Gary Adams (July 24, 1943 - January 2, 2000) 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]
External links
References
- "Father of the Metal Wood", Gary Adams, dies Obituary, Golf Today, retrieved 13 July 2013^
- Mike Stinton. Keeping His Dream Alive: Gary Adams, Father of the Metal Wood Magazine article, Golfing Magazine, retrieved 13 July 2013^
- Mike Camunas. TaylorMade Golf History GolfLink^
- Bill Nichols. Heavy Mettle Magazine Article, Chicago District Golfer, August 2009, retrieved 13 July 2013^