Art Emerson master grinder

rex235 · February 26, 2014

[quote name='xgolfx' timestamp='1393041377' post='8720172']
[quote name='rex235' timestamp='1393033617' post='8719354']
[quote name='xgolfx' timestamp='1389389786' post='8437505']
[quote name='astamm8' timestamp='1389373037' post='8435449']
I found some nice info on Will Sime.

[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]By 1910, MacGregor was recognized as the preeminent manufacturer of wood[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]clubs. The reputation was further enhanced when Will Sime was hired, in[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]1912. A Scot who had made clubs for Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor and James[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]Braid (the famed British Triumvirate of champions), Sime was [/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]signed on as MacGregor's chief club designer. He may have been the first[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]in the industry to ever hold that specific title. [/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]The shape of wood heads for almost as long as golf had been played was[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]long-nosed. They looked much like a hockey stick, not surprising in that[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]the origins of the game have been traced to a form of hockey played by[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]the Dutch. This shape, called "long nose," was gradually being[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]transformed, and Sime completed the transition with a shape inspired by the shape of a biscuit his mother baked, called a bap, which was blocky in[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]configuration. The idea behind Sime's MacGregor "Bap" driver and brassie[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]was that a more compact head could deliver a more solid and powerful[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]blow. The "Bap" was introduced in 1921, and proved extremely successful.[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]For 15 years it was the best selling wood in the MacGregor line, and[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]owing to this success the rest of industry developed similarly shaped[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]heads. The MacGregor "Bap" effectively revised the basic design of the[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]wooden clubhead.[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]

[url="http://www.ohiojuniorworld.org/Home-MVGolf/People/Historical/MacGregor-in-Our-Area-3374.html"]http://www.ohiojunio...-Area-3374.html[/url]
[/quote][quote name='astamm8' timestamp='1389373037' post='8435449']
I found some nice info on Will Sime.

[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]By 1910, MacGregor was recognized as the preeminent manufacturer of wood[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]clubs. The reputation was further enhanced when Will Sime was hired, in[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]1912. A Scot who had made clubs for Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor and James[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]Braid (the famed British Triumvirate of champions), Sime was [/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]signed on as MacGregor's chief club designer. He may have been the first[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]in the industry to ever hold that specific title. [/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]The shape of wood heads for almost as long as golf had been played was[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]long-nosed. They looked much like a hockey stick, not surprising in that[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]the origins of the game have been traced to a form of hockey played by[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]the Dutch. This shape, called "long nose," was gradually being[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]transformed, and Sime completed the transition with a shape inspired by the shape of a biscuit his mother baked, called a bap, which was blocky in[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]configuration. The idea behind Sime's MacGregor "Bap" driver and brassie[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]was that a more compact head could deliver a more solid and powerful[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]blow. The "Bap" was introduced in 1921, and proved extremely successful.[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]For 15 years it was the best selling wood in the MacGregor line, and[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]owing to this success the rest of industry developed similarly shaped[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]heads. The MacGregor "Bap" effectively revised the basic design of the[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][size=3][size=4][size=3][size=4][size=3]wooden clubhead.[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/color][/size]

[url="http://www.ohiojuniorworld.org/Home-MVGolf/People/Historical/MacGregor-in-Our-Area-3374.html"]http://www.ohiojunio...-Area-3374.html[/url]
[/quote]

This is the best story of the MacGregor history to date in my opinion. There are a few facts I could add, such as the importance of Bob Lysaght, engineer and plant manager. He was the buffer between Toney Penna and the number crunchers. It also omits Gene Troy, who signed Nicklaus, and passed on Arnold Palmer.

CHARLEY PENNA
[/quote]

Charley-

Thanks again for the BAP confirmation, and insight, and those references to Arnie and Jack from the '50s and '60s. Wonder how many IMs Arnie actually has....

Oh to ask Bob Lysaght questions (some of which you could glean by my posts...).

Since you're confirming my "Two Books Easy" Theme....

Here's the question I'd like to ask about Jimmy Demaret/Jackie Burke Jr/Louise Suggs...

Both Jimmy Demaret and Jackie Burke were MacGregor staffers, and Masters Champions.
Louise Suggs was also a MacGregor staffer.

Consequently, each of them had "Signature" lines of clubs manufactured by MacGregor, with different Registration Numbers.

We're guessing these lines were most likely sold in sporting goods stores.

Were any of these "signature" clubs any reflection of what each staffer played,(like Bruce Herd) or were these staffers clubs more likely to be variations of the "Tommy Armour/Toney Penna" signature wood/iron designs stamped with their names?
[/quote]

There were a group of forgings which were the backbone of the entire line of irons. In the finishing process, the last grinding operation determined the name on the clubs. If the craftsman took too much off the top line, or made a head which did not conform to the master model, a cheap shaft and grip were installed and the store signature was stamped on the club.

The clubs with the home pro stamp were all from the custom department

CHARLEY PENNA
[/quote]

Charley-

Am going to attempt to find the LH MacGregor DX Sand Iron photo taken from George's LH collection last year, and marry it to your earlier posted design of this club.

Is this OK with you?.

xgolfx · February 26, 2014

I'm anxious to see the results

CHARLEY PENNA

rex235 · March 6, 2014

[quote name='xgolfx' timestamp='1387730455' post='8335333']
[quote name='rex235' timestamp='1387419233' post='8321023']
[quote name='astamm8' timestamp='1387412181' post='8320543']
That article also mentions even older club polishers like Will Sime, John Huggins, and Ernest Airy. I've never heard much about any of them, but I did find this.

"People like John Huggins of MacGregor were craftsmen, and touring pros could look at a set of clubs and tell you if it had a Huggins grind."

[url="http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092805/1/index.htm"]http://si.com/vault/...805/1/index.htm[/url]

Will Sime's name appears on some BAP woods, so maybe he did woods?

Is anyone familiar with them/their work? Charley?
[/quote]

Astamm-

Oh, Will Sime did much more that just woods....the designer of the BAP series was also a golf course designer as well.

George Peters started collecting clubs for his LH collection in the late '60s. I have shared his thread with Will Simes daughter and granddaughter with Ironmaster Bob. One of George's prized sets is the MacGregor LH "Will Sime BAP 2" woods.

Also, as Charley and I have discussed, though part of the actual design, there were very few LH blanks which included the "MT" wingback, 985, or muscleback into the 10 iron, and though present in the RH designs NONE (muscleback, wingback, 985, diamond back) made it to the LH MacGregor Sand Irons

I just saw this for lefty wedge

CHARLEY PENNA

.[attachment=1993833:lefty wedge.jpg]

Charley-

You also posted the MacGregor DX Driver design with soleplate too.
Thanks again for both.

[/quote]
[/quote]

PostandGhost · March 6, 2014

[quote name='astamm8' timestamp='1387411524' post='8320501']
The story that got published is that Art came back and Don started (in his polka dot shirt) on the same day in 1971, when Mac was moving to Albany.

"MacGregor wooed Emerson back from Penna’s shop in 1971 to open a custom-design department in Albany. Upon his return to the company, Emerson sat in the lobby filling out paperwork with another new hire, a 20-year-old dressed in a polka-dot shirt who didn’t know a golf club from a hood ornament. Emerson quickly recognized that the young man had a gift, a touch that couldn’t be taught. Emerson embraced “polka dot” as his apprentice, staying after hours to pass along all that he knew. The pupil soon surpassed the teacher."

[url="http://golfweek.com/news/2009/dec/14/macgregor-demise-american-classic/?print"]http://golfweek.com/...-classic/?print[/url]

I'm pretty familiar with Don's "fingerprints," but I'd love to see Art's work in hand to get a sense of it>

Tad, I think I remember you mentioning Art with the lead hammer bending away at the clubs. I've seen Don do that, and it's incredible. Did your set start as a flatback and you chose a "Muirfield" type muscle? Or did the blank already have the muscle?
[/quote]

Wow! "Polka Dot". I haven't heard anyone refer to DW as Polka Dot in a long time. One of the best nicknames in the business. Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

majic · March 8, 2014

For those that wonder and if my memory is right my blades started as a muscle back forging but Art modified them to what I was after. A true craftsman. Tad

EmersonTim · May 31, 2021

On 12/18/2013 at 11:17 AM, majic said:

I had a set of MacGregors done in 1980 at Albany by Art. He taught Don White. If you have found a set of customs from this time frame they could be done by him as i know he came back to MacGregor from Penna around 1979 and then quickly took Don under his wing to teach him. This is my set, I always like the MT so I had that stamped on them. He did 2-PW and 2 SW. They have influenced my work over the years. Tad

He went back to MacGregor in 1972.

T308 · July 13, 2021

On 12/18/2013 at 11:16 AM, astamm8 said:

That article also mentions even older club polishers like Will Sime, John Huggins, and Ernest Airy. I've never heard much about any of them, but I did find this.

"People like John Huggins of MacGregor were craftsmen, and touring pros could look at a set of clubs and tell you if it had a Huggins grind."

http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092805/1/index.htm

Ernest Ary (note the spelling) was a long time MacGregor employee. He passed in 1948.