In April 1897, Willie Stewart and John Purves both employeed by Ben Sayers requested a professional license to play the West Links but were refused. In those days a club maker was deem to be a professional, yet in 1906 Robert Murray, Arthur Grant and George Sayers were all approved and given a license.

Among Sayers apprentices was Bob Jamieson who was appointed assistant at Royal Birkdale, before moving to Crieff Golf Club for ten years. He was appointed head pro at Turnberry where he remained for 32 years. During his career Bob Jamieson trained 32 assistants who took their skills to all corners of the world. Another Sayers apprentice was Alex Hay who was appointed Director of Golf at Woburn and was a regular BBC TV Golf commentator. In 1995, Alex gave Ian Poulter his first break when he appointed him assistant at Woburn. Poulter continues to be associated with the club and coaches the juniors.

In 1881, when Ben Sayers made North Berwick his permanent base he lived at 41 Westgate (now No.47). Sayers continued to describe himself as a golf ball maker. In 1894 he rented the shop at 102 High Street and converted the basement into a workshop. One of the first clubmakers he employed was Charlie McDonald from the Braid Hills who trained Sayers first apprentices John Johnstone, Richard Kelly and George Thomson.

In those early days clubmakers were deemed to be professional and were not allowed to play in amateur tournaments. With Sayers now employing men solely as clubmakers the rules were altered so that clubmakers could join the artisan golf clubs and win the prizes.