Jump to content

Gary Adams (golf)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gary Adams
Born
Gary Vale Adams

(1943-07-24)July 24, 1943
DiedJanuary 2, 2000(2000-01-02) (aged 56)[1]
Carlsbad, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Founder TaylorMade, Founder McHenry Metals, Founder Founders Club

Gary Adams was an American salesman, founder of TaylorMade Golf, Founders Club, McHenry Metals, and nominal inventor of the modern "metal wood."

After leaving college, he started working as a golf salesman. He observed new golf balls worked well with irons, but not wood clubs, so he started tinkering to create a metal driver.[2] In 1979, Gary Adams borrowed $24,000 on his house and leased a 6,000 square foot building in McHenry, Illinois to found TaylorMade Golf. He originally had three employees and sold only one item, his newly invented 12-degree loft metalwood.[3]

He was awarded the National Golf Association man of the year in 1984. He was awarded the PGA Ernie Sabayrac award in 1995 for his contribution to golf.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ ""Father of the Metal Wood", Gary Adams, dies". Obituary. Golf Today. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  2. ^ Stinton, Mike. "Keeping His Dream Alive: Gary Adams, Father of the Metal Wood". Magazine article. Golfing Magazine. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  3. ^ Camunas, Mike. "TaylorMade Golf History". GolfLink.
  4. ^ Nichols, Bill (August 2009). "Heavy Mettle" (PDF). Magazine Article. Chicago District Golfer. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
[edit]