Kewl Tubes The Diane Gracely Story
There was a time when golf clubs were sold without a headcover that was a walking billboard for the manufacturer. Now a days when you walk out of the golf shop with your new Driver or Hybrid they come with a headcover that is branded for the manufacturer. These are a perfect beacon for someone to swipe your new stick and also don’t allow you to put your own personal stamp on your bag.
The old school guy in me has fallen head over heels for all things traditional in the game and there is nothing better than a set of KEWL TUBES custom knit headcovers. They are pure tradition and a staple in the bag of many professionals and golfers across the country.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Diane Gracely, president and CEO of Kewl Tubes to learn about her story as an entrepreneur and the successes Kewl Tubes has had since their inception in February 2006.
Diane Gracely is a practical woman who saw a need and had the guts and fortitude to do something about it. Guts and fortitude are two traits that Diane knows about. When she decided to take up the game of golf to spend more time with her husband she wanted to personalize her gear and get a knit headcover. In doing some research to find what she was looking for, she quickly realized that there was a big premium on knit headcovers. Being the practical person she is she took the bull by the horns and said I can knit my own.
What happened next is a great story. Friends and playing partners all liked the workmanship and style she put into her headcovers and they all wanted one. After knitting plenty for her friends, the light bulb went off and she was in business. So much so that she sold her current business to dedicate 100% of her efforts to KEWL TUBES.
The process of knitting a single headcover by hand takes 3 hours of uninterrupted handwork. As her business grew she knew in order to keep up with the demand she needed to become automated. Again, she set out to find a solution. After finding an early 1900’s hand cranked knitting machine on E-Bay she bid on it and won it. Ingenuity took over as her husband’s hands retrofitted the machine to produce perfect knitting for their headcovers.
Slowly she acquired 5 more machines each producing a different size headcover for drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. The hand cranked machines are antiques from an era gone by, but the attention to detail and end results are a work of art.
Sure she could get a new fancy machine that pounds out tons of production but she is sticking to quality and craftsmanship that her customers clamor for.
As with many small business there are struggles and endless hours and it can become a tiresome feat but add to that a hereditary disease and her story takes on a whole new perspective. Diane suffers from CMT, Charcot Marie Tooth, and in her own words she describes her story.
Charcot Marie Tooth has limited my ability to walk and stand. I had to have both of my feet reconstructed because the disease was deforming my feet as my life progressed. I had to resign from my full time job as an accounting rep for a local company because the surgeries and healing time was estimated to be 3 years.
I was raising a 2 year old son on my own. I had gone through a divorce. I knew I could not sit at home and do nothing. I needed money to pay bills and raise my son.
I bought a computer before having my first surgery so that I could teach myself more about the internet and learn about designing web sites, and starting and growing a business online while I was laid up.
I started a small business making laminated bookmarks for wedding favors, schools, book authors, baby showers, and other occasions and events. My business did very well since I had learned how to market it on the internet.
Then 8 years later, I met a man who changed my life, and I started a new business, KEWL TUBES golf club covers. The business took off immediately and I sold the bookmark business to another work at home mom.
To this day I continue to raise my son and grow my golf business. I’ve learned how to juggle everything to be able to be a successful business owner and still spend time with my son. PLUS raise awareness for this disease and hopefully encourage other men and women who have disabilities to start a business of their own and not to give up on life and dreams.
The game of golf is rich with stories of overcoming adversity and the strong will of individuals to persevere! I am proud to know Diane Gracely and the fact that she represents the American Dream of standing up for herself and digging in to fill a need in the golf industry is just wonderful.
For more information on Kewl Tubes visit http://shop.back9promotions.com/
Tags: best golf equipment, headcover, Kewl Tubes, Knit Head Covers, pom pom headcovers
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Callaway Golf: Tour IZ Ball
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Ball for 2010
Callaway Golf: Tour IZ Ball
Overview – Callaway Golf Tour IZ Ball – Ball Speed with Control
Love this ball… stated several Eastern Golf Research Team Members… Excellent feel off the irons and outstanding distance from the driver. This is the total all inclusive golf ball… does it come with drinks?
This four piece golf ball with its advanced golf ball technology renders itself to the mid handicap and better player. New grooves or not… this ball will definitely stop on the dime for you with any shortgame situation.
A new, refined HEX Aerodynamics pattern with 6 Sub-HEX geometries increases distance by reducing drag and cutting through the wind with a stronger, more penetrating ball flight.
Eastern Golf TV Translation – Longer distance and Better Accuracy
Faster Ball Speed The higher-resiliency 2nd Generation Dual Core Construction increases ball speed for a wide range of swing speeds.
Control and Spin the soft urethane cover uses a new proprietary blend that plays softer, lasts longer and generates Tour-level greenside spin.
Tags: callaway golf, eastern golf tv, golf balls, golf equipment
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Callaway Golf: Tour IS Ball
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Ball for 2010
Callaway Golf: Tour IS Ball
Overview – Callaway Golf Tour IS Ball – An answer to the USGA groove question.
No question about it in 2010 you must spin the ball more around the greens. This is the ball that will help achieve this without sacrificing distance. Golf Ball technology has improved dramatically over the past 5 years and Callaway has made significant investments to improve their golf ball brand. The Tour IS golf ball has outstanding feel around the greens all the while producing a robust ball flight. Callaway enhanced the already successful HEX Aerodynamic dimple pattern.
Inside the Ball:
The Hyper-Urethane™ cover improves spin off wedges and shorter clubs. Maximum spin around the greens allows for total control with Tour-level distance. Maximum Greenside Spin and Control
The 2nd Generation Dual Core construction has a lower compression, creating a ball that feels and plays softer than any other tour-caliber ball Callaway has ever designed. Soft Feel, Better Durability
A new, refined HEX Aerodynamics with six Sub-HEX geometries increases distance by reducing drag and cutting through the wind with a stronger, more penetrating ball flight. Longer Distance and Greater Accuracy
Tags: callaway golf, eastern golf tv, golf balls, golf equipment
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TOP FLITE Golf: The Gamer
“Eastern Golf TV – BEST OF” – Ball for 2010
TOP FLITE Golf: The Gamer
Overview –Top Flight – The Gamer, The Best Ball in Golf for Most Golfers!
This golf ball’s name has changed over the years… first it was the XL2000, then XL3000 which most golfers chided away from because they equated it to a rock… Finally they found a name that market… because it is as far from a rock or an old Top Flite as anything out on the market… If you want VALUE and PERFORMANCE we highly recommend this golf ball… In our tests with the Eastern Golf Research Team our group of golfers found this golf as good as anything that is on the market… yet for significant less. It is an outstanding golf ball with soft feel for slower clubhead speeds and excellent distance for your higher speeds. Try a sleeve and see if you don’t fall in love with this ball.
Inside the Ball
Dimple in Dimple® Aerodynamics Unique aerodynamic surface maintains spin longer throughout flight, increasing aerodynamic efficiency by reducing drag to maximize distance for a wide range of swing speeds.
Eastern Golf TV Translation – Excellent dimple design which translates into superior performance
Soft, Thin, More Durable Cover Provides superior short-game spin and feel for great control around the greens with better durability.
High-Resiliency Core with Better Feel Generates outstanding distance and reduces spin off the driver while maintaining soft feel.
DuPont™ HPF™ Mantle Layer Increases ball speed to maximize distance.
Tags: callaway golf, eastern golf tv, golf balls, golf equipment
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