Peter Belmont

Architect Of Golf’s Variable

Weighting System

Peter Belmont, 77, a lifelong PGA professional and architect of golf’s variable weighting system, died June 29 at his daughter’s home in Newtown. He lived in Stratford. Born in Greenburgh, N.Y., he was the son of Angelo Belmont and Concetta Manganello Belmont.

Mr Belmont is survived by his wife, Joan; his daughters, Jamie and Diana; his son, Gary; daughter-in-law, Kathy Belmont; son-in-law, John Kruzchak; and three granddaughters, Kate Belmont, Tess Belmont, and Samantha Kruzchak.

Having attended New York University on an athletic scholarship, he began his golf career as a teaching professional at Briar Hall Country Club, presently known as Trump National. His sponsors in the PGA were Hall of Famers Jackie Burke and Jim Turnesa. Ben Hogan once remarked that, “Peter Belmont is the most knowledge golf professional I’ve ever talked to,” and solicited his expertise when testing some of his products.

In 1970 Mr Belmont formed Belmont USA Golf, Inc to develop and manufacture golf equipment. He was awarded, in 1976, the first patent on a complete set of golf clubs in the history of the game. His variable weighting system is used by most golf companies today. Most recently, he was awarded a patent for his innovative Reverse Aerodynamics, a new technology that will be launched in a complete set of woods and irons. A pioneer “blogger,” in 1983 Peter conducted computerized golf clinics for CompuServe, an H&R Block subsidiary. “Go BEL” would lead the user to a site that would analyze, correct, and guide the frustrated golfer. His installments covered everything about the game of golf, including fundamentals of play, course etiquette, gambling, viewer appreciation, and gold for the handicapped.

In the spring of 1984, Peter designed and constructed the Ridgefield Golf Complex in Ridgefield, concurrently inaugurating his Winter Golf Schools in St Kitts, West Indies, Key Biscayne, Miami, and Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Over the years he has conducted numerous golf clinics throughout the United States and was proclaimed by ESPN to be “America’s Most Complete Golf Teacher.”

Funeral services will be private. There will be a celebration of Mr Belmont’s life at the Ridgefield Golf Complex on Tuesday, July 8, at 5 pm.

Memorial contributions to the Stratford Animal Shelter, Frog Pond Road, Stratford CT 06614 would be appreciated.

Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, is in charge of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee        July 4, 2008