Some of the best collaborations start the way a great round of golf does—casual conversations, shared passion, and a few bold ideas tossed back and forth over text threads and calls.
That’s how this one started: with Andrew Haynes, the creative force behind Fairgame, and myself, Christian Freissler, Creative Director at Shinzo Tamura—kicking around ideas for something a little less expected.
What if we flipped the script on the traditional golf collab?
What if it wasn’t about elites or exclusivity, but about real players—people who actually show up for early tee times, who carry their own bags, who play to win but aren’t afraid to laugh along the way? That became the seed for the New York City Showdown.
Shot at the scenic Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point—New York City’s finest public course—we reimagined the spirit of the Ryder Cup through a distinctly modern lens. Our four players brought real game, real personalities, and zero pretense.
- Josh Park – the precision coach with Californian cool
- Liz Breed – a Brooklyn-based pro with equal parts swagger and swing
- Mark Sommerfeld – a former collegiate star turned lensman with a love for the game
- Ellen Ceresko – LPGA Class A and the steady force you’d want in any final pairing
The Format
Three matches. Best ball, alternate shot, and head-to-head singles. No teams of twelve. No captains. Just four players going all-in—each one decked out in our newest Shinzo Tamura Golf Collection.
We built this line for players like them: players who value performance and precision, but don’t want to compromise on style. These are frames built for the course and beyond—premium Japanese craftsmanship paired with TALEX polarized lenses engineered for glare-free performance and all-day comfort.
Behind the scenes, director Jason Jahnke and his crew—including Dominic Panico (B cam) and photographer Kris Ryan—helped us bring the story to life. Their lenses captured more than just swings and putts. They caught moments of friendship, competition, and the quiet intensity that makes golf such a captivating game.
We’re proud of this one—not just for the content, but for what it represents. A collaboration that reflects how people actually play today. Where style and skill go hand-in-hand, and great golf is about more than scorecards.
The NYC Showdown is live on YouTube
Big thanks to everyone who helped make it happen—especially the Fairgame team for being such thoughtful partners. Watch the match, and explore the Shinzo Tamura Golf Collection—built for the modern player.
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