CLUB MAKERS SHAFT L.A., NOT HARRISON.Byline: Scott Wolf Scott Richard Wolf (born June 4, 1968) is an American actor. Born in Boston, Massachusetts to Steven Wolf and Susan Enowitch, Wolf was raised in West Orange, New Jersey. He graduated in 1986 from West Orange High School. Daily News Staff Writer Business is better than ever for the Harrison Sports golf company, but company president Michael Cheng is Zheng Yi (鄭一, pinyin: Zhèng Yī, Cantonese: Jihng Yāt; d. 1807, also romanised as Cheng I) was a pirate along the Chinese coast during the 18th century. Legend had it that he was a pederast. He captured Cheung Po Tsai at age 15 and made him his young lover. beginning to feel a sense of isolation. Harrison Sports has become a rarity in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , and for that matter, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County. Every aspect of producing the company's trademark graphite golf shafts The shaft of a golf club is the long, cylindrical piece - generally made of steel or graphite - which connects the golfer’s hands to the club head. While hundreds of different designs exist, the primary purpose of the golf shaft remains the same - to provide the player with a - from research to design to manufacturing - is done from its Pacoima facility. ``L.A. used to be the Mecca of golf. But one by one, they moved away,'' Cheng said. Most recently, Cheng watched Cleveland Golf Cleveland Golf is an American golf company based in Huntington Beach, California. Cleveland is a premier golf brand. Cleveland is also one of the most popular brands on the PGA tour. company leave nearby Panorama City for Cypress. Many of the major companies, including Callaway, Cobra and Taylor Made, are located in Carlsbad. ``L.A. County has not always been friendly to business,'' Cheng said. ``Everyone is concerned about the rules and regulations. That has been a problem.'' Despite that impression, Harrison Sports has no intention of leaving the Valley. Demand is so high for its graphite shafts that Cheng will soon add a second shift of workers to his plant, which operates six days a week. Cheng feels the area provides a good pool of workers for research, design and manufacturing jobs. ``I would stake the brain power of the San Fernando Valley against anywhere in the country,'' Cheng said. ``That would be our No. 1 asset.'' Cheng also believes keeping some distance from the competition has its advantages. ``There are no secrets in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. ,'' Cheng said. ``Within a day, they all know the new products.'' Although Harrison golf shafts are not widely known to the public, they are becoming an increasing presence within the industry. The shafts have been used on the winning woods in three of the past four national long-drive championships. Harrison has supplied shafts for Callaway, Taylor Made and Lynx lynx, name given to several related small, ferocious members of the cat family. All have small heads, tufted ears, and heavy bodies with long legs and short tails. All are primarily terrestrial, although they are able to climb trees. . The company even provides shafts for clubs sold at sporting-goods chains like Nevada Bob's. King Kong King Kong giant ape brought to New York as “eighth wonder of world.” [Am. Cinema: Payton, 367] See : Giantism brand drivers also use Harrison shafts. Some golfers might have Harrison shafts and not even know it, although the company specializes in custom shafts. ``People get Callaway drivers and put our shaft in them,'' Cheng said. One of the reasons for the company's recent success can be traced to the lower price of graphite shafts and their increasing popularity with golfers. Three years ago, the average Harrison graphite shaft cost about $75. Today, the average price is around $50. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a report by The Seidler Companies, an investment firm in Los Angeles, graphite shafts are making a dramatic impact in the golf industry. This year, 58 percent of new irons purchased will have graphite shafts. By 2005, 98 percent of golf irons are expected to use graphite shafts. Already, 85 percent of woods bought this year will use graphite shafts, the report said. Harrison has introduced 100 new shafts this year and has 15 patents pending. Cheng received a phone call from one of the country's biggest golf manufacturers last week, expressing interest in one of his patents. But he has no intention of selling it. ``They could always buy (shafts) from us,'' Cheng joked. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (color) Michael Cheng, of Harrison Sports in Pacoima, present shis company's trademark ultra-light shaft. Gene Blevins / Special to the Daily News |
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