Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Kentucky Royalty Performance Sock Co. went from the farm to your feet with its Adventure Socks, made with alpaca fleece.

Now it’s going from the farm to “Fore!”

The Springfield, Ky. designer and sock manufacturer unveiled its new Surino Golf Sock last month at the 59th Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) Merchandise Show in January in Orlando, Fla.

“The response has been pretty overwhelming,” said Shawn Malloy, co-owner of Kentucky Royalty.

“We are here to energize the golf world with the power of alpaca. We know golfers understand quality equipment. … [But] many golfers don’t know about the amazing qualities of this rare specialty fiber, suri alpaca fleece.

“Kentucky Royalty Socks are designed,” he added, speaking directly to golfers, “to keep your feet energized, dry, and comfortable in any climate, allowing you to focus on what’s really important – your game.”

Twenty year ago, the performance sock industry was revolutionized with the introduction of imported Merino wool. Now Kentucky Royalty is doing it again using U.S.-raised alpaca fleece, some of which originates from Kentucky, including Malloy’s own Kentucky Proud mill, Flaggy Meadow Fiber Works near Springfield.

“Alpaca fiber is lighter, warmer, softer, and more effective than other fibers,” Malloy said. “Best of all, we make our socks here the United States and use only U.S. ingredients.”

To showcase its golf sock exhibited in the New Product Center section at the PGA Show, Kentucky Royalty Socks gave the first 50 attendees the opportunity to participate in the Walk ’n Wear promotion. They were allowed to put on a pair of Surino Golf Socks, walk around in them during the show, and wear them home.

A man named Gary took advantage of the promotion and posted this response on Kentucky Royalty’s website: “I wore these socks all day long, then went for a 3-mile walk after I got home. These have to be the most comfortable socks I have ever worn. I live in Arizona, and the temp[erature]s can fluctuate 40 degrees from morning to night. These took in the temperatures with no problem.”

The new sock is made using fleece from the rare Suri breed of alpacas blended with the fine wool of Merino sheep. Alpaca fleece is naturally hypoallergenic and extremely smooth to the touch. Unlike most fibers, alpaca fleece is hollow, enabling maximum thermal capacity. It is also unusually strong and continues to insulate when wet.

In addition to alpaca fleece, Surino Golf Socks contain nylon for foot support and silver for bacterial resistance.

“How it feels against the skin is incredible,” Malloy said. “It wicks water away and keeps the foot dry.”

Kentucky Royalty’s Surino Golf Socks attracted the attention of a veteran sales manager from North Carolina.

“We hired a sales manager who really believes in the product,” Malloy said. “It’s a very high-end sock, and he’s an ex-golf pro who’s been in the business for 40 years and knows people at 350-400 exclusive golf courses across the country.

“Hopefully we’ll put a lot of them [socks] on pros across the country because of his contacts,” Malloy added. “We’ll see what happens in the next six months.”

Surino Golf Socks come in black and natural colors and cost $20 per pair when ordered online at www.KentuckyRoyalty.com. The company offers free shipping for retail orders with no minimum order.

 

Shawn Malloy exhibits his Kentucky Royalty socks at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo submitted)