Oldest off-course Pro Shop in the US ?

[Paul Richards]

Gents:

Looking for a little information.  It is my understanding that the oldest off-course Pro Shop in America is here in Chicago.  It is called Klees Golf Shop.  It is still in the Klees family, although its location has moved a few times over the years.

Klees Golf Shop was begun by Charles J. Klees and C.C. Chattell, a frequent writer of golf books.  It was founded in 1910 as Jackson Park Golf Shop.  Klees bought out Chattell in 1915 and it became Klees Golf Shop.

As the Klees family looks to celebrate its 100th Anniversary, they are looking to confirm that this is indeed the oldest off-course Professional Golf Shop in the US.

Anyone have information that might refute this?

http://www.kleesgolf.com/about-klees-golf

[Bob_Huntley]

Paul,

I had no idea that such an establishment had been around that long. I do know that it was one Walter Keller, a PGA member, that sued the organization's edict that only shops at golf clubs and courses could sell branded clubs such as McGregor, Wilson, and other names. He did it in the early sixties and his shop was on Westwood Boulevard in Los Angeles. He had a couple of nets at the back of the shop and that was where Amy Alcott learned to play golf.

I played with him often at Riviera and he was one tough nut.

Bob

[Phil McDade]

Paul:

The neighborhood pro shop for Beverly CC!

My only thought is that the oldest golf shops in America would be near the oldest courses in America, so that might mean Boston and New York, besides Chicago.

[Niall C]

No idea of the answer but I know that Willie Park set up shop in New York (I think) in c.1895 so you've got to think there might be others from around then might just still be going.

Niall

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Izett, near Merion, dates only to 1946:

http://www.izettgolf.com/

[Bob_Huntley]

Steve,

Wasn't Izzett a custom club maker?.

Am I wrong in thinking that it was not possible to buy clubs from the major names, unless through a pro shop at a golf course?

Bob

[David_Tepper]

Bob -

I am just guessing, but it was likely that golf clubs were available at both on-course and off-course retail shops in the first couple decades of the 20th century.  On course pro shops were not the temples of merchandising then that they are today.  Probably it was not until the PGA of America got its act together (the 1930's? 1940's?) that they were able to pressure the name club manufacturers to distribute their top of the line merchandise only thru PGA pro shops.

DT

[Bob_Huntley]

David,

That seems to make sense.

Bob

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Bob.

You are correct about Izett being a custom club maker back in the day.  They have been into the club fitting business for awhile dealing in Mizuno and Nakashima.

[Paul Richards]

When I was a kid and caddying at Beverly, I would head over to Klees with my caddie pay and buy my used clubs there.  The rest of my set was filled out when I won clubs at the caddie banquet!

[Jim_Kennedy]

A.G. Spalding had stores selling golf equipment at the turn of the 20th century, as did Wright & Ditson. 

[RSLivingston_III]

Another contender, if they still exist, might be A. L. Johnson of Boston.

[J_ Crisham]

When I was a kid and caddying at Beverly, I would head over to Klees with my caddie pay and buy my used clubs there.  The rest of my set was filled out when I won clubs at the caddie banquet!

Paul,   I was thinking the same thing! When we were kids the only clubs at Beverly were the ones that Toney Penna made in addition to the old McGregors.  I can remember the big green and white bags that your Uncle Mike had, Dick C, and old Charlie Penna. Those were the days-hope to see you at the Derby Day event next week.        Jack
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

[Chris Flamion]

Paul-

I have to believe that it is the oldest.  With Chicago being the oldest golf heavy area in the "west" at that early date the possible locations is fairly limited.  In my mind that limits to the New York/Long Island area and probably Philly.

I wish I could be of more help but I am not sure of where to go further with research.

Chris

[RSLivingston_III]

Are we talking about shops still in existence?
 If not, Smith Herd and Yeoman was in Chicago in the mid 1890s. Smith left and Herd and Yeoman carried on until Herd left to join his brother at South Shore CC.

[Paul Richards]

Ralph:

Not sure I understand your example.  If it was off-course, and then moved on-course, I think Klees has got them beat.

Please explain?

[RSLivingston_III]

Ralph:

Not sure I understand your example.  If it was off-course, and then moved on-course, I think Klees has got them beat.

Please explain?

This might still come back to an earlier question I asked; Are you ONLY interested in shops that are still in operation, or if any shops existed pre-1910/1915?
It is very likely the oldest STILL IN OPERATION.

What date are they adopting as their start date, 1910 or 1915?

Smith Herd & Yeoman was only together for about one year and was an off course retailer in 1897-98.
Herd & Yeoman continued, as an off course retailer, after Smith left, 1898 until the teens or early 20s.
Herd left and W. Yeoman continued on as an off course shop.

THere were a number of off course shops in the east coast pre-1900. I don't know if any still exist.
The first one I listed is your best bet. AL Johnson, Boston -pre-1905.
Slazenger had a shop pre-1905, possibly pre-1900.
As for research check the want ads in old golf mags. Off course advertised quite a bit.

[Chuck Brown]

I've been to the Klees shop near Beverly.  
And yes I was aware of that history and yes as far as I know there is no shop in the country with a longer continuous lineage.

Here's an entirely off-topic tidbit that readers of this thread might be interested in:  It appears that Edwin Watts Golf Stores have come to terms with Sears to open sub-branded golf sections within Sears stores across the country.  ("Store-within-a-store.")  That might be interesting...

[Dan Moore]

Tweedie and later Bendelow ran Spaulding shops in downtown Chicago pre-1910. I doubt they were exclusively golf shops.

[Pete_Pittock]

Caplans has been around Portland since 1905. It was a downtown sporting goods store with a large golf section. Remember going down there in the 50s and 60s. Now a stand alone store (golf only) with a putt-putt facility on the outskirts of the Beaverton suburb.

[Paul Richards]

Pete, now that is interesting....

Any more info on them to share?

[Pete_Pittock]

Paul,
Their website is caplansports.com , which is where I picked up the 1905 date. Nothing on the website about their history. Next time I go to Costco (next door to Caplans) I will check it out.

[Paul Richards]

Thanks, Pete.  Someone from Klee's is going to check into them as well.

[Paul Richards]

Eileen Klees contacted Caplan Golf and offered to share her reply:

>>Caplan Sportsworld started as pawn shop then changed to sports store. It all started by Harry Caplan in 1905. Our family purchased the store and kept it as sporting good store including golf as one of the main department until 2002, then changed into Golf store when we move into the driving range facility. It is still a family business.

Hope this helped your research and congratulation on your 100 anniversary!

Angela Ji
Caplan Golf