As much as I wanted to play the game, I realized my strength was in learning about golf clubs, re-shafting them, designing them and making them. - Bob Vokey

Bob played football, hockey and baseball at Verdun High School in Montreal and played a year of professional football with the Quebec Rifles of the United Football League in 1964 as a punter, receiver and safety.

Bob was born in Canada in 1940. His father, Walter, who was born in France, but moved to Newfoundland before settling in Montreal, was a precision tool and die maker, an avid golfer and constant tinkerer of golf equipment.

Bob did not necessarily share his father's passion for golf as a child, but he observed and assisted in his father's club creations.

Vokey opened Bob's Custom Golf Shop in 1976 at Fallbrook Country Club in San Diego County, before moving to a 1,300 square foot location in Vista, Calif., in 1980.

Vokey Design wedges are the overwhelming favorite among PGA Tour players, with 35 percent of all sand, lob and approach wedges in play each week (over double the nearest competitor).