History of Callaway Golf

Callaway is a golf business in the United States that designs, produces, promotes and sells golf gear, golf accessories and golf lifestyle-associated products in over 70 countries all over the world. It is a global sporting goods business in America that operates its plant in Carlsbad in California, and it is the biggest maker of golf clubs in the world. The business sells its products through sporting goods retailers and golf retailers, directly online, through mass merchants and its trade-in and pre-owned services. Callaway Golf authorizes its name, brands and service marks for golf lifestyle goods including golf shoes, golf apparel, golf bags, watches, headwear, rangefinders, travel gear and practice aids.

History

The Callaway Golf Company was established in 1982 by Ely Callaway Jr, a former president of Burlington Industries. In 1982, he acquired 50 % of the Hickory Sticks business, and the business and Callaway Hickory Stick USA has become the new name of the business.

In 1983, he became the company’s president and shifted the company to Carlsbad in California, where he auctioned clubs from his Cadillac. In 1984, Ely Callaway, Jr bought the remaining part of the business for $400,000.

During 1985, the business employed Bruce Parker as a sales head, who shortly became the Chief Merchant of the company and during his tenure he was responsible for product sales worth more than $3.0 billion. As a key associate of administration, Parker was concerned with all key decisions during the growth of the business.

In 1986, Callaway employed Richard C. Helmstetter, who was a billiard cue designer, as a consultant. In the same year, Helmstetter shortly became head club designer, and brought in computer-controlled manufacturing appliances. With the help of Helmstetter and Glenn Schmidt, the master tool maker of the company, the business developed the unique Big Bertha driver, using 190cc steel club head, which then increased to 290 cc in the year 1997.

During 1996, the business employed Roger Cleveland as head club planner, and Ely Callaway quit as CEO and President in the same year, stepping aside for Donald H. Dye to assume charge as CEO and President, but Ely Callaway sustained to be an integral part of the business as Chairman of the Board and as CEO and President and in a promotional role for all products of the business.

In 1997, Callaway Golf acquired the Odyssey Sports Company and promoted its products under the Odyssey putter trademark.

Later, in 1998, Ely Callaway returned to assume charge as CEO and President of Callaway Golf Company, but he died of pancreatic cancer on the 5th of July 2001 which left the place to Ron Drapeau. The business then introduced the Callaway Golf Forged Wedges in 2002. These wedges were made from carbon steel and a feature with customized U grooves.

During 2003, Ron Drapeau, declared the intended acquisition of Top-Flite Golf, in addition to its Ben Hogan Golf section, shortly it filed for Chapter 11.

On 8th of November 2004, William C. Baker assumed the charge of Chairman and Chief Executive President and COO of the Callaway Golf Company consequent to the resignation of Patrice Hutin from his positions.

On 8th of December 2005, the Callaway Golf Company was acknowledged by the Better Business Bureau of San Diego for the Torch Award for market principles for the year 2005.