Will to improve drove area man to golf design

Bojanowski

Titanium drivers manufactured in China were the first item sold by Amur.

Stanley Bojanowski picked up golf again after retiring 15 years ago, but the equipment available in the Toledo native's optimal price range wasn't up to par. "I wanted to improve my game," the 66-year-old General Motors Corp. retiree said. "I'm not the worst golfer, but I'm far from the best."

So he founded Amur Golf about four years ago and began designing drivers that are manufactured in China. The clubs are made of top-of-the-line titanium but are priced at least $50 less than comparable competitors.

Since then, Amur, which is housed along with Mr. Bojanowski's six-year-old Sylvania Township retail and service operation, Sonny's Custom Clubs, has added golf balls and putters to its self-designed lineup.

Getting a Ladies Professional Golf Association member to use homegrown equipment at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Sylvania is Mr. Bojanowski's next goal.the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Sylvania is Mr. Bojanowski's next goal.

Bojanowski

"It's never been done before," he said. He hopes to add a half dozen employees to his two-man operation and reach $1 million in sales this year.

Amur equipment is getting professional play outside the Toledo area as well as kudos from some golf magazines. Seven professionals are using Amur equipment, Mr. Bojanowski said, and he hopes to get it in local golf shops.

Les Gilmer, of Hernando, Miss., saw Amur equipment at the Professional Golf Asso-

ciation's show in Orlando and is being sponsored by the com-

pany. A member of the Heartland Players Senior Tour Inc., he will be using Amur's driver and putter at a tournament March 12 and has been playing the company's golf balls.

"It's a new ball for me, and so far, it's worked out pretty well," he said.

The line has expanded into balls and putters and is being marketed to LPGA players.

Amur's 460 DMS+ golf balls were among 19 tested by GolfTest USA for the current issue of Golf Illustrated, the most recent published sighting of the Toledo firm's equipment. The ball's highest rating was in distance, and its overall average was in the middle, equaling that of Nike Ignite and Callaway Big Bertha.

"My golf ball is up there with the best of the best," he Mr. Bojanowski said.

Contact Julie M. McKinnon at:

jmckinnon@theblade.com

or 419-724-6087.