Florida Gulf Coasts to Victory in the 17th PGA Jones Cup

(PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.) -  PGA Golf Club is situated roughly 140 miles from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). By no means is the Wanamaker Course considered to be the home track of the Eagles. But with three returning players, they could’ve fooled anyone.
 
FGCU trekked across the Florida peninsula and cruised to a 14-stroke victory over Clemson University in the 2018 PGA Jones Cup. With a total tally of 590, the win is the first in FGCU PGA Golf Management program history. Following a couple close finishes in 2016 (2nd) and 2017 (4th) where FGCU’s combined deficit was 10 strokes, they sealed the deal in convincing fashion.
 
“This is really exciting, but to do it in the style they did today was special,” said Marty Hall, Assistant Director for FGCU’s PGA Golf Management program. “To have all five players clicking at the same time was awesome. This creates a lot of excitement about making the team. I think there will be a lot of competition amongst our 160 students to try and repeat next year.”
 
The margin of victory was the largest since 2012, when Campbell University defeated runner-up New Mexico State by 17. Wednesday’s results also marked the first time since 2013 that a PGA Golf Management program not from Campbell or New Mexico State hoisted the Jones Cup (Ferris State).
 
The veteran of the squad after competing in 2016 and 2017, Alex Holt finished with a two-day total of 147 (73-74). Playing in their second consecutive PGA Jones Cup were Cameron Fady and Eric Costa, who posted a 146 (73-73) and 148 (78-70). Darin DeLelys and Reece Kornfeld rounded out the five-person team.
 
“I don’t know that it’s hit us yet – what we just accomplished,” said Holt. “Obviously we’re excited and happy to represent our school. My teammates are really good. They can get hot and go low if the putters are working.”
 
Runner-up Clemson University (604) was led by Chris Gabriele, who shared medalist honors after carding a 70 and 72 for a two-day score of 142. Campbell University’s Shea Wolfle shot a 75 in the first round but charged up the leaderboard with a second-round 67 to match Gabriele’s total.
 
The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs finished alone in third place (605), followed by Campbell University and New Mexico State University, who tied for fourth with 611.
 
The PGA Jones Cup is named for the first PGA Golf Management University Program Director at Mississippi State, Dr. S. Roland Jones, who held the position from 1985 until his passing in 1997. The event provides a platform where participants can display professionalism, integrity, character and camaraderie; all characteristics Dr. Jones instilled in PGA Golf Management students.
 
All participating universities in the PGA Jones Cup are schools accredited by the PGA of America to offer the PGA Golf Management University Program for aspiring PGA Professionals. There are currently over 1,700 students enrolled in the program nationwide.
 
The 2019 PGA Jones Cup will be contested November 19-20 at PGA Golf Club.

Desert Mountain Names John Lyberger, PGA, Director of Golf

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) —  John Lyberger, PGA—one of the most highly regarded golf professionals in the country—has been named PGA Director of Golf at Desert Mountain Club, the only private community in the world with six Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses.

John Lyberger, PGA

Lyberger was most recently the Vice President of Club Operations at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla., and before that the 20-year PGA Director of Golf at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.  During his time at Congressional, the club played host to two U.S. Open Championships and seven PGA TOUR events.

With a proven track record of providing an extraordinary golf experience for his members, as well as mentoring many assistant professionals who have gone on to become directors of golf and general managers at some of the country’s best clubs, Lyberger will oversee a golf staff of 75 employees serving 1,900 members across six golf courses and pro shops.

“The game of golf has always been my passion and I could not be more excited to lead Desert Mountain's extensive golf operation,” said Lyberger. “When this opportunity was presented to me I jumped at the chance to join one of the greatest golf communities in the country.”

Along with the six Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, in early 2019 Desert Mountain Club will open a new, par 54 course, No. 7 at Desert Mountain, and celebrate the reopening of its original course, Renegade, following an extensive renovation.  The golf operations also include a $1.6 million state-of-the-art Jim Flick Golf Performance Center, which is equipped with the most advanced technology available in the industry today. This 6,500-square-foot, one-stop facility addresses every possible golf instructional need including technique, fitness, and mental game performance.

“We are thrilled about the future of our golf operation and John’s ability to continue improving upon the quality of the golf experience we offer our members and their guests,” said Desert Mountain CEO Damon DiOrio.

For additional information on Desert Mountain Club, access the web site at www.desertmountain.com.

Introducing SKYiGOLF - a Group that Will Energize Golf

10K holes-in-one, a global scramble and a better business

(ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.) – What if golf could be a lot more fun and rewarding to those who play it, and at the same time, PGA Professionals and golf course owners could be provided tools and technology that will greatly enhance their business? SKYiGOLF is here. SKYiGOLF, a company built and staffed by PGA Professionals and driven to make the game more fun, was unveiled by Founder/CEO and visionary Rich Smith Oct. 30 at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla.

Employing a nationwide staff of accomplished PGA Professionals that know the industry and its challenges as only PGA Professionals do, SKYiGOLF prides itself as a company built by PGA Pros for PGA Pros.

Smith, 48, a PGA Professional, former CEO/Executive Director of the PGA of America’s North Florida Section and an owner of two golf courses in Florida, doesn’t view SKYiGOLF as a business. He sees it as a calling, one that’s essential to bolster an industry that could use a boost.

“This is a group of like-minded PGA Professionals who share a passion for the game of golf and want to make sure this industry improves so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy golf the way we have,” Smith said. “We’ve built a platform of amenities and resources to help everyone involved in the game. We’ve built a program where everybody wins.”

SKYiGOLF believes that golfers who pull off the game’s most amazing shot – a hole-in-one – should receive something beyond a few pats on the back at the 19th Hole. So SKYiGOLF players (registration is free at SKYiGOLF.com) who record an ace on designated par-3 holes across facilities signed on with SKYiGOLF will receive $10,000. Ten thousand dollars!! High-tech 4K cameras positioned near the tee and green will capture the moment, and the player will be given a video keepsake of lifetime special memory, his or her magical moment narrated by a well-known golf personality.

SKYiGOLF members will have the opportunity to participate in the SKYiGOLF Global Scramble Championship, with the November 2019 finals slated across three world-class courses in the Bahamas: The Ocean Club; Royal Blue; and Albany, home of Tiger Woods’ annual Hero World Challenge.

How can SKYiGOLF help increase participation and rounds played? The more that SKYiGOLF members play, the more they’ll be rewarded, with SKYiGOLF bonus bucks allotted via a points system for nine- and 18-hole rounds at SKYiGOLF facilities. (Players will receive double points at their anchor clubs.) The SKYiGOLF bucks go directly back into the facilities.

In addition, the more a SKYiGOLF member plays, the more entries he or she will be eligible to receive into a SKYiGOLF Sweepstakes conducting monthly and year-end drawings – both regionally and nationally – for golf merchandise, cash bonanzas and life experiences such as pro-am spots and tickets to major golf events.

On the course operations side, SKYiGOLF will give PGA Professionals and course operators the tools and enhanced technology to run a better, and more efficient, business model. SKYiGOLF has partnered with software provider foreUP to build a cloud-based point of sale and tee-time booking system that can help pros learn more about their customers. SKYiGOLF also has partnered with On-Pin, an integrated golf course management system that provides course and pace-of-play monitoring both for cart-riders and walking players through intuitive tracking methods, as well as modernized GPS units in carts.

SKYiGOLF prides itself on its strong back-room support system that is attentive and responsive to the daily needs of the PGA Pro and course operators. Pros and course owners will have the ability to deliver a better product to their golfers while also reducing their expenses. SKYiGOLF wants to help to elevate an industry that has been struggling.

“It’s very important to us that the game of golf, and the golf industry, lives, survives and thrives, so that future generations can enjoy this great sport,” Smith said. “The game of golf is awesome. It’s our hope that SKYiGOLF ensures that people who play golf have way more fun doing it. That, along with the tools we’re providing golf course operators, will make the industry stronger.”

SKYiGOLF will be donating a portion of every round played at SKYiGOLF facilities to the Folds of Honor, a 501(c)(3) that provides educational scholarships to the families of wounded and fallen military members. On Nov. 10, at one of his two courses, Smith will be handing a check to the Folds of Honor for $55,000 from his first-year program at Charlotte Harbor National.

To view a recorded stream of Tuesday morning’s SKYiGOLF news conference, click on the YouTube link here.

For more information or for interview opportunities with key executives at SKYiGOLF, contact SKYiGOLF Chief Communications Officer Jeff Babineau at (407) 496-4956 or jeff.babineau@skyigolf.com.

Dormie Network Expanding, Investing

Nebraska-based network grows to five premier private clubs around the country - currently investing in course conditions, accommodations and the highest level of service

(LINCOLN, NEBRASKA) — With the recent purchase of Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Indiana, the Nebraska-based Dormie Network has grown to five premier private clubs around the country. Dormie Network is in the process of assembling a nationwide stable of ultra-high-end properties, combining the experience of destination golf with the exclusive hospitality of private membership. Each club offers an intimate, pure golf experience in a relaxing and accommodating environment ideal for business or leisure.

Victoria National GC joins a portfolio that includes the Dormie Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina; Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas; ArborLinks in Nebraska City, Nebraska; and Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke, Virginia. The end goal is to create a network of as many as a dozen destination private clubs focused purely on the game and aimed at golf traditionalists. Each Dormie Network club will reflect the unique flavor of its setting.

“We pride ourselves on providing exclusive private destination clubs strategically located around the country that offer our members pure golf as it should be,” said Zach Peed of Dormie Network. “A Dormie Network membership is truly unlike any other.”

Dormie Network clubs offer full-service amenities from premium accommodations to exceptional dining, with hospitality at every turn. Close proximity to cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Omaha, Raleigh, Richmond, Roanoke, St. Louis, and San Antonio makes Dormie Network clubs ideal for weekend getaways, buddy trips, or corporate retreats. Premium accommodations and amenities complement a pure golf experience with stellar comforts and service.

In addition to expanding to include more private destination clubs across the country, Dormie Network is currently investing in course conditions, club accommodations, and the highest level of service. Dormie Network is in the process of conducting agronomic assessments to identify where improvements are needed, and is in the process of constructing on-site lodging. Other infrastructure enhancements are also underway, from clubhouse expansions to new maintenance facilities and cart storage.

“Every Dormie Network club is designed to feel like your home club,” said Dormie Network Operations Manager Mark Ruhga, PGA. “Each offers challenging and expeditious play, pristine course conditions, and genuine hospitality.”

Dormie Network is adding cottages at Victoria National that will double the club’s current accommodations capacity. ArborLinks is currently undergoing a clubhouse expansion including the addition of a wine cellar, added accommodations, and a new comfort station on the golf course.

At the Dormie Club, Dormie Network is planning construction of a new clubhouse and maintenance facility as well as new accommodations perched at ideal locations around the club’s highly ranked Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore-designed golf course.

At Briggs Ranch — which features a Tom Fazio-designed golf course that opened in 2001 and has been ranked among the top 20 layouts in Texas — Dormie Network is constructing premium, on-site lodging in the form of casitas, as well as a state-of-the-art TrackMan performance center that will be ideal for corporate gatherings and client entertainment. Both will debut in 2019.

Ballyhack is renowned for its 2009 Lester George-designed golf course that has been ranked among Virginia’s top 10 layouts. Ballyhack also offers a full-service, 11,500-square-foot clubhouse, an outstanding restaurant with farm-fresh inspired menus and indoor as well as outdoor dining spaces, and on-site cottage accommodations with 28 master suites.

Each Dormie Network club offers local memberships that are capped at 100 per property. The chief focus is on national members across the entire network. During this period of substantial growth and expansion, Dormie Network is offering early adopters dramatically reduced initiation fees and dues structures that are surprisingly affordable.

Learn more at www.DormieNetwork.com or 402-858-2627.

S'well Partners with PGA of America to Deliver First-of-its-Kind Golf Ball Inspired Bottle

Partnership Furthers PGA’s Sustainability Efforts, Increasing Positive Impact on the Sport

(NEW YORK) – S’well, creator of the original fashion hydration accessory, and the PGA of America, one of the world’s largest sports organizations, have created a first-of-its-kind collector’s bottle commemorating the 2019 PGA Championship, which will be played at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., May 13-19, 2019. The partnership originated in an effort to further PGA’s sustainability initiatives and reach new audiences.

The PGA of America is putting significant emphasis on its corporate social responsibility efforts, speaking to the growing social consciousness of the golf community. The partnership with S’well is a positive step toward creating a more sustainable community.

“S’well offers an array of products, all of which provide the consumer with a myriad of choices to reflect their chosen lifestyle,” said Luke Reissman, PGA of America Senior Director of Partnerships. “At the PGA of America, we’re excited to align with our friends at S’well because the game of golf and their bottles are not only compatible, but they are both sustainable, technologically advanced and personal in nature.”

Debuting as the first textured S’well product, the 2019 PGA Championship Golf Bottle features a dimpled outer shell and lustrous sheen – just like a golf ball. Its unique, uniform finish creates an elevated look. Featuring triple-walled, high-grade stainless steel, the 2019 PGA Championship Golf Bottle keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12, while maintaining a condensation-free exterior.

“The bottle design embodies the beauty of this sport – tradition, appeal and reach,” said Rachel Ivey, VP, Creative Director, S’well. “Because of the innovative design and a textured finish, reminiscent of a golf ball, we knew the PGA would be the perfect partner to bring this design to market.”

Furthering excitement and support of the partnership, S’well is working with the PGA of America to create an extended run of the collection customized with logos for select courses across the country. These other products will debut over the coming weeks.

The 2019 PGA Championship Golf Bottle is now available for purchase on shop.pga.com for $45.

Visit www.swellbottle.com and www.sipbyswell.com to learn more.

Golf Life Navigators Names Jeff Mangan CEO and Broker of Record for Golf Life Properties

(NAPLES, Fla.) – Golf Life Navigators (GLN) – providing the only marketplace in the world for consumer-to-club connections – has named industry veteran Jeff Mangan as CEO and Broker of Record for its Golf Life Properties.

Mangan brings more than 25 years of experience in the private club industry, primarily in Florida and Arizona. Initially, Mangan worked in Florida’s Collier County with golf-centric community developers from start to turnover. During the past seven years he served as CEO of the historic Phoenix Country Club where he played an integral role in securing the facility as the host site of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, a PGA Champions Tour event.

Golf Life Properties is GLN’s in-house real-estate brokerage arm specializing in golf course homes and real estate communities. As CEO and Broker of Record, Mangan will work closely with the GLN team to offer consumers a unique look at real estate trends as they evolve in golf communities across the Sun Belt.

“I’m excited to be joining the Golf Life Navigators team in their mission to help golfers make informed decisions when searching for their ideal private club lifestyle,” said Jeff Mangan. “The resources that GLN provides are untapped by the general consumer, and I look forward to contributing towards the goal of making Golf Life Navigators a household name.”

“Our mission at Golf Life Navigators is to streamline the relocation process and Golf Life Properties plays a vital role in that mission,” says Jason Becker, GLN’s CEO. “Jeff brings a wealth of industry experience and knowledge that will allow us to continue to expand our national reach and ensure golfers across the country make informed decisions when choosing the right private club and home for their lifestyle.”

Becker adds, “At the end of the day, this is a major investment for consumers and we recognize the benefit in providing the real estate data we have in our system to help with those decisions.”

Based in South Florida with an active presence across the U.S, GLN uses the unique algorithm of its automated online ProGuide³ questionnaire to create a stress-free targeted marketplace for “best-matched” potential members with golf and country club options in Florida, Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina. GLN’s properties division identifies primary and secondary residences in golf and non-golf communities.

GLN’s unique ProGuide³ has been referred to as “eHarmony meets Zillow for golf” and focuses on three crucial criteria when identifying “matching” clubs:  golf, amenities and lifestyle.  To date, more than 8,600 golfers completed the free, 10-minute questionnaire. From the results, up to six “best-matched clubs” are presented for consideration.

More information: www.GolfLifeNavigators.com, 800.447.8707.

The New Phoenician Golf Club to Open November 1

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – The new Phoenician Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., will open for daily-fee and resort play November 1 following a 10-month redesign and renovation project. The new 18-hole golf course was designed by Scottsdale-based architect Phil Smith, with course construction managed by Troon’s Senior Vice President of Golf Course Development, Ron Despain, and The Phoenician Golf Club’s Superintendent, Tom Bush.

During the redesign and renovation, Smith transformed the previous 27-hole facility into a cohesive 18-hole golf course with a natural rhythm and flow. Smith used previously existing fairway corridors to reroute the golf course and develop new golf holes with re-contoured fairways as well as rebuilt and resurfaced green complexes. Greens now feature TifEagle grass putting surfaces that allow for additional pin placements; while tees, fairways and roughs are 419 Bermuda grass. All tees and bunkers were repositioned to provide the best strategy for each player’s skill level.

“This really has been a rebirth of The Phoenician and now its golf club,” said Smith. “Our goal with the course redesign and renovation was to give each player the opportunity to make an informed decision before every shot by employing fundamental design strategies to create a great golf experience for resort guests and daily-fee golfers. Everything is now right there in front of the golfer, as there are no blind shots or blind hazards. We’re thrilled with how the golf course looks and plays.”

The golf course renovation was executed in conjunction with the third phase of a major enhancement at The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort – the most extensive in its 30-year history. The new course showcases the unique beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and matches the reputation and quality of the award-winning resort. The new course plays to a par of 71 and offers four sets of player-friendly tees ranging from 4,594 yards from the forward tees, to 6,518 yards from the championship tees. By transitioning from 27 to 18 holes, turf usage was reduced by approximately 45 acres and a new highly-efficient irrigation system was installed. The combination of turf reduction and the new irrigation system capabilities will lead to increased water conservation.

In addition to the golf course redesign and renovation project, The Phoenician’s golf shop, locker rooms and 19th Hole dining venue have been renovated and expanded; while a new Club Car golf fleet has been outfitted with the “Shark Experience” – an innovative new golf technology that enhances the on-course experience. The golf cars include high-definition touch screen displays and built-in speakers with Bluetooth connectivity. Golfers can now enjoy streaming music via Slacker Radio, live sports, highlights, news and entertainment, in addition to Greg Norman golf tips, dynamic yardage information and more.

Architect Phil Smith’s resume includes 25-plus years working with PGA TOUR and golf course-design legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. Smith has executed numerous high-profile renovations, including work on Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses, the TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, Superstition Mountain and Desert Mountain’s Apache, Chiricahua and Renegade courses.

Troon, the leader in golf course management, development, and marketing, manages the golf operations at the AAA Five Diamond property. For more information on The Phoenician Golf Club, visit www.golfthephoenician.com or call (480) 423-2449.

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

Heritage Links Providing Construction Services for the Restoration of Southern Hills Country Club

(Houston, Texas) — Heritage Links is assisting architect Gil Hanse with construction services for the encompassing restoration of historic Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The project entails work on all 18 holes of the Perry Maxwell masterpiece that opened in 1936. The extensive restoration plans include new USGA greens, bunkers, tees, cart paths, drainage, a new irrigation system, and grassing.

The Heritage Links staff performs fine grading prior to grassing the 13th hole at Southern Hills Country Club

Among Heritage Links’s comprehensive project services will be the implementation of a new bunker style that will be very natural in appearance.  The change represents a stark contrast to the existing ordinary appearance that evolved over the years. Additionally, the bunkers will include Better Billy Bunker liners to improve drainage.  All of the greens will be rebuilt to USGA specifications utilizing GreenScan technology to replace the contours to their exact current elevations.  The new greens will feature PrecisionAire and hydronic heating/cooling systems in the subgrade.

Heritage Links also is working on the creation of a new short game area and event lawn, driving range reconstruction, plus colored concrete cart paths.

The renovation is on track for a mid-December completion, and the course expects to reopen in June 2019. The construction work is being managed for Heritage Links by Agustin Sanchez.

Southern Hills is considered Maxwell’s greatest architectural achievement. The storied private club has hosted three U.S. Opens and four PGA Championships, as well as the U.S. Amateur Championship, a U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. Future tournaments to be hosted by the club are the 2021 PGA Senior Championship and another PGA Championship scheduled between 2025 and 2030.  Golf Digest ranks Southern Hills as the No. 1 course in Oklahoma in its 2017-2018 Best in State list.  Southern Hills also is No. 35 on Golf Digest’s prestigious America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

For information, call (281) 866-0909 or visit www.heritage-links.com.

New Balance Golf Introduces 2019 Women's Footwear Collection

(Boston, Mass) - New Balance Golf has introduced a new line of footwear for women for the 2019 season.  The line offers three new styles for women - Minimus WP, Minimus SL and 574 SL. The women's line features lightweight, athletic-style spikeless shoes designed to provide golfers the perfect fit, comfort and maximum performance.

WOMEN'S MINIMUS WP

The Women's Minimus WP is a lightweight athletic style spikeless shoe weighing only 6.9 ounces. It is built on the popular NL-1 last that features a wider forefoot, deeper toe box and lower instep height allowing for better ground feel throughout the swing. The waterproof microfiber leather upper has a skeletally engineered ultralight FantomFit support to provide superior fit. The REVlite midsole provides maximum comfort while walking the course. The Minimus WP is back by a 2-year waterproof warranty.
           
Color: White/Black, Black/Purple
Sizes: 6 - 11; Widths B and D
Suggested Retail: $89.95
Availability: November 1, 2018
2-year waterproof warranty*

WOMEN'S MINIMUS SL

The Women's Minimus SL is also built on the NL-1 last and has a breathable mesh upper with the ultralight synthetic overlays. The lightweight spikeless shoe has the REVlite midsole for maximum comfort while walking the course and Ortholite insole for cool, dry comfort. The Minimus SL weighs only 6.6 ounces.

Color: White, Black, Light Grey, Khaki
Sizes: 6 - 11; Widths B and D
Suggested Retail: $69.95
Availability: November 1, 2018

WOMEN'S 574 SL

The Women's 574 is a spikeless golf shoe that features a water resistant microfiber leather upper. The REVlite midsole combines with the CUSH+ insole to create an ultra-soft responsive cushioning and comfort without sacrificing durability or stability.The shoe is built on a SL-2 last with a wider forefoot, deeper toe box and higher instep.

Color: White/Rose Golf
Sizes: 6 - 11; Widths B and D
Suggested Retail: $79.95
Availability: November 1, 2018
Like all New Balance golf shoes, the new women's line is ready to wear on the course right out of the box.

To
learn more about New Balance, visit www.newbalance.com.

Boca Lago Country Club, Hilton Boca Raton Suites Offer Special Stay-and-Play Golf Package

Experience Provides a Taste of Luxury Private Club Life

(BOCA RATON, Fla.) — Fresh off a dynamic golf course renovation, Boca Lago Country Club has partnered with the nearby Hilton Boca Raton Suites to offer the experience of a luxurious country club lifestyle.

Starting November 22 through 2019, the all-suite hotel, situated lakeside in Boca Raton, and the full-service private club sitting on 250 pristine acres of natural landscape, are offering guests special discounts that include a two-room suite, cooked-to-order breakfast daily, a round of golf per day, evening cocktail reception, and complimentary wi-fi. Additional golf rounds can be purchased.

Boca Lago Country Club, located in the heart of Palm Beach County, is also undergoing a $3.6-million renovation of the clubhouse and will soon feature upgraded dining areas and pool complex, as well as all-new outdoor dining and gathering spaces.

Member-for-a-day guests on this special package are welcome to tour the facilities and learn more about the club, including its competitive full and seasonal golf or/social memberships in a number of categories, including single, family, executive junior, and corporate.

“This package provides an excellent way for prospective members to experience a taste of all Boca Lago Country Club life offers,” said General Manager Steve O’Neill. “The recent renovations have revitalized the club and contribute to our unwavering commitment of offering a congenial club atmosphere, a full slate of amenities, and a healthy lifestyle.”

For further information, call the hotel at 561/483-3600, ext. 2 and reference the “Boca Lago Country Club Offer.” For additional club information, visit www.bocalago.com or call the clubhouse (561/482-5000), membership (561/869-8840), or special events (561/869-8834).

TPT Golf Expands Distribution to Malaysia with MST Golf

(RENENS, SWITZERLAND) - TPT Golf is launching its much-anticipated line of revolutionary golf shafts to golfers in Malaysia through MST Golf, the country's largest golf retail specialist.

MST Golf will be the exclusive retailer of TPT Golf shafts in Malaysia, offering TPT Golf shaft fittings at its Technical Centers located at TPC Kuala Lumpur, the Intermark Mall in Kuala Lumpur, and at its Petaling Jaya Superstore, the largest fitting and service center in Malaysia. MST Golf will also make TPT Golf shafts available to golfers through mobile fitting events located throughout the country.

"We're excited to partner with MST Golf in Malaysia where demand for TPT Golf shafts has been incredibly high," says TPT Golf Director Sebastian Sebayang. "Each time we enter a new market, we strive to ensure we're partnering with a company that shares our vision of offering golfers not only the best experience and technology currently available, but also the highest level of fitting expertise. With MST Golf, we've found a perfect fit."

Since launching its innovative line of golf shafts less than two years ago, TPT Golf has already achieved 10 professional wins across the globe, earning the Switzerland-based company the reputation of "The Hottest New Shaft on Tour." The company's impressive resume currently boasts wins on seven professional tours, including the PGA Tour, European Tour, Champions Tour, Asian Tour, LPGA of Korea, LPGA of Japan, and a World Golf Championship.

"We are excited to be in partnership with TPT Golf, which is gaining popularity among serious golfers and tour players alike," says Ng Yap, CEO of MST Golf. "We have witnessed the increase in performance, as well as the improved launch monitor numbers when fitted correctly. Our certified fitters are looking forward to offering TPT Golf shafts to our consumers."

TPT Golf creates its driver and fairway wood golf shafts differently than any other golf shaft company. The company's patent-pending, automated golf shaft manufacturing technology -- the Thin-Ply Winding Method -- is a pioneering process that allows TPT Golf to position its carbon fiber prepreg in the exact locations and orientations necessary to create the optimal performance for golfers of all abilities. It also removes the inconsistencies present in conventional graphite shafts such as "spines" and "seams" that have been plaguing golfers for decades.

When a TPT Golf shaft is properly fit, its more axially consistent design results in more consistent impacts. The combination of more consistent impacts and TPT Golf's optimized bending profiles are what result in significant distance gains, as well as straighter and more consistent drives.

TPT Golf shafts are sold exclusively through its network of Authorized Fitters, which currently includes more than 200 elite fitters located across the world. Golfers can visit https://tptgolf.com/where-to-buy/ to locate a TPT Golf Authorized Fitter near them.

Alex Green Receives 4th Annual Tom Cousins Award at 2018 East Lake Cup

Award Recognizes Outstanding Collegiate Golfer Who Excels in Academics, is Engaged In Their Community

(ATLANTA) – The recipient of the 4th annual Tom Cousins Award was announced Monday night in conjunction with the East Lake Cup in Atlanta, with Alex Green (University of Alabama) being presented with the award. The honor recognizes a collegiate golfer best representing the values of the award: excelling in academics and engagement in the community.

A junior majoring in finance (minor in economics), Green (Fairhope, Ala.) is a member of the university’s honors college and has been among the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll for the duration of his collegiate career, and is a two-time member of the Southeastern Conference All Community Service team. His long list of community involvement includes volunteering at the University of Alabama Special Olympics and serving as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee campus collaboration chairman. Green also was presented with the Alabama Men’s Golf Scholastic Achievement Award earlier this year.

The Tom Cousins Award is named after developer and philanthropist Tom Cousins, who laid out an aspirational blueprint to revitalize the East Lake community of Atlanta by providing cradle-to-college education, mixed-income housing and community wellness to break the cycle of poverty to create a holistic environment. East Lake now acts as a national model for community redevelopment through Purpose Built Communities for transforming a struggling community into a thriving neighborhood.

The East Lake Cup is being contested over three days, following the format from the final three days of the NCAA men’s and women’s golf national championships. Day 1 consists of an individual stroke play competition to determine the individual champion and to seed for two days of match-play competition. The final two days of the competition feature two match-play tournaments hosted simultaneously for the men’s and women’s divisions, with the semifinals taking place on Tuesday and the finals and consolation matches on Wednesday.

Teams for the East Lake Cup are competing on the championship golf course at East Lake Golf Club, home of the TOUR Championship, the season-ending event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The East Lake Cup benefits the East Lake Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to helping families build better lives and children reach their highest potential through its holistic approach to community revitalization incorporating mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education and community wellness. The East Lake Cup has raised nearly $1.5 million for the East Lake Foundation since its inception in 2015. Mercedes-Benz, CSX, Bridgestone Golf and ZipRecruiter are sponsors for the 2018 East Lake Cup.

For more information about the East Lake Cup please visit the tournament website www.golfchannel.com/eastlakecup. Stay connected with the championship using the hashtag #EastLakeCup.

Short Par 4 Reveals New Fall, Winter Pieces for Their Fairway and Executive Memberships

(SARASOTA, FL) - Short Par 4, a golf inspired box subscription service that ships hand curated, top quality, branded golf apparel, footwear and accessories directly to golfers, announced today that the company is introducing new fall and winter pieces for both the Fairway and Executive Memberships.

All the new pieces are from a new, rich, and bold palette which is built around staple colors like pale gray, black and winter cream but then are complemented with vibrant colors. Each combination has been seamlessly styled. Some of the color stand outs are deep burgundy, soft orange, dusty rose, mint green and more.

With the season changing, Short Par 4 brought in new outer wear which can be worn on or off the golf course. New pieces include vests, long sleeve shirts, and high performance jackets. New darker footwear has been added too. The new black Puma and new dark gray Callaway footwear are sure to be a hit.

“Our members at the Fairway and Executive levels are going to be thrilled when they receive their fall and winter deliveries. The new products, collections and colors are remarkable,” said Short Par 4 CEO Bobby DiMeo,

Both the Fairway and Executive Memberships are subscriptions from the Classic Membership Collection. These costs vary from $49.95 to $99.95. The Fairway Membership is Short Par 4’s first subscription platform. It includes a two item branded outfit or one branded item and accessory that is personally curated to your style and color preference. This box will be delivered monthly for a $49.95 subscription. Typically, this box on average should be worth $100 at retail.

The Executive Membership is Short Par 4’s second subscription platform. This box includes “In-season”, premium, brand name apparel and complementing items. It also includes complimentary shipping and exchanges. This box will be delivered monthly for a $99.95 subscription. Typically, this box on average will be worth $200 at retail.

For more information on the Fairway and Executive Memberships, please visit the company website at https://www.shortpar4.com/pages/choose-package.

For more information, visit www.shortpar4.com.

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PGA National Resort & Spa Announces Perry Baldwin as Director of Golf Sales

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) – PGA National Resort & Spa – home of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic and former Ryder Cup venue – announces Perry Baldwin as its new director of golf sales.

Perry Baldwin

Baldwin comes to PGA National with over 25 years of experience and success in the hospitality industry. He began his career with Hilton Hotels in New Orleans before leaving a legacy in upper echelon sales positions with Hyatt Regency, Sheraton World Resort, Adam’s Mark Hotel, Buena Vista Palace Hotel and most recently, Diamond Resorts in Orlando.

Baldwin has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in hospitality administration from Florida State University in Tallahassee.

“Perry’s vast knowledge of the hospitality industry as well as the golf landscape in Florida will make him an ideal addition to our team,” says Greg Saunders, PGA National’s vice-president and managing director. “He will help us continue our strong momentum of growth through his robust network ties and expertise as we further enhance our position as one of the premier golf resort destinations in the U.S.”

More information: www.pgaresort.com, 800.863.2819.

SkyGolf Celebrates its 20th Anniversary with the Launch of the Limited Edition SkyCaddie SX500

SX500 has Unmatched Power and the Largest and Best View in Golf

(RIDGELAND, MS) - In commemoration of the company’s 20th Anniversary and in appreciation of its over 1 million customers, SkyGolf, maker of SkyCaddie, the most trusted Rangefinder in Golf, recently released its Limited Edition SkyCaddie SX500 GPS handheld with much acclaim. The SX500 is powerful, reliable, ruggedized, packed with stroke-saving technology and delivered with the largest and most visually stunning display among distance measuring devices in golf.

“Since 1998, SkyGolf has been dedicated to pioneering the use of GPS products to help golfers to improve their game. SkyCaddie is known for its accuracy and dedication to course mapping on the same ground golfer’s play rather than thousands of miles away on a computer. We believe that golfers can play better, play faster and have more fun, but only if they have distances they can trust in a readable, easy-to-use and intuitive interface,” said Jacqui Surman, SkyGolf Senior VP and COO. “We want golfers to play up to their full potential and have fun, too.  So, we combined our twenty years of experience with the comments and suggestions of our many loyal customers to create what we believe is the best SkyCaddie Handheld GPS ever. And our customers must think so as well because we sold out immediately and in spite of increasing our manufacturing, orders have grown even faster.”

Here are just a few comments from those who ordered theirs early:
- “The SX500 talks the language of golf and answers the questions you were about to ask.” - L. Nicoll, first time user
- “The features and screen size make the SX500 a true yardage book replacement. After 42 holes of golf, I still had 66% battery life left. The screen was readable even wearing sunglasses.” - T. Hoyer, SkyCaddie user for 11 years
- “SX500 sets the new standard for golf distance measuring devices. I love it! It's simple to use, with a clear display, even in bright sunlight. Start-up is quick: it’s easy to set up your round and update course maps via Wi-Fi. Accuracy is superb. You can see everything about the hole you’re playing laid out in front of you, especially hazards which are hidden by mounds or in fairway dips.” - L. Loberman, SkyCaddie user for 7 years
- “The SX500 is Awesome, Large screen easy to use, recharges fast, charges last longer.  Played two full rounds still had 57% battery. Accurate. And best customer support in the industry.” - P. Shepperley, SkyCaddie user for 12 years.

With its 5-inch, full high-definition touch screen driven by an ultra-fast multi-core processor, the SkyCaddie SX500 is the most powerful way to measure yardage while providing the very "best view" in golf with vivid graphics and super large numbers you can easily read and most importantly…TRUST!

It is loaded with powerful, but easy-to-use new features including: SkyCaddie PinPoint technology to support distances to daily pin positions; Dynamic HoleVue re-orients the entire highly-detailed hole map, automatically, so golfers can now see the entire hole from their point-of-view; HoleVue Plus providing easy “pinch and zoom” access to up to 40 geo-referenced integrated targets per hole; and Dynamic RangeVue providing customized ranging rings to match up with a golfer’s personal club ranges.

The SkyCaddie SX500 comes in a highly water-resistant, rugged design to stand up to most anything that comes its way on the course. With the largest battery in the industry, the SX500 is ready for an extra round or two. Using multi-constellation navigation satellite systems, the SX500 provides enhanced accuracy and overall better performance under tough conditions or tree cover.

Wi-Fi connectivity cuts the cord to streamline application updates and allows golfer to get the latest course information on demand without connecting to a computer. The SkyCaddie SX500 comes preloaded and “ready-to-play” with over 35,000 ground-verified, error-corrected courses without the short-cuts taken by the competition. Only SkyCaddie walks each course to record thousands of points with sub-meter precision that allows golfers to know and trust critical distances and manage their game better.

The powerful design of the SX500 includes a host of Intelligent Automation features such as Auto-Course Selection, Auto-Hole Advance, Auto-Zoom, Auto-Distance, Auto Green Depth and Rotating Auto-View making it "touch-free" from the parking lot to the 19th hole.

The SX500 provides a host of “patented” technology developed by SkyCaddie to help its customers play golf like a Pro.

With SkyCaddie’s patented IntelliGreen technology, the exact shape of the green automatically rotates to match your angle of approach to provide all of the distances you need to hit more greens and avoid 3-putts. This proprietary feature gives you a chance to turn every shot into a scoring opportunity by providing front carry and back distances, depth of green, and distances to any other point on the green — simultaneously. Available on select courses, IntelliGreen Pro is a dynamically-enhanced version of IntelliGreen that adds the ability to display major tiers, contours, false fronts, and mounds from your angle of approach to the green.

Only available on the SX500, the new and patented Dynamic HoleVue feature rotates the fairway and orients the green from your current position and angle of attack as you move from the tee to the green. Now, you see everything between you and the green instantly without touching a button and get the distances you need to avoid hazards and play your best golf. The group behind will play through if you try that with a laser!

With the SkyCaddie SX500, you learn quickly how far you hit each club. Customize RangeVue by entering your personal club yardages. Then as you play, you will see your club range next to the RangeVue ring on every part of the course for much improved shotmaking to fairways, layups and greens. RangeVue with Club Ranges provides added confidence on every shot to avoid hazards and dial-in approach shots for more birdie putts.

SkyCaddie PinPoint will obsolete lasers by providing the ability to get distances to the pin while getting all the benefits of IntelliGreen. Simply enter pin sheet or zone information into the SkyCaddie SX500 to get distances to the hole, front, center and back PLUS the depth and true shape green... AND all of this information is on one screen that changes automatically based on your current position and angle of approach from anywhere on the course…whether you can see the flag or not. With the SX500, you get more information, from more places, easier and faster and without aiming!

The SkyCaddie SX500 also provides digital scoring options for Stroke and Stableford with handicapping and tracks total putts and fairways hit. Turn the SX500 to the left or right and the AutoView feature displays a full 9-hole Digital Scorecard instantly in landscape mode.

More features of the SX500 include: Shot Distance Measurement to help track how far the ball goes and help golfers to learn club distances; Target List View to give a quick list of all the targets ahead of on the hole; and Tee Box Selection, Gender Selection, Dual Green Support with a yards or meters option, Stat Tracking and a North Indicator. The SkyCaddie SX500 also includes a 13-megapixel camera, enabling photos to be taken during the round and uploaded to the user’s SkyGolf 360 online account.

As with all SkyGolf e-golf products the SkyCaddie SX500 is built around the SkyGolf 360 platform, providing unmatched wireless connectivity for golfers to upload performance data captured during their round. SkyGolf 360 allows golfers to keep all performance data regardless of whether it comes from a rangefinder, a swing sensor, a performance tracker or a launch monitor in one place rather than scattered among various competitors with incompatible platforms. A single platform is not only to the golfer’s advantage, but it is also to the advantage of a teacher, PGA Professional or reseller to be able to offer all available tools a golfer can need to improve their performance from one source with the confidence their customers are getting the very best solution.

The SkyCaddie SX500 retails for $399.95. In the U.S., the SX500 comes with the introductory offer of a 1-year Double Eagle Worldwide Membership valued at $59.95

For more information, visit www.skygolf.com.

2016 Patriot All-America Invitational Champion, Cameron Champ Earns First PGA TOUR Victory

(PHOENIX, Ariz.) – Exactly one year, 9 months and 27 days since he hoisted the Patriot All-America Invitational trophy at The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Cameron Champ claimed his first career victory on the PGA TOUR at the Sanderson Farms Championship. In just his 9th start on TOUR, Champ shot 4-under 68 on Sunday at the Country Club of Jackson (Miss.) for a 21-under 267 total and a four-stroke victory.

“We often say that fans are seeing golf’s stars of tomorrow at the Patriot All-America,” said Karen Conway, executive director, Patriot All-America Invitational. “We knew back in 2016 after he won the Patriot All-America, he’d go on to do great things, but seeing Cameron’s swift rise through professional golf, in a relatively short amount of time, has been incredible to watch. We’re very excited for him.”

Now in its 8th year, the Patriot All-America is regarded as a top international amateur event, attracting PING All-America golfers from all three NCAA Divisions, NAIA and NJCAA rankings as well as from universities outside the United States.  The Patriot All-America is a collaboration between the Arizona Golf Association, JDM Partners, The West Valley Mavericks and the Golf Coaches Association of America in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. The Thunderbirds, hosts of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, also volunteer and support the event.

Patriot All-America Invitational participants play for more than themselves or their school. Each golfer honors a fallen or severely injured soldier by carrying a golf bag bearing the name of that soldier. Before the tournament, participants receive a card with the soldier’s story, so they can be familiar with who that person was, what they represented and how they were killed or wounded in action. At the conclusion of the tournament, the golf bags are shipped to players’ schools and auctioned with all proceeds benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Champ joins a host of Patriot All-America alumni to win on the PGA TOUR, including three-time major winner Brooks Koepka (2011 Patriot participant), Justin Thomas (2011), Daniel Berger (2012) and Bryson DeChambeau (2013). Champ, however, is the first former Patriot All-America champion to win on the PGA TOUR.

Champ first gained national attention in 2017 as an amateur for leading the field in driving distance at the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills.  Champ chose to forgo his senior season at Texas A&M, turning his sights to the 2017 Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament instead. In August of 2018, Champ picked up his first professional victory at the Web.com Tour’s Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, posting a 24-under 260 to set a new 72-hole tournament record.

"All the hard work over the years, all the sacrifice my family has made for me to be able to have this opportunity," said Champ after his Sanderson Farm’s victory. "This last year has been just amazing. I was in school this time last year, made it through Q-School, Web.com Tour, now PGA TOUR winner, it's just unreal."

At the 2016 Patriot All-America, Champ knocked in a one-foot putt for par on the second playoff hole to defeat Zach Olsen of Oklahoma State. Champ entered the final round tied for sixth, three-shots back of second round leader. During his final round, Champ shot a 4-under par 66 (203) that included six birdies and two bogeys to get into the playoff.

The 2018 Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers 54-hole, stroke play competition will be played December 29, 30 and 31 with a champion crowned at approximately 4 PM on New Year’s Eve. The winner of the tournament receives a sponsor exemption into the Web.com Tour’s Wichita Open played June 20 - 23 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas.

For more information on The Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers, visit www.patriotallamerica.com.

Golf Channel Academy Places 13 Coaches on List of Golf Digest's 'Best Young Teachers'

(Orlando, Fla.) – A record 13 Golf Channel Academy coaches, including nine lead coaches, were among those selected to Golf Digest magazine’s sixth biennial listing of the “Best Young Teachers in America”.

“We’re elated that so many of our coaches have been recognized by Golf Digest in this prestigious list of young, top teaching talent,” said Lorin Anderson, VP Instruction, for Golf Channel. “Golf Channel Academy is all about assisting the best teachers in the game with growing their businesses and standing out in their communities, and to have so many of our younger coaches included on this esteemed list validates the quality of our coaches and the trajectory their careers are headed.”

The group of top instructors under the age of 40 was expanded to 114 for 2018-’19, and includes teachers from New York to California. Among the Golf Channel Academy (GCA) lead coaches to make the list were:
· Jeremy Anderson – Legacy Golf Performance Center, Phoenix, Ariz.
· Jason Birnbaum – Manhattan Woods Golf Academy, West Nyack, N.Y.
· Devan Bonebrake – Southern California Golf Academy, Carlsbad, Calif.
· Eujone (EJ) Kim – Axis Golf Academy & Fitness Center, Montgomery, Texas
· Sean Lanyi – Tri-Mountain Golf Course, Ridgefield, Wash.
· Anders Mattson – Saratoga National Golf Club, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
· Kyle Morris – The Golf Room, Dublin, Ohio
· Jason Sedan – Fore Door Golf, Lake Winnipesaukee G.C., New Durham, N.H.
· Scott Wickham – Avila Golf & Country Club, Tampa, Fla.

Birnbaum is making his fourth consecutive appearance on the list of up-and-coming instructors, which debuted in 2008 as the “Top-20 Teachers Under 40”. Bonebrake, Kim, Mattson, Morris and Sedan are making their second straight appearance while Anderson, Lanyi and Wickham are all new to the list.

The four GCA staff coaches named to the list include:
· Tommy Sharp – Golf Lab, Salt Lake City, Utah
· Kaylin Skovron – Jeff Isler Golf, Southlake, Texas
· Mark Walder – DiJulia Golf, New Hope, Pa.
· Tyrus York – High Performance Golf Academy, Lexington, Ky.

Sharp and Walder are making their first appearance on the list.

Golf Digest’s editors surveyed teachers from their state and national rankings and tour players to assemble their list. They also looked at each candidate’s accomplishments and student successes, and who they learned from. The selected nominees were then categorized into six regions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and West.

Golf Channel Academy is a dedicated network of the highest quality instructors and teaching facilities (currently at 90 locations), all sharing marketing resources provided by Golf Channel, the game’s leading global multimedia and golf entertainment source. For more about Golf Channel Academy, including a full listing of all current locations and coaches, go to www.golfchannelacademy.com.

For the entire Best Young Teachers in America list, check out the November issue of Golf Digest (www.golfdigest.com).

Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach Golf Clubs Confirm Major Tour Events Schedule

With three events on the horizon, Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Clubs are getting ready to welcome the crowds and players

(Abu Dhabi, UAE) - Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Clubs have confirmed the dates for the major Tour events they will play host to in 2019, as the world-renowned venues continue to drive their reputation as world class golf destinations.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA returns to Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January, whilst there’s a new date in the calendar for the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. These events, bolstered by the Gary Player Invitational, mean that there’s a feast of golf for fans and Abu Dhabi to look forward to at the start of 2019.

The golf clubs, managed by the world’s leading golf management company, Troon, have become central figures in Abu Dhabi’s evolution into one of the most innovative and progressive cities in the world. This progression is further demonstrated as Abu Dhabi has even more to offer outside of the golf clubs and its events, with highlights in the sporting calendar such as Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (22nd-25th November 2018), football’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup (5th January-1st February 2019) and the Red Bull Air Race (2019 dates TBC).

Visitors to Abu Dhabi will not only enjoy these events as well as experience playing championship golf courses and staying in luxury hotels, and the opportunity to take in some of the best sites Abu Dhabi has to offer, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Yas Island attractions.

Further details on the upcoming golf events:

Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open: 10th-12th January 2019
The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in partnership with the Ladies European Tour, are set to host the third Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open. This event marks a milestone event in the women’s golfing calendar, as it was the first-ever ladies professional golf event to take place in Abu Dhabi. Last year, the tournament was held in November during which a field of 126 Ladies European Tour players competed over the stunning, Gary Player designed ocean-front course at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The format next January will be different to previous editions, with a new, shortened 54-hole Pro-Am format.

Gary Player Invitational: 13th January 2019
The Gary Player Invitational (GPI) in the United Arab Emirates was first launched in Abu Dhabi and historically has been the first leg of the 2019 GPI global series of world-leading charity golf events. Past events have been hugely successful, not just in terms of a world-class experience and high-profile Tour Professional participation, but also in raising funds for charity. A star-studded cast of golf professionals and celebrities will join Gary Player in 2019 at Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Beach Golf Club over two days, to celebrate a ‘Union of Golf and Giving’.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA: 16th – 19th January 2019
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA is often deemed the unofficial start to the European Tour, drawing in massive names every year, with an attractive prize pot of around $2,700,000. Last year eight of the World’s Top 20 played in the early season event, leading to another thrilling championship in Abu Dhabi. Next year’s event is predicted to be no different, as Tommy Fleetwood will be looking to capture an incredible three consecutive wins at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. This is the largest event on the Abu Dhabi annual golfing calendar and a stop on the European Tour that never disappoints the players or the fans.

Commenting on the major events, Ed Edwards, General Manager at Abu Dhabi GC and Saadiyat Beach GC, said: “These three events are driving Abu Dhabi forward, not only as a golfing location but also a fantastic destination with lots more on offer visitors, and we are excited to witness the drama that they promise this year. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA has been highly anticipated over the last 8 months, as everyone is excited to see if Fleetwood can make it three in a row. It will not be an event to miss.

“The Fatma Bint Mubarak Ladies Open should also not be overlooked or put in a shadow of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA. It is at the forefront of growing golf in the UAE and has caused a spike in Emirati ladies golf because of the quality of the event. With the Gary Player Invitational to follow, the early season events in Abu Dhabi will certainly give golf fans a lot to look forward to.”

To find out more about these major golf events, or for group bookings and tourism queries, contact Clinton Norris on cnorris@adgolfclub.ae

For more information about Abu Dhabi Golf Club, visit: http://www.adgolfclub.com

For more information about Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, visit: http://www.sbgolfclub.ae

Bob Sowards Holes Out for Eagle; Rallies to Win the 30th Senior PGA Professional Championship

(PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.) – Bob Sowards may live in Dublin Ohio, but when he travels the 1,056 miles to PGA Golf Club, he transforms into a gambler playing with house money.

Perhaps the winningest PGA Professional ever on the property with 17 wins in winter events, Sowards cashed in for his sweetest title yet in the Sunshine State Sunday by holing out for eagle on the 16th hole of the Wanamaker Course to carry him to the 30th Senior PGA Professional Championship.

With holes running out and trailing playing partner Dan Olsen of Robinson, Illinois, by two strokes and Omar Uresti by one, Sowards hit a 5-hybrid into a greenside bunker on the 493-yard, par-5 16th hole. From there, he blasted out and watched the ball trickle into the hole.

Sowards vaulted into the lead and closed by two-putting from 35 feet at No. 18, making a nervy five-footer for par for a two-stroke victory. He posted an even-par 72 for a 13-under-par 275 total.

The first Southern Ohio PGA Member to win the Leo Fraser Trophy, Sowards capitalized in his championship debut by collecting a first-place prize of $21,500. He became the second player in PGA history to win both a PGA Professional Championship (2004) and the Senior PGA Professional crown. Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah, also accomplished the feat in 2016.

“I kept telling myself to ‘free up, free up’ maybe 1,000 times today,” said Sowards, the PGA Director of Instruction at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio. “Today was a complete grind because of the wind. I’m very proud of myself for hitting that 6-iron 162 yards into the wind to 18 and then making that last putt.”

Uresti, a PGA Life Member from Austin, Texas, and the 2017 PGA Professional Champion, three-putted the last hole for a 74 and shared runner-up at 277 with Walt Chapman of Knoxville, Tennessee, who recorded a 69, the day’s best round.

Olsen, who shared the 54-hole lead and who was 11-under par on the par-5s through 61 holes, before a disastrous three-putt bogey at No. 16 ended his chances. He finished bogey-double bogey for a 76, sharing fifth with Brad Lardon of Santa Fe, New Mexico (72) at 279.

Sowards, who turned 50 in June, said that he thought he hit a “great 5-hybrid” to the 16th green. Then, he was looking for a “decent” lie in the bunker.

“I was just trying to get it out into the shadow of the flag, but it got even better and better,” said Sowards. “Omar knew it was good before I did. That eagle calmed me. I didn’t hit a bad shot after that.”

Uresti, also making his Championship debut, lamented his putting in an attempt. He faced a 34-footer for birdie at 18, but three-putted. “I may have misread a few of them today and maybe got too quick with some of my strokes, I don’t know which, said Uresti.

“It was a grind today. The wind was playing havoc with the ball and you were trying to get the right clubs. We played better than what we scored. I had several opportunities that I missed, as so did Bob. That bunker shot he made on 16 was clutch. It was five or six feet away and I knew it was in and raised my hands.”

For Chapman, his steady play, including a pair of birdies on the back nine left himself in contention. “I was really surprised when I saw the board midway through the back nine. I thought, ‘I’m still in this thing!’ But I never could get the birdie I needed on the final two holes.”

The 30th Senior PGA Professional Championship is supported by GolfAdvisor.com and John Deere.
 
Sherry Andonian of Centennial, Colorado, the first woman to compete in Championship history, closed with a 73 and 1-over-par 289 overall.
 
“I hit my driver the best that I have hit it all year,” said Andonian, the PGA Teaching Professional at Valley Country Club in Aurora, Colorado. “I didn’t miss the center of the fairway. On some holes, it was too much. The wind was completely different today than what we had all week. That made it tough.”
 
Andonian, who next week will be honored as the first Colorado PGA Women’s Player of the Year, will continue to prepare for April when she debuts in the PGA Professional Championship at Belfair in Bluffton, South Carolina.
 
Stuart Smith of Reno, Nevada, completed one of the more memorable physical tests among the field. Having lost vision in his right eye a week ago due to a detached vitreous layer, he held on to record a 71 that left him tied for 11th at 271. He will undergo laser eye surgery on Friday.
 
The low 35 scorers earn a berth in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, May 23-26, 2019, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

Golf Channel to Showcase 30 Hours of News, Tournament Coverage from 2018 East Lake Cup

Men’s Field: Alabama, Auburn, Duke, Oklahoma State;

Women’s Field: Alabama, Arizona, Stanford, USC

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – Golf Channel will dedicate 30 hours of news and tournament coverage to one of the final collegiate events of the 2018 fall season, the East Lake Cup collegiate match play championship, Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 29-31. Now entering its fourth year, the East Lake Cup features the eight semifinalists from the 2018 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s golf championships, taking place historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and benefitting the East Lake Foundation.

REIGNING NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS HEADLINE ELITE FIELD: The men’s division of the East Lake Cup will include the reigning NCAA national champions and current top-ranked Oklahoma State University; 2018 NCAA runner-up and 2013-14 national champions University of Alabama; 2018 SEC conference champions Auburn University and the current No. 2 ranked team in the country, Duke University.

The women’s division will be headlined by reigning national champions University of Arizona, 2018 NCAA runner-up and current top-ranked University of Alabama, 2015 NCAA national champions Stanford University and two-time East Lake Cup champions University of Southern California.

The field also will feature several of the world’s top-ranked amateur golfers, including Oklahoma State’s Viktor Hovland (4) and Matthew Wolff (5), Alabama’s Davis Riley (10), Stanford’s Albane Valenzuela (5) and Andrea Lee (7), and Alabama’s Jiwon Jeon (8).

GOLF CHANNEL NEWS AND TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: Live tournament coverage of the East Lake Cup will air on Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. ET Monday-Wednesday and will replay in primetime. In addition, Golf Central and Morning Drive will surround live tournament coverage with pre- and post-event news coverage.

BROADCAST TEAM: Golf Channel’s on-air team for the East Lake Cup will feature Bob Papa and Curt Byrum serving as play-by-play host and analyst from the 18th hole broadcast booth. Steve Burkowski will serve as a hole announcer, with Notah Begay, Billy Ray Brown and Kay Cockerill reporting from the course. Chantel McCabe will conduct interviews and report for Golf Central. Burkowski and Golf Channel Digital senior writer Ryan Lavner also will contribute to both Golf Central and Morning Drive throughout the week.

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE: Golf Channel’s on-site social media coverage will include dedicated Facebook Live activations, as well as Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter content via the network’s social media handles. Social media host Alexandra O’Laughlin will contribute to the network’s social media channels with live activations on-site with on-air personalities and players in the field. Golf Channel also will integrate social media into East Lake Cup live tournament coverage. Fans also can stay connected with the championship on social media using the hashtag #EastLakeCup.

News, instruction and tournament coverage of the East Lake Cup will be streamed live via Golf Channel Digital. Complete information on the East Lake Cup can be found on the tournament website here.

Golf Channel East Lake Cup News / Tournament Coverage (live, all times ET)
Oct. 29 Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Oct. 29 Golf Central Pre Game 2-3 p.m.
Oct. 29 Individual Stroke Play Championship 3-6 p.m. (live) / 10 p.m.-1 a.m. (replay)
Oct. 29 Golf Central 6-7 p.m.

Oct. 30 Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Oct. 30 Golf Central Pre Game 2-3 p.m.
Oct. 30 Semifinals, Match Play 3-6 p.m. (live) / 10 p.m.-1 a.m. (replay)
Oct. 30 Golf Central 6-7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Oct. 31 Golf Central Pre Game 2-3 p.m.
Oct. 31 Finals, Match Play 3-6 p.m. (live) / 10 p.m.-1 a.m. (replay)
Oct. 31 Golf Central 6-7 p.m.

FEATURES:
· Oklahoma State Sophomore Matthew Wolff – Ryan Lavner visits Stillwater, Okla., for a sit down with sophomore Matthew Wolff, who has finished 1st in each of his tournaments during the fall season. Wolfe discusses his unique swing and how he has overcome skeptics to become one of the top-ranked amateurs in the world.
· University of Arizona’s National Championship Run – Chantel McCabe revisits Arizona’s run at Karsten Creek in claiming their first team national championship since 2000, which featured a dramatic playoff to advance to match play and a playoff to win the national title.
· Southern California Sophomore Gabi Ruffels – Steve Burkowski examines the unlikely rise of Gabi Ruffels. A top-ranked junior tennis player who transitioned to golf in high school, Ruffels has blossomed from a 15-handicap four years ago to now a collegiate winner and an integral member of the Trojans.
· East Lake Foundation and History of East Lake Golf Club – East Lake Golf Club’s rich history and legacy was overshadowed by the deterioration of the community in the late 1980’s-1990’s. Golf Channel takes a look at the vision of Tom Cousins and the East Lake Foundation’s revitalization of the East Lake Community, which today is a benchmark for Purposed Built Communities currently in development nationwide.

TOM COUSINS AWARD PRESENTATION, MONDAY, OCT. 29: The East Lake Cup features the presentation of the Tom Cousins Award, an annual recognition of an outstanding collegiate golfer who exemplifies the values of the East Lake Foundation: excels in academics, is engaged in his or her community and demonstrates an ability to overcome adversity. The 2018 Tom Cousins Award presentation will take place at the East Lake Cup Celebration Monday night, Oct. 29 at East Lake. This award is named after Tom Cousins, founder of the East Lake Foundation, which transformed a community in despair into a thriving neighborhood, now a national model for community redevelopment through Purpose Built Communities.

FREE GENERAL ADMISSION FOR EAST LAKE CUP: General admission and parking for the East Lake Cup is free and open to the public. Complimentary tickets are available here and free parking is located at the Charles R Drew Charter School: 301 East Lake Blvd., Atlanta, Ga. Shuttle service will be provided to and from East Lake Golf Club.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT: The East Lake Cup will be contested over three days, following the format from the NCAA men’s and women’s golf national championships. On Monday, Oct. 29, the eight teams will compete in individual stroke play competition to determine the individual champion and to seed for two days of match-play competition. Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 30-31, two match-play tournaments will be hosted simultaneously for the men’s and women’s divisions, with the semifinals taking place on Tuesday and the finals and consolation matches on Wednesday.

Teams for the East Lake Cup will compete on the championship golf course at East Lake Golf Club, home of the TOUR Championship, the season-ending event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The East Lake Cup benefits the East Lake Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to helping families build better lives and children reach their highest potential through its holistic approach to community revitalization incorporating mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education and community wellness. The East Lake Cup has raised nearly $1.5 million for the East Lake Foundation since its inception in 2015. Mercedes-Benz, CSX and Bridgestone Golf are sponsors for the East Lake Cup in 2018.

ABOUT THE EAST LAKE FOUNDATION
Founded in 1995 on the belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, the East Lake Foundation collaborates with public and private organizations to provide tools that enable Atlanta’s East Lake residents to build a better future through its model for community revitalization.
The East Lake model includes cradle-to-college education at Charles R. Drew Charter School and its early learning partners, mixed-income housing at The Villages of East Lake and community wellness through programs including The First Tee® of East Lake, the Resident and Community Support Program, and the Start:ME East Lake micro-entrepreneur program. This approach to building a strong community not only helps break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, but creates a place where people of all ages and incomes choose to live. East Lake has become a national model for holistic community revitalization programs through its sister organization, Purpose Built Communities. Additional information is available at www.eastlakefoundation.org.

Simon Lilly Wins the Inaugural BERMUDA 3s Presented by Goslings

Representatives from three nations win solo and team competitions

(SOUTHAMPTON, BERMUDA) – The BERMUDA 3s World Team Championship presented by Goslings – an exciting new golf championship contested by pro-am teams from around the world – was won by professional Simon Lilly of Northamptonshire, England, at five-under-par.

Lilly took over once the tournament arrived at the final round venue, the famous par-3 Turtle Hill Golf Club at the Fairmont Southampton, on Wednesday. He fired a course record, bogey-free seven-under-par 47, and maintained his lead as he cruised to victory on Thursday over professionals from around the world.

“I just went out and tried to score as low as possible and got off to a nice start and just kept it going,” says, Lilly. “We had a bit of rain and a couple of really heavy downpours. There was also a little bit of breeze but nothing major. It was just one of those good days.”

In the team competition, Cary Sciorra (P), Tom Tracy, Tom Corr and John Coleman of Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla., won the low gross division. In the low net division, Bermudians Dwayne Pearman (P), Michael Dunkley, Christopher Morris and Craig Christensen of Turtle Hill prevailed earning the gold medal.

BERMUDA 3s presented by Goslings, is the creation of two golf industry veterans, Joe Steranka, former CEO of the PGA of America, and Honda Classic Executive Director, Ken Kennerly. Sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings Rum, PGA Professionals from the U.S., Great Britain & Ireland, Bermuda and Estonia competed individually for $52,000 in professional money.

“We could not have asked for a better start to this new world pro-am,” says Steranka. “From Mid Ocean, Port Royal, Turtle Hill and the Fairmont Southampton all being amazing hosts, to the quality of play from our participants, it has truly been a world-class event.”

Bermuda has been a popular international golf destination since hosting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 2007-’14 at Mid Ocean and Port Royal. The Fairmont Southampton was the host hotel for those competing and home to championship venue, Turtle Hill Golf Club.

“This amazing country has long been an international meeting place for sports,” says co-founder Kennerly. “To have  champions in the professional, team gross and team net divisions from three different countries is what we dreamed of when we created this event.”

For full 2018 Bermuda 3s results, visit: https://bermuda3s.com/golf-genius/scoring.html

PGA Professionals or amateurs may register online for the 2019 Bermuda 3s at bermuda3s.com, via email at info@bermuda3s.com or by calling (561) 379-2134.