 The Golf Clubmakers Association recently bestowed the industry's highest honors upon a select few clubmakers during its international conference held October 7-11 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas. The awards presentation truly had an international flare as Canadian Dana Wong became the first non-American to be honored as GCA Clubmaker of the Year.
"The tremendous dedication and passion he displays for his craft make Dana truly deserving of the GCA's highest honor." Golfsmith Vice President Ken Brugh says.
What started as a small golf retail shop to fill a niche in New Minas, Nova Scotia, Canada, is now a 1,400 square foot complete clubmaking business called The Village Golf Shop. Wong, who has been a clubmaker for more than six years, had a vision to provide his customers with custom-fit golf clubs. Now he has several real 2004-2005 GCA awards to validate his quest for ultimate customer satisfaction as he claimed Nova Scotia Clubmaker of the Year and Canadian Region Clubmaker of the Year honors en route to his overall victory.
Wong is the eighth clubmaker to capture the award since its inception in 1996. Past winners include Gene Sprayberry, Dana Upshaw, Floyd Glenn, Bob Uebelhor, Jerry Tyrrell, Ed Grabowy and Keith Chick, last year's winner. This year also marked the 16th consecutive annual meeting of the GCA.
Along with the prestige of joining a select group of professional clubmakers, Wong also received a crystal bowl to commemorate his accomplishment and a prize package of golf components valued at $1,700. Regional winners (shown on the facing page, with the exception of international winner Wooi Kit Leong) received a personalized crystal vase and a component prize package valued at $650.
This year, the GCA Clubmaker of the Year selection process was expanded to include states (U.S.) and provinces (Canada). These inaugural winners all received framed certificates and a four-color, personalized shop banner displaying their accomplishments.
Wong, who spends more than 50 hours a week helping his customers play better golf, believes that being active in his community has contributed to his success. He organizes and coordinates charity golf events and contributes donations and prizes to several other charity events.
More importantly, the passionate clubmaker is truly committed to standing by the products and service he sells to golfers.
"I will not jeopardize my integrity by cutting costs or assembling a club that is less than perfect when it leaves my shop," Wong added.
Golfsmith Clubmaker Holiday 2004
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