Our Story | Standard Golf

Our Story

Over 100 Years of Innovation in Golfing Industry

OUR MISSION

Standard Golf Company has a long-standing history of providing top-quality accessories for golf courses around the world. From flags and flagsticks to bunker rakes, maintenance tools, and tee markers, Standard Golf is committed to serving each customer with precision and efficiency.

Our History

Standard Golf Company was founded in 1910 by Walter K. Voorhees and 4 other local businessmen. The company, originally called Standard Manufacturing Company, produced steel farm gates. In its early days, the company expanded its farm gate line to include ornamental gates and wagon tongues. Later, a diverse range of products including cistern covers, street signs, boat docks, automatic hog waterers and furnace humidifiers were also produced.

Walter Voorhees was a member of the Cedar Falls Park Board when the Washington Park Golf Course was built in 1921. At that time, no company offered a complete, standardized line of golf course equipment. So in 1926, Voorhees decided to add golf course equipment to Standard’s product line. “The idea struck me” he said, “that here was a new field for an alert manufacturer. Why not develop a complete line of needs in this field, a standard line. Why not develop a product so good that it would be in demand all over the United States.”

1910

‘Standard Manufacturing” founded by Walter K Voorhees and 4 other local businessmen in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They produced steel farm gates. In its early days, the company expanded its farm gate line to include ornamental gates, and also produced a diverse range of products including cistern covers, street signs, boat docks, wagon tongues, and automatic hog waterers.

1913

Standard Golf builds their first dedicated building at 220 East Fourth Street in downtown Cedar Falls.

1921

Cedar Falls opens its first golf course, a 9-hole course called Washington Park Golf Course.

1925

Walter Voorhees decided to add golf course equipment to Standard’s product line.

1936

Introduction of fully enclosed multiple ball, ball washer.

1938

The first Hole cutter introduced by Standard Golf into the golf industry.

1956

Walter Voorhees retires and names his sons Robert W. Voorhees and Maynard K. Voorhees President and Vice-President respectively.

1971

Standard Golf sells off the last of their agricultural and miscellaneous line of business.

1974

Name officially updated to Standard Golf Company.

1975

Maynard Voorhees retires. Peter Voorhees joins Standard Golf as CFO.

1982

Robert Voorhees retires and Peter Voorhees becomes President.

1991

Standard Golf partners with Bladon Logistics to open European Warehouse in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

1992

June 6, 1992 a fire destroyed the original building and a substantial portion of the rest of the complex.

1992

December 22, 1992 Standard Golf celebrates a ribbon cutting at their new 75,000 sq. ft. property and is the 2nd tenant in Cedar Falls’ Industrial Park.

2000

30,000 square feet added to existing property. The ST2000 Smart Fit Cup and Slotted Ferrule are introduced into the market – the first inter-locking flagstick and cup.

2017

The “Hybrid” cup – part aluminum and part plastic – introduced as a variant of the ST2000.

2018

Peter Voorhees transfers ownership of Standard Golf to an “ESOP” and the company becomes 100% Employee Owned.

2020

With the global pandemic of COVID-19, Standard Golf was able to quickly introduce and provide new, innovative “No-Touch” products to support golf course superintendents as they maintained their course and driving range.

2022

Peter Voorhees continues to lead the way as Chairman of the Board after stepping down as president in January 2022.

Today, Scott Hottle has assumed the role of President and Matt Pauli as Vice-President.

2022

Standard Golf, with partner AGLogic, introduces GreenActivator. GreenActivator was developed using a patented extraction process and proprietary blend of naturally-sourced humic and fulvic acids, plus NPK.

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Standard Golf Today

As we enter our 114th year in business, Standard Golf is proud to yet again lead the golf course accessories market with innovation and customization.

In 2024, Standard is the world’s leading producer of golf course accessories. Its products are sold by over 250 distributors on six continents. We are the only manufacturer with a full-line of products from maintenance to course setup, practice range, driving range and turf growth. GreenActivator continues to grow in sales and all users are seeing great results with their. monthly applications. Our growth and longevity would not be what it is today if it was not for our global network of distributors, customers and fans. All of the employee-owners are Standard Golf thank you for your trust and support.

Standard Golf is a proud and active member of the following organizations.