Performance Coach to Scheffler, Spieth and Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson, Dr. Troy Van Biezen Discusses Anticipation at Marco Simone

GolfForever Director of Performance Dr. Troy Van Biezen has been a fixture on the PGA Tour for more than two decades revolutionizing the way players prepare their bodies for tournament play while working with trusted clients like major winners Scottie Scheffler, Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tom Kim and others.

Van Biezen’s personal and working relationship with Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson goes back about 15 years and the duo enjoys a productive dialogue that now has implications on how the United States Ryder Cup team prepares. In fact, Van Biezen brought up the idea at the Paris Ryder Cup for the U.S. team to fly overseas and play a practice round on the Ryder Cup match venue Marco Simone Golf Club. It was the first time a U.S. team played a group practice round at a European Ryder Cup venue prior to the event.

We recently caught up with Van Biezen to talk about his experiences traveling with the U.S. team and his relationship with Johnson and several of the U.S. team players.

What was your takeaway from the practice round/scouting trip most of the United States Ryder Cup team made to Marco Simone a few weeks ago?

I think it was great for them to see the golf course, to see the visuals off the tee. It’s a great way to put together the strategy on a golf course that’s not long but probably has the craziest rough I’ve ever seen. Being sort of your typical European golf course, it’s narrow. The rough is long, so I think, obviously, they will use the set up to take away the big advantage of the U.S. team, which is their power off the tee.  This course sets up for a series of options. ‘Do I go for it? Do I lay back with my opponent doing so?’ We’ll see a lot of cat-and-mouse tactics in these matches.

Conventional wisdom says that taking driver out of the hands of the U.S. players with narrow fairways and penal rough is a success formula for the European team. Is that maybe a bit too dismissive of some of the extraordinary iron players on the American squad?

They did the same thing to us in Paris. They narrowed the fairways and raised the rough and, unfortunately, our guys couldn’t hit a fairway. That was a different team, though, a team full of bombers. There have been a lot of discussions behind the scenes now. You know, I’ve worked with Zach Johnson for 15 years and we’re able to have some candid open discussions.  One of the things I brought to his attention is that we needed to play a practice round and the trip with nine of the players a few weeks ago was the first time Team USA had ever played the course before the event. It’s so hard going across the ocean, adjusting to the time zone, and then trying to learn a golf course in two and a half days. You’re tired, and then you're competing at the Ryder Cup on Friday. It’s just so hard at a golf course you’ve never played. So, I think Zach made a great decision. It was definitely a worthwhile trip.

That’s a very interesting tactic, a very heady decision to earn some crucial familiarity with the golf course with that practice round, with co-captains and stats gurus in tow…

It wasn’t necessarily an easy feat to get most of the team (only Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Scheuffele missed the trip due to other obligations) over there and back, but it was a great decision by Captain Johnson and very important for the team to get on that golf course. These guys are so visual and feel-oriented, so knowing the lines and looks into holes goes a long way. I think if you look at Paris, who was basically the best player in Paris? It was Justin Thomas. JT had played that course before and used it to his advantage. Why wouldn’t we use that to our advantage again?

We know GolfForever ambassadors Scottie Scheffler and Captain Zach Johnson will be using GolfForever Swing Trainers at The Ryder Cup. How many other Ryder Cup participants would you say are GolfForever users and do you think GolfForever training will be critical as these players prepare their bodies for this competition?

I would say every single player has used the Swing Trainer on the PGA Tour in the fitness trailers or have their own Swing Trainer. I honestly don’t know of a player on either team who hasn’t used it, whether it’s on the PGA Tour, they have one in their own home gym, or their trainer has one in his gym. Right now, there’s six swing trainers in the PGA Tour fitness trainer trailer and pretty much every week I go in, there’s at least two or three guys using it to some degree. It’s been fun to watch. When golfers see somebody have success, some will try and copy that person. Scottie’s been that guy, as has Jordan. Good players see Scottie using it and having success, and now several top players are using GolfForever.

How much of Captain Johnson’s philosophy was about chemistry - having players willing to play with anybody and who can play with anybody - how much of that do you think was a factor in Captain Johnson putting this team together?

It was huge. It was a big factor. He wanted to make sure that we were a team that bonded well in the locker room and on the golf course. Balancing strengths and weaknesses and trying to have everybody complement everybody was probably the biggest priority. I always agreed with Zach on not being a big fan of who's playing hot. I’m a big fan of horses for the courses. The reality this year is that if you’re playing hot at the end of the PGA Tour season, you’re not playing again for four weeks. In times past, we jumped on a plane and went straight to Paris, right? So, this one was a lot different. There's a four- or five-week window when Team USA is not competing. Experience matters, too, just due to the pressure that comes with playing in a Ryder Cup. It’s hostile and hard to just to get that first drive off the first tee box.

You're obviously very close with Scottie Scheffler who had one of the all-time great seasons this year from a tee-to-green perspective and was probably a few putts away from an epic season. How good of an opportunity is this match play environment, where a player’s putting really stands out, to sort of just kind of cleanse the palate and move into a new phase of great play?

Yes, I think it is a good opportunity for Scottie. You know, these guys are true competitors. They always want to compete. They will always want to play their best and I think Scottie did an amazing job this season. Putting wasn’t up to his usual standards, but I like how he didn’t freak out. He just stuck with the process and just did his best week to week. For sure, I think he would have won six, seven more tournaments, but, in all fairness, tee-to-green, he had an insane year. His game is in a good place.

How encouraged are you for the future given the way Scottie is hitting the ball and how simple it might be to just turn the corner and have another sensational year?

I've known Scottie since he was 14 years old. I've worked with him since then. I’ve always said there are three, maybe four, golfers that show that burning desire to compete and to succeed. We’re talking guys like Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth. They all have that same innate burning desire to compete at a high level and I'm not worried about it. You know, they all go through it, they all know how to figure it out. Scottie has always been a great putter from junior golf all the way up until the PGA Tour. At some point, he’s going to find it. A lot of it comes with confidence and momentum and once he starts sinking a few, he’s going to take off again.

You talked about your closeness through the years with U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson. What has it been like for you to just see him take on this role as captain, this being your fifth Ryder Cup as a fitness trainer for the U.S. team and having seen different approaches by different captains. What has impressed you the most about the ways he has taken on the honor and duty and made it his own?

In working with Zach for 15 years now, he has always talked about one day being Ryder Cup captain and it’s come to fruition. It’s been exciting for everybody on Team Zach. You know, I did the President’s Cup with Tiger Woods in Australia and I like to really sit back observe players and how they interact with their captains from Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. What I noticed with Tiger, and I noticed was Zach, is the players really respect Tiger and they really respect Zach. Zach still competes with them on a weekly basis. I think because of that, the guys are really dialed in to what Zach says. Zach has also been very fair in asking the players what they think. He's very open to that. I’ve seen captains where they're not competing at the PGA Tour level anymore, there's a bit of a disconnect and there's maybe it's kind of ‘My way or the highway,’ and I think the players react differently to that. I think Zach has done a very good job by embracing the team concept, which is so critical, especially in going overseas. Everybody’s got everybody's back. Number two has been valuing everybody's opinion. Number three, they respect that he still competes on their level week to week. I think it’s just a great relationship between Zach and the players. He’s done a really good job with that.

How critical do you think it is for a captain to be a leader and as well as a peer, so it’s more natural to riff and react with the team?

When they were out there on the practice rounds at Marco Simone, Zach teed it up with them. Zach put the shoes on, took the bag out there and practiced on the range with them and went out there and played with and against them. It’s big to be able to walk that walk and talk the talk. In addition to playing and competing a lot this year, he's just done a really good job embracing the guys’ opinions. I think guys appreciate that.

It must make a captain an even better strategist if they’ve played the golf course. That makes sense.

There was certainly a lot of getting out in the fairway and analyzing longer hitters like Scottie or shorter hitters like Zach, or something in the middle, and analyzing how different players would approach the shot. The analytic scout team is out there, so they’re all ears and trying to figure out the course planning. So, it’s one thing to look at our paper and put teams together in pairs. It’s another to get out on the golf course and strategize how to play the course.

You work with three-time major winner Jordan Spieth who is playing well but went winless in 2023. How critical is a good Ryder Cup performance for guy like Jordan given how passionate he plays and performs in team competitions?

Yeah, the Ryder Cup for these guys is the Super Bowl. They all want to play on the team. They all want to represent Team USA. They all want to compete at the highest level. They always want to bring the Cup home. So, I think for Jordan, this is a huge thing for him. I’m assuming that he and Justin Thomas will probably pair up and those two are like ham-and-egging out there. They play great together and they’re close friends and they always seem to rise to the occasion. JT will rise to the occasion. I have full faith in him. Jordan will do the exact same thing. And, as weird as it sounds, Jordan is going to be the leader on the team. I think he's going have the most Ryder Cup appearances on this team. He is the vet now. He’s the older guy and the guys are going to look up to Jordan, who is very vocal and verbal out there, and the guys ask him a lot of questions. The guys look up to Jordan and I think that will help feed Jordan’s positivity. I think he is going to play great.

In addition to keeping tee shots in the short grass, what are the real keys to victory at this Ryder Cup?

The guys are to have to be really strategic. There are more drivable par fours than I can remember on different Ryder Cup golf courses. But it's a game of chess out there. If I’m behind, do I do try to drive the green? Does my guy drive it? Do I drive it up there with them? Do I lay back? Some of the shots off the tee with a driver are very narrow, so there's a higher chance of putting in the rough. But if you get in the fairway, it’s just short-iron going in. With 3-wood off the tee, it’s further back, but it’s a wider landing space on the fairway and more onus on the iron game. It will be interesting. I just didn't see a lot of holes where you can overpower somebody like at Whistling Straits.

SuperStroke Names Golf Influencer Mei Brennan its Newest Brand Ambassador

The social media star is playing and promoting the brand’s grips within her content

(Wixom, MI) – SuperStroke, the No. 1 putter grip in golf and the leader in innovative Tour-proven golf grip technology, proudly announces Golf Influencer Mei Brennan as its newest brand ambassador.

Since graduating from Utah Tech four years ago, the 26-year-old from Salt Lake City has created a blossoming content career that has helped amass 390,000 followers on Instagram and 202,000 followers on TikTok. She only recently launched a YouTube channel because she feels it’s the best way to show her personality. Brennan will play SuperStroke grips and carry a SuperStroke golf bag when she creates golf content across her social media channels.

“Mei Brennan represents the rising generation in the game of golf and her appeal to younger players and a broad spectrum of golf enthusiasts around the world will make her a perfect person to champion the SuperStroke brand,” said SuperStroke Founder and CEO Dean Dingman. “We look forward to working creatively with Mei and supporting her as her influence in golf continues to grow.”

Brennan was born in Tokyo, Japan and moved to the United States when she was 8. It was then when her father introduced her to golf. At first, Brennan wasn’t overly interested in the game – she didn’t see many other kids around her playing at the time – but her father was in the military and often deployed to different places around the world. When he would return home, he wanted to spend time on the golf course and with his family, so Brennan would often tag along.

Years later Brennan played golf in high school, where she was a captain for three years and helped lead her team to three consecutive appearances in the state championship. That led her to a college career at Utah Tech. In all of her years of competing, Brennan doesn’t recall a time when she didn’t use a SuperStroke grip on her putter.

Brennan’s biggest break came three years ago when she was asked to compete in the second season of “Holey Moley,” a reality series on ABC where contestants put miniature golf and physical skills to the test while competing in outrageous challenges on a supersized course. Brennan won an episode, which aired in June 2020, and her popularity exploded overnight.

“I’m more of a shy and introverted person, so being on TV and having all those cameras, back then, I wasn’t used to it,” she said. “It put me out of my comfort zone. It was a great thing though and I did some crazy things that I never would have done.

“I still get recognized more from ‘Holey Moley’ now than my actual social media presence, and it’s been three years.”

Brennan is not afraid to admit that she never loved the cut-throat atmosphere of competitive golf but still loves the game and enjoys trying to convey that message to her audience on a daily basis. She played in a tournament earlier this year, and was pleased with her performance, but knows that life as an Influencer is what suits her best.

“I took all the parts that I love about the game and I’ve made it into a career,” she said. “I just want people to know that I love the game and I’m having fun with it. That’s my brand. I also want to try to build my female following and show them that the game is not intimidating and that there are cute things to wear on the golf course.”

Brennan recently switched the SuperStroke grip in her putter from the Zenergy Pistol to the Zenergy XL Tour 2.0+plus and has customized the look of her clubs by using one color of grips for her irons and another for her driver and woods.

Several players on golf’s major professional tours have already put SuperStroke Zenergy grips in play. SuperStroke grips are trusted by legions of top professional golfers, including three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, eight-time winner on the PGA Tour Patrick Cantlay, and 2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im. Even before SuperStroke’s first PGA TOUR win by K.J. Choi in 2008, the brand was a pioneering force in putter grips. Zenergy grips now mark the culmination of that relentless innovation, fueled by feedback from more than 450 tour pros in the past year. From signature shapes and sizes to the cutting-edge materials, SuperStroke delivers unprecedented features into every Zenergy grip while connecting golfer and putter like no other product on the market.

Learn more at www.SuperStrokeUSA.com.

The Indoor Golf Shop Helps Golfers Plan “The Approach” to Indoor Golf Season With Special Offers

Leading Golf Simulator Company Introduces New Do-It-Yourself Simulator Enclosures

(CELINA, Texas) — The Indoor Golf Shop, home to the largest selection of residential and commercial indoor golf equipment online, is encouraging golf consumers that it’s not too early to start preparing for the upcoming indoor golf season and building the golf simulator space of their dreams.

Launching a campaign called The Approach, The Indoor Golf Shop is presenting expert tips, new products, seasonal offers, and multiple resources to help golfers turn dreams of building a simulator room this season into reality. As part of the initiative, The Indoor Golf Shop has just launched seven new DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Kits, expanding the full lineup to 10 different sizes. In addition, current product promotions include $3,000 off pricing for the Uneekor EYE XO2 launch monitor, $1,400 off the Uneekor EYE XO, and special discounts on SIG-branded simulator packages ranging from $250 - $1000 off, through the end of September.

“When golfers bring their golf game inside, they keep their swings in tune all winter and open up a whole new world of home entertainment and excitement that they can access any time,” says Jeff Wood, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Customer Experience at The Indoor Golf Shop. “Planning for these projects can be daunting, so we supply resources, ideas and solutions that help consumers visualize and plan the ultimate simulator that’s ideal for their space, goals, and budget. The indoor golf season is approaching quickly, so it’s time to get ready, plan and purchase the ideal setup that will seamlessly help golfers transition from outdoor to indoor play.”

All DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Kits come with every essential included, minus the pipe framing that can be purchased separately. This allows the buyer a cost-savings option so that they can complete the Simulator Enclosure with the materials that fit in their budget. The recommended pipe frame is constructed of 1-inch EMT pipes, found at most hardware and home improvement stores. Each DIY SIG enclosure kit includes the industry-leading SIGPRO Premium Screen, black surround, side barrier netting, sandbags, one-inch EMT canopy fittings, protective foam padding, and six-inch ball bungees.

Consumers can see all 10 of the DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Kits on the website with prices ranging from $1,499.99 to $1,999.99, depending on the size of the enclosure, and aspect ratio of the impact screen. With current promotions for launch monitors like Uneekor, Bushnell, and Flightscope, it’s a perfect time for golfers considering their indoor space to custom build a simulator package for their home. More information on the full line of products and promotions is available at ShopIndoorGolf.com.

“We understand that everyone who wants a home indoor golf space has uniquely different space considerations, and it’s critical for us to provide a variety of options, so our customers can easily find the enclosure that fits their space and maximizes their enjoyment,” Wood says.

The Indoor Golf Shop elevates all phases of the indoor golf buying experience through a full slate of turnkey solutions, including step-by-step guidance to purchasing and installing top simulator brands, DIY consumer packages, best-in-class screens, enclosures, hitting mats, launch monitors and accessories for homes, retailers, teaching and fitting facilities, along with entertainment companies.

Learn more at ShopIndoorGolf.com.

The Most Advanced Layering System in Golf

As the day evolves, evolve with it.

(RELEASE) —FootJoy, the #1 Outerwear brand in golf, continues its commitment to Make Every Day Playable by creating gear to help you play your best in all conditions.

FootJoy is making it even easier for golfers to effortlessly adapt as weather conditions evolve with new additions to ThermoSeries, FJ’s most advanced collection of layering items designed specifically for golf.

This collection of base layers, mid-layers, outer layers and pants is made with materials that move with the golfer providing full range of motion, are lightweight to reduce bulk and are temperature regulated to ensure maximum comfort no matter how many layers are required.  The fabrics are selected for their thermal properties, providing warmth without restriction in cooler conditions and use a DWR finish to protect from the elements.

“Anyone that plays golf in varying weather conditions knows that layers are essential,” said Chad Crocker, Director of Product Management, FJ Apparel.  “ThermoSeries offers a range of distinct layering pieces that work together, so as the temperature changes, you can easily and effortlessly adapt with it.”

New additions to the ThermoSeries collection include a Fleece Back Vest, a Full-Zip Hoodie and a Heather Brushed Back Mid-Layer.  These new additions are lightweight for optimal layering, packed with performance stretch materials designed for the golf swing while providing warmth and comfort. 

The color palette of the complete ThermoSeries collection is neutral, allowing golfers to interchange all of the pieces from the collection to create many different outfit options. 

“As a leader in performance golf apparel, we want to continue the momentum and support around the importance of layering,” continued Crocker.  “ThermoSeries provides a number of different layering options that allow the golfer to extend their season and make every day playable.”

To learn more about ThermoSeries, visit www.footjoy.com or follow @footjoy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok.

Unboxing the KAVOOA PRO Training Aid

For most aspiring collegiate golfers, the pandemic brought on many challenges including isolation, excess of free time, and many questions as to what might happen with their college golf opportunities. In the case of 19-year-old Dylan Horowitz, now captain of the Chapman University men’s golf team in Southern California, he spent his time in isolation working on his golf swing and fixing one of his major swing flaws and, in the process, invented a new swing training aid – Kavooa Pro.

Kavooa Pro, the first swing training aid from @KavooaGolf, will help golfers quickly improve and develop consistent contact with the ball. Kavooa Pro is a tripod-based product that can be adjusted via a patented telescoping device with rods (golf alignment sticks) to stabilize a golfer’s head and hips during the swing. That, in turn, helps solidify pure contact for consistent ball striking.

“My biggest swing fault was caused by growing up playing hockey and hitting a lot of slapshots. I struggled with dipping my head down in my swing and having to compensate with my arms,” explains Horowitz. “Kavooa Pro was originally created specifically to stabilize head movement so I could practice by myself instead of needing someone to hold up sticks during drills. We discovered the product does that for you and also gives instant feedback on a variety of other golf skills.”

Horowitz took inspiration from his longtime instructor, PGA teaching pro Dr. Rick Sessinghaus in developing the feedback-based device. “We used video back in 2020 to show me how my head was moving forward during the swing and Rick mentioned there was no training aid to fix that movement – aside from either having someone hold up a stick to your head while swinging and staying behind it, or placing a beanbag on top of your head. So, we began working on what’s now Kavooa Pro.”

It was during Covid of 2020 when Horowitz, who was isolated at home, had time to figure out a way to work on his game and stay positive.

“I came up with the original model by taping a pool noodle to the top of a punching bag that was around my height. I made the necessary adjustments and would use it while hitting into my backyard net. When the courses opened back up in June of 2020, I then used a tripod, duct tape, a shoelace, and adjustable Star Wars light sabers that I drilled holes through using a burnt screwdriver in my freshman dorm room. After that version we switched to PVC pipe to begin creating the first prototypes.”

Over the next couple of years, Horowitz, with the assistance of his father, Andy Horowitz, who brought significant experience as an entrepreneur building companies and selling them to Fortune 500 corporations, worked on the business side and the design aspect of the product to bring it to life.

“It works through simple cause and effect – providing instant feedback,” says Horowitz. “And its height can also be quickly and easily adjusted to anywhere between 15 and 65 inches off the ground. No matter your height, it will help stabilize your head. But you can also move it down to prevent your hips from swaying – preventing you from further distance loss. Or you can place it behind you, where it can help prevent you from coming over the top on your downswing because you’ll hit the unit before you hit the ball. So it helps get your swing on the proper plane.”

Kavooa Pro helps golfers improve the following elements of their golf games:

– Helps Quiet Excessive Head Movement

– Eliminates an Over-the-Top Downswing

– Reduces Unwanted Hip Sliding

– Improves a Too-Shallow Downswing

– Promotes Proper Turn and Rotation

– Helps Groove the Correct Top-of-the-Swing Position

– Helps Dial in Proper Low-Point Contact

– Improves Swing Path and Plane for Chipping

– Helps Improve Putting Aim and Path

The unit also includes a phone clip holder, allowing you to easily take videos of your swing. Kavooa Pro can also be used for chipping and putting. When chipping, you can angle it to the exact degree angle you need for your swing plane.

Many professional golf instructors have been trying out Kavooa Pro, with overwhelming positive feedback. Members of the North American One-Armed Golfers Association are also working with Kavooa Pro, as it’s a product that can be used by anyone. Plus, it will be presented at the PGA Coaches Summit next month, and the PGA Merchandise Show.

“A tool as versatile as Kavooa Pro helps instructors look at a golfer’s swing plane and head motion. We can also do other unique things to help them feel and see the instant feedback. That is quite valuable and the variety of uses for Kavooa Pro is crucial, as is the ease of being able to transition from one drill to another while teaching,” Sessinghaus says.

Kavooa Pro, which sells for $129.99, weighs just 3.5 pounds and can easily collapse to be stowed in the side pocket of most golf bags. It can be used on the course, at the range, or in a backyard – anywhere you can swing a club.

Visit KavooaGolf.com.

College Golf Experience Names Clippd Official Technology Partner of Six Upcoming Camps

(LOS ANGELES, CA) – College Golf Experience  (CGX) has named Clippd the Official Technology Partner of six upcoming CGX camps. Clippd is a new technology that allows golfers and golf instructors to input, connect and elevate performance data into a single platform. This new partnership elevates the CGX camp experience and provides junior golfers with access to the new game improvement and data-driven game analytics platform sweeping across college golf landscape.

The Clippd sponsored events include the DI Top100 East Girls Showcase Camp and DI Top100 East Boys Showcase Camp in November, the DI Top100 West Girls Showcase Camp, DI Top100 East Boys Showcase Camp, and IVY West Showcase Camp in December, and the DIII Top100 Girls and Boys Showcase Camp in February.

After conducting a presentation to players, parents and coaches, the Clippd technology will be integrated into each camp’s simulated college golf practice and tournament round with players receiving free access to Clippd for the duration of the camp, and 3 months after. Coaches attending the CGX camps will also receive discounts on Clippd subscriptions for them and their teams.

“Our partnership with Clippd adds demonstrable value to CGX Camps while further solidifying our mission to equip junior golfers with the best preparation and most useful information on their journey in junior golf, and to the next competitive level,” says CGX Founder and CEO Joshua Jacobs. “We look forward to watching our CGX campers develop and learn how to hone their skills strategically with college coach guidance coupled with Clippd data. Parents and coaches are constantly looking for ways to give juniors a competitive edge and to keep them motivated. Clippd is designed and optimized to do just that.”

Clippd’s advanced performance platform provides players and coaches more exacting ways to utilize shot and performance data to clearly reveal what players must do to improve. Developed in collaboration with some of the world’s best players and coaches, Clippd is designed to be intuitive and to benefit golfers at every level by helping them fully understand their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities play better. Clippd’s data insights keep lessons and practice focused on key areas of improvement.

"We are delighted to be partnering with CGX in delivering a unique experience to junior golfers who aspire to play college golf. The commitment and passion shown by Joshua and the team at CGX in creating this fantastic educational environment mirrors our own passion for helping golfers to play better. The opportunity to learn from and connect with college coaches at CGX camps is invaluable to the junior golfers, just as it is for our own desire to see these young golfers continue to improve and enable college programs across the US to achieve success,” says Marcus Turner, Senior Commercial Director for Clippd. “Clippd's data insights allow players to understand their game, measure their improvement and demonstrate their skill levels like never before. We are proud to be partnering with CGX to offer the young golfers who attend the camps with a technology that will help them take the next important steps towards achieving their goals."

CGX’s upcoming Showcase Camps are held over two days and provide:

*Juniors with scripted outfits from adidas Golf to be worn during camp like what they would experience on a college golf team and in professional golf. (*ONLY at Top100 Camps)

Juniors with Clippd, a data-driven performance platform to track their game on and off the course.

Comprehensive education sessions for juniors and parents led by the marquee college golf coaches on college golf and the recruiting pathway.

On-course coach engagement and course management and strategy instruction during simulated college golf practice and tournament rounds.

Real-time evaluation and personalized feedback from coaches during a simulated college golf practice session to help each junior discover how to find the right collegiate program fit.

Name Image Likeness (NIL) discussions to recruiting questions, and tips on what juniors should do to prepare for college golf. (*ONLY at Top100 Camps)

Learn more at www.collegegolfx.com and www.clippd.com.

2023 Horseshoe Bay Resort Shootout Set for October 28: PGA and LPGA Stars Face Off at Summit Rock

Gerina Mendoza, Angela Stanford, Bob Estes and Nick Watney to tee it up on acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Signature layout

(HORSESHOE BAY, TX) – One of Horseshoe Bay Resort’s most popular signature golf events returns Saturday, October 28 at 10 a.m. when four decorated professional golfers with a combined 17 wins on the PGA and LPGA Tours (including one major) face off in the Fifth Annual Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort on the private, award-winning Summit Rock course.

The 10-hole exhibition match will feature LPGA stars Gerina Mendoza and Angela Stanford and multiple-time winners from the PGA Tour, Bob Estes and Nick Watney, competing on Horseshoe Bay’s highly rated private Jack Nicklaus-designed Summit Rock course. Gallery members are welcome to take part in up-close viewing access at this unique event and will have a scenic walk on the dramatic, towering Summit Rock layout.

Playing along towering ridges overlooking Lake LBJ and plummeting through lush valleys and primitive limestone beds, this quintessential Texas Hill Country course is unquestionably the fifth star of The Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort and the upcoming episode of Golf Life TV that will be recorded during the event and aired all over the United States later this fall.

“The Shootout is a can’t-miss event for resort guests and members and the perfect weekend to play the Slick Rock, Apple Rock and Ram Rock courses then watch the pros take on each other the thrilling Summit Rock course,” says Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Golf General Manager Anthony Holder. “Seeing these players up close, you will gain a whole new appreciation for their talent and shot making. Make this the ultimate golf weekend and book your overnight stay for the Shootout weekend. It will be an event you’ll be talking about for years to come.”

2002 PGA Championship victor Rich Beem will play host along with Holder with Beem also taking part in the Golf Life TV coverage. This fifth edition of The Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort will be a 10-hole, two-team, match-play event, teeing off at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. A Welcome Breakfast Reception will commence prior to the round on the Summit Rock driving range. All guests staying at Horseshoe Bay Resort that weekend will have access to watch all the live golf action on Summit Rock.

MORE on the players competing in the 2023 Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort:

ANGELA STANFORD

A native Texan and four-time All-American at TCU, Stanford has enjoyed success on the LPGA Tour since turning professional in 2000. She has collected eight professional victories, including a major win at the 2018 Evian Championship and played for the U.S. Solheim Cup team six times. Her most recent LPGA Tour victory came in her native Northern Texas region at the 2020 Volunteers of America Classic. 

GERINA MENDOZA

Born in New Mexico and winner of the 2003 New Mexico state high school golf championship (while also competing as an All-State volleyball player), Gerina Mendoza has been a star in women's golf since turning pro and rising to national prominence as a star of Golf Channel's reality competition series The Big Break. Mendoza represented the U.S. at the Solheim Cup in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In 2016, she tied for 11th at the Rio Olympic Games and played for the victorious U.S. at the International Crown. 

BOB ESTES

Having enjoyed uncommon longevity and playing success on the PGA Tour since turning pro in 1988, the former University of Texas All-American Estes made the cut in 446 of the 656 events he played on the PGA Tour. Estes won four PGA Tour events (with 10 career runner-up finishes) and amassed more than $21 million in career earnings. He has played in more than 100 events on the PGA Tour Champions with 10 top-five finishes and nearly $3 million in earnings. 

NICK WATNEY

Northern California native and Fresno State University walk-on turned three-time All-American, Nick Watney has won five times on the PGA Tour and has ranked as high as ninth in the Official World Golf Rankings. His first PGA Tour win was at the 2007 Zurich Classic and his most recent came in 2012, at The Barclays. In 2010, Watney recorded top-10 finishes in both The Masters and the U.S. Open and he represented the United States at the 2011 Presidents Cup.

LOOKING BACK

Previous Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort matches have featured some of the world’s finest golfers from the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR Champions Tours. Past contestants include 2004 British Open Champion Todd Hamilton, PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel, 2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem, winners on the PGA Tour Jason Kokrak, Stuart Appleby, J.J. Henry, and Austinite and longtime PGA TOUR player Omar Uresti. Australian star John Senden, Zimbabwean bomber Brendon de Jonge, Grayson Murray PGA and PGA TOUR Champions winner Wes Short Jr., and LPGA pros Ryan O’Toole, Kristy McPherson, Katie Burnett and Kathleen Ekey have also competed in tight matches at the Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort.

“The Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort – along with the Beer by the Bay Music Festival, our Wine, Dine & Jazz Festival and Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay Resort – is a cherished tradition for our resort guest and members as they make priceless memories and enjoy the unique and thrilling lifestyle amenities here,” said Bryan Woodward, Vice President, Operations for Crescent Hotels and Resorts.

THE ULTIMATE GOLF WEEKEND

To make it easy to enjoy The Shootout at Horseshoe Bay Resort, the property is offering a special UNLIMITED RTJ GOLF Package which includes complimentary admission to the golf event. The package also includes: Classic Guest Room, unlimited rounds of golf per adult from day of arrival through day of departure, $25 food & beverage credit per accommodation per night, one round on the Whitewater Putting Course per adult per night, and a 15% discount off full-priced retail items at the Slick Rock and Cap Rock Clubhouses. *based on availability. Certain restrictions apply.

The UNLIMITED RTJ GOLF Package can be booked by calling 855-441-1524 or online at HSBResort.com.

SuperStroke Congratulates Sahith Theegala on Two-Stroke Victory at the Fortinet Championship

Rising PGA Tour star uses SuperStroke’s Flatso 1.0 putter grip in first career win

(Wixom, MI) – SuperStroke, the No. 1 Putter Grip in golf and the leader in innovative Tour-proven golf grip technology, congratulates 25-year-old PGA Tour player Sahith Theegala on claiming his first-career victory at the Fortinet Championship. Playing in his second full season on the PGA Tour, the California native fired rounds of 68-64-67-68 and gained more than nine strokes on the field with his putting to outrace the field by two shots. The win, in Theegala’s 74th event on the PGA Tour, earned him $1.512 million in first-place prize money and put him inside the top 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

The win was Theegala’s first official career victory, accompanying his (unofficial) 2022 QBE Shootout win with playing partner Tom Hoge. He was second in the field at the Fortinet in Strokes Gained: Putting with 9.173 strokes gained on the greens and was also atop the field in Birdies Made with 24, with help from his SuperStroke Flatso 1.0 putter grip.

“Congratulations to Sahith Theegala, truly one of the most exciting young players on the PGA Tour, on his first-career victory at the Fortinet Championship,” says SuperStroke CEO Dean Dingman. “He was in command of his game and putted remarkably well all week. He was brilliant with his SuperStroke Flatso 1.0 putter grip. This is just the beginning of an exciting and successful career for Sahith.”

The SuperStroke Flatso™ putter grip features a distinct pentagonal “Flatso” profile: a wide, flat front grip shape with five pronounced edges. Now with Enhanced Spyne™ Technology and Multi-Zone Texturing, the Flatso™ Series has been refined to offer even better feel and feedback. The SuperStroke Flatso™ putter grip is one of the most popular grips played on professional tours. PGA Tour professional Jordan Spieth trusted the Flatso™ grip for each of his three major championship victories.

SuperStroke grips are trusted by hundreds of top professional golfers. SuperStroke grips are trusted by legions of top professional golfers. So far in 2023, SuperStroke users have won 50 tournaments on golf’s major professional tours, totaling more than $31 million in first-place prize money in those events. 

SuperStroke’s putter grip line is a product of relentless innovation, fueled by feedback from more than 450 tour pros. From signature shapes and sizes to the cutting-edge materials, SuperStroke delivers unprecedented features into every putter grip while connecting golfer and putter like no other product on the market.

For more details on SuperStroke’s range of innovative golf grips and to keep up with the latest news from the company, visit https://superstrokeusa.com.

Edison Golf Updates the Most Versatile Sole in the Wedge Category

Every EDISON 2.0 wedge features this innovative patented sole.

(ROCKPORT, TX) — Edison Golf is a company dedicated to revolutionizing wedge performance for recreational golfers. And part of that formula is that every EDISON 2.0 wedge is built around the patented Koehler Sole, a dual-bounce design that has been proven by thousands of golfers to eliminate the compromise of having different and specialized bounces and grinds in the bag. 

The Koehler Sole is the only design to efficiently combine a high bounce angle in the front of the sole and a low bounce angle in the back of the sole so your wedges can handle a wider variety of lies and swing paths than any specialized grind. Proven for over 30 years with thousands of wedges bearing the brands Reid Lockhart®, EIDOLON®, SCOR™ and Ben Hogan®, the 2023 version in the EDISON 2.0 wedges have been further refined for even better performance. The high bounce leading portion of the 2.0 Koehler Sole has been widened a bit and the measured bounce angles have been tweaked. Combined with some nuanced shaping of the sole at the toe and heel, the EDISON 2.0 wedges have been made even more versatile.

“I first introduced the Koehler Sole over 30 years ago,” said Terry Koehler, Chairman and Director of Innovation at Edison Golf. “Over the years, I’ve made some slight adjustments to the design, but this rendition in the EDISON 2.0 wedges is the best yet. It would be hard to find a lie the Koehler Sole doesn’t like or a swing path it can’t handle.”

"It really is this simple. When your swing is steep or you play in soft conditions, EDISON 2.0 wedges will perform like a high-bounce wedge. But when your swing is more shallow or you play in firmer conditions, that same EDISON 2.0 wedge will perform like a low-bounce sole design. No matter what shot you're about to hit or where you're playing, you'll always have the right wedge. “

How did Koehler get the idea for the Koehler Sole? In 1990, he took a golf trip to Scotland with his brother where he quickly found that his “tour design” sand wedge was fine for the bunkers but certainly not suited to the firm turf at the Old Course.

On his tour of Auchterlonie’s Golf Shop, he saw a grinding wheel and had an idea. He went back to the hotel to get his sand wedge and worked it over, creating the first crude iteration of the Koehler Sole. The “dual bounce” design worked beautifully during the rest of the trip with a very high bounce on the leading part of the sole and a very low bounce on the rear of the sole.

Upon his return, he ground and tested dozens of variations until he had it just right, and then filed a patent application on the design (which was awarded in 1994).

Though it has been known by many names (Dual Bounce Sole®, V-SOLE®) through its many iterations, tens of thousands of golfers have proclaimed the Koehler Sole to be the most versatile sole design in the wedge category, as it handles a wide range of turf conditions, sand textures, and swing paths. A recent story revealed the greatest golfer of the modern era has his own wedges shaped in a very similar way. He was only 16 years old when Koehler filed his patent on this innovative approach to sole design.

In addition to the Koehler Sole, the EDISON 2.0 wedges represent a quantum leap in wedge design, as they are the only wedges on the market specifically designed around a multi-year study of the way recreational golfers hit their wedges, as opposed to being designed for the extraordinary skills of elite tour players. They have the most efficient distribution of clubhead mass in the category to deliver better distance consistency, more forgiveness and improved spin.

Introduced in 2020, the original Edison Forged wedges significantly improved wedge performance by dramatically changing the way mass was distributed across the back of the clubhead. In the EDISON 2.0 line of wedges for 2023, an additional 14-17 grams have been positioned even higher in the clubhead, achieved by creation of a multi-level back design that optimizes smash factor across the face. This repositioning also creates a fresh and distinctive visual appeal to the product. 

All EDISON 2.0 wedges are backed by the Company’s 30-Day Risk Free Trial. The Edison craftsmen will build you any EDISON 2.0 wedge and let you put it to the test on your course, hitting the variety of shots you face every round. If for any reason it's not the best wedge you've ever played, Edison Golf will buy it back.

EDISON 2.0 wedges are engineered to odd-number lofts from 45 to 59 degrees and are custom built for each golfer from a wide selection of premium KBS shafts and Lamkin grips. Requests for even number lofts are met by tweaking the lower number clubhead. Standard pricing is $199.95 for steel shaft wedges and $214.95 for graphite shafts. Shipping is always free, and discounts are applied on orders for full sets of three or more. The shopping experience is clean and easy on the company’s website at www.EdisonWedges.com.

Circling Raven Ranks Among Top 20 Casino Courses

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel Favorite Rises To New Heights in Annual Golfweek Roundup

(Worley, Idaho) – Continuing its winning streak in the golf course rankings game, Circling Raven Golf Club at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel nabbed the No. 18 spot on “Golfweek’s Best 2023: Top 50 Casino Golf Courses in the U.S.” list.

Announced in the new issue of Golfweek magazine, the annual ratings are based on a numerical system used by Golfweek’s army of accomplished golf course raters. They moved Circling Raven up two spots, keeping it solidly among America’s top 20 casino courses for several years running. Earlier this year, Golfweek raters also honored Circling Raven as “Idaho’s Top Public Course.”

“Golfweek’s course ratings are respected throughout the golf industry, and we’re thrilled that Circling Raven has retained its lofty spot on their casino golf course list,” said Laura Penney, CEO, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. “After two decades of thrilling and challenging avid golf travelers from all over the nation, Circling Raven continues to show why it’s a must-play among America’s impressive collection of Native American-owned courses.”

Other recent accolades include GolfPass Members naming Circling Raven as the No. 1 Golf Course in Idaho for 2023 and Golf Digest dubbing it one of “America’s Greatest Courses” in 2022.

Circling Raven meanders across 620 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and Palouse grasses. The Gene Bates-designed masterpiece measures 7,189 yards from the back tees. In August it hosted the third annual Epson Tour Circling Raven Championship.

The course is one of many amenities at 300-room Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel along with a 100,000 square foot casino offering nearly 1,200 video gaming machines and high stakes bingo; seven distinct food and beverage venues; live entertainment including music and comedy; a 15,000 square foot spa voted 1st for “Resort Spas that deliver the Ahh Factor” by Spatrips.com; 40,000 square feet of meeting space; and indoor and outdoor wedding locations.

For more information, or to book rounds and stay-play packages, visit www.cdacasino.com or call 800-523-2464.

SuperSpeed Golf Ambassador Cheyenne Knight Continues Banner Year with Her First Solheim Cup Appearance

Industry-leading speed training has been critical in Knight’s driving distance and course strategy

(TULSA, OK) - SuperSpeed Golf’s golf swing speed training programs have played a key role in Cheyenne Knight’s career season on the LPGA Tour as highlighted U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis recently announced Knight as one of her Captain’s Selections to Team USA. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the LPGA Tour with 8 top-20 finishes including her second career LPGA victory at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational team event where she partnered with Elizabeth Szokol to finish at 23-under-par and win by one stroke.

Knight’s work with SuperSpeed Golf has strengthened her on-course performance and strategy. Always one of the more accurate players on Tour, Knight’s added speed and distance has been pivotal to her recent upswing in form with her ball speed breaking 135 mph.

Taking place from September 22-24 at the picturesque Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain, the biennial Solheim Cup is the pinnacle of international team events in women's professional golf.

"Cheyenne is very good at what she does and we were able to provide her with some drills to better use the ground through our 3D ground plates to give her more power in her swing," said Mike Napoleon, President of SuperSpeed Golf. "Cheyenne is going to be a great competitor and a fantastic partner for any other player at the Solheim Cup."

For those unfamiliar with her journey, Cheyenne's love for golf began at the tender age of five, introduced by her father, Gene. They continue to celebrate their shared passion with an annual Christmas three-hole game. Her perseverance and talent have shone brightly since her early years, culminating in accolades like the SEC Player of the Year in 2017 during her time at the University of Alabama.

U.S. Solheim Cup Captain, Stacy Lewis, had this to say: “Cheyenne's consistency, both off the tee and around the greens, combined with her exemplary performance in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, made her an undeniable choice. With seven consecutive top 20 finishes earlier this year, capped by an LPGA Tour win, she embodies the spirit and determination that we need."

Details of Cheyenne's progress, including specific stats and changes in her game resulting from the SuperSpeed program, will be shared regularly, offering a transparent and exciting journey for fans and fellow golfers alike.

Stay tuned for an exciting journey with Cheyenne Knight and SuperSpeed Golf as they aim to revolutionize golf performance together.

Links for reference:

SuperSpeed Golf: www.superspeedgolf.com

U.S. Solheim Cup Team and the competition, visit www.solheimcupusa.com.

Swing Control Congratulates the Rivermead Team for Defending Their Title

Swing Control also applauds the PGA of Ottawa Golf Professionals and their club teams for participating in the Pro Lady

(MONTRĖAL, CA) – Swing Control, the manufacturers of the performance-based golf and lifestyle apparel brand who love golf and fashion, was the proud sponsor of the PGA of Ottawa Pro-Lady Golf Tournament. A unique golf competition that combines golf professionals with club amateurs in a team format played on the Flagstick.com PGA Ottawa Tour, held at the Loch March Golf & Country Club on August 14, 2023.

“We love sponsoring the Pro Lady. The event provides us an opportunity to be onsite and in front of our customer. The golfer who, like us, loves golf and fashion,” said Swing Control Brand Manager Josh Mark. “Also, shout out to Golf Professional Sarah Landry who finished in first place from her Rivermead Golf Club.”

Landry’s Rivermead Golf Club amateurs included Kerry McVey, Kristin Stauffer, and Julia Pelletierwho captured first place in the Pro-Lady Scramble. Collectively, they finished with a score of 12-under-par, 60, on the par 72 Loch March course.

“Swing Control’s own Sue Klopp was onsite. She showcased our many collections that included skorts, shorts, pants, and a new array of tops that feature new fabrics and fits. The feedback so far has been amazing.”

For more information, visit the Swing Control website at www.swingcontrol.com.

Unboxing BIOM TOUR Shoes from ECCO Golf

ECCO Golf has released the all-new ECCO BIOM TOUR in addition to a variety of striking updates to its mainstay products as part of its latest lineup for the fall and winter seasons.

An eye-catching addition to the new range, ECCO BIOM TOUR features ECCO GOLF’s pioneering BIOM NATURAL MOTION technology with ECCO’s spiked sole design. The Pivix spikes incorporated into ECCO BIOM TOUR are combined with additional grooves on the outsole, ensuring excellent traction and stability throughout the swing, while the waterproof membrane keeps feet dry and comfortable in wet weather. In addition, the soft, ultra-light PHORENE midsole delivers bounce and energy return.

Adding to the BIOM TOUR’s technical properties, ECCO FLUIDFORM Direct Comfort Technology ensures a finely tuned balance of cushioning and rebound, creating an integral, flexible and durable bond without the compromises common with stitched and/or glued assemblies. The new model’s TPU outsole offers exceptional durability, while a removable and washable Ortholite insole supplies long-term cushioning.

“Our latest collection is an excellent representation of our never-ending effort to push the boundaries of comfort, performance and style,” said Jason Bonenberger, Golf Sales Director, ECCO GOLF USA. “We design shoes with relentlessly high standards and dedication to quality, which is why those who have played in a pair of ECCOs know the difference.”

When golfers play in ECCO GOLF shoes, they notice a difference in quality, comfort and performance, which is demonstrated by the fact that 90 percent of customers buy a second pair.

Additional updates include:

● For AW23, the men’s BIOM C4 collection now features six different colorways, including the new White option. The model offers unrivaled 360-degree breathability, allowing golfers to stay cool and comfortable throughout their round. The shoe’s innovative comfort properties ensure a finely tuned balance of cushioning, rebound, waterproofing and airflow.

● The ECCO BIOM H4 – another model in the brand’s world-renowned hybrid performance phenomenon – now features a reworked upper, notably around the toe area, to produce a sleeker, slimmer look, while the tongue has been completely redesigned to produce a more ergonomic shape that fits more comfortably to the foot. Brand-new colorways for the season are Gravel in the women’s collection, and the Erik van Rooyen signature shoe in the men’s collection.

● Additionally, the ECCO S-THREE will be available with a number of new colorways: White in the men’s collection, and Limestone and Night Sky in the women’s collection. Additionally, both the men’s and women’s ranges now feature the BOA Fit lacing system, which provides the wearer with hassle free lacing at the tips of their fingers.

All ECCO GOLF shoes are crafted at company-owned factories that utilize FLUIDFORM technology to bond the upper and outsole unit, creating a one-piece shoe without the use of glue or stitching. Benefits include flexibility, durability and a lightweight construction.

ECCO GOLF shoes are worn in competition around the world by Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjørn, Erik van Rooyen, Doc Redman, Lydia Ko, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Freddy Schott, Esther Henseleit, Niklas Nørgaard Møller, and Caroline Masson, among others. For further information about ECCO GOLF, visit golf.ecco.com.

PXG Announces New Apparel, Accessories for on the Course and Everyday Wear

Striking technical fabrications, futuristic patterns, and performance-based designs inform PXG’s new apparel release

(SCOTTSDALE, Arizona) – PXG has unveiled its latest apparel and accessory offerings designed to carry golfers and lifestyle enthusiasts through the upcoming fall and winter seasons. This drop features a curated series of must-have classic and new silhouettes that boast technical innovations and thoughtfully crafted details for enhanced performance on and off the golf course.

The newest wave of apparel is comprised of 64 trend driven, performance-based designs – 32 looks for men and 32 for women. This seasonably smart collection elevates classic golf-wear, and introduces layering essentials and innovative, lightweight, easy to pack outerwear. PXG’s classic black, white, and gray colorways anchor monotone, color block, and printed styles, while military green, blue, and purple hues add variety and depth to the series.

“We are excited to share the upcoming season’s performance driven, fashion forward apparel and accessory styles with our customers. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted with innovative design details that allow for comfort and protection in the wide range of Fall and Winter climates. We are consistently dropping fresh styles and thoughtful designs throughout the season that will empower your game and have you ready for anything both on and off the course!” Renee Parsons, President and Executive Creative Director, PXG Apparel

Signature men’s and women’s polos, pullovers, vests, and even outerwear pieces such as the Women’s Full Length High-Neck Jacket feature technical advances in moisture-wicking while other fabrications feature quick dry and UV protection to provide maximum coverage. Form meets function with technical details such as hidden pockets in women’s and men’s pants for smart storage, along with innovative elements like perforation, mesh paneling, and built-in biker shorts in women’s skirts. Light weight fabrics are used in the men’s layering vests and the Women’s Darkness Polo Dress for easy play and effortless travel.

Distinctive prints, trendsetting patterns, and contemporary color blocking merge with defining purple and blue fall hues to add a clean, modern flare to select classic fits. Futuristic digitized PXG Iron print, and reimagined logo applications reinvigorate PXG’s men’s shirting. While color blocking techniques create seamless, flattering lines in women’s sweaters and tops. 

Dynamic layering and outerwear pieces boast military-inspired design characteristics, ensuring comfort and protection in various climates. The men’s plush hoodie and joggers provide an easy, polished stand-alone look or serve as the perfect base layer under the Grid Pattern Packable Vest. The Women’s Hooded Oversized Poncho Puffer with quilted water-resistant fabric styles perfectly with everyday base layers including a classic polo, cozy sweater, ¼ zip pullover or knit top.

Rounding out the collection, PXG will release its annual limited edition Darkness Capsule in congruence with the seasonal offerings. This exclusive line embodies the essence of the PXG brand, paying homage to its founder, CEO, and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Bob Parsons. The Darkness insignia, featuring a striking skull and the number 26, serves as a tribute to Parsons’ dedicated service with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. The deep black hues and subtle camouflage details deliver a touch of military-inspired flair, while boasting strong, tailored characteristics. With its powerful symbolism and distinctive design, the Darkness Capsule truly captures PXG’s esprit de corps.

The new apparel is now available in PXG Stores and online. To learn more, visit www.pxg.com/apparel.

Caledonia, True Blue Prepare to Host 32 Teams From Across the Nation for Golfweek Challenge

(Pawleys Island, S.C.) – Thirty-two collegiate golf teams from across the nation are gearing up to play Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club, two of America’s top 100 resort courses, as part of the Golfweek Challenge.

The 54-hole event will be held September 10-12 with 14 women’s teams playing at Caledonia while 18 men’s teams will challenge True Blue. Schools from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific are traveling to the area to play the highly acclaimed Mike Strantz designs in hopes of starting their 2023-24 season with an early victory. 

“We are looking forward to welcoming some of the nation’s best college golfers to True Blue and Caledonia,” said General Manager Bob Seganti. “With our busy fall golf season on the immediate horizon, both courses are in fantastic shape and prepared to identify the best men’s and women’s teams in the field.”

The men’s field will feature: Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Stephen F. Austin, Western Carolina, Wright State, Presbyterian College, Charleston Southern, Richmond, Loyola-Marymount, New Orleans, Washington State and Jacksonville. 

The women’s field will feature: Eastern Washington, Campbell, Central Arkansas, Texas A&M Commerce, East Carolina, Jacksonville State, Stephen F. Austin, Lipscomb, Morehead State, Delaware, Florida Atlantic, Charleston Southern, Richmond, East Tennessee State, UNC Wilmington, Alabama-Birmingham, New Mexico State and Winthrop. 

Caledonia and True Blue, both ranked among America’s Top 100 Resort Courses by Golfweek magazine, will offer contrasting tests to the nation’s next generation of stars. Caledonia will demand a combination of power and precision from the women who challenge the layout that launched Strantz’ brief but storied career. 

From the opening tee shot through the 18th hole, a par 4 widely regarded as one of golf’s most memorable finishing holes, Caledonia’s combination of natural beauty and outstanding architecture are a powerful draw for teams traveling from as far away as Los Angeles, California. 

While Caledonia’s Lowcountry beauty provides a timeless appeal, True Blue is a more rugged design. The layout’s massive fairways are framed by native waste bunkers, providing visual contrast and challenge. 

True Blue’s greens are large and undulating, allowing the course staff to dramatically change the type of challenge players will face based on pin placement. While the talk of large fairways and greens could lead one to believe True Blue is a bomber’s paradise, for the young collegiate stars to go low, they will have to play to the proper spots in the fairway and on those greens. 

For more information or to book a tee time, visit CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or TrueBlueGolf.com. 

Golf Pride and ASHER Golf Launch First of its Kind Limited Edition Fall Collection

Four Seasonally Inspired Grip and Glove Colorways Offer the Perfect Blend of Performance and Style

(Pinehurst, N.C.) — Golf Pride, an industry leader in innovation and sports performance equipment, has collaborated with ASHER Golf – a premier golf glove, accessory, and apparel company dedicated to taking the mundane out of golf style – to offer four unique limited-edition box sets that feature 13 Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grips and two premium ASHER gloves in matching tonal colorways. Available in North America, exclusively on www.ashergolf.com. Kits retail for $175, starting September 7 at 10:00 a.m. EST. 

The collections include four seasonal colors - Ash, Cognac, Oxblood and Spruce - only available as part of these kits; individual pieces cannot be ordered separately. The Tour Velvet 360 grips infuse elements of color into one of the most iconic grips on the market. They come in standard size with a custom collaborative end cap design. The gloves are 100% precision cut AAA premium cabretta-leather featuring the Golf Pride logo on the palm side and are offered in both male (small through XXL) and female (small through large) sizes. This must have collection elevates style and play with a subtle boldness for a standout statement this fall.

"You would think gloves and grips are co-designed all the time, but the reality is, I'm not aware a partnership like this has ever happened before," says James Ledford, President of Golf Pride. "The opportunity to work with Asher on a collection that compliments each other is really quite amazing. This partnership has elevated our capabilities in terms of what it looks like to bring this level of design to the grip category." 

"Visiting Golf Pride's Global Innovation Center, which is nestled inside Pinehurst in this extremely beautiful area of pine trees and historic golf, it was so inspiring to me that the color palette really started to come together extremely naturally," says Matt Smart, CEO and Managing Partner of Asher Golf. "For both Asher and Golf Pride, we have such a deep rooted culture in utility and products that are purely based on performance. Looking at the design and style, we wanted to elevate these pieces." 

For more information on this collaboration, visit www.ashergolf.com. 

For more information on Golf Pride, visit golfpride.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

Titleist Introduces Scotty Cameron Concept X 7.2 LTD Putter

Limited Release Design Inspired by Tour Only Model

(CARLSBAD, Calif. ) – Scotty Cameron introduces the new Concept X 7.2 LTD putter, a limited-release offering that combines the performance of the Phantom X 7 with a tour-inspired plumbing neck.

Played by winners on both the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour, the Concept X 7.2 LTD design delivers the stability and alignment features of a mallet putter with the toe-flow of a blade. The high-MOI mallet, precision milled in the U.S., is complemented by its Tour Black finish and cherry dot sight line to create an elegant, high-performance limited creation.

Increasingly popular among the world’s best players, mallet putters with toe flow-promoting necks give players all the desired attributes of a larger profile along with the arcing feel of a blade putter. The Concept X 7.2 LTD delivers tour-proven alignment cues with its angular, winged shape, while its 303 stainless steel body and lightweight 6061 aircraft aluminum flange and sole combine for ideal weight distribution, stability and performance.

The Concept X 7.2 LTD will be available in select Titleist golf shops worldwide beginning Friday, September 15 in both right-handed and left-handed versions.

QUOTING SCOTTY CAMERON

“The Concept X 7.2 LTD was inspired by the Phantom X 7.2, a Tour Only prototype we designed for professionals who want the best of both worlds – a putter that swings like a blade with the alignment benefit that comes from a plumbing neck, all with the stability of a mallet.”

“Every one of these putters is hand-painted, hand-finished and assembled by hand. It is a true modern mallet built for golfers who want blade-like toe flow in a larger, more stable body.”

TOUR-WINNING DESIGN

The Concept X 7.2 LTD offers players the tour-winning design of the Phantom X 7.2 tour prototype model currently in the bags of several players across the worldwide professional tours, including Titleist Brand Ambassador Davis Riley.

Riley earned his first PGA TOUR title earlier this season at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, gaming the 7.2 model he’s had in the bag since early ’22. Riley, who played a blade throughout college and on the Korn Ferry Tour, made the switch to the Phantom X mallet looking for added stability with the toe flow he prefers.

“It’s awesome. The way it looks, all the square lines, I feel like it frames the ball really well and everything sits super square,” Riley said. “I’ve always been a big believer in that putting, if you’re really comfortable looking over and everything feels square, it’s just going to set up for good putting.”

The Phantom X 7.2 tour prototype putter has won multiple times on the DP World Tour, most recently at the D+D Real Czech Masters where Titleist Brand Ambassador Todd Clements captured his first DP World Tour title.

CONCEPT X 7.2 LTD OVERVIEW: A limited run of Concept X 7.2 LTD right-handed models will be offered to golfers in 33", 34" and 35" lengths, with a left-handed version available at 34”. The Concept X 7.2 LTD features Scotty’s dual milled face technology, which combines soft feel with extremely consistent performance off the face from heel to toe. The model’s plumbing neck is based on the new I-beam style plumbing neck but has been re-designed in a new shape and weight to complement this refined, high-MOI mallet.

• MULTI-MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION: By integrating precision milled 303 stainless steel with a lightweight 6061 aircraft aluminum flange and sole component and engineered vibration dampening technology, the Concept X 7.2 LTD incorporates Scotty Cameron’s design methodology of using complementary materials to achieve desired performance at the preferred putter length and weight.

• NEW PLUMBING NECK: Uniquely identifying this limited concept putter with industrial engraving on each side of the I-beam plumbing neck, this new design not only provides one shaft of offset but also has been precisely engineered at the desired gram weight to facilitate slight toe flow and proper overall balance.

• REFINED DUAL PURPOSE ALIGNMENT: Three milled sight dots on the topline accented in translucent red with machined metal perimeters are paired with dual gray sight lines in the flange to frame the golf ball and provide confident, rail-like alignment.

WEIGHTING & SHAFT: The Concept X 7.2 LTD putter features performance weighting with two customizable stainless steel sole weights and has a stepless steel shaft.

ACCESSORIES: A new Pistolero Plus grip – identified by its larger profile in the top hand location near the end of the grip and the thicker, less tapered low hand profile – with black texture and gray lettering complements the model’s Tour Black finish along with a Concept X LTD shaft band and matching Concept X LTD mid-round headcover.

FINISH & GRAPHICS: To arrive at the model’s elegant, Tour Black finish, the Concept X 7.2 LTD undergoes a proprietary misting process to achieve a radiant yet glare-resistant texture. The stainless steel putter head is then finished in Tour Black, while the 6061 aircraft grade aluminum component is misted and anodized in a bright dip black finish. Scotty’s familiar three-dot theme carries through to the pocket cherry dots, accented in translucent smoke paintfill. The sight lines are painted dark gray, while the topline milled sight dots are accented in translucent red with raw machined metal perimeters. The Concept X 7.2 LTD engravings are painted asphalt, red and black.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE: The new Scotty Cameron Concept X 7.2 LTD putter will be available worldwide through select Titleist authorized golf shops in a limited number beginning September 15, 2023. MAP: $750

ON THE WEB: www.scottycameron.com

YOUTUBE VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/ScottyCameron