Golf Clubmaker Files Lawsuit

Tuesday, May 9th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) â€” Callaway Golf Co. has filed a lawsuit against the Royal Canadian Golf Association over the launch of a new driver that the association won't allow at its events.

The suit, filed in federal court in San Diego, claims the RCGA unfairly and illegally interfered with the introduction of the ERC forged titanium driver by ruling that it was non-conforming.

``A self-appointed ruling body cannot exercise its considerable power over others in a way that is arbitrary, unfair and unlawful,'' Steve McCracken, Callaway's chief legal officer, said in a statement released Monday.

The RCGA's decision was made without any research on the driver or discussion with Callaway, McCracken said.

A message left after business hours Monday at the RCGA, based in Oakville, Ontario, was not immediately returned.

The suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.

The U.S. Golf Association has ruled that the ERC, with a loft of 11 degrees, is ``non-conforming.'' According to Callaway, the driver is not marketed or sold by it in the United States.