Thursday, May 31, 2018

Celebrities Seen Wearing Zero Friction Golf Gloves

(OAK BROOK TERRACE, IL) –  Celebrities Alice Cooper, Lou Holtz, Brian Urlacher and Tony Romo have been spotted recently with Zero Friction golf gloves.

“2018 is another fantastic year for Zero Friction. Of course it is a blast to see our golf glove being used by rock stars and pro athletes, but the real joy for both our hard-working employees, and for myself, is seeing Zero Friction gloves more and more on players of all skill levels,” stated John Iacono, President of Zero Friction.

According to the 2017 year-end reports from the industry tracker Golf Datatech, sales of the Zero Friction golf gloves continue to rise. The year-end 2017 results show the maker of technologically advanced performance golf products has seen a 30% increase On-Course and 41% increase Off-Course in the golf glove market, when compared to the same period last year.

Zero Friction, widely known for its colorful line of one-size compression fit gloves and the DistancePro GPS Glove, recently announced the launch of two new products at the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show: the Spectra line golf ball and the Cabretta Elite golf glove.

For more information, visit www.zerofriction.com, or call 847-436-4262.

Hundreds of Golf Courses Tee up to Help Monarch Butterflies

Golf course managers across North America have begun planting milkweed and wildflower habitat to attract butterflies, bees and … golfers

(TROY, NY) – Audubon International and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) recently partnered to launch Monarchs in the Rough, a program to assist golf courses in the United States, Canada and Mexico in creating habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators in out-of-play areas.

The program first rolled out in January 2018 with a goal of enrolling 100 courses. Today, the program has far surpassed its initial goal by enrolling more than 250 courses. The program has set a new goal of enrolling 500 additional courses, and launched a new website to feature participating courses.

“The response from the golf community to helping pollinators recover from dramatic declines in recent years has been tremendous,” said Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International. “Habitat loss is a key driver of the monarch butterfly’s decline, and golf courses are uniquely positioned to help create new habitat and turn things around for this iconic species.”

Golf course properties occupy approximately 2.5 million acres in the United States. Audubon International estimates there are at least 100,000 acres that have the potential to become suitable habitat for butterflies and bees, if managed appropriately.

Monarchs in the Rough encourages golf courses to adopt conservation practices such as planting milkweed and other wildflowers that monarchs need to breed and feed, in addition to changing mowing practices to support the timing of the monarch’s migration, and protecting sites from pesticide treatments.

“This program is not only helping turn things around for the monarch – it’s also an opportunity for the golf community to change the assumptions many people have about golf courses being unsustainable,” said Yank Moore, land manager for the Jekyll Island Authority and Golf Club in Jekyll Island, Georgia. “We have a real opportunity here to showcase the stewardship ethic of golf course managers and superintendents, and to educate the public about conservation practices that support monarchs and other pollinators.”

Monarchs in the Rough provides course superintendents and staff with the information they need to incorporate monarch habitat into the unique layout of each course.

“We bring the scientific expertise and the technical support, and the golf courses bring the land and the staff who are already well positioned to implement conservation practices,” said Daniel Kaiser, senior manager of habitat markets at EDF. “As an avid golfer and conservationist, I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership and the potential it has to help change the trajectory for the monarch butterfly.”

Participating courses expect that golfers will share the enthusiasm.

“I can’t wait to hear what our golfers have to say about these conservation efforts,” said Isaac Breuer, golf course superintendent at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course at the University of Missouri. Breuer is an early program participant who has incorporated wildlife habitat management into the university course since 2010.

“We know that our golfers notice and appreciate every effort we make to improve the natural beauty and sustainability of the course, because it makes the whole experience more enjoyable for both the golfer and the butterfly,” Breuer said.

For more information about Monarchs in the Rough, including a resource guide, visit www.monarchsintherough.org.

Billy Casper Golf Announces ‘Buffy Award’ Winners

(RESTON, Va.) – Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – the highly respected and innovative management partner for golf courses, country clubs and resorts – has announced the winners of the second annual “Buffy Awards.”

The national awards recognize the “best of the best” in six categories including “General Manager of the Year,” “Superintendent of the Year” and “Facility of the Year.”

“The Buffy Awards recognize the hard work, dedication and passion of our employees,” says Joel Gohlmann BCG Executive Vice President of Operations. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our exceptional teammates.”

Sanctuary Lake Golf Course in Troy, Mich., earned the coveted Buffy Award for “Facility of the Year.” Last year, Sanctuary Lake took home the inaugural Buffy Award for “Top Performer of the Year.” Situated a half-hour north of Detroit, the links-style layout offers one of the most unique golf experiences in the region. The par-71 course is built on 190 acres of rolling landscape with 80 strategically-placed bunkers and small, undulating bent grass greens. In addition to a memorable course, Sanctuary Lakes also boasts an impressive practice area featuring 70 hitting stations with both natural and artificial hitting surfaces and two practice greens.

This year’s Buffy Award for “Top Performer of the Year” went to Quarry Pines Golf Club in Tucson, Ariz. One of southern Arizona’s premier public courses, Quarry Pines offers a mix of dramatic elevation changes and stunning mountain views over 18 enjoyable holes.

Lester Park Golf Course in Duluth, Minn., earned the national “ACE Award,” presented to the facility that embodied the best overall employee, guest and member experience. Every BCG employee – from general manager to starter, golf shop clerk to maintenance crew member – experiences ACE the GUEST Experience, a proprietary employee training and coaching program.

Three BCG individuals – Pat Franklin, Nick Rash and Hans Mahler – were also recognized for their outstanding work.

Franklin of The Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, Fla., took home the Buffy Award for “Superintendent of the Year.” A three-year veteran of BCG, he has been a superintendent for more than twenty-eight years. His expertise in agronomy has been integral to BCG’s success at multiple facilities.

Rash was named “General Manager of the Year” for his stellar work at Highland Woods Golf Course in Hoffman Estates, Ill. “Nick committed himself and his team to a vision of quality in 2017 and then provided the resources, training and process to see the vision through to execution,” says Bill Rehanek, BCG Senior Vice President of Operations. “Both of Nick’s properties showed significant improvements last year – first in the quality and consistency of the experience, then in the quality of the sales and marketing effort and finally in the financial performance. Nick and his team got the details right, and in our business that makes all the difference!”

Mahler, Accounts Payable Supervisor at BCG’s Virginia Support Office (VSO) earned the title of “VSO Employee of the Year.” “Hans leads by example,” says Anthony Scala, CFO. “I’m fortunate to see his hard work, dedication and unprecedented positive attitude – despite constantly being pulled in a million directions – every day.”

The winners were announced on the May all-staff call, a monthly meeting which brings together employees from BCG- and Billy Casper Signature-managed courses across the country.

For the list of regional award winners, click here.

Getting to Know: Henri Johnson, CEO of FlightScope

With its $70 million economy, more than 2 million jobs and a tourism value in excess of $22 billion, golf is one of America’s favorite pastimes and most profitable businesses.

Not only is golf a successful business, the companies and brands that supply high-end equipment and technology to the sport are growing as well. Companies, such as FlightScope, a leading developer and manufacturer of 3D Doppler ball tracking systems, have increased sales by almost 300% from 2016 to 2017.

Get to know Henri Johnson, CEO of FlightScope, and learn how the company fits into the evolving business of golf and why high-end equipment is an investment golfers are making.

Henri Johnson, CEO of Flightscope
American Golfer: When did you start playing golf?
Henri Johnson: The first time I touched a club was in 2001, when I first started developing FlightScope.

AG: What is Flightscope?
HJ: We are a global high-tech company and a true world leader in the development and manufacturing of 3D Doppler Ball Tracking Monitors, Golf Radars & Multi-Sport Launch Monitors. I originally founded this company in 1989 to measure projectiles for the defense industry. While we still remain prominent in those roots in more than 24 countries, we are now in use by top golf instructors, club fitters, tour players and original equipment manufacturers around the world, and are committed to delivering a world-class product with exceptional post-sales support.

AG: What is your role within the company?
HJ: While I am the CEO of the company, my role is much more complex. I am also the Leader in Technology Development, inventing and overseeing new products and inventions.

AG: Flightscope and similar products aren't cheap. How can non-pro players justify the expense?
HJ: This is why we recently started the development of the FlightScope mevo, our first consumer product that is one of many to come. It is within the same price range as a new driver, making it extremely affordable to the average golfer/non-pro.

AG: How can FlightScope help beginner or high handicap players?
HJ: Mevo is a prime example of this type of product as it will automatically capture video clips of a user’s swing and combine it with essential data elements in a user-friendly way. This is a seamless feedback experience, showing exactly what areas need improvement, and is sure to help any golfer, from beginner to professional.

AG: Scenario: A player sees their driver swing speed is at 90 mph, but wants it over 100 mph. Any drills you can recommend?
HJ: There are thousands of tips available on YouTube that may assist with swing speed. Checking in with a golf teacher might be more beneficial, but my personal recommendation would be to condition all the relevant muscle groups that allow you to swing a club faster. Then, the sequencing of a golf swing will provide the final piece of the puzzle, which comes with dedication and lots of practice.

AG: What is the future of FlightScope?
HJ: The future looks great! FlightScope is at the proverbial tipping point as a result of our momentum as a brand and our fusion technology, which is certainly the most accurate in the world.

AG: How can the golf industry grow and compete with other sports/activities?
HJ: People have less and less time these days, and millennials especially have countless choices of how to spend what little available time they have. Therefore, employing technology like FlightScope to create a high-tech experience on a modern golf course may be one of the most attractive ways to compete in the world of sports today.

AG: What’s your “dream foursome” (living or dead, golfer or non-golfer)?
HJ: If I could play with any three people, I’d choose Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

AG: What course tops your “bucket list” to play?
HJ: Pebble Beach, which I have already played, but I spent more time taking pictures than actually hitting! I need to play it again to actually enjoy the game more.

Learn more about FlightScope at flightscope.com.

World Long Drive Association Heads to New Jersey for 'Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash,' June 5

Will Hogue Vying for Third Consecutive Victory in 2018 Alongside Current No. 1 Justin James; Women’s Division Led by 2018 Winners Alexis Belton,

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – The World Long Drive Association (WLDA) season continues next week with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash. The inaugural event – in partnership with the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) – will mark the third WLDA competition in six weeks showcased live on Golf Channel, with coverage airing from 6-8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 5 from Atlantic City Country Club.

The event will feature a 36-man field competing in the Open Division based on World Long Drive rankings, led by current No. 1 competitor in the world, Justin James (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Will Hogue (Memphis, Tenn.), who will be vying for his third consecutive victory following wins earlier this year at the Clash in the Canyon and Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun. The Women’s Division includes 2018 winners-to-date Alexis Belton (Ruston, La., Clash in the Canyon) and Phillis Meti (Auckland, New Zealand, Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun) courtesy of her 380-yard blast in the final, along with five-time (and defending) world champion Sandra Carlborg (Alingsas, Sweden).

“We’ve reached the critical point of the season, and right now Will Hogue is on fire,” said Jonathan Coachman, play-by-play host for World Long Drive Association events on Golf Channel. “With how stiff the competition is, to have a chance to win a third straight event shows how in control of his golf swing he is to generate so much power. He has to be the favorite in Atlantic City.”

COVERAGE: Live coverage of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash will air on Golf Channel from 6-8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 5, with Golf Central previewing the event from 5:30-6 p.m. ET. Encore showings of the competition are scheduled to air on Golf Channel immediately following the live telecast, from 8-10 p.m. and 10 p.m.-Midnight ET.

The production centering around live coverage of the competition will utilize six dedicated cameras, capturing all angles from the hitting platform and the landing grid, including a SuperMo camera as well as two craned-positioned cameras that will track the ball in flight once it leaves the competitor’s clubface. New to 2018 is an overlaid graphic line on the grid, the “DXL Big Drive to Beat,” (similar to the “1st & 10 line” made popular in football) displaying the longest drive during a given match to signify the driving distance an opposing competitor will need to surpass to take the lead. The telecast also will feature a custom graphics package suited to the anomalous swing data typically generated by Long Drive competitors, tracking club speed, ball speed and apex in real-time via Trackman. Trackman technology also will provide viewers with a sense of ball flight, tracing the arc of each drive from the moment of impact.

Morning Drive and Golf Central also will prepare viewers for the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash through interviews and dedicated segments featuring competitors on-site in New Jersey.

OPEN DIVISION FIELD (in order of World Long Drive ranking): Justin James, Ryan Reisbeck, Will Hogue, Maurice Allen, Tim Burke, Trent Scruggs, Paul Howell, Ryan Steenberg, Mitch Grassing, Landon Gentry, Glenn Wilson Jr., Nick Kiefer, Kyle Berkshire, Justin Moose, Tommy Hug, Kevin Shook, Jason Eslinger, Steve Monroe, Eddie Fernandes, Jeremy Easterly, Dan McIntosh, Brady Torbitt, Jeff Gavin, Scott Kalamar, Spencer McDaniel, Jim Waldron, Stephen Kois, Josh Cassaday, Patrick Hopper, Jeff Flagg, Jeff Crittenden, Mitch Dobbyn, Mark Costello, Bryan Kelly, Wes Patterson and Ben Tuaone.

WOMEN’S DIVISION FIELD: Hollie Bartsch, Alexis Belton, Monica Borowicz, Sandra Carlborg, Mary Driscol, Chloe Garner, Erin Hess, Michelle Kinney, Ashley Lewis, Phillis Meti, Troy Mullins, Debbie Peever, Alex Phillips, Cory Ann Pond and Angela Zimmerman.

FORMAT: The Open Division preliminary rounds will consist of 36 men broken into four “pods” of nine competitors across four three-minute sets of eight balls each, with a points system being used to identify four from each pod advancing to the Round of 16. From there, five sets of eight balls will determine the eight competitors advancing to take part in the single elimination match play bracket during the live telecast on Golf Channel. The Women’s Division will feature 16 competitors broken into two groups of eight taking part in four sets of eight balls. The top four point-earners from each pod will advance to the single-elimination match play competition beginning with the quarterfinals, with the winners moving on to the semifinals which will play out on Tuesday night’s telecast.

BROADCAST TEAM: A new voice to World Long Drive, veteran sports broadcaster Jonathan Coachman will conduct play-by-play at each of the five WLDA televised events on Golf Channel in 2018. Art Sellinger – World Long Drive pioneer and two-time World champion (1986, ’91) – will provide analysis, and Golf Channel’s Jerry Foltz will offer reports from the teeing platform and conduct interviews with competitors in the field.

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE: Fans can stay up-to-date on all of the action surrounding the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash by following @GolfChannel and @WorldLongDrive on social media. Golf Channel social media host Alexandra O’Laughlin will be on-site contributing to the social conversation as the event unfolds, and, the telecast will integrate social media-generated content during live coverage on Tuesday, June 5 using the hashtag, #WorldLongDrive.

In addition to the latest video and highlights from on-site, WorldLongDrive.com will feature real-time scoring for the duration of the event, June 4-5. Golf Channel Digital also will feature content from the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash leading up to and immediately following the live telecast.

GOLFTEC Experiencing Massive Growth from enhanced TECFIT Club Fitting Program

Expanded Equipment Offering & Customization Options Further Improves Industry’snWidest Reaching Club Fitting Provider

(Englewood, Colo.) – GOLFTEC – the world leader in golf lessons and one of the largest employers of PGA Professionals – has reported a dramatic increase in revenue and merchandise sales of more than 65 percent since launching its completely overhauled TECFIT Club Fitting Program just over a year ago.

A company-wide initiative now available in more than 120 locations, the TOUR-like fitting experience provides the average golfer with the opportunity to truly improve their game via a customized fitting experience. Using a combination of expert fitters, proprietary technology and a selection of thousands of clubhead and shaft combinations, GOLFTEC customers are regularly experiencing distance gains of over 20 yards with significantly tighter shot dispersions.

In a span of less than six months, GOLFTEC has given over 12,000 club fittings to golfers of all skill levels. As part of each fitting, hundreds of data points are collected and analyzed. In the months ahead, the added consumer demand combined with its proprietary fitting technology will uniquely position GOLFTEC as the place with more club and golfer performance data than anyone else in the world.

The process of a TECFIT Club Fitting from GOLFTEC includes:
- Current Equipment Assessment – Fitters use launch monitor technology to determine key ball flight characteristics like spin rate, launch angle, carry, total distance, dispersion, etc.
- Identifying & Test Best Options – GOLFTEC’s proprietary software analyzes thousands of clubhead and shaft combinations to help refine recommendations based on player ball flight characteristics and give them the opportunity to test those customized options on site
- Fine-tuning for Optimized Fit – The perfect fit is dialed in by honing lofts, lies, shaft length, swing weight, grip size and grip choice to fully maximize performance
- Customized Ordering – Choosing from top OEMs including Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, Mizuno and PING, clubs are ordered directly from GOLFTEC training centers at competitive, off-the-rack prices and custom-built to the tightest tolerances and exact specifications of each unique customer

“We know that for golfers to truly play their best, it requires a combination of both the right technique and the proper equipment,” says Joe Assell, Co-Founder and CEO of GOLFTEC. “While we’ve been the leader in instruction for some time, we needed to expand our capabilities on the club fitting side and our new program allows us to truly provide everything golfers need to play their best. Our equipment business has absolutely exploded over the past 12 months as a result, and we’re excited to have more and more golfers come into GOLFTEC to get fit.”

Though most notable on the merchandise side, GOLFTEC’s recent growth hasn’t just been with sales. The company has seen more media attention in 2018 than perhaps ever before, highlighted by over 200 instructional and fitting content integrations in various shows on Golf Channel and on GolfChannel.com. GOLFTEC is using that platform to educate golfers on the importance of facts and data, and how instruction and club fitting work hand in hand. Overall, GOLFTEC looks toward continued growth in all areas of its business and establishing itself as an industry leader in club fitting alongside golf instruction.

“GOLFTEC’s recent emphasis on fitting and equipment sales has quickly made it one of the key retailers in the golf industry,” says Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Callaway Golf. “We have enjoyed a great relationship, as thousands of golfers have embraced our clubs thanks to their experiences at GOLFTEC. There is no question that all players benefit from a high-quality club fitting and that GOLFTEC is a leader in the market.”

Operating more retail doors than anyone in golf and continuing to rapidly expand, GOLFTEC has more than 200 training centers around the world. The global GOLFTEC coaching team is comprised of experienced instructors, the majority being PGA Professionals who have taught thousands of lessons. Each goes through a rigorous multi-week certification at GOLFTEC University including continued advanced training to master the analysis of golf swing mechanics, the technology utilized by GOLFTEC and the most productive teaching techniques.

To learn more about GOLFTEC, visit www.golftec.com or call 877-446-5383.

Be a Part of the World's Biggest Celebration of Golf

Women’s Golf Day - June 5th - taking action to get more women & girls playing golf

(RELEASE) - From Armenia to Australia, the U.S.A to the U.A.E, women across the globe are readying themselves for the biggest single day celebration of Women & Girls’ golf in the world on June 5th.

Combining golf and socialising across a 4 hour experience, WGD events are designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of women and girls. From scratch players to absolute beginners, women are invited to come along and enjoy the experience of swinging a club under expert guidance and being part of an incredible community that has spread across the globe.

711 venues across 46 countries hosted WGD events in 2017 and that interest has fuelled this worldwide phenomenon that has now reached further than ever before with the introduction of events in Guadeloupe, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Russia and Hong Kong. With over 15 million social media impressions using #womensgolfday last year expectations are riding high for June 5th 2018 to be an incredible day for the women’s game.

Elisa Gaudet, founder of Women’s Golf Day is excited for the 2018 events to get underway, she said, “WGD started as a passion project in 2016. There was enough talk about encouraging more women into the game, what we needed was an action plan that was relatable to women and worked for venues. Now on the verge of the third annual day I am enormously proud of how this has developed into a movement and how we are fulfilling on our Women’s Golf Day mission to engage, empower and support one another using golf as the vehicle. So many wonderful people and organisations have thrown their support behind WGD, proof positive “it takes a village.”  We’ve got venues around the world participating on June 5th and we look forward to welcoming as many women as possible. We would like everyone to know they are welcome and to give golf and Women’s Golf Day a try.”

New venues have signed up all over the world for 2018 with 37 Topgolf locations across the U.S. being the latest to throw their support behind WGD. If a Topgolf isn’t in reach then there are golf courses and PGA Superstores all across the U.S. taking part too. Virtually every golf playing nation in the world is involved in WGD 2018, so if you want to perfect your putting in Puerto Rico, play with friends and family in France or encourage someone to take their first ever swing in Sweden, visit www.womensgolfday.com to find your nearest venue and take part in the biggest celebration of Women & Girls’ golf in the world.

NOTES:
Partners and supporting organizations of WGD include: International Golf Federation, World Golf Foundation, LPGA, LET, European Tour Properties, TPC, NGCOA, EGCOA, ClubCorp, Billy Casper Golf, PGA TOUR Superstore, Ahead, Gallus, LPGA WWP, WIGI, Top Golf, Golf Now, All Square, Expert Golf, Troon and Troon International.

ABOUT WOMEN’S GOLF DAY:
Women’s Golf Day (WGD) is a global golf initiative launched in 2016 to introduce women of all ages to the game and encourage existing female golfers to “tee it up” in a fun and highly inclusive environment. The  one day, four-hour event, spanned 46 countries in 711 locations, and introduced thousands of new golfers to the sport while transcending language, culture, religion, and race to celebrate golf, women, and community. WGD created an incredible global community in two years and has the support of almost every major golfing governing body and organization. WGD’s primary hashtag #WomensGolfDay received more than 15 million global impressions to nearly 10 million users across Twitter and Instagram.

To learn more about Women’s Golf Day and its upcoming event on Tuesday June 5, 2018 visit www.womensgolfday.com @womensgolfday, #WomensGolfDay

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Sea Pines Country Club Awarded Prestigious Distinguished Club Status

Elite Designation Accorded to the Top Private Clubs in America

(HILTON HEAD, S.C.) - Sea Pines Country Club – the lone private club within Sea Pines featuring golf, tennis, multiple pools and fitness – has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Club award by BoardRoom magazine.

The Distinguished Clubs award program uses a proprietary rating system recognizing the facility, management and staff based on a top-tier member experience. Sea Pines Country Club operates at the highest standards by exceeding ratings for service, staff quality and club governance. Only 179 out of 3,400 private clubs in America have been awarded this status, and only five in the entire Hilton Head-Bluffton region.

“We’d like to congratulate Sea Pines County Club for earning Distinguished Club status,” said John Fornaro, publisher of BoardRoom magazine. “Special recognition goes to General Manager, Robbie Ames, as well as the club’s board of directors, department heads, and entire staff for their efforts in providing an excellent member experience.”

Sea Pines Country Club recently completed a $2.7 million renovation of its facilities. It refreshed its Blue Heron Pub and Grille, offering updated interiors and a new eclectic menu, rivaling the island’s top restaurants. Additionally, an indoor and outdoor pool renovation was completed, which modernized the existing saline indoor pool, the 24-meter outdoor pool, outdoor deck and built a brand-new children’s splash pool.

“We’re thrilled to have earned this honor, a title accorded to only the top five percent of private clubs in America,” says Ames. “We’re looking forward to a fantastic year as we begin the second phase of restorations to further enhance our member’s experience.”

Phase two of the club’s renovation will include an upgrade and expansion of the club’s fitness center with new locker rooms and equipment to augment wellness-focused programming.

Learn more about Sea Pines Country Club at www.seapinescountryclub.com. For membership information, contact Nic Booth at 843-671-2335 or NBooth@seapinescountryclub.com.

Troon and AMPD Golf Performance Announce Partnership

Golf Fitness as Foundational Element to Launch at Troon-Managed Clubs and Online

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the world’s largest golf and club management company, and AMPD Golf Performance have announced a partnership that will provide the best in golf swing development, golf fitness, training, athleticism and conditioning to members and customers of Troon-managed golf facilities.

“We recognize how important fitness and training are for today’s golfers,” said Mike Ryan, executive vice president, Troon. “When a golfer feels strong and athletically fit, they tend to play better and more often. AMPD’s research and programming to achieve amplified movement, accelerated recovery and advanced performance are game changers.”

AMPD Golf Performance CEO, Phil Donnelly, sees boundless opportunities with the largest golf management company in the world.

“We saw an immediate alignment of goals and knew that our collective ability to utilize on-site and remotely, the innovative and analytics-based fitness platform, in coordination with Troon’s world-class golf instruction, could be a game changer,” said Donnelly.

As Troon’s Director of Education and Coaching, Tim Mahoney is keenly aware of the necessity for fitness to be the bedrock for all golfers, amateurs and professionals alike.

“Players need to incorporate flexibility and conditioning into their lives, not just their golf game,” said Mahoney. “AMPD Golf Performance’s all-encompassing approach has been digitalized to ease the consistent use by a broad spectrum of players. Through clinics, events and exclusive content, we can tap into and be a resource to make players better.”

Damon Goddard, partner at AMPD Golf Performance, and famed fitness coach who was just named as one of Golf Digest’s 2017-2018 50 Best Golf-Fitness Professionals, currently works with a host of PGA, LPGA, collegiate and elite junior golfers. Goddard says, “AMPD’s technology produces dynamic golf-athletes that are more efficient and effective, improving everyone’s game and overall experience on and off the course.”

Donnelly concludes, “Fitness is universal, not just for golfers, but also for their families. Our hope is that the principles exercised by Troon members and customers will have positive effects across the spectrum of sports and life in general.”

Goddard and Mahoney will be conducting multi-day “Movement Matters” golf events at select Troon-managed facilities.

To learn more about AMPD Golf Performance, visit www.ampdgolfperformance.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ampdgolf.

For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.

TaylorMade Golf Company Introduces MySpider Personalized Putter Program

New custom putter program offers thousands of combinations to personalize TaylorMade's most popular putter in company history

(CARLSBAD, Calif.) – TaylorMade Golf, the industry leader in product innovation and technology and makers of one of the most sought after putters on Tour in Spider Tour, announced today the expansion of its benchmark putter platform with the introduction of MySpider, a new personalized consumer putter program inspired by the customization of putters seen on Tour, first by staffer Jason Day with his original Spider Tour Red in 2016 and since, a multitude of athletes both on staff and non-contracted who have gravitated toward personalizing their particular putters to better suit their preferences.

The MySpider program, available starting today via TaylorMadeGolf.com, allows golfers the ability to personalize a Spider Tour to thousands of possible combinations with the following options:
Hosel:
- L-neck (#1) (RH only)
- Short slant (#3)
- Double bend

Sightline:
- No sightline
- T-sightline
- Single dot
- Single line

Additional Customization Options:
- Head color: black, red, green, blue, white, pink, purple or silver
- Wing color: black, red, green, blue, white, pink, purple or silver
- Face insert color: red or black Pure Roll insert
- Shaft color: black or chrome
- SuperStroke Pistol GTR 1.0 grip: black, red, green, blue, white, pink, purple or silver
- Shaft length: Between 32"-36", available in .25" increments

All putters are equipped with TaylorMade’s patented, Tour-proven Pure Roll insert, featuring 45° grooves to increase topspin and improve forward roll* across varying surfaces – helping the golf ball start and stay on its intended line.

Available starting today via TaylorMadeGolf.com only at an MSRP of $360 USD, MySpider putters are shipped direct from the factory with an estimated 21-day lead time. Cancellations, modifications, and returns not permitted.

Quail Creek CC Embarks on Major Transformation to Become Premier Club in Southwest Florida

Artist Rendering
(NAPLES, FL) – Quail Creek Country Club announced that it is launching a complete redesign of its fitness, golf and tennis facilities as it introduces a state-of-the art, holistic approach to the health and longevity of its membership. The result will be a new cutting-edge approach—unique in country club settings—that blends dynamic fitness training with top-level golf and tennis instruction, all in a user- friendly, socially active environment. In this $18.5 million investment, the entire golf, fitness, tennis and leisure operations will be interfaced so members can reach their ultimate healthy lifestyle and competitive goals under the direction of certified physical trainers working in concert with the club’s PGA, LPGA and USTA instructors.

Says Quail Creek President Jim Clayton: “Our mission is to enable our members to play better and longer at whatever sport or activity they choose while Quail Creek continues to serve as a hub for their social interactions and friendships. We have taken a very aggressive fiscal and creative approach in order to position the club positively for generations to come. Never before has the vision of a country club in southwest Florida been so keenly focused on integrating—from A to Z—the fitness component with golf and tennis to address the ‘whole person’—mental, physical and social. Our talented team from Peacock + Lewis Architecture and Interior Design (Bears Club, The Club at Admiral’s Cove and many others), working in concert with our first-class instruction staff, has developed an innovative and creative facilities design never before seen in this part of the country. We are excited to be able to make this futuristic vision a reality.”

General Manager and COO Don Hunter says that demographic research led Quail Creek to determine that it should design its facility to tailor services for conditioning and skills enhancement. One of the goals is to differentiate Quail Creek as the best amateur/recreational player-support club in the area for the growing retirement market. It also expects to attract the next wave of retirees (ages 55-65) who are moving to the Naples area. Hunter points to a talented and innovative staff in helping to bring the Quail Creek vision to fruition: “We have found and retained some of the best experts in golf, fitness and tennis, as well as nutritional dining, and they will be working closely with each other to benefit our members,”
he says.

Notes Fitness Operations Manager Teri Brodie: “As we plan the new sports and fitness center at Quail Creek, we will be focusing not only on the latest wellness trends, but also on what has worked well for us in the past. We currently are a Blue Zones-certified Fitness, Wellness & Spa Center and have seven TRX machines, and we will continue to grow our Physical Therapy offering with a focus on Sports Medicine. TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) training will be a huge part of what we become, as well as MAT (Muscle Activation Techniques) to help our tennis players and golfers excel at every level.”

Quail Creek already boasts two fine Arthur Hills 18-hole golf courses—the Quail and the Creek—which have undergone extensive renovations over the past six years. They are so highly regarded that the United States Golf Association had awarded the club with the prestigious 2017 Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, which had to be relocated to another venue because of Hurricane Irma. Director of Golf Courses and Grounds Kevin Leo, with 30 years’ experience, consistently keeps the courses in top-notch condition. The expansive golf practice facility and short-game area will be expanded even further in the new design. Under the watchful eye of Director of Golf Mike Dero and Head Golf Professional Jon Balyeat, the pro shop will have a 180-degree viewing access of the range and tennis courts to facilitate monitoring the instruction and fitness programs.

Finally, the club’s Tennis operations, under the direction of tennis professional Jon Call, will be redesigned to include 10 Har-Tru tennis courts, one exhibition tennis court, three bocce courts, one croquet lawn and four pickleball courts. Pickleball is currently skyrocketing in popularity in the Naples area, considered the unofficial capital of this miniature version of tennis.

While expanding and renovating for the future, the members take great pride in retaining the club’s upscale but down-to-earth flavor. The numerous men’s and women’s golf, tennis and social groups, for example, are intent on preserving the welcoming atmosphere that has always been a key element of Quail Creek. There are 650 Golf and Social/Sports members, many of whom live on property. That friendly environment will go hand-in-hand with the club’s exciting, new direction.

Wake Forest’s Jennifer Kupcho, Arizona’s Bianca Pagdanganan Earn Exemptions to Marathon Classic

Event Presented by Owens Corning and O-I, July 12-15

(STLLWATER, Okla.) – Wake Forest junior Jennifer Kupcho and Arizona junior Bianca Pagdanganan received exemptions to the LPGA Tour’s Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I in July as a result of their performances at the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships last week at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla.

Kupcho, who finished T2 at the 2017 NCAA Women’s Golf Championships, became Wake Forest’s first individual national champion in women’s golf after winning the 2018 individual championship at 8-under par. After matching the course record with a 7-under 65 in her opening round, Kupcho turned in a 1-under 71 during the final round to claim the championship by two strokes over Pagdanganan. Kupcho became the first player to win an individual title the year after a runner-up finish since Arizona’s Susan Slaughter in 1989-90.

“I have been working so hard for this year and I have a great team behind me, so it is great to bring the championship back to Wake,” said Kupcho following her victory. “It is so fun to have my teammates here, and to win this on my parents’ anniversary is even better.

The second exemption to the Marathon Classic was given to a member of the winning national championship team as decided by the head coach. During Monday’s final round at the individual stroke play championship, Pagdanganan made a 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Baylor for the eighth and final spot to advance to team match play, with Arizona won. In the team match play competition, Arizona defeated top-seeded UCLA, 2015 NCAA national champions Stanford and top-ranked Alabama to win their third women’s golf team national championship.

Following their victory, Arizona women’s head coach Laura Ianello announced on Golf Central that Pagdanganan would receive the second Marathon Classic exemption.

“Bianca deserves that exemption. Her eagle putt is what started all of this,” said Ianello.

“I’m so excited, so blessed and honored,” said Pagdanganan. I’m so speechless by what happened this week, and even more speechless now.”

The 2018 Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I will take place Thursday-Sunday, July 12-15 at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. Golf Channel will air all four rounds of coverage.

Golf Channel’s NCAA golf coverage continues this week with the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships from Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla. Live coverage airs today from 4-8 p.m. ET with the final round of the individual stroke play championship and to track the eight teams advancing to team match play on Tuesday. Live coverage of the team match play championship will air Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. ET.

Volvik Congratulates Minjee Lee on 2018 LPGA Volvik Championship Victory

(ORLANDO, Florida) – Volvik USA (volvik.com) congratulates Minjee Lee on her victory at the 2018 LPGA Volvik Championship, played May 24-27 at Travis Pointe Country Club, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Lee finished with a 16-under-par total score of 272 and a one-shot victory over I.K. Kim.

“We congratulate Minjee Lee on her victory at this year’s LPGA Volvik Championship,” said Don Shin, president of Volvik USA, a rapidly-growing, premium high-performance golf ball company. “It was an exciting competition from start to finish, with superb play all around.

“Volvik is proud to sponsor this exceptional tournament. We extend our thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to its success again this year.”

With scores of 67-69-68-68 on the par-72 layout, Lee, of Perth, Australia, sealed her victory on her 22nd birthday, having finished in a tie for second at last year’s event, which was won by Shanshan Feng.

Her LPGA Volvik Championship win represents Lee’s fourth LPGA Tour victory, complementing her 30 career-top-10 finishes.

This was the third year that Volvik served as the title sponsor of the event, having been its top sponsor since the tournament’s inception. The Volvik LPGA Championship consistently draws some of the top players on the LPGA Tour, and this year was no exception. Record ticket sales were reported this year.

For more information, see volvik.com.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Justin Rose Claims Fort Worth Invitational armed with M3 Driver & TP5 Golf Ball

11th Global Win For TaylorMade's M3 & M4 Drivers with Twist Face Technology

(RELEASE) - Equipped with full 14-club bag of TaylorMade metalwoods, irons, wedges, putter and TP5 Golf Ball, Rose captures his second PGA TOUR title of the season and 9th of his career.

What You Need to Know:
- TaylorMade’s 2018 M Drivers featuring Twist Face Technology now have victories in 8 tournaments on the PGA TOUR this season and 11 worldwide.
- Rose plays a 9.0° M3 440 driver with one weight back and toward the heel and the second just forward of neutral. Equipped with a Mitsubishi Tensei CK 60TX, Justin averaged 305.9 yards off the tee for the tournament.
- Rose's victory is his second PGA TOUR title this season and the 9th of his career (20th worldwide).
- Earlier this season, Rose joined fellow TaylorMade staffers Dustin Johnson & Rory McIlroy in making the switch into the P730 irons. As he has for much of his career, Rose has them equipped with KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+ shafts.
- Rose has praised the performance of the TP5 golf ball since he first put it into play at Riviera last year and has played it ever since. It's the 7th win on the PGA TOUR this season for TP5(x), with Rose adding his second win along with Day, Johnson, Rahm and McIlroy.
- Rose recently made a switch into the TP Red Ardmore 2 putter, which he feels best suits his eye on the greens. He recorded 2.697 strokes gained: putting for the week.
- Including Rose, three of the top 5 finishers played TaylorMade putters.
- Rose's wedge setup remains largely unchanged; he plays the Milled Grind in 48°, 52° & 56° lofts, as well as a 60° Hi-Toe, which has been TaylorMade's most sought after wedge on Tour.

Justin Rose's Winning Bag at the Fort Worth Invitational
- M3 440 Driver | 9.0° | Mitsubishi Tensei Orange 60TX
- M4 Fairway | 15° | Mitsubishi Tensei CK 80TX
- M3 Fairway | 19° | Mitsubishi Tensei CK 80TX
- P790 4 Iron | KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+
- P730 Rose Proto Irons | 5-9 | KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+
- Milled Grind Wedges | 48°, 52° & 56° and 60° Hi-Toe | KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135X
- TP Red Ardmore 2 Putter (Custom)
- TP5 Golf Ball

Swannies and 12welve Eyes Brewing Introduce Swannies Summer Ale

Golf Apparel Brand Celebrates Father's Day with Branded Craft Beer

(Minneapolis, MN) – Swannies – creator of stylish, comfortable and fun clothing popular among millennial golfers – announces the launch of its own Swannies Summer Ale.

In collaboration with 12welve Eyes Brewing, the brand will introduce the craft brew Sunday, June 17 at Southern Hills Golf Course in Farmington, Minn. A refreshing, golden ale ideal for sipping on summer afternoons, Swannies Summer Ale will debut at a Swannies and 12welve Eyes Brewing-hosted golf outing and kickoff event featuring kegs of the brew and $1 pints – register here.

“Our partnership with 12welve Eyes Brewing is a natural brand extension as we aim to create a fun and relaxed experience on the golf course,” says Adam Iversen, co-founder of Swannies Apparel. “Swannies Summer Ale, plus our Party Scramble Series, are just a few of the ways we reaching our goal of creating an enjoyable golf atmosphere for everyone.”

Also new for the season is the Swannies 2018 Party Scramble series – a millennial-focused, fun-filled format where golf teams meet up at a local bar or brewery before competing in a traditional nine-hole scramble with three party games between holes. After the brand’s successful inaugural event last August, the brand-sponsored series will hit 16 metro areas including Chicago, Cincinnati, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Tampa, Tucson, Washington D.C. and more. Learn more here.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

PGA of America, Whirlpool Corporation Reveal New Scholarship Program to Pay Tribute to Jack and Barbara Nicklaus

Jack and Barbara Nicklaus Return to Harbor Shores for the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

(BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN) – On Friday at the 2018 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, golf’s greatest champion and acclaimed course designer Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara returned to Harbor Shores, host site of the Championship, to help announce an exciting new college scholarship program being created in their honor.

On the eve of their visit to Southwest Michigan’s golf mecca, the PGA of America and Whirlpool Corporation proudly honored the commitment and legacy of golf’s greatest icon through the creation of the Jack and Barbara Nicklaus KitchenAid Senior PGA Champions for Change Scholarship Program.

The Jack and Barbara Nicklaus KitchenAid Senior PGA Champions for Change Scholarship Program is designed to inspire recipients to create their own golden opportunities through education. It embodies the values that Jack Nicklaus has stood for his entire life: Winning with integrity and giving back to others.

“Thanks to Jack’s artful restoration of the waterfront and wetlands, as well as he and Barbara’s dedication to improving the lives and futures of area children, Harbor Shores will be a positive contributor to the local community for decades to come,” said Jeff Fettig, chairman of the board of Whirlpool Corporation. “The Nicklaus family has made an incredible impact on the Benton Harbor area, and we are thrilled to create this scholarship in Jack and Barbara Nicklaus’ name.”

“Jack and Barbara Nicklaus are among a select few in the world of sports whose lives are predicated on giving back to others,” said PGA of America President Paul K. Levy. “The PGA of America is extremely excited to partner with Whirlpool Corporation and golf’s premier couple to help fulfill the dreams of young leaders of tomorrow from Benton Harbor. We believe the Jack and Barbara Nicklaus KitchenAid Senior PGA Champions for Change Scholarship Program will be the catalyst for building a legacy by which we all may be proud.”

An annual scholarship of $25,000 will be granted each year through 2024 to one member of the Benton Harbor community who has graduated with an Associate’s Degree from the Lake Michigan Community College “Start to Finish Program” and seeks to continue his/her college education. Recipients may use the new scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree or to further advance a technical degree.

“Barbara and I are honored to have our name on a scholarship that benefits kids from the Benton Harbor area,” said Jack Nicklaus. “It's a little different scholarship in that you go through a junior college first before you get there, so you know that the kids that are going to get it are very studious kids that would like to receive a higher education. We’re looking forward to doing that and we thank [PGA of America and Whirlpool] for the honor.”

The scholarship announcement was made at a news conference during the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores on Friday, May 25. It included comments from Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Jeff Fettig and PGA of America President Paul Levy.

For more information about the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, visit SrPGA.com or call 1-800-PGA-GOLF (800-742-4653).

For more information about KitchenAid, visit KitchenAid.com.

To learn more about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Wentworth's Newly-Designed West Course Has Come of Age, Says Ernie Els

The Big Easy reflects on successful first year since renovation of Wentworth’s West Course

(Wentworth Club, Surrey) - A little over 12 months on from the official unveiling of the renovated West Course, an Ernie Els Design-led project, the world of golf has never been richer in its praise for the iconic golf course.

The four-time Major winner, World Golf Hall of Famer and chief architect of the long-term renovation and modernisation of this Harry Colt gem, was speaking ahead of this year’s BMW PGA Championship, the European Tour’s flagship tournament, which has long made its home at Wentworth Club.

“There has been added anticipation to come back for this year’s event,” said Els, who won a record seven World Matchplay titles on Wentworth’s West Course.

“Obviously, this club and this golf course have always had a very special place in my heart, right back to the start of my career. But I must say, the sense of pride for us as architects of this renovation, seeing the course presented the way it is this week, makes it even more special than before. The ‘new’ look debuted last year, we’d heard it was in incredible shape and I just really wanted to see it for myself. It’s great to be back.”

Els went on to say: “You know, this was the dream, this was the vision we had in our minds way back when Greg Letsche [senior design associate at Ernie Els Design] and myself got the ball rolling on this renovation project. This was the blueprint, so to speak. The whole strategy, the core shot values, the construction and the look of the greens’ complexes, the bunkering, literally everything is now just as we envisaged it. And seriously, these must be the best putting surfaces in the country. They are incredible! It’s so nice to see and, of course, it’s great to hear the positive comments from the players this week and from the members who love it, too.”

Els also expressed thanks to Jeremy Slessor and his team at European Golf Design, and the advisory panel at the European Tour, for their input on the final phase of the renovation works. There was high praise, too, for Kenny Mackay, Director of Golf Courses & Grounds at Wentworth Club, and an acknowledgement of the invaluable role played by the Club’s owners, Reignwood Group.

“The owners, Dr. Chanchai Ruayrungruang and his team, have given all of us their full commitment to help push this project to its successful conclusion and, just as importantly, the budget and the resources to enable Kenny and his team to maintain this wonderful golf course to the absolute highest standards,” said Els. “And it shows literally everywhere you look. The conditioning of the playing surfaces, and the overall presentation, is as good as I’ve ever seen it.”

Els concluded: “Right at the start I would say our goal, everyone’s goal, was to make Wentworth the leading venue for Championship golf in Europe and we believe that is what we’ve got here. It’s the perfect championship venue.”

Speaking also this week, Kenny Mackay commented: “The whole team has worked very hard over the winter and in the build-up to this week. We’ve put our heart and soul into it, so obviously it’s very gratifying for us to hear Ernie and a lot of the other top players giving the course such high praise. From day one, the aim has been to make improvements to enhance playability for all. This has been achieved through wide-ranging changes and installing industry-leading technology that allows us to control how the greens play. We’ve called on a vast amount of design and playing experience and we believe this is Wentworth’s best ever course.”

For more information on Ernie Els Design, visit the website: ernieels.com/design/about-design/ or telephone the office in Florida: 561 625 8676.

'Scotty Experience' Comes to Talamore Golf Resort

Golfers enjoy two nights accommodations and three rounds of golf — and receive a free Titleist Scotty Cameron putter including custom head cover

(Village of Pinehurst, NC) — In the quarter century since the Talamore Resort near the Village of Pinehurst first opened offering llamas as caddies, the popular Sandhills golf getaway has remained on the cutting edge of innovation.

Talamore’s latest success has been the “Scotty Cameron Experience” — a weekend during which golfers stay at the resort for two nights and enjoy three rounds of golf … and each player will receive a brand-new, Scotty Cameron Golo 5 or Golo 5R 34" right-handed putter, retail value $349, along with a Custom Scotty Cameron Talamore head cover. The Left handed putter will be a 34" Newport 2.

This year’s Scotty Cameron Experience will be November 2-4 and November 9-11.

The weekend includes a Friday night social at Heartwood at Longleaf during which resort guests receive their Scotty Cameron putters, a Southern breakfast buffet on Friday, Saturday & Sunday morning in the resort’s popular Sodfather’s Grille, along with three rounds of golf — one each on The New Course at Talamore, King’s Course at Mid South and also nearby Longleaf Golf and Family Club.

“The Scotty Cameron Experience is a great way to give back to the Alumni of the Talamore and Scotty Experience,” said Matt Hausser, the Resort’s General Manager. “Scotty has in many ways become a ‘Club’ of sorts, as past year participants and long-term Resort Alumni receive VIP invitations. They bring their friends, who bring their friends, and the next you know we have grown into a great buddy golf experience spanning several weekends. It’s a great way to end the golf season before many hang up the sticks for winter.”

“The Scotty Cameron Experience took three weekends last year that are not normally very busy and filled them up,” said Matt Hausser, the Resort’s General Manager. “Basically they’ve extended our season by three weeks. The first event filled up so quickly that we scheduled a second and after filling up that weekend, we followed with a third. In all we had about 600 golfers come through.”

Scotty Cameron has solidified a reputation in the golf industry for making the finest milled putters in the world through the company’s design, craftsmanship and proven performance.

Get your favorite golf group together for Talamore’s Scotty Cameron Weekend. Cost is $469 per person. Ask about an Upgrade to a luxurious Mid South Lodge.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• 2 Nights in a Spacious 2-Bedroom / 2-Bath Talamore Villa
• Friday Night Social at Heartwood at Longleaf
• Daily Breakfast Buffet
• 1 Round at The New Course at Talamore
• 1 Round at The King's Course at Mid South
• 1 Round at Longleaf Golf and Family Club

Package rate is per person based on quad occupancy and includes all lodging fees, green fees, cart fees, Friday night social, breakfast served Friday, Saturday & Sunday, one Scotty Cameron putter with Talamore custom head cover and applicable taxes.

Offer is valid for stays/play November 2-4 and November 9-11 and is subject to availability. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers, and does not apply to existing bookings. Advance reservations are required.

For information call (800) 552-6292 ext. 2 or visit www.TalamoreGolfResort.com for the latest golf package information.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Junior Achievement: Barber, Hammer win U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship

(Tequesta, Fla.) - Following four days of grey skies and rain, the sun finally made an appearance at Jupiter Hills Club on Wednesday.

Then again, the spotlight had been shining brightly on Cole Hammer, of Houston, Texas, and Garrett Barber, of Stuart since they arrived on the property late last week.

Wind, rain, grey skies, blue skies … it didn’t matter.

These two 18-year-old stalwarts weathered every challenge from the outset of the championship. It all culminated with a 4-and-3 victory over Floridians Marc Dull, 32, of Winter Park, and Chip Brooke, 42, of Altamonte Springs, in the 18-hole final.

“Growing up watching U.S. Opens and U.S. Amateurs on TV, I just knew being a USGA champion is something that I desperately wanted,” said Hammer, who qualified for a U.S. Open three years ago at 15. “And to finally do it, it feels incredible. It feels as good, if not better, than I thought it would. And especially being able to do it with Garrett. It’s really cool to share this moment, and I’m sure we’ll look back on this for a long time.”

Added Barber: “Pretty cool. I mean the USGA, everybody knows it’s a world-class organization, the best championships around the world. It means so much to be on that Wall [of Champions] in the [USGA] Museum [at Golf House]. I can’t really put it into words.”

Just how dominant were Hammer and Barber? In their five matches covering 71 holes, they only trailed for two holes – they lost No. 1 and halved No. 2 in their quarterfinal encounter against Texans Zach Atkinson and Brad Gibson – and shot the equivalent of 28 under par, with the usual match-play concessions. They also never played the 17th or 18th holes after stroke play, and they won 31 holes against eight losses.

The Nos. 52 (Hammer) and 57 (Barber) competitors in the World Amateur Golf Ranking™ combined for 10 birdies and two eagles in their two victories on Wednesday. They were 7 under par in the championship match. During the two rounds of stroke play, which included a championship-record 28 on the outward nine of the Hills Course – Jupiter Hills’ Village Course was the stroke-play co-host – they posted 9-under 131 to earn the No. 3 seed.

Hammer and Barber also are the second consecutive tandem of juniors to win the title following Frankie Capan and Shuai Ming (Ben) Wong, who were both 17-year-olds last year at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club. The duo said they were inspired by what their fellow juniors accomplished in 2017.

Unlike last year’s final when Capan and Wong had to rally to win, Hammer and Barber took control early. Although the sides split the first two holes – Brooke chipped in on No. 2 – the juniors slowly took control from No. 3 when Hammer, who shot the equivalent of 4-under 31 on the first, holed a 30-foot chip shot for a winning birdie. Dull said after the prize ceremony that the one shot he wanted back was the 12-foot birdie putt that stopped inches short to halve that hole.

Hammer continued his wizardry on No. 6, which was playing 285 yards with the tees moved up. Hitting his second shot from the pine straw, he perfectly judged a pitch, allowing his ball to go past the flagstick and then curl back from the sloping green to 3 feet for a conceded birdie that halved the hole. Two holes later, Hammer’s 6-iron uphill approach into the wind from 167 yards landed 3 feet from the hole for a winning birdie and a 2-up advantage.

“I tugged it a little bit,” said Hammer. “I didn’t think it was going to get there. That was big.”

Then on No. 13, Barber laced a towering 4-iron from 235 yards that stopped 3 feet from the flagstick for what became a conceded eagle-3 and a 4-up advantage.

“Cole didn’t want me to hit 4-iron,” said Barber. “He didn’t think I could get it there. I was like, ‘I got it.’ So I hit it hard, hit pretty much a perfect shot. It was a crazy shot.”

Two holes later and dormie-4, the final nail was struck by Hammer. With the tees moved up, he drove the green on the 370-yard, dogleg-left, par-4 and calmly two-putted for a birdie.

“Cole Hammer is a special player,” said Brooke. “He did some things that – obviously he’s going to Texas [and] I’m not saying he is Jordan Spieth, but there are certain things that he does.

“They’re just a lot better than we are. I mean, there’s no other way to say it. They’re phenomenal players. We had a couple putts that we almost made, and who knows, with two, three holes left with pressure, you never know. But they beat us today, and we tried as hard as we could.”

In the morning semifinals, a 40-yard holed flop shot for an eagle by Hammer on the par-5 fourth hole led to a comfortable 5-and-4 victory over fellow juniors and Idaho high school teammates Sam Tidd, 18, of Meridian, and Carson Barry, of Eagle. Hammer and Barber registered five birdies and the eagle, while their opponents’ two birdies came on the fourth (lost hole) and par-5 13th holes (halved).

Dull and Brooke eliminated former Seattle University teammates Kyle Cornett, 23, of Seattle, Wash., and Patrick Sato, 23, of Bellevue, Wash., 3 and 2.

NOTEABLE:
- Barber and Hammer forged a friendship playing junior golf, but got a chance to know each other’s games better when they were teammates on the victorious 2017 USA Junior Presidents Cup Team. They prevailed, 3 and 2, in a foursomes (alternate-shot) match on Day 1 of the two-day event at Plainfield (N.J.) Country Club.
- Among the 50-plus texts that Hammer received following the win was from his instructor, Cameron McCormick, who also works with 2015 U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth as well as USGA champions Noah Goodwin, Philip Barbaree, Will Zalatoris and Shuai Ming Wong. McCormick sent a video of Spieth and his caddie, Michael Greller, congratulating him.
- This was the second runner-up showing for Marc Dull after coming up short in the championship match of the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Johns Island Club in nearby Vero Beach. Dull and Chip Brooke were semifinalists last year at Pinehurst. By reaching the final, the duo is exempt for the next three championships.
- Next year’s championship will be conducted at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Old Macdonald and Pacific Dunes courses) in Bandon, Ore., from May 25-29. Registration is now open. To be eligible, each member of the side must have a USGA Handicap Index no greater than 5.4. To file an entry, click here. Entries close on Aug. 15, 2018 at 5 p.m. EDT.
- Semifinalists Sam Tidd and Carson Barry teamed up to help Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, Idaho, win its third consecutive Idaho 5A title a week before coming to Jupiter Hills Club. Barry, headed to Oregon State this fall, is a two-time 5A individual champion (2016 and 2018), while Tidd, a 2018 University of Oklahoma signee, claimed the title last year.
- Now exempt into next year’s championship, semifinalist Patrick Sato said he’ll have a hard decision to make later this summer. Will he turn professional or wait until after the 2019 event at Bandon Dunes? His partner, Kyle Cornett, said he’s planning to play, and will qualify if necessary. Sides have to remain intact to keep the exemption.

The Championship Experience: An Over-the-Top Luxe Gift For Dad

(RELEASE) - Father’s Day is right around the corner, and families everywhere are asking the same question, “What do we get for dad?” For those who have been putting a few extra pennies in the piggy bank (3 million pennies, to be exact), Pebble Beach Resorts is ready with an answer – The Championship Experience.

In just over a year, Pebble Beach Golf Links will host its sixth U.S. Open Championship, June 13-16, 2019. During the tournament, which takes place during the Centennial Celebration of Pebble Beach, dads who are enjoying The Championship Experience will finally know how it feels to live like a king.

Priced at $30,000, the experience includes a seven-night stay for two in a luxury guest room at The Inn at Spanish Bay, June 10-17, 2019, two Premier tickets for Championship Week that provide access to The Lodge at Pebble Beach and Pebble Beach Golf Links, and tee times for seven days for two at either Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay or Del Monte Golf Course. Dad will undoubtedly get his golf fix.

Also included in the package are:
- Access to exclusive on-course hospitality, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and beverages, Monday through Sunday
- Round-trip ground transportation for two from San Francisco International Airport, San Jose International Airport or Monterey Regional Airport
- One $500 U.S. Open Merchandise Gift Card
- A personal event concierge to assist with guests' needs
- One VIP on-site parking credential
- The ability to secure preferential lunch and dinner reservations at Pebble Beach Resorts’ restaurants

To learn more: https://www.pebblebeach.com/content/uploads/USOpen-championship-experience.pdf

Sixteen U.S. Women’s Open Champions to Compete in Inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open

Field will include 61 exempt players; Sectional Qualifying begins June 4

(LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced that 16 past U.S. Women’s Open champions are among the 61 players who are fully exempt into the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open, scheduled for July 12-15, 2018 at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill.

“We’re thrilled by the response our USGA champions have had to this inaugural championship, and know Chicago Golf Club will provide an outstanding venue for fans to watch some of the game’s greats tee it up on what will now be senior women’s golf’s grandest stage,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “The consistent growth in women’s golf has been inspiring, and we hope this inaugural event is just one of many great new moments for this important segment of the game.”

The U.S. Senior Women’s Open is open to professional golfers, and amateurs with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 7.4 who are 50 years of age at the start of championship play.

Sectional qualifying will be played over 18 holes at 17 sites across the United States between June 4-20. There are qualifying sites in 16 states, including two in California. The USGA accepted 462 entries from golfers in 39 states for the inaugural championship, including 73 from Florida.

Three-time U.S. Women’s Open winner Hollis Stacy and 15 other champions – four of them two-time winners – are fully exempt from having to qualify for the championship. They are Amy Alcott (1980), Pat Bradley (1981), Jerilyn Britz (1979), Laura Davies (1987), Jane Geddes (1986), JoAnne Gunderson Carner (1971, 1976), Juli Inkster (1999, 2002), Betsy King (1989, 1990), Murle Lindstrom Breer (1962), Lauri Merten (1993), Liselotte Neumann (1988), Alison Nicholas (1997), Sandra Palmer (1975), Patty Sheehan (1992, 1994), Hollis Stacy (1977, 1978, 1984), and Jan Stephenson (1983).

There are also six U.S. Women’s Open runners-up entered. They are: Helen Alfredsson (2008), Donna Andrews (1993), Tammie Green-Parker (1994), Rosie Jones (1984), Sally Little (1978, 1986), and Kris Tschetter (1996).
 
The inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship will be the 12th USGA championship conducted at Chicago Golf Club and the first Open championship played at the club in 107 years, since John J. McDermott became the first American-born player to win the U.S. Open in a three-man playoff against Mike Brady and George Simpson in 1911. The club also hosted the U.S. Open in 1897 and 1900. Chicago Golf Club has also hosted four U.S. Amateur Championships, one U.S. Women’s Amateur and one U.S. Senior Amateur. It also hosted the Walker Cup Match in 1928 and 2005, both of which were won by the USA Team.

Online entries were accepted for the championship, beginning on March 7. Susan West of Tuscaloosa, Ala., whose application was received at 9:04 a.m. on March 7 and who will play in the sectional qualifier at Bent Creek Golf Club in Eden Prairie, Minn., was the first overall entrant. Pat Bradley, who won 31 times on the LPGA Tour, including six major championships, was the first exempt player to apply to play. Her 1981 U.S. Women’s Open victory came at La Grange Country Club, less than 20 miles from Chicago Golf Club.

“I’ve had the Senior Women’s Open on my calendar for 17 years, so to say I was excited to apply to play in this championship is an understatement,” said Bradley. “It’ll bring back some great memories to go back to the Chicago area and compete for an Open title.”

Lynn Thompson, 60, of Cincinnati, Ohio, submitted her entry less than three minutes before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on May 23 and was the championship’s last entrant.

More information about the U.S. Senior Women’s Open before, during and after the 2018 championship at Chicago Golf Club can be found at usseniorwomensopen.com.

The list of the 61 golfers who are fully exempt into the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open:
Kristi Albers
Amy Alcott
Helen Alfredsson
Danielle Ammaccapane
Janet Anderson
Donna Andrews
Tina Barrett
Jean Bartholomew
Laura Baugh
Jane Blalock
Nanci Bowen
Pat Bradley
Jerilyn Britz
Macarena Campomanes
Kay Cockerill
Jane Crafter
Laura Davies
Alicia Dibos
Judy Dickinson
Cindy Figg-Currier
Joanne Foreman
Jane Geddes
Tammie Green-Parker
Lisa Grimes
JoAnne Gunderson Carner
Mary Jane Hiestand
Carolyn Hill
Juli Inkster
Becky Iverson
Christa Johnson
Patricia Johnson
Cathy Johnston-Forbes
Rosie Jones
Lorie Kane
Betsy King
Hiromi Kobayashi
Judith Kyrinis
Jenny Lidback
Murle Lindstrom Breer
Sally Little
Marilyn Lovander
Lauri Merten
Alice Miller
Barbara Moxness
Barb Mucha
Martha Nause
Liselotte Neumann
Alison Nicholas
Sandra Palmer
Ellen Port
Cindy Rarick
Michele Redman
Laurie Rinker
Terrill Samuel
Nancy Scranton
Patty Sheehan
Val Skinner
Hollis Stacy
Jan Stephenson
Kris Tschetter
Sue Wooster

To learn more, visit usga.org.

Carriage House Opening Completes Reconstruction of The Golf Course at Adare Manor

Brand New Clubhouse, Restaurant, Bar and Terrace adds to 5-star golf experience at the County Limerick castle and golf resort

(RELEASE) - Ireland’s newest five-star castle and golf resort in County Limerick, Adare Manor, has officially opened its Carriage House, offering a resort dining destination to complement The Golf Course at Adare Manor. The Carriage House, where guests can enjoy an artisan grill experience in a stylishly relaxed atmosphere, is complete with a glamorous cocktail bar and lounge, spacious glazed terrace, cigar lounge and private dining chamber.

Renovated to match the standards of The Golf Course, The Carriage House will welcome the resort’s golfers pre and post-round with an ambiance of relaxed elegance and effortless luxury. Every detail of the interior design has been chosen to celebrate the natural beauty of Adare Manor’s estate, whilst the glazed terrace makes it possible for guests to soak-up the estate’s impressive vistas year-round.

Paul Heery, General Manager of Adare Manor, said: “There has been much anticipation of the opening of The Carriage House Restaurant, Terrace and Bar. Our great team at Adare Manor have enjoyed putting the finishing touches to this wonderful addition to the resort with every detail complementing the views of the surrounding landscape of the Adare Manor estate and newly reopened golf course.  We want all our guests to enjoy a comfortable, relaxing, yet luxurious dining experience, with the very best of Irish produce.

“Since we re-opened Adare Manor late last year, we have received huge local support, and we have welcomed guests from Adare, throughout Ireland and internationally. With the opening of The Carriage House, we look forward to now offering a new guest experience.”

Adare Manor recommends golfers visit The Terrace at the Carriage House where a relaxed breakfast menu can be enjoyed ahead of tackling the newly renovated Tom Fazio-designed golf course. Equally, lunch and light dining options reward golfers post-round with fresh local produce taking centre stage. Refined salads and sandwiches as well as gourmet pizzas are masterfully prepared in front of diners’ eyes in the show-kitchen, located in the heart of The Terrace.

The Carriage House rounds-off Adare Manor’s world-class golf experience following a two-year reconstruction commissioned by the ownership of the Adare Manor resort, the McManus Family, which saw the unveiling of The Golf Course at Adare Manor in April 2018. Presenting a layout to rival the finest in the world, the Fazio Design and Adare Manor teams have established a 7,509-yard championship golf course created to the most exacting of standards. Now with the Carriage House in operation, Adare Manor provides golfers with a complete luxury on and off course experience, including a comprehensively stocked Pro Shop and welcoming locker rooms.

Details of the new dining experience offered at The Carriage House are below:

The Carriage House Restaurant
The Carriage House Restaurant showcases the best in artisanal and local produce, prime Irish dry aged beef and fresh fish. Open for dinner daily, the menu shines a spotlight on Irish favourites with an elegant flare, including Connemara lamb and Atlantic lobster, alongside some of the best prime cuts of beef, grilled using sustainably sourced charcoal. The architectural highlight of the restaurant is its beautiful central skylight and delicate seeded glass panels that allow natural light to flood the room, offering an artfully lit ambiance from day to night. For private dining, The Carriage House offers an elegant private Chamber to accommodate parties of up to 28 persons, which can also double as an exclusive meeting room.

The Bar
The Bar is the social heart of the resort, offering light bites alongside a remarkable collection of fine wines, craft beers, and sophisticated cocktails. Designed as a perfect union of traditional Irish culture and elevated contemporary styling, the rich leathers, dark-stained oak furnishings and an impressive Breccia Capraia marble framed fireplace, offer a sense of timeless luxury.
The Terrace and The Cigar Lounge
The glazed Terrace is a culinary destination serving lunch and breakfast daily. Boasting striking views of the putting green of the newly reopened golf course and manicured landscape, the Terrace perfects the transition between indoors and out. Taking centre stage is the open show-kitchen, allowing guests to observe as chefs artfully prepare refined salads, sandwiches and gourmet pizzas. Adjoining the Terrace through a glazed wall is the intimate Cigar Lounge, perfect for those yearning to pair their smoke with a rare Irish whiskey from the hotel’s exceptional collection.

The Lounge
The Carriage House Lounge is a haven of peace and relaxation, an ideal area for reading or quiet conversations. In the evening, the lounge becomes a welcoming extension to the bar, where guests can relax over a drink or enjoy the company of friends.
The Golf Course at Adare Manor and Pro Shop
The Golf Course at Adare Manor was re-opened last month by four world-renowned Irish golfing stars, Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry. The course was completely redesigned, remodelled and rebuilt by a team lead by leading golf course architect Tom Fazio. Over a two-year reconstruction period, the Fazio Design and Adare Manor team created a 7,509-yard championship golf course to the most exacting of standards with the goal of establishing the course amongst the finest in the world. The Carriage House also offers a comprehensively stocked Pro Shop and welcoming locker rooms for golfers in the clubhouse.

Adare Manor plays a key role in the local community and it is estimated that the resort will contribute in excess of €15 million to the local economy annually.

To find out more about Adare Manor, visit: www.adaremanor.com and follow @AdareManorHotel (Facebook), @TheAdareManor (Twitter) and @TheAdareManor (Instagram).

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Arccos Golf Launches Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence Platform, Arccos Caddie 2.0

Golf’s Smartest Caddie Now Provides Real-Time Guidance on Every Shot, Helping Users Play Smarter to Shoot Lower Scores

(STAMFORD, Conn.) – Arccos Golf announced the release of its next-generation artificial intelligence platform, Arccos Caddie 2.0, which now provides players with real-time strategies for every shot on any hole in the world. Powered by Microsoft Azure, Arccos Caddie has also been made a free feature for all users of the Arccos 360 system.

Recently honored among the “World’s Most Innovative Companies 2018” by Fast Company, ranking #3 in the Sports category, Arccos boasts the golf industry’s richest data set. This includes over 100 million shots hit during 1 million rounds played by the Arccos community, and 418 million GPS mapping data points on 40,000+ courses worldwide. Through a series of hackfests and other collaborations, these resources were harnessed by Arccos engineers and Microsoft’s world class A.I. scientists. The result is a significant expansion of Arccos Caddie’s capabilities.

“The entire sports landscape is being revolutionized by advanced analytics, and golf is the most ideal sport for the application of these concepts,” said Sal Syed, Arccos CEO and Co-Founder. “Working with Microsoft, we’re plugging into a very traditional framework – the caddie/player relationship – and taking it to the next level through the power of A.I. Considering only 3% of golfers today have access to advice from a human caddie, we’re also helping democratize the caddie experience by making it available to anyone.”

Arccos Caddie 2.0 uses a wide variety of inputs to provide a golfer with real-time insights into their optimal and alternative strategies, as well as outcome predictions, for every shot they play. Factors considered include but are not limited to:
- A user’s shot history
- The historical performance of other Arccos users
- Wind speed/direction and other weather conditions
- Elevation changes
- Hole geometry
- Hazard locations

“The PGA TOUR has done a great job of using advanced analytics to help its players practice and perform their best,” said Mike Downey, Director, Principal Evangelist – Sports at Microsoft. “At other levels of the game, capturing the necessary on-course data has been a real challenge. Arccos has cracked that code and built a robust data set which they’re deploying via the Microsoft Azure cloud to the benefit of golfers worldwide.”

Winner of the Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Award for “Best Game Analyzer” three years running, the Arccos platform helps golfers of all skill levels play smarter to shoot lower scores. In 2017, Arccos users improved their handicap by an average of 3.55 strokes – a rate that’s 46.7x faster than the average player with a USGA handicap.

“Arccos Caddie demonstrates A.I. complementing human capability,” added Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President – A.I. Business at Microsoft. “Through the power of Microsoft Azure, amateur golfers have information at their fingertips that was not easily available before. A.I. will have a huge effect on the golf industry, and it is an exciting time to be in this space as we help Arccos lead the charge.”

In addition to Microsoft, Arccos is an official partner with Cobra Puma Golf, which recently launched golf’s first smart set, Cobra Connect Powered by Arccos. As part of this ongoing collaboration, every club in the Cobra KING F8 line features an Arccos sensor embedded in the grip. This helps players improve faster by automatically tracking and receiving actionable insights for every aspect of their game.

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