Story

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 19 – MOMENTUM

November 09, 2016

“The strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events.”

Regaining momentum after a nine month hiatus was difficult at best. To break the boredom and monotony of the standard micro-management, of a newly acquired heart, was a challenge. Momentum is a fleeting force. We had it, we lost it and just like that the outcome to our iron development project was in jeopardy.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 18 – LOGISTICS

October 26, 2016

The coordination of the events to make my transplant happen was extraordinary. I was one of several recipients from our donor who were each simultaneously prepped for surgery in up to eight different locations. Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines could each potentially save a life.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 17 – ANTICIPATION

October 18, 2016

Friends and family provided all we needed: initial housing, meals and a lot of support. The wait was on (again) however, for whatever reason my odds were much better. Be it more experience, an abundance of confidence or simply more organs per recipient, the St. Lukes Cardiac Transplant team in Kansas City was the perfect fit.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 16 – WAKE UP CALL

October 12, 2016

The golf club had once again reached a crossroads but that was not my main problem. My heart was getting worse and we needed to make other plans. It had been almost two years since I had been placed on the cardiac transplant list. As great a distraction as it was, designing and building a golf club while walking around with a pump on my arm was less than desirable.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 15 – 3D PRINTED STEEL

October 05, 2016

The events leading up to 3D printing our first stainless steel club, literally revolved around the center of gravity. The first polymer models were theoretical estimations of the shapes necessary to complete this task. These physical models were invaluable in accessing the overall form and aesthetics however, the errors and omissions when adding additional clubs was obvious, and multiple versions ensued.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 14 – SAMPLE 1

September 23, 2016

The evolution of the Ecomass weighting system was an easy concept with a complex geometric solution that we did not have. Dan began work on this concept with another engineer, David Cersley. David provided the blueprints, Dan the Solidworks modeling and Jeff the background golfing acumen. I was strictly a referee, albeit a strict, opinionated and passionate one.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 13 – NICHOLAS AQUILINO

September 16, 2016

These two questions predominated any conversation Nick and I had. To write a patent application required copious amounts of research to confirm its novelty and patentability as well as a critical understanding of the invention. The ability to interact and think like your patent attorney when discussing these questions was paramount to success. I felt like I was speaking another language but Nick and I were good at it.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 12 – ECOMASS

September 09, 2016

The original “organic” model was not easily adaptable to a single length iron set. Keeping the weight the same while trying to maintain an identical center of gravity proved difficult with the changing shape of each club head.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 11 – INNOVATE

September 02, 2016

Starting over was the right thing to do. Our new challenge was to distribute the weight from the initial “organic” model to accommodate current standards in the industry as well as our unique requirements. Based on a consistent size and center of gravity for each club in our set, these standards would later prove more significant than originally thought. With our models and basic blueprints in hand we passed the baton to our new engineer Dan Tagtow.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 10 – MONEY

August 26, 2016

To start a project like this would require funding from a source that did not currently exist or tapping personal funds that were reserved for other more reasonable endeavors. That’s when I thought of the GEN-RULE.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 9 – GRIPS, BAGS, TAPE?

August 19, 2016

Throughout the initial engineering process, many other projects were underway including a custom grip and bag as well as special non-reflective tape for the bottom of the shaft. Call it “putting the horse before the cart” or whatever you like, my exuberance to do everything at once would later prove fruitless.

THE EQUS GOLF STORY - CHAPTER 8 – TROUBLE IN PARADISE

August 12, 2016

Two cooks in the same kitchen is never a good idea. The progression of our model using different lofts was difficult at best. The requested changes were modified and disagreement ensued. The concept engineering seemed to proceed under its own direction. Our requests were not being heard. The chain of command had been broken.