 

·                  targeted profitability rates;

 

·                  investments in the current fiscal year, including, but not limited to, personnel, marketing, tour pro investment and capital expenditures;

 

·                  customer concentration and channel mix changes; and

 

·                  market share data by product category.

 

17



 

Our compensation decisions for Officers are made following a detailed discussion of the aforementioned business plan and strategic objectives. We intend that our compensation decisions will reward key management and employees for their participation in advancing Adams Golf’s strategic initiatives and financial performance measures. The most significant financial performance measures considered in setting compensation are:

 

·    revenue growth versus business plan for the current fiscal year;

 

·    profitability versus business plan for the current fiscal year; and

 

·    prudent investments to build the Adams Golf brand and to focus on long-term growth and the health of the company.

 

At Adams Golf, our most significant profitability measure is EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).

 

Compensation Decisions Should Promote the Interests of Stockholders

 

At the core of our compensation philosophy is our guiding belief that pay should be directly linked to performance. Linking pay to performance, in our opinion, aligns the objectives of our senior executives with the interests of our stockholders. This philosophy has guided many of our compensation related decisions, such as:

 

·            A substantial portion of senior executive compensation is contingent on, and variable with, achievement of objective corporate and/or individual performance goals. A substantial majority of the variable or bonus-related component of compensation is determined by corporate revenue growth and profitability metrics. We believe that linking the payment of bonuses to our senior executives to the achievement of our most significant financial performance measures as noted above aligns the objectives of our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders.

 

·            We believe that equity ownership by our senior executives aligns their long-term incentives with those of Adams Golf’s stockholders.

 

Compensation Should be Reasonable and Responsible

 

It is essential that Adams Golf’s overall compensation levels be sufficiently competitive to attract talented leaders and motivate those leaders to achieve superior results. At the same time, we believe that compensation should be set at responsible levels. We believe that our compensation policies are responsible if our executive compensation programs are consistent with Adams Golf’s constant focus on controlling costs while remaining competitive to allow Adams Golf to attract highly qualified candidates for management positions.

 

18



 

Compensation Disclosures Should be Clear and Complete

 

We believe that all aspects of executive compensation should be clearly, comprehensibly and promptly disclosed in plain English to stockholders. We believe that compensation disclosures should provide all of the information necessary to permit stockholders to understand our compensation philosophy and objectives, our compensation-setting process and how much our executives are paid.

 

The Use of Compensation Consultants

 

We have in the past engaged compensation consultants to help provide guidance on median pay and equity ownership levels for executives in similarly-sized companies in comparable industries. Most recently, we engaged Mercer Human Resource Consulting to consult with us regarding the compensation package of our President and CEO, Chip Brewer for his 2008 – 2010 employment agreement.

 

Mercer created a peer list of similarly-sized companies in comparable industries in order to benchmark executive compensation levels against companies that have executive positions with responsibilities similar in breadth and scope to ours. Since there are a paucity of publicly traded, similarly-sized golf equipment and golf component businesses, Mercer included in its peer group analysis similarly-sized companies in the sporting goods and apparel categories. The following are several of the companies used in the peer group for Adams Golf: Ashworth, Cutter & Buck, Radica Games, Cybex International, Fountain Powerboat Industries, Gametech International, Vermont Teddy Bear and Aldila. The Compensation Committee reviewed a summary of the compensation data prepared by Mercer to ensure that our Officers’ compensation programs were competitive.

 

We do not currently have Mercer or any other compensation consultant under engagement. In our opinion, our relatively small size and the fact that the compensation package of our CEO is determined by his employment agreement restricts our need for a continuing engagement with a consultant. The Compensation Committee may engage a compensation consultant in the future if the needs of the business so dictate.

 

Elements of Executive Compensation

 

Base Salary

 

Base pay is a critical element of executive compensation because it provides executives with a base level of monthly income. In determining base salaries, we consider the executive’s qualifications and experience, scope of responsibilities and future potential, the goals and objectives established for the executive, the executive’s past performance, competitive salary practices at comparable companies, and internal pay equity and the tax deductibility of base salary.

 

For our Officers, we establish base salaries at a level so that a significant portion of the total compensation that such Officers can earn is performance-based pay. Base salary is targeted at

 

19



 

median levels for similarly-sized companies in comparable industries, as defined by our compensation consultant.

 

Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan

 

Our Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) was established in 1998. The Plan provides Officers and key employees an opportunity to earn a semi-annual cash bonus for achieving specified performance-based goals established for each half of the fiscal year. Performance goals are tied to measures of financial performance rather than appreciation in stock price. Performance goals are generally based on financial results as defined by our business plan and bonus evaluations are made in July and January. The Officers and other key employees are evaluated and paid primarily on:

 

·    revenue growth versus plan for the current fiscal year;

 

·    profitability versus plan for the current fiscal year; and

 

·    prudent investments to build the Adams Golf brand and to focus on long-term growth and the health of the company.

 

At Adams Golf our most significant profitability measure is EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).

 

The Compensation Committee has been pleased with the Plan and with the balance inherent in the measures upon which the Officers and other key employees are paid under the Plan. We are committed to growing revenue and maintaining profitability in the short term, and making prudent long-term, brand-building investments such as our commitments on the professional golf tours and our commitment to growing our research and development capabilities.

 

The Compensation Committee sets targeted incentive payout percentages as a percentage of base salary for each Officer. These targets are based on competitive practices for each compareable position based on survey results from our compensation consultant. The majority of the weighting of whether the Officer achieves his or her semi-annual bonus is determined by the financial performance metrics mentioned previously in this section. In addition, each Officer has individual semi-annual goals that must be achieved, in full or in part, in order to attain the targeted payout of the semi-annual bonus. Performance above or below the targeted payout can be achieved based on numerous factors including our performance versus semi-annual financial metrics and the Officer’s individual performance versus his or her specific semi-annual performance goals.

 

Equity-Based Compensation

 

We believe that equity compensation is the most effective and most widely-accepted means of creating a long-term link between the compensation provided to Officers and other key management personnel with gains realized by the stockholders. The Compensation Committee’s

 

20



 

objective is to provide Officers with long-term incentive opportunities that are consistent with those of comparable companies identified by our compensation consultant.

 

The 2002 Equity Incentive Plan governs the granting of all equity-denominated securities to Adams Golf employees and was approved by the Company’s stockholders in May 2002. The 2002 Equity Incentive Plan allows us to grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalents or Other Stock-Based Awards (all terms defined in the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan). Through 2007, we had only awarded options to purchase our common stock under the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan. In 2008, we awarded restricted shares, with vesting provisions, to our President and CEO, Chip Brewer as part of his 2008 – 2010 employment contract. The Compensation Committee regularly discusses and evaluates the use of alternative types of awards under the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan and may use such alternative awards in the future.

 

All restricted stock awards incorporate the following features:

 

·    The term of the grant does not exceed 10 years;

 

·    The vesting period of current restricted stock awards varies between four months and three years;

 

·    Grants do not include “reload” provisions.

 

All stock option awards incorporate the following features:

 

·    The term of the grant does not exceed 10 years;

 

·    The grant prices of future option grants will not be less than the market price on the date of grant;

 

·    Grants do not include “reload” provisions; and

 

·            Options generally vest 25% per year over four years beginning with the first anniversary of the date of grant. In some instances we have used six-month and one-year option vesting periods.

 

We currently use restricted stock awards as a long-term incentive vehicle because:

 

·            Restricted stock grants align the interests of executives with those of the stockholders, support a pay-for-performance culture, foster employee stock ownership, and focus the management team on increasing value for the stockholders.

 

·            Restricted stock grants help to provide a balance to the overall compensation program; our annual bonus incentive program focuses on the achievement of annual performance

 

21



 

targets; the long-term vesting period for restricted stock awards creates incentives for increases in stockholder value over a longer term.

 

·            The vesting period encourages executive retention and the preservation of stockholder value.

 

We may continue to use stock options as a long-term incentive vehicle because:

 

·            Stock options align the interests of executives with those of the stockholders, support a pay-for-performance culture, foster employee stock ownership, and focus the management team on increasing value for the stockholders.

 

·            All of the value received by the recipient from a stock option is based on the growth of the stock price above the exercise price.

 

·            Stock options help to provide a balance to the overall compensation program; our annual bonus incentive program focuses on the achievement of annual performance targets; the four-year vesting period for stock option awards creates incentives for increases in stockholder value over a longer term.

 

·            The vesting period encourages executive retention and the preservation of stockholder value.

 

In determining the number of options and/or restricted shares to be granted to Officers and other key employees, we take into account the individual’s position, scope of responsibility, ability to affect revenue growth, profitability and stockholder value, as well as the individual’s historic and recent performance and the equity value of the grant in relation to other elements of total compensation.

 

Option grants for our President and CEO, Chip Brewer, have been made concurrent with his employment agreements of 2002 and 2005. A restricted stock grant, with vesting provisions, was made concurrent with his employment agreement of 2008. These grants were approved by the Compensation Committee and the entire Board. There have been two option grants for our CFO, Eric Logan—one made concurrent with the beginning of his employment in October 2003, and the other made in a key employee grant in November 2004. The grants were approved by the Compensation Committee and the entire Board. The date of Board approval is generally the date at which the option agreement becomes effective.

 

In the past, we have granted stock options with an exercise price less than the market price of the stock at the date of grant. The grants were meant to incentivize key employees to help to turn around the Company. The grants were made at a time when there was minimal Black Scholes value in options granted with an exercise price equal to market price on the date of grant. We believe the grants have achieved their purpose, as we have been profitable for the previous five fiscal years and the executive team and key employees have remained intact.

 

22



 

The expenses from these options have been accounted for from the inception of the option grants. Given current IRS tax rulings in Section 409A, we do not expect to grant stock options in the future with exercise prices less than the market price of the stock at the date of grant. We may grant other types of incentive awards under the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan in the future to the extent such awards are consistent with and further our compensation objectives.

 

The application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Service tax code resulted in many option holders designating option exercise dates in advance for some options that were granted with an exercise price less than the market price of the stock at the date of grant. For more information about the scheduled timing of these exercises for our employees, please consult our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2007, a copy of which is included with this proxy statement. In particular, please see Note 13 of the financial statements to the Annual Report regarding Stockholders’ Equity.

 

Additional Benefits

 

Executive officers participate in other employee benefit plans generally available to all employees on the same terms as similarly situated employees. We offer a variety of health and welfare and retirement savings programs to all eligible employees. The Officers generally are eligible for the same benefit programs on the same basis as the rest of the Company’s employees. The health and welfare programs are intended to protect employees against catastrophic loss and to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Our health and welfare programs include medical, wellness, pharmacy, dental, vision, life insurance and accidental death and disability. All employees are eligible for our 401(k) program.

 

In addition, certain officers receive other additional perquisites that are described in this Proxy Statement under the heading Executive Compensation. These perquisites include:

 

·            Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage: We pay 100% of the premium for both term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, equal to two times the Officer’s base salary. This benefit is available to all employees.

 

·            Supplemental Life Insurance: Supplemental life insurance benefits are provided to the Officers and to all other employees. The Officers and employees must pay for any supplemental insurance coverage they decide to buy.

 

·            Short-term and Long-term Disability: We pay 100% of the premium cost for these benefit programs for Officers and all other employees. The short-term disability program provides income replacement at 67% of base pay level for up to 13 weeks of recovery. Upon expiration of the 13 week short-term disability period, the long-term disability program provides income replacement at 60% of base pay level, up to a maximum of $6,000 per month, until age 65 or recovery per the terms and conditions of the program.

 

23



 

We requested that Adams Golf disclose all perquisites provided to the Officers shown in the Summary Compensation Table even if the perquisites fall below the disclosure thresholds required under Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

 

Our Compensation Decisions

 

This section describes the compensation decisions that we made with respect to the Officers for fiscal year 2007.

 

Executive Summary

 

In 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, we continued to apply the compensation principles previously described in determining the compensation of our Officers. These compensation decisions were made in the context of Adams Golf’s recent financial performance.

 

In summary, the compensation decisions made in 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 for the Officers were as follows:

 

·            For fiscal year 2008, the base salary level for our President and CEO, Chip Brewer is governed by his employment agreement, which called for an increase in base salary for 2008 to $425,000 from $400,000. The base salary level for our CFO, Eric Logan was increased to $215,000 from $200,000 in 2007.

 

·            In 2007, the President and CEO, Chip Brewer and the CFO, Eric Logan were paid incentive bonuses, as Adams Golf achieved its 2007 Annual Plan revenue and EBITDA targets. Mr. Brewer was paid $400,000 and Mr. Logan was paid $220,000 in incentive bonuses in 2007.

 

We believe that these decisions are consistent with our core compensation principles and objectives:

 

·            We believe in a “pay-for-performance” culture;

 

·            Compensation decisions should promote the interests of long-term stockholders; and

 

·            Compensation should be reasonable and responsible.

 

Base Salary Decisions

 

We adjust base salaries on a calendar year basis. Mr. Brewer’s base salary was raised to $425,000 and Mr. Logan’s base salary was raised to $215,000 for 2008.

 

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Name

 

Title

 

2008 Base Salary

 

2007 Base Salary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

President and CEO

 

$

425,000

 

$

400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric T. Logan

 

Senior Vice President and CFO

 

215,000

 

200,000

 

 

In setting these base salaries, we considered:

 

·            our compensation philosophy and guiding principles described above;

 

·            the experience and industry knowledge of the Officers and the quality and effectiveness of their leadership at the Company;

 

·            all of the components of executive compensation, including base salary, incentive compensation, stock options, and benefits and perquisites;

 

·            the mix of performance pay to total compensation; and

 

·            internal pay equity among Adams Golf’s senior executives.

 

The 2007 and 2008 base salaries of the President and CEO, Chip Brewer are determined by his employment agreements in effect for those periods. For a more detailed description of Mr. Brewer’s current employment agreement, please see Employment Contracts and Change in Control Arrangements on page 30.

 

Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan Decisions

 

Our Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan provides our Officers and key employees an opportunity to earn a semi-annual cash bonus for achieving specified performance-based goals established for the fiscal year. In recent years (including 2007 and 2008), the Compensation Committee has established performance objectives for the Officers based on targeted levels of revenue growth and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). We believe that focusing on revenue growth is important because there are distinct advantages to revenue and profitability scale in the golf equipment business, such as the ability to advertise on network-televised golf events, to sponsor professional tour pros, and the ability to compete for strong R&D talent. We believe that focusing on EBITDA is important because it is the most widely-accepted metric for the cash flow generated by a business. The performance objectives allow the Officers to earn a cash bonus up to a specified percentage of their base salary if Adams Golf achieves at least a specified threshold of the above metrics.

 

25



 

The targeted bonus levels as a percentage of salary for 2007 and 2008 for the Officers are specified below:

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus as Percentage (%) of Salary (1)

 

Name

 

Title

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

Stretch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

President and CEO

 

0

%

100

%

200

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric T. Logan

 

Senior Vice President and CFO

 

0

%

50

%

 

 


(1) The Officers are eligible to receive a bonus equal to up to the specified percentage of their base salary if Adams Golf achieves the specified level of revenue growth and EBITDA as defined in the Company’s business plan.

 

Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Decisions

 

In 2007, we did not grant stock options or other forms of equity compensation to the Officers. The granting of stock options to our President and CEO, Chip Brewer, is governed by his employment agreement, which dictated that all his options under his 2005 employment agreement (which lasts through December 31, 2007) would be granted in 2005.

 

In March 2008 per Mr. Brewer’s employment agreement, we granted 150,000 shares of our restricted common stock, which will vest in six equal installments on the last trading days of June and December 2008, 2009 and 2010.

 

As of the record date for the 2008 Annual Stockholders Meeting, the Officers hold the following unvested stock options that would become vested upon a change in control.

 

Name

 

No. of Shares
Underlying
Unvested
Awards (#)

 

Unrealized
Value of
Unvested
Awards ($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

150,000

 

$

1,350,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric T. Logan

 

21,875

 

100,625

 

 

Note: The unrealized value of unvested options was calculated by multiplying the number of shares underlying the unvested options by the closing price of the stock as of the date of grant ($4.32 split-adjusted on 11/8/2004 and $5.44 split-adjusted on 1/1/2005) and then deducting the aggregate exercise price for the options. The unrealized value of restricted stock was calculated by multiplying the number of unvested shares remaining in the restricted stock grant by the closing price of the stock as of the date of grant ($9.00 on 3/13/2008).

 

Reasonableness of Compensation

 

After considering all components of the compensation paid to the Officers, the Compensation Committee has determined that the compensation is reasonable and is not excessive. In making this determination, we considered many factors, including the following:

 

26



 

·         Management has consistently led Adams Golf to increasing levels of profitability and revenue growth in recent years.

 

·         Management’s compensation as compared to the compensation of executives at peer list companies studied in the past.

 

·         The stockholder return performance of Adams Golf over the past five years has significantly outpaced the performance of companies in Adams Golf’s peer group.

 

·         The compensation program for Officers and other key employees has generally achieved the goals of retaining and attracting talented management members who can and have helped us return the company to profitability.

 

Management’s Role in the Compensation-Setting Process

 

Management plays a significant role in the compensation-setting process. The most significant aspects of management’s role are:

 

·         evaluating employee performance;

 

·         establishing business performance targets and objectives;

 

·         recommending salary levels and option awards; and

 

·         preparing meeting information for each Compensation Committee meeting.

 

Upon request, the Chief Executive Officer may also participate in Compensation Committee meetings to provide:

 

·         background information regarding Adams Golf’s strategic objectives;

 

·         his evaluation of the performance of the senior executive officers; and

 

·         compensation recommendations as to senior executive officers other than himself.

 

Compensation Policies

 

The Tax Deductibility of Compensation Should be Maximized Where Appropriate

 

The Company generally seeks to maximize the deductibility for tax purposes of all elements of compensation. For example, the Company has always issued nonqualified stock options that result in a tax deduction to Adams Golf upon exercise. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for non-qualifying compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to any such persons in any fiscal year. We review compensation plans in light of applicable tax provisions, including Section 162(m), and may revise

 

27



 

compensation plans from time to time to maximize deductibility. However, we may approve compensation that does not qualify for deductibility when we deem it to be in the best interest of Adams Golf.

 

Financial Restatement

 

It is the Board of Directors’ policy that the Board will, to the extent permitted by governing law, have the sole and absolute authority to make retroactive adjustments to any cash or equity-based incentive compensation paid to Officers and certain other key management where the payment was predicated on the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of restatement. Where applicable, the company will seek to recover any amount determined to have been inappropriately received by the individual involved. We have not had to pursue recovery from any individual as a result of a restatement.

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

We have not adopted formal stock ownership guidelines for our Officers however, we do believe that Officers owning stock helps align their interest with those of long-term stockholders.

 

Timing of Stock Option Grants

 

Adams Golf has adopted a policy on stock option grants that includes the following provisions relating to the timing of option grants:

 

 ·          The grant date of stock options is always the date of approval of the grants (or a specified later date if for any reason the grant is approved during a time when Adams Golf is in possession of material, non-public information).

 

 ·          The exercise price is the closing price of the underlying common stock on the grant date for those stock options that may be granted in the future.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

We have reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on our review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

 

Submitted by:

Russell L. Fleischer
Mark R. Mulvoy

 

28



 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our Officers who served in such capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

The salary and stock option awards for our President and CEO are determined by his employment agreement with the Company. For a more detailed description of the Employment Agreement, please see Employment Contracts and Change in Control Arrangements beginning on page 30. Bonuses for our CEO and CFO are paid semi-annually under the terms of the Company’s Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan. The following table presents the total amount of bonuses paid to the Company’s Officers for fiscal year 2007. For a more detailed description of the Company’s Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan, please see Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan on page 20.

 

Name and
Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus

 

Stock
Option
Awards

 

All Other
Compensation

 

Total
Fiscal
Year
2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip)

 

2007

 

$

400,000

 

$

400,000

 

 

$

79,194

(1)

$

879,194

 

Brewer III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President and Chief

 

2006

 

400,000

 

325,000

 

 

61,172

(2)

786,172

 

Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric T. Logan

 

2007

 

200,000

 

220,000

 

 

32,515

(3)

452,515

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

2006

 

200,000

 

100,000

 

 

15,994

(4)

315,994

 

 


(1)              Includes $26,977 of automobile expenses; $900 for Group Term Life insurance premiums; $25,487 for health and welfare benefits; $3,415 of non-reimbursed business expenses; $15,666 for country club memberships and $6,750 of 401k matching contributions.

(2)              Includes $24,686 of automobile expenses; $900 for Group Term Life insurance premiums; $9,683 for health and welfare benefits; $3,307 of non-reimbursed business expenses; $16,952 for country club memberships and $5,643 of 401k matching contributions.

(3)              Includes $420 for Group Term Life insurance premiums; $25,345 for health and welfare benefits; and $6,750 of 401k matching contributions.

(4)              Includes $420 for Group Term Life insurance premiums; $9,455 for health and welfare benefits; and $6,119 of 401k matching contributions.

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

There were no equity grants given to the Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

29



 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table sets forth information concerning stock options held by the Officers at December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

Unexercised

 

Option

 

Option

 

 

 

Grant

 

Options (#)

 

Options (#)

 

Exercise

 

Expiration

 

Name

 

Date

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Price ($)

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brewer III

 

1/16/2002

 

243,750

 

 

$

0.04

 

1/16/2012

 

 

 

2/14/2003

 

97,475

 

 

0.04

 

2/14/2013

 

 

 

7/31/2003

 

119,778

 

 

0.04

 

7/31/2013

 

 

 

1/15/2004

 

66,694

 

 

0.04

 

1/15/2014

 

 

 

1/6/2005

 

 

75,029

 

0.04

 

1/6/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric T. Logan

 

10/24/2003

 

12,500

 

 

0.04

 

10/24/2013

 

 

 

11/8/2004

 

15,625

 

15,625

 

0.04

 

11/8/2014

 

 

 

1/1/2005

 

 

12,500

 

0.04

 

1/1/2015

 

 


(1)     All information in this table relates to nonqualified stock options. The company has not granted any incentive stock options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”).

(2)     Mr. Brewer’s options have vested as follows: Options granted 1/16/2002 vested on 7/16/2002; options granted 2/14/2003 vested on 8/14/2003; options granted 7/31/2003 vested on 1/31/2004; options granted 1/15/2004 vested on 7/15/2004; and 1/6/2005 options vested on 1/6/2008.

(3)     In each case, Mr. Logan’s option grants have vested in four equal installments on the anniversary date of the grant.

 

Employment Contracts and Change in Control Arrangements

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III - Employment Agreement effective 2005 through 2007

 

On February 19, 2005, we entered into an employment contract with Chip Brewer, our President and Chief Executive Officer. The term of this employment agreement was from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, unless earlier terminated. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Brewer received an annual base salary of at least $400,000 and was eligible for semi-annual performance bonuses each in an amount equal to up to one-half of Mr. Brewer’s annual base salary then in effect.

 

The employment agreement also provided for retention awards of options to purchase our common stock, subject to proper authorization from our Board of Directors and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. No later than the end of January of each calendar year during the term of the agreement, Mr. Brewer was granted one percent of our company’s fully diluted stock in stock options at an option strike price of $0.01 per share. The options vested one year after the date of the grant.

 

The agreement provided that Mr. Brewer was eligible for a one-time long term incentive payment at the conclusion of the agreement. The amount of the payment was contingent upon achievement of a minimum performance goal and could have been increased if certain additional performance criteria were met or exceeded.

 

30



 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III - Employment Agreement effective 2008 through 2010

 

On December 31, 2007, we entered into an employment contract with Chip Brewer, our President and Chief Executive Officer. On January 3, 2008, we filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission describing the terms of this agreement. The form of the agreement was filed with our Form 10-K on March 11, 2008.

 

The term of Mr. Brewer’s employment agreement runs from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010, unless earlier terminated. Mr. Brewer will receive an annual base salary of at least $425,000 in 2008, $450,000 in 2009 and $475,000 in 2010 and is eligible for semi-annual performance bonuses not to exceed 100% of Mr. Brewer’s annual base salary then in effect. Mr. Brewer’s targeted semi-annual bonus is 50% of his annual base salary then in effect.

 

The employment agreement also provides for retention awards of restricted stock, with vesting provisions, and subject to proper authorization from our Board of Directors as well as compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. On March 10, 2008, Mr. Brewer was granted 150,000 restricted shares of our company’s stock. The restricted stock will vest in six equal installments on the last trading days of June and December 2008, 2009 and 2010. If we sell or transfer a majority of our capital stock or substantially all of our company assets to an unaffiliated entity, all of Mr. Brewer’s potential restricted stock awards under the employment agreement shall be vested no later than the calendar day immediately preceding the sale or closing date of the transaction.

 

The agreement provides that Mr. Brewer is eligible for a one-time long term incentive payment at the conclusion of the agreement. The amount of the payment is contingent upon achievement of a minimum performance goal and may be increased if certain additional performance criteria are met or exceeded.

 

The agreement may be terminated without cause either by us (a “termination without cause”) upon delivery of 60 days written notice, or by Mr. Brewer (a “termination without good reason”) upon delivery of 30 days written notice, or by the mutual agreement of Mr. Brewer and us. We can terminate “for cause” if Mr. Brewer (a) deliberately and intentionally breaches any material provision of the agreement without curing such a breach within 30 days of written notice of the breach; (b) deliberately and intentionally engages in gross misconduct that is materially harmful to our best interests; or (c) is convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, fraud or deceit. Mr. Brewer can terminate “for good reason” upon delivery of 30 days written notice to the company no later than 90 days after Mr. Brewer reasonably becomes aware of the circumstances giving rise to such good reason. “Good reason” refers to any of the following conduct of the company: If we (a) materially breach any material provision of the agreement without curing such breach within 30 days of written notice of the breach; (b) assign Mr. Brewer any duties inconsistent in any material respect with his position or diminish Mr. Brewer’s status and reporting requirements, his authority, duties, powers or responsibilities, other than an isolated incident which is remedied within 30 days notice from Mr. Brewer; (c) fail to obtain a written agreement to assume the obligations of this agreement five days before a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; (d) reduce Mr. Brewer’s total compensation, other than as the result of Mr. Brewer’s failure to meet certain performance based

 

31



 

goals established for purposes of determining incentive based compensation; (e) relocate our principal offices to a location more than 75 miles from Plano, Texas; or (f) if the company fails to set internal financial goals or adopt an equity incentive plan. The agreement shall terminate by its terms upon Mr. Brewer’s disability, if he is unable to perform his duties on a full time basis for a period of 60 days, or upon his death.

 

In the event that either we terminate the employment agreement without cause or Mr. Brewer terminates for good reason, then Mr. Brewer will be entitled to receive (a) his annual base salary for a period of one year after the later of the date of termination or the expiration of the notice period; (b) all retention based restricted stock that Mr. Brewer was potentially eligible to receive during the 12-month period following the date on which Mr. Brewer was terminated; (c) a payment equal to both semi-annual bonuses for which Mr. Brewer was potentially eligible in the calendar year of termination, paid as if we achieved our internal financial goals for that period; and (d) the long-term incentive payment for which Mr. Brewer was potentially eligible, paid as if certain performance criteria for that period had been achieved.

 

In the event that (i) Mr. Brewer becomes disabled or upon his death; (ii) the agreement is terminated by mutual agreement; (iii) we terminate Mr. Brewer’s employment with cause; or (iv) Mr. Brewer terminates his employment without good reason, Mr. Brewer will be entitled to receive his accrued salary and benefits through the date of termination, reimbursements for expenses actually incurred and benefits under any benefit and indemnification plans for Mr. Brewer or his dependants through the date of termination, and any continuing coverage as required by law.

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change in control of the Company for Mr. Chip Brewer, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, based on his 2008 – 2010 employment agreement.

 

32



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary
For Good

 

 

 

 

 

Executive

 

For
Cause

 

Resig-
nation
Without

 

Without
Cause

 

Reason
Termi-
nation

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits

 

Termi-

 

Good

 

Termi-

 

(Change-in-

 

 

 

 

 

and Payments

 

nation

 

Reason

 

nation

 

Control)

 

Disability

 

Death

 

Upon

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

Separation

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

Compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary

 

(1)

(1)

$

425,000

(1)

$

425,000

(1)

$

425,000

(2)

$

425,000

(1)

Expenses

 

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

 

(3)

Restricted Stock Award

 

 

 

$

450,000

(4)

$

450,000

(4)

 

 

 

 

Performance Bonus

 

 

 

$

425,000

(5)

$

425,000

(5)

$

425,000

(5)

 

Long Term Incentive Plan

 

 

 

1,500,000

(6)

1,500,000

(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits & Perquisites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Welfare Plans

 

(7)

(7)

41,153

(8)

41,153

(8)

 

 

Life InsuranceBenefits

 

(7)

(7)

900

(9)

900

(9)

 

 

 


(1)       An additional sum equal to accrued but unpaid base salary would also be payable to Mr. Brewer

(2)       Reflects the total amount to be paid to Mr. Brewer including any Social Security proceeds and disability payments.

(3)       An additional sum equal to accrued but unpaid business expenses would also be payable to Mr. Brewer.

(4)       Per Mr. Brewer’s employment agreement, he would be eligible to receive a grant of 50,000 shares of restricted stock, with no vesting provisions upon termination without cause or for good reason. The share price assumed was $9.00 per share, which was the price at the date of his initial grant.

(5)       Mr. Brewer would receive the equivalent of two semi-annual bonuses, irrespective of whether the company was on track to achieve its internal financial goals tied to the payment of the bonuses.

(6)       If EBITDA achieved by the Company is greater than a targeted level at the time of Mr. Brewer’s separation, Mr. Brewer would receive an additional payment equal to $0.05 for each dollar over the EBITDA target.

(7)       An additional sum equal to accrued but unpaid health and welfare plan and life insurance plan benefits.

(8)       Reflects the estimated lump-sum present value of all future costs which will be paid on behalf of Mr. Brewer under the Company’s health and welfare and employee benefit plans.

(9)       Reflects the estimated lump-sum present value of the cost of coverage for life insurance policies provided by the Company to Mr. Brewer.

 

Eric T. Logan

 

On May 15, 2007, we entered into a Change of Control Agreement with Mr. Eric Logan, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Adams Golf. On May 21, 2007, we filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission describing the terms of this agreement. The Change of Control Agreement runs for three years from the date of the Agreement and provides that Mr. Logan shall be entitled to certain compensation and benefits upon a qualifying event. Generally, qualifying events include termination of employment upon our sale, change of control (as defined), or upon certain restructuring events. The compensation and benefits include (i) payment of earned and unpaid compensation, (ii) payment of “base salary” for a period of twelve months after the qualifying event, (iii) continued substantially equal medical benefits for twelve months after the qualifying event, and (iv) the immediate vesting of any stock options granted and 120 days after such vesting to exercise those options. Termination for “cause” is not a qualifying event, and for purposes of the Change of Control Agreement, “cause” is defined to

 

33



 

mean (i) the admission or conviction of a felony, (ii) the commission of an act of dishonesty in the course of duties, (iii) repeated disregard of policy directives, (iv) failure to satisfactorily perform assigned duties, or (v) breach of fiduciary responsibilities or fiduciary duties as an employee.

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change in control of the Company for Mr. Eric Logan, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

 

Executive
Benefits
and Payments
Upon Separation

 

For Cause
Termination
on
3/13/08

 

Resignation
Without
Good
Reason
on
3/13/08

 

Without
Cause
Termination
on
3/13/08

 

Involuntary
For Good
Reason
Termination
(Change-in-
Control)
on
3/13/08

 

Disability
on
3/13/08

 

Death
on
3/13/08

 

Compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary

 

n/a

(1)

n/a

(1)

$

 215,000

(1)

$

 215,000

(1)

n/a

 

n/a

 

Stock Options

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

$

253,125

(2)

$

253,125

(2)

n/a

 

n/a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits & Perquisites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Welfare Plans (3)

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

25,345

 

25,345

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

Life Insurance Benefits (4)

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

420

 

420

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

 


(1)       An additional sum equal to accrued but unpaid base salary would also be payable to Mr. Logan.

(2)       Reflects the value of stock options that would become fully vested upon the qualifying event. The example above is based on the closing price of the company’s stock on March 13, 2008.

(3)       Reflects the estimated lump-sum present value of all future costs which will be paid on behalf of Mr. Logan under the Company’s health and welfare benefit plans.

(4)       Reflects the estimated lump-sum present value of the cost of coverage for life insurance policies provided by the Company to Mr. Logan.

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

During fiscal 2007, the Officers exercised stock options as shown in the table below.

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

Name

 

Number
of Shares
Acquired or
Exercised

 

Value
Realized
on
Exercise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

143,244

 

$

1,129,583

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric T. Logan

 

28,125

 

223,375

 

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

Neither of the Officers received any nonqualified deferred compensation during fiscal 2007.

 

34



 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Arrangements for Fiscal 2007

 

The following table describes the compensation arrangements with our non-employee directors for the 2007 fiscal year.

 

 

 

2007

 

Annual Cash Retainer (1)

 

$

20,000

 

Attendance Fee per Meeting (2)

 

1,000

 

Committee Stipends (3):

 

 

 

Audit Committee Chair

 

4,000

 

Compensation Committee Chair

 

4,000

 

Adams Golf Annual Product Allowance (4)

 

1,000

 

 


(1)     Each non-employee director who serves as a member of the Board of Directors for at least one month of each quarter receives a quarterly director fee of $5,000.

(2)     Each non-employee director who serves as a member of the Board of Directors for at least one month of each quarter receives $1,000 per meeting attended in person or by telephone. We reimburse our directors for travel and lodging expenses that they incur in connection with their attendance of directors’ meetings and meetings of stockholders of the Company.

(3)     Each non-employee director serving as chairperson of any committee of the Board receives an additional $1,000 per quarter provided such person serves in such capacity for at least one month during that quarter.

(4)     Our non-employee directors are also entitled to receive, at no charge, up to $1,000 of Adams Golf products annually for promotional purposes.

 

Actual Fiscal 2007 Director Compensation

 

The following table shows the compensation paid to our non-employee directors for the 2007 fiscal year. Neither Mr. Adams nor Mr. Brewer receives fees for serving as directors of the Company. For a description of each type of compensation shown below, please see the footnotes above for the table entitled Compensation Arrangements for 2007.

 

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2007

 

 

 

Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid

 

Option

 

 

 

Total

 

Name

 

In Cash

 

Awards

 

Other

 

Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.H. (Barney) Adams

 

 

 

$

319,697

(1)

$

319,697

 

Paul F. Brown Jr.

 

$

25,957

(2)

 

 

25,957

 

Russell L. Fleischer

 

26,000

 

 

96

(3)

26,096

 

John M. Gregory

 

(4)

 

 

 

Joseph R. Gregory

 

(4)

 

 

 

Mark R. Mulvoy

 

24,000

 

 

4,806

(3)

28,806

 

Stephen R. Patchin

 

30,348

(2)

 

 

30,348

 

Robert D. Rogers

 

26,000

 

 

 

26,000

 

 


(1)     Includes $254,400 in salary, $26,806 in automobile expenses, $6,995 in group term life insurance premiums, $22,739 for health and welfare benefits, $2,005 of non-reimbursed business expenses and $6,750 of 401k company matching contributions.

(2)     Mr. Brown and Mr. Patchin each resigned from our Board on November 2, 2007. The quarterly retainers paid to Mr. Brown and Mr. Patchin for the 4th Quarter of 2007, therefore were pro-rated to reflect their actual time of service.

(3)     Represents reimbursement of travel expenses related to meeting attendance.

(4)     Mr. John Gregory and Mr. Joseph Gregory were each elected to our Board on November 5, 2007. Mr. John Gregory and Mr. Joseph Gregory earned retainers for the 4th Quarter of 2007 that were paid in 2008.

 

35



 

Although Mr. Adams is not an executive officer of Adams Golf, he is compensated for services he provides both as Chairman of the Board and as an employee of Adams Golf pursuant to an employment agreement entered into on February 16, 2006. Mr. Adams is the founder of Adams Golf and its former Chief Executive Officer, and continues to participate in certain aspects of Adams Golf’s business and operations in addition to his service as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Adams has been Chairman of the Board of Adams Golf since its inception. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors, excluding Mr. Adams, agreed that Mr. Adams should be compensated in a different manner from that of the other non-executive directors of the company.

 

The term of Mr. Adams’ employment agreement began on January 1, 2006 and continues until December 31, 2008, unless earlier terminated. Mr. Adams receives an annual base salary of $254,400 during the term of the agreement. Mr. Adams serves as our non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors pursuant to the agreement and performs such duties as would be reasonably expected of a non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of a similarly-sized corporation.

 

The agreement may be terminated without cause by us (a “termination without cause”) at anytime, by Mr. Adams (a “termination without good reason”) upon delivery of 60 days written notice, or by the mutual agreement of Mr. Adams and us. We can terminate “for cause” if Mr. Adams (a) deliberately and intentionally breaches any material provision of the agreement without curing such a breach within 30 days of written notice of the breach; (b) deliberately and intentionally engages in gross misconduct that is materially harmful to our best interests; or (c) is convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, fraud or deceit. Mr. Adams can terminate “for good reason” upon delivery of 30 days written notice if we (a) materially breach any provision or fail to perform any covenant of the agreement without curing such breach or failure to perform within 30 days of written notice of the breach or failure to perform; (b) substantially reduce Mr. Adams’ title, position, reporting requirements, responsibilities or duties, which shall not be remedied within 30 days notice from Mr. Adams; (c) reduce Mr. Adams’ base compensation; (d) fail to obtain a written agreement from any successor to assume the obligations of this agreement five days before a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets; or (e) deliver to Mr. Adams written notice of our approval for Mr. Adams to tender his resignation with good reason.

 

In the event that either we terminate the employment agreement without cause or Mr. Adams terminates for good reason, then Mr. Adams will be entitled to receive his annual base salary for a period of one year after such termination plus any accrued but unpaid base salary as of the date of such termination.

 

The Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Adams’ compensation was not only consistent with the compensation philosophy and objectives of Adams Golf but comparable to companies with similar revenues in similar industries. Adams Golf engaged the services of a compensation consultant to analyze the compensation practices for similar non-executive chairpersons and presented such analysis to the Compensation Committee prior to finalizing the terms of Mr. Adams’ compensation. Although Mr. Adams’ compensation is subject to the terms of his agreement, the Compensation Committee may periodically review the terms of his

 

36



 

compensation arrangements to confirm that it continues to be consistent with Adams Golf’s compensation philosophy and objectives, and comparable to current compensation for non-executive chairpersons within Adams Golf’s industry.

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change in control of the Company for Mr. Barney Adams, the Company’s Chairman of the Board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Involuntary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Good

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resig-

 

 

 

Reason

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For

 

nation

 

Without

 

Termi-

 

 

 

 

 

Executive

 

Cause

 

Without

 

Cause

 

nation

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits

 

Termi-

 

Good

 

Termi-

 

(Change-in-

 

 

 

 

 

and Payments

 

nation

 

Reason

 

nation

 

Control)

 

Disability

 

Death

 

Upon

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

on

 

Separation

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

3/13/08

 

Compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary

 

(1)

(1)

$

254,400

(1)

$

254,400

(1)

$

254,400

(2)

$

254,400

(1)

Expenses

 

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

 

(3)

Performance Bonus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits & Perquisites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Welfare Plans

 

 

 

23,492

(4)

23,492

(4)

 

 

Life Insurance Benefits

 

 

 

6,995

(5)

6,995

(5)

 

 

 


(1)     An additional sum equal to accrued but unpaid base salary would also be payable to Mr. Adams

(2)     Reflects the total amount to be paid to Mr. Adams including disability payments.

(3)     An additional sum equal to accrued but unpaid business expenses would also be payable to Mr. Adams

(4)     Reflects the estimated lump-sum present value of all future costs which will be paid on behalf of Mr. Adams under the Company’s health and welfare benefit plans.

(5)     Reflects the estimated lump-sum present value of the cost of coverage for life insurance policies provided by the Company to Mr. Adams.

 

37



 

STOCK OWNERSHIP

Beneficial Ownership of Certain Stockholders, Directors and Executive Officers

 

This table shows, as of March 26, 2008, the beneficial ownership of Adams Golf common stock by (1) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; (2) each director and nominee for director; (3) each Officer set forth in the Summary Compensation Table on page 29; and (4) all directors and executive officers as a group. The address of each executive officer and director is c/o Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074.

 

 

 

Amount and Nature of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1)

 

Name of Beneficial Owners

 

Shares Owned
as of
March 26, 2008

 

Shares Subject to
Options Which Are or 
Will Become
Exercisable
Prior to May 26, 2008

 

Total
Beneficial
Ownership

 

Percent of
Class (3)

 

Beneficial Owners of 5% or More of Our Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph R. Gregory

 

2,236,596

(4)

0

 

2,236,596

 

36.0

%

SJ Strategic Investments LLC

 

2,236,596

(5)

0

 

2,236,596

 

36.0

%

Roland E. Casati

 

459,650

(6)

0

 

459,650

 

7.4

%

Directors and Named Executive Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.H. (Barney) Adams

 

502,978

(7)

0

 

502,978

 

8.1

Russell L. Fleischer

 

0

 

6,250

 

6,250

 

*

 

John M. Gregory

 

2,236,596

(5)

0

 

2,236,596

 

36.0

%

Joseph R. Gregory

 

2,236,596

(4)

0

 

2,236,596

 

36.0

%

Mark R. Mulvoy

 

250

 

12,500

 

12,750

 

*

 

Robert D. Rogers

 

1,250

(8)

9,375

 

10,625

 

*

 

Oliver G. (Chip) Brewer III

 

167,529

 

602,723

 

770,252

 

12.4

%

Eric T. Logan

 

27,143

 

28,125

 

55,268

 

*

 

All Directors and Named Executive Officers as a Group (8 persons)

 

2,935,746

 

658,973

 

3,594,719

 

52.4

%

 


*          Less than one percent.

(1)        Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.

(2)        Shares of common stock subject to options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 26, 2008 are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding such options for the purpose of computing the beneficial ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the beneficial ownership of any other person.

(3)        Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 6,221,745 voting shares of common stock outstanding on March 26, 2008.

(4)        Includes 1,116,923 shares owned by SJ Strategic Investments LLC. Mr. Joseph Gregory’s brother, John Gregory, is the managing member of SJ Strategic Investments LLC. Mr. Joseph Gregory has disclaimed beneficial ownership of the shares owned by SJ Strategic Investments.

(5)        Includes 1,119,673 shares owned by Mr. Joseph R. Gregory. Mr. John Gregory is the brother of Joseph Gregory. Mr. John Gregory has disclaimed beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Joseph R. Gregory. The address for SJ Strategic Investments LLC is 340 Edgemont Avenue, Suite 200, Bristol, TN 37620

(6)        The address for Mr. Casati is Continental Offices, Ltd., 2700 River Road, Suite 211, Des Plaines, IL 60018.

(7)        Includes 502,978 shares Mr. Adams holds jointly with Jackie Adams, his spouse.

(8)        Represents shares of common stock held by a trust for which Mr. Rogers has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by the trust.

 

38



 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Under the U.S. securities laws, directors, certain executive officers and persons holding more than 10% of Adams Golf’s common stock must report their initial ownership of the common stock, and any changes in that ownership, to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission has designated specific due dates for these reports. Based solely on our review of copies of the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and written representations of our directors and executive officers, we believe all persons subject to reporting filed the required reports on time in 2007.

 

39



 

PROPOSAL NO. 2

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee has selected KBA Group LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to examine the consolidated financial statements of the Company for fiscal year 2008. The Board of Directors seeks an indication from stockholders of their approval or disapproval of the Audit Committee’s appointment of KBA Group as independent registered public accounting firm (auditors) for fiscal year 2008.

 

KBA Group has been our independent auditors since 2005, and no relationship exists, other than the usual relationship between auditor and client. Representatives of KBA Group will be available to respond to questions at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

 

Service Provided

 

Fiscal 2007

 

Fiscal 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Audit

 

$

93,135

 

$

80,955

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit Related Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Certification of Prior Year’s Audit

 

 

27,800

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

401(k) Audit

 

9,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Fees

 

$

102,585

 

$

108,755

 

 


(1)     Audit fees consisted of audit work performed in the preparation of the financial statements and in the assessment of internal controls over financial reporting, as well as work that generally only the independent auditor can reasonably be expected to provide, such as statutory audits.

(2)     Audit related fees consisted of fees paid to KPMG, our former certified independent public accountants for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in our 2005 Annual Report.

 

Pre-Approval Policies

 

As required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, all audit and non-audit services performed by independent registered public accounting firms must be pre-approved by Adams Golf’s Audit Committee unless the pre-approval provision is waived in applicable securities rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more members of the Committee the authority to grant pre-approval of non-audit services. The decision of any member to whom such authority is delegated to pre-approve non-audit services will be presented to the full Audit Committee for its approval at its next scheduled meeting.

 

During fiscal year 2007, the Audit Committee approved 100% of the total fees that were paid to KBA Group LLP.

 

40



 

Board of Directors’ Recommendation

 

Stockholder ratification of the selection of KBA Group LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2008 is not required by our bylaws or otherwise. We are submitting the selection of KBA Group to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. In the event that the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to continue to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change could be in the best interest of our stockholders.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” Proposal No. 2.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls.

 

In this context, the Committee has met and held discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm regarding the fair and complete presentation of the Company’s results and the assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has discussed significant accounting policies applied to the Company in its financial statements, as well as alternative treatments. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Communications with Audit Committees).

 

In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the auditor’s independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee also had considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent from the Company and its management.

 

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed Company policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

 

41



 

The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s internal auditor and independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee met with the internal auditor and the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the result of their examinations, the evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

 

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee has selected KBA Group LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2008.

 

Submitted by:

 

Russell L. Fleischer

Mark R. Mulvoy

Robert D. Rogers

 

Members of the Audit Committee

 

42



 

ANNUAL MEETING ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

 

Our By-laws provide that stockholder proposals and director nominations by stockholders may be made in compliance with certain advance notice, informational and other applicable requirements. With respect to stockholder proposals (concerning matters other than the nomination of directors), the individual submitting the proposal must file a written notice with the secretary of Adams Golf c/o Adams Golf, Inc. at 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074 setting forth certain information about the stockholder and all persons acting in concert with him or her, including the following information:

 

·        a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting;

 

·        the names and addresses of the supporting stockholders;

 

·        the class and number of shares of our stock that are beneficially owned by such persons; and

 

·        any material interest of such persons in the matter presented.

 

The notice must be delivered to the secretary (1) at least 90 days before any scheduled meeting or (2) if less than 100 days notice or prior public disclosure of the meeting is given, by the close of business on the 10th day following the giving of notice or the date public disclosure was made, whichever is earlier.

 

Stockholder Nomination Procedures

 

A stockholder may recommend a nominee to become a director of Adams Golf by giving the secretary (at the address set forth above) a written notice setting forth certain information, including:

 

·        the name, age, business and residence address of the person intended to be nominated;

 

·        a representation that the nominating stockholder is in fact a holder of record of Adams Golf common stock entitled to vote at the meeting and that he or she intends to be present at the meeting to nominate the person specified;

 

·        a description of all arrangements between the nominating stockholder, the nominee and other persons concerning the nomination;

 

·        any other information about the nominee that must be disclosed in the proxy solicitations under Rule 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

·        the nominee’s written consent to serve, if elected.

 

43



 

Such nominations must be made pursuant to the same advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals set forth in the preceding paragraph. We currently plan to hold our annual meetings on the third Wednesday in May of each year. Accordingly, our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is currently scheduled for May 20, 2009 but we reserve the right to change the date in the future. Copies of our By-laws are available upon written request made to the secretary of Adams Golf at the above address. The requirements described above do not supersede the requirements or conditions established by the Securities and Exchange Commission for stockholder proposals to be included in Adams Golf’s proxy materials for a meeting of stockholders. The Chairman of the meeting may refuse to bring before a meeting any business not brought in compliance with applicable law and our By-laws.

 

Communications with Directors

 

Our stockholders may communicate directly with members of our Board of Directors. For direct communication with any member of Adams Golf’s Board, please send your communication in a sealed envelope addressed to the applicable director inside of another envelope addressed to Ms. Patty Walsh, Director, Investor Relations, c/o Adams Golf, 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074. Ms. Walsh will forward such communication to the indicated director.

 

44



 

 

2801 E. Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75074
(972) 673-9000

 

Directions to Adams Golf’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

From DFW Airport:   Proceed to North exit from terminal. After the tollbooth, stay left to enter Hwy. 121 North. Stay right on Hwy. 121 for a short distance to Hwy. 635 East exit. Follow Hwy. 635 east to Hwy. I-75 North. Follow I-75 north approximately six miles to the Plano Parkway exit. Turn right on Plano Parkway and follow approximately two miles through the Jupiter Road intersection. Adams Golf is located on the left (north) side of E. Plano Parkway.

 

From Love Field:   Exit Love Field and turn left on Mockingbird Lane. Proceed to North Dallas Tollway, go left (north) to the Hwy. 635 exit. Follow Hwy. 635 east to Hwy. I-75 North. Follow I-75 north approximately six miles to the Plano Parkway exit. Turn right on Plano Parkway and follow approximately two miles through the Jupiter Road intersection. Our offices are located on the left (north) side of E. Plano Parkway.

 

Annual Report

 

The 2008 Annual Report accompanies this Proxy Statement. We will provide without charge upon written request, to any person receiving a copy of this proxy statement, a copy of Adams Golf’s 2007 Form 10-K annual report, including the audited consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedules thereto. These requests should be addressed to Ms. Patty Walsh, Director, Investor Relations, c/o Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074 (972-673-9000).

 

We are delivering one copy of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Annual Report to households even when multiple stockholders share the same address unless we have received instructions to the contrary from one of these stockholders. Upon a written or verbal request from a stockholder at a shared address, we will deliver a separate copy of this proxy statement and Annual Report, including the audited consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedules thereto, and will deliver separate copies of any future Proxy Statement or Annual Report if desired. Such a request may be made by contacting Ms. Patty Walsh, Director, Investor Relations, c/o Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 E. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75074 (972-673-9000).

 



 

Please Mark Here for Address Change or Comments SEE REVERSE SIDE  o

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” Items 1 and 2 and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

 

FOR all of the

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

 

 

nominees listed

to vote for all nominees

*EXCEPTIONS

 

below

listed below

 

1. Election of Directors
Nominees:

o

o

o

 

01 John M. Gregory and
02 Robert D. Rogers

 

 

 

 

(Class I directors to serve until the 2011 Annual Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the “Exceptions” box and write that nominee’s name in the space provided below.

 

 

*Exceptions

 

 

 

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

2. Directors’ Proposal – Ratify the appointment of KBA Group LLP as the Company’s Independent Auditors for 2008

o

o

o

 

In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

I plan to attend the Annual Meeting

o

 

 

I have included comments, or have included a change of address.

o

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

Signature

 

 

Date

 

 

Please sign exactly as name or names appear on this proxy. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, custodian, guardian or corporate officer, give full title. If more than one trustee, all should sign.

 

FOLD AND DETACH HERE

 

 

Choose MLinkSM for fast, easy and secure 24/7 online access to your future proxy materials, investment plan statements, tax documents and more. Simply log on to Investor ServiceDirect® at www.bnymellon.com /shareowner/isd where step-by-step instructions will prompt you through enrollment.

 



 

ADAMS GOLF, INC.

 

PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD

 

This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Adams Golf, Inc.
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 20, 2008

 

The undersigned appoints Oliver G. Brewer III and Eric T. Logan, and each of them, with full power of substitution in each, the proxies of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned and vote all shares of Adams Golf, Inc. Common Stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 20, 2008, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as indicated on the reverse side.

 

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1 and 2 and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

If you have written in the below space, please mark the comments notification box on the reverse side.

 

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

 

 

Address Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)

 

 

FOLD AND DETACH HERE

 

You can now access your ADAMS GOLF, INC. account online.

 

Access your Adams Golf, Inc. shareholder/stockholder account online via Investor ServiceDirect® (ISD).

 

The transfer agent for Adams Golf, Inc. now makes it easy and convenient to get current information on your shareholder account.

 

·             View account status

·      View certificate history

·             View book-entry information

·      View payment history for dividends

·             Make address changes

·             Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form

·      Establish/change your PIN

 

Visit us on the web at http://www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd

 

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