Passion for Golf Creates New Product by Topeka Inventor

Kansas State University's Technology Development Institute in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering has partnered with GO Topeka to help a local inventor bring a patent-pending product, the Pars A Par surfacing tool, to the golfing industry.

Jerry Kruger, a Topeka resident with a passion for golf, wanted to create a product that removes scuffs and other damage that can cause golf balls to veer off course. After contacting the Kansas Small Business Development Center, Kruger was connected to the Technology Development Institute, or TDI, which specializes in the design, prototype creation and protection of new products and technologies.

"Given the price of golf balls today, I knew there had to be some way to reuse the balls even if they're scuffed up from hitting the pavement, gravel or what have you," Kruger said. "But you can't just take a sanding block to them because then you'll sand them flat. My solution to this is the Pars A Par surfacing tool."

The handheld Pars A Par tool has an attachment on the back allowing it to slide onto a finger, ensuring the device stays in place during use. The front portion is rounded to match the curvature of the ball and has a textured finish that smooths rough or damaged golf balls and removes surface defects.

TDI utilized its internal innovation funding, provided by the Kansas Department of Commerce, and a GO Topeka Proof of Concept grant to cover the cost of designing and 3D printing several prototypes for testing. TDI also assisted with filing the patent application and working with the product manufacturer to complete the injection mold design so the device can be put into large-volume production.

"The partnership with GO Topeka has allowed us to tap into additional resources to help entrepreneurs such as Jerry to prototype and protect his new invention, and we are excited to continue to support new product development across the state," said Bret Lanz, commercialization director for TDI. "This being the first product that Jerry has patented, he had a number of questions that we were able to answer for him, and the engineering staff did a great job designing and printing his prototypes."

The partnership seeks to assist local entrepreneurs as part of the K-State 105 initiative. K-State 105 is Kansas State University’s answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university’s collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise within other state institutions and agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state.

"We are excited that more and more local entrepreneurs are taking advantage of both our Proof of Concept grant program as well as the technical resources that are in the state to support the creation and development of new businesses and technologies," said Stephanie Moran, senior vice president of innovation at GO Topeka. "We believe that as we continue to expand our Small Business Incentives Program, the number of new Topeka-based businesses will also continue to grow."

The K-State Technology Development Institute, a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center, provides a broad range of engineering and business development services to both private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products or technologies.