Golf clubs based on 19th century models By lan Noble : | News Reporter TWO years ago, Darwin Fraser bought a piece of golf tradition. Now, he’s more than happy to share the fruits of his acquisition with you, The St. Andrews, Scotland compa- ny Fraser bought with two partners makes putters — gorgeous leather- gripped, hickory-shafted, rams-horn head putrers. Fraser, of North Vancouver, and his partners had been looking for a small company with a niche market. They bought out the 70-something owner of the putter producer, called the St. Andrews Company of St. Andrews, and began marketing the hickory sticks themselves. “Having one of our putters is a lit- tle bit of history in your bag,” said the third-generation Scottish Canadian who grew up on bagpipes and haggis. According to Fraser, the St. Andrews company re-introduced the wood putter to the modern golfer over 20 years ago and in the process revived a clubmaking art that had gradually disappeared since the turn of the century. ’ The company attracted Fraser because it was in the growing golf industry and came with an appealing office. “A golf course is a nice place to hang around,” said Fraser. “You're outside, it’s pleasant. Everybody’s having a good time. It’s a nice way to do business. And I’m a golfer.” He says selfing the clubs is a joy. “You don’t have to push it. You just have to get it in people’s hands.” Quite right. The Scottish clubmak- ers and their apprentices who make the clubs within a chip shot of the 18th on the St. Andrews Old Course know what they are doing. j NEWS photo Terry Peters NORTH Vancouver’s Darwin Fraser has dipped into golf's history with his purchase of traditional putter maker, the St. Andrews Company of St. Andrews, Scotiand. The company alsc offers golf balls and assorted accessories. The clubs come in many styles and are beautiful- ly balanced. The ram’s horn gives strength to the putting tion. COMOX VALLEY 7 Golf Courses to choose from blink Western / uw in the heart of Vancouver island GOLF PACKAGE? from Te Der person/ptus tax based on double occupancy 18 hole green fee 1 night Geluxe room 1 full breakfast $ HOTEL FEATURES ¢ Deluxe Accommedations with kitchens « Conference Rooms ee * First Choice Movie Channel & T.S.N. Laundromat «7 & 2 Bedroom Suites bathed tc + Convenisntiy Located to Shops & Theatres VON KS .C, » The Heritage Restaurant Fine Dining 6:30 am to 10 pm (250) 328-1464 + Rafters Tree Top Lounge Relax & Enjoy 1-800-563-7922 LAA edge, and lead or brass inside the club gives the putter a perfect balance. The club heads are made of maple. Fraser savs the clubs are based on 19th century models and are all made by hand. In addition to putters, St. Andrews sells other, more dated clubs such as the sand rake for bunker shots. The water iron has a hole in the middle of it to allow water from rain-soaked fairways to pass through. And the engaging rut-niblick was used by the intrepid Scots to hit their balls out of horse cart ruts. “In Scotland,” said Fraser, “you play your ball where it lies.” After the Second World War, metal- headed, hickon y-shafted blade putters came into vogue, said Fraser. St. Andrews offers a model. Putters and other clubs are moving out the door in North America siower than Fraser would like, but the United Kingdom and European sales are going well. Fraser explained golf clubs are market- ed today in mass quantities. If a com- pany’s product can’t command a big volume, it’s difficult to get a major dis- tributor. “So you're faced with having a lor of smaller dealers which takes time to build your necwork,” he said. However, in the gift market the com- pany stands out. Many customers are corporations, who brand the varnished clubs with their logos and give the clubs as gifts. Specialty golf stores stock srasec’s putters and the company sells to individuals through trade shows. Although the gift market is important to The St. Andrews Company, Fraser said the purters are gifts that are meant to be used. “They are good for bragger’s rights,” ne said. Fraser's goals is to double the compa- ny’s $500,000 in worldwide sales. Fraser’s firm also sells St. Andrews- adorned golf balls, towels and hickory tees. And St. Andrews also makes Scotch, but it’s net for sale in Canada. Call 987-0567 for more informa- we tak Yn ha wane ah Featuring ladies and men’s golf sportsweav. Exciting new fashions plus all the latest in golf & tennis equipment. SS x SS : a S “ 1! 2 = Discount Golf & Tennis .3 800-801 Marine Dr. N.¥. 988-6383 @ Golf & Tenn i Staffers By lan Notle News Reporter WHEN fellow News staffer Andrew McCredie and I hit Gleneagles golf course at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, April 24, my mission was sim- ple: make it to work before 9 a.m. As we gingerly put our golf shoes on in the West Var.couver muni’s parking lot, I knew that a nine-hole, par-35, 2,631-yard layout and a short span of Highway 1 asphalt lay between me and my goai. However, I hadn’t counted on competition at the first hole for a tec time at this early hour. Ta front of us, on the tee, two elderly gentlemen waited their tum as two other elderly gentlemen in front of them criss-crossed the fairway, chasing their Top Flites in a helter-skelter pattern up the par-five hole. We spent 10 minutes on the tee and hit nothing but air, When our turn came, we made the least of it. My drive trimmed the trees; See Forgettable page 24 your is needs va Come in & meet cur friendly $ knowledgeable staff