WHEN IT COMES TO GOLF BAGS, VESSEL MAKES SOME OF THE BEST IN THE GAME FOR AMATEURS AND TOUR PROFESSIONALS
When Vessel Bags launched six years ago in a small facility in the golf mecca of Carlsbad, California, its founders had no idea the company would grow into what it is today. From making golf bags for touring pros to expanding to consumer products and later a lifestyle brand, Vessel has built its foundation on making quality products that bring the tour-pro experience to everyone.
We sat down with Vessel Founder and CEO Ronnie Shaw to learn more about the company’s unique products, how Vessel got off the ground, and what the future holds in the luxury golf bag market.
How did Vessel get started?
Shaw: We started out making staff bags for players on all the professional tours, and did only that for four years. We have about 120 tour players using our bags.
How would you describe Vessel to golfers who may not have tried your bags?
Shaw: Our brand is all about enhancing the carrying experience. We want to blend performance and mastery in our design concepts. We started by making bags for tour players, and we want to make sure that quality translates into everything we make. We have already expanded outside of golf bags by making other products like backpacks, tote bags and luggage and asked ourselves: “How can we make those things more beautiful?” The lifestyle side of the business is actually growing faster than the golf side, which tells us that our design is resonating with people.
What are some of the new products you’ll be releasing?
Shaw: At the PGA Merchandise Show in January, we released our Players Stand Bag 2.0 and new versions of our popular Sunday Stand Bag and Lightweight Stand Bag. Those three account for approximately 60-70 percent of our golf bag sales. We’ll also offer an updated version of the Lux Cart Bag, which is a big seller.
Anything else exciting that you’re working on at Vessel?
Shaw: Last year we partnered with Cobra Puma to make limited edition bags for Rickie Fowler that he used in each of the major championships. We’re going to continue that with Rickie in 2019 and will also make bags for Bryson DeChambeau.
How did you get into the golf business?
Shaw: My dad, David, started the first Taiwanese golf bag manufacturer, Zonson, and I grew up working in the factory every summer for him. When I graduated college, my dad said: “You’re coming to work for me.” From the start, I was working 12-hour days, and that’s where I learned my work ethic. It was tough but really helped me out in the long run. I did that for three years, and then my dad suggested that I go to the United States, and eventually, we decided to start something together, which became Vessel.
Tell us a little about the company’s history.
Shaw: We started in 2012, and we have doubled gross sales every year since then. We achieved that again for 2018. After getting started making tour bags, we realized that we can apply the same standard of quality for the everyday consumer. We had two full-time people and one part-time employee when we started, and now we have 16 full-timers. For the first quarter next year, we are projecting that we’ll employ 30 people.
Has the company’s success surprised you?
Shaw: I’m still pinching myself. I had no idea that Vessel was going to be this big in my wildest dreams. I can’t believe where we are now. I think the whole company knows the growth trajectory. Now that we’ve taken off, the sky is the limit.
