Hilton Head Golf Island Announces Fall 2021 Golf Packages

Famed Harbour Town Golf Links, Renowned Robert Trent Jones Course Highlight Autumn Offerings

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI), comprising 26 courses across Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper counties, invites golfers to experience pure Lowcountry golf this fall with packages from The Sea Pines Resort, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and the Heritage Golf Collection.

Host of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage and home of Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus’ famed Harbour Town Golf Links, The Sea Pines Resort’s Villa Golf Package can be tailored to golf groups of all sizes. Starting at $255 per night, per golfer, packages include a three-night stay in a fully-appointed resort villa, three rounds of golf – one each on Harbour Town, Heron Point by Pete Dye, and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III – and same day, same course replays for $50 on Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes.

For groups of 12 or more, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is offering a Golf Group Stay and Play Premier Package with two or three rounds on its George Fazio, Arthur Hills or renowned Robert Trent Jones Course. The package includes resort villa accommodations, green and cart fees, pro shop merchandise and dining discounts at Big Jim’s, the Dunes House and Alexander’s Restaurant and Wine Bar. Golf vacation planners are available to customize any trip.

The Heritage Golf Collection’s Birdies, Beaches and Brews is a wildly popular, all-inclusive experience featuring three nights’ accommodations at the Hampton Inn Hilton Head, three rounds of golf, free replays and range balls, breakfast, a complimentary beer, and one $100 gift card per golfer to be used on merchandise and food. The Heritage Collection includes Oyster Reef, designed by Rees Jones, Shipyard’s Clipper, Galleon and Brigatine courses and Port Royal’s Robber’s Row and Barony courses.

“With high temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the low 80s, autumn is prime time for a golf trip to Hilton Head Golf Island,” says Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association President Brad Mara. “Our courses are in peak condition this time of year and fall is our sunniest, driest season.”

Collectively, the Hilton Head Golf Island fall golf packages showcase several of South Carolina’s most vaunted venues while also introducing golfers to a bevy of lesser known but outstanding tracks. Few golf destinations can offer courses designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Arthur Hills, George Fazio, George Cobb and Willard Byrd all within 15 minutes of each other.

“Hilton Head Island is one of the world’s iconic golf destinations and we can’t wait to welcome golfers to ‘Golf Island’ this fall,” adds Mara. “Off the course, they’ll enjoy fresh seafood and world-class cuisine prepared by many of the Southeast’s culinary rock stars. And when it comes to water sports like boating, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, you can’t beat our combination of Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterways” 

For more information on Hilton Head Golf Island golf packages, courses, golf schools and events, visit www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com. 

Getting Here

Perfect for “on-island” golf trips, American Airlines offers nonstop and one-stop service from multiple hub cities and connections to Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) on the island’s north end. Seasonal Saturday flights to/from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) are also offered, as is year-round service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and seasonal service from Washington Reagan Airport (DCA), Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) and Philadelphia (PHL).  

Delta Air Lines Airlines also offers nonstop and one-stop service to HHI via its Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) hub with connections from 200+ cities worldwide. Golfers can also utilize Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), with direct flights from numerous East Coast, Midwest and Texas airports. Additionally, Southwest Airlines service began in March with six flights from five markets.

For golfers who prefer to hit the open road, major metro areas in the Carolinas, Georgia and north Florida are under a half-day’s drive, while several Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern cities are seven to nine hours away.

The Highland Course at Primland Rises to No. 28 in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest” List

Amenity at Luxury Resort in Blue Ridge Mountains Stands Out Among 13,500 U.S. Public Venues

(MEADOWS OF DAN, Virginia) – The numbers are in from Golf Digest course raters, and The Highland Course at Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, has climbed to No. 28 in the esteemed publication’s biennial compilation - “America’s 100 Greatest of Public Courses, 2021-2022.”Primland.png

Located within the luxury resort’s 12,000 pristine Blue Ridge Mountains in SW Virginia near the North Carolina border, The Highland Course is revered for its spectacular conditions, scintillating views and a Donald Steel-designed layout that challenges golfers of all levels. Unfurling amid the lush, serene, vast and pristine landscape, the course is the highest-ranked Virginia layout in the newly released list and the only one from the Commonwealth to land in the top 30.  

To derive this list of remarkable courses, hundreds of Golf Digest panelists submit detailed reviews for thousands of courses, rating them in seven categories: shot values, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, resistance to scoring, conditioning and ambience.

“Our guests frequently rave about the long-range vistas, wonderful course layout, and magnificent playing conditions,” said Brian Alley, PGA, Primland’s Director of Golf and Recreation. “This distinction from Golf Digest’s expert course panelists is a wonderful honor and reinforces our guests’ appraisal of The Highland Course.”

Golfers can book a variety of experiences at Primland with individual rounds, golf school instruction, packages, group events and more. There is also a wide array of after-golf activities and amenities at Primland, such as horseback riding, fly fishing, alfresco yoga and meditation, full-service spa, hiking, sporting clays, RTV trail riding, and stargazing in one of the largest observatories in the Eastern U.S.

The resort offers unique lodging options, including chalet-like Pinnacle Cottages, golf course Fairway Cottages, tree houses perched on the edge of the mountains and luxurious guest rooms and suites at The Lodge.

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is conveniently located two hours from Charlotte, five hours from Washington D.C, and just 90 minutes from two regional airports, Piedmont Triad (PTI) in Greensboro and Roanoke Regional. The resort’s partnership with NetJets provides guests with special benefits when flying privately through two nearby airports, Blue Ridge and Mt. Airy-Surry County, only 45 minutes away. The property also features a helipad located at the North Gate.

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is now accepting reservations. For more information, visit aubergeresorts.com/primland.

2022 Farmers Insurance Open will feature Saturday finish on CBS

CBS Sports’ 2022 kickoff event to run Wednesday-Saturday including evening finish 

(PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, AND SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA) – The PGA TOUR and Farmers Insurance – title sponsor of the Farmers Insurance Open since 2010 – announced that the Farmers Insurance Open will shift its tournament competition days to Wednesday-Saturday – January 26-29, 2022 – at Torrey Pines Golf Course. With a crowded sports weekend, the PGA TOUR, CBS, Farmers Insurance and the Century Club are excited to shift to a Saturday final round that will result in a Friday and Saturday evening viewing on the East Coast with finish times of 8 p.m. ET both days on CBS.

Golf Channel will carry the opening two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday (January 26-27). The final two rounds will be played Friday and Saturday (January 28-29), with more than six hours of coverage on CBS. Lead-in coverage on Friday and Saturday will be broadcast by Golf Channel.

Additionally, the diversity-focused Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour’s (APGA) Farmers Insurance Invitational, now in its third consecutive year playing, will expand to two rounds, with round one being played on Saturday, January 29, on the North Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course. The final round will be held Sunday, January 30, on the South Course and will be broadcast live on Golf Channel, marking the first time an APGA Tour event will be televised. 

“We appreciate Farmers Insurance’s collaboration and innovative thinking with this shift in competition days,” said PGA TOUR President and EVP Tyler Dennis. “The PGA TOUR’s first network event of 2022 wrapping up on Saturday combined with football games the following day will create an action-packed weekend for sports fans. Farmers Insurance has also shown extraordinary commitment to diversity in our game, and we are thrilled with the expansion of the APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational which will include Golf Channel coverage of the final round.”

As a California-based organization, Farmers Insurance initially committed to sponsor the 2010 tournament just 10 days before the opening round and just months after arriving in the San Diego community in response to devastating wildfires.  Nearly a decade later, disaster resilience continues to be an important component of the business and community efforts of Farmers, while the focus on diversity and inclusion has grown. 

“Over the course of more than 10 years serving as the Farmers Insurance Open’s title sponsor, the Farmers team has worked with the Century Club and PGA TOUR to evolve and grow the tournament’s impact on the game of golf, and in the San Diego community,” said Farmers Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Joye. “As we approach the 2022 event, we’re proud to continue our sponsorship and look forward to hosting the APGA Tour’s first-ever nationally televised event.”

“The teamwork, flexibility and creativity exhibited by the PGA TOUR and Farmers Insurance to adapt the schedule for a Saturday finish was outstanding,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “For over a decade the Farmers Insurance Open has launched our season. Thanks to our terrific relationships, our viewers are in for a fantastic sports weekend on CBS with golf, football and college basketball.”

“There is tremendous interest and momentum on the APGA Tour as we continue our mission to prepare African Americans and other minority golfers to compete and win at the highest level of professional golf,” said APGA Tour CEO Ken Bentley. “Farmers Insurance has been a founding and consistent supporter of our efforts for several years. The opportunities, connections and exposure that we already received through the Farmers Insurance Invitational being held the same week at the same venue as the PGA TOUR were already tremendous for the development of our Tour and our players. With today’s announcement of a 36-hole event with a final round on Torrey Pines’ South Course that includes our first live broadcast on the Golf Channel, we couldn’t be more thankful and grateful for the effort and support from the Farmers team, the Century Club, the PGA TOUR and Golf Channel. The Farmers Insurance Invitational will be a fantastic showcase of the talented players on the APGA Tour and their stories of perseverance and determination.”  

“We’re proud to present the first-ever national telecast of an Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour event with the Farmers Insurance® Invitational next January on GOLF Channel,” said Tom Knapp, EVP, Partnerships and Programming, NBC Sports. “NBC Sports and GOLF Channel are committed to growing the game of golf and utilizing our platforms to help the sport become more diverse and inclusive. We’re excited to showcase the competition on the APGA Tour and provide a national platform for the Tour and its players.”

In collaboration with Farmers, the Century Club has contributed more than $15 million to deserving organizations benefiting at-risk youth through the tournament since 2010. Patrick Reed, who claimed a five-stroke victory in 2021 at the Farmers Insurance Open, is expected to defend his title in 2022.

Nemacolin’s Mystic Rock Honored by Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” List

(Farmington, PA) – Nemacolin, Pennsylvania’s premier golf destination, proudly announces its Mystic Rock course has made its seventh consecutive appearance on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses list.

The rugged and scenic 7,550-yard, par-72 Pete Dye design, set atop the majestic Pennsylvania Allegheny Mountains in the idyllic Laurel Highlands, is ranked 72nd, continuing a consecutive streak of appearances on the biennial list that dates back to 2009.

Golf Digest says “Mystic Rock is one of the more curious courses Pete Dye ever designed, with mostly oval greens and rectangular bunkers. Because many holes were blasted from rock, some holes have fields of boulders in the rough, and all water hazards are bulkheaded with stacked stone. The course concludes with Dye's favorite finish, a gambling par-5 16th, a 17th over water (in this case, 205 yards), and a now-strong par-4 18th. Mystic Rock's 18th was rebuilt and lengthened before the course hosted a PGA Tour event, the 84 Lumber Classic, from 2003 to 2006.”

The publication's every-odd-year review of America's top public courses can be found on GolfDigest.com. Golf Digest uses nearly 1,000 low-handicap male and female golfers on its Course Ranking Panel and asks each to submit ballots based on eight criteria, including shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, character, and fun. 

“It’s a great honor that Golf Digest once again recognized Mystic Rock as one of America’s most iconic golfing experiences. The convergence of Pete Dye’s particular genius and creativity with this panoramic mountain-valley setting makes for unforgettable golf and shot values that don’t quit. When the panelists see the bunker renovations (golf course architect) Tim Liddy just completed, I think their esteem for Mystic Rock will be raised even higher,” says Director of Golf Kelly O’Donnell.

Liddy partnered with Dye — before Dye's passing — on designs for an extensive bunker renovation on Mystic Rock, which was completed in July 2021. The transformation to upgrade the bunkers, playing surfaces, and tee boxes solidifies Mystic Rock as one of the finest mountain courses in the country.

“This bunker renovation provides a more enjoyable playing experience throughout the golf course. Pete Dye’s golf courses challenge the best golfers in the world and, at the same time, are playable for the average golfer,” Liddy says. “Mystic Rock is a great tribute to Pete’s artistic and design legacy. More than many of his designs, this course sits quietly on the ground and is a wonderful part of its surroundings. Completed at the height of his career, it also reflects much of his best work. Mystic Rock is truly special in the world of golf course architecture. I believe it will only grow in stature over time.” 

To learn more about Nemacolin, visit https://www.nemacolin.com/golf/. 

Unboxing Gifts for the Bridal Party

Check out this engraved cooler from www.groovygroomsmengifts.com. It can hold 12 bottles or 18 cans and will keep his drinks cool from the front nine to the 19th hole. It comes with a top padded carry handle and an adjustable shoulder strap with a front pocket for storage.

See it, and more, at www.groovygroomsmengifts.com.

But we have something for the ladies, as well!

Baseball caps play the role of protector from the sun in so many venues and environments, from a round of golf, to an actual baseball game, gardening, day at the beach, and more. But, what do you do if you and your bridesmaids have planned an event outdoors for your bachelorette celebration? Or you all have plans to lounge poolside at the swank hotel where your wedding will be? Why, you all don these matching caps together, of course! Delivering the choice between black or white, and different foil color options for the sophisticated monograms adorning the front, these personalized hats are the perfect solution to set you and your girls apart in whatever outdoor plans you have made in celebration of your upcoming nuptials.

Learn more at www.bridesmaidgiftsboutique.com.

Brittain Resorts Named Title Sponsor of Myrtle Beach Preseason Classic Tournament

Grand Strand’s Premier Hospitality Group to Sponsor Popular Event

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) — Brittain Resorts, Myrtle Beach’s premier hospitality group, has been named title sponsor of the Preseason Classic, a 54-hole, two-person team event that annually attracts 300 golfers from 20+ states.

The newly renamed Brittain Resorts Classic powered by MyrtleBeachGolf.com will be played February 7-9, 2022.

Brittain Resorts is an ideal sponsor for an event that brings golfers from across America to Myrtle Beach.

From award-winning, full-service oceanfront resorts to affordable and family-friendly hotels, Brittain Resorts & Hotels has the perfect selection of accommodations and amenities to satisfy the tastes and budgets of all golfers. Featuring a broad range of properties with over 5,300 rooms, suites and condos, 35 onsite restaurants and bars, and 210 pools and lazy rivers, Brittain Resorts annually delivers an unforgettable vacation experience to more than 2.7 million guests.

“Brittain Resorts is the perfect partner for our first event of the year,” Tournament Director Scott Tomasello said. “They have been part of the fabric of the Myrtle Beach community for more than 80 years and staying at a Brittain Resorts property will ensure golfers have a great time on and off the course.”

The Brittain Resorts Classic powered by MyrtleBeachGolf.com will feature a different format of play each day and players will be flighted based on their USGA handicap. Teams will play best ball in the opening round, followed by modified alternate shot and a Texas scramble.

The event costs just $245 per person and has carved out a reputation as one of golf’s most valued-filled events. Much of the value is derived from a golf course lineup that features some of the area’s most popular courses.

The layout’s hosting the eighth annual event are Prestwick, Crown Park, River Edge, Barefoot Love, Aberdeen, River Club, Long Bay, Arrowhead and Tradition Club.  

In addition to three rounds of golf, players will also receive a $50 gift card to Sea Captains house, tournament gift, welcome lunch, daily prizes, random drawings, two drink tickets each day, and a final round awards luncheon.

For more information the Myrtle Beach Preseason Classic, visit PreseasonClassic.com.

Bay Harbor’s Links/Quarry Selected Among Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses

Leading Northern Michigan design moves up 17 spots on the prestigious list

(Petoskey, MI) – BOYNE Golf announced that Bay Harbor Golf Club, the flagship golf property in Northern Michigan, has made a significant move up on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The Links/Quarry course, part of the scenic 27-hole Arthur Hills/Stephen Kircher design located along the bluffs of Lake Michigan, was ranked No. 63 making one of the largest moves on the list.

The publication's biennial review of America's top public courses can be found on Golfdigest.com. Golf Digest uses nearly 1,000 low-handicap male and female golfers on its Course Ranking Panel and asked each to submit ballots based on eight criteria including shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, character, and fun.

Golf Digest described the picturesque shoreline course: “One of three grand ‘new Pebble Beaches’ that debuted in the late 1990s, Bay Harbor was ranked third in Golf Digest's survey of Best New Upscale Public Courses of 1999, behind the twin juggernauts (and fellow Pebble Beach clones) Bandon Dunes and Whistling Straits.”

Bay Harbor Golf Club is situated on the site of an old limestone quarry and cement factory. The course offers 27-holes (Links, Quarry and Preserve). The Links nine is routed along a high bluff overlooking scenic Little Traverse Bay. Miles of majestic shoreline frames the American links-style course accented with towering dunes 200 feet or more above Lake Michigan. The Quarry nine presents a different golfing challenge as it climbs in and out of an old rock quarry. Dramatic features including a 40-foot gorge with shale cliffs, ponds, a waterfall and fairways along the bay. Meandering through acres of the hardwood forests and natural wetlands, The Preserve nine exemplifies what Northern Michigan golf is all about.

“Moving up 17 spots on this Golf Digest ranking is very significant and a testament to the great work the BOYNE Golf team has done over the years with some minor course changes, tree removal, and tee positioning all to improve variety, shot values and the overall fun factor in playing one of the most scenic golf courses in the country,” said Bernie Friedrich, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations. 

For more information, visit www.boynegolf.com.

Seven of the World’s Top 10, Hall-of-Famers and Major Champions Headline Field of 132 for the 2021 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer

GOLF Channel to Make U.S. Television History With All-Female Broadcast Team at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer

(GALLOWAY, N.J.) – The final tournament field for the 2021 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer will be one of the strongest fields in tournament history, boasting major champions, Hall-of-Famers and eight of the past 10 winners dating back to 2011.

Taking place Sept. 27-Oct. 3 at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel near Atlantic City, 132 of the game’s top women’s professional golfers will converge upon South Jersey to compete in the 54-hole championship for a share of the $1.75 million purse. GOLF Channel will televise live coverage Friday-Sunday, Oct. 1-3

The 132-player field includes 16 players who competed in the recent Solheim Cup in early September, including defending champion Mel Reid, 2020 champion Lexi Thompson and two-time winner Anna Nordqvist.

The field also features seven of the top-10 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, including Jin Young Ko (2), Inbee Park (3), Sei Young Kim (4), Hyo-Joo Kim (5), Yuka Saso (7), Danielle Kang (8) and Brooke Henderson (10). Multiple major champions also are in the field this week, including Brittany Lang, Brittany Lincicome, Stacy Lewis, Jin Young Ko, Sei Young Kim and So Yeon Ryu, and 2021 major champions Patty Tavatanakit (ANA Inspiration), Saso (U.S. Women’s Open) and Nordqvist (AIG Women’s Open).

Fan favorite and New Jersey native Marina Alex is also set to make her return to Seaview, where she has played since her junior golf days. In addition, World Golf Hall-of-Famer and Atlantic City fan favorite Laura Davies will make her return to the ShopRite LPGA Classic

“We’re excited to once again host the world’s best players the best players to South Jersey for the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer,” said tournament director Bill Hansen. “We are equally as excited to welcome back our passionate fans to the tournament this year and representing South Jersey on a global scale both in person and to audiences around the world via television.”

NBC Sports will utilize an all-women broadcast team to call the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer at the Bay Course at Seaview in Galloway, N.J., on October 1-3 on GOLF Channel, marking the first-ever all-women golf broadcast team in U.S. television history.

The commentary team will feature Cara Banks handling play-by-play duties, alongside analysts Judy Rankin and Paige Mackenzie and on-course reporters Karen Stupples and Kay Cockerill.

Tournament coverage will be produced by long-time NBC Sports and GOLF Channel producer Beth Hutter. Hutter has produced LPGA coverage for more than 15 years and recently made history as the first woman to produce the U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic Club and women’s golf coverage at the Tokyo Olympics.

2021 sponsor exemptions include Rachel Drummond, Megha Ganne and Brynn Walker. Drummond is currently competing full-time on the Ladies European Tour and will be making her LPGA debut at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Walker, 23, a Radnor High graduate outside of Philadelphia who was a standout on the golf team at the University of North Carolina, turned professional after graduation in 2020 and is competing full-time on the Symetra Tour. Ganne, a 17-year-old high school senior at Holmdel High School in Monmouth Country, N.J. who took the world by storm at the U.S. Women’s Open, will be competing in the ShopRite LPGA Classic as an amateur for a second consecutive year.

In accordance with state government and CDC guidelines, the 2021 ShopRite LPGA Classic will safely welcome back fans to the Bay Course at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel to help cheer on the top female golfers in the world.

Ticket packages for the 2021 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer include exclusive hospitality and general admissions tickets offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. All 2021 tournament tickets will be completely digital and will be emailed after purchase.  Tickets can be viewed on either a mobile device or be printed out where they will be scanned at the main gate. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ShopRiteLPGAClassic.com.

Since 1986, the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer has attracted millions of fans to South Jersey. The tournament attracts hundreds of corporate partners, and the event is broadcast to 175 countries and more than 500 million households worldwide. 

ShopRite has served as title sponsor of the tournament since 1992 and has donated over $37 million to regional charities through its partnership with women’s professional golf.

For more information on the 2021 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, follow the tournament’s social media handles including @ShopRiteLPGA on Twitter, @ShopRiteLPGA on Instagram and @ShopRiteLPGA on Facebook.

Forsgate Country Club’s Frank Esposito, Jr. Wins NJ PGA Section Senior Player of the Year

Photo of Frank Esposito, Jr.: NJ PGA

(Monroe Township, N.J.) — Forsgate Country Club’s touring professional Frank Esposito, Jr. claimed his fourth New Jersey PGA Senior Player of the Year title for his 2021 tournament results.  Esposito, a member of the New Jersey PGA Hall of Fame, previously captured the top senior ranking in 2020, 2017 and 2014.  He also is a member of the club’s Teaching Professional staff and is available for private lessons to non-members.

Esposito, 58, also contended for the New Jersey PGA Section’s Player of the Year honors for golf professionals under the age of 50.  He ended the season finishing 9th in a field of 131 players.  Before qualifying to play in the state’s senior tournaments, Esposito notched four New Jersey PGA Player of the Year titles.  

Considered by many as New Jersey’s best senior golfer, Esposito has played in PGA Champions Tour tournaments, competed in the U.S. Open and in two PGA Championships. Earlier this year, he earned a spot in the prestigious Senior PGA Championship.  In 2014, he won the Senior PGA Professional National Championship.  Esposito’s stellar New Jersey golf resume includes two NJ Open titles and three NJ Senior Open Championship victories. 

For more information about Forsgate Country Club visit www.forsgatecc.com or call (732) 521-0070.

Last Chance to Enter the Ticket Ballot for the 150th Open at St Andrews

(St Andrews, Scotland) — The R&A is reminding fans that they only have until Monday, 4 October to apply for tickets to attend The 150th Open at St Andrews.

Around 1.2 million tickets have been applied for since the launch of the ticket ballot in July, demonstrating the huge interest among golf fans to be part of the historic Championship.

Entering the ticket ballot is the only way for fans to secure a place at the renowned Old Course to see the world’s best golfers in action during the 150th staging of The Open, golf’s original championship.

There is also a very high level of demand for hospitality packages and Origins Hospitality experiences are set to completely sell out on Championship Days. 

Fans still have time to register their details via The One Club, the free-to-join membership programme, to ensure that their ticket application is submitted before the ballot closes next Monday at 12pm BST.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “We want to ensure that as many fans as possible have a chance to be a part of this momentous occasion at St Andrews next year and so we are reminding them that the deadline for the ticket ballot is fast approaching.  

“While we have already received thousands of ticket applications from throughout the UK and around the world, the ballot process ensures that everyone has a fair and equitable opportunity to secure a ticket for The 150th Open.

“The excitement is building for what will be a marvellous celebration and another remarkable milestone in the history of one of the world’s great sporting events.”

A ticket ballot was launched for the first time to give as many fans as possible the opportunity to register for tickets for The 150th Open.

Ticket prices are £95 for an adult on Championship Days and range from £20 to £50 on Practice Days.

The R&A is fully committed to encouraging more children and young people to attend The Open and free tickets will be available to children through the successful and long-running “Kids go Free” programme, while half-price youth tickets are available for 16-24 year-olds.

Fans can sign up to The One Club now to register their details and submit an application for tickets to attend The 150th Open at St Andrews.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas to Host Latin America Amateur Championship

Prestigious Tournament Returns to Pete Dye’s Celebrated Teeth of the Dog Layout 

(LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic) – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences – will host the 2022 Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) on its celebrated Pete Dye-designed Teeth of the Dog layout, Jan. 20 – 23. 

Teeth of the Dog – ranked No. 7 in GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” – is widely recognized as the No. 1 course in the Caribbean. The dramatic seaside layout showcases Dye’s design hallmarks: railroad ties, vast waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, hand-sculpted putting surfaces and a unique assortment of pot bunkers. The oceanfront holes are astoundingly beautiful, causing Dye to famously quip: “I created 11 holes and God created seven.”

Founded by the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the USGA, the LAAC was established to further develop amateur golf in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. The championship moves annually to top courses throughout Latin America and showcases the game’s rising talent in the region. The 2022 tournament will mark the third time the event is contested on Teeth of the Dog having previously hosted the LAAC in 2016 and 2019. 

The LAAC champion will receive an invitation to the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club as well as an exemption into The 150th Open at St. Andrews. The winner also receives full exemptions into The Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur Championship and any other USGA amateur championship for which he is eligible as well as being exempt into the final stage of qualifying for the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. The runner(s)-up will be exempt into the final stages of qualifying for The 150th Open and the 122nd U.S. Open Championship.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome the region’s top amateurs back to Casa de Campo for the Latin America Amateur Championship,” said Andres Pichardo Rosenberg, president of Casa de Campo. “Teeth of the Dog is a beautiful, challenging championship venue, and our team relishes the opportunity to continue our wonderful partnership with the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the USGA and also showcasing the ever-expanding golf talent in our region.”

Participants will have full use of Casa de Campo Golf Learning Center. Residing on 21 acres of “pure grass,” the PGA TOUR-quality facility is highlighted by Trackman and BODITRAK technology. It features two indoor hitting bays for rapid game improvement, year-round training, individual and group golf lessons and schools, expert club-fitting and repair, and multiple practice greens for honing putting and short games as well as a pristine double-sided outdoor range for full shots. 

In 2002, 27-hole Dye Fore joined Teeth of the Dog as Casa de Campo’s second course. 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. 

Located in the interior of the property is the resort’s third Dye layout, The Links. The moderately hilly track with tall Bahia grass framing bunkers and undulating greens presents 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 courses Dye has designed and is ideal for players of all abilities. 

During the COVID pandemic, the five-star resort initiated its “Casa Cares” program touching virtually every area of the property including significant investment in new equipment and employee training. The robust health and safety practices continue to remain a top priority for its guests. 

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/. 

USGA Opens Nominations for 2022 Bob Jones Award

Annual award celebrates sportsmanship, character, respect among golfers 

(LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.) – The USGA is seeking nominations from the global golf community for the 2022 Bob Jones Award, the highest honor annually presented by the organization and celebrated at the U.S. Open Championship. 

Presented since 1955, the Bob Jones Award highlights the most noteworthy demonstrations of sportsmanship in golf, and celebrates those individuals who, in the spirit of its namesake, have displayed character, integrity and respect while playing the game. Beyond his playing career – with a record-tying nine USGA championship titles – Jones embodied the game’s values throughout his life.

“Bob Jones set a standard for greatness, and this award showcases the players who live by that same timeless sense of honor and humility through every round they play,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “It elevates all that is good and inspiring about golf and gives the game role models that our kids and each generation of golfers can aspire to become.”

Nominations and recommendation letters can be submitted to the USGA via email to bobjonesaward@usga.org. The correspondence should include support for the submission that references the above award criteria. The deadline for receipt is Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 at 5 p.m. EDT.

Notable past recipients of the Bob Jones Award include Francis Ouimet, Babe Zaharias, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Peggy Kirk Bell, Nancy Lopez, Nick Price, Payne Stewart, Annika Sorenstam, Lee Elder and 2020 recipient Se Ri Pak. Six-time USA Walker Cup competitor and two-time captain Bob Lewis was the 2021 honoree.  

The 2022 recipient will be announced in February and will be formally honored during the week of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

To learn more, visit usga.org.

Puerto Rico Offers Tropical Island Golf Getaways Amid Ideal Weather

U.S. Territory Superb for Fall, Winter Visits; 18 Courses, Variety of Hotels and Resorts Await 

(SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO) – Visit Puerto Rico this fall and winter to bask in tropical weather on exhilarating golf courses at vibrant hotels, amenity-rich resorts, and award-winning restaurants overlooking beautiful beaches.

While many of the Island’s 18 courses are near capital San Juan – home to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), air hub of the Caribbean – inspiration beckons throughout Puerto Rico, providing visitors with acclaimed playing options and scintillating after-golf options. From the only rainforest in the U.S. Forest Service, to beaches that have hosted world surfing championships, stunningly beautiful and amazing places greet visitors at every turn.

Home to several of the top-rated course designs in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Atlantic Islands (source: Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play), Puerto Rico’s golf resorts are spectacular, including:

Royal Isabela (18 holes) – Links Course perched on 150-foot-high cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean

El Conquistador Resort (18) – Iconic venue is home to rollicking Arthur Hills course design

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (36) – East Course ranks as one of the world’s best

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort (36) – Ocean, River courses diverse yet complementary

St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club (18) – Robert Trent Jones II authored a seaside masterpiece

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort (27) – three 9-hole layouts lie between ocean and mountains

Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Resort (36) – golf club on East Coast is an Island favorite

Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico (36) – Championship Course here hosts PGA TOUR event

Many golf packages at Puerto Rico resorts offer buffet breakfasts, complimentary drinks, and other enticements. For those who prefer to stay at a variety of places, there are many standalone golf courses on the Island that are conveniently located, including Rio Bayamon, El Legado, Punta Borinquen, Fort Buchanan, Deportivo del Oeste and Caguas Real. 

For U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico is the most exotic and travel friendly destination in the Caribbean; the American territory is bilingual, uses U.S. currency, and requires no passport.

For more information about the Island, its attractions, and its travel guidelines, visit: DiscoverPuertoRico.com.

PGA Professional David Impastato to Host V1 Sports Coaching Workshop and Certification in Chicago

October 18th and 19th Event to Showcase Cutting-Edge Golf Instruction Technology; Participating PGA Professionals to Earn 6 MSR Credits, While LPGA Professionals to Earn 4 CU Credits 

(Novi, MI) — V1 Sports, developers of the leading video analysis, ground pressure, and stat tracking technologies for coaches and athletes has announced that PGA Professional David Impastato will host a Coaching Workshop at the David Impastato Golf Academy in Geneva, Ill., on Monday, October 18th and Tuesday, October 19th.  This world-class, one-day educational event is geared for teaching professionals seeking to expand their coaching knowledge, and will educate attendees on best practices learned from more than 25 years leading the world in instruction solutions that help coaches improve student lessons and grow their teaching business. All attendees will earn a V1 Sports Certification with no prerequisites required.

Ranked among the 10 “Best Teachers” in the state of Illinois by Golf Digest magazine, Impastato has been a Class A PGA member since 1995. Throughout his career he has had the opportunity to work with some of the game’s top instructors, including Stan Utley, Hank Haney, Jimmy Ballard and Jim Hardy. 

V1 Sports’ Coaching Workshop is offered in two one-day sessions,  letting guests choose to attend Monday, October 18 or Tuesday, October 19. The sessions run from 8:30am - 4:30pm each day. While normally costing $349, golf instructors can take advantage of a special price of $199. All attendees will receive six PGA MSR credits and four LPGA CU credits for attending. 

“After the success of our recent V1 Sports Software Summit in Florida, we know this workshop will be a hit among golf professionals,” says Brian Finnerty, CEO of V1 Sports. “Attendees will learn best practices that empower them to improve their teaching programs and increase marketability and value.”

Each one-day seminar will cover:

Training on V1 Pro Studio software, V1 Pro and V1 Golf mobile app

- Best practices for video capture, telestration and analysis

- Creating powerful voice-over video lessons for students

- Student video and lesson exchange through the V1 Golf app 

Training on the V1 Pressure Mat

- Overview of the 3 pressure charts: Center of pressure, dynamic vertical force, and velocity

- Key pressure positions and percentages

- Key speed and vertical force ranges

Training on the V1 Coach and V1 Game mobile app

- Connecting with students through the V1 Coach app

- Integrate stat tracking into your coaching program

- Analyzing on-course performance data

- Managing teams within the V1 Coach app

Overview of V1 Sports hardware, facility design and consulting

- Options for upgrade, remodel and new studios

- Camera and lighting setup for beautiful high speed, high def video

- Best practices for layout, netting, turf and other technology

- Tour of our latest facility design and build projects 

Guest Speakers and Trainers:

- Jake Thurm (Ground Pressure and Video Analysis Expert, Golf Digest Best Young Teacher)

- David Impastato, PGA (PGA Certified Professional Owner of Impastato Golf Academy)

- Mike Brown (Midwest Regional Sales Manager at V1 Sports)

- Chip Carrel (Northeast Regional Sales Manager at V1 Sports)

- Chris McGinley (Chief Revenue Officer at V1 Sports)

- Jacob Favela (Director of Customer Success at V1 Sports)

- Kelly Hurst (Director of B2B Marketing at V1 Sports)

“V1 Sports is one of the premier technology companies in the golf industry,” said David Impastato, PGA Professional and owner of David Impastato Golf Academy. “We’re honored to host the V1 Sports Coaching Workshop and look forward to connecting with fellow pros who want to integrate highly effective game-improvement technology in their lessons.”

With more than two decades of experience developing the best golf instruction technologies used by thousands of coaches and millions of golfers, V1 Sports has collected the knowledge and data to help coaches to improve their lessons and grow their teaching business. 

To learn more about the V1 Sports Coaching Workshop and register, go to: https://bit.ly/V1Workshop.

For general questions about the event, reach out to sales@v1sports.com.

TRUE linkswear, Foray Golf Announce the Release of Queen of Clubs Limited Edition Knit II

Collaborative Women’s Golf Shoe Available for Fall Golf Season

(TACOMA, Wash.) – TRUE linkswear (TRUE), creators of golf’s most naturally comfortable shoes, has teamed with Foray Golf (Foray) to craft the Queen of Clubs (QOC) Limited Edition Knit II, a women’s exclusive featuring original artwork, finishing details selected by Foray, and an extravagant QOC matching carry bag exclusive to the style.

Created on TRUE’s best-selling True Knit II platform, the QOC Limited Edition Knit II features a pure white, one-piece breathable upper that rests atop a speckled midsole with the QOC housed under a translucent outsole. TRUE’s new open cell footbed allows for increased breathability and comfort on warm days, and its new Wanderlux Midsole offers maximum comfort and rebound. The QOC Limited Edition Knit II is extremely lightweight with a transitional drop of four millimeters and flexible opening for slide in comfort.

“When we set out to create our first ever women’s exclusive release, we thought ‘Who better to team up with than our friends at Foray Golf?,’” says TRUE President Jason Moore. “We have bonded over the years through a shared desire to reinvigorate golf lifestyle and culture, and the QOC Limited Edition Knit II is part of that mission. We’re honored to be a part of the Foray story.”

The intersection of TRUE and Foray centers on the unbridled love of golf and an unwavering commitment to both comfort and style. Freedom of expression is at the core of both brands, whose headquarters sit more than 2,800 miles apart – TRUE in Tacoma and Foray in New York City. Fittingly, the shoe’s inspiration was born midway between the two in Minneapolis. The “Queen of Clubs” was designed by Mike Davis, creative director and co-owner of Burlesque of North America, an award-winning graphic art and screen-printing shop.

“The expression on the Queen of Clubs’ face is very confident and commanding and that’s exactly the vibe we wanted this ground-breaking shoe to project,” says Foray Founder and CEO Megan LaMothe. “Our mission is to bring more women into the sport by providing apparel they can feel comfortable and confident wearing. Mike’s Queen of Clubs artwork is a pure reflection of our mantra and TRUE is the perfect partner for executing our vision.” 

The QOC Limited Edition Knit II is available while supplies last in women’s sizes 6-12 for $175 with free shipping for domestic orders. Each pair comes in a Foray-designed leatherette carry bag with a magnetic clasp handle and Queen of Clubs detailing that houses the shoes and is also a convenient and stylish accessory off the golf course. 

Learn more at www.truelinkswear.com.

Arccos Launches Powerful Enhancements to Smart Club Distances and Putt Tracking

(STAMFORD, Conn.) — Arccos – the pioneer of big data and artificial intelligence for golf – today announced its major features release for Q4 2021, highlighted by a next-generation Smart Club Distances algorithm, first-of-its-kind weather & location scenarios tool and enhanced putt data tracking. 

Developed by Arccos’ leading team of data scientists, architects and engineers, the latest Smart Club Distances machine learning algorithm takes accuracy to a new level by providing a precise estimation of how far a player hits a well-struck shot with each club in their bag. Mishits, abnormally long and recovery shots are now automatically identified and eliminated from the calculations, which help fuel Arccos’ award-winning A.I. caddie club recommendations. Plus, golfers can now filter the total number of shots included by the algorithms at any given time to facilitate analysis of any recent changes in their swing, equipment or other game aspects.

Further extending the value of Smart Club Distances is the weather & location scenarios tool. This graphically intuitive feature allows Arccos members to easily select from a wide range of weather conditions (ex: wind speed, wind direction and temperature variations) and altitudes. It then uses machine learning to assess the impact of these adjustments across the Smart Distance of every club in that player’s bag.

“Along with our hands-free shot tracking system, Smart Club Distances is frequently cited by Arccos members as one of the most powerful aspects of our platform,” said Ryan Johnson, Arccos Vice President of Engineering. “New simulations give players more ways to prepare in any condition as it further removes cognitive bias and shows every member an even clearer picture of their ‘true average’ with each club. That knowledge provides tremendous confidence when they step up to each shot.”

Premiering concurrently are significant enhancements to Arccos functionality on the greens. These include the addition of second and third putt distance tracking for even more accurate putting Stroke Gained analytics, a green grid view toggle and the ability to enable walking path tracking for better post-round identification of pin and putt locations.

“With the ability to collect this new data, my students and Arccos members everywhere are getting a more detailed assessment of their putting strengths and weaknesses,” said Erika Larkin, PGA Professional, Arccos Ambassador and one of America’s most acclaimed golf instructors. “It’s another great step forward when it comes to harnessing the power of data to help golfers practice smarter, make better decisions and shoot lower scores.”

Golf’s first Artificial Intelligence platform, Arccos Caddie automatically tracks your shots while delivering in-round insights and post-round Strokes Gained Analytics. The system includes the world’s first A.I.-powered rangefinder, smart club distances and caddie advice for every golf hole on earth.

Arccos members have recorded an astonishing 8 million rounds and over 475 million shots with the system while playing courses in 194 countries. This feeds the world’s largest on-course dataset, which now includes 31 billion separate data points that are analyzed to help golfers perform their best. In 2020, the average new Arccos member improved their handicap by 5.02 strokes.

The Arccos Caddie system and Arccos Caddie Link are Permitted under the Rules of Golf (USGA Decision Numbers 2018-0414 and 2020-0305).

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

2021 Sanderson Farms Betting Preview

PGA players will be heading to Jackson, Mississippi, for the next event. However, most of the top names will be absent from this event after playing in the Ryder Cup.

The most notable name is Sergio Garcia, who happened to be the only player from the Ryder Cup to join this event. In addition, he also happens to be the returning champ.

Tournament Details

Date: Sep 30–Oct 3, 2021

Course: Country Club of Jackson

Watch on: GOLF

Purse: $6,600,000

Betting Overview

Having a low score is going to be crucial here to withstand multiple rounds. In fact, all seven events hosted at this course have had scores of 16-under or better.

As mentioned above, many of the top names will not be playing in this event. So this could be anyone's victory if they are able to make putts and post-high-scoring rounds.

Head to Head Matchup to Watch

Sam Burns (-27.565) and Will Zalatoris (-34.115) make a great pair of golfers to watch. Burns enters this event as the favorite, while Zalatoris is in a three-way tie for the second favorite.

Burns has a Valspar Championship and eight top 10 finishes on the season. Following his 18th place after the Tour Championship, he has played well leading up to this point.

Zalatoris has had a great season and now a great opportunity to land another win. Since the field is not heavy with top players, he could steal a win.

Dunkel Index For This Event

The Dunkel Index is showing these top 10 golfers that could win this event. The following ten are:

1 Sam Burns -27.565

2 Sung-jae Im -29.340

3 Corey Conners -30.727

4 Matt Wallace -30.983

5 Will Zalatoris -34.115

6 Sergio Garcia -34.233

7 Seamus Power -34.570

8 Harold Varner III -34.697

9 John Augenstein -34.824

10 Charley Hoffman -35.452

*index is subject to changes

Golfers Who Could Win

Charley Hoffman (-35.452), though a potential long shot, offers some of the best value. The 44-year-old has put up five top 10 finishes last season, with one of them being a second-place finish at the Valero Texas Open. Hoffman also averages 1.08 strokes per round in his last ten rounds.

Sung-jae Im (-29.340) recent success makes him another top pick here. While playing at this location, he has put up 1.31 strokes per round over the last ten rounds. He is able to strike heavily off the tee and is great at strokes gained stats.

Potential Winning Pick

Sergio Garcia (-34.233) is coming off an impressive performance at the Ryder Cup. In fact, he put up a 3-1 record against Team USA even though Team Europe lost 19-9.

Coming into this event, he is arguably the most dangerous with how well he is playing. Then again, he also happens to be the defending champion with an average of 3.47 strokes per round in his last four rounds.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club Set To Unveil Newly Enhanced Iconic Falcon Clubhouse

The UAE’s National Course will showcase the upgraded clubhouse at the 2021 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific

(Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) – Abu Dhabi Golf Club is set to unveil a new look interior within the famous Falcon Clubhouse in November 2021. The famed National Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club has hosted European Tour events since 2006 boasting the likes of Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods amongst others. The iconic clubhouse sits behind greens 9 and 18 of the National Course, and is recognizable across the world.

Following new ownership at the start of 2021, the Club is now led by Club Operations Manager Andrea Faldella, a long-time Troon leader. Andrea commented “We are excited to showcase our newly upgraded Clubhouse to the members, guests, and some of the world’s greatest female amateur players. Having been chosen to host the 3rd edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, we look forward to welcoming all to our stunning new terrace, enlarged golf shop with all the best brands, and our new Falcon Bar which is on the 1st floor.

The enhancement of the Club is just at the beginning, with more areas to be upgraded, including the golf courses (18-hole championship course plus a 9-hole floodlit course), the launch of a new Golf Academy, a redesigned swimming pool area and additional leisure amenities. While doing this, we are also working on our digital transformation, which will complement our vision to deliver the best possible experience to our members and guests. 

We expect both Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the nearby Westin Hotel to benefit from the numerous upgrades, while continuously driving international awareness to one of the most iconic resorts in the Middle East.”

The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) recently announced that the 2021 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship will be staged at the Troon managed Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 10-13 November.

Mark Chapleski, Executive Vice-President of Troon International added “We are very enthused about the relaunch of the famed Falcon Clubhouse, an iconic world renowned golf clubhouse. I must commend the new ownership who has invested and enhanced our offerings at the club. It is exciting times ahead at Abu Dhabi Golf Club as an already fantastic facility becomes even better.”

The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship has been developed by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite women amateurs to the international stage and the opportunity to play in two Major golf championships. The third edition of the region's premier women's championship will be played at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates from 10 – 13 November. The 2021 WAAP champion will earn starts in the AIG Women's Open and the Amundi Evian Championship as well as an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA). For more information please visit the championship website.  

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

Detroit’s Rocket Mortgage Extends Title Sponsorship of the Rocket Mortgage Classic through 2027

First-ever PGA TOUR event within the city limits of Detroit to continue supporting community initiatives 

(DETROIT) – The PGA TOUR and Rocket Mortgage, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, today announced an extension of the title sponsorship for the Rocket Mortgage Classic through 2027. Detroit’s PGA TOUR event will continue to benefit local residents through its commitment to bridging the digital divide in the community.

“From the very beginning, Dan Gilbert’s vision was to bring a world-class golf event to Detroit, shining a light on the city and raising money for partners doing amazing work in our community. Since then, Rocket Mortgage, the tournament team and the PGA TOUR have all worked tirelessly to establish an event that has a lasting impact on golf fans as well as neighborhoods throughout Detroit,” said Jay Farner, CEO of Rocket Mortgage and Rocket Companies.  “We have built tremendous momentum and won multiple awards for our event from the PGA TOUR. But, more importantly, we have been able to take on very important initiatives, like helping to bridge the digital divide in Detroit. We are looking forward to seeing the impacts of this tremendous event for many more years to come.”

The Rocket Mortgage Classic, which saw Cameron Davis win his first PGA TOUR event in 2021, will continue to focus on its Changing the Course initiative. This program aims to end the digital divide in Detroit by making data-driven investments into the city and philanthropic partners that assist in providing technology, internet access and digital literacy training to residents. The goal is to ensure residents have access to these tools within a 15-minute walk of their home.

Charitable proceeds raised from the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic totaled over $2.7 million, surpassing the $1.2 million that was raised from the 2019 Rocket Mortgage Classic. More than $3.5 million of these proceeds were invested directly into Detroit and Southeast Michigan-based organizations. Funds are disbursed by the Rocket Giving Fund, the 501(c)(3) host organization that manages the Rocket Mortgage Classic. 

One of the primary initiatives of the Rocket Giving Fund is EBB 313, which is operated by Connect 313 Fund. This program subsidizes the cost of internet and technological devices for eligible households in Detroit. EBB 313 is the first and only campaign in the country that has streamlined and systemized access to the federal government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit. This significantly reduces the cost to digital access and opportunity, one of the primary barriers for those who currently do not have the necessary materials needed to be connected. Connect 313 Fund is a collaborative organization founded by the City of Detroit, the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Rocket Companies, Microsoft and the United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

“The Rocket Mortgage Classic is an unparalleled opportunity to highlight all the great work taking place in Detroit, one of the great sports towns in America, and we’re excited to continue our partnership with Rocket Mortgage and the Rocket Mortgage Classic through 2027,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Thanks to today’s extension, the Rocket Giving Fund will continue to provide significant technological benefits for the citizens of Detroit through the Connect 313 Fund. We are proud that the Rocket Mortgage Classic has been a leader from day one in ensuring – through its work with local businesses and community leaders – that the tournament represents the diversity of the community.”

The inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2019 won the PGA TOUR’s “Fair Way Award,” recognizing it as the leader in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and setting the bar for all PGA TOUR events by hiring Michigan-based, Detroit-based and minority owned businesses. The goal of the Rocket Mortgage Classic is to be reflective of and benefit the businesses and entrepreneurs that serve as the backbone of the local community. 

“The Rocket Mortgage Classic continues to get better by the year, and we expect this incredible momentum to maintain as we build the preeminent event on the PGA TOUR,” said Jason Langwell, Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “Our roster of the world’s best players continues to grow, the Detroit Golf Club’s classic layout is becoming a player favorite and our tournament has become the must-attend event of the summer.”

Rocket Mortgage has been a PGA TOUR partner since 2014. The Rocket Mortgage Classic debuted in Detroit in 2019, following the Quicken Loans National in the Metro Washington D.C. area where the company was title sponsor from 2014-18.

Rocket Mortgage will also continue its multifaceted partnership with the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions as its Official Mortgage Sponsor. Rocket Mortgage is a prominent advertiser on PGA TOUR telecasts and across PGA TOUR social and digital channels. Additionally, Rocket Mortgage golf brand ambassadors include Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson.

Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia Win Inaugural Nicklaus-Jacklin Award Presented by Aon

Better decisions in sportsmanship, teamwork and performance prove critical in Garcia’s and Johnson’s success

(KOHLER, Wis.) – Following the conclusion of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, where the U.S. Ryder Cup Team won its second consecutive domestic Ryder Cup, 19-9, Dustin Johnson (U.S.) and Sergio Garcia (Europe) were named the inaugural recipients of the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award presented by Aon. The players were recognized as those who best embodied the spirit of the famous 1969 concession, when Jack Nicklaus conceded a 2-foot putt to Tony Jacklin for a halved match that resulted in the first tie in Ryder Cup history.

This new award commemorates sportsmanship, teamwork and performance in the context of better decision-making. These three attributes that were brought to the forefront by Johnson and Garcia also reflect Aon’s values and commitment to helping clients shape business decisions for the better. 

Johnson arrived at the Ryder Cup as the oldest player on the U.S. Team and through remarkable teamwork in his partnerships with two rookies in Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, he performed brilliantly to become the first American to finish with a 5-0-0 record since Larry Nelson in 1979.  The 37-year-old, playing in his fifth Ryder Cup, is the fifth player to go 5-0-0 in a single Ryder Cup, joining Arnold Palmer (1967), Gardner Dickinson (1967), Larry Nelson (1979) and Francesco Molinari (2018).

Showcasing his own appreciation for Johnson’s contribution to his teammates, Morikawa, who was paired with Johnson for three of his five matches, recognized the impact that Johnson had on his success. 

“Obviously having DJ, he's an amazing player. I've said it all week, and I'm going to keep saying it, because he really is. He's a great guy and he really made these first two days a little easier on me,” Morikawa said. “Dustin has been one of the best players in the world for a long time, and it was amazing to have someone like that as my partner in my first Ryder Cup.”

“It’s a dream to go 5-0-0 in a Ryder Cup,” said Johnson. “For the first four matches, I had great partners in Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. We played great together and gelled really well. I am so proud of my teammates and my captains and loved the help from the fans. This award is something to be very proud of.  All 12 of us showed great teamwork and came together as a team.”

Making his 10th appearance for the European Team, Garcia showcased teamwork and performance through the Thursday and Friday matches alongside fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm. Garcia and Rahm were the first European tandem since 1987 to trail 3-down through three holes and eventually win their match.  Garcia and Rahm’s teamwork resulted in victories in all three of their matches. 

Garcia exemplified the love of his team with his comments and encouragement of teammate Rory McIlroy on Saturday, “I told him the absolute truth. I told him that not only me but the whole team is proud of him no matter if he goes 5-0 or 0-5; that we love him and that we are always proud of the effort that he makes and the heart that he puts into his golf and into the team. It's as simple as that.”

During Friday’s Foursomes match, Garcia made the decision to go for the green from 244 yards on the par-5 16th hole for what would be a memorable shot enroute to winning a point. With Garcia’s 3-1-0 record for the week, he became the all-time Ryder Cup leader in overall wins (24), overall points (27.5) and Foursomes wins (12).

“I love the Ryder Cup,” Garcia said. “We all know about the beautiful moment that happened more than 50 years ago between Nicklaus and Jacklin. I’m proud to be the first to win this award and thankful to Aon. I try to play the game to the best of my ability, but always with respect and I enjoy it. I enjoyed this week and I thought we played with good energy, which is important to show the young players that you can play with respect and have fun, even in defeat. I love my team. I’m so proud of all of them. I have so many amazing experiences and relationships with my team. I love the guys in that room.”

The selections were made by a committee consisting of the award’s namesakes Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin; former Ryder Cup Captains Paul Azinger and Paul McGinley; Jim Richerson, President, PGA of America; Alan White, Chairman, PGA of Great Britain and Ireland; and Carlo Clavarino, Executive Chairman, International, Aon.

“We are honored to partner with the Ryder Cup to present the inaugural award that embodies so much of who we are and what we stand for at Aon,” said Clavarino. “Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson both reflected the spirit of this tournament, showcased better decision making on behalf of the greater good for their team and demonstrated excellence and sportsmanship.”

Forsgate Country Club to Host the 8th Annual R.A. Schiavone Memorial Cup

Photo: Jim Krajicek

Amateurs and Professionals Take on the Historic Banks Course

(Monroe Township, N.J.) — Forsgate Country Club will host the 8th Annual R.A. Schiavone Memorial Cup Pro/Scratch Event on its historic Banks Course October 13-14. The event is a two-day stroke play tournament for amateurs and a one day pro-am team competition.  There are two age divisions for amateur contestants: 35-55, and 56 years and older.  There is no age requirement for PGA professionals.  The 2020 tournament was canceled due to the pandemic. 

On October 13, amateurs compete in a skills competition that is followed by Round 1 of 18 holes of stroke play.  On October 14, amateurs join their professional partner in a team aggregate gross format, which also counts as Round 2 of their stroke play tournament.  The two-day low gross total player from each age division will qualify for a one hole playoff to determine the 2021 R.A. Schiavone Memorial Cup champion.  In addition to competing as a team, the pros will vie for a $5,000 purse with a $2,500 first place prize going to the medalist. 

The Schiavone Cup is named in honor of longtime Garden State golf course owner/investor Ronald A. Schiavone (1925-2011).  The founder of Schiavone Construction Company, he built large portions of the New Jersey Turnpike, including Interchange 8A, the exit adjacent to Forsgate Country Club.

“This tournament honors a man who contributed to golf in New Jersey, even though he wasn’t a golfer himself,” said Chris Schiavone, Forsgate’s Managing Partner.  “As a founder of the state’s largest country club, the 54-hole Fiddler’s Elbow, and primary owner of Forsgate Country Club for more than a decade, Ron Schiavone provided the entrepreneurial vision that helped elevate the quality of the game in the Garden State. We are pleased to welcome players back to the eighth edition of this great event.”

The field is limited to 60 teams and the entry fee for the two man team is $350.  For more information or to register a team, contact Carolyn McKenzie Andrews at (732) 656-8959.

For more information about Forsgate Country Club visit www.forsgatecc.com or call (732) 521-0070.

The Club at Olde Cypress to Reopen Remastered Golf Course, Updated Clubhouse in November

New Turf Throughout Naples’ First P.B. Dye Design Headlines Multi-Million-Dollar Project

(NAPLES, Fla.) – The Club at Olde Cypress, one of the most vibrant, active and welcoming private clubs in Southwest Fla., will reopen its remastered P.B. Dye-designed golf course and 34,000-square-foot updated clubhouse in November following a multi-million-dollar investment in the club by owner STOCK Development. 

The expansive project entailed the resurfacing of all 18 greens, practice green and chipping area with TifEagle Bermuda; enlarging, leveling and re-grassing tee boxes with Bimini Bermuda; installation of a new subsurface drainage system for rapid expulsion of excess water and new high-performance, artificial turf stations on the driving range for use when the grass tees are closed. To complete the project, the course’s 98 bunkers will be refreshed with new edging, contouring and visually-stunning sand.

“Golf’s popularity has soared over the past 18 months and now our course is fully-updated and ready to accommodate our golf members, who are among the most avid players in the Naples market,” says Olde Cypress Director of Golf Joe Conforti. “Director of Golf Course Maintenance Brad Haynes and his team have been instrumental in restoring our outstanding P.B. Dye design to its original grandeur.”

Inside Olde Cypress’ clubhouse, Soco Interiors has transformed the golf shop, welcome area and offices with a contemporary palette of crisp whites, sophisticated grays and layered neutrals with accents of deep blue. The woodwork is painted a cool gray and blends perfectly with new silver and wood-accented pendant lighting and a modern sphere-shaped chandelier. Countertops are adorned with sleek Calacatta stone tops, and display areas for clothing and shoes create a neutral backdrop for displaying latest fashion trends.

“Our staff and vendor-partners have been amazing throughout this transformative project and we believe the members and prospective members are really going to love it,” says Olde Cypress General Manager Ken Lanigan. “We’re excited to unveil the changes this fall and feel like we’re well-positioned for future growth and prosperity.”

In addition to the golf shop, the clubhouse upstairs interiors have also been enhanced and refined. New artwork and accessories throughout mix colorful, contemporary pieces with unique textural elements. The dining and ballroom spaces have been modernized with new lighting and flooring. The library has a lighter look with painted wood architectural details that contrast vividly with the fresh white walls.

“The golf course remastering and clubhouse updates honor Olde Cypress’ legacy, while elevating the experience for members of this exclusive club,” says Brian Stock, CEO of STOCK Development. “The multimillion-dollar investment represents the club’s continued commitment to unparalleled service and member experiences.”

For more information visit www.oldecypress.com.

NBC Sports’ Presentation of the Ryder Cup to Feature 'Marquee Hour in Partnership with Rolex' on Sunday

New Constant Leaderboard Integrations to Feature Overall Points, Matches Led by Each Side, and Points Remaining to Win/Retain Ryder Cup

(STAMFORD, Conn.) – NBC Sports’ presentation of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler, Wis., will feature the debut of the commercial-free “Marquee Hour in Partnership with Rolex” this Sunday on NBC, as well as new constant leaderboard graphics that will be integrated into coverage throughout the weekend on NBC and GOLF Channel.

After the final singles match tees off Sunday on NBC – approximately 2 p.m. ET – the “Marquee Hour in Partnership with Rolex” will begin, providing commercial-free coverage of the hour which typically features the most action throughout the Ryder Cup, with all 12 singles matches on the course at that time. Rolex is a Worldwide Partner of the Ryder Cup.

This week’s coverage on NBC and GOLF Channel will also premiere new constant Ryder Cup leaderboard graphics – from a simple display of flags and scores, to current match scores and how many points the American and European teams need to win or retain the Cup as singles matches progress on Sunday.

“We’re constantly examining how to enhance our golf coverage,” said Molly Solomon, Executive Producer, GOLF Channel. “The ‘Marquee Hour in Partnership with Rolex’ will deliver commercial-free coverage on Sunday at a time when all 24 American and European players are on the course and the outcome of the Ryder Cup is in the balance. Additionally, our new constant leaderboard graphics represent our commitment to storytelling and delivering the best viewing experience to golf fans.”

NBC Sports will total 100-plus hours of live coverage during the week from Whistling Straits including on-site studio coverage and featured groups. 

Over the course of the week, more than 35 on-air talent provide live commentary throughout live event and studio coverage across NBC, GOLF Channel, and Peacock. 

Popular Sun Mountain Outerwear Adds New Styles

(Missoula, Montana) – Sun Mountain’s popular Colter outerwear collection featuring insulated panels for core warmth and side panels with 4-way stretch for easy range of motion, is getting more style options. Joining the Men’s full-zip Jacket and Vest is the new Colter Long Sleeve Pullover. New Women’s styles include a full-zip Jacket and Vest. 

The Colter collection features a clean, unquilted appearance with insulated panels using the break-through 37.5 insulation which is a chemical-free, synthetic fiber known for its unique ability to absorb body heat and transmit moisture out. 

37.5 insulation is known for helping to maintain an ideal core temperature for athletic performance and comfort by keeping the body warm without overheating, allowing outerwear featuring it to be worn longer and in a broader range of temperatures. 37.5 insulation also resists odors and its insulating qualities never wash out or wear away.

Colter Jacket is a full-zip, hooded jacket with a retail price of $149.99. Colter Long-Sleeve Pullover is a deep-cut, half-zip pullover at $139.99. Colter Vest is a full-zip, packable, ultra-lightweight vest with an internal chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack for $119.99. All styles feature two hand warmer pockets plus internal and external chest pockets.

Women’s Colter Jacket is a full-zip hooded jacket at $139.99 and the Women’s Vest is a full-zip vest for $119.99. Both styles offer two hand warmer pockets plus internal and external chest pockets.

Sun Mountain is also using 37.5 insulation in the Granite Jacket and Vest which features a square quilting pattern; Trapper Jacket with a 4-way stretch fabric and insulated body and sleeves; and the Women’s AT Hybrid Jacket and Vest featuring quilted, insulated panels and 4-way stretch side panels.

For the retailer nearest you, visit www.sunmountain.com or call 800-227-9224.

MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com Unveils Grand Strand’s Three Most Popular Fall Packages, According to Golfers

Pawleys Plantation

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) — With the fall golf season upon us, MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com, the Grand Strand’s most comprehensive resource for players planning and booking a golf vacation, has unveiled its three most popular packages.

MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com has enjoyed a record-breaking 2021, and here are the three offers most popular with players through the year’s first eight months.

-- The “Rewards Package” from Founders Group International again tops the list of Myrtle Beach’s most sought after golf deals. The 4-night, 4-round offer allows players to choose from FGI’s 21 courses, including Grande Dunes, TPC Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation and King’s North, and it features a $100 gift card and a free night of accommodations at Myrtlewood villas. The gift card can be used for food, drink, equipment and clubhouse apparel. The Rewards Package provides the area’s best combination of quality and value.

-- The “Waccamaw Golf Trail Package” allows golfers to choose among 12 of the ever-popular South Strand’s premier layouts. This offer provides the chance to play Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, TPC Myrtle Beach and True Blue, all layouts that have been ranked among the nation’s top 100 public courses. Also available are sterling designs like River Club, Tradition Club and Willbrook Plantation, and golfers love the oceanfront accommodations at Litchfield Resort. It’s not hard to see why the Waccamaw Golf Trail Package is so popular.

-- Barefoot Resort is one of Myrtle Beach’s premier multicourse facilities, and golfers wanting to enjoy the property’s quartet of layouts, designed by some of the game’s biggest names, are flocking to Barefoot’s “Play 3, Get 1 Free” special. Groups enjoy three nights of on-site lodging and a round of golf on the Norman, Love, Fazio and Dye courses, one of which is free, as part of the offer.

The concept of the stay-and-play golf package was born in Myrtle Beach in the 1960s and nearly six decades later it remains at the heart of the area’s popularity. For more information on all of Myrtle Beach’s golf package offerings, visit www.MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com.

New Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews 'Drives In'

(St Andrews, Scotland) — The traditional driving-in ceremony for the new Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews took place on the 1st tee of the Old Course. 

Peter Forster started his year in office with a drive at precisely 8am as a cannon fired alongside the tee. 

As Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Forster will serve in an ambassadorial role for The R&A to support its work in developing golf around the world and will attend R&A professional and amateur championships, including The 150th Open at St Andrews next July.

After hitting his tee shot, Forster said, “I am truly honored to be the Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. I look forward to representing the Club and The R&A in the coming year, one in which we will celebrate the historic staging of The 150th Open here in St Andrews.

“It was fantastic to see so many fellow Members and people of the town turn out for this wonderful tradition and enjoy the atmosphere around the first tee. I was certainly relieved and delighted to make a good contact with the ball and give the caddies a decent shot to retrieve.” 

Born in Edinburgh, Forster was educated at Rannoch School and then Agricultural College in Aberdeen. He started work on his family’s tenanted farm of Peacehill, Wormit, 10 miles north of St Andrews, in 1972. He purchased Peacehill Farm in 1990, expanding the property through acquisitions to 1800 acres owned and 700 acres rented. He is now retired and continues to be a director of Peacehill Farming Ltd and Peacehill Gas Ltd.

Forster became a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1972. He was elected to the Club Committee from 1999 to 2003 and became its Chairman from 2001 to 2003. He was appointed as a Trustee of St Andrews Links Trust from 2004 to 2013 and served as its Chairman from 2009 to 2013. In 2020, he was elected Chairman of the Inter-Clubs Liaison Committee in St Andrews.   

Forster is also a member of The Ten Golf Club of St Andrews, Scotscraig Golf Club and the Seniors Golfing Society. He is Chief Locust of the Locust Golf Society which was founded in 1964 by four members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He is a member of the North East Fife Rotary Club and was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 2019.

Aged 71, Forster currently plays to a handicap of 18. He is married to Mary and they have two children, Karina and Ross, and six grandchildren. His other interests include fishing, hillwalking, skiing, snowboarding and tennis. He has played rugby for Panmure Rugby Club and was its President from 1999 to 2001.

In the past, the Club Captaincy was bestowed on the winner of the annual Challenge for the Silver Club but by the early 19th Century the Captaincy had become an elected office. Part of the tradition is that the new Captain buys his golf ball back from the caddie who retrieves and returns it with a gold sovereign.  

Ed Rankine, who lives in Leven and has been a caddie in St Andrews since 2019, successfully returned the ball to Mr Forster on what was his third attempt in the driving-in ceremony.

“It feels super to have returned the ball," said Rankine. "I actually caddied for Peter during the Calcutta Cup event so everyone was asking me ‘where do you think his drive’s going to go?’ and I said ‘well, I’m going to stand short left of the fairway’ and that’s how it turned out in the end.”