How We Got Here

It started as a short story

Some years ago, what started as a short story ended up being more of a novel. It was never intended to be what it became or take as long as it did to come to fruition. As odd as it sounds, the story follows a man through his immediate demise. He embarks on his reluctant journey to the bleak unknown as he plays One Last Loop before passing on to whatever lies ahead for him. During his final stroll down the fairways he loved so much, he is accompanied by the embodiment of death itself. The two afterlife companions dive deep the wounds of love, death, acceptance and regret, all set on the backdrop of his home club, the place is his final breath.

This story was deeply personal, it was never intended for publication. It was something that just needed to be seen through to completion. I was unable however, to leave the story behind me once I typed the final chapter. I ruminated on it, it stirred me in my sleep, much like the game I've played and loved for my entire adult life. I began drawing out a characterization about this story that relentlessly stalked my attention.

Long after the last words were written, I began exploring the usage of my artwork as means to visually represent the tonal significance of what this project meant to me. The themes, the passion, the heart of the commitment. This story and this game have had a profound and life-altering impact on me. I was in a constant pursuit to bring about something tangible from the story that haunted me as much as this game entangled me.

I placed some artwork on some mass-produced blank merchandise, and while I loved the way it looked, the quality of what I held in my hands, nowhere near matched the integrity of the idea that inspired it. So, I embarked upon what would end up being a year's long journey to explore how I could evolve this notion into something with true resonance. I spoke with clothing manufacturers all over the world, and tried to come up with something that felt tantamount to my vision. After near countless attempts, I was able to find just that in the Garment District of Manhattan. Once I began working with the truly extraordinary, generational clothiers, in one of the finest fashion epicenters on the planet, I knew this was how I needed to bring this obsession to life. And so, I did, bleeding the pain of a story so personal into a product of unmatched quality and homegrown integrity. Making the finest casual clothing for the players of this game that understand and respect the commitment it takes to build something truly remarkable.