Providence, R.I.--Like many other golfers, Jon Mason '96 was looking for a way to improve his focus and energy while he was on the course. Unlike most of his peers, however, the Providence College graduate went beyond the traditional methods and created his own sports energy drink, SwingJuice.

The unique formula is Mason's first foray into the beverage industry. He began developing the idea in 2004 while working in the real estate business, a career he gave up after introducing the first batch of SwingJuice two years later.

The idea emerged from a conversation Mason had with a friend, during which he apologized for the earliness of a tee time he arranged. When his friend responded that he would simply "take his swing juice" and be on his way, Mason immediately saw the potential for a marketable product.

"This was right at the time when Red Bull and Vitamin Water were getting started," said Mason, who graduated from PC with a degree in general studies. "I was really intrigued with this new industry that was taking off. I've always been an idea guy, but never really did anything with it. Now, I was thinking, 'How do I make this a reality?'"

Marketed as a healthier alternative to similar products, all six flavors of SwingJuice are made from natural ingredients and contain no sodium and reduced sugar. That blend of ingredients includes ginkgo biloba for heightened concentration, taurine to aid tired muscles, and vitamin B6 to reduce muscle cramps and spasms, among others. Its 25 mg of caffeine is significantly less than other energy-enhancing drinks.

SwingJuice is currently available in more than 100 locations, primarily in New England, and Mason and his team of four salespeople are constantly working to expand that number. While the product caters to golfers and other athletes, Mason hopes that it eventually becomes a staple in convenience stores, supermarkets, and other venues as well.

A hit with the pros
Mason is encouraged by the reaction SwingJuice has received among the sports community. Already, Chicago White Sox first baseman and Rhode Island native Paul Konerko and PGA Tour veteran Mark Calcavecchia have offered their endorsement. In addition, SwingJuice was offered at the PGA's Sony Open in Hawaii.

Recently, Mason began to test his creation in the international market as well, expanding to the United Kingdom and Ireland, in recognition of the region's rich golf tradition.

As his product continues to spread--partnerships were recently announced with the Pawtucket Red Sox and the HOCKEY EAST Conference--Mason hopes to build off its initial success.

"We're always looking for new distribution opportunities, and we have to be creative," he said. "It's a new product, it's a little different, and if you try it, you might like it. We tend to have a lot of repeat customers."

For more information on SwingJuice, visit www.swingjuice.com. 

--Joe Miller '10

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