I started out in the early 70’s after attending BYU and a member on the golf team opening a golf repair shop called Blue Jay Golf. I learned golf club repair from Easy Arispe who then owned Champions Golf in Escondido, California, while attending Palomar Junior College in 1971. After my stay at BYU Easy asked me if I would like to purchase his golf repair tools which I agreed, Easy went on to run the Wood Manufacturing Department at Cobra Golf. I opened along with Jesse Seymour a good friend from church and a great tool and die maker, Blue Jay Golf in 1972. I was a youngster and Jesse was a retired Insurance Salesman for Metropolitan Life. He was looking for something different in his life and golf was the glue that had brought us both together. With his calming influence and my young energy we became partners. We both ran the repair business for a couple of years and then went separate ways. Blue Jay Golf lasted for many years into the early 2000’s after which Jesse sold and retired to Rancho Bernardo, Ca. I started the The Iron Factory in 1974. The investment casting process had revolutionized the Golf industry during the early 70’s and I became a part of it. There were 4 major Golf Manufactures at that time and by 1974 there were 70. If you had 20,000 to purchase the tooling you were in the Golf Club Manufacturing business. I started polishing irons for Alpha Cast in Santa Monica, Ca . At one time I was polishing over 1,000 heads per day with 16 employees. I polished heads for Pinseeker, MacHunter, Foxbat, Jerry Barber, Powertrac, Lynx, Graham Walker Golf and many others.

I had always wondered why nobody refinished irons especially the chrome plated forgings. Having worked at Stoneridge Country Club in Poway, Ca. as a teen I remember members asking several times where they could get their irons refinished. Although not a frequent request it was asked. I called Wilson and asked if they could rechrome some irons for a member of the club? They said they could but “please allow 4 months”. At that time there were approximately 10,000 Golf Courses in the US. If I could learn the process I could capture some of the rechroming market. I experimented for a few months and finally worked out a process that would limit weight loss and not effect playability.

For the next 34 years I have plated clubs for many manufactures such as Titliest, MacGregor and Nike. I have had the privilege of plating clubs for some of the most famous golfers that have ever lived. My Tour Chrome process has become well known throughout the world. I am now located in Grand Junction, Co. having moved here in 2005. I look forward to helping you with your favorite irons and bringing them back to their former glory.

Sincerely,

Jim Kronus
The Iron Factory, Inc.