[Forrest Richardson]

I have not been hiding under a rock, but just found out that one of golf's most magical suppliers, Cheesbrough Mfg. of Freeport, Michigan, burned to the ground this past March. Ken Van Tol, who has always been a tremendous craftsman along with his many children and grandchildren, says he is temporarily housed in a make-shift mill. Certainly not the old mill that was founded in the late 1800s. Whether the family will rebuild seems uncertain.

Anyone who has ever seen a Cheesbrough wooden rake knows the great tradition this family continued. I believe they were among only a handful of wooden rake manufacturers worldwide. Ken has been great over the years to devise special flagsticks, putting green markers, and signage for courses. His work can be found at many high end and traditional clubs throughout the world. We had been working with him on some cedar markers for Palo Alto (Baylands) and I hope he gears up to continue that work.

Here are some You Tube links to the fire and information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGdIVz4QKZw

http://www.cheesebroughfire.com/the-fire/

[Pete_Pittock]

It looks like they are back in production http://cheesebrough.com/Mill_Fire.html

[Joe Bausch]

I think Paramount uses rakes from Cheesbrough.  They are pretty nifty.

[Bryan Icenhower]

I think Paramount uses rakes from Cheesbrough.  They are pretty nifty.

Was wondering when reading the story if the Paramount rakes were from there as they were very unique.  Sad story, hope they rebuild better than before and last more than a 100 more years!

[Niall Hay]

It looks like they are back in production http://cheesebrough.com/Mill_Fire.html

Does anyone know for a fact if they are producing sticks and flags again?

[Howard Riefs]

Sad news.  Kingsley uses their flagsticks and rakes.

[Dan_Lucas]

They are up and running again. They started shipping in May. We received an order of rakes probably two months ago.

[Jud_T]

Their product in action...

View My Video

[Brian Chapin]

We placed a very large order of flags, flagsticks, bunker rakes, and practice green flagsticks less than 12 hours before the catastrophic fire.

Within 48 hours after the fire, Ken Van Tol (owner), contacted me to let me know that although they had lost everything, they would be back up and running quickly and that our order would still make it in time for our Men's Opening Day Tournament.  You have to understand that this is a small family owned company that not only hand builds all of the products, but does it with custom made jigs and equipment, all of which was completely lost.

1 day before our Opening Day tournament 2013, all of the product was delivered.

Ken and his family were great!  They kept us informed every step of the way and delivered on every promise they made.  I am so happy that we were able to stick with them through tragedy, and even more happy with the product.  

The Cheesebrough course accessories give our golf course a unique look, that we just can't get from the Standard and Par Aid catalogs.  I would highly recommend them.

[Joe Bausch]

We placed a very large order of flags, flagsticks, bunker rakes, and practice green flagsticks less than 12 hours before the catastrophic fire.

Within 48 hours after the fire, Ken Van Tol (owner), contacted me to let me know that although they had lost everything, they would be back up and running quickly and that our order would still make it in time for our Men's Opening Day Tournament.  You have to understand that this is a small family owned company that not only hand builds all of the products, but does it with custom made jigs and equipment, all of which was completely lost.

1 day before our Opening Day tournament 2013, all of the product was delivered.

Ken and his family were great!  They kept us informed every step of the way and delivered on every promise they made.  I am so happy that we were able to stick with them through tragedy, and even more happy with the product.  

The Cheesebrough course accessories give our golf course a unique look, that we just can't get from the Standard and Par Aid catalogs.  I would highly recommend them.

+1

[Niall Hay]

We placed a very large order of flags, flagsticks, bunker rakes, and practice green flagsticks less than 12 hours before the catastrophic fire.

Within 48 hours after the fire, Ken Van Tol (owner), contacted me to let me know that although they had lost everything, they would be back up and running quickly and that our order would still make it in time for our Men's Opening Day Tournament.  You have to understand that this is a small family owned company that not only hand builds all of the products, but does it with custom made jigs and equipment, all of which was completely lost.

1 day before our Opening Day tournament 2013, all of the product was delivered.

Ken and his family were great!  They kept us informed every step of the way and delivered on every promise they made.  I am so happy that we were able to stick with them through tragedy, and even more happy with the product.  

The Cheesebrough course accessories give our golf course a unique look, that we just can't get from the Standard and Par Aid catalogs.  I would highly recommend them.

Great story of customer service. Good for them. Do you have any pictures of the flags and sticks?

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