About R1 Sports
R1 Sports was founded in Davao City, Philippines at the height of the COVID pandemic. While the world slowed down, our resolve to build something meaningful only intensified.
The name R1 carries personal significance. The “R” comes from the founder’s first name, and the “1” represents being the eldest in the family. It symbolizes leadership, responsibility, and the mindset of striving to be number one not only in competition, but in standards, discipline, and execution.
Our journey began with a simple product, the Eco60 Bamboo Golf Tees. It was a modest start, but it represented action. Instead of waiting for the perfect time, we chose to move.
Soon after the Bamboo tees, we launched our first cabretta leather golf gloves, named Ace. The name reflected precision and confidence. From there, we ventured into producing polo shirts after recognizing a clear gap in the market. Premium brands offered quality at high prices. Affordable options often sacrificed performance and refinement. Golfers were forced to choose.
We believed they should not have to.
That conviction led to the creation of R1 apparel. Performance-driven construction. Clean, modern design. Superior quality at a price that respects the everyday competitor. When the first shirts were released, the response was immediate. The market adopted them quickly because they delivered real value, real structure, and real confidence on the course.
Our first major breakthrough came when R1 was selected as a tournament giveaways provider just months after being founded. That opportunity introduced the brand to a wider audience and marked the moment R1 stepped onto a larger stage.
In July 2024, R1 reached another defining milestone. We became the official giveaways supplier for the Fore The Boys tournament, one of the major golf tournaments in Davao City. This was our first large-scale opportunity. It allowed us to showcase the full range of R1 products including our quality caps, pouches, sports towels, bamboo tees, and shirts. The event solidified our presence in the competitive golf scene and demonstrated that R1 was ready for bigger platforms.
Momentum continued to build. R1 welcomed its first brand ambassadors, Zeus Sara, a rising amateur player soon turning professional, and Zanieboy Gialon, a tour professional, both proudly from Davao City. Shortly after becoming ambassadors, both athletes won their respective tournaments. It was a defining chapter for the brand. R1 apparel was worn during their winning rounds, reinforcing the connection between preparation, belief, and performance.
R1 is also the official outfitter of Fore The Boys, one of the largest and most competitive golf groups in Davao City. In addition, R1 powers the Power Putt Bros, a dynamic group of young adult golfers with a strong and growing following. These partnerships reflect our commitment to community, competition, and cultivating the next generation of athletes.
As we grow, R1 continues to partner with local professionals, golf groups, and rising stars. No matter how far the brand expands, it will never lose its roots. R1 was born in Davao City, and that identity remains at the core of who we are.
Recently, R1 underwent a significant rebranding. We introduced a visual logo to the brand, a rabbit symbol, along with an official rabbit mascot named Dare, derived from our slogan, “Dare Your Limits.”
The rabbit represents agility, focus, and relentless forward movement. It symbolizes quick adaptation, alertness, and the quiet confidence of an athlete ready to move at the right moment.
The name Dare carries deeper meaning. It is the daily decision every competitor faces. To challenge comfort. To confront limits. To step forward despite uncertainty. Dare represents courage in motion. It is not about being fearless. It is about choosing progress.
R1 was never meant to stay within one lane. Our vision extends beyond golf. We are building a performance brand that will compete across the broader sports industry in the years ahead.
What started in uncertainty is now driven by clarity.
We build with purpose.
We move with conviction.
We Dare.
