WB Smith

Description

A deep line faced mashie by WB Smith, head hand forged by Winton of Montrose, diamond cleek mark, head stamped WB Smith / SPECIAL / HAYLING ISLAND, original hickory shaft, polished leather grip.

A tight and solid club, circa 1914.

William Brufton Smith was born in Chichester in 1892.  He was assistant to AE Robb at Royal Eastbourne in 1912 before becoming the pro at Hayling Island 1912-1921 and finally at Hadley Wood for 35 years.

The Winton family was comprised of several members who independently practised club making in different places. Later they came together to form a larger company that produced the majority of clubs bearing the Winton cleek mark. These were made in the period 1910-1936 though the first reported activity by any family member was in 1890. Their work is of the highest quality and there are a lot of clubs extant bearing their name.