STICKS

-Written by Michael Paul Ringwood (April 2025)

“Play a round of golf?’ Sure, I am available. Let me just grab my sticks. I will be right there!”

I am just shy of 72 (or will be by the time I finish this writing piece). Lately, I have been working in life towards downsizing. That includes all of the golf stuff (including some of my sticks) which I have had the great pleasure of accumulating and enjoying over the years.

For those upon whom I have already and still will into the future, turn over my golf stuff, and for all who will give a look at this write up … I guess this is just a bit of elaboration for posterity and for fun, regarding me and my sticks.

DAD and his STICKS

His name – Paul James Ringwood. Only son. High school sports star. US Marine. Then at some point in this adult life, as husband, father & salesman … he found golf. Golf found him. In hindsight it was inevitable. Golf found TV and Arnold Palmer. Golf became popular. Golf became a business tool. So, my Dad began to play and needed his own set of sticks to do so. That story, pieced together from my memory along with and from cousins, brothers and sisters, is rather straight forward and simple.

IRONS

Amazingly, our Dad had but one set of IRONS for all his golfing life. 1955 Wilson Staff blades, high quality sticks for that time. His were acquired from a deceased cousin – Jack Boyle. Golfers know what it means when your irons are blades. It means they are small and have a sweet spot the size of a tiny dot. I used to play blades. I cannot play them anymore. This man played blades from the 1950s up to 1978. At his golfing best, he and his Wilson Staff blades had an earned handicap at Skaneateles Country Club which was close to “scratch”.

When I started to play and caddy, I would clean those clubs. I never played them but tried to swing them from time to time. Too heavy for my skinny arms. They are now safely kept by my brother Peter.

WOODS

These too were from the Jack Boyle set. They were beautiful persimmons 1-4. Shiny black “Haig Ultra” with red/ivory inserts. Only the 4 wood remains of the set. Late into his golfing career, Dad came to own and play a 5 wood. Its whereabouts has been lost to time, yet I remember it well, especially the year he & I won the Skaneateles Country Club Father-Son Tournament finishing our round double bogey, birdie, birdie, par, birdie – the par three 15th, Dad “fluffing” his 5 wood, two feet from the hole.

WEDGES

There was no original pitching wedge with his Wilson Staff iron set. They were not routinely part of the iron sets (2-9) in those days. To my recall, Dad only had one wedge for all his golfing life. It too, came later in his golf career.

The club was a beauty. Still is. Ben Hogan “Sure-On”. I am not sure of the loft. Likely 55 degree. Good sized flange to the sole. It saved his sand game, which was horrible before he acquired the club. Then again, his game, when good, rarely had him playing from the sand.

Me? I coveted that wedge back to high school days. There were a number of times, when playing with my crew at Skaneateles Country Club, I would sneak into the bag room, grab the wedge (and probably some decent balls) for use in my round. Once, as I was making the turn to the 12th hole (now the 14th) I saw my Father – and his group – coming down the 2nd fairway. I had no way to know he was going to play that day. I knew he probably noticed “the wedge” was missing. I darn well ran it right over to him!!

PUTTERS

My belief has always been that the brass putter initially used by Dad, came along with the “Jack Boyle” iron set. But who knows. I have no knowledge in particular as to why or when Dad changed out to the Ping (or any other different one for that matter). I do know that Dad was a good putter. He utilized Arnold Palmer form, knees locked together (check it out!). Good to the extent that he was not prone to 3 putts and made his share of birdies. Now George Scherrer (friend and golf partner of my Dad. Father of former PGA touring pro, Tom Scherrer) he was a great putter. Regularly dropped bombs into the cup. Dad’s last putter (I don’t know if he used others in-between) was a somewhat early model Ping. It somehow came to me. It remains in my bag.

MISCELLANEOUS

Dad had “tour” styled and sized golf bags (at least at Skaneateles Country Club). In his early years, including Skaneateles Country Club, he tended to wear Bermuda shorts and often a bucket hat. Later years … slacks and golf shirt, visor, riding cart – and – his way cool red/white/blue leather/metal spike shoes. Sorry, but I just do not recall if he had a golf ball of preference.

Dad & those blades, his sticks, never a hole-in-one, but was Skaneateles Country Club club champion in 1971.

ANTIQUE STICKS

When I was a young golfer, I had no particular interest in wooden shafted golf clubs (hickory sticks). That came later in my golf life. Early on, as a young caddie, from time to time, I would see such a club in an older player’s bag. One was, day camper / junior golfer, David Connor’s, father. He had one. Barely held together with wrap & tape. Something of a 7 iron. He used it religiously, but with not much notable skill, mainly when chipping around or close to the putting green.

Another wooden shafted club was “owned” by my brother Jack as a kid. I do not have a clue to where it came from. Jack used it for our side yard pinecone golf play. He was under 10 years old at the time. My recall of this all is vivid … probably because the recall includes the fact that I broke the club.

That club today would probably have some real value. I am positive it was a “Rut Niblick” developed and used in the late 1800s when golf balls in Scotland needed to be hit out of farm tire ruts. I have/had one from my later collecting days.

How I broke Jack’s hickory? Nothing unusual other than Owasco Street side yard goofing around. I had the genius idea to work the tetherball around the tetherball pole by striking with a golf club … Jack’s hickory. While that method was a fun way to really get that tether ball moving, it was perfect for snapping a wooden shaft. And it did. Sorry Jack.

Later, as a lawyer I came to be acquainted through my work as an attorney with Lawrence Sovik Sr., the founder of the “Smith Sovik “Law Firm. He was a man in his 80s, somewhat retired, and who was an Upstate golf legend from the 40s-60s. This man was responsible for almost all of the acquired golf club collections still on display at Bellevue Country Club, as well as his home course, Onondaga Country Club. “Larry” as we were allowed to call him, was friends with Robert Trent Jones (hosting him at his own house, when Mr. Jones was in town managing construction of his Green Lakes State Park golf course design.) Larry played the inaugural round at Green Lakes along with Gene Sarazen (Professional Grand Slam Winner). Larry also had a huge antique club collection in the lower level of his home. I was fascinated. He knew it. He allowed me to go through them and he could see that I had caught the collection bug. One day he happened to come into the office and delivered me 4-5 of those clubs from his collection, remarking that I could now start my own – and I did. It was great fun. I learned much about these antiques and collectibles. My brother Paul actually purchased a few for my birthday one year (nice smooth faced irons). My collection reached close to 100 hickory sticks, many of which I kept on wall displays at my law office. David now has most for his enjoyment and safekeeping. I retained a special few. These few others, a recent gift of to my golfing son-in-law, Chris Auferio.

MY STICKS

There have been many and various over the years. Take the tour with me.

IRONS

Set One: Purchased by Mom & Dad from golf pro Larry Bartosak of Skaneateles Country Club. Used set, 2-9 (with an odd ball 7 iron). “Sam Snead, Wilson Blue Ridge,” no wedge. These I played in my early days of junior golf. When I became better, and more serious about golf, they went down the line to younger brother golfers. I graduated to a better set. Where the Blue Ridge sticks are today, who knows.

Set Two: MacGregor DX Tourney, (2-9), no PW with the set. Again, found for me by Larry Bartosak. I paid for them over time with caddy and other earnings. I loved these sticks! They were good looking. Jack Nicklaus played the MacGregor line for all of his career on the Tour. They were high end/quality golf clubs, even though “used” when they became mine. I played them up to and through high school, high school golf team, college, law school, and early lawyering days. Sometime later, I had retired this set, eventually giving them to my brother-in-law Larry Cheney for use by his son Sean. I wonder where they are today.

Set Three: After law school, when I could afford it again, I joined and played at Drumlins Country Club in Syracuse, NY. I felt it might be time for new irons – or maybe I just wanted to give myself a brand new set. There they were, lined up nicely, as new clubs were, at a display rack at Drumlins. “HOGAN APEX PC” blades, stiff steel shafts (2- PW).

These were (still are) beautifully designed and crafted clubs. My initial attraction to HOGAN clubs was per Michael McKeon (grade school – high school friend – and golf team partner; 1975 Golf All American out of Wooster College in Ohio). Back in high school and certainly by senior year in high school he was playing a set of HOGANS. They caught my eye back at that time. So, I just bought my set off the rack. Eventually, I ordered a matching a 1iron to the set. I played my best golf with these golf clubs. My 1 iron enjoys a story of its own. I always liked the idea of a 1 iron. That idea became real in the 1980s when my driving game disappeared. I ordered the 1 iron from the Drumlins CC Pro Shop. Then, I used it exclusively off the tee, to very good success, in substitution of my bulky and unreliable driver. Many a golf competitor from those days remind me just how crazy I made them feel when I striped that 1 iron off the tee down the center of fairway after fairway. I stopped that use of it, coming to own, use, and love the (Taylor – Pittsburgh Persimmon) metal driver.

I am not sure why or how, but it happened. I became unable to consistently find that tiny, sweet spot on those Hogan Apex Irons. Time for another set of sticks.

Set Four: For the first time, but not the last, I asked Skaneateles CC pro – Mike Doctor, for help in finding a new set of irons. He was happy to do so. By this point in time, it was almost unheard of to see a new set of golf clubs sitting on a display rack in a pro shop. It had become a much bigger business. I was steered by Mr. Doctor to “CNY GOLF” in East Syracuse for fitting and try-outs of a medley of different new golf clubs to be recommended. It was wintertime. Mike Doctor was right there assisting. I left, the proud owner of new sticks. “Titleist 990 ECI’S” (3 – PW: 2 irons were no more). These same irons were used on the professional golf tour by David DuVal. I enjoyed them, played them, (still have them), but eventually was unable to hit them well with any consistency. Back, once again, to CNY Golf along with Mike Doctor.

Set Five: This search and fitting session, again at “CNY” provides for a funny story. It was the same fitter from the prior session, along with Mike Doctor. I had explained the need for a more modern design and “forgivable” set of irons. Remarking that I “just could not hit my Titleist 990s any longer. The fitter’s reply to me (the one who had sold me the Titleist set) “nobody can hit those!”. This is true. After an excellent session, trying out numerous options, I had (and still use) my third new set of sticks. “MIZUNO, MP-H4) 4-PW (now neither 2 or 3 irons come with a standard set).

Imagine that. I have been through fives set of irons – three of them brand new. All in striking contrast to my father who had one and only one set of blades.

WOODS

These clubs, much like putters and wedges, have never been inextricably linked to any one set of irons. They have all been unique beginning with “persimmon woods” moving into the first generation of “metal woods” and beyond. It makes sense to attempt an orderly chronological list of my woods with comments along the way.

a. “Walter Burkemo Signature”, Spaulding driver and 3 Wood. Medium brown stained persimmons with reddish leather grips. I actually broke the 3 wood striking a shot from the fairway on 18 at SCC. The darn thing just fell apart.

b. A replacement 3 wood was another persimmon. Very popular and good looking “Power – Bilt Citation”. I like the way it appeared to my eye when placed behind the ball.

c. While I cannot recall how or where they became mine (probably Larry Bartozak) I next played black painted persimmons with steel shafts (driver and 4 wood) with “PGA” logo on the head. The company manufacturing these clubs was The PGA Professional, later to become The Tommy Armour Company. I kept and played these woods from high school, to, through, and after law school. From there they were turned into the family hand-me-down barrel.

d. Next stop was one of the original line, “Taylor-Pittsburgh Persimon” metal drivers. Not sure how it made its way into my bag other than I did not buy it. Unlike current metal drivers, this had a normal size driver head and steel shaft. Not sure what I used along with it as a fairway wood, but I did find I could hit this metal driver “off the deck” which has remained in my golf swing arsenal ever since.

e. “Calloway-Steelheads” (driver, 4 wood). Beautiful blue finish. While these club heads were larger than the standard persimmons, they were nowhere near the current enormous, in size and shape, metal woods. I purchased these out of the AGCC Pro Shop. Loved them. After a time of very good use, the driver decided it did not like me any longer and I responded by way of a period of exclusive use of the 4 wood off every tee. This driver moved into new ownership of my brother Jack during the first of our annual Ringwood Golf Outing. Jack had borrowed the driver while there. On the par 4, 10th hole, he drove the green with it (eagling the hole)! I know the driver went home with Jack … but the Steelhead 4 wood stayed with me a while longer. I think it eventually found a home with Jack and the driver. Recently, I came across at a house sale, a Calloway “Big Bertha” Steelhead 5 wood and 7 wood. They will be in my golf bag for use this summer of 2025.

f. I next graduated to the very popular Calloway Big Bertha line (driver, 10.5 loft, and 4 wood) , brushed gray color with dark graphite shafts. I do not recall exactly how they came into my possession. However, they have always been my favorites. Struck my best and longest shots with that driver. Then … it was gone. It had been borrowed by the high school boyfriend of my daughter and somehow never made its way back to me. I have missed that driver ever since.

g. This was followed by my current driver (Taylor Made R-9, 10 degree loft graphite shaft) it joined my Calloway 4 wood, soon to be joined by the Steelhead 5 & 7 woods.

h. With enough pro shop winnings at SCC one year, I grabbed off the rack my first (actually used by me) 21 degree Rescue Wood. The very first one actually owned was a “Snake Eyes) Rescue Wood, won at a One-Day SCC Member-Guest raffle. I gave it to brother David who claims to still have it.

However, that first actually used Rescue Club remains in my bag. I am quite sure the quality of my golf game will soon replace my low number irons with larger loft metal woods.

WEDGES

a. Purchased for me by my Dad, when I was in 7th grade and used to and through high school …“Wilson-Patty Berg Signature Model”

b. Gene Serazen R-20, 55 degrees. This was added to the MacGregor Iron Set.

c. Pitching Wedge with the Hogan Apex PC Iron Set. Serazen R-20 also kept in that bag.

d. My first 60 degree wedge was a “Cleveland-Tour Action”. I had two of them. I liked it so much purchasing the second one at the Golf Expro at the NYS Fair Center, just in case I wore the first one out. Almost aced the gully hole at SCC (two inches from the cup) using it from the back tees. Cannot hit a 60 degree wedge that far any longer. Eventually gave both wedges away. One to my sister Nancy, and the other to someone I cannot remember. Sure wish I kept one.

e. Now I own three matching Titleist (Volkey designed), 52 degrees, 58 degrees and 60 degrees.

PUTTERS

It is the rare golfer who stays with the same putter for life. Even Red Ringwood switched away from his brass blade. Back as far as antique hand-made clubs in the 1800s, all the way to the present day and in between, putters have been amazing in their variety of design, construction, and materials. I have been through a few.

a. My first putter was something from the 1950s. A “Wilson-Pinehurst, 1 sided with a few meaningless grooves” backside slightly shaped and the striking surface was high, almost the full diameter of the golf ball. This one had a faux bamboo shaft. I became rather adept with it, to the extent I would later put it back into use from time to time.

b. Next putter I had admired first, spotting it with numerous others in the SCC Pro Shop. It was two-sided, silver metal with little to no rounding or smoothed edges. The only markings were on the sole of the club. “Arnold Palmer-Wilson”. That name was good enough for me. Dad saw me “trying it out” on the carpeting in the pro shop. Announced “It’s yours” and it became one of my sticks until 1970 when it went into the hand-me-down bag. I have not seen it ever since.

c. In the summer of 1970, as a recent graduate of my junior high school year, I played in the Boy’s County/District Annual Tournament in Auburn. This was a 3 day affair at different local golf courses. Day 2 at AGCC I was the medalist posting a 73 or 74 for that day. Each day’s medalist was awarded a prize. Mine was a brand new Acushnet putter (recently gifted by me to one of my nephews). It was unique in style and design from the top of the grip right down to the putter head. I played this putter exclusively for many of the years to follow, not switching to another until I had become a member in my own right at SCC.

d. The Acushnet was replaced by a newer metal mallet-shaped putter made popular by touring pros Raymond Floyd and Nick Price. It was designed by Ram Golf. Named the “Zebra” it had stripes carved on and into the putter head). I enjoyed using it. I still have it. But I graduated to another.

e. Brothers. Sisters. Help me. I do not know why or when Dad went to this “Ping Anser” putter. Where did he find it? Was it new or used? How did it come to me? When? Why? All I know is that I came to have it, liked it, gave it a try. Upgraded the grip, continue to use it. At some point in time will turn it over to one of you or yours.

f. Also requiring mention within this category is my “Angus McKay Club Makers Limited – Genuine 24 K Gold plated head putter” awarded in 2012 as guest of brother David and winner of the “Copper John Bogie Tournament Bellevue Country Club. While I happened to drop the winning playoff putt, it was the dazzling golf played those three days by brother David, (four-year player on the LeMoyne College Men’s Golf team, 1980-1984) that got us there. A story that deserves its own separate telling someday.

GOLF BAGS

Myself? I have gone through many golf bags. The first meaningful one was as a grade schooler. A small red plaid carry bag; delivered from Nolan’s Sporting Goods Store in Auburn, NY as a Christmas gift for me. At least 5-6 other golf bags followed. Currently, I use a “Pikore Leather Handcrafted Goods” small, all leather, chestnut colored bag, as do all my golfing brothers and sisters.

Pikore Leather Handcrafted to Last – Personalized Just for You

WRAP IT UP

There you have it. All my “sticks” to date. Gearing up for the 2025 golf season, after some 60+ years of enjoyment, I wonder if there will be any replacements. As long as I get to do so with my nine brothers and sisters, it is of no matter. (b&w pic)

Speaking of those many golfing brothers and sisters (and the many others in the Ringwood family) … certainly they should share some remarks for all to the RFT readership within the “comments” section of this piece regarding their own “sticks”.