Between the economy’s effect on business and Don and Billie Gibas’ desire to retire, they have made the decision to phase out the majority of DobiLine Golf Products.
The pair came to the conclusion after being unable to sell the promotional product aspect of Matzie Golf Co., Huntington Beach, Calif., which Billie Gibas’ father, Fred Matzie, founded in 1946. “Honestly, [potential DobiLine buyers] said, ‘Not in this economy.'” Don Gibas, who has been in the golf industry for 30 years, said.
Starting Nov. 1, the couple and their son John, who will take over Matzie, will begin to clear out the rest of DobiLine’s merchandise with the exception of its product putters and putting greens that continue to be hot sellers. With less than a few hundred of most of its products remaining—and a few thousand of its Putter King Travel Putter and Ball Retriever, which are being offered individually and fully logoed—Don Gibas hopes to rid the DobiLine inventory by year’s end.
As for the possibility of Matzie products being customizable in the future, Don Gibas said, “I really don’t know at this point. Time will have to tell.”
Gibas released the following letter to the industry:
Dear loyal customers of the ad specialty industry,
After 30 years of successful participation as a supplier to the ad specialty industry, we, Don and Billie Gibas, the owners of the DobiLine Golf Products (formerly Gibas Golf Products), have laid out plans to start our retirement.
In part, this was decided due to the economic conditions over the past several years that have made it difficult to continue as an ad specialty supplier while still concentrating on the core part of our business under the name of Matzie Golf Company. The Matzie Golf Company continues to grow, manufacturing and selling worldwide the Matzie Assist and Perfecter Swing Trainers along with other successful innovative products. These Matzie products sell in retail chain stores, selected independent golf stores and golf courses in the United States and other countries. Our son, John Gibas, who currently oversees manufacturing for both companies, now will be in charge of the Matzie Golf Company and will help us in the phase out of the DobiLine product inventories.
Over the years, DobiLine Golf Products was instrumental in bringing to the ad specialty industry a whole new line of functional, usable golf products and accessories that are made in the USA. We did this long before it became as popular as it is now. In addition, we offered to ad specialty industry the largest selection of golf clubs consisting of woods, irons and putters, along with the largest selection of USA-made putting greens and practice aids for large company promotions, trade shows and special events.
Starting Nov. 1, the www.dobiline.com website will start to show only the products that are still available. When inventory is depleted, products will be removed from the site. The phone (800-783-2255) will be monitored, but you may have to leave messages for callbacks that will be returned within 24 hours. Orders and questions still will be processed through [email protected]. They also will be responded to within 24 hours. We are planning to continue with our putting green line since there seems to be a great need in the ad specialty industry for these products.
All unique USA-made product tooling and programs will be made available to other industry suppliers who may want to add these successful items to their golf-product line.
To all our loyal distributors and friends, we thank you and God bless.
Don Gibas,
President
For more information, visit www.dobiline.com.
