Zaporzan’s Longball brand growing locally, internationally
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/08/2020 (2125 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
WASAGAMING — It’s nearly impossible to wander around Clear Lake Golf Course during the Tamarack golf tournament and not see a Longball Athletics logo.
For Josh Zaporzan, that’s his favourite part of co-owning the apparel company the past three years.
“You see people around you don’t know wearing your gear, that’s pretty cool,” Zaporzan said after bowing out of the fourth flight in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
“That’s got to be the biggest, proudest moment for sure. Just seeing people you don’t know wearing the gear and when you ask people about it, they love it.
“… It’s really nice and cool to see the support locally.”
The Winnipegger, who has a family cottage at Clear Lake and spent 10 years working at the golf course, joined the eight-year-old company as a sales rep five years ago. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, he was quickly interested in putting some skin in the game.
Zaporzan bought out the original owners from Red Deer, Alta., in 2017 and was off and running, producing hats and shirts and building a brand.
“It was a big change. A lot of new things to learn and a lot of it was trial and error. I had a lot of great mentors that helped out throughout the way,” Zaporzan said.
“The apparel, manufacturing and supply chain business was completely new to me, so it was a lot of learning, but things worked out and we’re in a good place now. I’m happy with the way things are.”
Zaporzan, 25, added an extra venture to his plate last summer, leasing Nine restaurant at the golf course, but understandably gave it up to focus on apparel.
Longball now distributes products throughout North America and even in the United Kingdom.
And it’s catching on with big-name National Hockey League players. Montreal netminder Carey Price and Tampa Bay forward Steven Stamkos have been spotted repping the logo.
Zaporzan said it took years of tweaking to find the right fit for the clothing, but loves where it’s at now for more than just comfortability on the links.
“We’re trying to break that traditional mould of golf a little bit with those lifestyle pieces,” he said.
“Our whole philosophy from a design perspective is to produce products you can wear on the golf course, at the office, casually, or to the 19th hole.”
Longball shirts and hats are available at the Clear Lake Golf Course pro shop, and at longball.com.
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com
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