Duramed FUTURES Tour Feature

Fashion Designer Seeks Out Tour Members To Wear Line

Rachel Connor, Sara Brown and Ashley Prange

When former teaching professional Donna Bonn decided to design her own line of women's golf apparel, she immediately thought of the young touring pros on the Duramed FUTURES Tour to put her togs into play. And when she named her team of players to represent her Donna Bonn Designs fashion line, the "Bonn Girls" were born.

"A lot of the players on the Duramed FUTURES Tour are attractive young women looking for golf clothes, so this is a very good fit for all of us," said Bonn, a former University of Arizona collegiate player who is now based in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Ariz. "I'm a start-up company and they are trying to make it to the LPGA Tour. Professional golfers wearing my designs gives my product line credibility."

Because she is a golfer herself, Bonn knows how the clothing should fit. She adds length to the shirt tails so they don't ride up during the swing and she also adds fashion accents, such as lace, to the bottom of the longer tops. In addition, she has added gathered sleeves and longer zippers to the tops for improved fit. And with a touch of "bling" to her line, the apparel is already getting rave reviews from the Tour members who will be wearing Donna Bonn Designs this season -- a line that was launched in fall 2009.

"I can wear this top with jeans and heels and I wouldn't look like a golfer," said Tour member Ashley Prange of Indiana, who will be wearing the product line this year. "This line of clothing is for a new age female golfer and it fits and flatters the female body."

"Her styles are young, but they are appropriate for women of all ages," added Tour member Sara Brown of Arizona.

In addition to Brown and Prange, the 2010 "Bonn Girls" will be Tour members Brandi Jackson, rookie Rachel Connor, Gerina Mendoza, LPGA/ Duramed FUTURES Tour rookie Mallory Blackwelder, and LPGA Tour member Anna Grzebien. But what happens if "Bonn Girls" team members show up on the first tee with the same outfit?

"It happens anyway," laughed Brown. "There are only so many women's golf clothes out there."

Connor, of Great Britain, believes she is launching her professional career in style this season. And her fashion-forward tastes certainly might grab even more attention back home.

"I like that these clothes are different and I haven't seen anybody wearing them," Connor said. "The line is versatile, and it has lace and rhinestones."

Of course, touring professionals spend weeks on the road and see their fair share of commercial laundry machines. When asked if her apparel line can hold up to the rigors of American laundrymats, Bonn offers a game-on reply. Her tops are made of bamboo and cotton, which are designed to stay soft and stretchy with moisture wicking.

That alone, could get a thumbs-up response from the touring pros.

"Free clothes are great, but if you don't like them and won't wear them, what's the point?" added Prange. "That's not the case here. Donna is helping us and we are helping her."

-Lisa D. Mickey