Burke Golf Company
Established in 1910 [1] , Burke Golf Company originally manufactured only the shafts of golf clubs, but later won the grand prize at the Panama Exposition in 1915 for manufacturing complete golf clubs including wooden heads and hand-forged iron heads. Starting with only five employees and adding up to 65 more by 1915, the firm was reportedly only one of three such firms selling golf clubs and providing repair services in the United States. The ribbon awarded by the Panama Exposition was displayed in the window of the Collins drug store.[2]
The company’s growth ultimately forced its exit from Newark. A move to 160 Essex Avenue enabled expansion in 1945, and by late 1962, employment had grown to between 110-120 employees. The company was unable to find an adequate existing plant in Newark to expand its operations. Robert P. Smith, president of the Burke Golf Equipment Company announced that the company would be moving out of Newark in the latter part of 1963 and was considering a plant in Chicago that would enable a doubling or tripling of production.[3]
L.K.
