Earlier this year, we received a call that felt like a dream: UPS had selected Seamus Golf as one of its Small Business Award winners. The honor came with not only a financial grant to support our journey, but something even more surreal — the opportunity to share our story in a national UPS advertisement set to air during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Gratitude doesn’t begin to cover it. As a small brand that started in a garage, to be recognized and elevated on one of golf’s biggest stages is humbling and exhilarating.
Choosing the Perfect Location: Portland Golf Club
When UPS asked us to identify a place to film the advertisement, the answer came quickly: Portland Golf Club.
PGC holds a special place in my heart — it’s my home course. But more than that, it’s a site of true golf history. Opened in 1914, the course was the host of the 1947 Ryder Cup, the pivotal event that brought the matches back to life after World War II. Thanks to Portland grocer and PGC member Robert A. Hudson, who personally covered travel and hosting expenses, the Ryder Cup was able to return. That spirit of generosity and love for the game still echoes throughout the grounds.
The club graciously welcomed the production crew and played a starring role in the ad.
The Magic Moment: One Swing, One Shot
PGC’s very own Katie, a member of the golf staff, stepped into the spotlight for the hero swing of the commercial. With cameras rolling and dawn light flooding the fairway, she unleashed her best drive ever — 300+ yards, a personal record. It was the kind of serendipity you can’t script. A big thanks to greenskeeper Cory, who moved pins and helped position the course to meet the needs of the crew, adjusting to the light and tempo of filming like a true pro.
Back to Where It Began: The Seamus Workshop
The crew also visited our home base — the Seamus workshop — where my co-founder and wife, Megan Chisti, brought our origin story to life. Just as she did 14 years ago in our garage, Megan cut leather by hand, rigged the embroidery machine, flipped pieces inside out, and assembled product after product with precision, heart, and grit.
To us, excellence has always been hand-built — and Megan embodied that in every scene.
We even had a guest appearance from our beloved UPS driver, who took the whole day to be in the ad. His cameo in the cardboard handoff might just be the best acting of the shoot. He delivered — as always.
Forged in Fire: A Visit to Lyle the Blacksmith
Then came the fire. Quite literally.
We took the crew to visit blacksmith Lyle, the artisan behind our signature hand-forged ball markers. In a dramatic display of skill and intensity, Lyle heated raw steel to glowing, lava-like temperatures before hammering it into shape on an anvil — all right here in Portland, Oregon, USA. It's raw, it's real, and it’s what sets Seamus apart.
A Cinematic Experience
The production team — a 20-person crew — worked like clockwork. We later learned they were the same crew behind scenes from Grimm and Twilight, both shot in Oregon. Watching them bring our world to life with such care and craftsmanship was inspiring. They were pros, and they made us look like we belonged on the big stage.
Thank You, UPS
To say this was an honor doesn’t do it justice. We are deeply grateful to UPS for believing in our story, our team, and our mission. They’ve helped amplify a small brand rooted in family, craft, and love for the game — and they've done it on the grandest of stages.
As founder of Seamus Golf, I’ll end with this:
“We started with a single headcover in our garage. Now, we’re telling our story to the world — forged by hand, delivered with heart, and forever inspired by the game of golf.”
– Akbar Chisti, Founder, Seamus Golf
