Billy Casper Golf Selected to Manage Purgatory Golf Club in Noblesville, Indiana

Award-Winning Golf Course is State’s Longest Layout

(NOBLESVILLE, IN) – Purgatory Golf Club, located 40 minutes north of Indianapolis, has selected Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – the largest domestic owner-operator of golf courses, country clubs and resorts – to manage the 18-hole layout that, at 7,754 yards from the back tees, makes it “the longest course in Indiana.”

BCG will direct all operations at the daily-fee Purgatory, including course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse activities, food-and-beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.

“Billy Casper Golf is the standout golf-course management firm,” says Mike Merchent, Owner of Purgatory. “It pays keen attention to detail and, behind the scenes, its purchasing power, marketing strength and ‘ACE the Guest Experience’ service program are good for golfers and the course.”

Purgatory has been named one of “America’s Top 50 Courses for Women” and “Top 10 Courses in Indiana” by Golf Digest, and “Top 50 Public Courses in America” by Golf World.

“A stellar course and loyal golfers make Purgatory one of the best in central Indiana,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG. “Billy Casper Golf looks forward to bringing its expertise to Purgatory to enhance golfers’ experiences time and again.”

Spread across 218 acres of breathtaking landscape, Purgatory features a par-72, Ron Kern-designed golf course with six different sets of tees from 4,562 to 7,268 yards. Despite its “more heaven than hell” moniker, golfers seeking “sweet misery” tackle “The Purgatory Tee,” the 7,754-yard challenge.

With more than 125 white-sand bunkers and tall native grasses lining fairways and greens, Purgatory presents a stern test in accuracy off the tee and the short game. The 17th hole, dubbed “Hell’s Half Acre,” is a medium-length par 3 requiring a precise approach shot to avoid two acres of bunkers guarding the green.

A 7,000 square-foot putting green, 10,000 square-foot chipping area and a driving range make Purgatory a popular practice venue for golfers.

Affectionately named “The Lodge,” the stately clubhouse with a mountain feel features comfortable, hand-crafted furniture and “The Confessional,” a bar area where golfers congregate after their rounds. The Lodge is a pleasant setting for various catered functions in its banquet hall that seats 225 people.

More information: www.purgatorygolf.com, 317.776.4653.

Loudmouth Golf, Turtle Creek Apparel Introduce 'Patriotic Turtles'

(San Francisco, CA) - Loudmouth Golf, the leading brand in colorful sports and lifestyle apparel has again collaborated with Turtle Creek Apparel to create "Patriotic Turtles."

Turtle Creek Apparel brand President, Aaron Ferguson, said, "We are delighted to again be working with Loudmouth Golf on what is the second collaborative piece. The new design is perfect for showing your "true colors" both on and off the golf course.

"With future designs being discussed, we are excited about continuing our relationship with Loudmouth," adds Ferguson.

Turtle Creek Apparel has attracted a new fan, with two-time Major Winner John Daly recently wearing the original collaborative design in the First Round of the RBC Heritage event held at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The design is available in men's shorts and women's skorts and men's pants. Loudmouth-Turtle Creek shorts are roomy, comfortable and made in 97% cotton, 3% spandex for the ultimate fit.

"We are excited about our partnership with Turtle Creek Apparel," says Loudmouth Golf CEO Larry Jackson. "Our customers loved the first Turtle design a lot, that we knew we wanted to offer it in another colorway. This collaboration is part of our portfolio of custom pants that Loudmouth has successfully grown over the years. "

Loudmouth-Turtle Creek pieces are available at www.turtlecreekapparel.com.au and in select pro shops in Australia, US and Canada.

Andrew Putnam Earns First Tour Win, Secures 2015 PGA Card

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA) – Cleveland Golf/Srixon congratulates staffer Andrew Putnam for earning his first professional win at the Web.com WNB Classic held at Midland Country Club, in Midland, Texas.  The 25-year-old second-year pro from Washington, shot an 8-under 64 in Saturday’s third round to open up a seven-stroke lead over his nearest competitor.  Putnam was only able to complete 7 holes for an eight-stroke lead on Sunday before high winds forced the cancellation of the final round.  Sustained winds of 28 mph with gusts up to 50 mph forced officials to call off the final round with the standings reverting back to 54 holes, where Putnam still held his nearly insurmountable lead.  

"Seven shots was a big margin and I was playing well, but you never really know how it's going to work out," Putnam said. It's a bummer that we couldn't play it all the way out. I'm sure it would have been a different feeling walking up 18 with a big lead.”

Putnam earned $108,000 to climb from sixth to second on the money list with $248,273, more than enough to earn a spot on the 2015 PGA Tour. Putnam’s older brother, Michael, is on the PGA Tour this season after winning the Web.com Tour money title last year.  Andrew and Michael Putnam are only the second set of brothers to win on the Web.com Tour.

Putnam played a Cleveland Classic 290 (9.0°) with a Miyazaki Blue shaft (72X), a Launcher FL fairway wood (14°) with a Miyazaki Black (83X), Cleveland 588 CB irons (3-PW), and a set of Cleveland 588 RTX wedges with ROTEX face milling (54°, 60°).  Putnam plays a Srixon Z-STAR XV ball, wears a Srixon hat and glove and carries a Srixon bag.

For more information on Cleveland Golf/Srixon, XXIO and Never Compromise or their staff players, visit www.clevelandgolf.com, www.srixon.com, www.xxiousa.com and www.nevercompromise.com.

PING launches nFlight Motion as a reliable, easy-to-use fitting tool

(PHOENIX) – Continuing its tradition as an innovator and leader in custom club-fitting technology, PING today officially introduced nFlight Motion, which recommends driver-fitting specifications for golfers after only three shots using proprietary PING software and an Apple iPhone or iPod in conjunction with a swing analyzer.

The small, lightweight swing analyzer attaches to the shaft directly below the grip and records a range of swing variables, including clubhead speed, transition, and shaft lean at impact, which are analyzed through the software to make loft and shaft recommendations for each model. The shot data is transmitted to a fitter’s Apple iPhone or iPod, which graphically depicts the results and applies the specifications to various PING driver models. After an initial recommendation for loft and shaft, fitters can use PING’s Shaft Visualization Chart to consider additional shafts from PING and other manufacturers. The device also provides a 3D representation of the entire swing.

nFlight Motion is receiving enthusiastic responses from club fitters whose facilities may not be equipped with launch monitors or other more-expensive fitting technology. They appreciate the simplicity of its use and the tremendous value it brings to golfers looking for a thorough fitting experience in a short amount of time.

“With nFlight Motion, fitters can perform a precise PING fitting in a timely manner using a few key swing variables that make the process easy and extremely reliable,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “It’s simple to set up and operate. In only a few minutes, fitters can recommend the best loft and shaft for various PING driver models. The ability to send swing data wirelessly to a mobile device represents an exciting evolution of our nFlight Fitting Software and nFlight Mobile technology. It gives fitters one more innovative tool for growing their business and helping golfers play better and enjoy the game more.”

nFlight Motion, developed by PING’s in-house software development team, utilizes the company’s nFlight app, which can be downloaded from the App Store. To operate, it requires an iPhone 4 (or newer), or an iPod touch 5th generation (or newer) running Apple iOS 7 (or newer).

Solheim said nFlight Motion’s 3D swing playback, viewable from multiple angles, affords an opportunity to personalize the fit further. “For the player, it’s educational to observe your swing from a new perspective. And the fitter is able to analyze the swing in greater detail, then make club recommendations designed to optimize each player’s unique mechanics. It’s just one more reason that fitters who’ve seen it are excited to share nFlight Motion with their customers.”

New Mexico alum Erkenbeck grabs Mountain Lakes Classic win in NGA Debut

Former All-Nicklaus and Palmer Cup team member runs away from field at Cross Creek

(Seneca, S.C.) – After a much heralded career at the University of New Mexico, where star player James Erkenbeck (San Diego, Cal.) competed in the US Am Publinks and Palmer Cup and was named a member of the All-Nicklaus Team, Erkenbeck did what very few golfers have ever done on the NGA Tour Pro Series over the years, and that was post a win in his very first NGA Tour Pro Series start. The former Lobo won in style shooting three straight rounds of 69 and a final day 70 to finish the 4 day event at 7 under par, three better than his next closest competitor 2012-13 Web.com Tour member and former University of Kentucky star Andy Winings (Brownsburg, Ind.). Winings was the only player to challenge Erkenbeck as his final round 68, one of only two sub-70 final rounds on the day, was two better than Erkenbeck’s final round but still only managed to get him to within three strokes for the event. Winings finished in solo 2nd, three shots better than a trio tied for third.

When asked what the key to his play was during the week, Erkenbeck exclaimed “I struck the ball well and was able to run in a few putts throughout the course of the four rounds.”

When asked what a victory on the NGA Tour Pro Series meant to him and would do for his confidence, Erkenbeck replied “It was a great field, a number of good players competing on a tough course like (Cross Creek Plantation), I can take a lot of good things and can take this to the next level.”

Erkenbeck received $14,000 for the win while Winings earned $7,000 for the runner-up finish. 2013 Woodcreek Classic Champion and former Akron star Blake Sattler (New Philadelphia, Oh.) finished tied for third at on under par with Delware alum Justin Matinson (Avondale, Pa.) and the current NGA Tour Pro Series Money Leader Dominic Bozzelli. Bozzelli, who starred at Auburn and finished runner-up in the 2013 NCAA Championships, won the first three Pro Series events of the 2014 season. The last player to win three consecutive Pro Series events was Zach Johnson during his 2001 NGA Tour Player of the Year campaign.

2014 Ocala Marion Classic Champion and former Florida Gator Tyson Alexander finished in solo 9th which moved him up to number 3 on the this year’s money list. Florida Southern’s Brian Richey, who was alone in second following the conclusion of the third round, struggled in his final round, finishing tied for 12th but still holding strong inside the top 10 on the money list in 7th place. Ontario’s Christopher Ross, who starred at Eastern Michigan, finished tied for 16th. Ross won this year’s NGA Winter Series Money Title adding three consecutive wins of his own, winning the final Winter event of 2013 and the first two of 2014.

The NGA Tour would like to thank Head Professional Mark Ernst and his staff and volunteers at Cross Creek Plantation, and the town of Seneca, S.C. for putting on such a great professional event. The NGA Tour picks back up April 28th with the Savannah Lakes Village Classic at Monticello in McCormick, S.C. with tournament play scheduled for Thursday May 1st through Sunday May 4th in one of the signature events on the NGA Tour Pro Series schedule.

To learn more about the NGATour or the National Golf Association, visit www.ngatour.com or call 800-992-8748.

For the James Erkenbeck Champions Corner video interview, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hex4z-1PE-E

For full 2014 Mountain Lakes Classic results, visit: www.ngatour.com/finalresults/pro2014015/#.U16zX1VdU8w

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SwingSmart Launches Enhanced App for Award-Winning Digital Swing Analyzer

(NORTH BARRINGTON, IL) – NewSpin Golf announces the launch of a redesigned app for its award-winning SwingSmart golf swing analyzer, including an enhanced user interface, Dual 3D Swing-View and a series of mini-games co-designed by renowned instructor Peter Kostis to help users improve performance while maximizing fun.

A first-of-its-kind solution that provides instant and accurate feedback on critical elements of a golfer’s swing, the Bluetooth-enabled SwingSmart sensor module quickly and easily clips to a golf club shaft. Weighing less than 1 oz., the device wirelessly communicates with the company’s free app, providing data directly to the user’s tablet or smartphone. The update is available now for iPad users and will be coming to other platforms shortly.

Highlights of the updated SwingSmart app:
* New Interface – Fresh environment ensures easy-to-use interaction that allows users to access all swing data, including 3-D Swing View, without navigating between multiple screens
* Dual 3D Swing-View – Users can now access the company’s famed 3-D Swing-View from multiple angles at one time for even more effective comparison and analysis
* Peter Kostis Signature Drills – The expanding library of beneficial, fun in-app mini-games co-developed by the renowned instructor now includes:
   - Putting Challenge – Grooves repeatable club path for consistency on greens
   - Clock Face Drill – Hones backswing and follow through mechanics for mastering wedge distances

“Golfers have rapidly embraced SwingSmart as an invaluable tool for providing useful feedback that instantly benefits their performance,” says Angelo Papadourakis, CEO of NewSpin Golf. “With the latest update we’ve enhanced the system’s ability to capture meaningful swing data and added mini-games that inject a unique element of fun into practice.”

Available for free download, the SwingSmart app allows information to be viewed immediately, shared with an instructor, or saved for future reference. A defining feature of the system is the in-app instructional videos through which Peter Kostis provides a variety of swing tips to help players optimize performance.

With each swing, the SwingSmart system ($249.99) immediately delivers:
* Key Stats – Instant, accurate, easy-to-interpret information on tempo, swing speed, face angle and club path, shaft lean and angle of attack
* 3D Swing View – shows 360-degrees of a player’s swing motion, highlighting the exact route of the club head from any angle
* Putting Results – More than just a full-swing tool, the system also provides info on the putting stroke to help players lower the number of putts taken per round
* Personal Best – Data from a golfer’s best swings can be saved and used as points of reference

Developed by a team of expert technologists, SwingSmart provides a real-time snapshot of how the club is being manipulated through impact. This allows players to adjust and learn what is successful for their individual games. A great, year-round practice tool, SwingSmart features a special Training mode that provides the key data necessary to help players learn the proper swing motion, without the pressure of hitting a ball.

In 2013, the company launched the SwingSmart Duo, which incorporates HiQ Technology.  Requiring zero user set-up, adjustment or calibration, HiQ is built using a proprietary pattern recognition process not found anywhere else in the industry, which increases the accuracy of captured swing data, including the renowned SwingSmart 3D Swing View. It utilizes an algorithm that adapts to each user's swing to faithfully measure their drives, chips and putts.

Recently honored as a recipient of GOLF Magazine’s “Techy Award” in the Training Aid category, SwingSmart has received high praise from a variety of sources since its debut. These include being named the “Overall Winner” among swing trainers by MyGolfSpy.com, receiving a “Product Ingenuity” award from the International Network of Golf and being named “Training Aid of the Year” by SCOREGolf.

Follow on Twitter at @SwingSmart and Facebook.

For more information: www.swingsmart.com.

Boccieri Golf Secret Grip Used by Second-Place Finisher at Zurich Classic

Counter Balance Technology Helps Players of All Levels Achieve Superior Consistency and Control

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) – Boccieri Golf announces both the full-swing and putter versions of its Secret Grip – which allows players to easily counter balance their clubs for an instant boost in performance – were used by a second-place finisher at the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The player relied on the full-swing version of the grips on his fairway woods, hybrids and irons en route to his best Tour finish to date. Designed to be installed quickly and affordably on every manufacturer’s equipment, the Secret Grip’s heavier weight (92 grams) raises the club’s balance point, promoting consistently crisp contact for greater control and distance.

Employing the new “Classic” model in his putter, which weighs 100 grams and has a traditional slim appearance, the runner-up finisher joins a number of other Tour players who have switched to the Secret Grip this season. The added weight forces players to use their larger, more stable muscles, resulting is a highly repeatable and reliable putting stroke.

“Counter balancing in putters has become increasingly popular, however, more and more PGA Tour players are now embracing this technology in all clubs,” says Stephen Boccieri, President and CEO of Boccieri Golf. “The Secret Grip isn’t just another shaft cover, it uses proven physics to automatically improve a player’s swing and putting stroke.”

For a limited time, the company is offering a risk free 30 day replacement guarantee on the full-swing versions of the Secret Grip. This bold, never-before-seen promotion puts the Secret Grip to the test by offering a trial period wherein customers can return the products if not completely satisfied and receive replacement grips of their choice at absolutely no cost! New models for 2014 include a specially-designed full-cord option, patriotic color updates – red, white, blue – and a thicker midsize option.

Since its introduction in 2013, the putter version of the Secret Grip has been adopted by scores of Tour pros worldwide. The product is available in three sizes – Classic, Midsize and Jumbo. The Midsize ($24.99) weighs 155 grams and features popular pistol shaping. Weighing 165 grams, the Jumbo ($24.99) is preferred by players seeking a grip with an extra thick feel and hefty counterweight.

The Secret Grip range is currently available at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, PGA TOUR Superstore and www.SecretGrip.com.

Secret Grip is endorsed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, who relied on counter balanced clubs to capture 73 PGA Tour titles and 18 major championships. He currently appears in promotional material, along with famed teacher Rick Smith, who consistently ranks among the world’s top-10 instructors.

Both the putter and full-swing lines have earned outstanding reviews from scores of leading media outlets, including “Top Products from the PGA Show” honors from Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine.

For more information: www.boccierigolf.com, 888.788.8374.