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 From his clothes to his clubs, McIntyre looks the part of old-fashioned golfer. According to a San Diego-based director of hickory golf tournaments, business is increasing as many Southland courses approach golden and silver anniversaries and centennial celebrations. And interest is mushrooming, said Chris McIntyre of Play Hickory Inc., as players find hickory golf leagues and events where they can rent antique clubs and dress the part of a golf pioneer. In fact, some golfers who try hickory-shaft clubs never go back to metal alloy. Count McIntyre among them. “Golf has been a little stale in recent years and the economy hasn’t helped,” said McIntyre, who co-founded Play Hickory and its sister equipment company McIntyre White Authentic Golf. He noted that for some players, the thrill has subsided for hitting “gigantic power drives of 300 yards all the time,” thanks to the advanced technology of modern clubs. McIntyre felt his game had grown stale after years of playing his country club course several times per week. He became curious about hickory clubs after spying an 85-year-old club in a friend’s garage. Struck by its worn-out beauty, he bought it for $15. That led him to learn about the club’s maker, renowned Scottish designer George Nicoll. McIntyre was driven to learn more golf history, particularly the period when the game took root in America at the turn of the 20th century. He also began collecting hickory clubs, which were used through the mid-1930s. “Now I’m one of the more involved guys in the country,” McIntyre said of his vocation, which includes leading the regional chapter of the national Golf Collectors Society, organizing tournaments and manufacturing reproduction balls, clothing and accessories through McIntyre White Authentic Golf. McIntyre said it’s been a gratifying experience to be a history guide of sorts. For national hickory golf tournaments, McIntyre often grows a long beard and dresses in knickers, waistcoat and cap of yesteryear to play the part of Old Tom Morris. “Most people are surprised that they can hit quite well with a hickory club,” McIntyre said. “I’m often asked, ‘Can I buy this club? I hit it better than with my own.’” For more details, call (858) 382-4810 or visit mwauthenticgolf.com. |
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RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
Mr. Mcintyre,
I have gathered a few Hickory Irons and Woods.
Each of which require various degrees of TLC.
If you desire to accept an undertaking of this size,
call me at 619-861-1676 or email.
Peter Ferro
| Comment at 10/17/2010 |
looking to see if you sell the golf balls
| Comment at 1/3/2012 |
