GPS Industries Appoints Former PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka to Advisory Board

(SARASOTA, Fla.) – GPS Industries (GPSI) – the world’s leading provider of GPS tracking technology for low speed vehicles (LSV) used in 10 million rounds of golf annually across America – has appointed former PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka to its Advisory Board.

Steranka, who led the PGA as CEO of an association that serves 27,000 PGA club professionals and runs events that include the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and the Senior PGA Championship, has an extensive network in the worlds of both golf and media. Mr. Steranka will assist GPS Industries in formulating content and sales strategies for GPSI’s Visage Media Network (VMN).

The recently-launched VMN represents the largest connected audience of golfers at golf courses, country clubs, resorts and communities. It leverages GPSI’s state-of-the-art Visage fleet management system to deliver sponsored content to 10-inch touch screens mounted to golf carts and other LSVs.

“Joe is one of the most respected, well-liked and smartest individuals in the sports industry,” says Ben Porter, CEO of GPSI. “We’re excited to draw on his business acumen and global connections as we build out the strength of the Visage Media Network.”

Steranka began his PGA tenure in 1988 as Director of Communications. He is widely recognized for commissioning the acclaimed Golf 2.0 / Future of Golf study; negotiating landmark rights fees for TV coverage (CBS, NBC, Turner Sports, ESPN, Golf Channel) of the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and sister tournaments; helping lead the industry’s winning bid to return golf to the Olympic Games in 2016; and establishing the first-ever golf trade shows in China.

"I'm excited to join David Moross, one of the pioneers in sports business ventures, and Ben Porter in contributing to the evolution of GPSI,” says Steranka. “The Visage network has delivered new revenue streams while creating significant operational savings for its customer courses In the process, Visage installed golf facilities established a media platform to enhance the enjoyment of a morning or afternoon on the golf course."

Other GPSI Board members are Moross (Chairman and CEO of Falconhead Capital), Greg Norman (former World No. 1 golfer), M.G. Orender (past President of the PGA of America), Charley Moore (member of the Falconhead Advisory Board) and Dave Marr III (Golf Channel host for Champions Tour events).

The Visage fleet management system raises productivity, protects assets and increases revenue for golf course operators. Used at more than 900 public and private courses globally, marquee properties include Congressional Country Club, Trump National Doral Miami and several TPC clubs such as San Antonio, Las Vegas and River Highlands. GPSI predicts 35% year-over-year growth in 2014.

The VMN carries hole-by-hole graphics and flyovers, scoring and gaming, on-course food and beverage options, and relevant, addressable promotional messages and content.

For more information: www.gpsindustries.com, 888.575.2901.

Ross, Foley Excited About Their New Swing Catalyst Systems

(Trondheim, Norway) - The Swing Catalyst team recently installed a 3D Motion Plate system for Justin Rose, the current number six golfer in the world, in his home in the Bahamas, as well as for his coach, Sean Foley, in Orlando.

"In my quest to be the best player I can be, Swing Catalyst helps me ensure no stone is left unturned and provides me with the confidence that I am always working on sound principles," says Justin Rose.

Rose and Foley first tested the Swing Catalyst 3D Motion Plate at the Wells Fargo Championship in May and, soon after, decided to purchase a system for themselves. Foley is very excited to start using his Swing Catalyst technology.

"Appreciating the importance of ground forces in the development of an effective golf swing, the Swing Catalyst system is unique in that it allows me to examine weight-shift patterns and balance -- information that I couldn't ascertain if I were to rely on video alone," says Sean Foley. "Having the ability to use this technology in combination with TrackMan provides me with an unparalleled tool for the development of an efficient golf swing. Simply put, I am able to separate fact from opinion."

In addition to Foley, several other world renowned coaches have installed the 3D Motion Plate at their academies over the last couple of months, including Matt Killen, Scott Hamilton, Kevin Weeks, Bernie Najar, Chris Como, Grant Waite and Andrew Rice.

"It is exciting to see how many of the top coaches and players are now adding the Swing Catalyst 3D Motion Plate to their repertoire," says Tom Christian, marketing manager for Swing Catalyst. "It seems like many of the top coaches agree with us in that ground forces are of great importance to the golf swing. And when it comes to ground forces, the Swing Catalyst 3D Motion Plate reveals secrets that cannot be detected by the best trained eye or even the most advanced video cameras."

Learn more about the Swing Catalyst 3D Motion Plate.

Stay Warm and Dry Golfing During Shoulder Seasons

Sunice Rotterdam (left) and Langford

Labor day has come and gone. The unofficial end of summer is upon us and soon the leaves will be transitioning from green to vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow. Temperatures will quickly plummet and snow will begin to fly across the Midwest and Northeast - leaving many golfers without their fix for months to come.

Grim outlook? Don’t get down and don’t put the clubs in storage just yet. Shoulder seasons - late fall and early spring - can offer a lot of great golf and apparel companies are well-stocked with all the gear you need to extend your year.

Puma 1/4 Zip Popover

Puma Golf knows playing a round in the cold can be a hassle - as is trying to swing in a huge jacket. To counter the bulk, Puma offers the ¼ Zip Popover for those chilly mornings.

Details of the Puma Popover:
* 100% Polyester Micro Fleece
* dryCELL fabrication for moisture-wicking properties that help keep you dry and comfortable
* ¼ Zip with stand collar for secured warmth or extra breathability
* Adjustable draw cord at hem with toggle closure to ensure best fit with every swing
* Graphic at the front
* Embroidered PUMA Cat Logo at left chest
* 18 Hole Logo at back shoulder

The Puma 1/4 Zip Popover is stylish on - or off - the course.

The 1/4 Zip Popover can be purchased at www.cobrapumagolf.com.

We know golfers are a hearty lot and will play in freezing temperatures if the course is open. So a golf shirt and Popover may not be enough. In that case, pair with the Langford full-stretch waterproof jacket from Sunice’s Tornado collection.

The Langford is a high-performance, ultra-breathable laminate jacket with a quiet and soft feel.

More details on the Langford jacket:
* Stretch Tricot Lining
* Pro Trim Waist Clinching System
* Exposed waterproof center front zipper
* New Sunice branded lock down zipper pullers
* Adjustable fabric cuff tabs
* Adjustable bungee at the hem
* 3.25-inch Sunice branding on upper shoulder

Sunice Ball-cleaner shammy

If you’re like most golfers, you can’t stand the annoying rubbing of the collar on your neck and chin. Not to worry with the Langford, because of the innovative soft-touch chin guard. An ever cooler feature ... an attached ball cleaner shammy in the right pocket.

The Langford’s “cousin” - Rotterdam - offers similar features, but in a 1/4 zip. From Sunice’s Typhoon collection, the Rotterdam jacket is made from lightweight, breathable and waterproof material. It, too, has the soft touch chin guard and shammy in the right pocket (which should become a must in all future jackets!).

Other features of the Rotterdam 1/4 zip:
* Stretch Tricot lining pro trip
* Waist cinching system
* Storm flap for extra protection
* Decorative back twill taping
* Side-entry zipper

The Rotterdam comes with a 3-year waterproof guarantee.

Check out all Sunice has to offer at www.sunice.com.

Antigua Tempest (left) and Discover

Antigua sets the bar extremely high with its Discover and Tempest jackets. Both are water resistant and wonderfully stylish - in a full- or 1/2-zip option. How water resistant? I dare a rainstorm to sneak any moisture past the Desert Dry Xtra-Lite D2XL interlock bonded membrane. The temperatures plummet during shoulder season. Don’t compound the cold by getting wet.

I’ve got a Gore-Tex coat that keeps me warm and dry in the nastiest conditions, but I wouldn’t attempt to make a quality golf swing while wearing it. Both the Discover and Tempest feel more like a second skin than a jacket. From full shots to delicate movements, Antigua has mastered the art of athletic outerwear.

Check out everything Antigua has to offer at www.shop.antigua.com.

The team at adidas Golf also boasts options for shoulder seasons, featuring ClimaWarm+.

Intended for days when the thermometer truly plunges, the ClimaWarm+ Full Zip Color Pop Jacket is equipped to deliver warmth, function, and form. The 95% Polyester/5% ClimaWarm+ fleece blend comfortably insulates against the cold, yet still allows for uncompromising movement, so you can swing with ease. Also features zippered hand pockets for further refuge between shots.
* Self-mock collar
* Two front zip-pockets
* Contrast 3-Stripes on back
* Contrast adidas brandmark on right sleeve
* 95% Polyester/5% Elastane ClimaWarm+ fleece

adidas Golf Clima Warm+ Collection

Built for those days when it’s so cold you’ll have the whole course to yourself, the adidas ClimaWarm+ 3-Stripes ¼ Zip Colorblock Training Top is an indispensable partner in the fight against frosty rounds. An amazingly warm-yet-non-restricting fleece top features a mock turtleneck collar for added warmth, a quarter-length zipper for adjustability, and contrasting body and sleeves for extra style.
* Self-mock collar
* Contrast 3-Stripes on back
* Contrast adidas brandmark on upper-right chest
* 95% Polyester/5% Elastane climawarm+ fleece

When the first tee beckons yet a damp wind blows, you need a jacket like this. Warmth, freedom of motion and sharp styling are its strong points, along with water resistance and a bungee draw-cord for a sleek fit.

* Water-resistant and wind-proof 2-layer fabrication
* Dual front zip pockets
* Open hem with bungee draw-cord
* Contrast adidas brandmark at left shoulder
* 100% Polyester 2-layer with DWR

For more information, visit www.adidasgolf.com.

Eisenhower Golf Course Retains ‘Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary’ Status

(CROWNSVILLE, MD) – Eisenhower Golf Course – managed by Billy Casper Golf (BCG), owner-operator of more than 150 golf courses, country clubs and resorts in 28 states – has retained designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by Audubon International.

Since earning the status in 2009 for high standards in protecting the environment and preserving the natural heritage of golf, Eisenhower continues to reduce waste and promote efficient operations.  In following approved Audubon International steps, the course also lowers maintenance costs, including insurance premiums, energy, water, fertilizer, equipment wear and labor.

“The Chesapeake Bay is in our backyard, so maintaining ecologically-sound practices is especially important,” says Joe Tubiolo, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at Eisenhower.  “Through hard work, we have effectively decreased our environmental footprint while providing golfers with top-tier, healthier playing experiences.”

“Billy Casper Golf courses are committed to protect natural habitats recognized by Audubon International,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG.  “The re-designation of Eisenhower is testament to the dedication of Joe Tubiolo, Damian Cosby and their team.”

Eisenhower is one of 18 courses in Maryland and 907 courses worldwide to be named an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.  Courses undergo a re-certification process every two years that requires a high degree of environmental quality in six key areas: environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, and water quality management.

About Eisenhower Golf Course

Fifteen minutes northwest of Annapolis, MD, Eisenhower Golf Course opened in 1969.  Named for the 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Ed Ault design is carved from 220-plus acres of serene wooded landscape.  The 18-hole, par-71, 6,659-yard layout features plush playing surfaces, creeks, swales and four sets of tees, combining for fun challenges to all golf handicaps.

Complementing the course is a synthetic-grass tee driving range and large putting green where golfers hone their games.

The clubhouse at Eisenhower features a fully-stocked golf shop with the latest merchandise and equipment from top brands.  The café at Eisenhower serves quick and casual cuisine with magnificent views of the course.

More information: www.eisenhowergolf.com, 410.571.0973.

Golf Channel Set to Kick Off Inaugural Big Break Invitational Tournament at Reynolds Plantation

Four-Round Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation to Air Live Tuesday, Sept. 30 – Friday, Oct. 3

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – A field of 40 former Big Break competitors will go head-to-head in full tournament conditions for the first time at the inaugural Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation, a four-day invitational tournament airing live on Golf Channel Tuesday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.

Taking place at the Great Waters Course at Reynolds Plantation  in Lake Oconee, Ga., the field of 40 (20 men and 20 women) represent 20 seasons of Big Break, including several of the series’ most memorable competitors who are playing on the world’s top professional tours.  The four-round tournament will feature a Modified Stableford format for the first two rounds, followed by match play (third round), and concluding with stroke play (final round) to determine the Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation champion. 15 Big Break champions are entered in the field for Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation.

The field includes:
Men
Robbie Biershenk
David Byrne
Brian Cooper
Don Donatello
Kent Eger
Tony Finau
Tommy Gainey
Derek Gillespie
Kip Henley
Hugo Leon
Brent Long
Mark Murphy
James Nitties
Justin Peters
Jerry Rice
Anthony Rodriguez    
Isaac Sanchez
Mark Silvers
Julien Trudeau
Jay Woodson

Women
Anya Alvarez
Mallory Blackwelder
Sara Brown
Taylor Collins
Selanee Henderson
Stefanie Kenoyer
Tonya McCall
Kristy McPherson
Mary Narzisi
Carling Nolan
Blair O’Neal
Ryann O’Toole
Gerina Piller
Elena Robles
Sadena Parks
Renee Skidmore
Jackie Stoelting
Emily Talley
Maiya Tanaka
Kim Welch

The field entered into Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation represent several of the most successful players coming out of Golf Channel’s Big Break competition series.  On the men’s side:
· Tommy Gainey (Big Break VII: Reunion Champion) was the first Big Break competitor to earn full PGA TOUR status after Big Break, and won the PGA TOUR’s McGladrey Classic in 2012.
· Tony Finau (Big Break Disney Golf) earned his PGA TOUR card for 2015 after capturing his first professional victory this year on the Web.com Tour.
· James Nitties (Big Break Mesquite) is currently playing full time on the Web.com Tour, and is a past Web.com Tour winner who earned PGA TOUR status in 2012.
· Jay Woodson (Big Break Mexico) has several top-5 finishes and one win on the 2014 NGA Tour.
· Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice, who along with fellow Big Break teammates Isaac Sanchez and Emily Talley won Big Break NFL Puerto Rico in 2013, also is entered in the field.

On the women’s side:
· Kristy McPherson (Big Break VI: Trump National), Ryann O’Toole (Big Break Sandals Resorts) and Gerina Piller (Big Break Prince Edward Island) are all currently playing full time on the LPGA Tour and are past U.S. Solheim Cup Team members – 2009, 2011 and 2013, respectively.
· Sadena Parks (Big Break Florida) earned full LPGA Tour status in 2015 after winning two Symetra Tour events over the course of three weeks in July in only her second full season as a professional.
· Mallory Blackwelder (Big Break Ireland; Big Break NFL Puerto Rico) won her first professional tournament on the Symetra Tour this year in April and earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2015.
· Jackie Stoelting (Big Break Florida champion) earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2015 by finishing No. 3 in the Symetra Tour standings in 2014.
· Tonya McCall (Big Break Florida) won her first professional event on the Cactus Tour in April in her first full year back on the professional golf circuit.

Fifteen past Big Break champions are entered in Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation, including Justin Peters and Kip Henley, the series’ first two champions, in 2003 and 2004.  Peters currently is playing full time on the mini tour circuit and PGA TOUR Canada, while Henley is a full-time caddie on the PGA TOUR.

Tom Abbott, host of Golf Channel’s Big Break reality competition series, will host the tournament telecast.  PGA TOUR winner Matt Gogel will join Abbott in the broadcast booth as lead analyst.  LPGA Tour veteran and Big Break co-host Paige Mackenzie will serve as an analyst and course reporter during the week.  Also reporting from the course will be Phil Parkin, former PGA Championship winner (2002) Rich Beem, and former PLAYERS Champion (2002) Craig Perks.

Beginning a new multi-year relationship between Golf Channel and Reynolds Plantation, Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation will take place at the Great Waters Course at Reynolds Plantation, the famed golf resort community in Greensboro, Ga., and will feature a $300,000 overall purse, with $100,000 going to the champion.  The Ritz Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation will serve as host resort and tournament headquarters.

Big Break Invitational Reynolds Plantation will air live on Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Sept. 30 – Friday, Oct. 3.  The first two rounds will feature a Modified Stableford format (players earning points for birdie and higher and negative points for bogey and lower), with the 12 men and 12 women earning the most points after the first two rounds making the cut.  Thursday’s third round will feature match play (six men vs. six men / six women vs. six women), with 12 match-play winners advancing to Friday’s final round of 18-holes of stroke play.

For the past 21 seasons, Golf Channel’s Big Break competition series has proven to be the launching pad of many aspiring professional golfers looking to take that next step in their golf careers. The Big Break concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness.  During the series’ 21 seasons, past Big Break champions have won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world’s top professional circuits, including the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Web.com Tour and Canadian Tour.

Ewe Belong At The 2014 EWGA Championship Finals

(Nashville, Tenn.) - On October 10-11, the Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory, Tennessee will host the Annual 2014 EWGA Championship Finals.

Now in its 19th year, the EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association) Championship  is one of the largest women's amateur golf competitions in the country. The event provides competitive tournament golf for members of all skill levels and around 2,500 members participate annually. The competitive formats include Stroke Play Competition and a Team Scramble Division.

The EWGA Championship Finals will consist of 222 women amateur golfers who advanced beyond 120 local chapter qualifiers and 15 district semi-final tournaments to reach the Finals. The Championship field will represent 80 EWGA chapters from 35 states as well as 3 Canadian chapters. Players who win First Place Low Net and First Place Low Gross in every flight plus First Place Scramble Team honors earn an exemption into the following year's EWGA Championship.

This year, the EWGA has introduced a Past Champions Four-Year Exemption policy as well as The Champions Dinner. The overall Champions from the previous four (4) years within the Championship Flight who have earned an exemption directly to the Championship Finals are invited to celebrate the victories of past winners in a Masters-like dinner celebration.

"Three years into my role with EWGA and I am certain our members are serious about the competition and even more serious about the festivities! The Champions Dinner boasts one big exception - that is who selects the dinner. All our past champions are slender gals and This Chubby Chick Director prides herself with selections sure to please the palate!" said Lisa Becka, Director of Golf Programs, with a belly laugh.

"I view my position as the Director of Fair & Fun Competition with the emphasis on fun off the links! The Hermitage is the perfect venue for some great golf and ewe gotta join EWGA to get involved!"  

Voted "the best course in Nashville," The Hermitage includes two challenging courses, the President's Reserve and General's Retreat known as one of the "50 Best Courses for Women." As a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, ewe never know when some sheep may want to play through. The EWGA will use both courses during its two-day Championship, which features 36 holes of low gross and low net stroke play for five flights of players and one low net Scramble competition. The championship's format encourages women of all skill levels to compete, underscoring the EWGA's mantra to enhance the lives of women through the game of golf.

Complete results can be viewed online at www.ewgachampionship.com.

Nike Vapor Pro Driver Propels China’s Hao Tong Li to his First Professional Victory

Li romps field by eight strokes in tough conditions

(Beaverton, Ore.) – It didn’t take long for the new Nike Vapor Pro driver, which made its debut this week, to prove its performance success on the professional tours. While Nike Golf athlete Rory McIlroy was bombing drives with the Nike Vapor Pro driver as part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team in Scotland, there was another professional Nike athlete benefitting from the new Nike driver - China’s Hao Tong Li.

Li, who just last week was at The Oven getting fitted with the new volt driver, won his first professional victory at the Jianye Tianzhu Henan Open on the PGA Tour China. In cold and wet weather conditions, Li took his first PGA Tour China Series title by eight strokes, the second-largest winning margin in Series’ history. Li joins fellow Nike athlete Xin-Jun Zhang as having won on the 2014 PGA Tour China Series.

“I just tested the Vapor driver last week at the Oven and decided to put it into play right after testing,” said Li. “It gives me lower spin and high trajectory, which is exactly what I want. I hit it longer and it’s more stable. The volt color is so outstanding.”

On the body, Li sported apparel from Nike Golf’s Performance Collection and the Lunar Waverly shoe.

Li's Nike Golf Arsenal
* Driver: Nike Vapor Pro 12.4-degree
* Fairway Wood: Nike prototype, 3-wood/15-degree
* Hybrid:  Nike Covert 2.0 17-degree
* Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo (4-9)
* Wedges: VR Forged 47-degree, 54-degree, 60-degree
* Putter: Nike Method prototype
* Ball: Nike RZN Black
* Apparel: Nike Golf’s Performance Collection
* Footwear:  Nike Lunar Waverly

Nike Golf’s 2014 PGA Tour Victories 
* Russell Henley – Honda Classic
* Seung-Yul Noh – Zurich Classic
* Rory McIlroy – The Open Championship
* Rory McIlroy – WGC – Bridgestone Invitational
* Rory McIlroy – PGA Championship

Nike Golf’s 2014 International Victories
* Charl Schwartzel – Alfred Dunhill Championship (European Tour)
* Ross Fisher – Tshwane Open (European Tour)
* Rory McIlroy – BMW PGA Championship (European Tour)
* Xin-Jun Zhang – Beijing Open (PGA Tour China)
* Hao Tong Li – Jianye Tianzhu Henan Open (PGA Tour China)

Nike Golf’s 2014 LPGA Tour Victories
* Michelle Wie – LPGA LOTTE Championship
* Michelle Wie – U.S. Women’s Open

Nike Golf’s 2014 Ladies International Victories
* Cheyenne Woods – Volvic RACV Ladies Masters

For more information on Nike Golf, visit www.nike.com/nikegolf. To follow Nike Golf on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/nikegolf and to become a fan on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/nikegolf.  To view Nike Golf videos, subscribe at www.youtube.com/nikegolf.

Alpine Country Club, Putting Families First

Stockholder member families now have immediate access with no additional fees

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – For over a half a century, Alpine Country Club has fostered an immensely loyal membership base who have been enjoying some of the finest amenities of any private country club in Rhode Island. Now, an integral addition has been added for existing and prospective members making Alpine a pioneer in country club living.

Alpine Country Club will immediately offer the opportunity for all stockholder families to welcome their entire direct lineage of family members with all stockholder memberships. Stockholders at Alpine Country Club will now uniquely be able to extend their membership privileges to their vertical family members immediately without additional fees. From grandparents to grandchildren, generations of families are now able to replenish, restore and rejuvenate their minds and bodies at one of the Northeast’s finest country clubs.

“Through our new Legacy membership we are honoring the history and tradition of our Club, while adapting for a bright and sustainable future so that it can be carried on for many generations to come,” said Jeff Beier, general manager of Alpine Country Club. “Just as your entire family is welcome in your home without an entrance fee, the same will hold true at Alpine effective immediately.”

Designed by golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish and building designer D. Thomas Russillo, Alpine Country Club accentuates its family first theme throughout all of its outstanding amenities, which features an 18-hole championship golf course, full driving range and practice facility, Golf Shop, Bag Room, private men’s and women’s lockers rooms, indoor and outdoor dining and adult and children’s swimming pools. On the culinary side at the Club, Alpine is well-known locally for having an exceptional array of menu selections in each of their dining rooms.

Alpine Country Club is also keenly sensitive to its environment. Certified by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Club consistently reduces its water usage, chemical usage for fertilization and pest control, energy consumption, solid waste and air emissions. With an eye towards “green” revitalization, Alpine Country Club is doing all it can on a daily basis to improve its wonderful setting.

For more information on Alpine Country Club, visit www.alpinecountryclubri.com.

John Cook Wins with SLDR Driver, Tour Preferred Irons, adidas Golf Footwear

Victory is 10th Champions Tour Title for Cook and Another for Revolutionary Speed Pocket Technology Found in TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred Irons

(Carlsbad, Calif.) – TaylorMade’s John Cook (@johncookgolf) closed with a 3-under 69 to hold off a bounty of challengers en route to a one-stroke victory at the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.

One of the longest hitters on the Champions Tour, Cook played his SLDR driver at 9.5 degrees to hit consistently long and straight drives and gamed the Tour Preferred MB irons (3-PW), setting himself up for a multitude of scoring opportunities on the greens. Cook’s putting was also on point, using his Spider Blade putter to card eighteen birdies with the Tour Preferred Golf ball on Pebble’s fast, undulated greens.

In addition to his bag full of TaylorMade clubs, Cook wore adidas Golf Tour360 ATV footwear throughout the tournament as well as TaylorMade headwear and glove.

In Cook’s Bag:
* SLDR Driver (9.5*)
* SLDR Fairway (15*)
* SLDR Rescue (19*)
* Tour Preferred Irons (MB, 3-PW)
* Tour Preferred Golf Ball
* Tour Preferred Wedges (54* & 60*)
* Spider Blade 32 Putter
* adidas Golf Footwear
* TaylorMade Headwear & Glove

Devereux Unveils Ryder Cup Challenge

(Los Angeles, CA) - In honor of the historic men's golf competition between the United States and Europe, Devereux has created the 2014 Devereux Ryder Cup Challenge allowing everyone to get in on the action for an opportunity to receive $350 in FREE Devereux product.

To play, you must pick the winners of all 12 Sunday matches and who will ultimately lift the trophy in the end.  If you're feeling lucky, go to dvrxgolf.com/rydercup for details and to enter.

"The Ryder Cup is a great tournament. It is a friendly competition between the USA and Europe and we are very excited to offer this promotion to our loyal customers." Will Brunner, Co-Founder

To view the collection, visit dvrxgolf.com.

Rory McIlroy to Debut New Nike Vapor Pro Driver

New Vapor Pro driver provides pure distance with a Tour launch

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – Nike athlete Rory McIlroy has added a flash of volt to his bag this week. The number one player in the world will debut Nike’s new driver, the Vapor Pro at the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland. The visually bold driver is black on the crown, volt in the cavity back and Compression Channel, and produces a penetrating, tour-launch with low spin and added speed across the face.

McIlroy was influential in the development of the Vapor Pro. Like his Nike Covert Tour 2.0 driver, McIlroy wanted a 460cc pear-shape profile -- a shape that yielded awe-inspiring drives throughout his remarkable 2014 season. He also was looking for stability and speed through added flexibility across the face.

“The first thing I noticed when I hit this driver was how hot it was,” said McIlroy. “Then, I found that I could really control the flight and work it both ways on the golf course. I saw added ball speed on the monitor and am getting 10-15 yards more distance on the golf course this week.”

The Vapor Pro driver blends three key technologies: Nike’s new FlyBeam reinforced Covert Cavity Back design, a re-engineered Compression Channel and FlexLoft 2. All of these are vital to the golf athlete in achieving the ultimate in hitting their window of distance, speed and launch conditions.

“To elevate performance, we added FlyBeam technology to the Covert Cavity Back to focus energy into the variable-profile Compression Channel and NexCOR face,” said Nate Radcliffe, Director of Engineering. “This is the first time we have created a driver where the face and channel are measurably more flexible than the body.”

The FlyBeam construction stiffens the Covert Cavity in the back of the club, while the Compression Channel, with variable compliance, accentuates the spring-like effect across the face. Cohesively, the two work together to focus, store, and return impact energy to the golf ball for shots struck at all points on the face.

“This is the first time we have measured higher modal frequencies in the rear portion of the club than the front. This means impact energy is concentrated in the channel and face which tunes acoustics and maximizes energy transfer. This effect drives the increases in ball speed we are seeing in athlete and robotic testing,” added Radcliffe.

FlexLoft 2 allows the golf athlete the functionality of five lofts and three face angles within 15 different settings. The new, improved system is five grams (30%) lighter without compromising function. The redistribution of mass creates more stability, better launch conditions and faster swing speeds. Another benefit of FlexLoft 2 is its forward and backward compatibility. Golfers with previous generations of Covert can use shafts with the original adaptor in the new head or vice versa.

The Vapor Pro driver will be available on January 30, 2015.

Nike Vapor Pro
* Availability:  January 30, 2015
* Specifications:  8.5° – 12.5° loft; Mitsubishi Diamana S+ Blue Board 60 shaft; RH/LH: R, S, X flex
* MSRP:  $479.99

For more information on Nike Golf, visit Web site at www.nikegolf.com. To follow Nike Golf on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/nikegolf,  and to become a fan on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/nikegolf.  To view Nike Golf videos subscribe at www.youtube.com/nikegolf.

Canadian Rockies Golf Courses Unveil Fall Rates and Specials

(CANMORE, Alberta) – Canadian Rockies Golf (www.canadianrockies.net) – the esteemed collection of mountain courses in Western Alberta – welcomes the fall golf season with special rates and packages.

Available through the end of the season, golfers can net savings of nearly 50% at some courses.  Highlighting the variety of options for both adults and junior golfers are the following deals.

* The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: Beginning Sept. 29, golfers play 18 holes for $99 (including cart) and also receive a $20 shopping credit at the golf shop. Shotgun starts begin at 11 a.m. daily.

* The Fairmont Banff Springs: Beginning Oct. 1, 18-hole green fees are $184 per golfer, with daily specials as low as $110. The 9-hole Tunnel Mountain course is free for junior golfers and $77 per round for adults.

* Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club: Beginning Sept. 27, weekend golfers net significant savings with green fees of $149, Thursday-Sunday. A rate of $119 is available the rest of the week.

* Canmore Golf & Curling Club: Beginning Oct. 1, golfers can take advantage of $55 green fees with cart rental optional, also at a discounted rate. Huge savings on golf gear are available at the pro shop as well.

“You just can’t beat the unbelievable scenery on hand when summer turns to fall in the Canadian Rockies,” says Darren Cooke, Director of Golf at Canmore Golf & Curling Club. “Golfers can’t help but be enticed to play a few more rounds before winter when they see the golden foliage and snow-capped mountain peaks as a dramatic backdrop to each course.”

For more information on each special, or to take advantage of additional daily or stay-and-play packages, visit www.canadianrockies.net or call 1.855.835.8484.

Keegan Bradley Signs Contract Extension with Cleveland Golf/Srixon

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA) – Keegan Bradley, winner of the 2011 PGA Championship, the 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship and the 2012 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, has signed a multi-year contract extension to remain a member of the Cleveland Golf/Srixon PGA Tour staff.  No additional details regarding the contract were made available.  Bradley will continue to play a Srixon Z-STAR XV ball, Srixon woods, Cleveland irons and Cleveland wedges.  Bradley will continue using headwear with a Srixon logo on the front and Cleveland Golf logos on the sides, while wearing a Srixon glove and carrying a Srixon golf bag.

“We are extremely pleased that Keegan has once again chosen to remain a member of our PGA Tour staff,” said Todd Harman, President of Cleveland Golf/Srixon - U.S.A.  “We’ve had the pleasure to play a part in Keegan’s journey dating all the way back to his college days at St. John’s, and we’re thrilled to continue being a part of his journey moving forward.  We take great pride in the passion and competitive drive that Keegan brings to the game of golf, particularly this week as he represents Team U.S.A. in the 2014 Ryder Cup.  Keegan is the type of brand ambassador and competitor that any organization would be thrilled to have as a member of their team.”

“I’m really happy about continuing the relationship I’ve had with Cleveland Golf/Srixon,” said Bradley, a native of Woodstock, Vermont.  “I think 2015 is going to be a big year for me. A major part of that comes from the confidence I have in my equipment and trust in Cleveland Golf/Srixon’s really great support staff.”

The 28-year-old Bradley, who is the son of a PGA club professional and the nephew of LPGA World Golf Hall of Fame member Pat Bradley, is currently ranked 26th in the Official World Golf Rankings. Bradley finished the season ranked 28th on the 2014 Money List with $2,828,638 and has career earnings of $14,134,708.

For more information on Srixon, Cleveland Golf and XXIO products or their staff players, visit www.srixon.com, www.clevelandgolf.com and www.xxiousa.com.

Loudmouth Now Offers Gym Shorts

(RELEASE) - Already starting the think about your offseason workouts? Loudmouth has you covered with gym awesome shorts. Sure, you could wear black gym shorts ... but why?!!

These are licensed NCAA Loudmouth gym shorts. Each short features a screen-printed logo and the unique team-colored designs in pure Loudmouth style. Features an elastic waistband with internal drawstring. Biceps AND fashion gym shorts, a killer combo! Great for students and alumni. There are 15 more schools available online.

Click HERE to look and order.

StableGrip Glove Now Features Natural Fit for the Best Fit in Golf

(LOUISVILLE, KY) – The technologically advanced golf glove on the market just got better. Bionic’s best-selling StableGrip now features Natural Fit, allowing the glove to conform even better to the natural shape and contours of the hand. The result is a better, more stable grip, which allows the hand to relax as much as possible when swinging a golf club. And all teaching pros agree that a relaxed grip is the secret to better performance and lower scores.

So, what’s different about StableGrip with Natural Fit?

It features three-dimensional finger pads. Padding has always been a key feature of the StableGrip design. This is because the hand is a series of peaks (joints) and valleys. Filling the valleys allows the hand’s surface to be evened out, allowing better contact with the club. With the new design, the pads wrap around three-fourths of the finger – filling the valleys on the sides of the fingers as well.

The glove’s gussets, or the sides of the finger, feature stretchable Lycra which creates a more natural fit and maximum flexibility. Lycra is also breathable, helping to keep the hand dry and, therefore, prolonging the life of the glove. Sweat is one of the biggest factors in shortening the life of high-end leather products like premium golf gloves.

“We’ve always had the most feature-rich glove on the market,” says Cheryl Fink, Bionic’s marketing director. “Making the best better is always a challenge, but we’ve been able to improve on our patented features with this revolutionary new glove design.”

Other features that have always been a part of Bionic’s technology include pre-rotated finger design, superior moisture management, flexion zones and premium sheep-skin Cabretta leather.

Finally, Bionic is arguably the most durable natural leather glove on the market. Its pads offload pressure from impact, thereby easing wear and tear. An independent study shows Bionic is two times more durable than a standard premium leather golf glove.

The new StableGrip with Natural Fit will be available this fall at bionicgloves.com and in select golf specialty stores, pro shops and sporting goods stores. It retails at $26.99.

Team Golf Pride Wins 2014 Ryder Cup 21-3

(SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.) - Before the first shot is struck at the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches, Power management company Eaton announced today that its Golf Pride Grips Division was already the clear winner.  In fact, Golf Pride was the grip of choice by a margin of 21-3 (88%) over all other competing brands combined.

Of the 21 players relying on Golf Pride grips during golf’s most esteemed team event, 13 will trust their games to the Tour Velvet family.  The second most popular Golf Pride grip family represented at the Ryder Cup is the New Decade MultiCompound, with a total of 5 players using it to negotiate the forecasted challenging weather this weekend in Scotland. In addition to the full swing grip counts, Golf Pride is also the leading putter grip manufacturer in players’ bags at Gleneagles this week.

“Arguably, the Ryder Cup is the most exciting event in golf,” said Brandon Sowell, global sales and marketing director for Golf Pride.  “Because of the international pride on the line, many players consider their performance in the Ryder Cup as defining moments of their career.  We are pleased to know that when the pressure of a nation or a continent falls on these players’ shoulders, overwhelmingly, they choose Golf Pride.”

To view Golf Pride’s entire 2014 product line, visit www.golfpride.com.

Lester George Shares an Architectural Perspective of Golf Practice Facilities with PGA Professionals

(RELEASE) - The second of four regional Boot Camps being held by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) was held last week at Mistwood Performance Center and Golf Club in Romeoville, IL. At these boot camps, PGA Professionals, owners, managers, superintendents, and operators (about 30 at each event) share ideas and trends in golf to stay up-to-date and bring fresh ideas to their facilities. Their mission is to harness the combined power of the staff at all types of facilities to grow their revenues, enhance their careers, and grow the game of golf.  Lester George, ASGCA member and Golf Course Architect with 25 years of experience designing and building golf practice facilities, was the featured speaker at the Boot Camp.  

"The recent GRAA Boot Camp at Mistwood Performance Center, outside Chicago, opened the eyes of the golf professionals in attendance about how to create a better practice environment for their members and customers,” said Ryan Gingrow, PGA Magazine and Golf Range Association of America Northeast Relationship Manager. “Lester's presentation inspired and educated and provided real solutions for the challenges many professionals face.  We look forward to having him at our final Boot Camp at The Landings Club, Savannah, in November."

George’s goal is to inspire these professionals to create imaginative practice facilities that they otherwise might not have considered. “Working with PGA professionals on their facilities means varying budgets, logistical challenges and space limitations.  Each presents a unique set of circumstances,” George explained. “You start your planning as if you have no boundaries. Then you create your facility based on needs, financial feasibility and operational imperatives that are customized to enhance the teaching curriculum of that facility.”

Gingrow added, "Now more than ever, the practice range is the 'hub' of golfer development programs and serves as an entry point for those who have not been introduced to the game.  Lester has provided excellent solutions for creating practice areas for all facility types to bring new golfers to the game and to keep the core player as well."

“I can’t emphasize enough the growing need for genuinely educational practice facilities at clubs and courses throughout the country,” said Lester George. “Sometimes, the difference between a good facility and a great one can be something as simple as offering real practice options for players that simulate conditions on the golf course to prepare them for their round.  PGA professionals are where most initiatives to grow the game begin.  The ASGCA and George Golf Design want to do whatever we can do to help them evaluate, reevaluate and repurpose their facilities because that will benefit the game of golf.”

Old Chatham Golf Club Celebrates Three Holes-In-One On Sept. 14

Excitement At Triangle’s Top-Rated Private Golf Club

(DURHAM, N.C.) – Old Chatham Golf Club, the top ranked golf course in North Carolina’s Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Triangle area, showed off the excellence of its No. 1 ranked green complexes and overall course conditioning in a highly unusual way this past week, with three holes-in-one in one day.  What made this even more impressive is that the course was set up for the final day of the Club Championship with tough hole locations.

The chances of making a hole-in-one are difficult:
- The odds of an average player making a hole-in-one are roughly 13,000 to one for an average player.
- The odds of two people in the same foursome acing the same hole are 17 million to one.
- The odds of three people ranging in age from 30s, 50s and 70s making a hole-in-one within hours of each other on the same day, on the same course, set up for a Club Championship?  Unknown, but pretty infinitesimal.

Tony Tata, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation and James McNamara, M.D., Duke School of Medicine professor of neurosciences and director of the Center for Translational Neuroscience, were not playing in the same foursome, however they did ace the same hole within an hour of each other on Sunday.

“It’s my first ever hole-in-one,” said Tata, speaking of his 156 yard uphill shot with a seven iron on hole No. 7, which he hit while playing with his wife Jodi and friend Paul Chou. “It’s incredible!  I’ve played a long time, and never thought I would make a hole-in-one.”

An hour later, Dr. James McNamara made his hole-in-one on the seventh hole with a solidly struck six iron, while playing with friends Mary and Ted Moore. Said McNamara of his accomplishment, “There is hope for all golfers. I had to wait a long time for this!”

Chris Martin, senior product manager at Salix Pharmaceuticals, was playing in the Club Championship on Sunday morning with fellow member Chris Rice when he aced the challenging seventeenth hole from 195 yards with a five iron. This was Martin’s third hole-in-one.

A fourth hole-in-one came six days later, at the beginning of the three-day North Carolina Mid-Amateur Championship on Friday, Sept. 19.  This tournament showed how challenging the course is even to top players, with only four of the 125 competitors shooting under par.

“The series of holes-in-one is very exciting for us, as we have about 10 holes-in-one a year at Old Chatham, but never three on the same day or four in such a short period of time,” said John Marino, director of operations at Old Chatham. “It is remarkable for something this unique to happen, and we want to congratulate all four golfers on their achievements. To celebrate, we will give each golfer the flag of the hole they made their shot on and share this with all our members. We hope to see and celebrate more holes-in-one in the future.”

“We have had a lot of great feedback on the quality of the Champion Ultradwarf Greens that were installed in 2012, however, this is the best possible kind of feedback - that when a player hits a perfect shot and the greens are rolling so true, the ball disappears in the cup. We are proud of the players who hit the shots and the course conditions our course maintenance team has worked so hard to create,” said Brian Powell, head golf course superintendent at Old Chatham and president of the Carolinas Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA).

For more information on perfecting your hole-in-one odds at Old Chatham, visit www.oldchathamgolf.org.

Black Magic Golf's New Hybrid Wedge Renders Traditional Sand Wedge Obsolete

(WESTMINSTER, CO) - The approach to making an advanced sand wedge is to take a very in-depth look at the most common mistakes golfers make when trying to get out of difficult situations like sand traps and tall grass. With a traditional sand wedge, there's a tendency to over or under compensate in the swing, producing a shank or chunking effect.

Black Magic Golf's proprietary Hybrid Wedge design doesn't just remake the ordinary. Instead, it greatly improves on the concept by incorporating a smart face forward design, which allows even high handicap players to gain an open clubface for unbelievable flop shots and high, soft bunker shots. The face forward design moves the hosel of the club back, creating a shank proof golf club that eliminates those chunky shots most golfers struggle with when using standard clubs.

"Stepping up to a ball lying in deep rough or in a bunker intimidates most golfers," said Brad Cochran, General Manager of Black Magic Golf. "Even low to mid handicappers who hit the ball well often find themselves helpless when trying to get out of the sand or thick rough. We wanted to make the game more enjoyable for everyone. So, we addressed one of the most difficult shots golfers' face, the trouble shot. Our Hybrid Wedge is designed to make golf easier while still maintaining USGA specifications."

The pros make it look easy when they put enough spin on a wedge shot to make the ball back up next to the pin when it hits the green, but these players practice for hours every day so they can learn how to consistently compress and pinch the ball. Thanks to the new HWedge from Black Magic Golf, you can too, and you don't have to practice for hours every day to get out of the sand or tall grass and hold the green.

Black Magic Wedges allow you to put more spin on your golf shot. The hybrid technology of the Black Magic Wedge has a zero degree bounce angle at impact. They are designed to dig into the turf or sand, lifting the leading edge up, so the club can slide smoothly under and through the ball with a cleaner club face. If a player mishits a few inches behind the ball they will still get approximately the same spin rate as if they pinch the ball perfectly. Consequently golfers will know how the ball will react on the green more consistently.

Black Magic Hybrid Wedges help golfers find new precision and create high, soft shots as they make their way onto the green. Black Magic Wedges come in 37º, 48º, 52º, 56º and 60º Right Hand Lofts and 56º Left Hand Loft.

The HWedge is available to purchase online through www.blackmagicgolf.com.

Sweetgrass Golf Club Unveils Special Fall Getaway Rates

(HARRIS, Mich.) – Sweetgrass Golf Club (www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com) – the award-winning amenity course at Island Resort & Casino – offers shoulder-season stay-and-play specials starting at less than $100 per golfer.

Situated in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Sweetgrass features customizable packages including one round of golf and one night stay for  $75 per person, or two rounds of golf and two nights for $160 (double occupancy). Prices include cart, GPS and range balls.

The popular “Perfect 4-Some” package starts at $215 per person and provides two nights at Island Resort & Casino and rounds of golf at Sweetgrass Golf Club and two other highly acclaimed nearby courses: Greywalls and TimberStone. For even further savings, three and four night stays are also available via the “Perfect 4-Some” special.

“Fall golf in Northern Michigan provides the best bang for your buck, pristine conditions and optimal weather,” says Dave Douglas, Director of Golf. “Not only is the changing foliage a sight to behold, but flexible and value-laden packages ensure a stress-free planning process.”

Sweetgrass Golf Club was designed by Michigan native Paul Albanese and was again named a top course in the state last month by GOLF Magazine. Hosting the LPGA Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship each spring, Sweetgrass is regularly praised by pro golfers for its beautifully crafted layout and unique accents.

A dedicated on-site golf concierge and VIP Room offers guests a private 19th-hole experience. Groups can enjoy comfortable living room-style seating, private dinners, gaming tables, beverage service, televisions and direct access to the golf course, pro shop and open fire pit.

Sitting adjacent to the golf course, Island Resort & Casino boasts 24/7 Vegas-style gaming including 1,200 slot machines and an award-winning poker room. Well-appointed guest suites, world-class entertainment at the 1,327 seat Island Showroom and a variety of dining options highlight the resort’s luxurious offerings.

For more information, or to book a tee time, visit www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com.

The Sea Pines Resort Announces New World-Class Beach Club

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.)  -- The Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head’s most celebrated leisure retreat – announces the completion of the highly anticipated new world-class Sea Pines Beach Club.

The two-story 25,000-square-foot Sea Pines Beach Club presents an inviting seaside atmosphere with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and distant Tybee Island. The new facility provides year-round enjoyment for resort guests and property owners with an array of family-friendly amenities including dining, retail and special event space.

The first floor features Coast, a beautifully appointed casual beachside restaurant and a wrap-around oceanfront beach bar with seasonal entertainment.

The Beach Club’s second floor showcases Ocean Lounge, an upscale bar serving a selection of specialty cocktails and a signature collection of premium rums and tequilas, as well as small plates and desserts. The area also includes event space with large floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious outdoor deck connected by terraces and covered verandas.

A new retail space, the Surf Shop, offers an assortment of beach supplies as well as children's toys ideal for fun on the sand. Resort apparel for men and women is also available including logoed T-shirts, headwear and premier brands including Peter Millar, Johnnie-O and I Can Too.

For on-the-go dining, the convenient Surfside Market offers express concessions including freshly made salads, sandwiches and snacks.

“The new Beach Club combines exceptional design and craftsmanship with spectacular coastal beauty,” says John Munro, Vice President of Hospitality, Sales and Marketing at The Sea Pines Resort. “Premium finishes and lavish attention to detail throughout affirms The Sea Pines Resort's commitment to quality, durability, and providing a world-class experience for our members and guests.”

The Sea Pines Resort has also begun construction on a new 26,000-square-foot Harbour Town Golf Links Clubhouse on the site of the existing structure. Slated for completion in spring of 2015, the facility will honor the RBC Heritage with a gallery showcasing the rich tournament history and display of past champions.

The legendary Lowcountry destination recently invested in multiple resort-wide revitalization projects including the new Plantation Golf Club and golf learning center at its Heron Point by Pete Dye and Ocean courses. The amenities of the 23,000-square-foot clubhouse include an expansive pro shop; Live Oak, Lowcountry-inspired cuisine; 2,000 square feet of event space; and spacious men’s and women’s locker rooms.

For more information: www.seapines.com, 866.561.8802.

Arccos Partners with Buffalo Communications to Promote Golf’s First System Combining GPS, Live Stat Tracking and Tour Analytics

(STAMFORD, CT) – Arccos Golf, LLC – maker of the first club-to-cloud system offering GPS, live stat tracking and tour analytics – has selected Buffalo Communications to lead a PR and marketing program driving awareness, affinity and sales in the U.S. and Canada.

Launching at retail in October, ARCCOS ($399) features a set of 14 virtually weightless sensors. Each is easily attached to the end of a club grip. Once paired via Bluetooth to the ARCCOS iPhone app, the system seamlessly integrates with a golfer’s game, requiring no alterations to pre-shot routines, additional devices, tapping or other hindrances to enjoyment and improvement.

Along with GPS for more than 16,000 courses in North America, ARCCOS captures critical data for your game, providing players with instant access to information on distances hit, club averages, driving accuracy, greens in regulation, sand saves, putts and more. This helps golfers identify patterns and refine tactics before, during and after each round.

“We’re equal parts an innovative technology company and a group of serious golfers,” says Sal Syed, CEO and Co-Founder of Arccos Golf. “By combining our passions, we’ve created a truly novel solution that provides universal, real-time access to the same data the world’s best players use to improve performance.”

Further bolstering the system is the proprietary ARCCOS Tour Analytics platform developed in conjunction with golf’s most renowned statistician, Peter Sanders. Drawing from Sanders’ work with PGA Tour star Zach Johnson and many others, it automatically breaks down a players’ handicap into five key components – driving, approach, chipping, sand game and putting. This allows players to:
* Gain insight into what every shot means
* Understand exactly how each part of their game contributes to scoring
* Explore comparative data in each of the five components from golfers with the same handicap
* Evaluate patterns across their entire golf history, supporting refinement of on-course tactics

More than just a great tool for the individual users, ARCCOS is utilized by top instructors. It helps their students recognize and correct faults, such as club distance gaps, noticeable shot dispersion patterns and other problem areas.

“Built by golfers for golfers, ARCCOS pairs leading-edge technology with an intuitive user experience to simply and easily capture and display data,” says Rich Katz, Managing Director of Buffalo. “It’s an incredible system that’s poised for rapid adoption across all sectors of the golf industry.”

Led by a team of Ivy League engineers, rocket scientists, PhD’s and designers, Arccos Golf is named after a function of advanced mathematics. The ARCCOS system is a Callaway Open Innovation Partner.

For more information or to view a demo video: http://arccosgolf.com/.

Get social: @arccosgolf

Ashworth Golf to Premiere Major Champions Roundtable on BACK9NETWORK

One-Hour Television Special to debut on BACK9NETWORK, DIRECTV Channel 262, Wednesday, October 1

(Carlsbad, Calif.) – Ashworth Golf, the most authentic golf brand dedicated to bringing modern style to the golf course, today announced the Ashworth Majors Roundtable, a long-form television production featuring all six of the brand’s major champions and tour staff professionals: Fred Couples, Justin Rose, Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink, Justin Leonard and Paul Azinger.

The hour-long special, which will debut on BACK9NETWORK on Wednesday, October 1 at 8:00PM EST, was filmed at the historic Riviera Country Club and features an exclusive, unscripted look into the six major champions and their professional accomplishments. Moderated by 1993 PGA Champion Paul Azinger, the roundtable takes viewers inside the ropes as the players relive the moments that forever changed their lives.

Telling rarely-heard stories and reminiscing about the pivotal moments as they stared down history on golf’s biggest stages, the athletes discuss the details not captured on camera; their thoughts, emotions and idiosyncrasies during the most pressure-packed moments of their careers and how winning golf’s most prestigious events has affected them both on and off the golf course.

During the roundtable, each athlete is wearing his specially designed golf shirt from the Ashworth Majors Series Apparel Collection, a set of six limited-edition golf shirts designed to commemorate each players’ major championship victory. Each shirt in the series is individually numbered inside of the packet, with the total quantity produced matching the winning player’s total score.

“It’s an honor to have six major champions on our roster who truly embody the spirit of the Ashworth Golf brand,” said Ben Sharpe, TaylorMade-adidas Golf CEO. “Capturing their raw emotions as they relived their accomplishments amongst each other is something we’re thrilled to share with golf fans around the world.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Ashworth Golf to provide a television platform for these major champions to share their personal stories and obvious admiration for each other, both on and off the course,” said Charles Cox, BACK9NETWORK CEO. "BACK9NETWORK will continue to produce compelling programming that gives our golf lifestyle audience unique access to those captivating personalities that play the game, whether it be the best of the best professionally or the millions of weekend golfers who truly embody the lifestyle element of the game.”

For more information about the Ashworth Majors Roundtable and to view additional exclusive behind-the-scenes video content, visit and follow both AshworthGolf.com (@ashworthgolf) and Back9Network.com (@back9network).

Youth Golf Leader Nicole Weller Launches New Golf Education Product for Young Children

(SAVANNAH, GA) – Nicole Weller, owner of Savannah-based Weller Sports Ventures, has launched a new golf education product for children, ages 2 through 6. Based on her original youth golf sticker activity book Stick to Sports: Let’s Play Golf (2011), the new Match Play Golf flashcard game is an offshoot product designed to enhance and continue the opportunity for children to enjoy an introduction to the game.

About Match Play Golf Flashcard Games
Match Play Golf (two games) consists of a set of handmade, laminated cards that contain a cover card, an instruction card and 10 double illustrated golf images with basic terms for a total of 22 cards. Once children learn the images and corresponding terms, the cards are placed face down on a surface and jumbled randomly. Two cards are selected with the challenge to find the matching image in a fun and non-competitive manner.

The goal of the game is to introduce a fun way to assist with development of reading skills, image pattern recognition, motor skill control and memory. Variations of the game are explained based on ability level.

About Nicole Weller
Nicole Weller is a Class A member of the PGA of America and the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals, as well as a member of Proponent Group, an golf industry consortium of the game’s top instructors. She is SNAG, TPI, Spirit of Golf and U.S. Kids Golf Certified and serves as a staff ambassador for The Littlest Golfer.  She is owner of Weller Sports Ventures, LLC and also the Head Teaching Professional at The Landings Club in Savannah, Georgia, where she resides with husband and fellow PGA Professional Ty Weller.

Raised in Lakeville, Massachusetts and introduced to golf at age four by her father, Nicole played in numerous state, regional and national amateur youth events before competing on the Wake Forest University Women’s Golf Team while earning a B.S. in Psychology (1994).  Weller earned a Master’s Degree in sport psychology at University of Tennessee-Knoxville (1995).

Weller is the first dual award recipient of the PGA and LPGA T&CP National Youth Golf Leader Awards in the same year (2013) and has earned other honors such as the Golf Range Association of America Top 50 Growth of the Game Teacher, three-time U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Teacher, U.S. Kids Golf Master Teacher (2013), Georgia PGA Horton Smith Section Award (2012), Golf Digest Top 50 Women Teachers and Golf Digest Best Young Teacher.

To learn more about this product as a consumer, youth program or retailer, visit www.nicoleweller.com.

Mission Inn Offers Unlimited Golf—At Nearly Half Price

(Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.) - It’s Mission Inn Resort’s 50th anniversary this year, but it’s the guests who are having the party. Especially golfers.  This means unlimited golf for the length of their two-day (or longer) visit.

Yes, that’s unlimited golf for the full length of the stay on the challenging  El Campeon—one of the first 18-hole courses in the South, with classic design elements and a surprising amount of elevation change and the more forgiving Las Colinas, which opened in 1992 and was renovated in 2007.

From October through the end of January 2015 (limited availability; blackout dates apply), Mission Inn’s unlimited golf package offers an incredible deal to play the resort’s two outstanding golf courses and enjoy related services.  To take advantage of this limited time opportunity, reservations must be booked by October 31, 2014 by calling the resort at 800-874-9053 or by booking online.

For just $130 per night per person (two-night minimum, double occupancy, taxes and resort fee are additional) golfers and their guest receive a 40% savings over regular pricing.

The unlimited golf package includes:
* Unlimited daily golf on the resort’s two award-winning courses, El Campeon and Las Colinas (up to five rounds during a two night, three day stay)
* Unlimited use of practice range and putting green
* Complimentary club cleaning and storage
* Daily buffet breakfast
* Discounts on pro shop merchandise and spa services
* Use of the on-site fitness center
* Free parking

Mission Inn’s two championship courses include 36 holes of rare tee-to-green elevations of 85 feet, towering forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes.  Revered as one of Florida's finest, El Campeón (The Champion) was designed by George O'Neil of Chicago in 1917 and further enhanced in 1926 by Charles E. Clarke of Troon, Scotland.  The course is consistently ranked in the top 10 of Florida's 1,500+ courses and is featured on the Florida Historic Golf Trail.  Las Colinas (The Hills), the resort’s second 18-hole layout, was designed by former PGA Tour player Gary Koch and opened in 1992 to immediate acclaim.  Both courses are rated Four Star and recognized as "Best Places to Play" in North America by Golf Digest.

Whether it’s the snowbird coming down from the north or locals looking for a chance to play two of Florida’s top courses, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere just far enough away from the theme-park craziness, guests will find everything they want at Mission Inn, and at a price that’s worth celebrating.
Mission Inn Resort—just 45 minutes from Orlando—is celebrating its 50th year of family ownership by offering affordable, family-friendly accommodations and activities on 1,100 beautiful acres of rolling citrus hills in Central Florida.

For additional information, call Mission Inn Resort & Club at 800-874-9053 or 352-324-3101 or visit the Web site www.missioninnresort.com.

adidas Golf Reveals Custom Footwear for Staffers Competing in 2014 Ryder Cup

Limited-Edition Footwear Designed for Furyk, Rose, Kaymer, Gallacher, Garcia and McGinley

(Carlsbad, Calif.) – adidas Golf, an industry leader in innovation, technology and performance footwear, has announced a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by the 2014 Ryder Cup in Gleneagles, Scotland, continuing adidas’ legacy of providing high-performance footwear for the best athletes in the world on sports’ greatest stages.

By combining design elements with visual cues representative of each team’s distinct color pattern, adidas Golf has created limited-edition pieces that accurately represent each team as they participate in the world’s greatest match play competition. The full collection includes two unique designs (one representative of each team) for three of adidas Golf’s most successful shoes in 2014: adizero one, pure 360 and adicross gripmore.

adidas Golf tour staffers in the 2014 Ryder Cup who will receive limited-edition footwear from the collection include Team USA’s Jim Furyk and Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Stephen Gallacher, Sergio Garcia and team captain Paul McGinley for Team Europe.

Team USA
* Jim Furyk – adicross gripmore featuring a tonal print of the USA flag with blue stripes, red laces and red gripmore outsole

Team Europe
* Justin Rose & Martin Kaymer – adicross gripmore with blue stripes featuring yellow stars, yellow laces and a yellow gripmore outsole
* Sergio Garcia & Stephen Gallacher – adizero one featuring yellow stripes and yellow accent laces. Outsole features a blue plate with yellow accents
* Captain Paul McGinley – pure 360 with blue stripes and yellow laces, and a blue outsole with yellow accents

“The Ryder Cup is one of the greatest sporting events in the world and we are excited to have a great representation of five staffers playing and one serving as captain,” said Masun Denison, Director of Global Footwear Product Marketing at adidas Golf. “We realized this was a great opportunity for us to take our highest performing footwear models and offer unique and exciting colors that not only represent each team but truly embody what this electrifying event is all about.”

The limited-edition pieces were developed only for adidas Golf tour staffers participating at the 2014 Ryder Cup and will not be available at retail.

Harbour Town Golf Links Ranks No. 9 in the U.S. by GOLF Magazine

Heron Point by Pete Dye No. 11 in South Carolina

(HILTON HEAD, S.C.) – Harbour Town Golf Links, Pete Dye’s seminal design at The Sea Pines Resort, is ranked No. 9 in the U.S. in GOLF Magazine’s 2014 edition of “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” while Heron Point by Pete Dye ranks No. 11 in golf-rich South Carolina.

For Harbour Town, the honor reflects a significant rise of three spots from No. 12 in 2012. The Sea Pines Resort was also recently honored by GOLF with a “Gold Medal” in the magazine 2014-15 edition of “Premier Resorts.”

Not resting on its laurels, the acclaimed Lowcountry destination has recently added to its array of golf amenities including its 23,000-square-foot, full-service Plantation Golf Club clubhouse and first-class golf learning center headed by Tim Cooke as the Director of Golf Instruction.

Slated for opening this coming spring is the new 19,000-square-foot Harbour Town Golf Links Clubhouse on the site of the existing structure. The facility will honor the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage with a gallery showcasing the rich tournament history and display of past champions.

“Given the prestige of GOLF Magazine, we’re thrilled to move up so dramatically in the latest rankings,” says Cary Corbitt, Director of Sports Division. “Both Harbour Town and Heron Point are Pete Dye classics and give us a spectacular ‘one-two punch’ of exceptional golf for our guests.”

While golf is the focal point, Sea Pines features an array of superlative resort offerings including a world-class focus on tennis. The Racquet Club boasts 21 clay courts and is ranked as one of the best in the U.S. Five miles of sweeping Atlantic beaches offer everything from sea-kayaking to fishing to surfing. The enchanted 605-acre Forest Preserve is ideal for horseback riding and hiking.

Its array of luxurious accommodations includes The Inn at Harbour Town - an award-winning 60-room boutique hotel – as well as 300 villas and 100 rental homes.

For more information about the resort and its wide-variety of golf packages: www.seapines.com/golf 866.561.8802.

Exotics Introduces E8 Game-Improvement Irons

(Batavia, IL) – The new Exotics E8 irons are engineered to deliver exceptional power and control featuring the deepest undercut cavity design to date. The dramatic cavity gives the E8 irons an incredibly hot, free-standing face, especially toward the bottom near the sole. The result is faster ball speed and more distance from a generously expanded sweet spot – and shots that wind up closer to the pin.

Exotics R&D team tailored the E8 irons for advanced weighting to help players square the club face at impact and provide better results on off-center hits. This was achieved by strategically placing two high-density tungsten weights low in the heel and toe of the iron. The weight placement utilizes enhanced toe weighting stabilizing the clubhead even on ball strikes off of the sweet spot. The combination of the tungsten weights and the deep undercut cavity create an increased moment of inertia that delivers faster ball speeds across the face for more distance, control, and forgiveness.

The cavity of the E8 iron contains a multi-material vibration-dampening insert that provides players with a softer feel at impact. Engineers customized the insert from a soft TPE and an Alloy blend married to the 431 stainless steel clubhead in a one-piece casting process. E8 irons deliver enhanced feel in a classic iron design.

Featuring a progressive set design, each iron is engineered for its specific task including center of gravity location, offset (progressive), blade length, face thickness and top line thickness to deliver the perfect blend of distance and accuracy.

The E8 irons carries Tour Edge’s lifetime warranty, 30-day play guarantee, and are projected to be in stores the beginning of October. Suggested retail: $599.99 4-AW KBS 90 Tour Steel, $799.99 4-PW UST Mamiya Recoil Graphite, $799.99 2x6 Combo 3, 4 hybrids/5-PW KBS 90 Steel, $899.99 265 Combo 3, 4 hybrids/5-PW UST Mamiya Recoil Graphite.

For more information, call (800) 515-3343 or visit www.touredge.com.