Playing U.S. Senior Open Is ‘Dream Come True’ For Fujikura Golf CEO

More professional golfers will be playing clubs with Fujikura shafts at the U.S. Senior Open than any other brand.

At least one amateur unquestionably will be, too.

Fujikura President and CEO Dave Schnider earned a spot in the 156-player field by emerging from a 4-for-1 playoff at a qualifying tournament last month. He joins defending champion Bernhard Langer and a deep field of 50-and-over pros including Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, and Steve Stricker this week at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. Annika Sorenstam and Tiger Woods won the previous two USGA championships held at Newport, which was among the USGA’s five founding member clubs 130 years ago.

Schnider, who played college golf at San Diego State University and carries a +3 handicap, started his career in the golf industry with the Grafalloy shaft company and joined Fujikura in 1999. After helping introduce Fujikura branded shafts to the U.S. market, starting with the iconic Speeder 757, Schnider took over as the company’s president in 2008.

“I’ve dreamed of playing in a professional major championship since I was a kid and I finally get to make that dream come true,” said Schnider, who will be in the first group off on Thursday morning at 7 a.m. “Even better, I have my 15-year-old son as my caddie.”

Schnider was among more than 3,000 golfers who submitted entries for the 44th U.S. Senior Open, the third-most in the championship’s history. They were competing for about 75 available qualifier spots, with more than half the field having exemptions based on past performance and senior tour status.

The only U.S. Senior Open winner to come through qualifying was Don Pooley in 2002.

“My goal is to make the cut (for weekend play) but I don’t really have any expectations,” Schnider said about his opportunity to play alongside the pros at Newport CC. “I am going to enjoy every minute of the experience.”

Only two of 47 amateurs have made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open the past two years. After the first two rounds, the field will be reduced to the lowest 60 scorers and ties.

Schnider is among 19 amateurs in the field this week, marking his third appearance in a USGA championship. He also competed in the 1997 U.S. Amateur at Cog Hill won by Matt Kuchar, and the 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Bandon Dunes won by Trip Kuehne.

Even if Schnider doesn’t make it to the weekend at the 1,001^st USGA championship, his company will. Fujikura is the No. 1 driver and wood shaft brand on the Champions Tour this season. At last month’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, Fujikura shafts were in more than 40% of the drivers used by tour pros, more than twice as many as any other brand.

Ultimately, that’s why Schnider does what he does in his day-to-day life: running a company that helps pros and regular Joes perform better, play better and ultimately derive more enjoyment from a game he’s been passionate about since he was a youth. For at least a couple days, however, he’s excited to embrace the opportunity to tee it up in a competitive environment at one of golf’s most historic venues against some of the most accomplished seniors in the game.

“It is special to play in such a prestigious tournament like the U.S. Senior Open,” said Schnider, “and knowing how many of these incredible players Fujikura has helped play their best golf with our products.”