CEO, and Nickent Co-Founder, Michael Lee attended the University of Southern California on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a degree in Economics in 1990. Lee began his golf career as an assistant pro and shortly thereafter, was recruited as National Sales Manager for Taiwan-based component maker, Kent World, the largest manufacturer in Taiwan. In a successful four-year run at Kent World, Lee's solid manufacturing expertise enabled him to work with some of the industries top product designers. Electing to translate that background and knowledge into a new line of clubs, Lee founded Nickent Golf in 1996 with the intent to produce a superior quality product at a better price. Their initial product sold a million units the first year, establishing the Nickent brand name as one of the premier technology players in the industry. Today they offer a full line of the most technologically advanced clubs on the market.

Over the last twenty years, clubs covered by John Hoeflich's patents have become some of the best sellers of all time. Those products include such breakthrough clubs such as the Tommy Armour® 845 iron, Titleist® DCI irons and TaylorMade® RAC irons and wedges. His keen sense of shape and technical curiosity has prompted the development of clubs carried by millions of golfers worldwide. Some of the positions he has held in his 35 years of golf industry experience include: Senior Director of Product Marketing for Taylor Made-adidas Golf, Director of Golf Club Product Development for Titleist & FootJoy Worldwide and President of Liquidmetal Golf.

Ian Zubkoff was put in charge of Nickent sales in 1997, Nickent’s second year in business, as Executive Vice President/Sales. His 17 years of highly successful sales and distribution experience in the golf industry, and his cutting-edge sales strategies and retailer relationships have proven immensely instrumental to the company's dramatic success. Before joining Nickent, he had moved quickly up the ranks of the NYSE listed Head Sporting Goods, holding successive titles as Territorial Representative, Regional Sales Manager, and National Director of Sales for the golf division. In 1995, he founded and managed Golf Assets Inc., a highly successful sales organization that sold and distributed collectibles, pro tour memorabilia, and a wide range of golf accessories.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jon Claffey brings to Nickent a new energy and vision of strategic planning, advertising and brand development that will help Nickent meet the ambitious goals they have set for themselves. Claffey was an integral part of pioneering successful startup company Sonartec Golf. Before joining the ranks of the golf industry, Jon was an advertising and public relations major at Northern Arizona University and worked for an advertising and public relations agency.

Josh Trivett, a former touring professional, was instrumental in getting PGA Tour players to put Nickent Golf clubs in their bags during Nickent’s rise to one of the most played brands on the professional circuits. Trivett attended the prestigious Professional Golf Management Program at Mississippi State University and is a veteran of the mini and developmental tours.  Before joining Nickent, he was the Tour Representative for FEEL Golf, where he made significant product placements on both the LPGA and Senior tours. He now oversees Nickent operations every major world tour, including the PGA, LPGA, Nationwide and Champions Tours.

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