Lucy Li with caddie Byron Bush in the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Photo Credit: Google Images
Lucy Li, the youngest ever to qualify for the US Women’s Open, probably caught your attention playing, smiling and eating ice cream at Pinehurst. Mine too! David Edel caught my attention too since the name of his company Edel (Golf) was on her bag. But David Edel was on my radar even since his name came to me in terms of the Journey to Olympic Golf and the only World Golf Hall of Fame member on that Journey south of the American border- the one-and-only Roberto De Vicenzo.
Golfweek’s James Achenbach wrote an article on how Byron Bush became Lucy’s caddie for the 2014 US Women’s Open on Pinehurst No. 2. They were a formidable team of an experienced caddie and 11-year old girl shooting a pair of 78s while connecting with the hearts and minds of folks all over the world. David Edel, Bobby Dean and Edel Golf brought Byron and Lucy together. I loved the quotes from David in James’ article about his relationship with Lucy. “We love the publicity,” Edel said, “but this is just a little kid we’re talking about. The last thing in the world we want to do is take advantage of an 11-year-old golfer. It’s exciting to watch her play, no matter what’s in the bag.”
These words rang true to me but in a different context- his relationship with the great Roberto De Vicenzo. I think it is vintage David Edel, the same guy whether protecting the space of an 11-year old kid playing golf or protecting the legacy of a 91-year old Legend of Golf. I had a chance to interview David at the closing bell (literally) of the 2014 PGA Show. He, his staff and the Edel booth were mobbed most of the show as it took me numerous visits to get my interview!
Click here for Part 1 of 2 of a Video Interview with David Edel on Golf.
With David Edel at the 2014 PGA Show.
Here’s a guy that grew up with golf in his life, courtesy of his father and grandfather who introduced him to the game at an early age. After being separated for the game for a while his father gave him some inspiring advice: “if you are going to be a golf pro, be the best golf pro you can be.” Two groups of people, Ben Doyle and Ross & Randy Henry, intersected in his life and the rest as they say is history. Ben Doyle, wrote the Foreword to Homer Kelley’s book- The Golfing Machine (Geometric Golf, The Computer Age Approach to Golfing Perfection) in 1978. Ross & Randy Henry teamed up with Jim Griffitts to make and assemble fitted clubs back in 1983. David’s approach some 30 years later is simply stated in the interview- “I want to mean something to the game so I have to mean something to the person playing the game.”
Click here for Part 2 of 2 of a Video Interview with David Edel on Roberto De Vicenzo.
With Roberto De Vicenzo at Ranelagh Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’
It’s not the same video though I used the same introductory segment. Roberto De Vicenzo is not the same as Lucy Li but in the world of David Edel they are. “Once a journey starts, it never ends,” are David’s prophetic words which I could not agree with more when it comes to golf and life. While living and teaching in Argentina David met Roberto De Vicenzo through one of his students. Now as the owner of Roberto’s whole golf collection amassed though the pursuit of 231 tournament wins around the world, David is the foremost historian of the champion of the 1967 Open Championship and nearly the 1968 Masters Tournament.
Another connection to David Edel and his life in golf was his grandfather living on the 7th hole at Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California. Here is an article I wrote about visiting and playing California’s Golfing Destination.
Here is more information on Edel Golf and David Edel’s partner Mike Adams:
Purpose Built for You.
A truly customized golf club goes far beyond having a few options to make an adjustment here or there. We get it. At Edel, our fully customizable putters, wedges and irons means you are playing handcrafted, tour proven golf clubs that are properly fit, purpose built and personalized just for you.
David Edel
Founder and President
David grew up in Oregon, and developed a passion for the game of golf at an early age. He has been working in the golf industry since the age of 15 and has been a PGA Class A Member since 1994 and a Golf System Engineering Master (GSEM) since 1991. David began designing golf equipment shortly after graduating from the University of Oregon. After several years working with renowned club maker Henry Griffitts, David formed Edel Golf in 1996. David’s initial vision for Edel Golf was to develop the world’s most comprehensive putter fitting system and build the most precise putters in the industry by enabling an unparalleled level of customization based on multiple attributes of every player’s unique putting stroke. After the company’s initial success in the custom putter market, David used the same customization and fitting philosophies to expand Edel Golf’s product offerings to include wedges and irons. David serves as the company’s visionary leader, working tirelessly to innovate and develop ground-breaking products that shift the thinking of the golf equipment industry. His extensive club design and engineering expertise allows Edel Golf to continually push the envelope of equipment technology.
Mike Adams
Partner and Co-Developer of Wedge Fitting System
Mike Adams is a valued partner and advisor to Edel Golf. He is a nationally renowned golf instructor who has been teaching the game for over 33 years, and has been listed on every GOLF Magazine Top 100 Instructor and Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher list that has ever been produced. Mike has written or co-written 18 golf instruction books and is the creator of the “LAW’s of Golf”, a philosophy to help golfers of all levels find a swing to fit their physical build. He has coached multiple USGA champions, PGA professionals, and LPGA professionals, and is seen as one of the most well respected figures in golf instruction today. His expertise in both golf swing mechanics and club design has been instrumental in the development of Edel Golf’s proprietary wedge fitting system. Mike recently completed his sixth season at Hamilton Farm GC in Gladstone, New Jersey and spends winters as the Director of Instruction at The Medalist GC in Hobe Sound, Florida
