After practically 30 years as chief membership designer at Callaway, famend wedge designer Roger Cleveland goes dwelling.
Cleveland Golf is asserting that Cleveland shall be returning to the corporate he based in 1979. His official title shall be “Founder and Advisor.”
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Roger back to the family,” says Cleveland Advertising VP Chris Kircher. “His deep-rooted history with our brand makes this not just a homecoming but a special moment to be able to rejoin forces with one of the most iconic names in golf.”
“Coming back to Cleveland Golf is a special moment for me,” Cleveland mentioned in a press launch. “This company has always been close to my heart and I’m excited to contribute once again to its legacy of innovation and performance.”
The corporate says Cleveland shall be ideating and collaborating with its PGA Tour and R&D groups as an advisor. He’ll present enter on new merchandise and design concepts.
The Roger Cleveland/Cleveland Golf backstory
It might shock newer golfers that Cleveland Golf has nothing by any means to do with northern Ohio, the Cuyahoga River or Drew Carey. Roger Cleveland based the corporate in 1979 because the Cleveland Classics Golf Firm specializing in reproductions. His first product was a recreation of Bobby Jones’s Calamity Jane putter. The corporate expanded its enterprise into persimmon woods, irons and wedges. It could finally rename itself the Roger Cleveland Golf Firm and be recognized available in the market as Cleveland Golf.
In 1988, Cleveland made its mark when it launched the long-lasting Cleveland 588 wedge. The 588 and its descendants would declare greater than 400 PGA Tour victories since then together with 33 majors. Two years later, Cleveland offered his firm to French ski producer Rossignol. He would go away the corporate in 1995, saying in later interviews that he was “shown the door.” Cleveland joined Callaway shortly thereafter as chief golf membership designer. He’s credited with getting Callaway into the solid wedge enterprise.
Callaway and Cleveland Golf would lock horns in 2013. That 12 months, Cleveland filed a trademark infringement lawsuit over the Callaway Mack Daddy 2 wedges. These wedges sported “Designed by Roger Cleveland” on the again. Cleveland Golf was, and nonetheless is, formally listed because the Roger Cleveland Golf Firm.
Cleveland spent practically 30 years with Callaway earlier than parting methods final 12 months. Final March, Cleveland was inducted into the SoCal Golf Corridor of Fame. Coincidentally, the 2024 Corridor of Fame class additionally included Ely Callaway.
What does this imply for Cleveland Golf?
The founder’s return to his firm after 30 years is definitely heartwarming. The query is whether or not Roger Cleveland’s position as “Founder and Advisor” shall be actual or merely ceremonial. There’s no denying Cleveland’s legendary standing as a membership designer. He’ll little question deliver his distinctive perspective, perception and information to the Cleveland Golf design crew.
Cleveland Golf finds itself in a peculiar place in 2025. As a part of the Srixon-Cleveland-XXIO triumvirate, it’s a second-tier OEM behind the Huge 5. Over the previous decade, Cleveland has positioned itself as a game-improvement line for irons, metalwoods and putters. On the identical time, it’s attempting to keep up its place as a premium wedge line. That’s a high-quality balancing act.
Will Roger Cleveland’s return to the household transfer the needle for his firm? Unlikely. Nonetheless, any firm that provides a Roger Cleveland is sure to profit from his information and enter. That may solely assist remaining merchandise.
Within the meantime, there’s completely nothing incorrect with a pleasant feel-good story.
The publish Roger Cleveland Returns To Cleveland Golf appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
