The Golf Doctor, a retail golf shop in Marietta, Ga., operated by PCS Advanced Professional "Class A" Clubmaker Ed Grabowy and PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker Matt Grabowy received the 2006 Retail Top Shop Award, and PCS Advanced Professional "Class A" Clubmaker Cleve Porter, The Golf Club, Inc., Marietta, Ga., received the 2006 Home-Based Top Shop Awards in ceremonies held at the 15th Annual PCS International Symposium and Expo in Louisville, Ky., at the Saturday, March 4, 2006, Awards Banquet.
The PCS Top Shop Awards are chosen from member nominations in two categories – Home-Based, to recognize those clubmakers who work out of their homes or in non-commercial areas, and Retail, to recognize those clubmakers who operate free-standing retail golf shops that incorporate clubmaking, club repair and club fitting. The winners are selected by a committee of PCS members. The Top Shop Awards are judged on shop layout, workflow, appearance, organization, focus on safety, innovations, and creativity.
The PCS Top Shop Awards are in their fourth year. Previous winners of the Home-Based Top Shop Award are PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker Ron Mankin, Lexington, S.C.; PCS Professional "Class A" Clubmaker Pat Kennedy, Burlington, Vt., and PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker Gary Cottrell, Fenton, Mich. The previous Retail Top Shop Award winners are PCS Professional "Class A" Clubmaker Claude Giroux, The Village Green Golf Range, Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada; PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker Eric Burch, Parfection Custom Golf, Rockford, Ill; and Pat Ryan Golf, a family operated business led by PCS Professional "Class A" Clubmaker Tom Cook, his wife, Sue, a PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker, their son, PCS Professional "Class A" Clubmaker Tom Cook, Jr., and their daughter, PCS Certified "Class A" Clubmaker Kimberly vanMeeteren.
"One of PCS’ greatest strengths is the knowledge base across the membership. This vast knowledge can take many forms such as processes, techniques or innovation," PCS Top Shop Awards Chair Mike Woody, PCS Professional "Class A" Clubmaker, Woody’s Custom Golf, Bethalto, Ill., said. "This incredible sharing of knowledge is at the heart of the PCS, and that same spirit is what the Top Shop Award is all about. This is NOT about who has the biggest shop. This is NOT an equipment contest to see who has the most. Again, this award is all about the sharing of knowledge and using your shop, your ideas, and your innovations to strengthen the PCS membership. The great thing about this award is you can stand up and brag about the accomplishments within your shop, help your fellow clubmakers, and be recognized by the PCS for what you already have done!"
Grabowys’ The Golf Doctor was recognized over four competitors in what PCS Executive Technical Director Bob Dodds called "the tightest competition ever in the Retail Division. When you enter their business, you know you are in a custom shop, but it boasts an outstanding, boutique-style retail area." One highlight is a showroom window that lets customers view the club assembly and repair operations but prohibits entry to promote safety.
Porter’s The Golf Club, Inc. is model home-based club fitting and clubmaking shop featuring the latest in equipment and products. It is marked by close attention to safety measures
The 15th PCS International Symposium and Expo is the world’s largest independent gathering of professional clubmakers and component suppliers. Held at the Galt House Hotel, Louisville, Ky., March 2-5, 2006, the PCS Expo is planned by and for PCS members. It is open to all professional clubmakers. Special discounts are available to first-time, non-member attendees who are sponsored by PCS members. For information on the next PCS Expo, please contact the PCS Headquarters (800-548-6094, membership@proclubmakers.org).
The PCS Expo attracts more than 300 professional clubmakers and 60 component and clubmaking supply vendors to the annual event. The PCS Expo stresses interactive exhibits where clubmakers can meet in-depth with component vendor representatives and test new equipment. Hitting nets are available for demonstrations. Also included in the program agenda are social events, an Awards Banquet, and a party held at the Louisville Golf manufacturing facility, which affords clubmakers a hands-on tour of the largest surviving persimmon-head production facility in America.
PCS, an independent professional society of more than 1,000 clubmakers, offers three certification exams that combine a written exam and a hands-on skills test. It is the most rigorous, continually updated certification process in the clubmaking industry. PCS members pledge adherence to a strict Code of Ethics that prohibits knowingly selling or representing counterfeit components or golf clubs. As independent Golf Equipment Professionals®, PCS members can recommend any combination of components that best fit an individual golfer’s swing. PCS members’ expertise provides customers with professional fitting for any golfer.
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