Dunning Golf fans, pay attention: the Markham, Ontario golf apparel designer is ramping up the buzz surrounding its forthcoming “Premium Sportswear Collection” for Spring 2009 _ a top-shelf, retro-inspired line due to hit high-end pro shops and Golf Town racks when the snow starts to fly this November.
Dubbed “Dunning Classic,” founder Ralph Dunning describes the line as a “country-club driven” collection “fuelled by the brand’s authentic golf heritage.”
It’s an interesting direction for a company that has long defined its niche as a modern, cutting edge maker of high-tech, performance-based golf apparel. After all, some of the earliest mock-necks on the fairways (not that you see many anymore) bore the distinctive, if understated, mark of Dunning on the sleeve.
Golf, however, is a game with a lot of traditionalists among its disciples, and so the classic pique-polo look _ while far from alone on the golf course _ has endured. Indeed, visit Dunning’s website and most of what you’ll see looks pretty old-school sharp; classic looks and cutting-edge fabrics.
The company’s Interface Stretch line polo, one of Dunning’s enduring flagship products, is a perfect example. 
The wide, sharp collar gives it a terrific retro look, while the fit is precise _ correct and comfortable without hanging baggy or hugging your love handles.
Put simply, you feel like a golfer when you wear this shirt.
Gone, too, are the early days when Dunning shirts felt like thin wisps of material. The Interface Stretch is almost bulky by comparison, thanks to an inner layer that’s designed to wick away moisture from the skin. On a hot day, it might seem suicidal to wear this shirt, but it’s extremely comfortable, even when it’s sweltering.
The Interface Stretch includes UV protection and anti-microbial qualities to prevent odour absorbtion (a serious problem in the early days of performance fabrics).
As far as the new line goes, it’s the Cotton Coolmax Seersucker pants I’m excited about. Shirts are easy to find and come by; light and comfortable slacks that are well-suited to golf, on the other hand, are not. These are A 62-38 blend of cotton and Coolmax, featuring the same permanent moisture management and wrinkle resistance found in the tops.
Some of the intel on the new line, which you should be able to see soon at this site, from the latest release:
Dunning Classic Collection Highlights
Saville Stripe Polo ($100)
– Colors: westchester/navy, surf/pink, palmer/white, white/navy, surf/navy
– Fabric content: 100 percent combed cotton pique
– Description: Modern-prep striped short sleeve polo with embroidered repp-shield ËœD crest appliqué, two-button placket, ribbed collar and cuff detail
Tipped Collar Polo ($100)
– Colors: white, palmer, navy, burgundy, prep
– Fabric content: 100 percent combed cotton pique
– Description: Solid tipped collar polo with vintage look, embroidered repp-shield ËœD crest appliqué, two-button placket, ribbed collar and cuff detail
Performance Woven Square Check ($120)
– Colors: sendo, palmer, stable, surf
– Fabric content: 43 percent Coolmax® / 35 percent cotton / 22 percent polyester
– Description: Blended, ultra-lightweight button down combining classic look and feel with technical performance, including permanent moisture management and wrinkle-resistance
Extra Fine Merino Wool V-Neck ($200)
– Colors: canary, palmer, pink, surf, navy, burgundy, charcoal, black
– Fabric content: 100 percent extra fine Italian Merino wool
– Description: Luxuriously soft sweater offering a gentlemans look and rich hand with natural performance
Cotton Coolmax® Seersucker Pant ($120)
– Colors: navy, surf
– Fabric content: 62 percent cotton / 38 percent Coolmax®
– Description: Traditional seersucker look with classic feel, lightweight construction and ultra-technical performance, such as permanent moisture management and wrinkle resistance
Here’s the rest of the release:
Ralph Dunning Introduces Country Club Inspired ËœDunning Classic Premium Sportswear Collection for Spring 2009
Modern Prep Styling Rooted in Brands Authentic Golf Heritage
(Markham, Ontario) “ Leading menswear designer Ralph Dunning announces the launch of Dunning Classic, a country-club driven premium sportswear collection featuring cuts, colors and fabrics fueled by the brands authentic golf heritage.
Premiering for Spring 2009 and built on the tradition, etiquette and exceedingly high quality serious players respect both on and off the course, Dunning Classic retails from $40 to $200. The collection includes a broad range of staples, such as cotton pique polos, performance wovens, extra fine Merino wool sweaters, Pima cotton pullovers, vintage varsity tops and traditional rugby polos, as well as cotton-Coolmax® blended pants and shorts.
Showcasing clean silhouettes, the richest fabrics and finest tailoring, the Dunning Classic collection is made almost entirely in Canada to the highest production standards, ensuring complete consistency of quality and fit. The line will be sold via a focused, high-end distribution network, including leading menswear shops, major retailers and the brands existing network of country club and resort accounts.
Members of the worlds finest clubs have come to recognize, appreciate and desire our unrivalled attention to producing superior garments, says Dunning, the company founder and principal designer.
With their ËœD repp-shield crest, these timeless garments are designed to be the centerpiece of a mans casual wardrobe for years to come. They speak directly to golfs heritage while remaining current, and thats exactly what the market has been asking for.
A 42-year-old Ontario native and lifelong athlete, Dunning is a former IRONMAN competitor and marathoner who boasts a 17-year heritage on the leading-edge of performance apparel design. His eponymous golf line is sold at marquee clubs and resorts throughout North America and worn in competition by scores of PGA Tour stars, including 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson.
Dunning first garnered widespread acclaim in the 1990s for his Rip n Hammer line of premium technical clothing for triathletes and cyclists. He also drew praise for work on behalf of some of the worlds largest and most authentic sports brands, including Saucony, Reebok and Cervelo Cycles.
The Dunning Classic collection will begin shipping in November. Sizes range from XS-2XL in tops and 30-42 in bottoms.
For more information, please visit www.dunningsportswear.com or call 800.955.6528
About Dunning
An authentic golf-lifestyle brand, Dunning apparel is available throughout North America via a focused, high-end distribution network, including marquee country clubs and resorts, premier menswear shops and major retailers.
Company founder and principal designer Ralph Dunning began golfing after developing knee problems as a result of years as a competitive triathlete, marathoner and cyclist. He founded his eponymous clothing line in 2001, initially focusing on providing luxury technical apparel to the North American golf market. He is continuing a family tradition of fine tailoring dating back to the first half of the twentieth century, when his father worked on Londons Savile Row.
Carrying a single digit handicap, Dunning draws inspiration from his passions for sport, music and fashion. His Dunning Golf collection, featuring an array of proprietary technical fabrications, quickly set the industry standard for classic design, quality of materials and consistency of fit. All Dunning Golf pieces are engineered and manufactured to suit the physical demands of the golf swing and the unique form and physiology of the wearer. The line is preferred by scores of leading Tour professionals worldwide.
Working with only the best mills and manufacturing the majority of its pieces in Canada using ISO 9001 facilities allows Dunning to provide discerning consumers with a complete quality assurance. The company also engineers many of its fabrics from the yarn up, meaning performance is built-in and wont wash- or wear-out after repeated use.
Among the elite partners Dunning supplies are Adios, Baltusrol, Butler National, Chicago Golf Club, Congressional, Dallas National, Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort, Four Seasons Resort & Club, Inverness Golf Club, Isleworth, Liberty National, Naples National, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, The Club at Mediterra, Trump International, Sherwood, Vaquero Club, Winged Foot, Wynn Golf Club and Golf Town, Canadas premier golf retailer.
John Rollins won the 2002 Canadian Open. You seem to have missed that rather important fact in his profile.