(RALEIGH, N.C.) — McConnell Golf has expanded its footprint across the southeast with the purchase of two golf clubs in Virginia located on Smith Mountain Lake.
Always aiming to have the exact number of clubs with “14 clubs in the bag,” McConnell Golf and its affiliates now have a “full set of clubs” with the purchase of The Water’s Edge Country Club and The Westlake. Both golf clubs are set along the shores of Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia’s Roanoke region, southeast of Roanoke and southwest of Lynchburg.
McConnell Golf Virginia Club Management, LLC, a McConnell Golf affiliate, will be operating both clubs.
McConnell Golf President & CEO John McConnell first started playing The Water’s Edge in Penhook, Va., with friends in the early 1990’s. McConnell says he almost immediately, “Fell in love with the golf course and Smith Mountain Lake.”
“In 1994, I bought my first property in The Water’s Edge and my family has enjoyed our ‘home away from home’ for 25 years,” said McConnell.
Established in 1988, The Water's Edge Country Club features a private, 18-hole golf course designed by R.F. Loving, Jr. Encompassing 13.5 miles of Smith Mountain Lake shoreline, The Water’s Edge provides unparalleled mountain views, in addition to lake vistas on 15 holes. In 2007, the golf course was fully renovated by Pinehurst-based golf course architect Richard Mandell, who also renovated the Country Club of Asheville for McConnell Golf.
Beyond its 36,000 square foot clubhouse, The Water’s Edge members enjoy an extensive variety of amenities including golf, tennis, swimming, fitness, boating, fishing and horseback riding. The community — developed by Ron Willard, from the Willard Companies — is almost fully constructed.
“The Water’s Edge residents comprise 100 percent of the club’s membership roster,” said McConnell Golf Chief Operating Officer Christian Anastasiadis. “Although The Water’s Edge is a second home community, with beautiful vistas on the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains, many members have resided full-time at the retreat during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Also previously owned by the Willard family and designed by Virginia native Russell Breeden, The Westlake is an enjoyable, public golf course in Hardy, Va., that offers a memorable layout, along with all zoysia fairways. “The Westlake Golf Course gives you the feel of playing in the mountains, with some good elevation changes,” said McConnell Golf VP of Golf Operations Brian Kittler. “The golf course, especially from the fairway perspective with zoysia, is in great shape and enjoyable to play.”
McConnell Golf now owns 15 clubs and operates 17 courses total — a total of 324 holes, as two courses offer 27 holes. This includes Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club, the longtime home of the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship, designed by late golf course architect Donald Ross. McConnell Golf is the only individual golf course proprietor in the world that owns four Ross-designed courses.
“McConnell Golf is a company that has set its vision on building clubs of the future,” said Anastasiadis. “We see things differently than other clubs or operators, focusing on the little nuances that make a trip to the club memorable for the customer.”
McConnell Golf is an owner and operator built upon the concept of “pure golf for the true golfer,” focusing on enhancing both the individual club’s and its company’s overall membership value. The McConnell Golf portfolio throughout the Carolinas, Tennessee and now Virginia includes courses designed by legends Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Hale Irwin and Ellis Maples.
“The Willard family has built impressive golf and country clubs in the Smith Mountain Lake region,” said McConnell. “We look forward to being good stewards of these wonderful properties that are great additions to our portfolio.”
McConnell Golf has had an eventful 2020. In addition to the company’s expansion in southwest Virginia with The Water’s Edge and The Westlake, and the addition of Porters Neck Country Club in Wilmington, N.C., Raleigh Country Club recently unveiled a $5.5 million restoration of Donald Ross’ last design by architect Kyle Franz.
CAG is a non-profit corporation that serves as a unified voice for its members in front of various legislative and regulatory bodies that affect their common interests in the game and industry of golf. The Alliance was formed initially to deal almost exclusively with water issues, then grew to include more environmental issues. CAG is involved with legislative and regulatory issues at local, regional and national levels of government.
The Alliance is governed by a board that includes the state’s amateur golf associations, PGA sections, GCSAA chapters, California NGCOA chapter and others within the California golf industry. The Alliance is further supported by a legislative committee that elicits the participation of additional leaders in the California golf community.
In the previous decade, CAG collaborated with California’s Department of Water Resources to create a golf separate chapter of the state’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. CAG developed a protocol with the state’s largest water provider, Los Angeles Water & Power, for allowing golf courses to maintain absolute control of their irrigation regimens during various stages of drought, and they retained a lobbying firm to give the golf community ongoing presence in the capitol and quick access to legislators. CAG has helped reduce the industry’s water footprint and greatly contributed to a more positive perception of the game of golf.
In the 2019-2020 session, CAG has developed a provision of substantial relief in the legislature’s codification of new law for independent contracting for PGA golf professionals desiring to continue working as independent contractors instead of employees. CAG also developed comprehensive white paper regarding the impact of envisioned changes to the state’s property tax structure to four varieties of golf course property. It will provide them with the accurate and unbiased information conducive of making informed choices.
“The allied associations that make up the California Alliance for Golf have worked together for years to combine their separate interests and constituencies into a coherent whole, capable of representing the statewide golf industry with one voice, with one message and one mission, all focused on what’s best for the game, industry, and especially those like golf superintendents who labor in it,” said Jim Ferrin, CGCS, vice president of CAG. Ferrin is a 36- year GCSAA member and is the superintendent at Timber Creek Golf Course at Sun City Roseville.
In addition, CAG played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic in restoring golf activities to California residents during the early stages of easing restrictions. They worked statewide and with individual counties to make the case for golf to be the first outdoor activity reinstated and sustained. A unison effort between various counties and CAG resulted in the development of county-specific Back2Golf protocols capable of meeting political muster in their locales. CAG lobbied for updates and amendments to the original health orders that restored the game as circumstances changed and permitted.
“GCSAA is fortunate to the California Alliance for Golf advocating at all levels of government for the game, which helps golf course managers use best practices,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA chief executive officer. “Their advocacy efforts advance the game and help bring golf to the front of legislative priorities. I thank them for their positive impact on the game and congratulate them on this well-deserved honor.”
CAG will be formally recognized Feb. 2 at the 2020 virtual Golf Industry Show. They will also be featured in an upcoming issue of GCSAA’s official monthly publication, Golf Course Management magazine.
“Together we have advanced the cause in what are probably the roughest political waters in the nation. We are honored by GCSAA’s recognition,” said Ferrin.
Nominees for the EGA Award were judged by the GCSAA Government Affairs Committee based on how their efforts best serve the interests of the golf course superintendent profession and the golf course management industry.
(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Matt Fitzpatrick and Matt Kuchar may have been nearly 8,000 miles apart, but the two Team Troon members both captured hard-fought victories just hours apart recently – Fitzpatrick at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, and Kuchar, with playing partner Harris English, at the QBE Shootout at Troon-managed Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples in Naples, Florida.
Following a week of practice and preparation at Troon International-managed Els Club Dubai, Fitzpatrick strung together four solid rounds at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, the European Tour’s season finale, to claim his second victory at that event. Fitzpatrick entered the final round tied for the lead, but began with four birdies, ultimately finishing at 15-under par and one shot ahead of Lee Westwood. This victory marks Fitzpatrick’s sixth European Tour title and moved him from No. 20 to 16th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
“The win at the weekend was a great way to end the 2020 season,” said Fitzpatrick. “I was lucky enough to get to Dubai early, from the US, and practice for four days at the Troon-managed Els Club Dubai. It was actually my first visit there and it was an unbelievable place to prep - the facilities are genuinely fantastic. I had my trainer over from the UK and we did some good work at their newly built state-of-the-art TroonFIT gym. Definitely an exciting way to finish the year and I’m already looking forward to getting out and competing in 2021."
Hours after Fitzpatrick’s victory, the team of Kuchar and English captured their third QBE Shootout victory at Tiburón Golf Club, this time in record-setting fashion. Not only were Kuchar and English, the first team to win the event three times (a record), they also finished at 37-under (a record), and won by nine strokes, topping their previous record by seven strokes.
“The conditions and setup were outstanding, so it’s certainly a credit to the teams at Tiburon and Troon for all of their work,” said Kuchar. “The greens were perfect, and it was fun to take advantage of that with Harris to make a lot of putts. It’s a course I always enjoy!”
“It was an amazing week and weekend for Team Troon,” said Kris Strauss, senior vice president sales and marketing, Troon. “First we celebrated Matt Fitzpatrick winning in Dubai coming off his week of practice and preparation at the amazing Els Club Dubai, then Kuchar and team claim a dominating victory at Troon-managed Tiburón in Naples. Congrats to both, and congratulations to the Tiburón team for their hard work pulling off two great events in back-to-back weeks in the QBE Shootout and the CME Championship.”
Team Troon is a collection of top international golf talent representing the Troon brand throughout professional golf. In addition to Fitzpatrick and Kuchar, other Team Troon members include Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland, Alex Noren, Cheyenne Woods and Colin Montgomerie. All carry full Troon-branded golf bags with #PlayTroon and #ExperienceTroon embroidered on the pockets. All Team Troon members also collaborate on select digital and social campaigns in cooperation with Troon and Troon-managed facilities.
Troon-managed or affiliated facilities host 18 professional golf events across 9 professional tours around the world. Including high-level amateur events and qualifying tournaments, Troon-managed facilities host more than 30 elite events.
For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
(LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic) – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences – will unveil a commemorative plaque honoring the life and legacy of the great Pete Dye on December 29, the first celebration of the date of his birth since he passed away in January.
The memorial to the World Golf Hall of Fame architect will reside just behind one of his legendary pot bunkers alongside the green of Teeth of the Dog’s visually stunning eighth hole. Teeth of the Dog is said to be Dye’s favorite golf course he designed and is widely considered the finest layout in the Caribbean. Mr. Dye and his late beloved wife, Alice, maintained a nearby home overlooking the course for decades.
Since opening in 1971, Teeth of the Dog has been on the “bucket list” of those seeking to play one of the top 50 golf courses in the world. Mr. Dye’s design hallmarks are all present: vast waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, hand-sculpted putting surfaces and a unique assortment of pot bunkers. “The Heaven 7” oceanfront holes are astoundingly beautiful, causing Mr. Dye to famously quip: “I created 11 holes and God created seven.”
“It is such an exceptional honor that Pete Dye and his incredible legacy will be linked to us forever,” says Gilles Gagnon, Casa de Campo’s senior golf sales director, director of golf emeritus, and longtime friend to the Dye family. “Both he and Alice felt at home here and we celebrate their gracious friendship and wonderful achievements with heartfelt joy and gratitude.”
Casa de Campo showcases two additional gems created by Mr. Dye. Twenty-seven-hole Dye Fore joined Teeth of the Dog in 2002. Its three nines – Chavon, Marina and Lakes – are distinct. Chavon features seven holes running atop cliffs dropping 300 feet, Marina meanders down to a harbor ringed by restaurants and shops, and Lakes is artfully crafted across tumultuous terrain. Golf course architecture aficionados call Dye Fore “the most underrated course in the Caribbean.”
Located in the interior of the property is the resort’s third Dye layout, The Links. The moderately hilly routing features tall Bahia grass framing bunkers and undulating greens presenting spectacular Caribbean views. Slightly over 7,000 yards from the back tees and playing to a slope of 126, it is considered one of the most forgiving and fun courses he created in his vast repertoire.
For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas call 800.877.3643, e-mail golf@ccampo.com.do or visit: www.casadecampo.com.do/.
(NORTH PALM BEACH, FL.) — Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma announced the signing of Dutch European Tour star Joost Luiten to wear its hand-crafted leather shoes in a multi-year deal from 1st January 2021.
A six-time winner on the European Tour, Luiten is the first global Tour player to be signed by the fast-growing brand, which is now based in Amsterdam under the stewardship of former HI-TEC owner Frank van Wezel.
“The signing of Joost is a major statement by the Duca del Cosma brand and will give all our stockists a boost as they present this year’s exciting ranges to their customers,” said Frank. “Having one of the world’s top-ranked players wear our latest models will make a significant difference to the brand’s profile – not just in Holland and across Europe, but in all 30 countries where Duca del Cosma shoes are sold worldwide,” he added.
The first Dutch player to win his national Open title twice (2011 & 2013), Luiten will be playing in the latest waterproof soft spike shoes and sneaker-style spikeless models this coming season. All the premium shoes in the Duca del Cosma golf range are designed exclusively in Italy by Creative Director Baldovino Mattiazzo – creator of the first spikeless golf shoe in 2006 – and manufactured in Portugal.
“I’m very proud to be wearing attractive and comfortable Duca del Cosma shoes that are designed and made to such a high standard in Europe,” said Joost, who qualified for the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. “The brand’s connection with The Netherlands makes it even more special for me and I can’t wait to promote these distinctive shoes on Tour - both on and off the golf course,” he added.
The 34-year-old will be hoping for a hat-trick of KLM Open wins next September when competing at the Bernardus Golf course. The Duca del Cosma brand has been a high-profile sponsor of the KLM Open since 2018 and will once again provide footwear to hundreds of volunteers and officials at one of the most popular events on the European Tour.
In total, Luiten has eight tournament wins since turning professional at +5 in 2006 and won more than €12m in prize money. His victories have come in France, Austria, Malaysia, Wales and Oman, where he won his last title in 2018 at the inaugural NBO Oman Open. He represented The Netherlands at the 2016 Olympics and in three World Cup contests.
Details of the latest Duca del Cosma ranges can be found at www.ducadelcosma.com.
(Sentosa Island, Singapore) — Sentosa Golf Club has officially reopened its world-class state-of-the-art championship course, The Serapong, after it underwent an extensive renovation to maintain its immaculate conditioning and playing standards.
The renovations are headlined by a new bunkering style with creative, artistic serrated edges to enhance The Serapong’s character and overall strategy, whilst elevating the course to a new level on the world stage. The club used 6,000 tonnes of new sand during the renovations to reinstate consistency, texture and tournament ready compaction for improved playability.
Modifications have also helped to enhance and preserve the personality of many of The Serapong’s iconic holes, including the signature 5th hole, which overlooks metropolitan Singapore and its bustling port.
Masterminded by Andrew Johnston, the club’s General Manager, Director of Agronomy and resident Golf Course Designer, The Serapong has been closed since March and, alongside the new bunkering, a number of other key course upgrades were implemented during that time.
These included the re-grassing of fairways, rejuvenating them with minor grading adjustments and improved drainage strategies, as well as modifying the greens soil profile by introducing new carbon technology to boost soil chemistry and profile structure.
Enhancements to the greens are set to make The Serapong’s putting surfaces even better, which is hard to believe given the wide acclaim they already receive from its members, guests and visiting Tour Professionals.
Finally, the renovations also paid close attention to the re-levelling of all tee boxes, reinstating them with the historic tabletop flat finish The Serapong is renowned for. It will enable the club to continue to maintain the tees at a super low mowing height of 3mm, improving the quality of the playing experience for members and guests.
Speaking ahead of The Serapong’s reopening, which is a soft launch ahead of a grand reopening next March, Andrew Johnston said: “The last time The Serapong was renovated was nearly 14 years ago and since then the course has grown to become one of the world’s best, picking up multiple accolades in the process. Despite the challenges presented by the worldwide pandemic, we have found a way to pull the Sentosa family together within the safe working restrictions to complete the works. This has been a very exciting project that was well overdue, and we are confident the changes implemented will only enhance the golfing experience for our members and guests.
“Being located in a sub-tropical climate means the golf course ages faster than an ordinary one, and these renovations are crucial to maintaining the quality of the playing surfaces, as well as the conditions and high-standards that we pride ourselves on here at Sentosa, 365 days of the year.”
Dominic Wall – Director – Asia-Pacific at The R&A, commented: “The newly renovated Serapong looks great, and continues to showcase why Sentosa Golf Club is one of the world’s leading golfing venues. It is fantastic to see that, throughout the entire process of the renovations, the project continued to align with the club’s ground-breaking sustainability agenda. With our Asia-Pacific headquarters located at the club, we look forward to seeing Sentosa’s members and guests back out on the fairways taking on The Serapong’s unique challenge.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & Chief Executive Offer at The Asian Tour, added: “The renovations undertaken on The Serapong by the team at Sentosa have been nothing short of breath-taking. The renovations have enabled The Serapong to retain its unique personality and characteristics that made it one of the world’s top golf courses, as well as the best golf course in Singapore. With the course now reopening to members, we are looking forward to welcoming back Asia’s best players next year to battle it out at the SMBC Singapore Open.”
The Serapong was originally designed by the world-famous golf course design firm Golf Plan and Ronald Fream, opening in 1982. The course was further renovated in 2006 by the Bates Golf Design Group, who were led at the time by their VP of Design and Construction, Andrew Johnston, and whose designs have seen the course’s trademark contours, extended stone-lined lakes and breath-taking Singapore harbour backdrop become renowned across the world.
It was recently voted ‘Singapore’s Best Golf Course’ for the second year in a row at the World Golf Awards back in October and finds itself regularly listed as one of the world’s greatest golf courses.
The Serapong has played host to the Singapore Open since 2005 (initially Barclays Singapore Open, then SMBC Singapore Open from 2015), welcoming some of the world’s finest players such as 2005, 2006 and 2010 winner Adam Scott, 2018 winner Sergio Garcia and rising Asian star Jazz Janewattananond, who captured the title in 2019.
The 2020 edition was one of the most memorable in history with all three of Rio’s 2016 Olympic medallists, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar in attendance. Kuchar eventually took the title finishing on 18 under par to beat Justin Rose by three.
For more information on Sentosa Golf Club visit www.sentosagolf.com.
(LOS ANGELES) — Script to Screen, a performance-driven marketing agency with 30 years of experience transforming products and services, such as Bare Escentuals, Shark Rotator, Gwynnie Bee, and Nutrisystem, into bestselling brands, has launched a 120-second TV spot for Adams Golf Tight Lies Fairway Wood Clubs, upon being contracted by TaylorMade Golf for commercials, website redesign and social media management.
The campaign, managed by M2 Marketing and Management, was designed by Script to Screen to share details of Adams Golf clubs design enhancements and prove that the brand has once again provided state-of-the-art products that will greatly enhance the sport and your score.
The redesigned Fairway Wood Clubs were developed to help three common problem maneuvers: trouble from the fairway, out of the long rough, and consistent tee shots.
The new ad features Golf Magazine Top 100 Golf Instructor Brian Mogg and famed sports broadcaster Dan Hellie discussing the tri-sole design, “extended face technology” and proprietary velocity slot of the clubs, features exclusive to Adams Golf. These features allow the club’s face to flex and rebound rapidly compelling the ball to go straight off the tee to its intended destination from the rough or anywhere on the fairway.
The TV spot features testimonials from satisfied golfers with a great variety of handicaps discussing the clubs’ benefits including a “massive hitting area,” which is 14% larger than most clubs. It features golfing action shots demonstrating how the clubs will boost confidence, lower scores and move golf performance forward – three typical golfer concerns.
“Adams Golf has created clubs that are designed to improve the game of every golfer and it was important that we portrayed their versatility in this ad,” said Ken Kerry, Co-Founder and Executive Creative/Strategy Director of Script to Screen. “We highlighted in with graphics the club features and the angles of golf shots themselves showing how these clubs have the next generation of performance club technology that will instantly improve the scores of both the average golfer and the competitive professional.”
The commercial includes the striking soundbite that “With Adams technology you’ll hit your shots high, long, and with the consistency you always wanted.”
The Script to Screen spot also demonstrates that the Fairway Wood clubs allow extra forgiveness and greater consistency. They provide a center of gravity very low inside the head giving a golfer enough versality to play a ball off any lie and offering a great trajectory.
The spot also emphasizes near its end the 30-Day Money Back Guarantee that comes by ordering the clubs via BuyTightLies.com.
For more information about Script to Screen, visit www.scripttoscreen.com. Learn more about TaylorMade Golf at (866) 530-TMAG (8624) or online at TaylorMadeGolf.com.
The ballot was conducted via public inquiry by the Knoxville News Sentinel from Aug. 4 – 31. Knoxville Municipal Golf Course is one of two municipal courses owned by the city and this is the first time “Knox Muni,” as it’s known by many, has been selected as the public’s favorite golf course.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by local golfers for all the hard work our team has put in throughout 2020,” says Justin Smedley, general manager. “I’m incredibly proud of how we have gone the extra mile to provide a fun, enjoyable and safe experience for our guests. To know our efforts are appreciated by the local community is an incredibly gratifying feeling.”
Opening in the spring of 1984, the course was designed by architect D.J. Devictor and built by the Roberts family, whom upon leasing the land to the city made sure it would only be used for golf. The 6,413-yard layout meanders through rolling hills, running streams and home to natural wildlife. Knoxville Municipal features Bermuda fairways and bentgrass greens making for a perfect setting amid scenic views for players of all abilities.
“We are thrilled to be given such high praise from players we interact with on a daily basis,” says Brent Maples, superintendent. “We look forward to providing golfers with the same first-class course conditions for many years to come.”
Knoxville Municipal Golf Course has a long-standing history of being a community asset and providing affordable golf for all its residents. The course plays host to a variety of school, church, non-profit foundation and other organizational fundraising events on an annual basis. Knoxville Municipal also graciously hosts many junior golf camps and clinics in partnership with the First Tee of Greater Knoxville, along with serving as a home for numerous middle and high school golf team practices and matches.
More information: www.golfknox.com, 865.691.7143.
(Worley, Idaho) – The Coeur d’Alene Tribe announced that through its partnership with the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship (NB3 JGNC), it has bestowed the 2020 Girls 14-18 age group winner with an exemption into next summer’s Circling Raven Championship, a Symetra “Road to the LPGA” Tour event.
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| Allyn Stephens |
“I am so thankful to the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for giving me this incredible opportunity to test my game against some of the world’s best players,” said Stephens, from Houston, Texas, who shot 74-65-69 to finish 8 under par in the NB3 JGNC. “It has always been my dream to play professional golf and I can't wait to get to Idaho next summer to play in the Circling Raven Championship."
The Circling Raven Championship’s partnership with NB3 JGNC is ideally aligned. A popular professional golf broadcaster, Begay is a Native American and erstwhile PGA Tour member who has dedicated himself, among other things, to promoting opportunities for youth through golf. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has used its award-winning golf course similarly and chose to host the Circling Raven Championship to empower youth, women, and Native Americans through the game. In addition to Begay’s Junior Tour champion, Stephens, the Tribe has provided a 2021 sponsor exemption to Gabby Lemieux, a Native American and Symetra Tour member.
“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s mission is to educate and celebrate the traditions, values and history of our people,” said Coeur d’Alene Casino CEO Laura Penney, MBA. “Partnering with the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship at the Circling Raven Championship meshes perfectly with our mission. Supporting the dreams and aspirations of young people and women golfers through the Symetra ‘Road to the LPGA’ Tour benefits all parties involved.”
Said Begay: “I must give special thanks to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and its leadership for providing this unique opportunity.”
The Circling Raven Championship (CRC) will be held Aug. 23-29, 2021 and feature a full field of competitors battling for $200,000 in prize money. Symetra Tour graduates have had great success on the LPGA, winning multiple events, including Major Championships. Nelly Korda, Inbee Park, and Lorena Ochoa are some of the many illustrious players who reached the LPGA through the Symetra Tour.
For more details about the Circling Raven Championship, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, and stay-and-play packages at Circling Raven, call 1.800.523.2464 or visit cdacasino.com.
Based in Bluffton, South Carolina, G2 has trained female junior golfers of all skill levels using scientific-based instruction designed to remove barriers of traditional instruction in a collaborative group environment and to encourage girls to reach their full potential in golf and in life. G2 students receive world-class training in golf, mental training, physical fitness, nutrition, leadership and college placement. Training includes bench-marking and development in “Five Levels of Competency” lead by a certified teaching professional. Students advance through each level by completing tasks and skill-level evaluations - all tracked and charted in the student-specific mobile App.
“We are excited to partner with Troon and expand our G2 training programs at Troon-managed facilities across the country,” said Ray Travaglione, Founder and CEO, The G2 Academy. “The best opportunity for female athletes to gain college scholarships is through golf. The G2 training program provides a roadmap for getting recruited to play college golf, including a comprehensive developmental plan and opportunities to build golf resumes.”
The G2 Academy is open to female junior golfers ages 11 to 18, from entry level to advanced player. G2’s girls-only program is based on science and backed by research which provides an atmosphere for learning that is focused and minimizes distractions so expectations become achievable while having fun and learning to play golf.
“Growing the game and providing opportunities to advance in the sport are key tenets at Troon,” said Bruce Glasco, chief operating officer, Troon. “The G2 Golf Academy model is one that provides female junior golfers a chance to not only advance in the game, but also grow their self-confidence.”
For more information on G2//Troon Golf Academies, visit www.g2golfacademy.com/g2troon or call (843) 400-3015.
The PNC Championship is a 36-hole scramble format that begins Saturday. NBC and the Golf Channel will broadcast the action live.
Global sportsbook SportsBetting.ag has posted odds to win the tournament, which you can find below.
There are also a number of prop bets and head-to-head matchups.
Some of the fun props include father-son swing lessons, Elin Nordegren, hot mics and more.
Odds are courtesy of SportsBetting.ag and can be found here:
https://www.sportsbetting.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/golf---props
PNC Championship Odds
Justin Thomas & Father +250
Tiger Woods & Son +600
Bubba Watson and Father-in-law +650
Bernhard Langer & Son +750
Matt Kuchar & Son +750
Jim Furyk & Son +900
Tom Lehman & Son +1200
Padraig Harrington & Son +1600
Vijay Singh & Son +1600
David Duval & Son +1800
John Daly & Son +3300
Mark O’Meara & Son +3300
Mark Calcavecchia & Son +4000
Greg Norman & Son +5000
Lee Janzen & Son +5000
Lee Trevino & Son +6600
Tom Kite & Son +8000
Nick Price & Son +8000
Gary Player & Grandson +12500
Annika Sorenstam & Father +15000
PNC Championship Prop Bets
- First dad to be seen giving swing tips to son during broadcast
Tiger Woods +150
Matt Kuchar +200
John Daly +300
Jim Furyk +400
Mike Thomas +600
- Will a curse word be heard during broadcast by any player?
Yes -150
No +110
- Will Elin Nordegren be seen during broadcast?
Yes -115
No -115
- Will Elin Nordegren be in picture with Team Woods if they win?
Yes +250
No -400
- Lowest score in Round 1
Over 58.5
Under 58.5
- Lowest score in Round 2
Over 58.5
Under 58.5
- Winning score
Over 118.5
Under 118.5
- Will there be a hole-in-one?
Yes +1500
No -6000
- Will there be a first-time winner?
Yes -2000
No +700
- Will there be a playoff?
Yes +150
No -200
- Top Debutant Team
Team Thomas -110
Team Woods +250
Team Watson +275
Team Calcavecchia +1600
- Best Finish
Team Trevino +225
Team Kite +275
Team Norman +350
Team Price +350
Team Player +500
- Team Sorenstam finishing position
Over 18.5
Under 18.5
- Total birdies by Team Woods in Round 1
Over 9.5
Under 9.5
- Total birdies by Team Thomas in Round 1
Over 10.5
Under 10.5
- Total birdies by Team Daly in Round 1
Over 8.5
Under 8.5
- Total birdies by Team Watson in Round 1
Over 9.5
Under 9.5
- Will Team Woods record an eagle?
Yes -125
No -115
- Will Team Thomas record an eagle?
Yes -275
No +185
- Will Team Daly record an eagle?
Yes -155
No +115
- Will Team Watson record an eagle?
Yes -175
No +135
- Will Team Woods record a bogey?
Yes +300
No -500
- Will Team Thomas record a bogey?
Yes +400
No -700
- Will Team Watson record a bogey?
Yes +300
No -500
- Will Team Daly record a bogey?
Yes +225
No -350
- PNC Championship Matchups
Team Woods +190
Team Thomas -240
Team Woods -115
Team Watson -115
Team Woods -210
Team Daly +165
Team Thomas -240
Team Kuchar +190
Team Langer -220
Team Lehman +175
Team Furyk +115
Team Kuchar -145
- No advance deposit required until 90 days prior to arrival
- Up to 15% off total weekly rates on select properties.
- Receive an additional $50 resort credit, for a total of $150, to redeem toward golf, dining and activities (when you book by December 31, 2020).
- An exclusive rate offer of $129 per night for a return stay at The Inn & Club at Harbour Town (when you book by January 31, 2021).
- Exclusive and convenient parking at the Sea Pines Beach Club.
The Escape Vacation Package includes:
- One free round at Heron Point for children 12 and younger with each paid adult. (One-time use for up to two children.)
- One free dolphin cruise for children 12 and younger with each paid adult. (One-time use for up to two children.)
- One complimentary family portrait session on the beach by the certified professionals at Memory Lane Portraits
and medium-sized digital files with every portrait purchased. (Minimum purchase required).
- Your choice of one complimentary Eco-Adventure or activity for two people. This inclusion is based on the availability of activities at The Sea Pines Resort and Historic Honey Horn.
- Complimentary admission for two guests to the Harbour Town Lighthouse.
- Unlimited use of The Sea Pines Resort Fitness Center.
- Two hours of complimentary tennis per day at The Sea Pines Racquet Club.
- Complimentary wireless internet access in all accommodations.
The Escape Package inclusions apply to weekly stays from February 27, 2021, through September 3, 2021, and guests can choose from an array of accommodations, including 300 villas and 100 rental homes. To reserve this package online, visit www.seapines.com/vacation-rentals/specials/escape-vacation-package.aspx and enter the promotion code ESCAPE during your booking process, or call (866) 561-8802.
For more information about The Sea Pines Resort, visit www.seapines.com.
(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) – Orca Golf Bags, the only women-owned design and build golf bag company in the United States, has launched the completely updated and more stylish Orca Pod. A soft-covered case, the "pod" like valuables case is used to protect and house not only one’s golf glove, but also provide a secure and dry place to protect and retrieve one’s cell phone, sunglasses and cash.
The Orca Pod 2.0 is covered with high quality water-resistant Cabretta leather, whereas the original was a nylon model, and it now features a suede insert to provide a soft, protective area for items like cell phones and sunglasses. Pod 2.0 also features more attractive badging on the front cover and high-durability zipper pulls. The ORCA Pod™ easily slides into one’s long side pocket of a golf bag. As with any of Orca’s products, the POD 2.0 can be customized, and it makes a unique and relatively inexpensive for sale at golf course pro shops and tee gifts for charity events, pro-ams and corporate outings. Large-quantity pricing is available starting at just a dozen units.
The Orca Pod makes a perfect holiday gift for every golfer and is being launched with a special retail price of $56 which is 20% off the normal sticker. The Orca Pod comes with a high-end, championship quality golf glove made of the same Cabretta leather as and virtually indistinguishable from “big brand” gloves. The Orca Pod can be ordered on the Orca Golf Bags website and shipped in time for stuffing stockings if ordered by Friday, December 18.
“To be honest, we designed the POD out of frustration,” said Orca CEO Erica Bennett. She continued, “We watched a client dig into his Orca golf bag to find his glove and when he finally found it, it was all beat up and crusty; barely worth wearing. That scene didn’t quite fit with the gorgeous bag we just designed for him. Plus, golf gloves aren’t cheap, and we thought it deserved more respect. So, we invented the Orca Pod so golfers can have a proper way to store their gloves when not in use – it makes the glove easy to find, keeps it fresh and adds to its shelf life. When one is playing, the Orca Pod doubles as a place to safely store one’s important personal items – so you don’t have to fish for those at the end of the round.”
Custom bags for events, corporate outings, clubs and individual personalization can be crafted by visiting www.orca-golf.com.
Golfdotz produces transferable golf ball markings which conform with USGA and R&A specifications and can be used in competition.
Each contestant in the 2021 Pepsi Little People’s will receive a packet of Golfdotz, as well as a 20% discount coupon to be used on the Golfdotz website.
In addition, each of the 14 division winners in the 2021 Pepsi Little People’s will receive a $25 Gift certificate, to be used on the Golfdotz website.
“This relationship with the 2021 Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships is such a perfect fit for us,” stated David Poole, President and Founder of Golfdotz. “We love to support junior golf and I think it is so cool that we also supply some former participants of the event who are now on the LPGA Tour with Golfdotz. I can’t wait to see the kids in action at this year’s event.”
“We felt it was time to take our involvement in junior golf up a level in 2020, and the Pepsi Little People’ platform enabled us to showcase Golfdotz product in a great environment,” added Poole. We are pleased to be able to do the same thing in 2021.”
Golfdotz is used by many men and women professional golfers, including former Little People’s players Annie Park, winner of the 2018 ShopRite LPGA Classic, and two-time LPGA Tour winner Thidapa “Jasmine” Suwannapura.
“We are delighted with this relationship between Golfdotz and Pepsi Little People’s,” said Nan Ryan, Founder and Executive Director of the tournament. “We know that our players will be delighted with this new and innovative way of marking their golf balls, and we thank David and Golfdotz for making this possible.”
More information is available at www.littlepeoplesgolf.com and www.golfdotz.com.
(PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida) — Fidelity Sports Group announced today multi-year partnerships with PXG, Scottsdale National Golf Club, GOLF Channel and the PGA TOUR to create and televise the inaugural PXG College Golf Showcase at Scottsdale National in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event will premiere on Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel.
The College Golf Showcase will feature four top collegiate golfers from the PGA TOUR University Ranking along with four celebrities in an exhibition shootout, including three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker, Marine Corps Veteran and actor/comedian Rob Riggle and Pro Football Hall of Fame members, Brian Urlacher and Jerome Bettis.
The show will focus on the new PGA TOUR University program and its innovative strategy to provide access to the Korn Ferry Tour and International Tours for the top four-year college players. During the 18-hole competition, players also will help raise awareness and critical funds for the Semper Fi & America’s Fund and Team Rubicon.
“For our team, creating the PXG College Golf Showcase at Scottsdale National was in response to the fact that the college golf fall schedules were directly impacted, and many canceled due to COVID-19,” said Drew Carr of Fidelity Sports Group. “We set out to develop a platform that would help the PGA TOUR tell the story of its University program and provide a unique opportunity for golf fans to meet the future faces of the TOUR as they engage with iconic figures from sports and entertainment. We believe elite college golfers should be household names, just like the elite college quarterback.”
Scottsdale National Golf Club will serve as the host location for the PXG College Golf Showcase. Unlike many private clubs, Scottsdale National is not part of a master planned residential development – it is pure golf, with unending views of pristine desert landscape surrounded on three sides by the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Owned by Bob Parsons, an American entrepreneur, philanthropist and the founder of PXG, and his wife, Renee, president and executive creative director of PXG Apparel, the exclusive 45-hole private club presents an intimate and fun setting for this exhibition.
“These young athletes represent exceptional talent and the future of professional golf,” Bob Parsons stated. “Helping them hone their skill by providing an additional playing opportunity and a personal mentorship experience through the PXG College Golf Showcase at Scottsdale National is something we are pleased and proud to support.”
The 2020 PXG College Golf Showcase at Scottsdale National will feature four of PGA TOUR University’s top-ranked athletes, Austin Eckroat (Oklahoma State, No. 4), Garett Reband (Oklahoma, No. 7), Mac Meissner (Southern Methodist, No. 8), and Trevor Werbylo (Arizona, No. 10) Each player will have his program’s head coach as caddie during the event.
“The PXG College Golf Showcase is a tremendous opportunity for the top players in the PGA TOUR University program to receive incredible exposure to golf fans around the world,” said PGA TOUR University architect and Korn Ferry Tour Senior Director of Tournament and Membership Affairs, Brendan von Doehren. “By coupling these rising stars with the event’s celebrities, our hope is to create a meaningful platform from which to generate charitable dollars for the men and women who represent our military.”
Launched on June 1, 2020, the top five finishers from the final Official PGA TOUR University Ranking List will receive Korn Ferry Tour membership and will be exempt into all open, full-field events beginning the week following the conclusion of the NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship through the conclusion of the Korn Ferry Tour regular season. The top five finishers will also be exempt into the Final Stage of that year’s Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament.
Finishers Nos. 6-15 will secure membership on one of the International Tours for the current season and a spot in the Second Stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (if necessary).
Events which will count towards the Official PGA TOUR University Ranking List include NCAA Division I Men’s Golf events and official PGA TOUR events, including the Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship.
The 2020 PXG College Showcase at Scottsdale National will be conducted without spectators. All individuals on-site at Scottsdale National Golf Club for the event will be tested for COVID-19 and are required to receive a negative test result prior to involvement in the College Golf Showcase.
The broadcast team for the made-for-TV event includes Matt Adams, Arron Oberholser, Lauren Thompson and Travis Fulton.
GOLF Channel is the television home for college golf. Following its announcement in 2013 as the exclusive television provider of the NCAA Golf Championships, GOLF Channel has provided live coverage of the men's NCAA championships since 2014 and the women's NCAA championships since 2015, which now are hosted at the same venue in consecutive weeks.
The College Golf Showcase can be found on Twitter and Instagram @cgolfshowcase and on YouTube @TheCollegeGolfShowcase.
(CHULA VISTA, CA) — AquaFuse by CMF Global, Inc., a world leader in revolutionizing (HDPE) piping products which improves golf course performance and water efficiency, proudly announces their association with nine golf courses which received a 2020 World Golf Award. The company, its AquaFuse state-of-the-art proprietary products, and their AquaFUSION on-site training, are proud to be associated with such prestigious awards.
“We thank each of these award winning golf courses for trusting us with their investment to improve their irrigation systems. Studies prove that proper water supply improves the overall playing experience, saves money, and greatly increases the golf course’s appearance. These awards are a testament of this,” said Executive Vice President, Joseph Fernandez.
This international list of award winning AquaFuse projects demonstrates the global reach the company possesses. For the irrigation segment of the market, the company will supply complete or partial irrigation systems and deliver to anywhere in the world. Examples include; Asia’s Best Golf Course, The 27 Club, Azerbaijan’s Best Golf Course, Dreamland Golf Club, Baku, Russia’s Best Golf Course, Agalarov Golf and Country Club, Brazil’s Best Golf Course, Rio Olympic Golf Course, and United Arab Emirates’ Best Golf Course, Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.
“In addition, I have to acknowledge the architects and designers who we worked with on these international first-rate golf courses. Without their vision and creativity, attaining these ‘Best Golf Course Awards’ would not have possible,” added Fernandez.
Votes were submitted online at the World Golf Awards website.
For more information, visit www.aqua-fuse.com.
(SAN DIEGO, CA.) — Pizá Golf, internationally recognized as a world-class golf course design firm, confirmed today that company Founder and Principle Architect, Agustin Pizá, will be leading a virtual educational session at the Golf Business Conference. It is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. (EST). This time allotment should permit for the full presentation as well as time for an interactive Q&A segment.
Agustin Pizá is an award winning architect with over two decades of experience. He has a Masters in Golf Course Architecture from Edinburgh University in Scotland and is a member of the European Institute and American Society of Golf Course Architects. He was recently included in Golf Inc.’s Power Issue as an “Up and Coming Superstar” in golf and Forbes named him one of the Top-100 creative minds from Mexico.
“My goal at this session is to share some of my ‘Reassessment Techniques’ to help attendees identify ROI opportunities at their golf facility, new golf course design, or renovation. I will share projects that capitalized on my creative approach. I invite you all save the date and attend,” Pizá.
This educational session presented by Agustin Pizá which is titled “Maximizing ROI for the Property You Have -- Novel Course Design, Millennials and Vision,” is eligible for continuing education credits from the PGA of America, Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Club Management Association of America (CMAA), and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
For more information, visit golfbusinessconference.com.
Membership requires no initiation fee, food-and-beverage minimums or assessments, and monthly dues are well-below private club levels. Five value-packed membership plans are designed for today’s modern lifestyle, each requiring only a one-year agreement. Cherokee Valley’s popular Business Flex Plan has also been renewed, offering companies of various sizes a venue for bonding with clients and employees.
“To grow the game and retain golfers we have to mold memberships around the realities of today’s busy and unpredictable lifestyles,” says Cherokee Valley Owner Matt Jennings. “Families, singles and business owners all need and appreciate freedom, flexibility and value. Our membership plans are engineered to deliver these elements.”
The updated Family and Individual Membership Plans for 2021:
Cherokee Valley’s Platinum Membership continues to be one of the best values in the Upstate. At $210, monthly, for families and $173.25 for singles, it features full access to golf, the resort-style pool, golf training facility and spacious practice range. Use of neighboring North Greenville University’s (NGU co-op) fitness center and reduced rates for select sporting and special events are also included.
The Gold Membership ($183.75, $152.25) is perfect for golf purists, extending seven-day-a-week access to golf, while the Silver Membership ($131.25 / $105) includes unlimited golf on Saturdays and Sundays. Ideal for busy professionals 35 and under, the Young Professional Membership ($141.75) offers full weekday and weekend access.
The Sport Adventure Membership ($105, $91.35) grants unlimited use of the training facility (with fitness equipment), two rounds of golf monthly and NGU co-op and pool access. A popular and convenient addition to any membership, Cart Plans run $131.25 monthly for a family or $110.25 for a single, giving members unlimited use of Cherokee Valley’s fleet of golf carts.
The club recently acquired 35 new E-Z-GO RXV golf carts and will receive 20 more once the new golf shop and storage facility opens along with Core 450 in early 2021. JBL mounted Bluetooth speakers at the base of the windshield pair with smartphones for streaming music or sports broadcasts while playing. The RXV carts also feature E-Z-GO’s award-winning TFM GPS system mounted just under the roof.
The TFM touchscreens pop with vibrant, high-def hole diagrams and pin-point accurate yards to fairway landing areas, hazards and pin placements, taking the guesswork out of club selection. Cherokee Valley residents who own their own golf carts can buy a Trail Plan ($105, $88.20) for unlimited use of their vehicle at the golf course (subject to approval).
The Business Flex Plan is a full-service entertainment, networking and team-building solution for companies of all sizes. It’s loaded with benefits: two (foursome) tee times per month (golf cart and range balls included), 10% off golf shop merchandise and a “Partners Tab” with hyperlink on the Cherokee Valley website.
With socially distanced meetings in mind, it also includes private access to our event center or event space on the driving range, personalized outing with golf and cart included (up to 16 guests) and four business NGU sport passes, all for $218.75 a month.
Fore more information visit www.cherokeevalleyclub.com.
The carry bag, which weighs less than five pounds, comes with a 40” slotted waffle golf towel and Zero Friction’s award-winning performance golf glove. Other comfort features include an easy-carry dual strap, a soft and durable handle and a comfortable hip pad.
The Zero Friction golf bag features seven zipper pockets for versatile storage, including an apparel compartment, lined valuables pocket and an insulated water bottle pocket. Essential accessories holders include glove and towel holder, scorecard and pen holder and a slot for your umbrella.
Structurally, the bag features six-way, full-length bottom of bag dividers to keep your clubs organized, preventing shafts from crossing.
The Zero Friction Stand Bag carries a suggested retail price of $199, and comes in various combinations of red, white and blue.
Zero Friction, known for its universal-fit, colorful line of golf gloves and performance tees, recently entered the golf laser rangefinder segment in a big way with its Zero Friction Laser Pro and Laser Pro SM products. And like most Zero Friction products, this one has a unique element that separates it from the competitors.
Both Zero Friction Laser Pro models come with a pistol shape rubber handle grip, making it very simple to get yardage for your next shot. Simply aim and click, and the exact distance appears on an easy-to-read LCD display magnified X6.
For more information, see the Zero Friction catalog, visit www.zerofriction.com, or call 630-317-7700.
(BLOOMFIELD, Conn.) – Wintonbury Hills Golf Course – the only Pete Dye-designed course in New England – continued their support for the local Bloomfield Food Bank through their men’s club amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Don Tinker, president of the Wintonbury Men’s Golf Association, reported the association organized several club events in a second effort to support the local community food bank. The men’s club proudly hosted a charity event in October to raise a total of $3,250 in support.
“With how well the first round of fundraising went, we are extremely humbled by how the second push exceeded all expectations for the food bank,” says Tinker. “The local turnout has been immense, and we are happy our golfers could have a little fun along the way.”
Opened in 2004, Wintonbury Hills represents Dye's first and only championship design in New England. The classic links-style 6,711-yard, par-70 layout is owned by the Town of Bloomfield since the course’s inception, this beautiful layout was ranked No. 1 in Golfweek’s “2020 Best Courses You Can Play in Connecticut.”
“The continued support of the local community is inspiring,” says Ciaran Carr, PGA, general manager of Wintonbury Hills Golf Course. “It’s been a very rough year for everyone, so the least we can do is give back to those who need it most.”
More information: www.wintonburyhillsgolf.com, 860.242.1401.
PerfectMotion uses proprietary artificial intelligence to track a golfer’s body motion and instantly determine key swing issues – calling up professional video instruction that addresses the golfer’s specific issues to help eliminate them. Additionally, each swing’s diagnosis and body motion trace, the MotionMap, can instantly be shared with a pro for real-time instruction and personalized coaching. The impressive and growing cadre of top golf teachers who use PerfectMotion includes former PGA TOUR winner Chip Beck, Golf Digest “Top 50 Instructor” Joe Hallett, Mike Sullivan (pictured below), Sarah Stone and Golf Digest “Best Young Teacher” Jake Thurm.
“Using PerfectMotion is a really good way to practice in the off-season. Putting is the place I like to start with my students. With PerfectMotion, I encourage my students to take just 10 strokes a day. As their coach, I can instantly see what's happening when they putt. I can tell them when they are too extended, if they are changing their stroke arc, or if they don't have the shaft on the forearm plane. The putting metronome in the app is very effective for tempo and feeds right into chipping timing as well. Around the hole, you're trying to use the shortest stroke possible to get the ball going a particular distance. That all has to do with tempo and timing,” says Beck, who now coaches golfers everywhere via the app from his home in Florida.
Jake Thurm, Director of Instruction at Fresh Meadow Learning Center and Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Chicago, is a huge proponent of off-season practice and performance measurement. “The time to implement change is in the off-season – using the elimination theory of motor change: If you can't do it with a ball, then eliminate the ball. If you can't do it with a club, then eliminate the club. In other words, break the change down to its simplest form and then rebuild your swing to better than it’s ever been,” Thurm says.
Thurm puts his students on a steady diet of no-ball swings to mitigate their excuses. "I stress the importance of monitored and measurable repetition. Every day, within minutes, my students can take five practice swings with immediate, real-time feedback using PerfectMotion. The app improves your awareness, while its AI levels you up or down. As you learn from it, it continually learns how to better help you,” he adds.
Top instructors agree that golfers should devise a game plan up front if they are serious about improving. Joe Hallett, Director of instruction at Vanderbilt Legends Golf Academy in Franklin, Tenn. and a GOLF Magazine “Top 100 Instructor”, suggests that you focus on the particular area of your game that needs the most help, and work with your pro on specific drills to become more consistent in that area.
“PerfectMotion is a great way for my students to work on their consistency. We start by focusing on the motion that creates their best results and then hone in on making those shots even better,” he says. “A drill I like to start with uses a narrow, feet together stance. Take some swings and then widen your stance to about half your normal stance width, and then to the full-stance width,” Hallett suggests. “Review your MotionMaps and take note of where the changes occur and particularly note when the maps become inconsistent. From this point, you’ll start to know whether you’re falling back, falling forward, or driving too aggressively. Make the necessary adjustments and you’ll see, hear and feel a completely different ball contact.”
Hallett also believes PerfectMotion is ideal for cold winters. “At-home no-ball swings have proven merit for improving body movement,” he says. “When you improve your body motion, it will influence your entire game and make you a better player.”
To download the innovative PerfectMotion app to kickstart your off-season practice, visit https://perfectmotion.io.
Crocodiles (Phylum: Chordata) are one of the most well-known and fearsome animals in the world. Their powerful bodies, strong jaws and immense speed and agility along with their unparalleled stealth, has led to them being one of the world’s most apex predators in their natural environments. Closely related to other crocodilians including alligators, caimans, and gharials, crocodiles have changed very little in an evolutionary sense in over 200 million years.
New for 2021, the Chordata Collection features full grain Italian calfskin embossed in a horn back crocodile print. The straps are available in Brown and Grey with each strap having contrasts of dark and light highlights as well as a flat and satin finish.
These handmade luxury belts by Rowland Thomas will elevate a casual chic look or add a dash of personality to formal business attire and are guaranteed to catch the eye of fashion-forward admirers. The buttery soft calfskin leather, imported from Italy, is embossed to replicate snake scales for the Serpent Collection, an alligator print for the Kayiman Collection, a crocodile print for the Chordata Collections, and a herringbone texture for the Herringbone Collection. The scales on the Serpent Collection belts are also hand-cut to create even more texture and realism.
The classically designed buckles feature stainless steel hex screws similar to what you’d see on a fine luxury timepiece. The unique Precise-Fit ratcheting system allows you to adjust the belt in ¼” increments and will accommodate up to a 45” inch waist.
For more information visit www.RowlandThomas.com.
Blythfield Country Club
(BROOKFIELD, Wis.) — The ninth annual American Society of Golf Course Architects Design Excellence Recognition Program honorees have been named. These golf facilities have been cited for their work with ASGCA members in addressing unique design challenges.
Since its creation, the Design Excellence Recognition Program has highlighted the innovation and problem-solving skills required of today’s golf course designs, from new 18-hole layouts to renovations to new and updated practice facilities.
The 2020 nominations were reviewed by a panel of golf industry leaders, including representatives of the Club Management Association of America, Golf Course Builders Association of America and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
The recognized courses are:
- Blythefield Country Club, Belmont, Michigan/Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA
- Cutalong, Mineral, Virginia/Tom Clark, ASGCA
- PING® Proving Grounds – Professional Demo Center, Phoenix/Forrest Richardson, ASGCA
- The Links at Sagewood, Phoenix/Gary Brawley, ASGCA
- Schaumburg Golf Club/Schaumburg Park District, Schaumburg, Illinois/Todd Quitno, ASGCA, and Bob Lohmann, ASGCA
- White Eagle Golf Club, Naperville, Illinois/Todd Quitno, ASGCA
“This may be the most diverse group of projects we have seen in the history of Design Excellence,” ASGCA Vice President Jason Straka said. “I congratulate the facilities and the architects they have worked with in proving, once again, that there is an art and a science to golf course architecture. Best of all, golfers in these communities are benefiting from this impressive work.”
Blythefield, host to the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, was designed more than 90 years ago by William B. Langford and Theodore J. Moreau. A renovation has restored the course and Club to its original splendor.
Improvements included:
New state-of-the-art two acre short-game practice facility
12,000 SF putting green and putting course
New tees for each hole to lengthen and shorten the course
Repositioning and rebuilding of all bunkers with the Better Billy Bunker System
Fairway realignment and widening
All greens expanded to their original shapes and sizes
New internal drainage system for each green
Tree removal has also opened the site panoramas, restored a cleaner look and created the width for each hole that Langford and Moreau intended.
Conceived in 2000 as a 27-hole facility with 350 homes on 1,000 acres, after four owners, three environmental firms, four engineering firms, three superintendents and two golf contractors, it morphed into an 18-hole course with huge practice facilities and a 900-home development with sewer and water.
Once construction began in earnest, even though 3 holes were grown in and 5 holes rough graded, only 11 holes were finished in 2019 mainly due to the lack of available irrigation water. In 2020, the last 7 holes were completed.
The 1,000 acres was an early 20th century mining operation with abandoned vertical
shafts, railroad beds, wash basins, ruins and a contaminated stream as a water source. The site was completely cleaned of debris, and reseeded to fescue and millet to form some topsoil. The water was neutralized with a separate mixing pond of well water, lime and limestone.
With the assistance of consultant Ron Whitten, the original concept was, and still remains, to create a composite course like the National Golf Links of Classic architecture from Classic designers. As Lake Anna is near several Civil War battlefields, aspects of some holes are based by19th Century fortresses and defenses. Because Cutalong rests atop a defunct mining operation, certain holes reflect that heritage as well.
The challenge was to develop a showcase practice green with .08-inch tolerance for 0%, .5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% putting by PING® Tour Professionals, combined with a practice bunker capable of being emptied and replaced with specific sand type for club testing. All of this within a small, 8,000 SF space to provide highly accurate putting surface tolerances to use and test new clubs. The putting and chipping area must offer slopes and breaks with surrounding terrain that approximates real-world chipping conditions.
The design also needed to accommodate the robotic PING® Launch Monitor contained in the test building adjacent to the green area. Safety relative to this area required a layout that allowed access to the adjacent practice range while permitting security to isolate all areas when prototype equipment is being demonstrated or tested.
The design required careful integration to PING®’s testing equipment. Detailed GPS slope analysis of the finished green surface is aligned with putt tracking technology so putts can be measured and compared to cross-slope, gradient and green speed.
A new putting course was commissioned as part of the Phase II expansion of the Sagewood, Senior Living Community in Phoenix, converting 50,000 sq. ft. of open space into a world-class amenity for the 600 residents. The Owner’s directive was to build the highest quality, natural playing surface putting course that would be a fun and unique challenge for the residents.
Creating a large putting surface rather than 18 individual holes lends itself to more playing options in the daily set-up. The result is an 18-hole layout that can also be played in reverse. In addition, golfers have a 9-hole routing and a superintendent’s choice routing so that over a four-week period the golf course will play different each week. Residents are also encouraged to explore the putting green and have fun with whatever way they choose to play the course that day.
Celebrating 25 years under Park District ownership, the golf course infrastructure was inadequate and needed upgrading.
Challenges included: layering built up on greens above original construction constricted water and air flow; bunkers 20+ years old suffered from contamination, poor drainage, and lacked strategic value; desire to enhance forward teeing system to build new clientele; major flooding/drainage issues on several holes resulted in extended downtime and loss of revenue; and inadequate practice facilities.
Solutions have been well-received by the Park District and golfers, including:
- Work completed in three, 9-hole phases (18 always open) to maximize revenues.
- Two holes rerouted to alleviate flooding, which also allowed for practice range expansion.
- The expanded driving range grass tee (fescue) regenerates quickly due to its strong roots, minimizing divot damage and allowing regrowth within days.
- Re-built greens (USGA construction) and new bentgrass are providing much greater resiliency.
- New bunkers, with aggregate liners and premier sand, require minimal maintenance and have greatly improved strategic options.
- Tee complexes and fairways are thriving with the new bent providing stronger rooting and drought tolerances and savings in fungicide.
The number, size and position of bunkers across the 27-hole facility led to a renovation project focused on sand reduction and repositioning. Bunkers were expansive and cumbersome to maintain, plus often contaminated following years of storm damage. Several greens were also an issue, either sporting slopes that were too steep to manage reasonable pin positions, too small and in need or expansion, or having internal drainage issues. New bunkering program and expanded bentgrass areas have made the course interesting for members of all playing abilities while adding a needed spark for membership recruitment.
Solutions included:
- Bunker square footage reduced from 160,000 sf to less than 80,000 sf.
- In areas where bunkers were removed, bentgrass was added to expand fairway landing areas and create dynamic roll-off and roll-on features around the greens.
- Bunker maintenance labor has been reduced dramatically requiring minimal daily work (touch-ups) and virtually no storm cleanup.
- With bentgrass expanded to bunker edges, and rolling faces flashed high with sand, the final look is unique to the area and has resulted increased member recruitment opportunities.
For more information about ASGCA, including a current list of members, visit http://www.asgca.org or call (262) 786-5960.