Alvin Puetz

Alvin Puetz (July 1, 1914 - October 4, 2007) was an American entrepreneur and golf enthusiast. His brother Peter and he founded the Puetz Golf Superstores. Alvin Puetz is inurned at the Washelli Columbarium at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park.
Life
Alvin Puetz was born in Seattle, Washington to Peter and Anna Puetz, who eventually had a total of ten children. He and some of his brothers began caddying at Seattle Golf Club, where they learned to play the game. In 1945, Puetz decided to start a driving range. He convinced his older brother, Peter Puetz, to go into the golf business with him, but only part-time at first. Alvin Puetz quit his job at a downtown Seattle meat market to run their new business, with his brother helping out on nights and weekends.
Business
The Puetz Golf Driving Range, located on Aurora Avenue N. and N. 125th Street, made it possible for the average man to learn to play at a reasonable price. Golf was not nearly as popular then as it is today and Alvin Puetz knew that they needed an additional way to make money. At the time most golf equipment was sold only at golf courses, which were very expensive, so he decided they would sell their golf merchandise at a reduced price, making it more affordable for the average man to play. The Puetz Golf Superstore was one of the first stores in the nation to sell discounted golf clubs, and had a vested interest in customer service. In 1958, Alvin Puetz married 36-year-old Ruby, a Seattle native, who worked as a greeter at the store. They later added stores in Bellevue, Washington, Tukwila, Washington, and Tacoma, Washington. Professional Golfers' Association of America professional Billy Derickson, who worked with Puetz Golf for over twenty years, said that the Puetz brothers, “Were pioneers and leaders in the golf industry.”

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