Monday, April 30, 2018

AJGA's Rolex Girls Junior Championship Golf Tournament to be Held at Promontory Club in Utah

Park City’s Exclusive Private Community to Host World’s Top 72 Girl Players on Its Award-Winning Pete Dye Canyon Course

(PARK CITY, UTAH) – For the first time, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) will hold the Rolex Girls Junior Championship golf tournament at Promontory Club, a private second home community in Park City, Utah. The invi-tational tournament will feature the top 72 young women players from around the world competing on Promontory’s award-winning Pete Dye Canyon Course, June 11 to 15, 2018.

“It has been more than a decade since we held a tournament of a similar caliber in Utah, and we feel so fortunate to have Promontory as an enthusiastic partner,” says Blair Thompson, AJGA Tournament Director for the Rolex Girls Junior Championship. “This will be an incredible chance for Utah golf fans and college recruiters to witness the sport’s rising stars playing on one of the state’s most renowned courses. It’s also exciting for the young women to compete in a world-class destination like Park City.”

The event kicks off June 11 with a Junior-Am fundraising tournament, giving sponsors the unique opportunity to play with one of the top junior girls on each team. The tournament will raise money for AJGA charities like the Ace Grant, local junior golf organizations, and the Promontory Foundation, which is dedicated to donating funds to Park City’s non-profit organizations. Individuals and organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities may contact Lisa Hardy, Tournament Chair at 801.372.4488 or lisa.c.hardy@gmail.com.

Official championship play starts on June 12 and concludes June 15 with an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at The Shed amphitheater. For the complete tournament schedule, visit https://www.ajga.org/microsite/index.asp?tn=2018049. Public access is limited. Call Cole Carlson at 435-333-4720 if interested in attending.

Promontory General Manager, Robin Milne remarked, “Promontory GOLF, led by Utah’s Section PGA President, Ryan Kartchner, is honored and excited to host the world’s best Junior Girls as they compete for the coveted Rolex Championship. As a multi-generational private club ranked the “The BEST of Utah 2018,” supporting the game of golf at all ages aligns perfectly with our community’s lifestyle!”

Tournament Chair Lisa Hardy adds, “I have been trying to get an AJGA event to Utah for years and am thrilled to finally have one of such high caliber and am thankful to Promontory for hosting the event. Having had the opportunity to play in this tournament as a high school student, I am pleased to support these young ladies and to give back to the AJGA. While showcasing these players’ tremendous talent to help them secure college scholarships, the AJGA instills integrity, sportsmanship, honesty and respect – great lessons for life itself. “

Volunteers are needed to play an integral role in running various aspects of the tournament. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Lisa Hardy at 801.372.4488 or lisa.c.hardy@gmail.com.

Cobra Golf Introduces King F8 and F8+ Volition America Drivers in Patriotic-Themed Colorways

The KING F8 and F8+ Volition Drivers Honor American Patriotism While Supporting Military Heroes Through Folds of Honor

(Carlsbad, Calif.) - Cobra Golf, a leader in golf club innovation and technology, today introduced two KING F8 Volition America drivers designed to honor our military heroes. The drivers are available in two patriotic themed colorways – Blue Camo and Desert Sand. An F8+ version of both colors is available through custom order. Through these drivers, via an ongoing relationship with COBRA PUMA GOLF and Volition America, consumers can help support the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Volition America is an organization built on a crusade to promote love of country, inspire people’s decisions and celebrate the power of choice. The Volition Golf Collection supports the Folds of Honor Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members.

The KING F8 & F8+ Volition drivers ($499) feature all the game-changing technology present in the regular F8 & F8+ driver but come equipped with upgraded shafts. The F8 version comes with the Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Blue 60 shaft in stiff and regular flex, and the F8+ version comes with the Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Black 60 in stiff and x-stiff. Both shaft options, along with Lamkin Ace Crossline Connect grips, are color matched to either the Blue Camo colorway or the Desert Sand.

Both Volition drivers feature COBRA’s first fully-machined driver face, which utilizes a unique multi-directional CNC milling pattern that delivers the highest level of precision for superior performance. Compared to traditional hand polished drivers, CNC precision milling allowed COBRA engineers to achieve precise face thickness and tighter tolerances resulting in improved bulge-and-roll curvatures with a face that is 3% thinner and 10% lighter for maximum ball speed across the face with distance and accuracy.

The Volition KING F8 and F8+ drivers boast COBRA CONNECT Powered by Arccos, the award winning connected golf system that helps players of all skill levels make smarter, data-driven decisions. Electronically embedded sensors in the grip automatically record the distance and accuracy of every shot so golfers can track their improvements round-to-round.

The KING F8 Volition driver (MAP $499) features an oversized address profile that increases MOI and provides more distance, forgiveness and speed on off-center hits. An adjustable weight system offers two Center of Gravity (CG) settings: one in the back for a higher, towering ball flight and one in the heel to provide additional draw bias.

COBRA’s 360o Aero TechnologyTM incorporates an innovative system of aerodynamic trips strategically positioned around the perimeter of the face to improve drag reduction through the downswing for increased clubhead speed. COBRA engineers utilized a polymer material on the trips placed on the crown for better CG positioning and higher MOI. An ultralight, 5-ply Carbon Fiber crown saves discretionary weight to move the CG lower and deeper for higher trajectories and increased forgiveness. A lightweight 8-1-1- Titanium Body and Forged Face spares weight while the brands’ patented E9TM Technology, a variable thickness face designed with elliptical pattern Sweet Zone, creates more hot spots farther away from the center of the face for more distance on heel and toe shots.

MyFly8 with Smart Pad technology affords golfers the choice of 8 loft settings (9.0o, 9.5 o, 9.5D o, 10.5 o, 10.5D o, 11.5 o, 11.5D o and 12 o) to fine tune launch conditions and maximize distance while Smart Pad maintains a square clubhead at address.

Designed with a more traditional clubhead shape and a lower loft range (8.0o, 8.5 o, 8.5D o, 9.0o, 9.5D o, 10.0 o, 10.5D o and 11 o), the KING F8+ Volition Driver (MAP $499) utilizes the same key technologies as the F8 driver – including a CNC Precision Milled E9TM face, 360° Aero Technology, a Carbon Fiber Crown and MyFly8 Technology. Featuring lower trajectories compared to the F8 driver, the F8+ driver is equipped with two CG settings, one in the front, for a lower, penetrating ball flight, and one in the back for a higher, towering ball flight with slightly more spin.

The AAA Four-Diamond The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club Offering 3rd Night Free

Southwest Florida deal good June 4 – Sept. 30

(NAPLES, FL) - If a fun and relaxing getaway to a beachfront resort in Southwest Florida sounds appealing, you should consider taking advantage of the “Stay 2 Nights and the 3rd Night is Free” promotion that is being offered by The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club from June 4-September 30, 2018. Featuring a truly beautiful setting on the pristine white-sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, the AAA Four-Diamond resort is Southwest Florida’s only beachfront resort with an on-site championship golf course, world-class spa and award-winning tennis center.

Making it even more appealing, the picturesque resort has spent more than $50 million in impressive renovations and enhancements over the last few years. This included the dramatic renovation – almost reinvention -- of its championship golf course. Completed in November 2016, the $9 million total redesign of the course was done by golf icon and acclaimed course designer Jack Nicklaus in collaboration with renowned course architect John Sanford. The par-71 course features five tees, ranging from 4,800 yards to over 6,900 yards, and was redesigned to challenge the best players but also be enjoyable for all golfers.

Want more reason to visit?

Complemented by seven miles of soft white-sand beach, the resort also features a beachfront pool complex with two pools, whirlpools and locker facilities; the Mary C. Watkins Tennis Center with six Har-Tru courts; Beach Kids Club, a complimentary daily recreational program for children ages 5 to 12; beach rentals; multiple restaurants and bars; and retail shops.

The resort’s full-service spa offers an impressive array of relaxing massages, refreshing body treatments, restorative facials, advanced hydrotherapy services, manicures, pedicures, and hair salon services. Designed in classic Florida style, The Spa features nine individual spa treatment rooms, separate women’s and men’s relaxation areas and locker rooms, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpool baths, state-of-the-art cardio and weight rooms in separate areas, a private aerobics studio, and full-service beauty salon. Available treatments include Hot Stone Massage, Revitalizing Fruit Fresh Facial, Moisture Rich Conditioning Wrap, Aroma-Reflexology Massage, Ultimate Lifting Facial, Espresso Mud Detoxifying Wrap, and Signature Salt Scrub.

Plus, guests at the lush 125-acre resort always benefit from no resort fees, complimentary valet parking and self-parking, and complimentary access to the resort’s fitness center.

The resort also offers multiple restaurants and lounges. This includes:  the signature beachfront restaurant HB’s on the Gulf, featuring indoor and outdoor dining; Broadwell’s restaurant, overlooking the golf course; and the Seminole Store, which offers deli sandwiches, ice cream, gourmet coffees, pizza, pastries and desserts in a café atmosphere. The popular Sunset Beach Bar & Grill has been recognized as the “Best Place To View A Southwest Florida Sunset.”

Guest rooms and suites feature cool tropical colors; flat-panel televisions; patio or balcony (with a view of the Gulf, golf course or the lush resort interior); coffee maker; and refrigerator.

Situated just blocks from Naples’ renowned shopping districts of fashionable 5th Avenue South and historic 3rd Street South, the resort is also within minutes of shopping at Venetian Village, Waterside Shops, Bayfront and Tin City. Guests can also experience the area by taking tours of the Everglades, Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, Corkscrew Swamp, The Botanical Gardens, or the Conservancy Nature Center. Boat and fishing trips also can be arranged at the hotel. Other leisure time activities can include Naples’ outstanding museums, theatres, and art galleries.

“The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is perfect for a relaxing getaway,” said Jason Parsons, general manager of the family-owned resort. “It is absolutely beautiful here. Plus, there is something at our resort to please almost anyone. Whether you wish to golf on the redesigned championship course, relax on the beach, lounge by one of our beachfront pools, enjoy a service at The Spa, play tennis, shop at Naples’ famous shopping districts just blocks away, or watch a gorgeous sunset, you just can’t beat the offerings or incredible setting of The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. The ‘3rd Night Free’ simply provides even more reason to visit.”

To take advantage of the “Stay 2 Nights and the 3rd Night is Free” offer, call (800) 237-7600 or (239) 261-2222, or visit NaplesBeachHotel.com, specifically the “Specials” section on the website. Note that the offer is based on availability, with holiday weekends excluded, and blackout dates may apply. The promotion may not be combined with any other offer, and is not applicable to groups. The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is located at 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. North in Naples, Florida. An exceptional tropical getaway, the resort is rich in hospitality and tradition.

For more information, visit NaplesBeachHotel.com.

Club Car’s Tempo Connect Recognized as 2018 Best Electric Golf Car by Golf Digest

(Augusta, Ga) - Club Car, the global leader in golf and utility vehicles and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, has been awarded the 2018 Editor’s Choice Award for Best Electric Golf Car by Golf Digest for the Tempo Connect.

Club Car’s Tempo Connect is a stylish new golf car with connected technology for an enhanced ride and experience and the first golf car that includes Club Car’s Visage Fleet Management, an industry-leading connectivity platform for golf operators to simplify operations, control costs and maximize course efficiencies; and Shark Experience, the premier in-car course entertainment system exclusive to Club Car. Shark Experience engages golfers in a modern, fun and social way so they can enjoy live sports, music, Greg Norman golf tips, dynamic yardage information and more for an all-in-one entertainment experience.

“It is rewarding to be recognized by Golf Digest as we celebrate a milestone year, our 60th anniversary in the golf industry,” said Robert McElreath, vice president, connectivity for Club Car. “We remain committed to delivering the best golf car experience for golfers and the Tempo Connect delivers unprecedented connectivity, content and customization to the course, all in an effort to move the game of golf forward.”

The Tempo Connect is the first golf car that includes both Visage Fleet Management, an industry-leading connectivity platform for golf operators to simplify operations, control costs and maximize course efficiencies; and Shark Experience, the premier in-car course entertainment system exclusive to Club Car, which in partnership with GN Media and Verizon allows Club Car to deliver the premier in-car course entertainment system to the new Tempo Connect golf car.

The 2018 Editor’s Choice designation marks the third year in a row a Club Car vehicle received Golf Digest’s annual award.

Golf Stars Lead Celebrations as Royal Greens Golf and Country Club Enjoys Grand Opening

Ernie Els, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and stars of the LET on hand for historic weekend at Saudi Arabia’s first championship golfing destination

(KSA) - World golf’s newest championship venue, Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, celebrated its official Grand Opening over an action-packed weekend, as golfing stars, celebrities and senior members of the Saudi Government congregated to mark the historic occasion.

Four-time Major winner and President’s Cup Captain, Ernie Els, was joined by European Tour winner, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, to witness the first tee shot over the spectacular European Golf Design, par-72 layout, struck by His Excellency Yasir Bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, President of the Saudi Golf Federation.

He was closely followed by European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, Els and Johnston themselves, and Ladies European Tour players Amy Boulden, Camilla Lennarth and Maha Haddioui in taking to the first tee for the very first time.

During an action-packed weekend, the professionals were joined by Othman Almulla, a prominent member of the Saudi National Team and Claude Harmon III, one of the world’s leading coaches. Together, the group delivered clinics for beginner golfers and were treated to a taste of both traditional and modern Saudi culture at a grand gala dinner, where they were greeted by Saudi ardha dancers.

After the Grand Opening Exhibition Match, in which Ernie Els and Haddioui were narrowly defeated by Almulla and Boulden in a fun three-hole scramble, the South African Hall-of-Famer, said: “The opening of Royal Greens Golf and Country Club is a landmark moment for golf in Saudi Arabia. This golf course is spectacular and, with its setting upon a stretch of pristine Red Sea coastline, I’m sure it will quickly become one of the most recognisable and most popular destinations on any worldwide tour.”

Royal Greens has been chosen by the Saudi Golf Federation to host Saudi Arabia’s first ever European Tour event, which will welcome the great and good of the game in January 2019. The Federation announced the event at the Grand Opening and confirmed the participation of top players, including: World No.1, Dustin Johnson; Masters Champion, Patrick Reed; Ryder Cup Captain, Thomas Bjorn; and World No.13, Paul Casey.

Home to a state-of-the-art Golf Academy and extensive long and short-game practice areas, Royal Greens also cemented its status as a pillar of the sport’s development in the country with the signing of an MOU with the Saudi Arabian Golf Federation. This agreement will see Royal Greens and master developer Emaar the Economic City work with the Federation to attract more novice players to the game, support the elite National Team via access to its outstanding facilities as Saudi’s flagship golfing destination and consult on the development of new golfing facilities in The Kingdom.

“The Grand Opening of Royal Greens Golf and Country Club signals the beginning of a new era for golf in Saudi Arabia and we are delighted to introduce it to the world,” said Fahd Al-Rasheed, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Emaar the Economic City (EEC), the master developer of King Abdullah Economic City in which the club is located. “This facility will be regarded amongst golf’s very best, and will become a launch pad for the next generation of Saudi golfers looking to make their mark in the game.”

Managed by Troon, Royal Greens Golf and Country Club is undoubtedly one of the most impressive facilities in golf, both on and of the course, boasting an impressive 9,820m sq clubhouse, including ballroom, health club and award-winning spa, as well as fine dining restaurants and an elegant tea room.

Las Vegas Teens Smith, Haczkiewicz Earn Medalist Honors at 4th U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball

(Tarzana, Calif.) - Las Vegas teenagers Anna Haczkiewicz and Sydney Smith backed up their first-round 66 with a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to claim medalist honors by two strokes.

Quarterfinalists in this championship a year ago, the duo registered four birdies, an eagle and two bogeys on a cool and breezy day in the San Fernando Valley.

Their 36-hole total of 10-under 134 was two strokes shy of the 36-hole championship scoring record.

“Obviously we were trying to be the lowest competitors,” said Haczkiewicz, 17. “That is awesome to be top seeded.”

The graduating seniors – Haczkiewicz is headed to Brigham Young University in the fall and Smith, 18, will play for Colorado State – are one of 32 sides to qualify for match play, which begins on Monday. Last year the duo advanced to the quarterfinals.

“We have the same mentality [for match play],” said Smith. “We don’t focus on, Oh they made a birdie we have to make one this time. We just think every hole is a birdie hole, so we just keep looking to go lower [than our opponents].”

Although the side made its first two bogeys of the championship Sunday, Haczkiewicz balanced that with an eagle-3 on the 438-yard, par-5 fifth hole with a brilliant 6-iron approach from a sidehill lie to 20 feet.

The cut came at even-par 144 with three sides playing off late Sunday evening for the final two spots in the draw. Lauren Peter, 18, of Carmel, N.Y., holed out a 29-foot chip on the first playoff hole to secure a spot for her and Lindsay May, 18, of Auburn, N.Y. Former Kansas State teammates Katherine Gravel-Coursol, 24, of Canada, and Paige Nelson, 23, of Farmers Branch, Texas, made a par on the fifth playoff hole to grab the final spot.

Four sides finished at 8-under 134, including University of Arizona teammates Haley Moore, 19, of Escondido, Calif., and Gigi Stoll, 21, of Tigard, Ore. Moore is coming off a third-place finish in last week’s Pacific-12 Conference Championship in Seattle.

The other three sides to post 136 were Kynadie Adams, 14, of Nashville, Tenn., and Rachel Kuehn, 16, of Asheville, N.C.; future University of Oregon teammates Ty Akabane, 17, of Danville, Calif., and Briana Chacon, 16, of Whittier, Calif.; and Leila Dizon, 18, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Irene Kim, 17, of La Palma, Calif.

First-round leaders Yachun Chang, 17, of Chinese Taipei, and Lei Ye, 16, of the People’s Republic of China, carded a second-round 74 for a 36-hole total of 138, but still easily advanced to match play.

Reigning U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Erica Shepherd, 17, of Greenwood, Ind., and Megan Furtney, 17, of Chicago, Ill., also qualified for match play at 5-under 139, despite a 1-over 73 on Sunday.

What’s Next:
The 32 sides who qualified for match play will play one 18-hole match on Monday. The matches begin at 8:30 a.m. PDT from the first tee. The winners advance to Tuesday’s Round of 32. The Round of 16 will be contested on Tuesday afternoon, with the semifinals and 18-hole final on Wednesday.

Notable:
Meghan Stasi, 39, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., registered a hole-in-one on the 192-yard eighth hole with a 4-iron. It was the second recorded ace in championship history for the four-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion and Stasi’s fourth overall ace.

Avery Zweig, 11, of McKinney, Texas, is the youngest player to ever make match play in the U.S.  Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship, surpassing the previous mark of 13 the past two championships. Zweig is partnering with Malena Barrientos, 14, of Plano, Texas.

Six competitors who have advanced to the national finals of the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship qualified for match play. That list includes Leila Dizon, of Los Angeles; Kynadie Adams, of Nashville, Tenn.; Zweig; Alexandra Swayne, of Maineville, Ohio, and her partner, Sarah Willis, of Eaton, Ohio; and Abbey Daniel, of Covington, La.

Two of the three sister tandems advanced: Calynne and Chandler Rosholt, of Cedar Park, Texas; and Whitney Britton, of Dana Point, Calif., and Avery French, of Laguna Niguel, Calif.

More information: usga.org/womensfourball

Ann Liguori named PEAKVISION Brand Ambassador, Marketing Consultant

(CONWAY, SC) - Renown radio and television sports talk show host/golf correspondent/author/business owner, Ann Liguori, was recently named Brand Ambassador and Marketing Consultant for PEAKVISION Sunglasses.

Ann Liguori
PEAKVISION, known throughout the golf world for their patented Dual-Zone/Zero Distortion lens providing utmost clarity and high definition, is owned by David Feaser of Conway, South Carolina. Feaser, owner of Shades of George (www.shadesofgeorge.com), bought PEAKVISION, company assets and all the patents for the popular lenses from the original company in May 2017, and is running the company as President/CEO.

Liguori is connecting PEAKVISION with professional golfers, celebrities in sports, entertainment, business and media, and consulting on matters pertaining to marketing and public relations.

“I’m thrilled to be raising awareness for this brand of sunglasses that I’ve been a big fan of for years,” says Liguori. “I continue to be impressed with the clarity, high-definition and protection the lens provide. And it’s great to hear and see the enthusiasm from the golf community with the re-emergence of the brand.”

Liguori is the golf correspondent for WFAN and CBS Sports Radio Network. She will be covering her 20th straight Masters tournament the week of April 2. Ann recently collaborated with Dune Jewelry on the Hamptons Rope Collection, an elegant collection of sterling silver bracelets, cufflinks, earrings, necklaces and rings which can be customized with sand or natural elements from your favorite travel memories and experiences. She also hosts an annual charity golf outing in The Hamptons to raise money for cancer research and prevention. The 20th Annual Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic will take place on June 4 at the Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, New York. PEAKVISION will be providing sunglasses for each participant.

“Ann Liguori coming on board as our brand ambassador is huge,” says Feaser. “She is a class act and extremely knowledgeable on every aspect of golf. Ann has an impeccable reputation amongst her peers and when Ann speaks, influencers listen. The greatest thing about our relationship is she really believes in the technology behind these glasses which she has personally used for many years on and off the course.”

PEAKVISION offers a wide variety of styles including a line of Jack Nicklaus-signature sunglasses. “The JN1 and the JN5 in the collection reflect the high standards of Jack Nicklaus himself,” adds Feaser.

All PEAKVISION styles are available and are currently on-sale by ordering on-line at www.peakvision.com.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

USGA Accepts Nearly 1,600 Entries for 73rd U.S. Women’s Open Championship

11 Past U.S. Women's Open champions set to compete

(LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.) - The United States Golf Association (USGA) has accepted 1,592 entries for the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open Championship, which will be conducted May 31-June 3, 2018, at Shoal Creek in Alabama. It will be the first U.S. Women’s Open contested in Alabama, and it’s just the third time in its history that the U.S. Women’s Open will be played prior to the U.S. Open.

This marks the fifth consecutive year the U.S. Women’s Open has received more than 1,500 entries. The 2015 championship at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club holds the entry record with 1,873. Eleven U.S. Women’s Open champions are among the 93 players who are currently fully exempt into the championship.

“We are excited to see such a strong group of entrants from around the world for the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open Championship,” said Shannon Rouillard, championship director. “To host Alabama’s first U.S. Women’s Open is a historic moment for the USGA and the state of Alabama, and to have such a strong field represented in the championship is fitting.”

The USGA accepted entries for the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open from golfers in 46 states, 11 entrants from Alabama among them, as well as the District of Columbia and a total of 54 countries.

To be eligible for the U.S. Women’s Open, a player must have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4, or be a professional. Sectional qualifying will be conducted over 36 holes between May 2-17. Qualifying will be held at 21 sites in the United States, as well as four international sites: one each in England, Japan, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.

Sung Hyun Park, of Korea, who won the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., is one of 11 fully exempt U.S. Women’s Open champions. Park is joined by Brittany Lang (2016), In Gee Chun (2015), Michelle Wie (2014), Inbee Park (2013, 2008), Na Yeon Choi (2012), So Yeon Ryu (2011), Paula Creamer (2010), Eun-Hee Ji (2009), Cristie Kerr (2007) and Karrie Webb (2001, 2000).

This will be the third USGA championship conducted at Shoal Creek. In 1986, Stewart “Buddy” Alexander won the U.S. Amateur Championship, defeating Chris Kite, 5 and 3, in the final. In 2008, Cameron Peck captured the U.S. Junior Amateur, and his 10-and-8 victory over Evan Beck stands as the largest winning margin in Junior Amateur championship-match history.

The championship's youngest entrant is 11-year-old Avery Zweig, of McKinney, Texas. She will attempt to qualify at the sectional qualifying site in Westminster, Colo., on May 14. Laura Baugh is the championship's oldest entrant at age 62. She will attempt to qualify at the sectional qualifying site in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on May 4.

Catriona Matthew, a 48-year-old professional from Scotland, was the first to apply when entries opened on March 7. The final entry came from Tori Peers, a 22-year-old amateur, of Grand Island, Neb., who filed 27 minutes before the 5 p.m. EDT deadline on April 25.

Players still have several opportunities to gain a full exemption into the U.S. Women’s Open. The winner of any LPGA co-sponsored events prior to the start of the U.S. Women’s Open, including this weekend’s inaugural LPGA Mediheal Championship in Daly City, Calif., will earn exemptions into the championship field. Additionally, any player in the top 50 point leaders and ties from the Rolex Rankings as of May 27 not already exempt will be added to the field.

More information about the U.S. Women’s Open, including a variety of ticket options, is available at uswomensopen.com.

Friday, April 27, 2018

SC200 Swing Caddie Helps Golfers Improve Game with Accurate Distance Readings

(RELEASE) - As all the pros could tell you, knowing one's own carry distance is essential to a golfer's ability to accurately evaluate and improve their game. The SC200 Swing Caddie portable launch monitor (as seen on the Golf Channel) is an excellent solution for calculating and evaluating carry distance data. Using Barometric Pressure Calibration and Doppler Radar Technology, the SC200 provides carry distance readings with accuracy comparable to a tour-grade launch monitor. Even better, this portable launch monitor put out by Voice Caddie comes at a price that's accessible to weekend golfers.

When many golfers define their own carry distance, they think in terms of their best shots rather than looking at their averages. This is an error that prevents them from correctly evaluating their game, judging consistency, and measuring improvement.

The SC200 Swing Caddie not only provides carry distance readings with pinpoint precision; it also stores swing data from the last 100 shots. This feature enables users to see their average distances, as well as note the degree of disparity between shots. The SC200 even allows golfers to select a specific club and loft angle before each shot so the user can evaluate the swing data for each club.

With the exact statistics in front of them, SC200 users can identify weaknesses in their game and set an educated practice plan. The SC200 Swing Caddie even offers three different modes to accommodate for a range of practice goals.
- In Practice Mode, the SC200 displays instant feedback for every golf shot.
- In Target Mode, the user sets a target distance for a round of ten shots. The SC200 Swing Caddie then scores the user on accuracy.
- In Approach Mode, the device sets target distances at random, challenging golfers to test and improve distance control.

Roughly the size of a smart phone, the SC200 features a compact, lightweight construction that makes it easy to use anytime, anywhere. In addition to high-accuracy carry distance readings, the device features:
- Readings for swing speed, ball speed, smash factor, time played, and total shot count, all provided immediately on an LCD display.
- Distance Voice Output, featuring an instant voice reading for carry distance so golfers can continue drilling without interruption.
- A remote control allowing the user to switch between settings with ease.

Precise knowledge can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to carry distance. Used and promoted by PGA teaching professionals, the SC200 Swing Caddie portable launch monitor has proven to be an exceptionally effective training aid.

For sales or purchase inquiries, contact sales@voicecaddie.com.

More information: www.voicecaddie.com

USGA Accepts More Than 9,000 U.S. Open Entries for Seventh Consecutive Year

Multiple winners Tiger Woods and Ernie Els are among 12 past champions exempt for the 118th championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

(LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has accepted a total of 9,049 entries for the 2018 U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. The U.S. Open will be held on Long Island for the 10th time on June 14-17.

The number of entries is the eighth-highest behind the record of 10,127 accepted for the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s Course No. 2. Among this year’s total are 54 players, including 12 past champions, who are fully exempt into the field (see list below).

The USGA accepted entries for the 118th U.S. Open from golfers in all 50 states, including 408 from New York, as well as the District of Columbia and 80 foreign countries.

“The continued worldwide interest in competing in the U.S. Open Championship, golf’s ultimate test, remains significant,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman. “We look forward to conducting local and sectional qualifying and to hosting the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, one of the five founding members of the USGA, for the fifth time.”

Brooks Koepka, the 2017 champion, and 11 other champions are fully exempt from having to qualify for the championship. They are: Ernie Els (1994, 1997), Jim Furyk (2003), Lucas Glover (2009), Dustin Johnson (2016), Martin Kaymer (2014), Graeme McDowell (2010), Rory McIlroy (2011), Justin Rose (2013), Webb Simpson (2012), Jordan Spieth (2015) and Tiger Woods (2000, 2002, 2008).

To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4, or be a professional. Local qualifying, which will be played over 18 holes at 111 sites in the United States and one in Canada, will take place between April 30-May 17.

Sectional qualifying, played over 36 holes, will be conducted on Monday, May 21, in Japan; and on Monday, June 4, in England and at 10 sites in the United States, ranging from New Jersey to California. This will be the 14th year with two international qualifiers, which were established in 2005.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is the lone club to have hosted the U.S. Open in three different centuries. In 1896, James Foulis won the second U.S. Open with a three-stroke victory over Horace Rawlins. Raymond Floyd (1986) and Corey Pavin (1995) were U.S. Open champions in the 20th century. Retief Goosen held off Phil Mickelson to win his second U.S. Open in 2004.

For the eighth consecutive year, only online entries were accepted. The USGA received 515 entries on the last day applications were accepted (April 25), including 115 applications in the final hour. Drew Caudill, a 32-year-old professional from Mount Vernon, Ohio, submitted his entry just 23 seconds before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT. Kyle Nakazaki, a 38-year-old professional from Manhattan Beach, Calif., was the first entrant when entries opened on March 7.

The number of fully exempt players will increase with the inclusion of the top 60 point leaders and ties from the Official World Golf Ranking®, as of May 21 and June 11. The winners of The Players Championship (May 10-13) and European Tour BMW PGA Championship (May 24-27) will also earn exemptions.

In 2018, the USGA accepted more than 9,000 entries for the U.S. Open for the 10th time overall and the seventh consecutive year. The 9,882 entries accepted for the 2015 championship at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., is the second-most behind the 2014 championship at Pinehurst No. 2. The USGA accepted 9,877 entries for the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, and 9,860 for the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. The 9,000-mark was reached for the first time in 2005, when 9,048 entries were accepted for the championship at Pinehurst No. 2.

More information about the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, including local and sectional qualifying, is available at www.usopen.com.

Three Teams Advance to Shotmakers Championship, Monday at 9 p.m. on Golf Channel

More than $50,000 in Cash and Prizes to be Awarded to the Shotmakers Champions, Including One Year of Free Membership to Topgolf

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – In a competition that began with nine co-ed teams of two, Monday’s championship of Golf Channel’s innovative new competition, Shotmakers, airing at 9 p.m. ET, is down to the final three teams. They will compete head-to-head in competitions that test precision, distance and control with more than $50,000 in cash and prizes going to the eventual Shotmakers champions.

Teams advancing to the Shotmakers Championship:
HAWKS, sponsored by Topgolf:
CHELSEA PEZZOLA (25, Scottsdale, Ariz.) Professional golfer, standout junior golfer at IMG Academy, two-time Academic All-Big Ten at University of Michigan.
PETER CAMPBELL (33, Carlsbad, Calif.) Former PGA TOUR professional, golf instructor, 2016-17 Topgolf Tour Championship finalist with fellow Shotmakers competitor Jamie Puterbaugh.

LIGHTNING, sponsored by MGM Grand:
KENZIE O’CONNELL (26, Denver, Colo.) Golf teaching instructor, Women With Drive ambassador.
CHAD PFEIFER (36, Caldwell, Idaho) Professional golfer, decorated U.S. Army Corporal (retired) who credits golf for saving his life, two-time Warrior Open champion, amputee (lower leg).

WARRIORS, sponsored by Avis:
NIKKI BONDURA (25, Sacramento, Calif.) Golf lifestyle blogger, co-owner of Women With Drive.
BRAD BARNES (23, London, England) 2017 Topgolf Tour Championship runner-up with fellow Shotmakers competitor Matt Cousens.

GRAND PRIZE: $50,000 in cash ($25,000 each) and one year of free membership to Topgolf.

Shotmakers began with nine co-ed teams of two pairing up in head-to-head competitions that test precision, distance and control, all while facing intense pressure and strategic decision-making. The 18 competitors included a former PGA TOUR professional, mini-tour professional golfers, an Olympian, former collegiate athletes, a World Long Drive competitor, a trick-shot artist, decorated military veterans, and champions from the Topgolf Tour.

The competition utilizes Toptracer by Topgolf, the leading technology used on PGA TOUR televised broadcasts that immediately shows competitors their ball’s flight, speed, distance and curve on screen, as well as the games made popular at the 41 Topgolf venues around the world. Teams compete for cash and prizes in each competition and will be eliminated until one team is left standing as the champion of Shotmakers.

Shotmakers is co-hosted by 3-time college national player of the year Amanda Blumenherst and golf host Shane Bacon, along with Golf Channel reporter Chantel McCabe and social media correspondent Alexandra O’Laughlin. Shotmakers features seven rounds of competition that began Monday, April 9 and airing two nights a week– Monday and Tuesday nights – at 9 p.m. ET, concluding Monday, April 30. The series also is distributed across Golf Channel’s international platforms, airing in more than 60 countries worldwide.

More information: www.Shotmakers.com

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Popticals Selects The Media Group to Manage Its Public Relations Efforts

(ST. LOUIS, MO) - Popticals, maker of compact performance eyewear, has selected The Media Group, a communications firm based out of Chicago, Illinois to handle public relations efforts for its innovative line of sunglasses for the golf market.

Entrepreneur and Popticals founder David Porter saw a problem: sports sunglasses have no easy and safe way to be carried around when not in use. The cases wrap-around sunglasses come with are too bulky, and without a case, they often end up broken or lost. So David did what he does best and invented a solution: a design that allowed wrap-around sunglasses to compact down to a small size.

Popticals was founded with a spirit for innovation and adventure. They build portable, premium sports sunglasses that provide high-performance eyewear when you need them, and a convenient, safe way to store them when you don't. With industry-leading NYDEFGOLF nylon lenses manufactured for Popticals by Carl Zeiss Vision, Popticals offer the same clarity as glass lenses while remaining 18% lighter than polycarbonate lenses used in most other sunglasses.

At the heart of their patented design is the FL2 Micro-Rail System. Built into the frames, the FL2 Micro-Rail System's track and stainless steel components allow the lenses to slide in parallel to each other for compact storage. The glasses then fit inside a small, durable case that keeps them safe when not in use. This gives Popticals their unique portability while offering premium sports performance.

For more information on Popticals visit www.Popticals.com.

Three Los Cabos Resorts Receive Golf Digest 'Editors’ Choice Awards'

Cabo del Sol, One & Only Palmilla and Quivira tapped for accolades 

(Los Cabos, Mexico) - Three outstanding golf resorts in Los Cabos, the undisputed ‘Golf Capital of Latin America,’ have received a prestigious Editors’ Choice Award for ‘Best Resorts in the Americas’ in the May issue of Golf Digest.

Now in its third year, the publication’s Editors’ Choice Awards annually honor The Best in Golf, with an emphasis on lifestyle properties, products and services across the globe. In the ‘Destinations & Accommodations’ sector, editors examine criteria beyond golf, determining which properties offer a well-rounded, multi-faceted experience.

In the ‘Best Golf Resorts in Mexico and Central America’ category, Los Cabos claimed three of the seven spots, more than any other destination in its region.

Heading the winner’s list is Cabo del Sol, the 36-hole resort that imprinted Los Cabos on the international golf map when its majestic Ocean Course debuted in 1994. Intent on producing the ‘Pebble Beach of the Baja’ on what he described as “the best piece of golf property I’ve ever seen,” designer Jack Nicklaus charted holes across gently sloping terrain creased by sandy arroyos and dotted with tall cacti and tawny rock formations. Very little earth was moved to create this seaside layout, which at full stretch (7,111 yards) asks experts to play a handful of do-or-die shots across swaths of desert or inlets of the sea. The Ocean Course is currently ranked No. 70 on Golf Digest’s “World 100 Greatest Golf Courses” list.

Cabo del Sol’s second venue is the Desert Course, Tom Weiskopf’s first design effort in Mexico. Routed in rolling foothills, all 18 holes on this shotmaker’s layout offer panoramic views of the Sea of Cortes. Shoehorned into rugged desert terrain crisscrossed by canyon-like arroyos, the Desert Course presents broad fairways framed by granite rock outcrops and a dense cactus forest. To defend the greens, which feature long slopes and subtle rolls, Weiskopf built large sculpted bunkers with distinctive capes and bays.

Cabo del Sol is anchored by a 40,000-square-foot, hacienda-style clubhouse, its spacious open-air verandas and terraces offering picturesque ocean and fairway views. On-site hotels include Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar; and the all-inclusive Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos. Each offers a lovely beachfront setting, excellent accommodations and a superb array of restaurants.

One&Only Palmilla can rightly claim to be the “Grande Dame” of Los Cabos. Palmilla Golf Club, the first Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Latin America, is five minutes from a legendary hideaway built in 1956 by the son of a former president of Mexico. The glamour and ambience of the original resort was carefully preserved at One&Only Palmilla, which opened in 2004 following a $90-million expansion and refurbishment. This ultra-luxe property, a favorite of Hollywood A-listers, is set on a rocky promontory that juts into the sea, its protected sandy beaches fronting azure-blue waters calm enough for swimming.  

Palmilla’s Mountain and Arroyo nines, dropped into in a box-shaped canyon walled in by steep stony peaks, set the stage for top-shelf golf in Cabo when the core 18 opened in 1992. Routed around boulder-strewn arroyos and cactus-covered foothills, Palmilla was the first course in the hemisphere to partake of the region’s unique mountain, desert and ocean ecosystem. While tournament-tough from the tips, the layout’s broad fairways and open-entry greens accommodate players of lesser attainment. The Ocean nine, added in 1999, features a 600-foot elevation change from the first tee to the sixth green, carrying players from the mountains to the sea.

Treated to a recent $3.5-million refurbishment, Palmilla’s 27-hole complex is better now than when it was new. Game improvement? The club recently installed RoboGolfPro, a new robotic swing trainer endorsed by PGA Tour pros and “Top 100” teachers, at its practice facility.

Golf Digest’s editors had this to say about Quivira Golf Club, the gravity-defying layout grafted onto a dazzling site at Land’s End: “At the tip of Baja (California) Sur is the newest of more than a dozen Jack Nicklaus layouts in Mexico, and perhaps his most compelling, with holes along and atop granite cliffs and sand dunes overlooking the Pacific.”

Nicklaus used every tool in his kit to build a course that ranks among the most spectacular he has ever designed. That claim is validated by the fact that the course, opened in 2014, vaulted onto Golf Digest’s roster of the “World 100 Greatest Golf Courses” at No. 93.

A strategic tour de force marked by risk-reward options and breathtaking drops from tee to fairway, Quivira offers more oceanfront exposure than any other course in Los Cabos. This multi-themed layout starts at sea level, climbs the face of a mountain, tiptoes along sheer cliffs, meanders through massive dunes and rambles across desert foothills. The links-style finish is memorable: the infinity-edge green at the par-4 18th appears to float on the ocean.

An all-inclusive facility, Quivira serves complimentary food and refreshments at four comfort stations. The club is accessible to guests of Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts’ five properties. Golfers gravitate to the nearby Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, an adults-only enclave where the accommodations, dining options and technicolor sunsets are exceptional.

For more information, visit www.visitloscabos.travel and follow on Twitter @LOSCABOSTOURISM.

Callaway Apparel Launches The Tour Authentic Collection – Heritage in The Making

(Miami, FL) — Callaway Apparel, licensed by global fashion leader Perry Ellis International, announces the launch of the Tour Authentic Collection - a timeless collection designed for the elite player seeking the best in form and function.

“We are excited to bring the exclusive Tour Authentic collection to market,” stated Gregg Hemphill, Senior Director Global Soft Goods and Licensing at Callaway Golf. “Tour Authentic’s upscale men’s golf apparel is appealing to all customers, whether or not they enjoy the game of golf, thanks to active styles that go far beyond the fairway.  Callaway Apparel pledges innovation, quality, and performance, which have always been our core attributes.”

The Tour Authentic Collection was conceived by leaders in technical apparel and specifically designed for golfers. An exclusive and concise collection of ultra-premium garments, Tour Authentic represents the best craftsmanship, materials, and technological innovation in the industry. Tour Authentic is an opportunity to be part of something special, where less is subtly more.

“We invested two years in product development researching  the  latest in fabric technologies and fabrication processes,” stated Lupe Benitez, Vice President of Design at Perry Ellis International. “This unique perspective enabled us to create an unparalleled luxury golf apparel collection that represents the perfect fusion of function and fashion”.

Highlights of the Spring 2018 Tour Authentic Collection include:

Tour Authentic Polos: Created with the world’s most luxurious fabrics including Merino wool, 100% mercerized cotton and luxurious Japanese technical yarns, the Tour Authentic polos are available in a variety of fashionable designs and patterns for the elite player seeking the best in form and function. Infused with quality, style and artisanal craftsmanship that translates into confidence on and off the course:
- Underarm pieced gusset allows for maximum range of motion, smooth set-on laser cut plackets, with ultrasonic hems, feature three powder-coated alloy buttons
- Interlined self collar creates a structured feel
- Moisture management works to keep you cool and dry by wicking away sweat, while UPF protects you from the sun's damaging UV rays during a long day on the course
- Revolutionary sweat hiding technology helps inhibit sweat marks from showing on the outside of the polo

Tour Authentic 100% Cashmere Sweater: A Captain's Pick on and off the golf course, the Tour Authentic Cashmere V-neck sweater will elevate your play and style. Designed to look good on the links or walking along city streets, the cashmere sweater pairs perfectly with the Tour Authentic polo to create a elegant, sporty style.
- 100% Long Staple Mongolian Cashmere. 15.5 micron, double ply represents the best grade in cashmere quality
- Long pile double thread allows the sweater to resist odors and maintain temperature control by insulating during cold weather and cooling during warm weather
- UPF protects the skin from damaging UV rays during a long day on the course
- Crafted with a ribbing around the bottom hem, sleeve cuffs and V-neck, this lightweight, luxurious and soft golf sweater is the perfect layering piece on and off the course
- Four fashion forward colors create the ideal look for both on and off the course

Tour Authentic Shorts and Trousers: Fusing artistic craftsmanship, luxurious materials, and technical innovation, the Tour Authentic shorts and trousers have superior details and performance features.
- Schoeller’s exclusive 3XDRY technology creates a water repellent fabric that causes liquids to bead up and drip away
- Moisture management technology wicks away moisture and perspiration away from the skin, allowing air to circulate throughout the lightweight fabric
- Inside gripper active flex waistband with belt loops provides all-around stretch for maximum range of motion, flexibility, comfort, and expansion for optimal feel and comfort
- Cotton/Nylon/Elastane blend provides a lightweight finish, optimal, easy care, and reduction of heat buildup
- An innovative slide snap fastening system takes place of the button closure, allowing for ease of open and close
- Hidden back zippered pocket allows for easy storage of small personal items

Callaway Apparel brand ambassador Talor Gooch will be donning the Tour Authentic collection during the 2018 PGA TOUR season. Tour Authentic is available at www.callawayapparel.com/tour-authentic/, select retailers and leading golf and country clubs around the world including: Medinah Country Club, Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run, and The Broadmoor.

Puerto Los Cabos Debuts New Nine by Jack Nicklaus

New holes blend well with 27-hole resort facility’s original nine opened in 2007

(LOS CABOS, Mexico) – Situated on the East Cape a short drive from the colonial city of San Jose del Cabo, the resort community of Puerto Los Cabos has functioned as a hybrid venue for more than 10 years, with a pair of nine-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman.

Until now.

As per the development’s original blueprint, Nicklaus has returned to build his long-awaited second nine at Puerto Los Cabos. Opened for limited member play in late 2017 and unveiled for resort play last week, the new holes emulate the original design style. Subtly contoured greens, large sculpted bunkers and dramatic elevation changes mark the new additions. The debut of the new nine transforms Puerto Los Cabos into a 27-hole facility, with three 18-hole combinations now available to members, resort guests and daily-fee play.

“We did our best to match up the new holes with the pre-existing holes,” said Jim Lipe, a veteran design consultant for Jack Nicklaus who worked on the original layout. “We softened things a little, but the green sizes and bunker shapes on the new holes are about the same as before. Unless you knew so beforehand, you wouldn’t be able to tell that the two nines were built at different times.”

According to director of golf Sergio Castillo, “He (Nicklaus) created some great risk-reward par-4’s on the new nine where you can plainly see his design philosophy shine through.” He added that the reversal in direction of the old 10th hole, previously an arduous uphill climb since converted to the downhill par-5 ninth, has significantly improved the course. Given a second bite at the apple, “Jack took one of the least popular holes on the course and made it into one of the best,” Castillo said.  
The opening stretch, routed at sea level and swept by gentle breezes, is designed to get players off to a good start. The first hole, a links-style par 5 flanked by an arroyo and framed in the distance by dunes, plays directly to the Sea of Cortes. The par-4 second hole, 332 yards at full stretch, invites big hitters to carry a large central bunker to reach the slightly elevated green, with trouble in store for misplayed shots.

The new nine’s picturesque closing stretch—holes 6 through 9—ascends to higher ground and has been the talk of the club since they opened. Each presents a fair but formidable challenge. The par-4 sixth, while not long on the card, demands an exacting approach to a well-protected tabletop green. From an elevated tee, the dramatic par-4 seventh plays to a ramped-up fairway, the uphill target a wishbone-shaped green indented by a deep bunker. At 191 yards from the tips, the sturdy par-3 eighth hole, its green benched into a hillside and ringed by bunkers, plays much longer than the listed yardage due to the prevailing wind. The new par-5 ninth, which occupies the corridor of the former 10th hole but plays in the opposite direction, offers a wide fairway that tumbles downhill to a green defended on the right by a pond. Nicklaus also built a new 10th hole, this one a testing 541-yard par 5 that skirts a winding arroyo on the right and rises to a well-protected green.

On the original nine, the Nicklaus design team recast the former par-5 14th as the new par-4 fifth hole by sliding the tee boxes to the left to straighten and shorten the hole. A breezy, links-style creation with a dazzling view of the sea behind the dune-framed green, the fifth, which calls for a forced carry over an arroyo on the approach shot, measures 451 yards from the back tees. It’s the number-one handicap hole on the Nicklaus I & II course, which stretches to 7,194 yards (par 72).

The new clubhouse at Puerto Los Cabos, opened last October, is a distinctive blend of traditional Spanish Mission revival architecture and contemporary styling.  It offers an excellent snack bar open for breakfast and lunch as well as shaded outdoor seating. Ingredients for dishes are sourced from Miraflores, a local organic farm.  Complimentary refreshments, including fresh fish tacos, are served to players at the Bear’s Den, an on-course palapa.

In tandem with the roll-out of the new nine, Puerto Los Cabos recently debuted a new chipping green and doubled the size of its practice putting green for resort and daily-fee golfers. In addition, the club’s new fleet of platinum-colored golf carts features a pair of USB ports and Visage GPS monitors.

For more information on Los Cabos, visit www.visitloscabos.travel and follow on Twitter @LOSCABOSTOURISM.

Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas in Featured Groups from Zurich Classic on ESPN+ Thursday

New ESPN Service Airs Live PGA TOUR Zurich Classic Action Thursday, Friday

(RELEASE) - Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth and defending PGA TOUR FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas will highlight two featured groups from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans airing Thursday morning on ESPN+, the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer premium subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International group, in partnership with ESPN.

Spieth and Thomas will highlight Thursday morning’s two Featured Groups in the Four-Ball (Better Ball) tournament being played at the TPC of Louisiana course. Teeing off at 8:30 a.m. ET, Thomas will be playing with Bud Cauley against Daniel Berger and Gary Woodland.

Spieth, with Ryan Palmer, will tee off at 8:52 a.m. against Wesley Bryan and Jon Rahm. The Thursday coverage begins at 8 a.m.

On both Thursday and Friday, ESPN+ viewers also will be able to watch coverage from two Featured Holes beginning at 3 p.m. ET – the Par 3 14th hole and the Par 3 No. 17.

ESPN+ will offer golf fans 50 days of coverage from 20 PGA TOUR events, including the RBC Heritage, THE PLAYERS Championship, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, the FedExCup Playoffs and more.

WE ARE GOLF Celebrates 11th Annual National Golf Day in Washington, D.C.

Record-High 230 Meetings with Members of Congress from 40 States Showcase the Game's Benefits

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Golf industry leaders participated in a record-high 230 meetings with members of Congress representing 40 states to discuss the game’s economic, social and environmental contributions to society during today’s 11th annual National Golf Day on Capitol Hill.

Conversations with Senate, House of Representatives, Executive Branch and federal agencies’ directors coincided with Tuesday’s release of the new U.S. Golf Economy Report, conducted by TEConomy Partners.  It shows $84.1 billion in activity was directly driven by golf in 2016, a 22% rise from $68.8 billion in the 2011 report.  The industry supported $191.9 billion in total annual activity, including 1.89 million jobs and $58.7 billion in wages and benefits. Demonstrating golfers’ and businesses’ commitments to charity, $3.94 billion was raised in 2016 through tournaments and other golf activities.

The fourth report since 2000 to measure golf’s impact, research encompassed golf course operations, tourism, real estate, supplies, tournaments, associations, charitable events, capital investment and other commercial segments.

Produced by WE ARE GOLF – the coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – National Golf Day brought together heads of golf organizations and companies from throughout the U.S.

“Golf is healthy and we continue to collaborate on ways to have a positive impact in America,” said Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation and administrator of WE ARE GOLF. “Meeting with many powerful lawmakers and influencers helps educate people about golf’s numerous benefits, grow participation and preserve the game’s legacy for future generations."

The WE ARE GOLF agenda centers on golf course owners and operators receiving tax relief from natural disasters, labor policies, physical fitness legislation, tax reform, and environmental sustainability and conservation.

“Golf is a lifetime sport. It teaches values to the young and helps the season golfer stay physically fit. Nebraska boasts some of the most diverse and beautiful golf destinations in the world,” said Senator Debra Fischer (R-NE). “On National Golf Day, we celebrate our love of the game and renew our commitment to ensure Americans can continue playing for generations to come.”

Golf ambassador and social media influencer Paige Spiranac joined the WE ARE GOLF contingency to promote health and wellness derived from playing.  An 18-hole round equates to a four- to five-mile walk and up to 2,000 calories burned.

Highlight exhibits in the Rayburn Office Building foyer included golf lessons and swing analysis for Congressional Members and staff from Michael Breed, former PGA Teacher of the Year and SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio host, and Deb Vangellow, LPGA Teaching Professional.  A closest-to-the-pin contest and Srixon / Cleveland Golf “Republicans vs. Democrats Putting Challenge” created spirited competition along with support from aboutGolf, GOLFTEC, Titleist and other industry brands.
                                                                                                                             
Yesterday’s second annual Community Service Project featured 175 participants focused on beautifying and preserving the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  Golf industry leaders volunteered to lay sod, rake, edge, overseed, aerate, brush walkways and spruce gravel pathways across 18 projects from the Capitol Building to the Washington Monument.  The four hours of “roll-up-your-sleeves” work saved the National Park Service nearly four months of labor.

For those unable to make it to D.C. to celebrate National Golf Day, Topgolf partnered with WE ARE GOLF to conduct free, five-minute lessons at each of its 37 U.S. locations (excluding Las Vegas).

Through April 30, visit the social media hub and use #NationalGolfDay and tag @wearegolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to support the golf industry.

More information about National Golf Day, visit www.wearegolf.org.

4th U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball Fact Sheet

(FACT SHEET) - April 28-May 2, 2018, El Caballero Country Club, Tarzana, Calif.
usga.org/womensfourball | mediacenter.usga.org | #USWFourBall

Course Setup
El Caballero Country Club will be set up at 6,330 yards and will play to a par of 36-36–72. Based on the setup, the Course Rating is 77.6 and the Slope Rating is 147.

El Caballero Country Club Hole by Hole
Hole   1       2       3      4      5       6      7       8        9        Total
Par     5       4       4      4      4       3      5       3        4         36
Yards 498   406  356  375    340  174   503  190     428    3,229
                                                                                             
Hole   10    11     12     13    14     15      16     17     18      Total
Par     3       4      5       4       4       4       3        5      4        36    
Yards 137   337   519  350    368   395   156   458  381     3,101
                         
Note: Yardages subject to change.

About El Caballero Country Club
Designed in 1957 by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and named for the creek that meanders through the San Fernando Valley property, the course was renovated in 2005 by John Harbottle, who revamped bunkers, water features and a few greens. El Caballero was a three-time host of the LPGA Tour’s Office Depot Championship, which was played for nine years and won by Se Ri Pak in 2002 and Annika Sorenstam in 2003 and 2004 at El Caballero. The club has also hosted several USGA sectional qualifiers, for the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Senior Open.

Admission
Admission is free. Tickets are not required for this USGA championship and spectators are encouraged to attend.

Entries
The championship is open to sides of female amateur golfers, each of whom has a Handicap Index® not exceeding 14.4. The USGA accepted 276 entries for the 2018 championship. Entries closed on Aug. 16, 2017.

Championship Field
A starting field of 64 sides (128 golfers) will compete in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship. Following 18-hole rounds of stroke play on April 28 and 29, the field will be cut to the low 32 sides for match play. Five 18-hole rounds of match play will determine the champion.

Sectional Qualifying
Sectional qualifying was conducted over 18 holes at 26 sites between Aug. 29, 2017 and April 11, 2018.

Exempt Players
The following four sides – eight players – are fully exempt into the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball:
- Gigi Stoll and Haley Moore (top 400 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking)
- Momoka Kobori and Hira Naveed (top 400 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking)
- Yachun Chang and Lei Ye (top 400 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking)
- Brianna Navarrosa and Zoe Antoinette Campos (top 400 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking)

Schedule of Play
Practice rounds will take place April 26-27, and the championship schedule is as follows:
April 28 (Saturday): First round, stroke play
April 29 (Sunday): Second round, stroke play
April 30 (Monday): First round, match play
May 1 (Tuesday): Second and quarterfinal rounds, match play
May 2 (Wednesday): Semifinal and championship rounds, match play

What the Winners Receive
- A 10-year exemption from qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, provided the side remains intact
- A gold medal and custody of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Trophy for one year
2017 Championship

Alice Chen and Taylor Totland, former teammates at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., won a pair of matches on the final day of play at the par-72, 6,298-yard Dunes Golf & Beach Club to win the 3rd U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship. Totland, 22, of Tinton Falls, N.J., just finished her senior year at Furman, while Chen, 21, of Princeton, N.J., has one year left. The longtime friends from New Jersey defeated Jennifer Chang, 17, of Cary, N.C., and Gina Kim, 17, of Chapel Hill, N.C., in the morning’s semifinal match, 3 and 2. They followed suit with a resounding 4-and-3 triumph in the afternoon’s 18-hole final against Sammi Lee, 22, of Athens, Ga., and Mary Ellen Shuman, 22, of St. Simons Island, Ga., both of whom just finished their senior years at the University of Georgia.

Championship History
The U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship was inaugurated in 2015 on the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. With the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, which also debuted in 2015, the championships were the first annual additions to the USGA competitive schedule since the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur began in 1987.

Future U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Sites      
April 27-May 1, 2019: Timuquana Country Club, Jacksonville, Fla.

What is the Difference Between Four-Ball and Foursomes?
While each involves four players, four-ball and foursome are different formats.
In four-ball, matches are played in pairs (a player and a partner, called a side, against another player and partner), with each golfer playing his or her own ball on each hole. At the end of each hole, the player with the lowest score wins that hole for the side. In stroke play, the low score is the side’s score for that hole.

Foursomes matches are also played in pairs (one side against another side), but each pair only plays with one ball. In this format, each player takes turns hitting the ball from the teeing grounds and during play of each hole, with “Player A” hitting the tee shot, “Player B” the second shot, “Player A” the third, and so on. While the side can choose the order, if “Player A” hits the tee shots on odd-numbered holes, “Player B” must hit them on even-numbered holes.

USGA Championships at El Caballero Country Club
The 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball marks El Caballero’s USGA Championship debut.

USGA Championships in California
The 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball will be the 80th USGA championship contested in California, the most of any state. Additional upcoming championships in the Golden State include the 2018 U.S. Amateur, 2019 U.S. Open and 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach; the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego; and the 2023 U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

USGA and PGA of America Team Up to Preserve Golf History

Hundreds of Rare Materials Find a Home at the USGA Museum

(LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.) - An important collection of historic golf material, including rare books, periodicals, travelogues, diaries, political and legal documents dating to the 1500s, has found a new home at the USGA Golf Museum, thanks to a continuing working relationship with the PGA of America.

The Colonel R. Otto Probst Library, managed by the PGA of America for more than 40 years, has merged with the USGA’s extensive library collection, in a collaborative effort that enhances the world’s largest and most comprehensive golf library open to the public.

The Probst Library was developed by South Bend, Indiana-based golf collector Colonel R. Otto Probst, whose passion for the game was kindled in the early 1920s with the acquisition of his first golf artifact. Topics explored through the wide-ranging collection include golf instruction, golf club histories, architecture, equipment, fiction, women in golf, travel, humor, literature and poetry. Several pieces explore Scottish history and its relationship to golf.

“The Probst Collection adds depth and richness to the USGA’s library, providing incredible insight into the game’s cultural and historic evolution,” said Rand Jerris, USGA senior managing director of Public Services. “We are grateful to Colonel Probst and the PGA for cultivating this treasure trove of information, which we can immediately share with fans who love and play the game worldwide.”

Probst (1896-1986) began his collection in 1923 and went on to acquire numerous items from renowned collectors through his life, including Cecil Hopkinson and C.B. Clapcott. In 1938, Justice Earle F. Tilley, a USGA Museum Committee member, endowed his golf library to Probst .

A 31-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Probst’s passion for golf was documented in a 1943 article in Golfdom magazine. “At Camp Croft there are several well-known golfers, ranked by Lt. Col. R. Otto Probst, known in golf as owner of the golf library that before the war was generally rated the largest in the U.S.,” the story recounted.

“The PGA of America views this partnership with the USGA as a groundbreaking moment in the preservation of more than the printed word of golf,” said PGA Historian Bob Denney. “It also extends Otto Probst’s dream – that future generations of golf aficionados and researchers worldwide may discover the rich history of the game. The USGA Golf Museum is now the undisputed epicenter of golf literature.”

The more than 800 rare books and 1,400 periodicals from the Probst Collection are among the most important materials added to the USGA Library’s significant collection. Among the prized rare elements of the collection is “The Goff,” written in three editions by Scottish law clerk Thomas Mathison between 1743 and 1793, which is recognized by historians as the first publication dedicated solely to golf.

Other significant materials include:
- Publications from Scotland, India, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Australia and South Africa
- Unique mentions of the game of golf spanning 20th-century literature, including books by Agatha Christie and Ian Fleming
- Golf club histories, including Royal Blackheath Golf Club, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, and the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh
- Biographies of famous individuals who played golf in its infancy, including Mary Stuart and Captain John Porteous
- Golf instruction books by Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor, James Braid, Chick Evans, Horace Hutchison, Robert Forgan, Jerome Travers, Willie Park, Bernard Darwin and Bob Jones, among others
- An exceptional copy of H.B. Farnie’s “The Golfer’s Manual” with six watercolors by Thomas Hodge
- James Arbuckle’s rare poem “Glotta,” one of the earliest important contributions to literature on golf
- A rare copy of Webster Glynes’ “The Maiden: A Golfing Epic”
- Second and third editions of George Fullerton Carnegie’s “Golfiana”

Today, the USGA Library is the world’s foremost repository for the game’s history. Books and periodicals in more than 20 languages cover all aspects of the game. Other areas of collecting include sheet music, dissertations, scrapbooks and over 30,000 scorecards from golf clubs worldwide. The Library also contains the personal papers of some of the game’s greatest personalities (including Bob Jones and Walter Travis) and is home to the USGA/PGA African-American Archive of Golf History. The complete library catalog, containing more than 70,000 volumes, can be accessed online at usga.org or in person.

The USGA Golf Museum is open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Researchers can request an appointment to view the library by calling 908-234-2300 or by emailing library@usga.org.

Casa de Campo Offers Outstanding Summer and Fall Golf Getaway

Features Unlimited Play on Three Pete Dye Gems Including Teeth of the Dog

(LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic) – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including the iconic Teeth of the Dog course – announces an outstanding summer and fall offer for its “Unlimited Teeth of the Dog with Breakfast” package. 

Through Oct. 31, the value-laden stay-and-play starts at $399 for two people, per night. Most notably, the package is highlighted by the opportunity for unlimited rounds on the Pete Dye-designed Teeth of the Dog, widely recognized as the No. 1 course in the Caribbean. Guests can also tee it up from dawn to dusk on the resort’s two additional Pete Dye gems: Dye Fore (27 holes) and The Links (18). 

The offer additionally includes deluxe accommodations in a Pete Dye Golf Lodge or Elite guest room, full daily breakfast buffet at Lago Restaurant, use of a four-passenger golf cart to travel throughout the resort, complimentary Wi-Fi and use of the resort’s fitness center. All golf rounds are based on availability and include arrival and departure days. 

“Summer and fall are both ideal for a Casa de Campo visit to savor our world-class accommodations and amenities while playing unlimited golf on our trio of classic Pete Dye layouts,” says Andres Pichardo Rosenberg, President. “We pride ourselves on our renowned customer care, so guests can relax and enjoy time spent away from the hustle and bustle of daily life here in paradise.”

The stunning resort also offers an array of splendid villa options ranging from three to 11 bedrooms. Starting at $439 (per person, per night), the villas feature stylish living areas, a private pool and myriad creature comforts. Daily breakfast, private maid service and full-access to a wide range of on-site activities are included.  

For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, call 800.877.3643, email golf@ccampo.com.do or visit: www.casadecampo.com.do/, facebook.com/casadecamporesort  instagram.com/casadecampodr, twitter.com/casadecampo

Arccos Golf Extends Patent Portfolio to Include Smart Grips

(STAMFORD, Conn.) – Arccos Golf announced the expansion of its capabilities to further grow the connected golf space through an agreement to license Cobra Golf patents related to the incorporation of data tracking sensors into a golf club grip.

Recently named one of the “World’s Most Innovative Companies 2018” by Fast Company, Arccos’ latest move follows the Q1 2018 launch of golf’s first smart set, the Cobra KING F8 line with Cobra Connect Powered by Arccos, which boasts an Arccos sensor embedded in the grip of every club.

“We’ve further solidified the exclusive nature of Arccos’ position in the connected golf space, which facilitates our pending introduction of Arccos Smart Grips, and sets the stage for other major announcements that we’ll be making,” says Sal Syed, Arccos CEO and Co-Founder. “Now, more than ever, there’s an immense opportunity for Arccos to leverage the power of big data and artificial intelligence to benefit every aspect of the golf industry worldwide.”

Available for iOS and Android, the Arccos platform combines automatic data capture and advanced analytics to help golfers of all skill levels make smarter decisions and shoot lower scores. In 2017, Arccos users lowered their handicap by an average of 3.55 strokes – a rate that’s 46.7x faster than the average player with a USGA handicap.

Facilitating that dramatic user improvement was last year’s introduction of golf’s first artificial intelligence platform, Arccos Caddie. Developed in partnership with Microsoft, Arccos Caddie shows a player their optimal strategy on any hole in the world. Its AI engine is fueled by golf’s richest data set, which includes over 100 million shots hit during 750,000+ rounds played by the Arccos community, and 418 million GPS mapping data points on 40,000+ courses worldwide. Arccos Caddie also considers a player’s personal shot history, course elevation, weather conditions and other factors. It was recently declared Permitted Under the Rules of Golf, according to USGA decision #2017-0754.

“Arccos is invested in building and refining the sensor technology, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence platforms that we’ve brought to consumers through Cobra Connect technology in the grip of our Cobra KING products. We believe the insights players gain about their games through this technology will make them smarter, better golfers,” said Mike Yagley, Sr. Director of Innovation / AI at Cobra Golf.

For more information, visit: www.arccosgolf.com.

WE ARE GOLF Reports 22% Increase in U.S. Golf Economic Impact Ahead of National Golf Day

Industry Drives $84.1 Billion in Annual Activity, 1.89 Million Jobs

(ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.) – WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – unveiled its new U.S. Golf Economy Report at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. prior to tomorrow’s 11th annual National Golf Day.

Highlighting the study – conducted by TEConomy Partners – is $84.1 billion in activity directly driven by golf in 2016, a 22% rise from $68.8B in the 2011 report.  The industry supported $191.9B in total annual activity, including 1.89 million jobs and $58.7B in wages and benefits.

Golf’s annual contributions to America’s economy also include:
- $34.4B in revenue from golf courses, clubs, resorts, driving ranges and other facilities (2.9% compound annual growth rate since 2011)
- $25.7B in tourism spending (4.6% CAGR)
- $7.2B in new home construction in golf communities (18.5% CAGR)
- $6B in sales of golf equipment, apparel and supplies (1.4% CAGR)
- $2.4B in professional tournaments, associations and player endorsements (3.16% CAGR)
- $1.9B in investment in existing golf facilities (4.6% CAGR)

Demonstrating golfers’ and businesses’ commitments to charity, $3.94B was raised in 2016 through tournaments and other activities.

“The many positive trends show how golf is vital to the prosperity of America’s economic and social well-being," says Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation and administrator of WE ARE GOLF. “Increases in so many categories signify the health of golf has far-reaching influence across many sectors of the U.S. economy.”

The fourth report since 2000 to measure the game’s effect, research encompassed golf course operations, tourism, real estate, supplies, tournaments, associations, charitable events, capital investment and other commercial segments.

The report was announced in conjunction with National Golf Day, the industry’s pinnacle event of the year that brings leaders to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and federal agencies to discuss golf’s social, economic and environmental benefits to society.

To join the conversation, visit the WE ARE GOLF social media hub. Use #NationalGolfDay and @wearegolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to support the industry and answer “why is golf more than a game to you?”

More information about National Golf Day, visit www.wearegolf.org.

Three Courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee Ranked 'Best Courses You Can Play' in Georgia

The Landing
(Greensboro, Ga.) – Home to one of the most diverse golf collections in the United States, Reynolds Lake Oconee has placed three of its courses on Golfweek magazine’s annual list of “Best Courses You Can Play.”

On the 2018 “Best You Can Play” Top 15 list for Georgia, Reynolds Lake Oconee’s Great Waters course is ranked No. 2, with the Oconee course No. 5 and The Landing No. 13. Together the must-play courses continue to enrich the reputation of Reynolds Lake Oconee as a premier golf venue.

The “Best Courses You Can Play” is a compilation of golf courses accessible to guest and/or public play in the United States. Each year Golfweek’s select team of more than 850 course raters surveys more than 3,600 courses, grading each based on Golfweek’s 10 strict standards of evaluation. Collectively, these knowledgeable raters have turned in more than 75,000 votes to compile “Golfweek’s Best” courses lists. To see the complete lists, visit www.golfweek.com/2017/12/05/golfweeks-best

Great Waters
“We recognize the significance of having three of our golf courses named to a highly regarded nationwide list like this,” said Wes Forester, Director of Golf at Reynolds Lake Oconee. “We appreciate Golfweek’s dedication to the game and are happy the raters share our belief that not only do we have the best collection of golf courses in Georgia, but one of the most impressive in the world.”

The Landing pioneered the golf industry on Lake Oconee when the Bob Cupp design opened in 1986 (originally as Port Armor Golf Club), the first course along the lake. Reynolds Lake Oconee introduced the legendary Jack Nicklaus to the golf community with Great Waters, which debuted in 1992 – and is to undergo a complete renovation, starting in June and to be completed in the fall of 2019. The Oconee Course is an idyllic Georgia sanctuary, with designer Rees Jones providing a pure, undisturbed setting for an authentic golf experience since 2002.

Overall, Reynolds Lake Oconee features six diverse golf course designs and is also home to The Reynolds Kingdom of Golf presented by TaylorMade – one of the only facilities in the country where recreational golfers can receive professional instruction, be fit for new equipment in the same elite environment used by Tour professionals, and have their equipment built same-day, on the spot.

Besides golf, 19,000 acres of water on Lake Oconee provide some of the state's best fishing, along with swimming, boating, water skiing and four full-service marinas. Other activities include the Lake Club Wellness Center, Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds and Tennis Center, making Reynolds Lake Oconee a popular vacation destination.

Reynolds Lake Oconee offers a resort quality vacation with quiet, comfortable lakeside living at its best. Guest lodging includes well-appointed cottages, condominiums and hotel style club rooms throughout the property, as well as The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.

For additional information, access www.reynoldslakeoconee.com.