Callaway Gold Company
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
April 14, 2005
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Callaway Golf Company, which will be held on
Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at the Estancia La Jolla
Hotel & Spa, 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road,
La Jolla, California 92037, commencing at 10:00 a.m.
(PDT). A map is provided on the back page of these materials for
your reference. Your Board of Directors and management look
forward to greeting personally those shareholders who are able
to attend.
At the meeting, your Board of Directors will ask shareholders to
elect seven directors and to ratify the appointment of the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm.
These matters are described more fully in the accompanying Proxy
Statement, which you are urged to read thoroughly. Your Board of
Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees
and FOR ratification of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm.
It is important that your shares are represented and voted at
the meeting whether or not you plan to attend. Accordingly, you
are requested to return a proxy as promptly as possible either
by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the
enclosed postage-prepaid envelope, or by telephone, or through
the Internet in accordance with the enclosed instructions.
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Sincerely, |
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William C. Baker |
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Chairman of the Board |
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and Chief Executive Officer |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
2180 Rutherford Road
Carlsbad, California 92008
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Meeting Date: May 24, 2005
To Our Shareholders:
The 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Annual
Meeting) of Callaway Golf Company, a Delaware corporation,
(the Company) is scheduled to be held at the
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa,
9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California
92037, commencing at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), on Tuesday,
May 24, 2005, to consider and vote upon the following
matters described in this notice and the accompanying Proxy
Statement:
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To elect seven directors to the Companys Board of
Directors to serve until the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders
and until their successors are elected and qualified; |
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To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
The Board of Directors has nominated the following seven
individuals to stand for election to the Board of Directors at
the Annual Meeting: William C. Baker, Samuel H.
Armacost, Ronald S. Beard, John C. Cushman, III,
Yotaro Kobayashi, Richard L. Rosenfield and Anthony S.
Thornley. All seven are currently members of the Companys
Board of Directors. For more information concerning these
individuals, please see the accompanying Proxy Statement.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
March 25, 2005 as the record date for determination of
shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof, and only record
holders of common stock at the close of business on that day
will be entitled to vote. At the record date,
76,290,527 shares of common stock were issued and
outstanding. In order to constitute a quorum for the conduct of
business at the Annual Meeting, it is necessary that holders of
a majority of all outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company be present in person or be represented by proxy.
TO ASSURE REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, SHAREHOLDERS ARE
URGED TO RETURN A PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE EITHER BY
SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE
ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE, OR BY TELEPHONE, OR THROUGH
THE INTERNET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENCLOSED INSTRUCTIONS. ANY
SHAREHOLDER ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN
IF HE OR SHE PREVIOUSLY RETURNED A PROXY.
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we would
appreciate your response by indicating so when returning the
proxy.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Steven C. McCracken |
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Secretary |
Carlsbad, California
April 14, 2005
PROXY STATEMENT
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CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
2180 Rutherford Road
Carlsbad, California 92008
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Meeting Date: May 24, 2005
GENERAL INFORMATION
Purpose
This Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card will first be
mailed to shareholders on or about April 21, 2005 in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of Callaway Golf Company, a Delaware corporation (the
Company or Callaway Golf). The proxies
are for use at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company, which will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at
the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa,
9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California
92037, commencing at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), and at any meetings
held upon adjournment thereof (the Annual Meeting).
The record date for the Annual Meeting is the close of business
on March 25, 2005 (the Record Date). Only
holders of record of the Companys common stock,
$.01 par value, (the Common Stock) on the
Record Date are entitled to notice of the Annual Meeting and to
vote at the Annual Meeting.
Quorum and Voting
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person,
please return a proxy indicating how you wish your shares to be
voted as promptly as possible. You may return a proxy either by
signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the
postage-prepaid envelope provided, or by telephone or through
the Internet. Please follow the enclosed instructions. Any
shareholder who returns a proxy has the power to revoke it at
any time prior to its effective use either by filing with the
Secretary of the Company a written instrument revoking it, or by
returning (by mail, telephone or Internet) another later-dated
proxy, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
If you sign and return your proxy but do not indicate how you
want to vote your shares for each proposal, then for any
proposal for which you do not so indicate your shares will be
voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the
recommendation of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees for
election as directors as set forth in this Proxy Statement and
FOR ratification of the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005. By returning the proxy (either by mail,
telephone or Internet), unless you notify the Secretary of the
Company in writing to the contrary, you are also authorizing the
proxies to vote with regard to any other matter which may
properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. The Company does not currently know of any such other
matter. If there were any such additional matters, the proxies
would vote your shares in accordance with the recommendation of
the Board of Directors.
At the Record Date, there were 76,290,527 shares of the
Companys Common Stock issued and outstanding. No other
voting securities of the Company were outstanding at the Record
Date. The presence, either in person or by proxy, of persons
entitled to vote a majority of the Companys outstanding
Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Under the rules
of the New York Stock Exchange, brokers who hold shares in
street name for customers do not have the authority to vote on
certain items when they have not received instructions from
beneficial owners (broker non-votes). Abstentions
may be specified for all proposals except the election of
directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for
purposes of determining a quorum. Abstentions are counted in the
tabulation of votes cast and have the same effect as voting
against a proposal. Broker non-votes are not considered as
having voted for purposes of determining the outcome of a vote.
The election of directors and ratification of the appointment of
independent registered public accounting firm being voted upon
at the upcoming Annual
Meeting are considered routine and brokers may generally vote on
such proposals in their discretion if they do not receive
instructions from the beneficial owners.
Holders of Common Stock have one vote for each share on any
matter that may be presented for consideration and action by the
shareholders at the Annual Meeting, except that shareholders
have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of
directors. Cumulative voting rights entitle each shareholder to
cast as many votes as are equal to the number of directors to be
elected multiplied by the number of shares owned by such
shareholder, which votes may be cast for one candidate or
distributed among two or more candidates. A shareholder may
exercise cumulative voting rights by indicating on the proxy
card the manner in which such votes should be allocated. The
seven nominees for director receiving the highest number of
votes at the Annual Meeting will be elected. A return of a proxy
giving authority to vote for the nominees named in this Proxy
Statement will also give discretion to the proxies to vote
shares cumulatively for one or more nominees so as to elect the
maximum number of directors recommended by the Board of
Directors.
Solicitation of Proxies
The cost of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this
Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card, and the cost of
soliciting proxies relating to the Annual Meeting, will be borne
by the Company. The Company may request banks and brokers to
solicit their customers who beneficially own Common Stock listed
of record in the name of such bank or broker or other third
party, and will reimburse such banks, brokers and third parties
for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for such
solicitations. The solicitation of proxies by mail may be
supplemented by telephone, telegram, facsimile, Internet and
personal solicitation by directors, officers and other employees
of the Company, but no additional compensation will be paid to
such individuals. The Company has retained the firm of Mellon
Investor Services LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies
for a base fee of approximately $8,000, plus out-of-pocket
expenses.
Householding
With regard to the delivery of annual reports and proxy
statements, under certain circumstances the Securities and
Exchange Commission permits a single set of such documents to be
sent to any household at which two or more shareholders reside
if they appear to be members of the same family. Each
shareholder, however, still receives a separate proxy card. This
procedure, known as householding, reduces the amount
of duplicate information received at a household and reduces
mailing and printing costs as well. A number of banks, brokers
and other firms have instituted householding and have previously
sent a notice to that effect to certain of the Companys
shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of the
bank, broker or other firm. As a result, unless the shareholders
receiving such notice gave contrary instructions, only one
annual report and one annual proxy statement will be mailed to
an address at which two or more such shareholders reside. If any
shareholder residing at such an address wishes to receive a
separate annual report or annual proxy statement in the future,
such shareholder should telephone the householding election
system (toll-free) at 1-800-542-1061. In addition, (i) if
any shareholder who previously consented to householding desires
to receive a separate copy of the annual report or annual proxy
statement for each shareholder at his or her same address, or
(ii) if any shareholder shares an address with another
shareholder and both shareholders of such address desire to
receive only a single copy of the annual report or annual proxy
statement, then such shareholder should contact his or her bank,
broker or other firm in whose name the shares are registered or
contact the Company as follows: Callaway Golf Company, ATTN:
Investor Relations, 2180 Rutherford Road, Carlsbad, CA
92008, telephone (760) 931-1771.
2
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Introduction
Corporate governance is the system by which business
corporations ensure that they are managed ethically and in the
best interests of the Companys shareholders. The Company
is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate
governance. A copy of the Companys Corporate Governance
Guidelines is available on the Companys website at
www.callawaygolf.com under Investor Relations
Corporate Governance.
One of the most important aspects of corporate governance is the
election of a Board of Directors to oversee the operation of the
business and affairs of the Company. The Companys Bylaws
provide that the Companys directors shall be elected at
each annual meeting of shareholders. As a result, as discussed
below, the first proposal the shareholders will be asked to vote
upon at the 2005 Annual Meeting is the election of seven
directors to serve until the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders
and until their successors are elected and qualified.
In todays business environment, the selection of a
qualified independent auditor has also become a key aspect of
corporate governance. This year the Board of Directors has asked
that shareholders ratify the Boards selection of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005.
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Independence. The Companys Bylaws and Corporate
Governance Guidelines provide that a substantial majority of the
Companys directors must be independent. A director is
independent only if the director is a non-management director
and the Board has determined that the director has no direct or
indirect material relationship to the Company. To be
independent, a director must also satisfy any other independence
requirements under applicable law, regulation or listing
standard of the New York Stock Exchange. In evaluating a
particular relationship, the Board considers the materiality of
the relationship to the Company, to the director and, if
applicable, to an organization with which the director is
affiliated. Compliance with these independence standards is
reviewed at least annually. The Board currently consists of five
independent directors and two non-independent directors. The
Board has determined that Messrs. Armacost, Beard, Cushman,
Kobayashi and Thornley are independent directors. Effective
August 2, 2004, the Board appointed Mr. Baker as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Prior to
becoming Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Baker met all the
requirements to be designated as an independent director. He had
never worked for the Company and had no other interests or
associations that affected his independence. As Chief Executive
Officer, however, Mr. Baker is deemed not to be
independent. Mr. Bakers appointment as Chief
Executive Officer also affected the status of
Mr. Rosenfield as an independent director due to
Mr. Bakers service on the compensation committee of
California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., where Mr. Rosenfield is
co-chief executive officer. Prior to Mr. Bakers
appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rosenfield met
all the requirements to be designated as an independent
director. He had never worked for the Company and had no other
interests or associations that affected his independence.
Following Mr. Bakers appointment as Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. Rosenfield was deemed not to be independent.
Nominees for Election. The Board of Directors has
nominated each of the Companys current directors to stand
for re-election at the 2005 Annual Meeting to serve until the
2006 annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective
successors are elected and qualified. Each nominee has consented
to being named in this Proxy Statement as a nominee for election
as director and has agreed to serve as a director if elected. If
any one or more of such nominees should for any reason become
unavailable for election, the persons named in the accompanying
form of proxy may vote for the election of such substitute
nominees as the Board of Directors may propose. The accompanying
form of proxy contains a discretionary grant of authority with
respect to this matter.
3
The nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting are
set forth below:
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William C. Baker
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
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1994 |
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Samuel H. Armacost
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Director |
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2003 |
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Ronald S. Beard
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Director |
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2001 |
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John C. Cushman, III
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Director |
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2003 |
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Yotaro Kobayashi
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Director |
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1998 |
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Richard L. Rosenfield
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Director |
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1994 |
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Anthony S. Thornley
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Director |
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2004 |
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Biographical Information of Nominees. Set forth below is
certain biographical information about each of the nominees:
William C. Baker. Mr. Baker, 71, has served as a
Director of the Company since January 1994 and was elected
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in August of 2004. He also
is Chair of the Finance Committee. Mr. Baker was the
President of Meditrust Operating Company from August 1998 to
April 2000. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Los Angeles Turf Club, Inc., a subsidiary of Magna
International, Inc., from December 1998 to June 1999. He was
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Santa Anita
Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of Meditrust Operating Company,
from November 1997 to December 1998. Prior to that, he was
Chairman of Santa Anita Realty Enterprises, Inc. from April 1996
to November 1997 and Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Santa Anita Operating Company from August 1996 to
November 1997. He was President and Chief Operating Officer of
Red Robin International, Inc. (a restaurant chain) from May 1993
to May 1995, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Carolina Restaurant Enterprises, Inc. from August 1992 to
December 1995. Mr. Baker was the principal shareholder and
Chief Executive Officer of Del Taco, Inc. from 1977 until 1988
when that business was sold. He also serves as a Director of
La Quinta Corporation (f/k/a The Meditrust Companies),
Public Storage, Inc., California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. and Javo
Beverage Company. Mr. Baker received his law degree in 1957
from the University of Texas.
Samuel H. Armacost. Mr. Armacost, 65, has served as
a Director of the Company since April 2003 and is Chair of the
Compensation and Management Succession Committee. He is Chairman
of SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute).
Mr. Armacost joined SRI International in 1998. He was
Managing Director of Weiss, Peck & Greer LLC (an
investment management and venture capital firm) from 1990 to
1998. He was Managing Director of Merrill Lynch Capital Markets
from 1987 to 1990. Prior to that he was President and Chief
Executive Officer of BankAmerica Corporation from 1981 to 1986.
He also served as Chief Financial Officer of BankAmerica
Corporation from 1979 to 1981. Currently, Mr. Armacost
serves as a member of the Board of Directors of ChevronTexaco
Corporation, Exponent, Inc., Del Monte Foods Company and
Franklin Resources, Inc. Mr. Armacost is a graduate of
Denison University and received his MBA from Stanford University
in 1964.
Ronald S. Beard. Mr. Beard, 66, has served as a
Director of the Company since June 2001. He is Chair of the
Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and serves as lead independent director.
Mr. Beard is currently a partner in the Zeughauser Group,
consultants to the legal industry. Mr. Beard is a retired
former Chairman of the law firm of Gibson, Dunn &
Crutcher LLP. He joined the firm in 1964, served as Chairman of
the firm from April 1991 until December 2001, and was also its
Managing Partner from April 1991 until mid-1997. Mr. Beard
served as the Companys General Outside Counsel from 1998
until he joined the Board of Directors. Mr. Beard also
serves as a Director of Document Sciences Corporation and Javo
Beverage Company. He received his law degree in 1964 from Yale
Law School.
John C. Cushman, III. Mr. Cushman, 64, has
served as a Director of the Company since April 2003. He has
been Chairman of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. since it
merged with Cushman Realty Corporation in 2001. In 1978, he
co-founded Cushman Realty Corporation. Mr. Cushman also
serves as Director and Chief
4
Executive Officer of Cushman Winery Corporation, owner of Zaca
Mesa Winery, which he co-founded in 1972. He began his career
with Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., a commercial real
estate firm, from 1963 to 1978. Currently, Mr. Cushman also
serves on the boards of La Quinta Corporation, La Quinta
Properties, Inc., Culinary Holdings, Incorporated., D.A. Cushman
Realty Corporation and Inglewood Park Cemetery. Mr. Cushman
is a graduate of Colgate University (1963) and attended the
Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
Yotaro Kobayashi. Mr. Kobayashi, 71, has served as a
Director of the Company since June 1998. He is Chairman of the
Board of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Mr. Kobayashi joined Fuji
Photo Film Co., Ltd. in 1958, was assigned to Fuji Xerox Co.,
Ltd. in 1963, named President and Chief Executive Officer in
1978 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1992.
Mr. Kobayashi is also a Director of Sony Corporation,
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and
American Productivity and Quality Center. He holds positions as
Chairman of The Aspen Institute Japan, Pacific Asia Chairman of
the Trilateral Commission, and Chairman of the International
University of Japan as well as Life-Time Trustee of Keizai
Doyukai. He also is on the Advisory Boards of the Council on
Foreign Relations and is an Advisory Council Member for Stanford
Universitys Institute of International Studies. In
addition, Mr. Kobayashi serves on the Board of Trustees of
Keio University. He is a 1956 graduate of Keio University and
received his MBA from The Wharton School in 1958.
Richard L. Rosenfield. Mr. Rosenfield, 59, has
served as a Director of the Company since April 1994. He is the
Chair of the Executive Committee. He is co-founder, co-Chairman
and co-Chief Executive Officer of California Pizza Kitchen,
Inc., a gourmet pizza restaurant chain founded in 1985. In 2003,
Mr. Rosenfield co-founded and is co-Chairman and co-Chief
Executive Officer of LA Food Show, Inc., a restaurant operating
company. From 1973 to 1985, Mr. Rosenfield was a principal
and partner of the law firm of Flax and Rosenfield, a private
law firm in Beverly Hills, California. From 1969 to 1973,
Mr. Rosenfield served as an attorney in the
U.S. Department of Justice. He is a 1969 graduate of DePaul
University College of Law.
Anthony S. Thornley. Mr. Thornley, 58, has served as
a Director of the Company since April 2004. He currently is
President and Chief Operating Officer of QUALCOMM Incorporated,
the San Diego-based company that pioneered and developed
technologies used in wireless networks throughout much of the
world. He has held those positions since February 2002. He
previously served as QUALCOMMs Chief Financial Officer
since 1994, while also holding titles of Vice President, Senior
Vice President and Executive Vice President. Prior to joining
QUALCOMM, Mr. Thornley worked for Nortel for 16 years,
serving in various financial and information systems management
positions including Vice President of Public Networks, Vice
President of Finance NT World Trade, and Corporate Controller
Northern Telecom Limited. Before Nortel, Mr. Thornley
worked for Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Thornley
received his degree in chemistry from Manchester University,
England, and is qualified as a chartered accountant.
Vote Required. Assuming a quorum is present, the seven
nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast at the
Annual Meeting will be elected as directors.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors currently has five standing committees.
They are the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Management
Succession Committee, the Executive Committee, the Finance
Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
The Board of Directors has adopted written charters for each of
the Committees. A copy of each of the charters is available on
the Companys website at www.callawaygolf.com under
Investor Relations Corporate Governance. Upon
request, the Company will provide to any person without charge a
copy of such charters. Any such requests may be made by
contacting the Companys Investor Relations Department at
the Companys principal executive offices located at
2180 Rutherford Road, Carlsbad, CA 92008. More detailed
information about each committee is set forth below.
5
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee currently consists
of Messrs. Beard (Chair), Armacost and Thornley. The Board
of Directors has determined that each member of the
Companys Audit Committee is independent within the meaning
of Item 7(d)(3)(iv)(A)(1) of Schedule 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicable listing
standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board of Directors
has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee is
financially literate and has accounting or related financial
management expertise within the meaning of the rules of the New
York Stock Exchange. In addition, the Board of Directors has
determined that at least one member of the Audit Committee
qualifies as an Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined by
Item 401(h)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Board of
Directors has designated Anthony S. Thornley as the Audit
Committee Financial Expert. The Board also believes that the
collective experiences of the other members of the Audit
Committee make them well qualified to serve on the
Companys Audit Committee. Shareholders should understand
that Mr. Thornleys designation as an Audit Committee
Financial Expert is a Securities and Exchange Commission
disclosure requirement, and it does not impose on
Mr. Thornley any duties, obligations or liabilities that
are greater than those which are generally imposed on him as a
member of the Audit Committee and the Board, and his designation
as an Audit Committee Financial expert pursuant to this
requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or
liabilities of him or any other member of the Audit Committee or
the Board.
The Audit Committee is responsible for representing the Board of
Directors in discharging its oversight responsibility relating
to the accounting, reporting and financial practices of the
Company and its subsidiaries, including the integrity of the
Companys financial statements, as well as oversight of the
Companys internal audit function. The Audit Committee also
has oversight responsibility with regard to the Companys
legal and regulatory matters and has sole authority for all
matters relating to the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm, including the appointment, compensation,
evaluation, retention and termination of such firm. A copy of
the Audit Committee Charter is set forth as Exhibit A to
this Proxy Statement.
Compensation and Management Succession Committee. The
Compensation and Management Succession Committee currently
consists of Messrs. Armacost (Chair), Beard and Thornley.
All of the members of this Committee are independent directors
as determined under the independence standards described above,
including the NYSE listing standards. The Committee is
responsible for discharging the responsibilities of the Board
relating to compensation of the Companys executives and
for assisting the Board with management succession issues and
planning. The Committee is also responsible for reviewing the
performance of the Companys Chief Executive Officer and
for setting the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and
the Companys other executive officers.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee currently
consists of Messrs. Rosenfield (Chair), Baker, Beard and
Cushman. As disclosed above, Messrs. Beard and Cushman are
deemed to be independent directors and Messrs. Baker and
Rosenfield are deemed to be non-independent directors. There is
no requirement that the Company have an executive committee or
that the members of the committee be independent. The Charter of
the Executive Committee provides that a majority of the members
be non-management directors and Mr. Baker is the only
management director on the Committee. The Committee is
responsible for assisting the Board of Directors in discharging
its duties to the Company and to the Companys
shareholders. The Committee performs such tasks as the Board of
Directors delegates to it from time to time.
Finance Committee. The Finance Committee currently
consists of Messrs. Baker (Chair), Armacost, Beard and
Cushman. Other than Mr. Baker, each of the members of this
Committee is an independent director as determined under the
independence standards described above, including the NYSE
listing standards. The Committee is responsible for oversight of
the Companys finance matters, including the Companys
strategic business objectives and initiatives, financial
performance, budget, credit facilities, capital structure,
investments and banking relationships.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists
of Messrs. Beard (Chair), Armacost, Baker, Cushman and
Kobayashi. All of the members of this Committee are independent
directors as determined under the independence standards
described above, including the NYSE listing standards. The
Committee has responsibility for identifying and recommending to
the Board individuals who are qualified to serve on the Board of
Directors and has
6
responsibility for making recommendations as to the candidates
who should stand for election at each annual meeting of
shareholders. The Committee also has responsibility for
oversight of the Companys corporate governance practices,
including the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines,
and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board and Board
Committees.
The Committee believes that the continuing service of qualified
incumbents promotes stability and continuity among the Board of
Directors and contributes to the Boards ability to
function effectively. The continuing service of qualified
incumbents also provides the Company with the benefit of the
familiarity with and insight into the Companys affairs
that its directors have accumulated during their tenure. As a
result, in considering candidates for nomination for each annual
meeting of shareholders, the Committee will first consider the
Companys incumbent directors who desire to continue their
service on the Board. The Committee will generally recommend to
the Board an incumbent director for reelection if the Committee
has determined that (i) the incumbent director continues to
satisfy the threshold criteria described below, (ii) the
incumbent director has satisfactorily performed his or her
duties as a director during the most recent term and
(iii) there exists no reason, including considerations
relating to the composition and functional needs of the Board as
a whole, why in the Committees view the incumbent director
should not be reelected.
If a vacancy becomes available on the Board of Directors as a
result of the death, resignation or removal of an incumbent
director or as a result of action taken by the Board to increase
the size of the Board, the Committee will proceed to identify
candidates who meet the threshold criteria described below. The
Committee may use a variety of methods for identifying director
candidates, including professional search firms and
recommendations from the Companys officers, directors,
shareholders or other persons. Once a candidate has been
identified, the Committee evaluates whether the candidate has
the appropriate skills and characteristics to become a director
and whether the candidate satisfies the following threshold
criteria: (i) a candidate must possess the highest personal
and professional ethics, integrity and values; (ii) a
candidate must not have any interest that would impair his or
her ability to discharge the fiduciary duties of a director;
(iii) a candidate must be committed to the best interests
of the Companys shareholders and be able to represent
fairly and equally all shareholders without favoring or
advancing any particular shareholder or other constituency; and
(iv) a candidate must be able to devote sufficient time to
his or her service as a director. Candidates are also evaluated
based upon their independence, education and relevant business
and industry experience. These factors, and others, are
considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
in the context of the Board as a whole and in light of the
Boards needs at a particular time.
If a shareholder believes that he or she has identified an
appropriate candidate who is willing to serve on the
Companys Board of Directors, the shareholder may submit a
written recommendation to the Chair of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee c/o the Companys
Secretary at 2180 Rutherford Road, Carlsbad, California 92008.
Such recommendation must include detailed biographical
information concerning the recommended candidate, including a
statement regarding the candidates qualifications. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may require such
further information and obtain such further assurances
concerning the recommended candidate as it deems reasonably
necessary to the consideration of the candidate. The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee will review properly
submitted shareholder candidates in the same manner as it
evaluates all other director candidates. In addition to bringing
potential qualified candidates to the attention of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as discussed
above, a nomination of a person for election to the Board of
Directors at an annual meeting of shareholders may be made by
shareholders who meet the qualifications set forth in the
Companys Bylaws and who make such nominations in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the Companys
Bylaws, including the procedures described at Shareholder
Proposals in this Proxy Statement.
Lead Independent Director
In addition to the committees of the Board discussed above, the
Board also appoints a Lead Independent Director. Ronald S. Beard
is currently the designated Lead Independent Director. The Lead
Independent Director coordinates the activities of the
independent directors and serves as a liaison between the Chief
Executive Officer and the independent directors. The Lead
Independent Director also presides at the executive sessions
(without management) of the independent directors. A copy of the
Charter for the Lead
7
Independent Director position is available at the corporate
governance section of the Companys website at
www.callawaygolf.com under Investor Relations
Corporate Governance.
Meetings
During 2004, the Companys Board of Directors met eight
times; the Audit Committee met six times; the Compensation and
Management Succession Committee met six times; the Finance
Committee met four times; and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee met four times. The Executive Committee did
not hold any formal meetings during 2004. In addition to
meetings, the members of the Board of Directors and its
committees sometimes take action by written consent in lieu of a
meeting, which is permitted, and discuss Company business
without calling a formal meeting. During 2004, each of the
Companys current directors attended in excess of 75% of
the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the
Board of Directors on which he served. All of the Board members
are expected to attend the annual meetings of shareholders and
all directors attended the 2004 shareholders meeting.
Director Compensation
Directors who are not employees of the Company receive
$30,000 per year in base cash compensation, plus
reimbursement of expenses, for serving on the Board of
Directors. Non-employee directors also receive additional cash
compensation in the amount of $1,000 per day for each Board
meeting attended and additional cash compensation for each
committee meeting attended in the amount of $1,000 per day
for each regular member of a committee, and $1,300 per day
for the Chair of a committee. The Lead Independent Director also
receives an additional $30,000 in base compensation in
recognition of the significant amount of time the Lead
Independent Director is required to spend on Company business
between meetings of the Board.
The non-employee directors also participate in the Callaway Golf
Company 2001 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the
2001 Director Plan), which was approved by the
shareholders at the Companys 2000 annual meeting. Pursuant
to the 2001 Director Plan, a non-employee director is
automatically granted upon his or her initial election or
appointment to the Board an option to
purchase 20,000 shares of the Companys Common
Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of election or appointment. Thereafter,
on each anniversary of the directors election or
appointment, each non-employee director who is expected to
continue to serve as such for at least another year will receive
an additional option to purchase 6,000 shares of the
Companys Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock on such anniversary.
Initial options vest 50% upon the first anniversary of a
directors initial election or appointment and 50% upon the
second anniversary. Additional options vest 100% after two years
from the date of grant. Subject to certain anti-dilution
adjustments, a maximum of 500,000 shares have been approved
for issuance upon the exercise of stock options granted under
the 2001 Director Plan.
The Company has a policy that the non-employee directors should
promote the Companys products by using the Companys
products whenever they play golf. To assist the directors in
complying with this policy, non-employee directors are entitled
to receive golf club products of the Company, free of charge,
for their own personal use and the use of immediate family
members living in the directors home.
The directors also receive other benefits that are not material
in amount, including the right to participate in the
Companys deferred compensation plan.
Communications with the Board
Shareholders and other interested parties may contact the
Companys Lead Independent Director or
the non-management directors as a group (i) by email
at: www.non-managementdirectors@callawaygolf.com or
(ii) by mail to: Board of Directors, Callaway Golf Company,
2180 Rutherford Road, Carlsbad, California 92008. The Corporate
Secretarys office will review all incoming communications
and will filter out solicitations and junk mail. All legitimate
communications will be forwarded to the Lead Independent
Director for distribution to the other non-management directors
or for handling as appropriate.
8
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct
The Board of Directors has adopted and published on its website
its Corporate Governance Guidelines to provide the
Companys shareholders and other interested parties with
insight into the Companys corporate governance practices.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for overseeing these guidelines and for reporting and making
recommendations to the Board concerning these guidelines. The
Corporate Governance Guidelines cover, among other things, board
composition and director qualification standards,
responsibilities of the Board of Directors, Board compensation,
committees of the Board of Directors and other corporate
governance matters.
The Board of Directors has also adopted a Code of Conduct that
applies to all of the Companys employees, including its
senior financial and executive officers, as well as the
Companys directors. The Companys Code of Conduct
covers the basic standards of conduct applicable to all
directors, officers and employees of the Company, as well as the
Companys Conflicts of Interest and Ethics Policy and other
specific compliance standards and related matters. The Company
will promptly disclose any waivers of, or amendments to, any
provision of the Code of Conduct that applies to the
Companys directors and senior financial and executive
officers on its website at www.callawaygolf.com.
Both the Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct are
available on the Companys website at
www.callawaygolf.com under Investor Relations
Corporate Governance and Corporate Overview. Upon request, the
Company will provide to any person without charge a copy of the
Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines or Code of
Conduct. Any such requests may be made by contacting the
Companys Investor Relations department at the
Companys principal executive offices located at 2180
Rutherford Road, Carlsbad, California 92008.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set
forth in its written charter. In summary, they are:
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Review and discuss with the outside auditors the scope and
results of the annual audit and any reports with respect to
interim periods. |
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Review and discuss with management and the outside auditors the
annual and quarterly financial statements of the Company,
including any significant financial reporting issues and
judgments, the effects of regulatory and accounting initiatives
and off-balance sheet structures on the Companys financial
statements, disclosures under Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and any major issues regarding the
Companys accounting principles and financial statements. |
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Review and discuss the Companys policies with respect to
earnings releases and other disclosures of financial information
and/or guidance. |
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Responsibility and sole authority for all matters relating to
the Companys outside auditors, including their
appointment, compensation, evaluation, retention and termination. |
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Approval of all services to be performed by the outside
auditors, including pre-approval of any permissible non-audit
services. |
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Review and consider the independence of the outside auditors. |
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Obtain and review a report by the outside auditors on their
internal quality control procedures and any material issues
raised by the most recent internal quality control review or
peer review. |
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Review and discuss with the principal internal auditor of the
Company the scope and results of the internal audit program, and
the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls. |
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Review and discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures. |
9
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Review material pending legal proceedings and material
contingent liabilities. |
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Review and discuss the Companys policies with respect to
risk assessment and risk management, and oversee the
Companys legal and regulatory compliance programs, code of
conduct, and conflict of interest policies. |
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Establish procedures for handling complaints about accounting,
internal controls and audit matters. |
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Evaluate annually the performance of the Audit Committee and the
adequacy of its charter. |
In addition to its charter, the Audit Committee has also adopted
(i) a written policy restricting the hiring of candidates
for accounting or financial reporting positions if such
candidates have certain current or former relationships with the
Companys independent auditors; (ii) procedures for
the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding
accounting or auditing matters and the confidential submission
by employees regarding any accounting or auditing concerns;
(iii) a policy governing the preapproval of audit and
non-audit fees and services to be performed by the
Companys independent auditors; and (iv) a written
policy requiring management to report to the Committee
transactions with the Companys officers or certain other
parties.
In general, the Audit Committee represents the Board of
Directors in discharging its general oversight responsibilities
for the Company and its subsidiaries in the areas of accounting,
auditing, financial reporting, risk assessment and management,
and internal controls. Management has the responsibility for the
preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys
financial statements and for its financial reporting process and
the Companys independent auditors are responsible for
expressing an opinion on the conformance of the Companys
financial statements to accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States. The Audit Committee is responsible for
reviewing and discussing with management and the Companys
independent auditors the Companys annual and quarterly
financial statements and financial reporting process and for
providing advice, counsel and direction to management and the
Companys independent auditors on such matters based upon
the information it receives, its discussions with management and
the independent auditors and the experience of the Audit
Committee members in business, financial and accounting matters.
The Company has an internal audit department that, among other
things, is responsible for objectively reviewing and evaluating
the adequacy and effectiveness of the Companys system of
internal controls, including controls relating to the
reliability of the Companys financial reporting. The
internal audit department reports directly to the Audit
Committee and, for administrative purposes, to the Chief
Financial Officer.
During 2004, the Audit Committee met formally six times.
Messrs. Armacost and Beard served on the Committee
throughout 2004, with Mr. Beard serving as Chairman.
Mr. Baker served on the Committee until August 2004 when he
was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and no
longer met applicable standards for independence required of
members of the Committee. Mr. Thornley joined the Audit
Committee in May 2004. The Board has determined that throughout
2004 all members of the Audit Committee met the independence
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange during the time they
served on the Committee, and that all members of the Audit
Committee were financially literate and had accounting or
related financial management expertise within the meaning of the
NYSE listing standards. In addition, the Audit Committee
designated Mr. Thornley as the Audit Committee Financial
Expert. Shareholders should understand that this designation is
a Securities and Exchange Commission disclosure requirement, and
does not impose on Mr. Thornley any duties, obligations or
liabilities that are greater than those which are generally
imposed on him as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board,
and his designation as an Audit Committee Financial expert
pursuant to this requirement does not affect the duties,
obligations or liabilities of him or any other member of the
Audit Committee or the Board.
Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte) served as
the Companys independent auditors for 2004. The Audit
Committee reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte
the Companys quarterly and audited annual financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Audit
Committee discussed with Deloitte the matters that the
independent auditors are required to discuss with the Audit
Committee pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), including
(a) the
10
Companys significant accounting policies and their
application, (b) the reasonableness of managements
accounting estimates and judgments used in the preparation of
the Companys financial statements and (c) the quality
of the Companys accounting procedures and practices.
In addition, the Audit Committee has received from the
independent auditors the written disclosures and the letter
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussions with Audit Committees). Although such
letter is only required annually, as a matter of procedure the
Audit Committee requests that the Companys independent
auditors provide such letter quarterly. The Audit Committee
actively engaged in a dialogue with the independent auditors
with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that
might impact the auditors objectivity and independence.
In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and applicable
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, it is the Audit
Committees policy that all non-audit services to be
performed by the Companys independent auditors must be
preapproved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee approves
the use of the Companys auditors to perform non-audit
services only in limited circumstances and the non-audit
services that have been approved generally have been
audit-related services and tax-related services as are permitted
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and applicable rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The non-audit services
approved by the Audit Committee and performed by Deloitte during
2004 are described in the proxy statement under
Information Concerning Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm Fees of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm. Total fees paid for such non-audit
services were $119,000, or 7% of the total amount paid by the
Company to its independent outside auditors in 2004. In
approving these non-audit services, the Audit Committee
considered whether the auditors provision of such services
during 2004 was compatible with maintaining the auditors
independence and concluded that it was.
During the course of 2004, the principal internal auditor and
management completed the documentation, testing and evaluation
of the Companys system of internal control over financial
reporting in response to the requirements of Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations. The
Audit Committee was kept apprised of the progress of the
evaluation and provided oversight and advice during the process.
In connection with this oversight, the Committee received
periodic updates provided by the principal internal auditor,
management and Deloitte at each regularly scheduled Committee
meeting. Upon completion of the evaluation, the principal
internal auditor and management reported to the Committee
regarding the effectiveness of the Companys internal
control over financial reporting. The Committee also reviewed
the report of management contained in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004, as well as Deloittes Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K related to its
audit of (i) the consolidated financial statements and
financial statement schedule, (ii) managements
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting, and (iii) the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting. The Committee
continues to oversee the Companys efforts related to its
internal control over financial reporting.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
Companys audited financial statements be included in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004, for filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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Members of the Audit
Committee
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Ronald S. Beard (Chair) |
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Samuel H. Armacost |
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Anthony S. Thornley |
The preceding Report of the Audit Committee shall
not be deemed soliciting material or to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall any information in
this report be incorporated by reference into any past or future
filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the
extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference
into such filing.
11
INFORMATION CONCERNING INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
Proposal No. 2 Ratification of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent
directors, has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve
as the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. Deloitte
has served as the Companys independent auditors since
December 2002. Information concerning the services performed by
Deloitte and the fees for such services for 2004 and 2003 are
set forth below under Fees of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm. Representatives of Deloitte are
expected to attend the 2005 Annual Meeting, where they are
expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions,
and if they desire, to make a statement.
At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked to ratify the
appointment of Deloitte as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange,
the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment
of the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm. Ratification of this appointment is not required to be
submitted to shareholders and a shareholder vote on this matter
is advisory only. Nonetheless, as a matter of good corporate
governance, the Company is seeking ratification of the
appointment of Deloitte. If the shareholders do not ratify the
appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider its appointment
of Deloitte. Because the Audit Committee is directly responsible
for appointing the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm, however, the ultimate decision to retain or
appoint Deloitte in the future as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm will be made by the Audit
Committee based upon the best interests of the Company at that
time.
Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of
Directors
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of
Common Stock represented and voting, in person or by proxy, at
the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of
Deloitte as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2005. Abstentions will be treated as being present and entitled
to vote on the matter and, therefore, will have the effect of
votes against the proposal. A broker non-vote is
treated as not being entitled to vote on the matter and,
therefore, is not counted for purposes of determining whether
the proposal has been approved.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE AS THE
COMPANYS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2005.
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Audit Fees. Audit fees include fees for the audit of the
Companys annual financial statements, fees for the review
of the Companys interim financial statements and fees for
the attestation of managements report on internal control
over financial reporting under Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Audit fees also include other
services that generally only the independent auditor can
reasonably provide, including comfort letters, statutory audits,
attest services, and consents and assistance with and review of
documents filed with the Commission. The aggregate audit fees
billed by Deloitte for 2004 and 2003 were $1,588,000 and
$730,000, respectively. The audit fees for 2004 included fees of
$796,000 related to the Companys compliance with
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees include fees for
assurance and related services that are reasonably related to
the performance of the audit or review of the Companys
financial statements. The aggregate audit-related fees billed by
Deloitte for 2004 and 2003 were $75,000 and $514,000,
respectively. The fees for 2004 were incurred in connection with
(i) due diligence services in connection with the
acquisition of Callaway Golf Interactive, Inc. ((f/k/a) Frog
Trader, Inc.) and the audit of the financial statements related
to such acquisition and (ii) the audit of the financial
statements for the Companys 401(k) Retirement Investment
Plan for the year ended December 31, 2003. The fees for
2003 were incurred primarily in
12
connection with (i) the Top-Flite acquisition and the audit
of the financial statements and pro forma financial information
relating to such acquisition and (ii) the audit of the
financial statements for the Companys 401(k) Retirement
Investment Plan for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Tax Fees. Tax fees include fees for services performed by
the professional staff in the tax department of the independent
registered public accounting firm except for those tax services
that could be classified as audit or audit-related services. The
aggregate tax fees billed by Deloitte for 2004 and 2003 were
$44,000 and $59,000, respectively. The fees for 2004 and 2003
were for domestic and international tax compliance, tax advice,
and tax planning services, including the preparation of amended
tax returns.
All Other Fees. All other fees include fees for all
services except those described above. There were no such fees
billed by Deloitte in 2004 or 2003.
None of the fees listed above were approved by the Audit
Committee in reliance on a waiver from pre-approval under
Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C).
Policy for Preapproval of Auditor Fees and Services
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that all audit,
audit-related, tax and any other non-audit service to be
performed by the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm must be preapproved by the Audit Committee. It
is the Companys policy that all such services be
preapproved prior to the commencement of the engagement. The
Audit Committee is also required to preapprove the estimated
fees for such services, as well as any subsequent changes to the
terms of the engagement. The Audit Committee has also delegated
the authority (within specified limits) to the Chair of the
Audit Committee to preapprove such services if it is not
practical to wait until the next Audit Committee meeting to seek
such approval. The Audit Committee Chair is required to report
to the Audit Committee at the following Audit Committee meeting
any such services approved by the Chair under such delegation.
The Audit Committee will only approve those services that would
not impair the independence of the independent registered public
accounting firm and which are consistent with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee policy
specifically provides that the following non-audit services will
not be preapproved: (i) bookkeeping or other services
related to the Companys accounting records or financial
statements, (ii) financial information systems design and
implementation services, (iii) appraisal or valuation
services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports,
(iv) actuarial services, (v) internal audit
outsourcing services, (vi) management functions,
(vii) human resources, (viii) broker-dealer,
investment adviser or investment banking services,
(ix) legal services and (x) expert services unrelated
to an audit for the purpose of advocating the Companys
interests in litigation or in a regulatory or administrative
proceeding or investigation.
Under this policy, the Audit Committee meets at least annually
to review and where appropriate approve the audit and non-audit
services to be performed by the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm. Any subsequent requests to
have the independent registered public accounting firm perform
any additional services must be submitted in writing to the
Audit Committee by the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief
Legal Officer, which written request must include an affirmation
that the requested services are consistent with the Security and
Exchange Commissions rules on auditor independence.
13
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANYS SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Companys Common Stock as of
March 31, 2005 (except as otherwise noted) by (i) each
person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than
5% of the Companys outstanding Common Stock,
(ii) each director of the Company, (iii) each of the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table
appearing elsewhere in this Proxy Statement (named
executive officer) and (iv) all directors of the
Company, named executive officers and other executive officers
of the Company as a group.
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Shares | |
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Beneficially Owned | |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
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Number | |
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Percent | |
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Arrowhead Trust Incorporated, Trustee for the Callaway Golf
Company Grantor Stock Trust(2)
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6,980,629 |
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9.2 |
% |
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24 Executive Park, Suite 125 |
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Irvine, CA 92614 |
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Royce & Associates LLC(3)
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6,526,778 |
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8.6 |
% |
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1414 Avenue of the Americas |
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New York, NY 10019 |
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Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Ltd.(4)
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5,121,340 |
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6.7 |
% |
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55th Floor, Scotia Plaza |
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40 King Street West |
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Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 4A9 |
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Sterling Capital Management LLC(5)
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4,984,225 |
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6.5 |
% |
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4064 Colony Road, Suite 300 |
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Charlotte, NC 28211 |
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Samuel H. Armacost(6)
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William C. Baker(7)
|
|
|
52,901 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ronald S. Beard(8)
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John C. Cushman, III(9)
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ronald A. Drapeau(10)
|
|
|
1,068,922 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
Richard C. Helmstetter(11)
|
|
|
763,168 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
Bradley J. Holiday(12)
|
|
|
410,680 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Patrice Hutin(13)
|
|
|
440,496 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Yotaro Kobayashi(14)
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven C. McCracken(15)
|
|
|
640,580 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert A. Penicka(16)
|
|
|
320,295 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard L. Rosenfield(17)
|
|
|
70,100 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Anthony S. Thornley (18)
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors, named executive officers and other executive
officers as a group (14 persons)(19)
|
|
|
4,062,941 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Except as otherwise indicated, the address for all persons shown
on this table is c/o Callaway Golf Company, 2180 Rutherford
Road, Carlsbad, California 92008. Unless otherwise indicated in
the footnotes to this table, and subject to community property
laws where applicable, to the knowledge of the Company each of
the shareholders named in this table has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares shown as
beneficially owned by that shareholder. Furthermore, as
indicated in the following footnotes, the number of shares a
holder is deemed to beneficially own for purposes of this table
includes shares issuable upon exercise of options if the options
may be exercised on or before May 30, 2005, irrespective of
the price at which the Companys Common Stock is trading on
the New York Stock Exchange. Consequently, included in the
number of shares beneficially owned are shares |
14
|
|
|
|
|
issuable upon the exercise of options where the exercise price
of the options is above the trading price of the Companys
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange. The closing price
of the Companys Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on March 31, 2005 was $12.80. |
|
|
(2) |
The Callaway Golf Company Grantor Stock Trust (the
GST) holds Company Common Stock pursuant to a trust
agreement creating the GST in connection with the prefunding of
certain obligations of the Company under various employee
benefit plans. Both the GST and Arrowhead Trust Incorporated
(the Trustee) disclaim beneficial ownership of all
shares of Common Stock. The Trustee has no discretion in the
manner in which the Companys Common Stock held by the GST
will be voted. The trust agreement provides that employees who
hold unexercised options as of the Record Date under the
Companys stock option plans and employees who have
purchased stock under the Companys Employee Stock Purchase
Plan during the twelve months preceding the Record Date will, in
effect, determine the manner in which shares of the
Companys Common Stock held in the GST are voted. The
Trustee will vote the Common Stock held in the GST in the manner
directed by those employees who submit voting instructions for
the shares. |
|
|
|
|
|
The number of shares as to which any one employee can direct the
vote will depend upon how many employees submit voting
instructions to the Trustee. If all employees entitled to submit
such instructions do so, as of March 25, 2005, the
following named executive officers and group would have the
right to direct the vote of the following approximate share
amounts: William C. Baker 392,000, Richard C.
Helmstetter 530,000, Steven C. McCracken
572,000, Bradley J. Holiday 429,000, Robert A.
Penicka 429,000, and all executive officers as a
group 2,352,000. If less than all of the eligible employees
submit voting instructions, then the foregoing amounts would be
higher. The trust agreement further provides that all voting
instructions received by the Trustee will be held in confidence
and not disclosed to any person including the Company. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
This information is based upon a Schedule 13G/ A filed by
Royce & Associates LLC with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 21, 2005. This schedule also reported
that Royce & Associates LLC has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to all such shares. |
|
|
(4) |
This information is based upon a Schedule 13G filed by
Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Ltd with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2005. This
schedule also reported that Goodman & Company,
Investment Counsel Ltd has sole voting and dispositive power
with respect to all such shares. |
|
|
(5) |
This information is based upon a Schedule 13G filed by
Sterling Capital Management LLC with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 6, 2005. Sterling Capital Management
LLC is an Investment Advisor registered under Section 203
of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Sterling MGT, Inc. is
the managing member of Sterling Capital Management LLC. Eduardo
A. Brea, Alexander W. McAlister, David M. Ralston, Brian R.
Walton and Mark Whalen are controlling shareholders of Sterling
MGT, Inc. Sterling Capital Management LLC, Sterling MGT, Inc.
and all of the forgoing named controlling shareholders of
Sterling MGT, Inc. are reported to be beneficial owners of all
shares and to have shared voting power and dispositive power
with respect to all shares. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes 20,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Armacost, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. |
|
|
(7) |
Includes 42,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Baker, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. Includes
50 shares held by Mr. Bakers spouse. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes 26,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Beard, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. Includes
1,000 shares that are held by Mr. Beard and his wife
as joint tenants. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes 20,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Cushman, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. All shares
are held jointly with his spouse. |
|
|
(10) |
Includes 1,050,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Drapeau, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. Includes
1,700 shares held by |
15
|
|
|
Mr. Drapeaus spouse. Also includes 12,000 shares
held by the Drapeau Family Trust for which Mr. Drapeau is a
trustee with voting and dispositive power over such shares.
Mr. Drapeau resigned as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Callaway Golf Company effective August 2, 2004. |
|
(11) |
Includes 541,667 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Helmstetter, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. Also includes
221,501 shares held by the Helmstetter Family Trust for
which Mr. Helmstetter is a trustee with voting and
dispositive powers over such shares. |
|
(12) |
Includes 408,334 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Holiday, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. |
|
(13) |
Includes 440,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Hutin, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005.
Mr. Hutin resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer
of Callaway Golf Company effective November 8, 2004. |
|
(14) |
Represents 100,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Kobayashi, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. |
|
(15) |
Includes 600,001 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. McCracken, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. Includes
26,466 shares held by the McCracken/ Waggener Family Trust
for which Mr. McCracken is a trustee with voting and
dispositive powers over such shares. Also includes
1,500 shares held by Mr. McCrackens spouse and
550 shares held for the benefit of
Mr. McCrackens children. |
|
(16) |
Includes 309,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Penicka, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. |
|
(17) |
Includes 42,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Rosenfield, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. Includes
8,000 shares held in a trust for the benefit of
Mr. Rosenfields children and 50 shares held by
Mr. Rosenfields spouse. |
|
(18) |
Includes 10,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Thornley, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. |
|
(19) |
Includes 3,717,336 shares issuable upon exercise of options
held by these individuals, which are currently exercisable or
become exercisable on or before May 30, 2005. |
16
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows the compensation paid by the Company
to its Chief Executive Officer, its former Chief Executive
Officer, its former President and Chief Operating Officer and
the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company for the years presented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Compensation Awards | |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Restricted |
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Stock |
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
|
|
|
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Awards |
|
Options | |
|
Compensation | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
($)(1) | |
|
($) |
|
(#) | |
|
($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
William C. Baker(2)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
292,307 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,433 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
506,000 |
|
|
$ |
40,100 |
|
|
Chairman and Chief
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
71,500 |
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
55,400 |
|
Ronald A. Drapeau(3)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
762,260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
671,244 |
|
|
Former Chairman and Chief
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
733,654 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
41,243 |
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
335 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
15,908 |
|
Richard C. Helmstetter(4)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106,522 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
24,189 |
|
|
Vice Chairman and Senior
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
106,891 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
34,721 |
|
|
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
608,937 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
116,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
18,269 |
|
Steven C. McCracken(5)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,844 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
20,063 |
|
|
Senior Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
514,795 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
31,417 |
|
|
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
17,553 |
|
Bradley J. Holiday(6)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
21,016 |
|
|
Senior Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
429,589 |
|
|
|
145,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
29,246 |
|
|
and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
17,210 |
|
Robert A. Penicka(7)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,654 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
14,620 |
|
|
Senior Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
418,864 |
|
|
|
145,000 |
|
|
|
12,716 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
76,982 |
|
|
and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
17,254 |
|
Patrice Hutin(8)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,789 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
17,140 |
|
|
Former President and
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
479,589 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
91,429 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
335,770 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
133,791 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Consistent with the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, certain perquisites and other personal benefits are
specifically identified in a footnote only if the aggregate
amount of such items for a covered year is at least 10% of the
total of annual salary and bonus for the named executive officer
for such period or $50,000, whichever is less, and are at least
25% of the total of such perquisites and personal benefits
reported for a named executive officer. |
|
(2) |
Effective August 2, 2004, Mr. Baker was appointed as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to
Mr. Bakers appointment, he served as a member of the
Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Bakers All
Other Compensation for 2004, 2003 and 2002 represents
compensation he earned as a director of the Company for such
periods. Mr. Bakers stock options for 2004 include a
grant for 6,000 shares which were granted to him as a Board
member before he became Chief Executive Officer and a grant for
500,000 shares granted to him in connection with his
appointment as Chief Executive Officer. The terms of
Mr. Bakers stock option grant for 500,000 shares
provide that they vest, subject to his continued employment in
good standing, in three equal annual installments on the first,
second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. The vesting
schedule is not accelerated upon a change in control or
termination of employment, and unvested options will be
cancelled upon the termination of Mr. Bakers
employment (which is expected to coincide with the hiring of a
new Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Companys
currently ongoing search). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
terms of the grant also provide for a minimum vesting of
50,000 shares except under certain limited circumstances. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Drapeaus 2004 and 2003 Salary includes salary
paid for accrued but unused vacation hours in the amounts of
$188,000 and $33,654, respectively. The amount paid to
Mr. Drapeau in 2003 for unused vacation was used by
Mr. Drapeau to make a charitable contribution to the
Callaway Golf Foundation in |
17
|
|
|
the amount of $26,192 and pay the applicable taxes on such
vacation payout. Mr. Drapeaus All Other Compensation
for 2004 represents (i) a one-time lump sum payment of
$500,000 in connection with Mr. Drapeaus separation
from the Company, (ii) salary continuation payments in the
amount of $148,077, (iii) payment of the Companys
matching contributions under the Companys 401(k)
Retirement Investment Plan in the amount of $13,000,
(iv) Company paid premiums for disability insurance in the
amount of $3,916 and (v) Company paid premiums for group
term life insurance of $6,251. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Helmstetters 2002 Salary includes payment for
accrued but unused vacation hours in the amount of $8,937.
Mr. Helmstetters Other Annual Compensation for 2004,
2003 and 2002 includes reimbursement of personal travel expenses
in the approximate amount of $100,000 for each year.
Mr. Helmstetters All Other Compensation for 2004
represents payment of Company matching contributions under the
Companys 401(k) Retirement Investment Plan in the amount
of $13,000, (ii) Company paid premiums for group term life
insurance of $7,920 and (iii) Company paid premiums for
disability insurance in the amount of $3,269. |
|
(5) |
Mr. McCrackens All Other Compensation for 2004
represents (i) payment of Company matching contributions
under the Companys 401(k) Retirement Investment Plan in
the amount of $13,000, (ii) Company paid premiums for group
term life insurance of $4,140 and (iii) Company paid
premiums for disability insurance in the amount of $2,923. |
|
(6) |
Mr. Holidays All Other Compensation for 2004
represents payment of Company matching contributions under the
Companys 401(k) Retirement Investment Plan in the amount
of $13,000, (ii) Company paid premiums for group term life
insurance of $4,140 and (iii) Company paid premiums for
disability insurance in the amount of $3,876. |
|
(7) |
Mr. Penickas All Other Compensation for 2004
represents (i) payment of Company matching contributions
under the Companys 401(k) Retirement Investment Plan in
the amount of $13,000 and (ii) Company paid premiums for
disability insurance in the amount of $1,620. All Other
Compensation for 2003 includes payment of relocation expenses in
the amount of $62,935 in connection with Mr. Penickas
relocation (at the Companys request) to the Companys
Top-Flite facilities in Chicopee, Massachusetts. |
|
(8) |
Mr. Hutin resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer
as of November 2004. Mr. Hutins All Other
Compensation for 2004 represents Company matching contributions
under the Companys 401(k) Retirement Investment Plan in
the amount of $13,000 and Company paid premiums for group term
life insurance in the amount of $4,140. All Other Compensation
for 2003 includes payment of $61,616 representing a portion of
Mr. Hutins relocation expenses in connection with
Mr. Hutins relocation (at the Companys request)
from Europe to the United States. All Other Compensation for
2002 includes payment of $56,000 representing the balance of
Mr. Hutins relocation expenses and Company payments
for foreign group personal pension of $51,800. |
18
Option Grants in 2004
The following table provides information on option grants made
in fiscal year 2004 to the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table.
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise or | |
|
|
|
Grant Date | |
|
|
Options Granted | |
|
Employees | |
|
Base Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
Present Value | |
Name |
|
(#)(1) | |
|
in Fiscal Year | |
|
($/Sh) | |
|
Date(3) | |
|
($)(4) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
William C. Baker(2)
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
18.1 |
% |
|
$ |
11.62 |
|
|
|
11/23/2014 |
|
|
$ |
1,737,500 |
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
% |
|
$ |
19.23 |
|
|
|
01/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
36,168 |
|
Ronald A. Drapeau
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
% |
|
$ |
17.91 |
|
|
|
01/30/2014 |
|
|
$ |
701,750 |
|
Richard C. Helmstetter
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
$ |
17.91 |
|
|
|
01/30/2014 |
|
|
$ |
561,400 |
|
Steven C. McCracken
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
$ |
17.91 |
|
|
|
01/30/2014 |
|
|
$ |
561,400 |
|
Bradley J. Holiday
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
$ |
17.91 |
|
|
|
01/30/2014 |
|
|
$ |
561,400 |
|
Robert A. Penicka
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
$ |
17.91 |
|
|
|
01/30/2014 |
|
|
$ |
561,400 |
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
$ |
11.89 |
|
|
|
11/29/2014 |
|
|
$ |
355,500 |
|
Patrice Hutin
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
$ |
17.91 |
|
|
|
01/30/2014 |
|
|
$ |
561,400 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The terms of these stock options (except for those issued to
Mr. Baker, see Note 2) provide that one-third of the
shares underlying the stock option would vest on each of the
first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. The
executive officer employment agreements also generally provide
for accelerated vesting if the employee is terminated by the
Company for convenience or by the employee for substantial
cause. In addition, all such options vest in full immediately
prior to a change in control of the Company. |
|
(2) |
The terms of Mr. Bakers stock option grant for
500,000 shares provide that they vest, subject to his
continued employment in good standing, in three equal annual
installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the
date of grant. The vesting schedule is not accelerated upon a
change in control or termination of employment, and unvested
options will be cancelled upon the termination of
Mr. Bakers employment (which is expected to coincide
with the hiring of a new Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the
Companys currently ongoing search). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the terms of the grant also provide for a minimum
vesting of 50,000 shares except under certain limited
circumstances. Mr. Bakers stock option for
6,000 shares was granted to him as a Board member before he
became Chief Executive Officer. The terms of this stock option
provide that 6,000 of the shares underlying the stock option
would vest on January 26, 2006. |
|
(3) |
The options expire on the date set forth in this column, unless
the named executive officers employment with the Company
is terminated prior to such date. Upon termination of
employment, the named executive officer generally has one year
from the date of termination to exercise his vested options. In
addition, the options may be cancelled and rescinded and
proceeds may be forfeited if the named executive officer
improperly discloses or misuses confidential information or
trade secrets of the Company. |
|
(4) |
These options were valued as of the date of grant based on the
Black-Scholes option pricing model adapted for use in valuing
executive stock options using the following assumptions which
varied based on the date of grant: (a) expected volatility
of 42.6% - 44.7%; (b) risk-free interest rate of
2.45% - 2.75%; (c) dividend yield of 1.7% - 1.9%;
and (d) expected term of 3 - 4 years. The actual
value, if any, an executive may realize will depend on the
excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date
the option is exercised, so there is no assurance the value
realized by an executive will be at or near the value estimated
by the Black-Scholes model. The Black-Scholes option valuation
model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of
traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In |
19
|
|
|
addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price
volatility. Because the Companys employee stock options
have characteristics significantly different from those of
traded options, and because changes in subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates, in
managements opinion the existing models do not necessarily
provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the
grants described above. |
2004 Option Exercises and Year-End Values
The following table provides information on options exercised
during 2004 by the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table and unexercised options held by such persons
at December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Exercises | |
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
During 2004 | |
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
| |
|
Options at | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Fiscal Year-End(#) | |
|
Fiscal Year-End($)(1) | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercise(#) | |
|
Realized($) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
William C. Baker
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
512,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,150 |
|
|
$ |
2,642,300 |
|
Ronald A. Drapeau
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
1,075,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,301,625 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Richard C. Helmstetter
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
292,100 |
|
|
|
491,667 |
|
|
|
199,999 |
|
|
$ |
595,792 |
|
|
$ |
316,330 |
|
Steven C. McCracken
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
181,000 |
|
|
|
530,001 |
|
|
|
199,999 |
|
|
$ |
745,545 |
|
|
$ |
316,330 |
|
Bradley J. Holiday
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
325,000 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
774,500 |
|
|
$ |
237,250 |
|
Robert A. Penicka
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
229,666 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
$ |
290,936 |
|
|
$ |
733,250 |
|
Patrice Hutin
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
440,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
865,313 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Represents the spread between the aggregate exercise price and
assumed aggregate market value using the closing price of the
Companys Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
December 31, 2004 ($13.50). |
Employment Agreements and Termination of Employment
Arrangements
Mr. Baker. The Company entered into a compensation
agreement with Mr. Baker effective August 2, 2004 to
serve as interim Chief Executive Officer from August 2,
2004 until such time as a new Chief Executive Officer takes
office, or until otherwise determined by the Board of Directors
in its sole discretion. The compensation agreement requires
Mr. Baker to refrain from competing with the Company, to
hold in confidence all trade secrets and proprietary information
he receives from the Company, and to disclose and assign to the
Company all inventions and innovations he develops during the
course of his employment with the Company. In exchange,
Mr. Baker is entitled to receive an annual salary, which is
currently $800,000. In addition, Mr. Baker shall have an
opportunity to receive a bonus based upon participation in the
officer bonus plan, all such bonuses currently being at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. Mr. Baker is also
entitled to certain other perquisites and benefits, including
paid time off and participation in the Companys health and
welfare plans and compensation and retirement plans. There is no
change in control arrangement in Mr. Bakers
agreement. The agreement provides for no severance upon
termination of Mr. Bakers employment.
Mr. Helmstetter. The Company has an employment
agreement with Mr. Helmstetter for a term currently
scheduled to continue through December 31, 2007, subject to
certain automatic one-year extensions unless terminated at the
discretion of the parties. Mr. Helmstetter is Vice Chairman
and Senior Executive Vice President of the Company. The
agreement requires Mr. Helmstetter to devote his full
productive time and best efforts to the Company during the term
of the agreement. The agreement also requires
Mr. Helmstetter to refrain from competing with the Company,
to hold in confidence all trade secrets and proprietary
information he receives from the Company, and to disclose and
assign to the Company all inventions and innovations he develops
during the course of his employment with the Company. In
exchange, Mr. Helmstetter is entitled to receive an annual
salary of $600,000 (subject to increase at the discretion of the
Company) and an opportunity to receive a bonus based upon
participation in the officer bonus plan, all such
20
bonuses currently being at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. Mr. Helmstetter is also entitled to certain
other perquisites and benefits, including reimbursement up to
$100,000 per year for certain personal travel expenses,
paid time off, golf club membership privileges, and
participation in the Companys health and welfare plans and
compensation and retirement plans. The agreement provides that
if Mr. Helmstetters employment is terminated by the
Company for convenience or by Mr. Helmstetter for
substantial cause (i.e. because of a material breach by the
Company or a diminishment of his responsibilities), he will be
entitled to the immediate vesting of all unvested stock options.
Furthermore, if the termination is by Mr. Helmstetter for
substantial cause, he will be entitled to receive certain
severance benefits and perquisites and the continued payment of
his full base salary and non-discretionary bonuses, if any, for
the remainder of the term of the agreement. In addition, if the
agreement expires by its terms or is terminated for convenience
by either the Company or Mr. Helmstetter,
Mr. Helmstetter will become an exclusive consultant to the
Company pursuant to a separate 10-year consulting agreement, at
an annual compensation equal to one-half of
Mr. Helmstetters base salary in effect in the final
year of the employment agreement. Under the employment
agreement, Mr. Helmstetter also has assigned perpetually to
the Company all of his rights and title to the commercial use of
his name, likeness, image, character, identity and signature. If
the employment agreement expires or terminates prior to
December 31, 2012 because (i) the Company has elected
to discontinue the automatic one-year extensions of the
agreement, (ii) the Company has terminated the agreement
for convenience or (iii) Mr. Helmstetter has
terminated the agreement for substantial cause, then as
additional consideration for the assignment of such rights,
Mr. Helmstetter will be entitled to receive the difference
between the severance payments otherwise due under the
employment agreement and the base salary and non-discretionary
bonuses Mr. Helmstetter would have received under the
employment agreement through December 31, 2012. In lieu of
these payments, the Company may elect to return to
Mr. Helmstetter these commercial use rights. For
Mr. Helmstetters rights upon a change in control, see
below Change in Control Arrangements.
Mr. McCracken. The Company has an employment
agreement with Mr. McCracken for a term currently scheduled
to continue through December 31, 2005, subject to certain
automatic one-year extensions unless terminated at the
discretion of the parties. Mr. McCracken is Senior
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of
the Company. The agreement requires Mr. McCracken to devote
his full productive time and best efforts to the Company during
the term of the agreement. The agreement also requires
Mr. McCracken to refrain from competing with the Company,
to hold in confidence all trade secrets and proprietary
information he receives from the Company, and to disclose and
assign to the Company all inventions and innovations he develops
during the course of his employment with the Company. In
exchange, Mr. McCracken is entitled to receive an annual
salary of $550,000 and an opportunity to receive a bonus based
upon participation in the officer bonus plan, all such bonuses
currently being at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Mr. McCracken is also entitled to certain other perquisites
and benefits, including paid time off, golf club membership
privileges, and participation in the Companys health and
welfare plans and compensation and retirement plans. The
agreement provides that if Mr. McCrackens employment
is terminated by the Company for convenience or by
Mr. McCracken for substantial cause (i.e. because of a
material breach by the Company), he may be entitled to receive
payments of his full base salary for a period equal to the
greater of 24 months or the remainder of the term of the
agreement and the immediate vesting of all unvested stock
options. For Mr. McCrackens rights upon a change in
control, see below Change in Control Arrangements.
Mr. Holiday. The Company has an employment agreement
with Mr. Holiday for a term currently scheduled to continue
through December 31, 2005, subject to certain automatic
one-year extensions unless terminated at the discretion of the
parties. Mr. Holiday is Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The agreement requires
Mr. Holiday to devote his full productive time and best
efforts to the Company during the term of the agreement. The
agreement also requires Mr. Holiday to refrain from
competing with the Company, to hold in confidence all trade
secrets and proprietary information he receives from the
Company, and to disclose and assign to the Company all
inventions and innovations he develops during the course of his
employment with the Company. In exchange, Mr. Holiday is
entitled to receive an annual salary of $500,000 and an
opportunity to receive a bonus based upon participation in the
officer bonus plan, all such bonuses currently being at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. Mr. Holiday is also
entitled to certain other perquisites and benefits, including
paid time off, golf club membership privileges, and
participation in the Companys health and welfare plans and
compensation and retirement plans. The
21
agreement provides that if Mr. Holidays employment is
terminated by the Company for convenience or by Mr. Holiday
for substantial cause (i.e. because of a material breach by the
Company), he may be entitled to receive payments of his full
base salary for a period equal to the greater of 12 months
or the remainder of the term of the agreement and the immediate
vesting of all unvested stock options. For
Mr. Holidays rights upon a change in control, see
below Change in Control Arrangements.
Mr. Penicka. The Company has an employment agreement
with Mr. Penicka for a term currently scheduled to continue
through December 31, 2006. Mr. Penicka is Senior
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company. The agreement requires Mr. Penicka to devote his
full productive time and best efforts to the Company during the
term of the agreement. The agreement also requires
Mr. Penicka to refrain from competing with the Company, to
hold in confidence all trade secrets and proprietary information
he receives from the Company, and to disclose and assign to the
Company all inventions and innovations he develops during the
term of his employment with the Company. In exchange,
Mr. Penicka is entitled to receive an annual salary of
$500,000 and an opportunity to receive a bonus based upon
participation in the officer bonus plan, all such bonuses
currently being at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Penicka is also entitled to certain other perquisites
and benefits, including paid time off, golf club membership
privileges, and participation in the Companys health and
welfare plans and compensation and retirement plans. The
agreement provides that if Mr. Penickas employment is
terminated by the Company for convenience or by Mr. Penicka
for substantial cause (i.e. because of a material breach by the
Company), he may be entitled to receive payments of his full
base salary for a period of 24 months and the immediate
vesting of all unvested long-term incentive awards. For
Mr. Penickas rights upon a change in control, see
below Change in Control Arrangements.
Mr. Penicka received a relocation incentive bonus in the
amount of $150,000 and reimbursement of moving expenses in
connection with his relocation back to the Companys
facilities in Carlsbad, California.
Change in Control Arrangements
To better assure that they would continue to provide independent
leadership consistent with the Companys best interests in
the event of an actual or threatened change in control of the
Company, the Companys employment agreements with its
officers, including the named executive officers, provide
certain protections in the event of a change in control. A
change in control of the Company is defined, in
general, as the acquisition by any person of beneficial
ownership of 30% or more of the voting stock of the Company, the
incumbent members of the Board of Directors cease to constitute
a majority of the Board of Directors, certain business
combinations of the Company, or any shareholder-approved or
court-ordered plan of liquidation of the Company. If a change in
control occurs before the termination of
Messrs. McCrackens or Holidays employment
agreement, then the unexpired employment agreement will be
automatically extended such that the initial term of the
agreement shall be deemed to be for three years, commencing on
the date of the change in control. If a change in control occurs
before the termination of Mr. Helmstetters employment
agreement, then the unexpired employment agreement will be
automatically continued in the same form and substance as in
effect immediately prior to the change in control. In addition,
if within one year following a change in control there is a
termination event with respect to Messrs. Helmstetter,
McCracken, Holiday or Penicka, then such affected executive
officer shall be deemed to be terminated for the Companys
convenience and shall be entitled to the payments to which he is
entitled for a termination by the Company for convenience as
described above under Employment Agreements and
Termination of Employment Arrangements. A
termination event means the occurrence of any of the
following: (i) the termination or material breach of the
employment agreement by the Company; (ii) failure by the
successor company to assume the employment agreement;
(iii) any material diminishment in the position or duties
of the executive officer; (iv) any reduction in
compensation or benefits; or (v) any requirement that the
executive officer relocate his principal residence.
In addition, the terms governing the stock options granted to
each of the named executive officers (other than Mr. Baker)
generally provide for the immediate vesting of options
immediately prior to a change in control (as described above).
The Company also has agreed to indemnify all officers, including
the named executive officers, for payment by the Company of
amounts sufficient to offset certain excise taxes incurred in
22
connection with payments received as a result of a change in
control. The Companys 401(k) Retirement Investment Plan
also provides for full vesting of all participant accounts
immediately prior to a change in control.
Separation Arrangements
Mr. Drapeau. In connection with
Mr. Drapeaus separation from the Company, pursuant to
the terms of his employment agreement, his unvested stock
options were vested, and he is entitled to payment of his full
base salary for a period of 24 months following termination
of his employment provided he chooses not to engage in a
competing business and he continues to comply with certain
covenants and agreements under the employment agreement. In
connection with his separation from the Company, the Company and
Mr. Drapeau also entered into a separation agreement in
consideration, among other things, of Mr. Drapeaus
execution of an unconditional and irrevocable release of claims
against the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Separation
Agreement, the Company has agreed to (i) pay
Mr. Drapeau a one-time cash payment of $500,000,
(ii) pay the cost of Cal-COBRA continuation health coverage
for Mr. Drapeau and his spouse for a period of up to
18 months after the end of continuing coverage under COBRA,
(iii) purchase Mr. Drapeaus existing primary
residence and (iv) in the event of a change in control, pay
Mr. Drapeau the net present value of all unpaid remaining
payments due under his employment agreement. The Company
purchased Mr. Drapeaus residence at a cost of
approximately $1.7 million and the Company expects to close
on the sale of the residence in April 2005 for a sale price of
approximately $1.8 million.
Mr. Hutin. In connection with Mr. Hutins
separation from the Company, pursuant to the terms of his
employment agreement, his unvested stock options were vested,
and he is entitled to payment of his full base salary for a
period of 12 months following termination of his employment
provided he chooses not to engage in a competing business and he
continues to comply with certain covenants and agreements under
the employment agreement. In connection with his separation from
the Company, the Company and Mr. Hutin also entered into a
separation agreement in consideration, among other things, of
Mr. Hutins execution of an unconditional and
irrevocable release of claims against the Company. Pursuant to
the terms of the Separation Agreement, the Company has agreed to
provide Mr. Hutin with the following: (i) a one-time
cash payment of $150,000 to assist Mr. Hutin with his
relocation to France, (ii) an additional sum of
approximately $42,000 for tax preparation assistance,
outplacement assistance and French health insurance premiums for
a transition period, (iii) the payment of life insurance
premiums for a transition period and (iv) certain other
non-cash benefits.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
The Companys executive officer compensation matters are
currently handled by the Compensation and Management Succession
Committee. Until May 25, 2004, the committee was comprised
of the following directors: Messrs. Baker, Beard, Kobayashi
and Rosenfield. At that time, all of the members of the
committee were determined to be independent and there were no
compensation committee interlocks. On May 25, 2004,
following the election of the Board of Directors at the 2004
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the new Board committees were
constituted and Messrs. Armacost, Beard, Rosenfield and
Thornley were appointed as members of the new Compensation and
Management Succession Committee. All of the members of the
committee were determined to be independent and there were no
compensation committee interlocks.
Effective August 2, 2004, the Board appointed
Mr. Baker as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. Mr. Bakers appointment as Chief Executive
Officer affected the status of Mr. Rosenfield as an
independent director due to Mr. Bakers service on the
compensation committee of California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., where
Mr. Rosenfield is co-chief executive officer.
Mr. Rosenfield therefore resigned from the committee
effective August 2, 2004. The committee is currently
comprised of Messrs. Armacost, Beard and Thornley, each of
whom has been determined to be independent, and there are no
compensation committee interlocks.
23
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND
MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION COMMITTEE
This report covers the following topics:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The role of the Compensation and Management Succession Committee; |
|
|
(2) |
The Companys guiding principles for executive compensation; |
|
|
(3) |
The components of the Companys current executive
compensation plan; |
|
|
(4) |
Compensation of executives other than the Chief Executive
Officer in 2004; |
|
|
(5) |
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer in 2004; and |
|
|
(6) |
Certain other information related to executive compensation. |
|
|
1. |
The Role of the Compensation and Management Succession
Committee |
The responsibility for fixing the compensation of the
Companys executives has been delegated by the Board of
Directors to the Compensation and Management Succession
Committee (the Compensation Committee). The
Compensation Committee consists entirely of independent,
non-employee directors. No former employees of the Company serve
on the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has
retained an independent consultant to assist it in fulfilling
its responsibilities. This consultant is engaged by, and reports
directly to, the Compensation Committee.
In accord with its written charter, the Compensation Committee
has the following specific duties and responsibilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Oversee the Companys overall compensation structure,
policies and programs, and assess whether the Companys
compensation structure establishes appropriate incentives for
management and employees. |
|
|
|
Administer and make recommendations to the Board with respect to
the Companys incentive compensation and equity-based
compensation plans and approve, amend or modify the terms of any
compensation or benefit plan that does not require shareholder
approval. |
|
|
|
Administer the Companys employee stock purchase plans and
the Companys other incentive compensation plans and
equity-based compensation plans, including granting awards under
any such plans. |
|
|
|
Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to
the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluate his
performance in light of those goals and objectives, and set his
compensation level based on this evaluation. |
|
|
|
Set the compensation of other executive officers based upon the
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. |
|
|
|
Review and approve employment agreements and severance
arrangements for executive officers, including change-in-control
provisions, plans or agreements. |
|
|
|
Review periodically succession plans relating to positions held
by executive officers, and make recommendations to the Board
regarding the selection of individuals to fill these positions. |
|
|
|
Annually evaluate the performance of the Compensation Committee
and the adequacy of the Compensation and Management Succession
Committee charter. |
|
|
|
Perform such other duties and responsibilities as are consistent
with the purpose of the Compensation Committee or as may be
assigned from time to time by the Board. |
The Compensation Committee sets the Companys compensation
principles that guide the design of compensation plans and
programs applicable to employees at all levels of the
organization. In discharging its role in the area of
compensation, the Compensation Committee periodically benchmarks
the ongoing competitiveness of the Companys executive and
other compensation programs. Currently the Compensation
Committee compares officer compensation levels with those of a
group of 14 companies (the Compensation
24
Comparison Group) and with other relevant benchmarks. The
Compensation Comparison Group consists of companies that are in
the consumer discretionary goods sector and which have similar
business characteristics as compared to the Company. The
Compensation Committee at least annually reviews the performance
of the Chief Executive Officer and the senior leadership team.
In the area of succession planning, the Compensation Committee
works with the Chief Executive Officer to consider succession
candidates for key positions in senior management, including the
chief executive position, and to develop broad programs for
succession planning throughout the Company. In discharging its
role in the area of succession planning, the Compensation
Committee meets with the Chief Executive Officer regularly to
discuss updates to the Companys succession planning at key
executive positions.
|
|
2. |
Guiding Principles for Executive Compensation |
The Companys executive compensation programs are designed
to attract, retain, motivate and appropriately reward the
talented individuals the Company needs to achieve and maintain a
leadership position in the businesses where it chooses to
compete. They are also intended to align the interests of
employees, including top management, with those of long-term
shareholders of the Company. The following principles influence
and guide the Companys compensation practices, including
those applicable to executives:
|
|
|
Compensation should be related to performance. |
The Company has followed a practice of linking compensation,
including executive compensation, to individual levels of
performance as well as to the performance of the Company as a
whole. In particular, the short-term (annual) incentive
compensation element is tied directly to both corporate
performance and individual performance, and the long-term
incentive compensation element is tied to long-term corporate
performance. Under the Companys plans, performance above
targeted or benchmarked standards results in increased total
compensation, and performance below targeted or benchmarked
standards results in decreased total compensation.
|
|
|
Compensation should reflect position and responsibility,
and incentive compensation should be a greater part of total
compensation for more senior positions. |
Total compensation should generally increase with position and
responsibility. At the same time, a greater percentage of total
compensation should be tied to corporate and individual
performance, and therefore at risk, as position and
responsibility increases. Thus, individuals with greater roles
and responsibilities associated with achieving the
Companys performance targets should bear a greater
proportion of the risk that those goals are not achieved and
should receive a greater proportion of the reward if goals are
surpassed.
|
|
|
Incentive compensation should drive a balance between
short-term and long-term performance. |
The Companys compensation plans focus employees on
achieving strong short-term (annual) performance in a manner
that supports and ensures the Companys long-term success
and profitability. To reward a balanced approach, the Company
uses both short-term (annual) incentives and long-term
incentives, with participation in the long-term incentives
increasing at higher levels of responsibility where individuals
have the greatest influence on the Companys strategic
direction and results over time.
|
|
|
Compensation levels should be sufficiently competitive to
attract and retain the talent needed. |
The Companys overall compensation levels are targeted to
attract the type of talent needed to achieve and maintain a
leadership position in the businesses where the Company chooses
to compete. In general, this will mean that total compensation
should be at or above the median for the Companys
Compensation Comparison Group and other appropriate benchmarks.
25
|
|
|
Employees should have the opportunity to own the
Companys stock. |
The Company provides all employees with the opportunity to
become shareholders and thereby further align their interests
with the interests of other shareholders. These avenues have
included a stock purchase plan which enables employees to
purchase Company stock at a discount through payroll deductions,
and a 401(k) savings plan that permits participating employees
to invest, on a purely voluntary basis, in Company stock.
Executives and key employees participate in stock-based
compensation plans, including stock option plans, which provide
additional opportunities to own the Companys stock.
|
|
|
The tax deductibility of compensation should be maximized
where appropriate. |
The Company generally seeks to maximize the deductibility for
tax purposes of all elements of compensation, and the Company
believes that all compensation paid in 2004 qualified for
deductibility. On occasion in the past some of the
Companys compensation to its Chief Executive Officer or to
one of its four other most highly compensated executive officers
has not been deductible for federal income tax purposes under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which
generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for
non-qualifying compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid
to any such persons in any fiscal year. The Compensation
Committee reviews its compensation plans in light of applicable
tax provisions, including Section 162(m), and may revise
compensation plans from time to time to maximize deductibility.
However, the Compensation Committee may approve compensation in
the future, as it has in the past, that does not qualify for
deductibility where it is appropriate to do so in light of other
competing interests and goals or where, because of the
ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and
interpretation of Section 162(m) and the regulations issued
thereunder, the Companys compensation plans, or a part of
them, fail to qualify.
|
|
3. |
Components of the Executive Compensation Plan |
In November 2001 the Compensation Committee approved an
Executive Compensation Plan that had three elements: Base Salary
and Benefits; Short-Term (Annual) Incentives; and Long-Term
Incentives. Each element is intended to reward and motivate
executives in different ways consistent with the Companys
overall guiding principles for compensation. For example, the
portion of total compensation intended to come from each element
varies with position and level of responsibility, reflecting the
principles that total compensation should increase with position
and responsibility, while, at the same time, making a greater
percentage of an executives compensation tied to corporate
and individual performance, and therefore at risk, as position
and responsibility increases. For the Chief Executive Officer
and the named executive officers, the targeted mix of total
compensation is approximately 30% Base Salary and Benefits, 20%
Short Term (Annual) Incentives, and 50% Long Term Incentives.
In 2004 the Compensation Committee undertook a comprehensive
review of the Companys Executive Compensation Plan with
the assistance of management and an independent consultant. That
review is ongoing, and it is expected that the plan will be
modified as appropriate in 2005. See further discussion below.
|
|
|
Base Salary and Benefits. |
Base salaries are set after a review of market data for each
executive position. To assess market rates, the Company uses
survey data, empirical data based upon testing the marketplace,
and information associated with the Compensation Comparison
Group. Base salaries are reviewed annually and adjustments are
made as required to recognize outstanding individual
performance, expanded duties, or changes in the competitive
marketplace.
Benefits are also established based upon an assessment of
competitive market factors and a determination of what is needed
to attract and retain talent. The Companys primary
benefits for executives include participation in the
Companys 401(k) savings plan, the Companys health,
dental and vision plans, the executive deferred compensation
plan, the employee stock purchase plan, and various insurance
plans, including disability and life insurance. The Company also
covers the costs of some tax planning services.
26
Consistent with the Companys position as a leader in the
golf industry, many executives are provided subsidized golf club
memberships.
|
|
|
Short-Term (Annual) Incentives. |
The Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers are
eligible to receive annual bonuses based upon corporate and
individual performance. All annual bonuses are discretionary,
with the Compensation Committee establishing bonuses for the
Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and
reviewing the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer for
the other members of the executive team.
In 2004 the Company accrued an Officer Bonus Pool throughout the
year based upon its performance in three areas: growth in sales,
return on sales and return on assets. Of these three factors,
return on sales was weighted most heavily, and a minimum return
on sales of 7% and a minimum return on assets of 11% were
required before any accrual was made based upon growth in sales.
Accruals based upon each performance factor were aggregated,
with no minimum or cap on the amount that could be accrued for
each performance factor or for the pool as a whole. Unusual
non-ongoing adjustments associated with the Top-Flite
acquisition were excluded from the calculation. The Compensation
Committee believed that this mixture of performance factors and
weighting and the focus on the Companys ongoing business
achieved a desired balanced focus on both the short-term and the
long-term performance of the Company.
The Executive Compensation Plan has target bonus amounts of 75%
and 50% of aggregate base salary for the Chief Executive Officer
and the other executive officers, respectively, reflecting their
positions and roles within the Company. Depending upon the
Companys performance as reflected in the Officer Bonus
Pool, actual target bonus amounts in any year can be less or
more. The actual bonus paid may deviate from the adjusted target
amount based upon an officers individual performance in
achieving his or her corporate objectives for the year.
Long-term incentives are necessary for retaining executives
while motivating them in ways consistent with the interests of
long-term holders of the Companys stock. Historically the
Company has used the award of stock options as the best way to
achieve these goals. Annual grants have been awarded early in
each year based upon position and rank. Pursuant to the
Executive Compensation Plan, annual grants have been targeted at
125,000 and 100,000, for the Chief Executive Officer and the
other named executive officers, respectively, although actual
amounts may vary depending upon an officers individual
performance, retention considerations or other special factors.
Options are priced at the market value of the stock on the date
of grant, vest over time (generally over a three-year period),
and expire upon the passage of time (generally ten years) or
following the termination of employment. Based on a review of
competitive practices and the Companys past experience,
the Companys long-term incentive plan is being modified.
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|
|
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. |
The Company maintains an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
that allows certain employees, including the named executive
officers, to defer receipt of their salary and/or annual
incentive payments into cash accounts that mirror the gains
and/or losses of several different investment funds selected by
the Company. The Company is not required to make any
contributions to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The
Plan is not funded by the Company, and participants have an
unsecured contractual commitment by the Company to pay the
amounts due under the Plan from the general assets of the
Company.
27
|
|
4. |
2004 Compensation of Executive Officers Other Than the Chief
Executive Officer |
Executive compensation in 2004 was tied to corporate and
individual performance, and was paid in accordance with the
three elements of the Executive Compensation Plan regarding base
salary and benefits, short-term (annual) incentives, and
long-term incentives. The compensation awarded to the named
executive offices other than the Chief Executive Officer in 2004
is set forth under the section COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS Summary Compensation Table and Option
Grants in 2004 in this Proxy Statement, and is further set
forth below.
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|
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Cash Compensation | |
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| |
|
Long Term Incentive | |
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Annual | |
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| |
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|
Salary Paid | |
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Incentive Paid | |
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|
Value of Stock Options | |
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|
in 2004 | |
|
for 2004 | |
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Other | |
|
Granted in 2004 | |
|
Total | |
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|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Richard Helmstetter(1)
|
|
$ |
600,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
131,000 |
|
|
$ |
561,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,292,000 |
|
Steven McCracken(2)
|
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
35,000 |
|
|
$ |
561,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,146,000 |
|
Bradley J. Holiday(3)
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
32,000 |
|
|
$ |
561,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,093,000 |
|
Robert A. Penicka(4)
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
24,000 |
|
|
$ |
917,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,441,000 |
|
Patrice Hutin(5)
|
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
561,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,151,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Other compensation for Mr. Helmstetter includes
reimbursement for personal air travel ($100,000), matching
contributions under the Companys 401(k) plan, as well as
income imputed to him under IRS regulations in connection with
the Companys payment on his behalf of life and disability
insurance premiums and golf country club dues. |
|
(2) |
Other compensation for Mr. McCracken includes matching
contributions under the Companys 401(k) Retirement
Investment Plan, as well as income imputed to him under IRS
regulations in connection with the Companys payment on his
behalf of life and disability insurance premiums, financial
planning services and golf country club dues. |
|
(3) |
Other compensation for Mr. Holiday includes matching
contributions under the Companys 401(k) Retirement
Investment Plan, as well as income imputed to him under IRS
regulations in connection with the Companys payment on his
behalf of life and disability insurance premiums, financial
planning services and golf country club dues. |
|
(4) |
Other compensation for Mr. Penicka includes reimbursement
of taxes incurred in connection with certain relocation expenses
and matching contributions under the Companys 401(k)
Retirement Investment Plan. |
|
(5) |
Other compensation for Mr. Hutin includes matching
contributions under the Companys 401(k) Retirement
Investment Plan, as well as income imputed to him under IRS
regulations in connection with the Companys payment on his
behalf of life insurance premiums, financial planning services
and golf country club dues. |
The amounts set forth in this table reflect these factors, among
others:
|
|
|
|
|
The base salaries for several top executives were increased in
late 2003 to reflect increased scope of responsibility and
duties in light of the expansion of the Companys business
through the acquisition of the assets of the former Top-Flite
Golf Company and the Top-Flite and Ben Hogan brands. |
|
|
|
No annual incentives (bonuses) were paid for fiscal 2004
because the Company failed to achieve minimum performance
targets for return on sales and return on assets. |
|
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|
Mr. Penicka received a special stock option grant in late
2004 in connection with his relocation and assumption of greater
responsibilities at the corporate level. |
|
|
|
The stock option values were calculated using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model. See below at Black-Scholes Option
Pricing Model for an explanation of some of the
limitations of this model. |
These executive officers were also eligible to participate in
the Companys employee benefit plans as described above.
28
The Compensation Committee reviewed the perquisites and other
compensation paid to these named executive officers in 2004 and
found these amounts to be reasonable.
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|
5. |
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer |
The Companys CEO, Ronald A. Drapeau, resigned as Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer effective August 2, 2004, and
William C. Baker was named to succeed him in those roles
effective the same day. The Compensation Committee determined
Mr. Drapeaus compensation based upon the parameters
set forth in the Executive Compensation Plan.
Mr. Bakers compensation was established to reflect
the important challenges that would be confronted during a time
of transition as well as the interim nature of his appointment.
The compensation paid to both Mr. Drapeau and
Mr. Baker is set forth under the section COMPENSATION
OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Summary Compensation Table and
Option Grants in 2004 in this Proxy Statement, and is
further set forth below.
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|
|
Cash Compensation | |
|
Long Term Incentive | |
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|
|
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| |
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| |
|
|
|
|
Salary Paid in | |
|
Annual Incentive | |
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|
Value of Stock Options | |
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|
2004 | |
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Paid for 2004 | |
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Other | |
|
Granted in 2004 | |
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Total | |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ronald A. Drapeau(1)
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|
$ |
762,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
682,000 |
|
|
$ |
702,000 |
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|
$ |
2,146,000 |
|
William C. Baker(2)
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|
$ |
292,000 |
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|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,774,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,099,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Salary paid in 2004 for Mr. Drapeau includes a payment of
$188,000 for accrued but unused paid time off and severance
payments of $148,000. Other compensation for Mr. Drapeau
includes a one-time lump sum payment of $500,000 in connection
with Mr. Drapeaus separation from the Company, as
well as matching contributions under the Companys 401(k)
plan and income imputed to him under IRS regulations in
connection with the Companys payment on his behalf of life
and disability insurance premiums, financial planning services
and golf country club dues. |
|
(2) |
The value of stock options granted in 2004 includes
Mr. Bakers stock option for 6,000 shares granted
to him as a Board member before he became Chief Executive
Officer and the value of the stock option grant for
500,000 shares granted to him upon becoming Chief Executive
Officer. The terms of Mr. Bakers stock option grant
for 500,000 shares provide that they vest, subject to his
continued employment in good standing, in three equal annual
installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the
date of grant. The vesting schedule is not accelerated upon a
change in control or termination of employment, and unvested
options will be cancelled upon the termination of
Mr. Bakers employment (which is expected to coincide
with the hiring of a new Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the
Companys currently ongoing search). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the terms of the grant also provide for a minimum
vesting of 50,000 shares except under certain limited
circumstances. The calculated value of 50,000 shares based
upon the same assumptions used in the table is $168,000. |
The amounts set forth in this table reflect these factors, among
others:
|
|
|
|
|
No annual incentive (bonus) was paid to either
Mr. Drapeau or Mr. Baker for fiscal 2004 because,
among other things, the Company failed to achieve minimum
performance targets for return on sales and return on assets. |
|
|
|
Mr. Bakers base salary was set at a level above
Mr. Drapeaus to reflect additional burdens that would
be placed upon him as an interim Chief Executive Officer,
including significant commuting expenses. |
|
|
|
As explained in the footnotes to the table,
Mr. Bakers stock option grant does not provide for
accelerated vesting upon a change in control or termination of
employment, and unvested options (beyond a minimum of 50,000)
will expire upon the end of his service as Chief Executive
Officer. These deviations from the usual practice in stock
option grants were determined by the Committee to be appropriate
in light of the duties Mr. Baker was being asked to assume
and the expectation that his service as Chief Executive Officer
will be of limited duration. |
|
|
|
The stock option values were calculated using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model. See below at Black-Scholes Option
Pricing Model for an explanation of some of the
limitations of this model. |
29
In addition to his base salary, Mr. Drapeau participated in
various employee and executive benefit plans, as described
above. The Compensation Committee reviewed the perquisites and
other compensation paid to Mr. Drapeau and Mr. Baker
in 2004 and found these amounts to be reasonable.
Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. The stock
option values reflected in the above tables were valued as of
the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes option pricing
model adapted for use in valuing executive stock options using
the following assumptions: (a) expected volatility of
42.644.7%; (b) risk-free interest rate of
2.452.75%; (c) dividend yield of 1.7%1.9%; and
(d) expected term of 34 years. The actual value,
if any, an executive may realize will depend on the excess of
the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option
is exercised, so there is no assurance the value realized by an
executive will be at or near the value estimated by the
Black-Scholes model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model
was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded
options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the
input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected
stock price volatility. Because the Companys employee
stock options have characteristics significantly different from
those of traded options, and because changes in subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates, in
managements opinion the existing models do not necessarily
provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the
grants described above.
Additional information concerning the salary, bonus, and stock
awards for the Companys most highly compensated executive
officers for 2004 can be found in the tables appearing under the
section COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS in this
Proxy Statement.
As noted above, the Compensation Committee engaged the services
of independent outside compensation consultants in early 2004 to
conduct a thorough assessment of the Companys executive
compensation plans. During 2004, the consultants worked with the
Compensation Committee to assess the alignment of compensation
programs with shareholder value creation, review executive
contracts (including change-in-control provisions), assess
current and future Employee Stock Purchase Plan requirements,
assist in establishing minimum share ownership guidelines, and
conduct a compensation review for top executives using an
appropriate compensation peer group. In the course of its work,
the outside consultants reviewed the current compensation of the
executive officers and found such compensation to be reasonably
based and not excessive. As part of this engagement, the
consultants participated in the preparation and evaluation of
two compensation proposals approved by shareholders at the 2004
Annual Meeting. In 2005 the Compensation Committee expects to
finalize revisions to the Companys short term (annual)
incentive and long term incentive compensation plans, establish
share ownership guidelines, and complete the review of executive
employment agreements.
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Compensation and Management
|
|
Succession Committee
|
|
|
Samuel H. Armacost, Chair |
|
Ronald S. Beard |
|
Anthony S. Thornley |
The preceding Report of the Compensation and Management
Succession Committee shall not be deemed soliciting
material to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, nor shall any information in this report be
incorporated by reference into any past or future filing under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the
Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such
filing.
30
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph presents a comparison of the cumulative
total shareholder return since December 31, 1999 of the
Companys Common Stock, the Standard & Poors
500 Index and the Standard & Poors 400 Midcap
Index. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 at
December 31, 1999 and reinvestment of all dividends.
Total Cumulative Shareholder Return Since December 31,
1999
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1999 | |
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2000 | |
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2001 | |
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2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
| |
Callaway Golf
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
107.26 |
|
|
|
111.86 |
|
|
|
78.79 |
|
|
|
102.18 |
|
|
|
83.66 |
|
S&P 500
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
90.90 |
|
|
|
80.10 |
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|
|
62.41 |
|
|
|
80.30 |
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|
89.02 |
|
S&P 400 Midcap
|
|
|
100.00 |
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|
|
117.51 |
|
|
|
116.81 |
|
|
|
99.85 |
|
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|
135.39 |
|
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|
157.70 |
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|
The Callaway Golf Company index is based upon the closing prices
of Callaway Golf Company Common Stock on December 31, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 of $17.69, $18.63 $19.15,
$13.25, $16.85 and $13.50, respectively. |
The preceding performance graph shall not be deemed
soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, nor shall it be incorporated by reference
into any past or future filing under the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically
incorporates it by reference into such filing.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the
Companys directors, Section 16 officers, and greater
than 10% beneficial owners to file initial reports of ownership
(on Form 3) and periodic reports of changes in ownership
(on Forms 4 and 5) of Company securities with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock
Exchange. Based solely on its review of copies of such forms
(and any amendments to such forms) and such written
representations regarding compliance with such filing
requirements as were received from its directors, executive
officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners (if any), the
Company believes that all such Section 16(a) reports were
filed on a timely basis during 2004, except that due to an
administrative oversight at the Company, there was one late
report filed, covering one transaction, for each of
Messrs. Baker, Drapeau, Helmstetter, Holiday, Hutin,
McCracken and Penicka relating to their January 2004
31
annual stock option grant and there was one late report filed,
covering one transaction, for each of Messrs. Armacost and
Cushman relating to their April 2004 annual stock option grant.
ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of the Companys 2004 Annual Report, including
financial statements, is being mailed with this Proxy Statement
to shareholders of record on the Record Date, but such report is
not incorporated herein and is not deemed to be a part of this
Proxy Statement.
A COPY OF THE COMPANYS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WITHOUT EXHIBITS, WILL BE
FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY PERSON FROM WHOM THE
ACCOMPANYING PROXY IS SOLICITED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE
COMPANY AT CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY, ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS, 2180
RUTHERFORD ROAD, CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92008.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If a shareholder desires to nominate someone for election to the
Board of Directors at, or to bring any other business before,
the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, then in addition to any
other applicable requirements, such shareholder must give timely
written notice of the matter to the Secretary of the Company. To
be timely, written notice must be delivered to the Secretary at
the principal executive offices of the Company not less than
90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first
anniversary of this years 2005 Annual Meeting, provided,
however, that in the event that the date of the 2006 annual
meeting is more than 30 days before or more than
60 days after such anniversary date, then such notice to be
timely must be delivered to the Secretary not more than
120 days prior to the 2006 annual meeting and not less than
(i) 90 days prior to such annual meeting or
(ii) 10 days following the date of the first public
announcement of the scheduled date of the 2006 annual meeting.
Any such notice to the Secretary must include all of the
information specified in the Companys Bylaws.
If a shareholder desires to have a proposal included in the
Companys proxy statement and proxy card for the 2006
annual meeting of shareholders, then, in addition to the notices
required by the immediately preceding paragraph and in addition
to other applicable requirements (including certain rules and
regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission), the Company must receive notice of such proposal in
writing at the Companys principal executive offices in
Carlsbad, California no later than December 15, 2005,
provided, however, that if the date of the 2006 annual meeting
of shareholders is more than 30 days before or after the
first anniversary of this years Annual Meeting (i.e. the
2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders), then such notice must be
received by the Secretary of the Company a reasonable time
before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy materials
for the 2006 annual meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
Management knows of no matters other than those listed in the
attached Notice of the Annual Meeting which are likely to be
brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters
should properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof, the persons named in the proxy will vote
all proxies given to them in accordance with the recommendation
of the Board of Directors.
32
Each shareholder is urged to return a proxy as soon as possible.
Any questions should be addressed to Callaway Golf Company,
ATTN: Investor Relations, at 2180 Rutherford Road, Carlsbad,
California 92008, telephone (760) 931-1771.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Steven C. McCracken |
|
Secretary |
Carlsbad, California
April 14, 2005
33
Exhibit A
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Audit Committee Charter
1. Members. The Board of Directors shall appoint an
Audit Committee of at least three members, consisting entirely
of independent directors of the Board, and shall
designate one member as chairperson. Each member shall serve on
the committee at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and may
be removed by the Board at any time with or without cause. For
purposes hereof, independent shall mean a director
who has no material relationship to the Company and who
otherwise meets the New York Stock Exchange requirements of
independence.
Each member of the Audit Committee must be financially literate
and at least one member of the Audit Committee must have
accounting or related financial management expertise. All
determinations regarding the independence and other
qualifications of a Board member to serve on the Audit Committee
shall be made in the Boards judgment.
2. Purpose. The purpose of the Audit Committee shall
be: (i) to assist the Board of Directors in discharging its
oversight responsibility relating to (a) the accounting,
reporting and financial practices of the Company and its
subsidiaries, including the integrity of the Companys
financial statements, (b) the Companys outside
auditors, including their qualifications, performance and
independence, (c) the performance of the Companys
internal audit function and (d) the Companys
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and
(ii) to prepare the Audit Committee report that is required
by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be
included in the Companys annual proxy statement.
3. Duties and Responsibilities. In furtherance of
the purpose of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee shall
have the following specific duties and responsibilities:
|
|
|
(i) Review and discuss with the outside auditors
(a) the scope of the annual audit, the results of the
annual audit examination by the auditors, and any problems or
difficulties the auditors encountered in the course of their
audit work, including managements responses to any issues
and any restrictions on the scope of the outside auditors
activities or on access to requested information, and any
significant disagreements with management, and (b) any
reports of the outside auditors with respect to interim periods. |
|
|
(ii) Review and discuss with management and the outside
auditors the annual audited and quarterly financial statements
of the Company, including (a) an analysis prepared by
management or the outside auditors setting forth any significant
financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with
the preparation of the Companys financial statements,
including the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the
financial statements, (b) the effect of regulatory and
accounting initiatives, as well as any off-balance sheet
structures, on the Companys financial statements,
(c) the Companys disclosures under
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations in periodic reports
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
accounting policies that may be regarded as critical and
(d) major issues regarding the Companys accounting
principles and financial statement presentations, including any
significant changes in the Companys selection or
application of accounting principles and financial statement
presentations. The Audit Committee shall receive reports from
the outside auditor as required by rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. |
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(iii) Review and discuss the Companys corporate
policies with respect to earnings press releases, as well as
financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts
and ratings agencies. |
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(iv) In its capacity as a committee of the Board, be
directly responsible, and have the sole authority, for all
matters relating to the Companys outside auditors,
including the appointment, compensation, evaluation, retention
and termination of the Companys outside auditors, and
including resolution of disagreements between Management and the
Companys outside auditors regarding financial reporting
matters. In this regard, the outside auditors shall report
directly to the Audit Committee. |
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(v) Approve all services to be performed by the outside
auditors, including pre-approval of any permissible non-audit
service to be provided by the outside auditor. The Audit
Committee shall approve the fees and the other terms of each
such engagement. By approving the audit engagement, an audit
service within the scope of the engagement shall be deemed to
have been pre-approved. The Audit Committee may delegate to one
or more members of the Audit Committee the authority to grant
such pre-approvals. |
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(vi) Consider, at least annually, the independence of the
outside auditors, including whether the outside auditors
performance of permissible non-audit services is compatible with
the auditors independence, and obtain and review a report
by the outside auditors describing any relationships between the
outside auditors and the Company or any other relationships that
may adversely affect the independence of the auditors. The Audit
Committee shall have the sole authority to approve any
significant non-audit relationship with the outside auditors.
The Audit Committee shall establish policies for the hiring of
employees and former employees of the outside auditor. |
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(vii) At least annually, obtain and review a report by the
outside auditors describing (a) the outside auditors
internal quality-control procedures and (b) any material
issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control
review, or peer review, or by any inquiry or investigation by
governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding
five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried
out by the outside auditor, and any steps taken to deal with any
such issues. |
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(viii) Review and discuss with the principal internal
auditor of the Company the scope and results of the internal
audit program. The Audit Committee shall also review and discuss
the adequacy and effectiveness of the Companys internal
controls (with particular emphasis on the scope and performance
of the internal audit function), including any significant
deficiencies in internal controls and significant changes in
such controls reported to the Audit Committee by the outside
auditors or management. |
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The Companys principal internal auditor shall functionally
report directly to the Audit Committee. |
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(ix) Review and discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of
the Companys disclosure controls and procedures and
management reports thereon. |
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(x) Review material pending legal proceedings involving the
Company and other material contingent liabilities. |
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(xi) Review and discuss the Companys policies with
respect to risk assessment and risk management. Oversee the
Companys compliance programs with respect to legal and
regulatory requirements and the Companys code of conduct
policies, including review of related party transactions and
other conflict of interest issues. |
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(xii) Establish procedures for handling complaints
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing
matters, including procedures for confidential, anonymous
submission of concerns by employees regarding accounting and
auditing matters. |
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(xiii) Evaluate annually the performance of the Audit
Committee and assess the adequacy of the Audit Committee charter. |
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(xiv) Perform such other duties and responsibilities as are
consistent with the purpose of the Audit Committee or as may be
assigned from time to time by the Board. |
4. Outside Advisors. The Audit Committee shall have
the authority to retain at the expense of the Company such
outside counsel, accountants, experts and other advisors as it
determines appropriate to assist the Audit Committee in the
performance of its functions and shall receive appropriate
funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from the Company
for payment of compensation to any such advisors.
5. Meetings. The Audit Committee shall meet or
otherwise take action as often as may be deemed necessary or
appropriate in its judgment (but in any event at least four
times per year), either in person, telephonically or by written
consent. The Audit Committee shall periodically (but no less
than annually) meet separately in executive sessions with each
of management, the principal internal auditor of the Company and
E-2
the outside auditors. The Audit Committee shall report regularly
to the full Board of Directors with respect to its meetings. The
majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall constitute
a quorum. Every act done or decision made by a majority of the
members of the Audit Committee present at a duly held meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the
Audit Committee, subject to the provisions of the Companys
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws and subject to applicable
laws or regulations.
E-3
APPENDIX A
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Please mark here for Address Change or Comments o |
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SEE REVERSE SIDE |
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THIS PROXY/ VOTING INSTRUCTION
CARD IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
COMPANY. YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF
THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW AND
FOR PROPOSAL 2.
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I PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING o |
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: 01
William C. Baker, 02 Samuel H. Armacost, 03 Ronald S. Beard, 04
John C. Cushman, III, 05 Yotaro Kobayashi, 06 Richard L. Rosenfield and 07 Anthony S. Thornley.
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FOR all nominees
listed (except as
marked to the
contrary) |
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WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
to vote for all
nominees
listed |
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Choose MLinkTM for fast, easy and secure 24/7 online access to your
future proxy materials, investment plan statements, tax documents
and more. Simply log on to Investor ServiceDirect® at
www.melloninvestor.com/isd where step-by-step instructions will
prompt you through enrollment. |
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
write the nominees name on the line provided below.) |
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2. Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm.
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o FOR |
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o AGAINST |
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o ABSTAIN |
3. |
In their discretion, Steven C. McCracken and Bradley J. Holiday, or either of them, are
authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof. |
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The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 24, 2005 and the
Proxy Statement furnished with this card. |
NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. This proxy revokes
all proxies previously given.
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
Vote by Internet or Telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 pm Eastern Time the day prior to annual
meeting day.
Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
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Internet |
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Telephone |
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http://www.proxyvoting.com/ely |
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1-866-540-5760 |
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Mail |
Use the Internet to
vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website.
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OR |
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Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. |
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Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
If the proxy is voted by
Internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy
card.
The Annual Report and Proxy Statement can be viewed on the Internet at www.callawaygolf.com/2005annualmeeting
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
The undersigned shareholder of CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY hereby appoints STEVEN C. McCRACKEN and
BRADLEY J. HOLIDAY, or either of them, proxies of the undersigned, each with full power to act
without the other and with the power of substitution, to represent the undersigned at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Callaway Golf Company to be held at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa,
9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, on May 24, 2005, at 10:00 A.M. (PDT), and at
any adjournments or postponements thereof, and to vote all shares of stock of the Company standing
in the name of the undersigned with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present, in accordance with the instructions below and on the reverse hereof, and in their
discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting; provided, however,
that such proxies, or either of them, shall have the power to cumulate votes and distribute them
among the nominees listed in the manner directed herein, as they see fit, and to drop any such
nominees, in order to ensure the election of the greatest number of such nominees.
THIS PROXY/ VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY/ VOTING
INSTRUCTION CARD WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE HEREOF AND FOR ALL OTHER
PROPOSALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IF YOU HAVE A
BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SHARES HELD BY THE 401(K) RETIREMENT
INVESTMENT PLAN SPONSORED BY CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY, THEN THIS
CARD ALSO CONSTITUTES YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE TRUSTEE OF SUCH PLAN AND IF YOU DO NOT SIGN
AND RETURN THIS CARD, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED BY THE TRUSTEE FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE
REVERSE HEREOF AND FOR ALL OTHER PROPOSALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS. THE TRUSTEE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT VOTING INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED AFTER MAY 19, 2005 WILL
BE COUNTED.
IMPORTANT: SIGNATURE REQUIRED ON REVERSE SIDE
Address Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
APPENDIX B
April 14, 2005
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TO: |
PARTICIPANTS IN THE CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLANS |
The Company has issued shares of Callaway Golf Company Common Stock to a Grantor Stock Trust
to fund benefits under, among other things, the above referenced stock plans. The Grantor Stock
Trust will be entitled to vote 6,980,629 shares at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. As a
participant this past year in one or more of the stock plans, you have certain rights to direct the
voting of these shares. Your voting rights are based upon the number of unexercised options you
hold under the stock option plans and/or shares you purchased during the last twelve months under
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
To exercise your voting rights, please complete the enclosed green Voting Instruction Card. It
directs the Trustee, Arrowhead Trust Incorporated, how to vote. YOU MUST RETURN THE VOTING
INSTRUCTION CARD TO THE TRUSTEE USING THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING,
WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MAY 24, 2005, IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR VOTING RIGHTS UNDER THE TRUST. THE
TRUSTEE, HOWEVER, CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT VOTING INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED AFTER MAY 19, 2005 WILL BE
COUNTED.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees for director set forth on
the green Voting Instruction Card. Information concerning these nominees is set forth in the
enclosed Proxy Statement.
Your Board of Directors also recommends a vote FOR ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
the Companys Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31,
2005.
You may get more than one package of materials regarding the upcoming Annual Meeting. For
example, if as of March 25, 2005 you owned any shares of the Companys Common Stock, either
directly or indirectly through the Companys 401(k) Plan, you will receive a separate mailing
containing a white Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Card for these shares. YOU MUST SEPARATELY VOTE
THE SHARES HELD BY YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER OR 401(K) PLAN PARTICIPANT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED ON THE PROXY CARD/ VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD YOU RECEIVE WITH THOSE MATERIALS.
As noted above, you may be receiving more than one copy of the Annual Report and Proxy
Statement. The law requires that we mail these informational materials with each voting card. We
regret any inconvenience this may cause. If you wish, you can return any extra copies to the
Companys Legal Department where they will be reused or recycled.
If you need further assistance, please contact Barb West at (760) 931-1771. Thank you for your
cooperation.
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Sincerely,
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William C. Baker |
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Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer |
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APPENDIX C
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Stock Plan Participant Voting Instruction Card
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TO: |
Arrowhead Trust Incorporated,
Trustee of the Callaway Golf Company Grantor Stock Trust |
With respect to the voting at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Callaway Golf Company to be
held on May 24, 2005, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the undersigned participant in
the Callaway Golf Company Stock Option Plans and/or Employee Stock Purchase Plan hereby directs
Arrowhead Trust Incorporated, as Trustee of the Callaway Golf Company Grantor Stock Trust, to vote
all of the votes to which the undersigned is entitled to direct under the Trust in accordance with
the following instructions:
THE VOTES TO WHICH THE UNDERSIGNED STOCK PLAN PARTICIPANT IS ENTITLED TO DIRECT UNDER THE TRUST
WILL BE VOTED AS INSTRUCTED BELOW. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, SUCH VOTES WILL BE VOTED FOR
ALL NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
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Nominees: |
William C. Baker, Samuel H. Armacost, Ronald S. Beard, John C. Cushman, III, Yotaro
Kobayashi, Richard L. Rosenfield and Anthony S. Thornley |
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o FOR all nominees listed
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o WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |
(except as marked to the contrary)
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to vote for all nominees listed |
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominees name on the line provided below.
IMPORTANT: SIGNATURE REQUIRED ON REVERSE SIDE
(Continued and to be signed on other side)
2. |
Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
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o FOR |
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o AGAINST |
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o ABSTAIN |
In their discretion, Steven C. McCracken and Bradley J. Holiday, or either of them, are authorized
to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
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The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
May 24, 2005, and the Proxy Statement furnished
herewith. |
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Signature
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Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. |
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Date _______________, 2005 |
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PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS VOTING
INSTRUCTION CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN
ENVELOPE. THE TRUSTEE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT
INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED AFTER MAY 19, 2005 WILL BE
COUNTED. |