TaylorMade Chief Technical Officer Benoit Vincent to retire

TaylorMade Golf Company have announced that Benoit Vincent, Chief Technical Officer of Research and Development, has decided to retire from the Golf industry and is set to depart TaylorMade Golf in late 2017.

Succeeding Vincent will be current Vice President of Metalwood Product Development and 22-year veteran of the company, Todd Beach. Beach’s contributions to TaylorMade’s metalwoods are among the most successful in the industry. In the interim, Vincent will remain on staff through the transition as EVP, continuing the management of a team of more than eighty research and development staff of metalwoods, irons, putters, wedge and golf ball engineers.

Vincent graduated from the Institute National des Sciences Appliquées, Lyon, France with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 1983. He began his engineering career conducting research on turbocharged airplane engines before joining TaylorMade Golf in 1989. During his time with the company, Vincent has spearheaded many of the company’s most successful products, starting with TaylorMade’s groundbreaking Movable Weight Technology under whose umbrella falls the r7, R9, R11 and R1 series of metalwoods. Other historic products launched during his tenure include the iconic white R11 driver; the RocketBallz fairway wood with TaylorMade’s patented Speed Slot, RocketBladez irons, which utilise iconic Speed Pocket technology and most recently, the M1 & M2 metalwoods and irons family.

David Abeles, TaylorMade President & CEO, said: “Over the course of his 27 years with TaylorMade, Benoit has made a lasting impact on the industry. From his brilliant mind, his willingness to take risks and his ability to empower his team, I can’t say enough about what a staple and visionary he has been for not only our company, but for the game of golf as well. Although we will miss him, I have the utmost confidence that Todd and our Research and Development team will continue to create innovative, game-changing products that will continue to excite golfers.”

Over the course of the next several months, Vincent will continue to be dedicated to helping his team transition and will be here full time until he leaves late in 2017 to begin his studies.