Terry Desmond grew up playing hockey for Toledo Bowser High School and eventually played slow pitch softball. Terry is a big guy and could hit a softball a looooong ways.
A buddy got him involved in Long Drive golf competitions and he was hooked. He has worked at Spuyten Duyval Golf course over the years and became a better than average golfer. With his prodigious length, he is a popular partner for scramble events. Because of his love for the game, he began to create individualized golf shirts for his teams.
His friends and partners enjoyed his unique designs and began to ask him to make them on an individual basis. His reputation spread and entire outings were coming to him to design 
individualized shirts for large outings with golfers of all sizes and shapes.
His budding shirt business led him to the idea that he could do this full time. He set about researching the right mixture of fabrics to create a shirt that held its shape, did not lose its color and most importantly was comfortable on the golf course.
He contracted with a manufacturer to deliver his first batch and the GEAR UP SPORTSWEAR brand was born in 2017.
Life Takes a Detour
In between high school and his growing shirt business, Terry’s life took a slight detour. He saw friends and acquaintances using illegal substances and saw a business opportunity. The lure of easy money was too much temptation for a young man in his early twenties.
The fast life eventually caught up with him. He was convicted of selling controlled substances and became a guest of the state penal system for 5 1/2 years. He was incarcerated just before his 20th birthday and was released before his 26th.
Although their accommodations are somewhat lacking, Terry told us,
“The time I spent living that life and serving my debt to society forced me to decide who and what I wanted to become. I realized quickly I had to change my path and clean up my act.”
Terry did just that, when he was released he strived to do something that would contribute to society.
He became a salesman for office equipment for several years, before he landed back in the golf business, when Dan Sutton hired him at Spuyten Duyval Golf Course.
Terry originally met his wife over 20 years ago. She was a sister of a friend of his from school. The couple have been together for 11 years, married for seven, and Terry gives his wife the credit for helping him get his act together and getting his shirt company off the ground.
“My wife has been the most important part of my life. She makes me a better person and has been a huge factor in helping me get the golf apparel business started.”
At first, she was somewhat skeptical, but eventually she came around and has been involved in every step of the growing apparel business.
“It’s not about how you play…..it’s about how you look on the golf course.”
As a long-time golfer, it seemed every golf shirt he bought was too tight, lacked durability, faded after a few cleanings and left a huge hole in his wallet. Desmond knew what he wanted for his golf apparel line and felt he could build a better mousetrap. He set out to create a better golf shirt for an affordable price.
Mixing various fibers and styles he was able to create a golf shirt that is comfortable to wear, wicks away sweat, holds its shape and color through multiple washings, plus looks great on the course.
Once the original design was set, Desmond needed financial help to get production started. Robert Nichols Jr. and PGA Professional Matt Urban believed in Terry, saw the potential and became partners in the budding business.
He found the traditional mark up for golf apparel that made golf shirts retail for $80 to $100 was not necessary. He has been able to market Gear Up Sportswear at a much lower retail price point, $49.99, yet still provide the quality every golfer wants.
The goal for every Gear Up Sportswear item is to provide a tour quality product at an affordable price. 
They are made with extra spandex, which make them more flexible than traditional golf shirts. Plus, the lighter weight thread allows for maximum moisture wicking to keep golfers cool under collar. Each shirt is manufactured with two inches of additional length and guaranteed to never shrink. Custom artwork and designs are available for teams or special occasions. Plus, the fabric contains 40+ SPF to divert harmful sun, plus Gear Up Sportswear will never fade from too much use.
Gear Up Sportswear puts the ‘FUN’ in functional sportswear and allows every golfer to focus on their drive, chip, or putt and not worry about a sticky, ill-fitting golf shirt. In fact, Gear Up Sportswear guarantees you will be 100% satisfied, or they will return your money.
Gear Up Sportswear is expanding their offerings to include pullover jackets, hats, shorts, shoes, golf bags and other golf accessories.
You can see Gear Up Sportswear on professional golfer Michael Balcar, who earned Toledo All- City honors twice, while a student at St. Johns High School. He was a standout on Cleveland State’s golf team and most recently competed on the PGA Tour’s LatinoAmerica Tour.
Gear Up Sportswear has only been selling nationally since 2017. They are expanding rapidly and are available in 32 retail pro shops, in 13 states, coast to coast. In Toledo, you can purchase Gear Up Sportswear apparel at Heather Downs Country Club, Highland Meadows, Spuyten Duyval and Brandywine Country Club.
If you are looking for a top-quality golf shirt for less cost than you might pay for another brand, check out GEAR UP Sportswear at: https://gearupsportswear.com/, or for custom orders and design, contact Terry directly at: Tdesmond@gearupsportswear.com.
Terry Desmond turned his life around and is building a solid golf apparel business located right here in Ohio. He is one more example of how, hard work, a good team and a belief in golf can provide a successful life.
