Roger Cleveland Returns To Cleveland Golf

After nearly 30 years as chief club designer at Callaway, renowned wedge designer Roger Cleveland is going home.

Cleveland Golf is announcing that Cleveland will be returning to the company he founded in 1979. His official title will be “Founder and Advisor.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Roger back to the family,” says Cleveland Marketing VP Chris Kircher. “His deep-rooted history with our brand makes this not just a homecoming but a special moment to be able to rejoin forces with one of the most iconic names in golf.”

“Coming back to Cleveland Golf is a special moment for me,” Cleveland said in a press release. “This company has always been close to my heart and I’m excited to contribute once again to its legacy of innovation and performance.”

The company says Cleveland will be “ideating and collaborating” with its PGA Tour and R&D teams as an advisor. He’ll provide input on new products and design ideas.

The Roger Cleveland/Cleveland Golf backstory

It may surprise newer golfers that Cleveland Golf has nothing whatsoever to do with northern Ohio, the Cuyahoga River or Drew Carey. Roger Cleveland founded the company in 1979 as the Cleveland Classics Golf Company, specializing in reproductions. His first product was a recreation of Bobby Jones’s Calamity Jane putter. The company expanded its business into persimmon woods, irons and wedges. It would eventually rename itself the Roger Cleveland Golf Company and be known in the market as Cleveland Golf.

In 1988, Cleveland made its mark when it launched the iconic Cleveland 588 wedge. The 588 and its descendants would claim more than 400 PGA Tour victories since then including 33 majors. Two years later, Cleveland sold his company to French ski manufacturer Rossignol. He would leave the company in 1995, saying in later interviews that he was “shown the door.” Cleveland joined Callaway shortly thereafter as chief golf club designer. He’s credited with getting Callaway into the forged wedge business.

Callaway and Cleveland Golf would lock horns in 2013. That year, Cleveland filed a trademark infringement lawsuit over the Callaway Mack Daddy 2 wedges. Those wedges sported “Designed by Roger Cleveland” on the back. Cleveland Golf was, and still is, officially listed as the Roger Cleveland Golf Company.

Cleveland spent nearly 30 years with Callaway before parting ways last year. Last March, Cleveland was inducted into the SoCal Golf Hall of Fame. Coincidentally, the 2024 Hall of Fame class also included Ely Callaway.

What does this mean for Cleveland Golf?

The founder’s return to his company after 30 years is certainly heartwarming. The question is whether Roger Cleveland’s role as “Founder and Advisor” will be real or merely ceremonial. There’s no denying Cleveland’s legendary status as a club designer. He’ll no doubt bring his unique perspective, insight and knowledge to the Cleveland Golf design team.

Cleveland Golf finds itself in a peculiar position in 2025. As part of the Srixon-Cleveland-XXIO triumvirate, it’s a second-tier OEM behind the Big Five. Over the past decade, Cleveland has positioned itself as a game-improvement line for irons, metalwoods and putters. At the same time, it’s trying to maintain its position as a premium wedge line. That’s a fine balancing act.

Will Roger Cleveland’s return to the family move the needle for his company? Not likely. However, any company that adds a Roger Cleveland is bound to benefit from his knowledge and input. That can only help final products.

In the meantime, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a nice feel-good story.