2000

February 16: PING Founder, Karsten Solheim passes away at the age of 88 due to complications from Parkinson's.

2000 Karsten Solheim Passes Away

2000

February 16: PING Founder, Karsten Solheim passes away at the age of 88 due to complications from Parkinson's.

2000 Karsten Way Book

2000

Karsten's Way, the biography of Karsten Solheim authored by Tracy Sumner, is published. The 239-page book chronicles Karsten's life and his religious and business philosophies.

2000 Solheim Cup Koch

2000

PING staffer Carin Koch holes the winning putt at the 6th staging of the Solheim Cup. Europe's 14.5 to 11.5 win over team USA at Loch Lomond Golf club is the team's second victory.

JAS & JKS Glamour

2001

John Karsten Solheim, grandson of Karsten and oldest son of John and Rhonda Solheim, is named PING's vice-president of engineering.

2001 Fitting System Ranked First

2001

PING's fitting system is named #1 in a survey conducted by Golf Datatech. Fifty percent of the golfers surveyed acknowledge PING's fitting system as the best available in the industry.

2001 Karsten Solhiem inducted into Golf HOF

2001

Karsten Solheim is posthumously inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game of golf. It marks the first time an engineer and manufacturer would receive such an honor.

Gold Putter Vault

2002

Forty years after the first win with a PING putter, the total number of PING putter wins surpasses 2000. As has been tradition since the very first PING putter win on Tour, two gold plated replicas of the winning putter are created and engraved with the professional's name and tournament he or she won. One putter is given to the player, the other resides within PING's Gold Putter Vault, which has required several moves to increasingly larger rooms.

2003 Hilary Lunke Wins US Womens Open

2003

PING pro Hilary Lunke prevails in an 18-hole playoff at the U.S. Women's Open at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course. A final hole birdie is the difference for the 24-year-old Stanford University graduate and Minnesota native.

Ping Van

2004

The company launches its "Mobile Fitting Van" program to bring custom fitting to more golfers. It's supported with a popular TV campaign themed "Drive Across America" which finds the Van fitting golfers in unusual locations.

Craz-E putter debut

2004

The Craz-E putter makes its debut. It is met with great acceptance from golfers worldwide. The putter's unique design and alignment features provide performance benefits for golfers of all abilities. Within months of its launch, it becomes the top selling model in the United States.

2006 Steinhauer British Open

2006

PING LPGA professional, Sherri Steinhauer, marches to victory at the Weetabix Women's British Open. The win marks her third victory at the Women's British Open.

Angel Cabrera US Open trophy

2007

Long-time PING pro Angel Cabrera of Argentina captures the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. The long-hitting Cabrera holds off the #1 and #3 players in the world to win his first major championship.

2007 Rapture Driver Wins US Open

2007

In a historic year on tour, the PING Rapture driver is used to win both the Men's and Women's U.S. Opens.

2007 Lorena Ochoa Wins Womens British Open

2007

World #1 Lorena Ochoa joins the PING staff and wins her first major championship at the Women's British Open. The Mexican native completes the year with eight wins and Player of the Year honors.

2008 JAS WIns Digger Smith Award

2008

PING Chairman & CEO John Solheim receives the "Digger Smith" Award from the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). The group recognizes Solheim with the prestigious honor for his "longtime service and dedication to golf."

Nflight

2008

nFlight Custom Fitting software is introduced. Created in-house by the company's team of developers and engineers, the software provides golfers a virtual fitting experience while making detailed club recommendations.

2009 Cabrera Masters

2009

Long-time PING staffer Angel Cabrera battles his way to a play-off victory at The Masters. The win at Augusta National is Cabrera’s 2nd major championship victory in two years.