How Montreal-based Sunice grew from a humble prairie start-up into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of stylish golf and skiwear.
GORE-TEX never looked so good: One of the new Sunice golf jackets. (Image: Sunice)
I’ve been wearing Sunice rain gear for years without really thinking about it. In truth, I’m largely oblivious of the manufacturers of the caps and shirts and other gear I wear on the golf course. Most have been kindly given to me in my travels. I keep what I like and donate the rest to charities.
But I have grown especially fond of the two Sunice rain jackets in my closet. I like them both so much that I wear them even when I’m not golfing. People are always paying me compliments about them.
An equipment junkie could no doubt expound on the cutting edge technology built into Sunice garments—from the GORE-TEX stretch shell back insert and the waterproof YKK hand pocket zippers to the Velcro adjustable cuff tabs.
But suffice it to say that Sunice has earned an international reputation for the quality, stylishness and durability of its products. In fact, it is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of golf and skiwear.
Founded in Calgary in 1976 as a skiwear manufacturer, the brand first drew notice in 1982, when it outfitted a team attempting Canada’s first-ever summit of Everest. International attention arrived in 1988, when Sunice was selected as an official supplier to the Winter Olympics in Calgary.
Sunice’s entry into the golf market came in 1992, a time when manufacturers began focusing on sport-specific products. Now owned by Montreal-based Fletcher Leisure Group Inc., a company with 47 years of golf industry experience, Sunice’s roster of products has grown to include shirts, bags, gloves, hats, jackets, sweaters, pants, shorts, shirts and socks.
Like I said, I don’t pay much attention to brand labels. But I do like looking good and receiving compliments. Sunice’s Canadian pedigree is just a happy bonus.
