JP began his journey as a competitive high school golfer in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. In 2000, he helped his high school win the Golf Team State Championship and in 2001, finished Individual State Runner-Up. In 2004, JP entered the Professional Golf Management program at Arizona State University, graduating in 2007. While in school in Arizona, JP interned as an apprentice, and later as a master club builder for local company, Hot Stix Golf, before focusing on custom wedges and putters at nearby Cool Clubs in Scottsdale, AZ. It was at Cool Clubs where he started exploring his artistic creativity. The time spent working in Arizona was formative, providing incredible opportunities and inspiration in one of golf’s biggest hotbeds.
In 2006 JP worked with PGA Tour professional Aaron Baddeley to hand grind a set of MacGregor irons. The irons had a pronounced heel and toe area with extra weight to work with, so JP started grinding. After going back and forth with Badds, they achieved what they were looking for on the 3, 6, and 9 irons. Badds practiced with them on Tuesday, liked them, and JP finished the set that night. Badds practiced with them for a few days before committing to play them the following week at the 2006 Verizon Heritage in Hilton Head, SC. Badds would secure his first PGA Tour win that week. First week in the bag, he got his first win.
As a result, the legendary club grinder Don White (DW) of MacGregor would custom grind irons in the style JP and Badds created that inspiring week. In return, JP had the opportunity to learn from Don – a master whose equipment has been in play for multiple major wins, and who has worked with many Hall of Fame players. JP would have the chance to study and watch Don grind a set for a PGA Tour player. DW taught JP some of his philosophies on grinding, bounce, and hand stamping. This encounter helped build on JP’s foundation and continues to influence his golf clubs today.
In the spring of 2009, JP moved back to the Midwest to pursue his dream of starting his own brand. After securing a small business loan and purchasing the needed grinding equipment, he set up shop in the corner of his father’s shed. Cold Wisconsin winters pushed JP to relocate to his mother’s heated two-car garage. He honed his craft, taking custom wedge orders while designing his future independent JP line of wedges. Each of the custom wedge orders was an experience. These experiences would cement JP’s “learn and apply” approach. JP quickly discovered that some rules of wedge building were made to be broken.
In 2010, JP partnered for his line in the Kyoei Forging House, in Ichikawa Japan. Kyoei would supply JP with incredible oversized forged blanks that he could hand sculpt into his wedges. JP was even invited to meet and grind with the legendary Okamura-san, providing an incredible opportunity to learn from a master.
In 2011, JP helped design the “JP by Edel” line of wedges that were shown at the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show. Unfortunately, this line was never brought to market but many of the design principles were carried through. This encounter also further cemented JP’s approach and belief in his craft.
These years were also full of golf clinics that featured some of the game’s best teachers – Mike Adams, Stan Utley, Jerry King, etc. It was also the period when JP would start building a following to his brand, thanks to word of mouth and help from equipment forums like GolfWRX, MyGolfSpy, Independent Golf Reviews, and others. The grass roots growth of his product and philosophies would not have been possible without these early supporters, including family, friends, and brand enthusiasts.