Throughout Golf's History Club Making Has Been a Family Enterprise

There is considerable uncertainty about whom first made golf clubs. But, there is some evidence that in the beginning of the 16th century, bow makers were responsible. Records exist that show James IV of Scotland had a bow maker provide him a set of clubs in 1502. These craftsmen had the tools and skills to make the crude wooden clubs of the day, and as the demand for bows dropped with the arrival of the gun, the bow makers were probably grateful for any kind of new business.

Other documentary evidence that may help prove the theory of bow makers producing golf clubs includes the bow maker from Edinburgh, William Mayne. He was appointed by King James I of England and VI of Scotland in 1603 as the first Royal Warrant Holder as club maker.

BEFORE FAMILIES DOMINATED
Before family entrepreneurs began dominating the production of Clubs, there were individual club makers. George and Henry Miln and James Pett (1628) of St. Andrews, John Dickson (d. 1787) of Leith and Andrew Bailey (1735) of Edinburgh were all known as excellent craftsmen. Other notable clubmakers include, Thomas Comb and James McEwan (1770) of Brunsfield and Simon Cossar of Leith who acquired his business from craftsmen John Dickson after his death.  Early centers of club manufacturing were Leith and Brunsfield, Scotland. However, in the 1830’s the city of Musselburgh arose as a hub for club makers. Musselburgh later lost that honor to the city of St. Andrews in the 1890’s. As better-known club and ball resources gathered in St. Andrews, more and more men registered as club makers.

Six families dominated the business during the years golf enjoyed its first major boom.

Hugh Philp/The Forgans
Hugh Philp was appointed club maker to the Society of St. Andrews (Later the Royal & Ancient) in 1819. He, and his clubs (Especially his putter), established a unique reputation and were in great demand. In 1852, Philp’s nephew, Robert Forgan, Took over the family business, and a combined ‘Philp Foran’ motif was stamped on the clubs. Four years later, when Hugh Philp died, ‘Philp Forgan’ simply became ‘Forgan’. From that day forward, Robert and his brother James paid great attention to raw materials and pioneered the use of hickory for the shaft. To prevent unscrupulous merchants from switching the wood, the Forgans’ used a special hammer to stamp the family name on each piece of timber they selected for delivery.

In 1863, Robert Forgan was appointed club maker to the Prince of Wales and was allowed to use the Prince’s Feathers as a trademark on all his clubs. As business increased, so did the size of the company. Robert’s son, T.B. Forgan, joined his father’s company in 1881 and by 1895 the company had nearly 40 employees. By the turn of the century, Forgans was the largest equipment maker in St. Andrews and had fully merchandised their operation.

The McEwans
Founder James McEwan opened his club service in Edinburgh, in 1780. By 1800, McEwan clubs were supplied to the major golf centers of Scotland. In 1847, with a workforce of only six, He moved his headquarters to Musselburgh. The company shutdown in 1897, but several McEwan family members continued to enjoy their love for the game with jobs at golf courses throughout England.

The Dunns
In 1871 Willie Dunn opened a golf shop in Musselburgh, Scotland. His son, Tom, had married Isabella Gourlay, daughter of the W. Gourlay owner of a company of ball makers. Tom had bounced back and for the between England and Scotland as a greens keeper, club maker and course designer. Before his death at age 52 he had completed 137 golf courses. Willie Jr. worked as a club maker before becoming a golf professional. W.E. Vanderbilt hired him to lay out his course at Shinnecock Bay, Long Island (Home of the 1995 U.S. Open). In 1894 Willie Jr. won the first unofficial championship of the U.S.

The Patricks
In 1847, a cabinetmaker by trade named John Patrick began club manufacturing at Leven. After 16 years and after his death his son Alexander took over the family business. Alexander’s three brothers, John, Nichol an David also were club makers by trade. The Patrick family continued to run the business until after World War I when it was sold.

The Parks
James Park must have been pretty proud of his sons. All 3 (David, Willie Sr., and Mungo) made names for themselves in golf. David as a ball maker and Willie Sr. and Mungo as club makers. Willie Sr. Won the Open in Britain 4 times and Mungo won it in 1874. Willie Sr. made clubs with his son, Willie Jr. at Musselburgh, Scotland. Willie Jr. was known as a great designer of woods and cleeks and as a golf expert. In 1887 and 1889 he carried on the family tradition by winning the British Open. He also wrote the first book by a golf professional in 1896 titled "The Game of Golf."

The Morris Family
Old Tom Morris is one of St. Andrews’ legendary figures. Although clubs are no longer made there, his golf business still survives today on its original site. ‘Old Tom’ began his career as an apprentice to Allan Robertson. He was an outstanding golfer winning the Open four times. His son Tom Jr. won the Open 3 times straight. In 1867 ‘Old Tom’ set up his own club making shop that employed 3 men. Young Tom’s wife died in childbirth and Tom died a year later they say of a broken heart. ‘Old Tom’s’ brother George was a club maker at Carnoustie. Old Tom is best known for his play and the courses he laid out. He was also "Keeper of the Greens" at Prestwick and St. Andrews.

Changes Take Place
These six families were responsible for most of the clubmaking from 1850 until around the turn of the century. Club making became a corporate activity with the mechanical age. The Family businesses gave way to larger companies who began to dominate the club making.

The Cook Family
Today there is still a family dedicated to the art of clubmaking. That is the Cook family, owners of Pat Ryan Golf in Minnetonka, MN.  Thomas E. Cook (Sr.) became a club maker while working at Sporting Goods, Inc. in Brooklyn Park, MN. He did a short apprenticeship under Gene Ware of Arlington, TX. Gene was considered one of the best clubmakers in the nation at that time being awarded "Clubmaker of the Year" by the Professional Clubmakers’ Society. Tom is now a Certified Professional Class "A" Clubmaker and Class "A" Clubfitter. He has been one of 6 finalists for "International Clubmaker of the Year" in 2000 and 2001.  In 2002 he received the honor of "International Clubmaker of the Year." He is also a charter member of the World Scientific Congress of Golf Trust, St. Andrews, Scotland.

His son Tom R. Cook (Jr.) also began his club making at Sporting Goods, Inc. He then joined his family at Pat Ryan golf when they purchased the company in 1999. Jr. is a Certified Professional Class "A" Clubmaker and a Certified "Class A" Club Repairer. Tom, Jr. has lead international seminars on re-shafting clubs.  He is considered the company expert on shafts and shaft flex. Jr. does most of the clubmaking while Tom Sr. does all of the club fitting. Sr.’s wife Sue is a Certified "Class A" Clubmaker and a member of the World Scientific Congress of Golf Trust. She helps with the clubmaking. Sr.’s Daughter Kimberly is a Certified "Class A" Clubmaker  and also helps with the clubmaking. The Cooks continue the tradition of quality club making as a family business. They have a great love for the game and the equipment. As those families that have gone before them the Cooks have dedicated themselves and their resources to the game of golf and their art of clubmaking.