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The History of Handicomp, Inc.
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Serving Golf Since 1968
Jim Healey, the founder of Handicomp, earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering
from the University of Michigan in 1953. In the 16 years following graduation, he
worked on guidance computer design on several defense and space missile programs,
including POLARIS, GEMINI, and APOLLO.
Jim has had a love for the game of golf since the age of 13, and consequently spent
considerable time at the golf course.
During his youth he was a caddie at the Country Club of Lansing. Later, having been
involved with handicap committees who had the tedious monthly chore of calculating
handicaps, Jim conceived the idea of computer automated handicapping in 1960. However,
it was 1967 before he decided to proceed. |
The original Handicomp computer was designed and built by Jim Healey in 1967/1968
and was first used at Clearbrook Country Club in Saugatuck, Michigan in 1968.
At that time, Charlie Feeley was the PGA golf professional at the club. Jim remains
extremely grateful to Charlie for that initial installation. This is believed to
be the world's first micro-computer installed in a golf shop used strictly for instant
handicap calculation. Because of a lack of funds for promotion, this was the only
model of this computer ever built or installed. In 1969, Jim cannibalized the electronics
of this computer and started the Handicomp handicap computing service. |
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Essentially, the electronics were interfaced with an IBM Selectric Typewriter for
printing and a Friden paper tape punch/reader for data storage. The computer had
no means for internal storage except for "scratch pad" operation. Jim built three
additional computers for the Handicomp service operation. While Jim was the technical
force behind the company, his wife Pat was the data processing force. She was the
sole data entry clerk for several years while they built a client base from scratch. |
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The 70's were years of expansion. In 1972, Handicomp entered into its first relationship
with an Amateur Association, signing with the Toledo District Golf Association;
a relationship that has gone unbroken to this day. In 1974 Handicomp signed with
the Golf Association of Michigan, in 1977 contracts were signed with the Louisiana
Golf Association and the Gulf States Section PGA, and in 1978 contracts were signed
with the St. Louis District Golf Association and the Gateway Section PGA. By 1978,
Handicomp was servicing about 800 clubs and employing nearly a dozen people. Also,
in 1978, reasonably priced micro-computers became available, and the four original
"hand built" Handicomp computers were retired. |
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In 1981, Jim re-initiated his original dream of the on-site computer for instant
handicap computations. At considerable risk and cost, Handicomp installed nine Tandy
Model II computers in Detroit area clubs (Golf Association of Michigan Member Clubs).
These are believed to have been the first on-site computers installed, where the
clubs received computers as a result of their relationship with an Amateur Association.
All nine of these clubs have maintained on-site handicaps ever since.
Also, in 1981 Jim foresaw industry changes and decided to expand the Handicomp offerings
to include golf shop and club management software, including membership tracking,
inventory control, point of sale, accounting, and specialty programs such as tournament
management software. Again, at great risk and without the promise of a market Jim
managed to hook up with several PGA Professionals who helped steer the Handicomp
product successfully into the market. These professionals by name are Frank Gumpert,
then of Sherwood Forest Country Club and now of CC of Louisiana, John Celestino
of Cascade Hills Country Club, Mark Darnell of Westlake Country Club, and Kent Cayce,
then of Congressional Country Club and now of the Laurel Golf Center in Maryland.
Handicomp will always be grateful for the help received from these fine professionals.
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Beginning in 1983, Lisa Healey Postma began working full time at Handicomp in the
Handicap Service Department. Lisa had been working part time during summer breaks
since 1979. By 1990, Lisa had replaced Pat as the Manager of the Handicap Service
Department; a position she maintains today.
Bill Healey joined Handicomp after earning degrees in Political Science and Economics
from Alma College. Bill began in 1984 as a salesman and support technician (jack
of all trades) and ascended to the title of President before leaving the company
in 1993. Bill is currently pursuing international interests
In 1985, Stewart Healey began working full time at the company. Stu came into the
company with a degree from Central Michigan University in computer
science. Later
he would add an MBA from Western Michigan University. Stu began with
a dual role as programmer and technical support technician,
handling questions from clubs and installing systems. Stu worked his way
up the ladder, first as Support Department Manager and then as General Manager,
in charge of all daily activities. In 1993, Stu took over as President of the company and has maintained the
position ever since.
Computer technology advanced rapidly during the 1980's. In 1983, Tandy / Radio Shack
came out with a Xenix based computer called the Tandy 6000 that allowed for multiple
workstations at a low cost. And, with the introduction of SCO-Xenix and the IBM
PC-AT computer in 1985, Handicomp began installing multi-user systems in earnest.
It is believed that by 1990, Michigan had more multi-user handicap system installs
than the rest of the country combined. Today, Michigan still leads the country in
multi-user installs.
With the advent of the Windows operating systems, graphics worked their way to the
forefront. Handicomp followed with further revisions of its handicapping products
and several iterations of a golfer entry keyboard, ranging from a flat panel design
to a full key product. But, Handicomp didn't stop there. Presently, Handicomp has
released a comprehensive Touch Screen Golfer Interactive System that provides golfers
access to their handicapping records for score posting and review, as well as allows
golfers the ability to view and make tee reservations. |
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In the early 2000's Handicomp expanded its club management product line with the
introduction of a touch screen F&B point-of-sale system called Handi$erve.
This full featured POS product was integrated with both the Club Receivables
and Pro Shop Management Software giving Handicomp a full suite of club
management products.
Today, Handicomp is again diving headlong into the future with its Foresight
suite of products and services. Foresight is Handicomp's web based product
line and is being written to replace the existing distributed applications (yes,
the ones that were first developed in the early 80's). The first iteration
of the Foresight product line is the golf league Championship and Network
product. Foresight Handicapping is a work in progress and a rewrite of the
balance of the legacy applications are soon to follow. There's a lot of
history with Handicomp, which is just another thing that sets the company apart.
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