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Custom Wilson Staff Tour Blades


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About a year ago, I discovered this forum, and have greatly enjoyed the discussion about new acquisitions and the various unusual club finds that people have made. Until now, I haven't had much to contribute. However, I recently stumbled onto an unusual set of late 70's Wilson Staff Tour Blades, and wonder if I could enlist your collective wisdom to learn more about them.

 

The clubs in question appear to have been made from 78-80 forgings, and have the traditional Staff Tour Blade stampings. In addition, they are stamped with the name "Walker Inman, Jr." as well as what I believe to be a custom grind code (G-353).

 

A quick google search suggests that Mr. Inman competed in a number of PGA tour events in the 50's and 60's, and was a long-time club pro at Scioto CC. I am curious to find out if these irons were part of a limited run of irons (perhaps for club members?), or a set that may have been made specifically for Mr. Inman. Any insight that the group might have would be greatly appreciated.

 

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dmumf-

 

 

"I am curious to find out if these irons were part of a limited run of irons (perhaps for club members?), or a set that may have been made specifically for Mr. Inman. "

 

 

They are most likely the latter, and their custom grind designation code G-353, was specific to Walker Inman Jr. Note this grind has a higher and more pronounced square toe. Other photos would help.

 

Walker Inman Jr's signature stamp in the back pad is the clincher. Viewed similar "signature" stamped irons for Johnny Miller, Sam and JC Snead in the '70s when they were Wilson staffers.

 

Sadly Wilson "made the corporate decision" to close access to their custom department in 2014, which supposedly consisted of cataloging their personal custom grinds for nearly all the PGA and LPGA Tour Staff Professionals, and Club Professionals in Wilsons history- Men and Women.

 

These Wilson custom grinds were inventoried in a series of 3 ring binders, and supposedly were in the hands of longtime Wilson Golf clubmaker and master grinder Robert Mendralla Sr, who left this world last year.

 

The existence of the 3 ring binders was confirmed in an email received from a former Wilson staff employee now retired and living in AZ. They also provided names of other custom grinders for Wilson.

 

It has been speculated that his son, Robert Mendralla Jr., is now in possession of these binders.

 

Nonetheless, Great set!

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I've got another one here that I stumbled upon a couple of months back. This was being sold as a commemorative set. I thought that it looked more like the work of the custom dept.

 

What the pic doesn't show are the plain black ferrules black sole plugs & Brunswick precision fcm 6.0's ( which is what I believe Betsy played).

I did not purchase these as they were a little rich for my taste, and the last thing this Mac' boy needs is the makings of a Wilson addiction!

 

I am Curious to hear what you all think.

 

J

 

 

Yamaha W-602
'58 MT PT1 2W
'55 Tommy Armour 945's
Tad Moore "47 Rookie", a TM6? or maybe an 8802 today....

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Freddie-

 

Remember to get BL to sign that 1 iron...

 

Fluffy-

 

It is most likely the work of the Custom Dept, with "BETSY KING" stamping and the N-320 custom iron code.

 

Also- Betsy King was a National Champion along with Beth Daniel at Furman, winning the AIAW Team title by 1 shot over Tulsa. Tulsa's Nancy Lopez won the Individual crown, besting champion and future LPGA winner Barbara Barrow in a four hole playoff.

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Thanks to all for your responses.

 

Rex235 in particular, thank you for the detailed information about the custom shop, and what may have become of their records. Per your interest in additional photos, I have added a few to this post. As you can see from the photos, the top line is very thin. Additionally, the leading edge seems to be a good bit more beveled than a standard set.

 

Nice to see the other examples of Wilson's custom work through the years. FreddieC, that Langer set is awfully nice looking. I am curious to hear how you managed to find them.

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Dmumf-

 

Thanks for the added photos- Love the squared toe, and thin top line of your set.

 

Wilson made a number of custom golf clubs, both the persimmon woods and forged blade irons. Nothing like Freddie getting a custom ground iron set of a Masters Champion.

 

Someone out there has a treasure trove of Wilson stuff.

 

No, it is not me. Just have a few LH irons...

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I've got another one here that I stumbled upon a couple of months back. This was being sold as a commemorative set. I thought that it looked more like the work of the custom dept.

 

What the pic doesn't show are the plain black ferrules black sole plugs & Brunswick precision fcm 6.0's ( which is what I believe Betsy played).

I did not purchase these as they were a little rich for my taste, and the last thing this Mac' boy needs is the makings of a Wilson addiction!

 

I am Curious to here what you all think.

 

J

 

 

I know about the thing of "a Mac Man getting a Wilson addiction" I am a Mac man starting to get a Hogan addiction. The culprits on here will remain nameless even one of them lives near Chicago :taunt:

Driver--- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha--- Speeder 565 R flex

5W  --- TM V Steel Fubuki 60r

7W --- TM V Steel UST Pro Force 65 R flex

9W--- TM V Steel Stock V Steel R flex shaft

Irons 5 thru PW TM TP CB Steel Fiber 95 R F

SW Callaway PM Grind 56* Modified Grind KBS Tour Wedge

LW Vokey SM5 L Grind 58* 04 bounce Stock Vokey Shaft

Putter Macgregor Bobby Grace Mark 4 V-Foil Broomstick

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I've got another one here that I stumbled upon a couple of months back. This was being sold as a commemorative set. I thought that it looked more like the work of the custom dept.

 

What the pic doesn't show are the plain black ferrules black sole plugs & Brunswick precision fcm 6.0's ( which is what I believe Betsy played).

I did not purchase these as they were a little rich for my taste, and the last thing this Mac' boy needs is the makings of a Wilson addiction!

 

I am Curious to here what you all think.

 

J

 

 

I know about the thing of "a Mac Man getting a Wilson addiction" I am a Mac man starting to get a Hogan addiction. The culprits on here will remain nameless even one of them lives near Chicago :taunt:

 

Mind you Stu, I do need to thank you for getting me to put that Fluid Feel Tour blade SW in my bag, That has been working out really Nice.

 

Cheers!

 

J

Yamaha W-602
'58 MT PT1 2W
'55 Tommy Armour 945's
Tad Moore "47 Rookie", a TM6? or maybe an 8802 today....

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I've got another one here that I stumbled upon a couple of months back. This was being sold as a commemorative set. I thought that it looked more like the work of the custom dept.

 

What the pic doesn't show are the plain black ferrules black sole plugs & Brunswick precision fcm 6.0's ( which is what I believe Betsy played).

I did not purchase these as they were a little rich for my taste, and the last thing this Mac' boy needs is the makings of a Wilson addiction!

 

I am Curious to here what you all think.

 

J

 

 

I know about the thing of "a Mac Man getting a Wilson addiction" I am a Mac man starting to get a Hogan addiction. The culprits on here will remain nameless even one of them lives near Chicago :taunt:

 

Mind you Stu, I do need to thank you for getting me to put that Fluid Feel Tour blade SW in my bag, That has been working out really Nice.

 

Cheers!

 

J

Hey you are welcome anything I can do to help a fellow classic club ho :taunt:

Driver--- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha--- Speeder 565 R flex

5W  --- TM V Steel Fubuki 60r

7W --- TM V Steel UST Pro Force 65 R flex

9W--- TM V Steel Stock V Steel R flex shaft

Irons 5 thru PW TM TP CB Steel Fiber 95 R F

SW Callaway PM Grind 56* Modified Grind KBS Tour Wedge

LW Vokey SM5 L Grind 58* 04 bounce Stock Vokey Shaft

Putter Macgregor Bobby Grace Mark 4 V-Foil Broomstick

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Here are a couple Wilson Staff clubs I treasure - Sam Snead and Ray Floyd wedges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a few more, various DynaPower SW and even '59 Double and Triple-Duty wedges, PGA Tour player George Burns DynaPower irons and SW, and the best DynaPower SW I've ever hit, made for Andy Bean. Will locate, photo, and post.

 

Texsport

 

 

P S - Trying to find Andy Bean's DynaPower but can't put my hands on it - haven't looked in the right bag yet.

Mizuno GT180 10.5*/Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 X
Tour Edge Exotics CB F2 PRO 15.5* Limited/Speeder 757 EVO 7.1X (Gene Sauers club)
Titleist 915 18*/Fubuki K 80X
Titleist 913 Hybrid 21*/Tour Blue 105X (Matt Jones' club) (OR) TM Burner 4-iron/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Wilson Staff V4 5 and 6/Aerotech Fibersteel 110 S
MacGregor PRO M 7-PM/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Edel 50*/KBS 610 S
Scratch JMO Grind Don White 56*/DG X-100
Cobra Trusty Rusty Tour 64*/DG S-200
The Cure CX2 putter

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I should say, best playing DynaPower.

 

It's heavy and has a very stiff shaft.

 

I'll post a pic.

 

Texsport

Mizuno GT180 10.5*/Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 X
Tour Edge Exotics CB F2 PRO 15.5* Limited/Speeder 757 EVO 7.1X (Gene Sauers club)
Titleist 915 18*/Fubuki K 80X
Titleist 913 Hybrid 21*/Tour Blue 105X (Matt Jones' club) (OR) TM Burner 4-iron/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Wilson Staff V4 5 and 6/Aerotech Fibersteel 110 S
MacGregor PRO M 7-PM/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Edel 50*/KBS 610 S
Scratch JMO Grind Don White 56*/DG X-100
Cobra Trusty Rusty Tour 64*/DG S-200
The Cure CX2 putter

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Texsport , have you hit the Snead PW? Same model as my Langer. Awesome !

 

freddiec - never hit it because when I bought it from Sam's son, it still had some dirt in the grooves - figured I'd just leave it like that.

 

A popular model among all time greats - something special!

 

Texsport

Mizuno GT180 10.5*/Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 X
Tour Edge Exotics CB F2 PRO 15.5* Limited/Speeder 757 EVO 7.1X (Gene Sauers club)
Titleist 915 18*/Fubuki K 80X
Titleist 913 Hybrid 21*/Tour Blue 105X (Matt Jones' club) (OR) TM Burner 4-iron/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Wilson Staff V4 5 and 6/Aerotech Fibersteel 110 S
MacGregor PRO M 7-PM/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Edel 50*/KBS 610 S
Scratch JMO Grind Don White 56*/DG X-100
Cobra Trusty Rusty Tour 64*/DG S-200
The Cure CX2 putter

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All the custom Bernard Langer, MacGregor wedges I got from Dave Wood have distinct offset also.

 

Texsport

Mizuno GT180 10.5*/Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 X
Tour Edge Exotics CB F2 PRO 15.5* Limited/Speeder 757 EVO 7.1X (Gene Sauers club)
Titleist 915 18*/Fubuki K 80X
Titleist 913 Hybrid 21*/Tour Blue 105X (Matt Jones' club) (OR) TM Burner 4-iron/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Wilson Staff V4 5 and 6/Aerotech Fibersteel 110 S
MacGregor PRO M 7-PM/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Edel 50*/KBS 610 S
Scratch JMO Grind Don White 56*/DG X-100
Cobra Trusty Rusty Tour 64*/DG S-200
The Cure CX2 putter

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Freddie/Tex-

 

Absolutely great photos.

 

There are a few LH W/S custom iron sets among the trove-

 

 

 

This one is of the '59 Custom Dynapower iron set,which we took along with us in our 2012 southern swing, when we interviewed Don White and Patrick Boyd, when they were at Scratch Golf-

 

 

 

Don liked both the design of the clubs, as well as the grind....

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Back when Wilson and MacGregor were the clear leaders in the market, they furnished custom clubs to leading club pros as well as Tour pros. In fact, many of the club pros played Tour events regularly - before the advent of the "all exempt" Tour and big T V and sponsor money were involved.

 

My original DynaPower SW and PW were custom clubs for club pros. The PW looks like a SW bent to PW loft with extra hosel offset.

 

Ill try to find that club - I played it for years.

 

Texsport

Mizuno GT180 10.5*/Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 X
Tour Edge Exotics CB F2 PRO 15.5* Limited/Speeder 757 EVO 7.1X (Gene Sauers club)
Titleist 915 18*/Fubuki K 80X
Titleist 913 Hybrid 21*/Tour Blue 105X (Matt Jones' club) (OR) TM Burner 4-iron/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Wilson Staff V4 5 and 6/Aerotech Fibersteel 110 S
MacGregor PRO M 7-PM/Aldila RIP 115 Tour S
Edel 50*/KBS 610 S
Scratch JMO Grind Don White 56*/DG X-100
Cobra Trusty Rusty Tour 64*/DG S-200
The Cure CX2 putter

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