TRUE linkswear unveils innovative lyt breathe

Versatile release lets golfers prep, live and play in a single pair of shoes

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Redefining what a crossover shoe can be, TRUE linkswear has released the innovative TRUE lyt breathe. Modeled after the popular lyt dry, this extraordinarily light shoe features a breathable mesh upper, as well as a sock-fit liner.

“We pride ourselves on crafting shoes that are made for golf, but ready for anything,” said Jeremy Moore, president of TRUE linkswear. “The lyt breathe takes that mantra to an entirely new level. It’s a shoe that you can wear to the gym, take straight to the course and then head to the 19th hole afterward, while not yielding an inch on performance.”

Built on its LYT Comfort Outsole, the lyt breathe’s two piece (EVA and rubber) construction delivers a platform that provides enough stability to perform, while also being comfortable enough to walk 36 holes straight out of the box.  It mimics the shape of your foot, allowing your toes to spread out, while giving your feet the feeling of walking barefoot with traction.

At a mere 8.9 oz., the lyt breathe is TRUE’s lightest shoe to date, crafted by a unique, new upper construction method. The shoe features a one-piece sock-like liner that wraps around your foot, providing comfort and flexibility.  A saddle/lace box snugly holds the foot in place, while a heel-stability strap provides additional support.

The lyt breathe lists at $129.99, and it comes in four colorways – black/orange, white/salmon, dark grey/highlighter and light grey/navy.

To read a previous review of TRUE Linkswear, click HERE.

For more information, visit www.truelinkswear.com.

Mississippi’s PGA TOUR Event Changes Host Site to Historic Country Club of Jackson

State’s Longtime Professional Golf Tournament Set to Debut at New Venue, Nov. 3-9

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The state’s annual PGA TOUR competition – the Sanderson Farms Championship benefitting Century Club Charities – will move to historic Country Club of Jackson, the tournament director confirmed yesterday.

Sanderson Farms Championship will debut at Country Club of Jackson, Nov. 3-9, at the start of the 2014-15 PGA TOUR season.

Country Club of Jackson dates back to 1914.  It is a private club with 27 championship holes, 18 of which were re-designed by John Fought in 2008 and measure 7,284 yards from the Championship Tees.

Fought’s layout incorporates classic Donald Ross flavor – parkland style routing with smallish, tricky greens – which range in size at CC of Jackson from approximately 5,000 to 8,500 square feet.

Mississippi’s annual PGA TOUR stop dates back decades and has been played at several venues under different title sponsors or tournament names.

It has been played – to great reception – at Jack Nicklaus-designed Annandale Country Club in Madison the past 20 years.  Woody Austin prevailed at Annandale during the 2013 Sanderson Farms Championship, one of two TOUR events played in the golf-rich Magnolia State.  The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic – a Champions TOUR event – was played at Fallen Oak Golf Club last month and won by Jeff Maggert.

“Mississippi is proud to support the great work done by Sanderson Farms Championship and Century Club Charities,” said Mississippi Development Authority Director of Tourism Malcolm White. “Simultaneously benefitting charitable organizations and highlighting our great state through professional golf is a win-win.”

Mississippi’s Friends of Children’s Hospital is Sanderson Farms Championship’s main beneficiary.

For more information, visit www.visitmississippi.org/golf.php or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551.

The Traveling Golfer Visits Caledonia and True Blue in Myrtle Beach

(PHILADELPHIA, Pa.) - When golfers visit the 60-mile stretch of golf courses along Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand they always congregate to compare notes. Those sessions usually evolve into a mini-rating of the courses. Two of the courses at the top of everyone's lists are True Blue and Caledonia Golf and Fish Club - the subjects of the Traveling Golfer television show throughout the month of May.

Both courses, designed by the late Mike Strantz, have received national acclaim for their beauty and strategic quality. Bob Seganti, director of golf at True Blue and Caledonia, serves as a guide to the courses - and the surrounding area.

"Although the two courses come from the same architect, I really believe they are totally different," says Seganti. "I refer to Caledonia as a classic beauty, and so do most other people. In the case of True Blue, I like to call it the naughty sister. It has a devilish twist to it and appeals to the better golfers."

Traveling Golfer host Tony Leodora takes an inside look at both courses, which occupy a stunning swath of South Carolina "low country" property on Pawley's Island.

"I've been coming to the Myrtle Beach area for more than 25 years now and I try to get down to True Blue and Caledonia as much as possible," admits Leodora. "From the first visit I knew they were among the best in the entire region and they just seem to keep getting better with age."

The episode begins airing May 1 and runs throughout the month on The Traveling Golfer Network (see list of sites on www.travelinggolfervideo.com). It also will air on Monday, May 12 as part of the Press Box show in Myrtle Beach, 5 to 7 p.m. on HTC Ch. 4, and as part of the Inside Golf television show on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and Comcast SportsNet in Baltimore/Washington during the last week of May.

Responding to golfers' never-ending demands to learn more about interesting golf courses and golf resorts across the country and around the world, well-traveled host Tony Leodora created the Traveling Golfer so he could take viewers on video golf trips to some of the most exciting golf locations.

The Traveling Golfer appears as a series of monthly shows hosted by Leodora, who has 15 years of experience in televised golf shows. The featured destination stays on the website for one month, before being replaced by a new show. The old shows are archived on the home website, www.travelinggolfervideo.com.

WE ARE GOLF Returns to Capitol Hill for National Golf Day on May 21

Jack Nicklaus, Industry Executives to Meet with Congress about Game’s Economic, Charitable, Environmental, Fitness Benefits

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – returns to Capitol Hill for the seventh annual National Golf Day May 21 to meet with Members of Congress and discuss golf’s nearly $69 billion economy, $4 billion annual charitable impact and many environmental and fitness benefits.

Jack Nicklaus, 18-time major winner, will join golf industry executives in D.C. for The First Tee Congressional Breakfast. Golf’s leaders will meet with Members of Congress throughout the day to share stories about the game’s nearly 15,000 diverse businesses, two million employees, tax revenue creation, tourism and ecological value.

“Our primary goal is to communicate to Congressional members that golf is a major U.S. industry and generates almost $4 billion annually for charities – more than the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL combined – with the majority of funds going to causes unrelated to the sport,” says Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation (WGF) and administrator of WE ARE GOLF. “The May 21 event is an ideal opportunity to bring industry stakeholders together on Capitol Hill to showcase the game’s benefits to society and explain why golf courses should be regarded like any other small business.”

Organizations participating include the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The First Tee, United States Golf Association, United States Golf Manufacturers Council, WGF and others.

National Golf Day will feature a day-long exhibit in the Cannon Caucus Room with live lessons for Members of Congress and staff from 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year Michael Breed, host of “The Golf Fix” on Golf Channel, and LPGA Professional Dana Rader. Special exhibits and activities include a “Closest to the Pin” contest utilizing an aboutGolf simulator, the exclusive on-air provider for the Golf Channel and official licensed product of the PGA TOUR; state-of-the-art swing analysis from GolfTEC; Birdie Ball, the latest at-home training technology; and a Republican vs. Democrat “Putting Challenge.”

“We look forward to representing the two million men and women who rely on the golf industry to make a living while providing significant benefits to local communities,” says Rhett Evans, CEO of GCSAA and WE ARE GOLF Coalition Chairman. “When passing legislation, we want Congress to appropriately recognize the size and scope of the golf industry so we are treated similarly to other businesses.”

To join the conversation, visit the social media hub at www.wearegolf.org/social-media/national-golf-day. From May 1-31, be sure to use #NGD14 and tag @wearegolf for Twitter and Instagram to show your support for the golf industry.

Premier Golf Awards Free Trip to 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland

(DULUTH, GA) – Premier Golf – the exclusive provider of North American Ryder Cup packages since 1991 – announced that Nick Hogan of Richmond, Virginia won the Ryder Cup Sweepstakes, collecting a trip to this year’s matches at Gleneagles in Scotland, September 24-29.

Hogan was chosen randomly from thousands of entrants to Premier Golf’s free contest that was available on its Facebook page and website at www.premiergolf.com.

“Premier Golf is pleased to award this trip to our sport’s penultimate competition, held at spectacular Gleneagles this fall,” said Jim Ward, President of Premier Golf.  “We specialize in making golfers’ dream trips come true.”

Hogan, who has never attended a Ryder Cup, will bring his wife Emily to the matches. The trip will also mark the 28-year-old’s first venture overseas.

“Winning a trip to a Ryder Cup is as good as it gets, but the fact that it will be played in Scotland makes it even more special,” added Hogan, who works for a finance and leasing company. “I’m looking forward to the cultural experience, as well as the patriotism that you see at every Ryder Cup. It’s a trip that I’m sure I will remember forever.”

A licensed partner of the PGA of America for 25 years, Premier Golf has sent more than 25,000 people to the Ryder Cup and is offering eight experiences to this year’s event. From $3,700 per person, packages include accommodations, welcome receptions, full Scottish breakfast daily, special Ryder Cup tournament badges, round-trip ground transportation to the matches, gifts and all taxes.

“A la carte” golf packages that include tee times at some of the most iconic courses in Scotland are also available, providing on-site assistance, transfers to and from the course, and more.

Premier Golf also provides experienced travel services to some of the world’s classic international and U.S. destinations, including Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Kohler and PGA Village.

For more details, or to receive a free package quote, visit www.premiergolf.com or call 866.260.4409.

Antigua Signs UFC License Agreement

(PEORIA, ARIZ.) - The Antigua Group - one of the nation's leading designers and marketers of apparel under the distinguished Antigua brand - has signed a multi-year license agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Under this new agreement, Antigua has been granted non-exclusive rights to produce men's and women's UFC lifestyle apparel, headwear and luggage to be distributed at the UFCStore.com, fan shops, sporting goods, specialty, department, military base stores, along with TV retail.

"We are proud to become a partner of the UFC", said Kevin O'Neill, Vice President of Licensed Sports Sales at The Antigua Group.   "This new agreement starts immediately and allows us to provide UFC logoed product to a strong group of retailers including the UFCStore.com and increases our brands positioning as a premium licensed sports clothing, headwear and luggage provider."

For more information on The Antigua Group, visit them online at www.antigua.com.

Cutter & Buck Names New Chief Executive Officer

(SEATTLE, Wash.) – Joel Freet, previously the head of the Corporate Business for Cutter & Buck, has been named the Chief Executive Officer.  He replaces Jens Petersson, who has transitioned into a role in Group Executive Management at parent company, New Wave Group AB.

Joel Freet

“Joel is a natural business leader with great knowledge of the company, he has worked as an advocate to improve our results, services, and position in the marketplace. Joel has worked significantly with other executives in New Wave Group and is well in tune with the company’s philosophies and priorities” Petersson said. “Perhaps most importantly, Joel embodies Cutter & Buck’s values, is dedicated to the brand, our customers and associates, and will ensure we stay focused on the things that make this company great.”

In his 15th year at Cutter & Buck, Freet has lead the company within several business channels, including corporate, international, and licensing. He has also lead successful projects in golf, merchandising, information technology and marketing.

“The quality and value of Cutter & Buck products is strong, and we have some of the most dedicated consumers in the marketplace.” Freet said. “Our platform of brands including Cutter & Buck, CBUK, and ANNIKA by Cutter & Buck, and now Clique, is well balanced.  Our intense focus is on bringing exceptional branded apparel to the market.”

Established in 1989, Cutter & Buck has become a hallmark for delivering fresh approaches to classic sportswear. Based in Seattle, the company prides itself on the design, manufacturing and distribution of premium, versatile apparel that meets the demands of an active lifestyle. With an expanding line of products for the golf, corporate, collegiate and professional sports, and specialty retail markets, the company is proud to provide its customers with safe and compliant products as a certified QCA supplier since 2011. Cutter & Buck has partnerships or licenses with the NFL, NCAA, MLB, PGA of America, USGA, PGA TOUR and USTA. The company is the exclusive North American distributor of Clique, a premier sportswear basics brand in the European marketplace. Cutter & Buck is available worldwide in golf pro shops, fan shops, resorts, specialty retailers, through premium promotional product distributors, and at cutterbuck.com.

New Wave Group AB is engaged in the design, acquisition, and development of brands and products within the promotion, sports, gift and interior design sectors.  Its corporate portfolio includes Clique, Craft, Orrefors and Kosta Boda, among other brands.