By: Bill Huffman

At the recent U.S. Open at Oakmont, Pa., there was a new fashion statement being made by numerous caddies, who toted bags through the intense heat and humidity while wearing neck scarves.

Sure, they were keeping the sweat from rolling down their necks by wearing "Kool Ties." But they also were fighting the heat with the neckwear made in Phoenix.

I sent about 50 of them out there With Dave Lemon, who is (Scottsdale pro) Ronnie Black's caddie," said Tom Elliott, whose T'Golf Company  is helping to get the word out on this "lifesaver" product.

"Needless to say, with the temperatures and humidity reaching 100, the Kool Ties were a very popular item."

Phoenix residents Pam and Steve Kafka knew that when they invented the "human evaporative cooler" in 1992.

"We had seen a similar product called the 'Chili-Nex,' which used a frozen ice packet, but lasted no longer than 45 minutes to an hour," Steve Kafka said. "Pam said to me, 'We need to build a better mousetrap.’ "

The Kafka Kool Tie is a cotton scarf with non-toxic polymer crystals sewn inside. Soak it in water for 45 minutes and the crystals swell until the middle part of the scarf resembles a squishy tube. Keep rolling it over, and  it cools for up to several days without, resoaking.

Every time you roll it, it's like a cool. refreshing burst of energy," Kafka said.

To make his point, Kafka cited an experience he had this week.

"I got into my van (Tuesday), and it was 130 degrees, according to a meat thermometer I keep for just such occasions," he said. "Then I put on the Kool Tie, and after about a minute, I inserted the meat thermometer between my neck and the tie.

"Within minutes, the temperature had dropped to 85 degrees."

The Kafkas acknowledge that the Kool Tie is not an original idea, only a better one.

"First, ours is the most comfortable product of its type on the market," Kafka said, "and nobody's product is made better or lasts longer. "Plus, as far as golf goes, it's by far the most fashionable."

Of course the Kool Tie can be used for any activity.

"We hear stories from all over the country," Steve Kafka said. In fact, besides golfers, the ties are probably most popular with firefighters."

Now if that endorsement doesn't sway you during these days of pizza-oven heat, then nothing will.

Last summer, Kafka said. his company sold more than 60,000 Kool Ties, "and we've tripled that production since."
"We're branching out, too, with more colors and prints. And if you need to special-order a particular color, we can accommodate."