Local resident collects more than 4,000 golf clubs
North Fort Myers resident John Berg is a prolific collector. He collects classic/collectible golf clubs – more than 4,000 in total.
The collection is so big, he has them throughout his home, and even had to get a rental space to hold them all.
“I do have to have the largest collection of good used or older clubs in the area.”
Berg is a retried biology teacher and golf coach, and now boasts over having more than 4,000 golf clubs, a hobby of his from year’s ago.
“It goes back to the 1970s,” he said. “I had a classical/collectible collection also then of about 4,000. It was a six-year hobby. I sold out in 1983-84, partially to one guy from Hawaii and one guy from Japan.”
Then he started collecting again after about five years off.
“I just enjoy it,” he said. “I think putters and wedges are the most interesting clubs.”
Of his golfing past, he said, “I worked summers at Champaign Il., home of the University of Illinois Country Club and and Carbondale Country Club in Southern Illinois.”
His favorite clubs are the Bill Buckley Putter, who designed the Ping Anser, and the other is rare callaway designed by Paul Runyan, one of only 50.
“Part of it is help from a retired teacher friend of mine in the Miami area who hunts all the flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores and has done this for eight years, and I bought all 1,200 he collected.”
He just moved from Lake Okeechobee last year to North Fort Myers.
He sells some clubs “to keep me going and buy more.”
“I have probably 60 older Ping putters, some left-handed ladies clubs, and some older Persimmon Woods. I also have some Lynx and Odyssey Putters.”
His collection includes a rare 1915-1920 half-blade putter and a rare no name Wooden Shaft Putter.
“That one could go back to 1890.”
He also has a Slazenger Putter made in England, made about 1900 to 1910, and rare adjustable clubs.
He’s not only a big golf fan, he’s a big college football – Southern Illinois -and hockey fan – Boston Bruins. And of the Everblades, he said, “I never miss a game.”
He is currently selling some items, If interested, call 618-319-0642.