Poppy Hills Launches Newly Renovated Web Site

(PEBBLE BEACH) - Poppy Hills has launched a newly renovated Web site, www.poppyhillsgolf.com Tuesday night. The enhanced site boasts a clean, fresh look with a modern design making it even easier to make an online starting time.

Other features include a comprehensive virtual tour with audio commentary, updated pro shop and instruction news, a section on weddings and a photo gallery from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Other standard features, such as weather, directions, contact information and a link to the course's parent Northern California Golf Association website (www.ncga.org), are also clearly displayed.

Poppy Hills is a challenging course that weaves through the Del Monte Forest. The venue plays host to many prominent tournaments including the PGA Tour's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in early February.

The Robert Trent Jones Jr. design opened in 1986 and is the home course for the NCGA. It was the first course in the United States to be owned and operated by an amateur golf association. The par-72 layout measures 6,857 yards from the black tees with a rating of 74.3/144.

In the October 17 issue of GolfWorld, the magazine announced its first "Readers' Choice Awards." Poppy Hills was selected 41st on the list of the top 50 public courses. A 2007 Zagat Survey ranked Poppy Hills the 12th "Most Popular Course" in the U.S., and the layout was named "National Course of the Year" in 2006 by the National Golf Course Owners Association. The golf shop was named as one of the "Top 100 Golf Shops" in 2008 by Golf World Business magazine.

Poppy Hills also includes a picturesque grass driving range, practice putting, chipping, bunker facilities and a video swing analysis system. The course welcomes public play and it is recommended for visitors to join the NCGA to receive nearly a 75-percent discount off the $200 public green fee.

Rocky Gap Unveils Late-Season Golf Package

Guests of the Four-Diamond Western Maryland Resort Can Play the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course for $25 through November

(CUMBERLAND, Md.) – Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort – home to the state’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course – today announces the Legendary Tees golf package. Through November, guests can play the award-winning resort course for only $25 per round with the purchase of a $119 double occupancy room.

“Our guests have enjoyed the beauty and challenge of this Jack Nicklaus Signature Course year after year and it’s a pleasure to offer them the opportunity to play for such an incredible price,” says Rocky Gap General Manager Tim Grambley. “At only $25, guests may want to play additional rounds, which, with the many subtleties and nuances of this design, is an excellent idea.”

With 18-hole rates to play Rocky Gap ranging from $70 to $95 for resort guests, the savings via the Legendary Tees package are considerable.

Rocky Gap’s award-winning golf course – given 4 Stars by Golf Digest – is a design masterpiece that features two unique playing experiences. The par-72 track features a front nine that weaves its way along the mountainside and boasts dramatic elevation changes, while the back nine features expansive, gently rolling fairways and scenic vistas with breathtaking views of the wooded splendor.

In addition to championship golf, Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort also offers many packages ranging from treatments at the Garden Spa to holidays, romance and family. For more information on those packages and the resort, visit www.rockygapresort.com or call 800-724-0828.

An on-site Family Adventure Planner also is available to help guests schedule off-site adventures that can include:
* Horseback riding;
* Hiking and biking;
* Rides on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad;
* Sporting clays; and
* Custom rock climbing and rappelling trips.

Conveniently located within two hours of Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington D.C., the all-inclusive resort sits at the gateway to Rocky Gap State Park and is nestled at the base of Evitts Mountain, on the pristine shores of Lake Habeeb.

About Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort
Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort is a 215-room resort located on 243-acre Lake Habeeb in the lush forested mountains of Western Maryland. Amenities include the Rocky Gap Garden Spa which features the renowned line of Eminence spa products, miles of marked hiking trails highlighting Mother Nature's glory, a 7,000-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course with five sets of tee boxes to match the skill level of any golfer, and an on-property adventure outfitter for horseback riding, hiking and biking, whitewater rafting and corporate team building.

Nike Golf Introduces New Men and Women's Hybrid/Iron Mixed Set Within its Award-Winning Slingshot Family

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - Nike Golf's Slingshot family, a multiple award-winner for it's game improvement technology in its irons, continues on the path of technological advancement with the introduction of the Slingshot HL (High Launch) Mixed Set for men and women.

Available on November 1, 2008, Nike Golf is bringing hybrids and irons together and modifying four key areas of club head design to optimize performance. In the hybrids of the Slingshot HL Mixed Set, the areas of modification include the slingback design; low and deep profile; keel sole; and increased offset. The irons of the new Slingshot HL Mixed Set have modified the slingback design; variable sole width; progressive offset; and club head profile.

As in Nike Golf's previous Slingshot iron introductions, both the hybrids and irons that make up the new Slingshot HL Mixed Set feature Nike's distinctive Slingback design. In the men's and women's hybrids (#3, #4, #5), the Slingback bar positions the weight further back increasing the Moment of Inertia (MOI) and providing stability. In the men's irons (#6 - PW), the Slingback design is positioned strategically in each club to achieve the desired ball flight. In the women's hybrid/iron set, the Slingshot HL utilizes an ultralight shaft from UST and a Nike proprietary Winn grip for the ultimate in comfort and vibration absorption.
More Features and Benefits for Men and Women's Models

Slingshot HL Mixed Set - Hybrids (#3, #4, #5)
- Low and Deep Profile - Weight is strategically positioned low and back making it easier to get the ball airborne.
- Keel Sole - The keel sole design increases the playability from the fairway and the rough.
- Increased Offset - Increases the opportunity to square the hybrid at contact for straighter golf shots.
Slingshot HL Mixed Set - Irons (#6 - PW)
- Variable Sole Width - Narrows progressively throughout the set (mid irons are wider for higher launch; short irons are thinner to provide greater control).
- Progressive Offset - Greater offset in the mid irons help square the clubface for straighter shots. Minimal offset in the short irons increase shot making control.
- Club Head Profile: Elongated profile in the mid irons increases MOI for stability on off-center hits.

The Slingshot HL Women's set feature distinctive characteristics with its unique and elegant houndstooth pattern on the irons shaft and head. This houndstooth design is harmonious with the popular design highlighted in several of Nike Golf's women's apparel and accessories.

Availability: Nov. 1, 2008 at golf shops and specialty stores nationwide.

Men's and Women's Right and Left Hand: Hybrids #3, #4, #5 (19˚, 23˚, 26˚) Steel S/R MSRP: $699.99; Graphite S/R/A/W MSRP: $799.99

Titleist Introduces New Vockey Design Spin Milled Wedges

From Pitching Wedge to Lob Wedge, Lofts Range from 48 to 64 Degrees

(Fairhaven, MA) - Building on the proven product success that has made Vokey Design Wedges the most played at every level of competitive golf, Titleist introduces its most comprehensive Spin Milled line ever. Evolving from a rich heritage as the finest individual short game tools in golf, the new Vokey Spin Milled family has been developed as a complete set of high performance wedges. The line includes nine lofts ranging in two-degree increments from 48° to 64°, multiple bounce options, and tour-inspired sole grinds in three player-preferred finishes. These options create a matrix of performance characteristics to fit a wide range of player styles, course conditions and shot-making requirements.

“Being able to hit precise shots from into and around the green requires a full range of wedge choices that provide the player with the proper yardage gaps, turf performance, and the ability to hit it close from the sand,” said Steve Pelisek, General Manager, Titleist Golf Clubs. “It makes perfect sense for better players to dial in their wedge choices with the new Vokey Design Spin Milled line because they can have a prominent effect on their ability to shoot lower scores.”

With continuous input from tour players, club professionals and better playing amateurs, Titleist Master Craftsman Bob Vokey has created new Spin Milled pitching, gap, sand and lob wedges that represent an ideal blend of technology and craftsmanship. All the new models feature CAD-generated profiles that are perfectly sized and blended from one loft to the next. Characterized by progressive toe shapes, the heads feature a rounder profile as the lofts increase, and progressive toplines that instill visual continuity and confidence. CAD designed with precise progressive heel-to-toe sole radius, the higher lofts feature more radius to keep the leading edge low as the clubface is opened. The leading edges are squarer in the lower lofts, serving as a visual aid to achieve better alignment. In the higher lofts, leading edges are more curved, minimizing the likelihood of thin shots. Leading edge entry angles are consistent throughout all lofts to promote consistent and predictable club and turf interaction through impact.

During the tooling process, the sole and back of each Spin Milled wedge was handcrafted on the bench by Vokey and his team, consisting of the industry's finest tool makers. The line features wedges with tour inspired sole grinds, based on the prototype M, T, E and TK grinds that Vokey created when out on Tour. These unique grinds were previously only available to the Tour players, but now all golfers can benefit from the shot-making and performance advantages these grinds provide.

“I'm thrilled that we are now able to bring a full line of hand-crafted, Tour-inspired wedges to all golfers,” said Vokey. “In a manner of speaking, the sole is the ‘soul’ of the wedge. It controls how the club reacts with the turf and dictates what kinds of shots a player is capable of executing with a certain wedge. On Tour, players spend time with me, refining the soles of their wedges to where the effective bounce and playability are in perfect balance. Over the years, we have developed different grinds and identified them by a letter or letters as a kind of shorthand for the most common player preferences that we encounter.”

All Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges are engineered from soft 8620 carbon steel and employ Tour-validated Spin Milled technology. The faces of all Spin Milled wedges are precision milled to be perfectly flat. Spin Milled grooves are CNC-machined using a special circular saw-style cutting tool. The resulting grooves feature a steeper draft angle with maximum allowable depth under USGA rules and provide 30 percent more groove volume. This increased volume increases the amount of moisture, grass and debris that can be removed from the clubface surface at the moment of impact, resulting in cleaner ball-face contact. Spin Milled grooves feature a tighter edge radius that increases grip on the ball, particularly under wet conditions or in heavy, grassy lies. A series of micro-edges are milled into the face of each wedge producing 300 percent higher face friction than polishing. The resulting additional ball spin is particularly advantageous on partial shots, where groove size and depth have much less impact on spin.

Together, Spin Milled grooves and micro-edge face texture combine to provide up to 10 percent more spin in dry conditions and up to 85 percent more spin in wet conditions than a wedge with conventional grooves.

Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges are available in three finishes, non-glare Tour Chrome, Oil Can and Black Nickel. The stock shaft is Dynamic Gold S200. The stock grip is Titleist Golf Pride Tour Velvet.

“I have always said that thanks to Titleist I have the best research and development team in the world, and that is the PGA Tour,” said Vokey. “I am a listener at heart and I listen to and watch what tour players are looking for and work with them until they have exactly what they want. Now, all golfers will be able to benefit from all of the player feedback and testing and refinement that we have done for years.”

Sandia Golf Club Receives 4 ½ Stars from Golf Digest

(ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico) - Sandia Golf Club was honored in Golf Digest's 2008-2009 edition of "Best Places You Can Play" golf guide with 4 ½ stars out of a total possible rating of five stars.

Located in Albuquerque, N.M., Sandia Golf Club features a world class golf experience that offers a visually stunning and strategic 18 hole golf course designed by Scott Miller, complete practice facility and a 16,000 square foot "Pueblo" style clubhouse featuring restaurant, golf shop and expansive patio. According to Golf Digest, a four-star rating is considered "outstanding" and a five-star rating is considered "superb." The ratings are based on reviews from Golf Digest readers who cast a ballot after playing daily-fee courses across the country.

"The readers of Golf Digest have responded and decorated Sandia Golf Club with a very notable honor," says Dave Goff, vice president of operations for OB Sports (the management company that oversees operations of the golf facility at Sandia. "This is yet another testament to the commitment of the Pueblo of Sandia to provide a world class golf experience for guests of Sandia Resort and Casino."

Sandia Golf Club no stranger to such awards having garnered awards such as "Development of the Year" by Golf Inc Magazine, Top 100 Golf Shops in The Country, Golf World Business and being selected as one of the Top 10 Best New Courses In The Country by Golf Magazine.

John Daly on Where to Play Golf

This week's special guest on America's syndicated "Where to Play Golf" Radio Show is American Golfer favorite John Daly.

The Golf Guys also visit with author of "Ghost Stories of Sarasota" Kim Cool.
In addition, former NBC-TV anchorman Mike Robinson hosts another segment of "Golf: It's a Crime!"

Tune in each week on a station near you for our Featured Destination, New Product Segment, Trivia, Golf Tip of the Week, Golf Vacation of the Week, 19th Hole Drink of the Week and more ... or listen on-line at www.wkrs.com Saturdays 7 to 8 a.m. EST, www.wlip.com Saturdays 8 to 9 a.m. EST or www.wrnn.com Saturdays 6 to 7 a.m. EST ... or at www.wheretoplaygolf.com.

Where to Play Golf Radio Show broadcasts every weekend on radio stations in golf destinations like Milwaukee, Chicago and Myrtle Beach and streams worldwide on the internet. In addition, they film one-hour Where to Play Golf, Vacation & Travel TV Specials.

Pocono Mountains Pair Championship Golf with Variety, Multi-Service Meeting Facilities

Four-County Destination in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Mountains Offers Something for Groups of Any Size, Weekend, Midweek Value-Laden Packages

(POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pennsylvania) – The Pocono Mountains – conveniently located within close proximity to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. – pair championship golf with myriad meetings facilities which offer a wide spectrum of services, settings and amenities. From an afternoon meeting to a weeklong convention, the venerable Pocono Mountains is the ideal location in which to host a successful event.

The Pocono Mountains properties are competitively priced and well versed in catering to a variety of groups and organizations – from the largest corporations to small businesses and groups, from religious retreats to teambuilding programs and everything in between. All fall within the expertise of the Pocono Mountains’ hospitality professionals.

“Pocono Mountains resort and meeting venues tailor packages to meet the needs of each event, however diverse, and being centrally located has made our properties easy to access,” says Carl Wilgus, President and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

Understanding successful events aren't solely about what takes place within the meeting facility, an assortment of amenities await, including nature trails, lakes, golf courses, ski slopes,a casino, waterparks and shopping venues. The Pocono Mountains provide something for every golfer's taste – stern enough to challenge the best players or docile enough for a novice to enjoy a round in this spectacular setting. The four-county destination is flush with hundreds of holes of golf from legendary designers from the Golden Era of golf course architecture such as Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast and today's top names like the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus.

For those looking for golf meeting opportunities to fit a variety of schedules, the Pocono Mountains also feature indoor golf and a nine-hole lighted golf course for evening play.

Off the golf course, three rivers and countless streams allow for outdoor water activities such as fishing, kayaking and white water rafting, while sporting clays, biking, horseback riding, camping and hiking are plentiful. In addition, snow boarding, downhill and cross country skiing are just a few of the winter activities available in the Pocono Mountains.

A popular vacation spot for generations, the Pocono Mountains have undergone a reinvention over the last few years and offer state-of-the-art meetings facilities, while not losing the charm and comfortable familiarity people have grown to know and embrace.

Looking forward to a getaway? The Pocono Mountains offer a wide array of stay-and-play packages, while allowing visitors an opportunity to relax and reconnect in the authentic, forested beauty.

For more information on scheduling the perfect meeting while discovering golf's great destination secret, visit www.800poconos.com or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).

Ritson-Sole Golf School and Pawleys Plantation offer package deal

(PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C.) - The Ritson-Sole Golf School and Pawleys Plantation are offering the "Best Ever Golf School Package" through Feb. 27, 2009. The package combines deluxe accommodations, golf on Pawleys Plantation's award-winning Jack Nicklaus-designed course, daily breakfast, and three-days of golf school at the on-site Ritson-Sole Golf School, which is currently ranked one of the top five golf schools in America.

The rates for the "Best Ever Golf School Package" range from $799 to $899 per person, according to season. The package, based on double occupancy, includes three nights accommodations in a luxurious one-bedroom suite, two rounds of golf with carts on Pawleys Plantation's signature Jack Nicklaus course, three breakfasts, and three-days of golf instruction at the highly acclaimed, on-site Ritson-Sole Golf School, known for offering top quality instruction at an affordable price.

"Our goal is to grow the game of golf," said Mel Sole, owner and chief instructor for the Ritson-Sole Golf School. "We believe that people shouldn't have to pay high prices for top quality instruction so we offer a first class golf experience at a price most people can afford."

Pawleys Plantation's on-site golf school has several instructors including owner and Golf Magazine Top Teacher, Mel Sole. Class size is limited to four students to ensure plenty of individual attention.

Pawleys Plantation was recently named "one of the most underrated golf resorts" in the Southeastern United States by readers of Travel & Leisure Golf magazine. Results of the magazine's annual reader survey on the "World's Best Golf Resorts" were reported in the 2008 September/October issue of the magazine and at www.tlgolf.com.

About The Ritson-Sole Golf School
The Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School provides personalized instruction for all golfers from beginner to advanced, and also specializes in working with corporate clients. One of only 10 academies to remain on Golf Magazine's prestigious "Top 25 Golf Schools" list since the ranking debuted in 1999, the school has consistently been rated by national golf and travel magazines as one of the best golf schools in the United States.

For more information on the Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School contact the school at 800-624-4653 or visit their Web site at www.ritson-sole.com.

'Golf My Way' Available on DVD

Want to play better golf? American Golfer recommends Jack Nicklaus' "Golf My Way."

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. - For the first time in over a decade, Jack Nicklaus will offer to the public, on www.NicklausProShop.com, Golf My Way in a deluxe, two-disc DVD set featuring his insights and instruction broken down through playing lessons that focus on various aspects of the game and appeal to golfers of all skill levels.

Never before has this famed instructional series been offered on DVD. The footage, much of which was filmed 25 years ago in the midst of Nicklaus' record-setting career, has been digitally re-mastered, using today's unrivaled production technology, to greatly enhance the quality and appeal of these timeless golf lessons.

"From the days of Jack Grout, who taught me the game as a kid and through the decades, to my most recent work with Jim Flick, I have not changed my approach to teaching the game," Nicklaus said. "My desire is to teach people how to play and enjoy the game just as I was taught. Golf My Way is the composite of how I have always played the game and how I have always taught the game."

In 1974, Nicklaus authored what would become the most successful golf instruction book of all time, Golf My Way. Translated into numerous languages across the globe, Golf My Way quickly gained international appeal and worldwide distribution. It became known as the instruction source for golfers of all generations and skill levels looking to take up or improve their game. Golf My Way was the book former British Open champion Greg Norman credits for how he first learned the game of golf in the 1970s. Fast forward to today, and it is the very same book (translated into Korean) that K.J. Choi gives credit to for teaching him the game. In between Norman and Choi, millions of people around the world have employed the instruction from Jack Nicklaus in Golf My Way to learn and enjoy the game.

In 1983, Nicklaus took the teachings of Golf My Way and recorded hours of instruction for the first offering of Golf My Way on VHS. The video quickly became the top-selling golf instruction series in the market. Powered by the sales success of Golf My Way, Nicklaus then recorded Golf My Way II and several shorter versions focused on specific aspects of the game to be offered in alternative video products over the following decade.

The Resort at Pelican Hill Sets Opening Date

The Destination Resort Boasts Unparalleled Luxury, Spectacular Ocean Views, Extravagant Villas and Bungalow Suites, Inspired Architecture, 36 Stunning Holes of Tom Fazio-Designed Golf, World-Class Spa and 'Coliseum' Pool

(NEWPORT BEACH, Southern California) - The Resort at Pelican Hill, the long-awaited destination resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, will open its doors Nov. 26, offering guests a level of service and luxury that is unmatched in the resort world. The Resort at Pelican Hill will blend the principles of Italy's most renowned Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio, with chic and casual California elegance.

Boasting inspiring, expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Newport Coast, The Resort at Pelican Hill will feature: 128 villas with an unparalleled array of appointments, immersing guests in the absolute finest of everything; 204 luxuriously appointed bungalow suites; a rejuvenating spa with 22 treatment rooms and a menu of the world's most celebrated therapies; world-class restaurants including authentic Northern Italian cuisine at Andrea; an iconic "Coliseum" pool, the largest circular pool anywhere, with tiered decks and the most luxurious cabanas of any resort; and Pelican Hill Golf Club with 36 dramatic holes by Tom Fazio, nearly all with ocean panoramas.

The resort is rising on a 504-acre site that is one of the most serene and beautiful coastal settings in Southern California, where the Pacific laps uncrowded beaches and thousands of acres of coastal habitat are permanently protected as open space or designated for recreational use only.

The Resort at Pelican Hill captures the essence of an Italian seaside village, terraced on a verdant hillside in harmony with the natural environment.

"With the final touches being put on one of the most awaited resorts ever built, The Resort at Pelican Hill is emerging as a masterpiece in the art of hospitality," said Ralph Grippo, president of the Irvine Company Resort Properties, the developer and operator of the resort. "The unprecedented attention to detail - in every aspect of the property and guest experience, from the distinct and refined architecture to the most innovative and comprehensive personalized service program - is setting The Resort at Pelican Hill apart and establishing it as a new paradigm among the world's finest resorts."

The Resort at Pelican Hill was inspired by the Renaissance belief that humanity is uplifted by aspiring to perfection. And underpinning this quest for perfection is the one aspect of Pelican Hill that will most set it apart: service that is extraordinary, precedent-setting and the most personalized of any resort.

The service will begin before the guest's arrival - with a level of pre-planning unrivaled in the luxury resort world -with a personal travel designer planning and arranging every aspect and detail of the Pelican Hill experience, everything from having golf clubs pre-shipped to the resort to scenting the suite with the preferred aromatherapy. Once at the resort, the most highly trained, around-the-clock staff - from personal butlers to concierges, even chefs to cook personal meals - will see to your every need, completely customize and individualize your experience, and create a truly one-of-a-kind stay for you.

Opening rates for bungalows start at $695, and $1,450 for villas, based on availability. For more information and reservations, call 800-820-6800.

USGA Museum Opens The Pynes Putting Course

The USGA Museum has opened The Pynes Putting Course, a 16,000-square-foot putting green that will allow visitors to test their skills using replicas of antique putters and balls from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The course will be open to visitors during regular museum hours from early spring to late fall, weather permitting. The green fee is $5 with paid admission to the museum and includes a souvenir square-mesh golf ball. Visitors will be able to use replicas of four classic putters ‑‑ such as Bob Jones' famous Calamity Jane II ‑- to play the nine-hole course, which will be re-routed on a weekly basis.

Named for Evelyn and Percy Pyne, who lived on the grounds of the country estate that is now home to the USGA, the course was inspired by the world-renowned Himalayas putting green in St. Andrews, Scotland. That green, which has served as home to the Ladies' Putting Club of St. Andrews since 1867, has long welcomed visitors from all over the globe.

"We hope that the experience of playing the putting course will increase visitors' appreciation for golfers of the past and their skills," said Rand Jerris, director of the museum. "We hope there are some golfers who come and get hooked on the history of the game. It's a place where families are welcome, and it may be the first time some visitors ever get to putt on a grass green."

The green was designed by Philadelphia-based architect Gil Hanse, who also spent more than two days on a shaper to fashion the putting surface's dramatic mounds and swales. USGA Green Section staffers Jim Moore and Dave Oatis oversaw the agronomic details of the green, which utilizes Declaration, a creeping bentgrass strain developed at Rutgers University with the assistance of USGA Green Section funding.

Paul Ramina, GCSAA Class A director of grounds at nearby Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, and Hamilton Farm GCSAA superintendent member Pat Husby also offered their services in training the USGA grounds staff on cutting-edge green maintenance.

For more about creating the green, visit http://www.usga.org/news/2008/september/putting_green.html.

adidas Golf Introduces ClimaProof® Storm 3-Way Convertible Jacket

Exceptionally Versatile Garment Easily Converts from Long Sleeve to Short Sleeve to Vest

CARLSBAD, Calif. - adidas Golf has introduced the ClimaProof Storm 3-Way Convertible Jacket, a versatile piece of equipment that can be worn three ways - long-sleeve, short-sleeve or vest - depending on the weather. Its unique combination of construction, modern materials and intelligent features make it a must-have for serious golfers who want to perform their best in the elements while enjoying the best possible protection against wind, rain and cold.

"Our ambition was to reinvent the rain jacket to make it more versatile, so it can be worn in a variety of conditions, and to make it less restrictive, so that every type of shot can be executed with absolute freedom," said Tiss Dahan, adidas Golf's senior director of apparel. "Judging by the positive feedback we've received from our Tour Staff professionals and the many other players we worked with to develop this jacket, we succeeded."

The ClimaProof Storm 3-Way Convertible Jacket unites advanced structural design and modern four-way stretch properties to eliminate excess material that would otherwise get in the way of the swing. That includes a thin-yet-warm removable 360° compression wrap inner layer that also delivers increased support and precludes the need for a liner, eliminating bulk. An athlete can make a full swing with complete freedom while wearing this jacket, and can also chip and putt without the distraction of excess material impeding the motion of the arms and hands.

ClimaProof
"What I love about the jacket is that when I bend down to putt or chip it's not bulky, so it doesn't bother my stroke," said Dustin Johnson, winner of the 2008 Turning Stone Classic.

Converting from long-sleeve to short-sleeve, and from short-sleeve to vest and vice-versa, is easy and quick.

"This jacket gives you so much versatility, you can take the sleeves off and turn it into a vest, you can tailor your jacket to how severe the weather is," said European Ryder Cup player and 2007 European Tour Order of Merit winner Justin Rose. "It's by far the most technologically advanced jacket I've ever seen."

Critical jacket features developed to increase comfort and convenience while eliminating distraction include:

* Convertible sleeves with stretch-elbow articulation for easy movement
* Shaped and adjustable cuffs for snug, comfortable fit
* Inner collar that flips up for added protection from the elements
* Bonded paneling in critical comfort zones to eliminate seams that can rub, chafe and irritate
* Waterproof zipper that makes a storm flap unnecessary
* Innovative silicone grippers on each shoulder that prevent bag-strap slippage
* Concealed venting for excellent breathability
* Concealed internal right pocket
* Waterproof to 20,000 mm
* Breathable to 15,000g/m2/24hrs

The ClimaProof Storm 3-Way Convertible Jacket was introduced on tour at this year's Open Championship, where it was worn by adidas Golf Tour Staff professionals including Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Sean O'Hair. Colors: black, zinc-black and Barez. Sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL. Includes a three-year waterproof warranty. Available in stores now. The MSRP is $275.

Also new is adidas Golf's ClimaProof Storm Pants, which were created to match the Convertible Jacket and make for a complete rainsuit. Features include hidden stretch waist tabs, ergonomic back-pocket entry, back-knee articulation, three-way adjustable length, four-way stretch material. Colors: black, zinc-black. Sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL. Includes a three-year waterproof warranty. Available in stores now. The MSRP for the ClimaProof Storm Pants is $170.

Editor's Note: To date, American Golfer has been dedicated to golf courses and resorts, but clothing and equipment are vital to the game. Expect to see more variety in the coming weeks and months.

Bermuda's Port Royal Golf Course To Host 2009, 2010 PGA Grand Slam Of Golf

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) - Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda, which the late architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. deemed it his finest work outside of the United States, has been named the site for the 2009 and 2010 PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the season-ending showcase of the game's premier foursome and one boasting the most difficult qualification requirement in the game - a major championship - is televised by TNT to a worldwide audience.

This week, Bermuda's Mid Ocean Club is hosting the 26th PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 14-15. Next year's 27th PGA Grand Slam of Golf will be held at Port Royal Golf Course on Oct. 19-21.

Port Royal Golf Course, a public course that opened for play in 1970, has undergone a $13.7 million renovation that extends the layout 281 yards to 6,842 yards. The course will be reopened in January 2009.

"The PGA of America is honored to continue the PGA Grand Slam of Golf tradition on the island of Bermuda at Port Royal Golf Course," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "Bermuda's combination of unmatched hospitality and community support for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf has enhanced the season-ending meeting of the game's elite foursome. We look forward to working with all of our friends in Bermuda in presenting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf next fall to the world."

"We are so proud to extend our valued partnership with The PGA of America and the Grand Slam of Golf," said Ewart F. Brown, Premier of Bermuda and Minister of Tourism. We are especially proud to have an event as prestigious as the Grand Slam at Port Royal -- a spectacular public golf course that belongs to the people of Bermuda and speaks loudly to our country's commitment to the game."

"My hat is off to the members and staff at the Mid Ocean Club. Last year, and once again this year, they've shown Bermuda and the world they can handle a top-notch golf event with expert precision. From the course maintenance to the hospitality to the volunteer effort -- they have set the bar extremely high."

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf features a $1.35 million purse, with the winner receiving $600,000, second place $300,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.
TNT's prime-time broadcast of the event reaches a worldwide audience of 88.9 million U.S. homes and international viewers in more than 100 countries.

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is hosted by the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Mid Ocean Club and the Fairmont Southampton.

The 6,842-yard, par-71 Port Royal Golf Course began its renovation program in January 2008, a project that includes rebuilding tees and greens and installing TifEagle grass. All bunkers have been redesigned and a reverse osmosis plant and course irrigation system has been installed.

Established in 1979, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf has grown from an 18-hole, single-day charity event to a 36-hole annual showdown that matches professional golf's best against each other.

The winners of the 2009 major championships qualify to play in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf: The Masters April 9-12; at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.; the U.S. Open Championship, June 18-21; at Bethpage State Park (Black Course) in Farmingdale, N.Y.; the British Open Championship, July 16-19; at Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland, and the 91st PGA Championship, Aug. 13-16, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

Past PGA Grand Slam of Golf Champions include: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Tom Lehman, Ben Crenshaw, Greg Norman, Nick Price, Angel Cabrera and Ian Woosnam.

The PGA of America Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America also conducts four professional golf events: the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Senior PGA Championship and PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

The Territory Climbs Golfweek’s 'Top 100 Residential Golf Courses’ in America List

Southwest Oklahoma Golf and Residential Community’s Latest ‘Best-of’ Acclaim Highlighted in the Wall Street Journal

(Southwest Oklahoma) – The Territory, an award-winning golf and residential community near the quaint, progressive town of Duncan, today announces that it has once again been named a “Top 100 Residential Golf Course” in America. The Wall Street Journal recently published the rankings with The Territory (No. 37) moving up one spot despite newer residential courses debuting in 2008.

This ranking further enhances The Territory’s reputation as a top-of-the-bell-curve course and community. The Territory stands side by side with internationally known courses at Isleworth (No. 52) – Tiger Woods’ home course – Kiawah Island, Pronghorn and La Quinta.

Rick and Barbara Braught developed The Territory to introduce a casual yet elegant golf residential community which is family friendly and set in the unspoiled beauty of the region.

“Being recognized as one of the top residential courses in America is testament to the hard work and dedication that has gone into The Territory since Day 1 of the planning process and continues on a daily basis,” says owner Rick Braught. “Our ongoing mission is to provide a top-notch golf, residential and lifestyle experience at The Territory.”

Distinguishing The Territory from a vast majority of residential courses across the country – many of which also are honored with Top 100 praise – the Randy Heckenkemper design feels like a golf course first, and a residential development second. The golf experience remains the focus from the first tee shot to the final putt.

The Territory – a modified target-style design that unfolds over rolling hills and through fields of native vegetation – stretches to 7,100 yards from the tips and features five sets of tees. A state-of-the-art training facility and a three-hole short course add to the golf-related chops, while fine culinary dishes are the norm at the Prairie House. The swimming pool and activity courts are often venues for planned events or a break from the day-to-day grind.

The “Top 100 Residential Courses” list was published in partnership with Golfweek Magazine, which sends hundreds of course rating panelists around the country annually to identify the best courses in their respective categories. Golfweek and the Wall Street Journal are partnering to provide this valuable information to their combined readerships.

For more information on The Territory, call 580-475-0075 or visit www.territorygolf.com.

Fort Mill Golf Club Unveils Renovations

(FORT MILL, S.C.) -- Fort Mill Golf Club, a cornerstone of golf in the southeast for six decades, has unveiled the dramatic results of a comprehensive $3 million renovation program, according to Gene Roper, director of golf operations for course owner Leroy Springs & Company, Inc.

The unveiling of the course renovation marks a pair of milestones at Fort Mill; the 60th Anniversary of its Donald Ross-designed front nine which opened in 1948, and the 50th Anniversary next year of its George Cobb-designed back nine dating to 1959.

"Fort Mill Golf Club is the product of two of the country's most storied and prolific golf course architects, Donald Ross and George Cobb," says Roper. We're thrilled today to share the restored luster of their original designs with golfers around the region."

Fort Mill Golf Club is owned and operated by Leroy Springs & Company, a non-profit company dedicated to supporting the recreation, education, and community needs of citizens in Chester Township, Fort Mill Township and Lancaster County in South Carolina.

The company operates golf courses in all three communities and oversees operations of the Anne Springs Close Greenway and Leroy Springs Recreation Complex, both in Fort Mill, as well as the Leroy Springs Recreation Center in Chester.

The Fort Mill course, which gracefully rolls through venerable stands of live oaks and pines, was brought to impeccable standards for playability, agronomics and aesthetics under the direction of golf course architect Clyde Johnston, who in 2001 designed Springfield Golf Club, a sister course to Fort Mill located just a few miles away.

Johnston, a former president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and member of The Donald Ross Society, relied on a 1947 course master-plan drawing from Ross to plan renovations to the Fort Mill front nine.

Although Ross's drawing did not provide a legend for design elements of mounds, slopes, hollows and rough, all of which he indicated by a varying series of hash marks, Johnston used his previous experience and design plans from other Ross courses of that era to assist in interpretation of the Fort Mill master plan.

Less specific design drawings were available for the George Cobb back nine, so only modest design changes were made there, with just two bunkers being added and four removed across the nine holes.

The renovation of the Fort Mill course included the rebuilding of all tee and green complexes, and the conversion of the greens from bent grass to the heartier and more heat tolerant MiniVerde™ grass, a Bermuda hybrid that retains the smoother and quicker putting characteristics of bent grass.

Additionally, all the bunkers on the course were rebuilt, with several on the front nine being repositioned or eliminated to match Ross's design drawings for the original nine holes. The bunkers on the back nine were redesigned to reflect the look of the Ross-style bunkers on the front.

Measuring 6,801 yards from the back tees, the renovated par-72 Fort Mill Golf Club now actually plays 25 yards shorter than the original layout, evidence to the stoutness of the design from a half-century ago.

"We understand that at one point the original Fort Mill nine holes had the second highest course rating (difficulty) in all the Carolinas after Pinehurst #2, Ross's acknowledged masterpiece," revealed Roper. "It is a testament to the design balance and strategic shot values of the original course that it didn't require lengthening in an era of rapid technological advancements in golf equipment."

The $3 million renovation program at Fort Mill Golf Club also involved the clubhouse, with a major remodel of all public areas and redesign of the exterior and deck area to take advantage of commanding views of the course.
Located in Fort Mill, SC, Fort Mill Golf Club is a semi-private facility open to daily-fee play and annual memberships. For further information or to book a tee-time at Fort Mill call the golf shop at 803-547-2044 or visit online at www.playfortmill.com.

Sun Valley Resort Appoints Jeffrey Petersen as Director of Golf

(SUN VALLEY, Idaho) – Sun Valley Resort today announces that Jeffrey Petersen has been named the Director of Golf. Petersen, a member of the PGA of America, has served as the Head Professional at Sun Valley Resort since 2005.

Petersen ascends to the top golf post during a dynamic time for the venerable resort. Sun Valley introduced the first nine holes in August of the new White Clouds Course, which will ultimately have 18 championship holes. Sun Valley also recently unveiled the 18-hole Sawtooths Putting Course, a 25-acre practice facility, the Sun Valley Pavilion, and the 58,000-sqare-foot Sun Valley Club, which houses an indoor golf practice facility complete with virtual golf and video analysis and instruction. The Sun Valley Club also houses merchandise shops, indoor and outdoor restaurants and bars, and will double as the Nordic Ski Center during the winter.

“Being named the Director of Golf at Sun Valley is a dream come true and an honor,” says Petersen. “Sun Valley is a world-class resort and I look forward to helping guide the enhanced golf amenities and operation with the help of a tremendous team and ownership.”

Prior to joining Sun Valley Resort, Petersen served as the Assistant Golf Professional at Sage Lakes Golf Course in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He began his golf career in 1996 at the Logan Golf and Country Club in Logan, Utah, where he attended Utah State University and played on the golf team.

The White Clouds Course – which was designed by Donald Knott of Knott, Brooks, Linn Golf Course Design Group of California – joins the award-winning, 18-hole Trail Creek Course at Sun Valley. Originally unveiled in 1937, the Trail Creek Course was renovated by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in the late 1970s with Knott then serving as lead architect under RTJ Jr.

Off the golf course, Sun Valley offers something for everyone. From horseback riding and year-round outdoor ice skating, to a gun club, miles of hiking/biking trails and myriad dining options, the resort is an oasis in the beautiful mountains of Idaho.

For more information about Sun Valley Golf Resort, please call 800-894-9941 or visit www.sunvalley.com.

About Sun Valley Resort
There can only be one original ski resort and since 1936 Sun Valley has held that distinction. Born out of a desire to bring the mystique of the European ski resorts to America, Sun Valley quickly became a phenomenon without peer on this continent or any other. America’s first destination resort, where the world’s first chairlift was engineered, Sun Valley was built to enchant the nobility and celebrity of the day. Today the patina of old world charm blends beautifully with everything modern, easily accessible with non-stop daily air service.

Long known for the world-class skiing on Bald Mountain’s 9,150-foot summit and the beginner-friendly Dollar Mountain, Sun Valley was originated in 1936 by Union Pacific Railroad. In addition to skiing and golf, Sun Valley is flush with activities including ice skating, horseback riding, hiking/biking, tennis, target shooting at the Gun Club, spa, summer outdoor symphony series, and many others.

It is located in the Northern Rockies region of south central Idaho and is open year-round with four distinctly beautiful seasons. There are more outdoor recreations here than any other destination resort in the U.S. Sun Valley Resort is privately owned by the R. Earl Holding family, owners of Sinclair Oil Corporation. Sister properties include Snowbasin Ski Resort, Grand America Hotel, Little America Hotel and Towers, all SLC, UT., Westgate Hotel, San Diego, CA, Little America Flagstaff, AZ, Little America, WY, and Little America, Cheyenne, WY.

Circling Raven Golf Club Posts September Successes

(WORLEY, Idaho) – Circling Raven Golf Club – the highly decorated amenity of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel – posted an impressive 10 percent increase in the numbers of rounds played month over month vs. September 2007.

Furthermore, the acclaimed golf course, located 45 minutes east of Spokane Airport in the Idaho panhandle, achieved a 9 percent increase in overall revenue month over month.

These are impressive performances considering the overall economy, as well as the golf resort industry have struggled for much of 2008.

“We are gratified that our golfers and our guests continue to value Circling Raven such that it remains a coveted, must-play for them,” says Director of Golf Tom Davidson.

Circling Raven has discounted its green fee rate to $40 on weekdays, $49 on weekends for October, with both rates including golf car and practice facility access and golf balls.

The reason for the immense discount is two-fold: as a good-will gesture to area residents and guests as well as to account for greens being aerated this week which change their condition from immaculate to merely playable as they replenish.

Weekday green fees in peak season are $80, $95 on weekends. Considering that courses of Circling Raven’s acclaimed stature – see the partial list of awards it has garnered immediately below – often charge double and triple that price, this is a substantial bargain.

Recent honors bestowed upon Circling Raven:
Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2008-09 (out of nearly 14,000 U.S. public-access courses) – GOLF Magazine
Top-40 Casino Courses in the U.S. (No. 4) – Golf Digest
Top U.S. Resort Courses – Golfweek Magazine 2007 and 2008
America's Top Golf Courses - Zagat Survey 2007-08 rankings
No. 1 Tribal Golf Course in America - Native American Casino Magazine 2008
“Top 36 Resort Courses in the West” – Fairways + Greens Magazine 2007
Resort Merchandiser of the Year – Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA 04, 05, 06, 07. 08
Service Excellence Award by the Coeur d’Alene Area Chapter of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor

For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel call 1-800-523-2464 or visit www.circlingraven.com.

About Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel
Owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and convenient to Spokane (WA) airport, the casino resort and golf club are nestled on a reservation covering 345,000 acres of mountains, lakes, old-growth forest and farmland. The resort spans the western edge of the northern Rocky Mountains. Tribal history also tells us that Circling Raven was a spiritually powerful leader, his name coming from his close relationship to the raven, who helped guide him on his journeys, warn him of danger and show him where to find fish and game.

Circling Raven was created amid a unique blend of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands. At 7,189 yards, the par 72 championship layout meanders through 620 acres, only 100 representing cultivated ground. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, moose and an occasional black bear. In fact, the opening was delayed due to damage on two greens by migrating elk.

Golf Course
Yardages: Gold, 7,189; Blue, 6,578; White, 6,108; Red, 5,389; Green, 4,708
Total Acreage: 670 (including practice area, practice green and clubhouse)
Amenities: The clubhouse is 6,500 square feet, including the Twisted Earth Grill and full service bar. Both locker rooms include showers and lockers. The practice facility covers 25 acres; separated into areas for wedges, sand play and all clubs in the bag. The resort adjacent to the course includes 202 hotel rooms, casino, events center, buffet, and

The Coeur d’Alene Casino offers 1,800 machines for play in smoking and non-smoking areas, off-track betting for horse and dog races, high-stakes bingo, entertainment and many other amenities. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week every day of the year. The resort is regularly voted the most popular casino in the Inland Northwest.