COURTESY ANTIGUA
‘Godfather of Apparel’ Antigua’s longtime leader McPherson calls it a career after 40 years in the industry
Ron McPherson’s claim to fame with Antigua started when he signed an agreement in 1987 with the NFL and Payne Stewart, who made NFL team-logoed plus-fours famous. Licensing became Antigua’s calling card for the next 33 years.
BY BILL HUFFMAN
F
or the last four decades, Ron McPherson has been the driving force behind the Antigua Group, a global apparel company that is headquartered in Peoria. It has been an amazing ride right up until … now. In an open letter to friends, colleagues and business associates, McPherson recently announced his pending retirement. Eloquent as always, the well-spoken president and CEO of Antigua allowed a few select words to do his talking. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead Antigua for the past 40 years,” penned McPherson, who 20 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRING-SUMMER 2020
looks way too young to be celebrating his 70th birthday in May. “We have grown our brand and company from a local Arizona supplier to a brand with an international footprint. With that said, I will be turning over the reins of the company to our great management team and retire from duties as president and CEO effective June 1, 2020. I thank you for your friendship, guidance and business over these many years!” To say that Ron McPherson is both a class act and a humble gentleman would be an understatement. That would also be only half of the story when it comes
to Arizona’s “Godfather of Apparel.” McPherson also is a devoted family man, a seasoned mentor to his employees and friends, a respected business leader and one of the most highly decorated guys in Arizona golf history. Among his many accolades, McPherson is a member of both the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame and the Southwest Section of the PGA Hall of Fame; the Anser Award, named after PING founder Karsten Solheim and considered the highest honor bestowed by the SWPGA; and a recipient of the PGA of America’s prestigious Ernie Sabayrac Award for lifetime contributions to the golf industry. www.azgolf.org
