Drew Krainyk, Jason Hoium and Brad Wallin's putter grip invention with a magnetic ball marker placed second at the Venture Forward business plan competition in Saskatoon from May 14-17.

The competition started out with 22 business ideas and was reduced to six in the final judging. Venture Forward included making a business plan, displaying a booth at a trade show and giving an one-hour presentation about the product.

For placing second, their company, JBD Golf, received $15,000 in funding as well as support services.

Originally, the grip went on sale in late December, but it was discovered that paint thinner weakened the two-part epoxy glue that held the magnet.

"We sold a bunch around Christmas, but from feedback we found out the magnet was coming out," Krainyk said.

JBD Golf is offering to install a new magnet into the old grips free of charge. The procedure can be done by contacting Krainyk, Hoium or Wallin or bring your club to the Weyburn Golf Club pro shop.

"The process takes eight seconds," Krainyk said. JBD Golf expects that their new grips will be in around early to mid-June.

Krainyk and Hoium has found that everyone is very generous, supporting their product and having patience with the latest setback. They have also been getting positive feedback from those who have bought a grip.

"I am surprised at some of the comments because they enjoy the quality of the grip, but they say nothing about the ball marker," Krainyk said.

After three months of waiting, JBD Golf's putter grip received approval from the United States Golf Association, making it legal to use in tournaments. Krainyk, Hoium and Wallin have no plans to talk to professional golfers about their product at the moment.

"We have a product not just for professionals, but a quality product with extra features that anyone can use," Hoium said.

JBD Golf decided that they want to start off small, within Saskatchewan, and make their way up. They are going to hold off on talking to big companies such as Nike and Taylor Made until their magnet problem is fixed and they can guarantee a good product.

"We would like to start in pro shops and retail stores in Saskatchewan and eventually make our way out from there," Hoium said.

This invention has been getting a lot of attention as SaskTel Max has asked them to make a commercial for the grip and saskgolfer.com will be featuring an interview with Hoium regarding the product.

The company received a provisional Canadian patent in the spring of 2006 and, as of April 13, they received a full patent for Canada and the United States.

The grip came to light in May of 2005, when Hoium had the idea of putting a ball marker on top of a putter grip. They made a prototype with an old putter grip and struck a deal with golf, tennis and badminton grip company Karakal to produce it. They come in three colour combinations: Red and black, blue and black and silver and black.

More information about the putter grip can be found at their website www.jbdgolf.com or by contacting Krainyk, Hoium or Wallin. Grips are also available at the Weyburn Golf Club pro shop for $15 including installation.