Pound Ridge Golf Club Announces Completion of Clubhouse Expansion

(POUND RIDGE, N.Y.) – Pound Ridge Golf Club – Westchester County’s premier daily fee course – has completed its clubhouse expansion, providing golfers at the only Pete Dye design in New York with additional conveniences and amenities.

“The new-look clubhouse is part of the continual evolution of Pound Ridge Golf Club,” says owner Ken Wang. “Our players now have more options including showering or refreshing here at the course, and grabbing a bite to eat before, during, or after a round.”

The main building was expanded and now offers permanent bathrooms, a full-service kitchen with new equipment, and men’s and women’s showers and small locker rooms. The breezeway between the building and temporary structure has been enclosed for additional comfort and privacy.

Floor, ceiling and window frame moulding, chair rails and other fixtures, features and equipment were added to create both elegance and permanence. Guests have the choice of relaxing in the refreshed interior or outdoors on one of Pound Ridge’s two alfresco seating and gathering areas.

Since opening in 2008, Pound Ridge has earned world-class accolades from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, Golfweek, AskMen.com, Rolex and LINKS Magazine. It has emerged as a “destination golf course,” sought out by serious golfers collecting the world’s best golf experiences. Golfweek recently rated it the No. 4 course in the state in its annual ranking of the “Best Courses You Can Play.”

More information: www.poundridgegolf.com, 914.764.5771.

Matsuyama Rallies for First PGA TOUR Victory on His 'Journey to Better'

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA) – Srixon congratulates staffer Hideki Matsuyama on his victory Sunday at the 2014 Memorial Tournament held at Muirfield Village Golf Club, in Dublin, Ohio.  The 22-year-old from Ehime, Japan, forced a sudden-death playoff after draining a five-foot putt for birdie on the par-4 18th hole to finish regulation play tied at 13-under 275. Matsuyama’s par on the first playoff hole clinched him the first PGA TOUR victory of his young and very promising career.

“To win my first Tour event is enough, but to win it here at Mr. Nicklaus’ course, it really gives me a lot of confidence now,” said Matsuyama, who became the first player from Japan to win on the PGA TOUR since 2008. “Hopefully I’ll be able to use this week as a stepping stone to further my career. My next goal now would be to win one of the four majors.”

Matsuyama plays a Srixon Z-STAR XV ball with SpinSkin Technology, a Srixon Prototype driver, a Srixon Prototype #3 iron, Srixon Z-925 irons (#4 - #9), a Cleveland Golf 588 RTX CB wedge (48°) with ROTEX Face Technology and Cleveland Golf CG17 Prototype wedges (54°, 60°). Matsuyama wears a Srixon hat, a Srixon glove and carries a Srixon bag.

Matsuyama led the field in Proximity to the Hole at this week’s Memorial Tournament, with an average of 25 feet in proximity on his approach shots, which is the fourth-best mark by a field leader in any event this season.  Matsuyama, who is ranked 12th on the season in proximity to the hole (33 feet, 11 inches), also earned the second-best proximity mark by a field leader earlier this season (averaging 24 feet, 2 inches) at the 2014 Frys.com Open.

Matsuyama, who has earned five international victories since 2011, is currently ranked 13th in the Official World Golf Rankings, and he holds the 16th position on the 2014 PGA TOUR Money List with $2,283,868 in total earnings.

For more information on Hideki Matsuyama and the Journey to Better, visit: http://srixon.com/thejourney/

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.

Val Skinner Foundation Surpasses $9.5 Million for Breast Cancer Awareness Initiatives

(WEST CALDWELL, NJ) – Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, N.J., played host to more than 20 LPGA stars on Monday as former LPGA pro Val Skinner hosted her 15th annual LIFE Event, raising $500,000 for breast cancer research and awareness initiatives.

Thanks to the support of current stars Brittany Lincicome, Christina Kim and Cheyenne Woods along with Hall of Famers Amy Alcott, Pat Bradley and many others, the Val Skinner Foundation has raised more than $9.5 million since 2000. Skinner began the LIFE Event (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) to honor fellow LPGA player Heather Farr, who died of breast cancer in 1993.

“I’m tremendously proud of how far this event has come in 15 years and the programs we have been able to fund through the generosity of our partners and the LPGA pros,” Skinner said. “The stories shared each year by our Heroes inspire me to keep doing everything possible to help eradicate this terrible disease.”

At each LIFE Event, Skinner honors Heroes who have demonstrated courage in the face of breast cancer and/or purpose to fight the disease. The 2014 Heroes were Annie Goodman, a former producer for Fox News, and Aimee Parani, a breast cancer survivor who endured chemotherapy while pregnant with her second child.

Proceeds have helped create and support programs for the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, including the development of LIFE Centers focused on education and genetic research throughout New Jersey. The foundation and the Cancer Institute also partnered to create BioCONNECT, a hands-on cancer curriculum taught in New Jersey and South Carolina schools, and BOLD, a summer camp for high school students interested in medical sciences.

Funds raised through the LIFE Event have also been donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which launched Komen on the Go, an interactive educational mobile tour, and Young Women Walking, a segment of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day specifically aimed at 16-23 year olds.

Supporters of the LIFE event include Amy and Joe Perella, MARSH, C.R. Bard, Genentech and EmblemHealth. Others include Assured Guaranty, Atlantic City Electric, QualCare, Cox Charity Classic, Lincoln and Gina and Michael Martin, Ken Langone, Mark Rachesky and Sandler, O’Neill & Partners.

NGA Pro Golf Tour, All-American Gateway Tour Join Forces

The two largest and longest operating developmental pro golf tours in the United States team to create the country’s first true nationwide third tier developmental tour

(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) – The NGA Pro Golf Tour and the All-American Gateway Tour are combining forces to form a joint venture that will create the nation’s largest developmental pro golf tour.

The union brings together the two largest and longest operating East and West coast developmental tours in the U.S. to form the country’s first true nationwide tour. The combining of the tours will help provide players at the developmental level with even more opportunities including adding value to current memberships, increased event exemptions and bonus payouts, a more player friendly schedule for those looking to compete in PGA and Web.com Tour qualifiers and pre-qualifiers, and a new player pool for those members competing year round.

The joint venture has been in the works since the beginning of 2014 with all new partners and potential sponsors excited about the future and the unlimited opportunities it creates. The new tour structure will have a much larger footprint, running from the West coast to the East coast, which has already allowed the tours to enter into preliminary negotiations with a potential umbrella naming rights partner. In addition, the tours are working closely with a group of investors and industry leaders to help bring significant funding and additional revenue streams for the consolidated tour model. Additional plans also include building partnerships and pursuing further consolidation with tours in the U.S., Mexico and the UK, similar to the recent partnership with Canada’s oldest and largest developmental series, The Great Lakes Tour.

For 25 years the NGA Pro Golf Tour has prided itself in developing professional golfers to compete at golf’s highest levels. Hundreds of NGA Tour alumni have moved up to golf’s premier tours where they have claimed countless victories including 16 Major Championships. The success of NGA Tour alumni is a testament to the model followed by the NGA Tour which consists of week-long 72-hole walking only events just like those found on golf’s premier tours. One only need look at recent results on golf’s major tours to see the affect the NGA Tour has had on the golfing world; 2013 NGA Tour Rookie of the Year Blayne Barber claimed the South Georgia Classic while fellow NGA Tour alums Jim Furyk, Martin Flores, and Jason Bohn finished second, third, and fourth respectively at the Wells Fargo. Professionals such as Keegan Bradley, Zach Johnson, and Bubba Watson all won on the NGA Tour before reaching golf’s pinnacle, becoming known as Major Champions.

What other tour in the U.S. could come close to making such claims of success by their alumni? Ask anyone who knows golf, especially those in the West, and one name immediately comes to mind - the All-American Gateway Tour (AAGT). Since 2001, AAGT has served over 3,500 players, paid out over $43 million in purses and currently boasts an impressive number of alumni (168) currently playing on the PGA and Web.com Tours.

“The current climate of developmental golf is very disconcerting. Players at our level are fragmented and playing for far less purse money than ever before. Last year there was over $10 million in purses paid and this year’s total will barely exceed $6 million. The current status will surely make it even more difficult for players to develop,” stated NGA President Robin L. Waters. “We believe strongly in and stand firmly committed to the concept of player and staff development and not the current pay for play gambling mentality that seems to be sweeping the industry. We believe consolidation with other tours across the country is the future at our level, along with the added player benefit of being able to conduct events closer to the PGA and Web.com Tour events and qualifiers. We feel fortunate to have found a partner and a potential sponsor who share our same goals. With this new tour structure, we will be able to combine resources and work toward getting the developmental level back on solid ground.”

“Since day one, the All-American Gateway Tour has been committed to providing standards in line with the PGA Tour to ensure our members are truly developed in an environment that mirrors what they can expect if they reach their ultimate goal,” said AAGT President Dusty Dean. “We have been focused on finding a partner that has that same mindset and is willing to help us deliver the standards our members deserve. I believe the team at the NGA has the understanding and passion for the game, as well as the shared vision of what AAGT has always wanted to create in the developmental tour industry.”

The alumni roster for the newly combined nationwide tour now includes: 2012 & 2014 Masters champion Bubba Watson; 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley; 2010 PGA TOUR Player of the Year and 2003 US Open Champion Jim Furyk; 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson; two-time U.S. Open Champion Lee Janzen; British Open and PGA Champion John Daly; and recent PGA Tour winners like Michael Thompson, Ted Potter Jr, Gary Woodland, Russell Henley, Mark Wilson, George McNeill, Scott Stallings, Scott Piercy, and many more.

For more information about the exciting joint venture of the NGA Pro Golf Tour and the All-American Gateway Tour, visit www.ngatour.com or www.aagtgolf.com.

Clicgear USA Congratulates NCAA Champions

Clicgear USA, the exclusive U.S. distributor of the Clicgear push cart would like to extend our congratulations to the men's and women's NCAA Division 1 individual golf champions.  Cameron Wilson of Stanford University and Doris Chen of The University of Southern California won the individual championship both using Clicgear carts.  Clicgear is proud to support these great universities.

Additionally, Duke won the women's team championship with the entire team using Clicgear push carts.  The men's Stanford team also used the Clicgear push cart to capture the top seed in the team competition bettering Alabama by a whopping 9 strokes.

The ruling by the NCAA to allow men to use push carts in competition is new for 2014, and the decision has generated lots of interest.  We think Dr. Neil Wolkodoff, medical director of the Colorado Center for Health and Sports Science says it best;  “I would just tell you this from my observations of golfers I work with,” Wolkodoff said on Tuesday. “People who push a cart have a lot fewer [health] issues, and a lot less potential for issues. The golf swing is tough on the back no matter how you look at it. If you can use a push cart and keep one more stress away from the back that’s a great thing.”  Wolkodoff continues, “No matter how good your carrying system you still have to use core muscles to hold the bag,” he said. “When you’re pushing a cart you don’t have the stress on your core musculature and shoulders. You’re able to go up a hill and those muscles were not pre-fatigued."

Clicgear USA is  happy to report that over 100 women's golf programs are using Clicgear in competition.  Indications are that more men's programs will follow in 2015.

OGIO's Silencer Golf Bag: Revolutionary Silencer Club Protection Technology, Chiseled Design

The perfect bag for golfers who want to steal glances for their skills on the course, not their clanking clubs

(Salt Lake City, UT) – OGIO, a leading designer of golf bags and apparel, introduces its new Silencer stand bag for golfers on the move. Equipped with OGIO’s innovative Silencer Club Protection System and a weight equalizing Shoxx X4 strap, the Silencer provides the most comfortable and quiet golfing experience to date. Available now for $234.99, the newest stand bag continues OGIO’s tradition of combining innovative design with unique style.

OGIO designed the Silencer stand bag from the ground up with the walking golfer in mind. Silencer’s dynamic protective membrane top separates up to 14 club heads and the proprietary Unibody Grip Lock bottom uses flex grab teeth to keep clubs in place and eliminate movement. By reducing the dreaded clanking sound and minimizing club dings, golfers can add years of life to any set of clubs. The feather-lite stand bag’s durable integrated handles allow for stable and secure lifting, while the equalizing shoulder strap balances weight across your back, making it as comfortable on the 18th green as it is on the first tee.

“Innovation coupled with unique fashion embody our design signature,” says Tom Gocke, Global VP of OGIO Golf. “The Silencer is our latest innovation in golf that provides the ultimate in club protection while reducing the annoying sound of clanking clubs.”

Built for efficiency, organization and ease, the Silencer features 7 pockets. Pockets include an insulated zippered water bottle pocket, as well as a fleece-lined pocket for valuables. The added touch of a pen sleeve also ensures all of your items, no matter how small, have a place.

OGIO’s Silencer stand bag is now available at www.ogio.com for $234.99.

Scott Hamilton Golf Academy Adds Swing Catalyst System

(TRONDHEIM, NORWAY) - Swing Catalyst, the complete swing analysis system used by instructors, coaches and golfers around the world, was recently installed by the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy in Cartersville, Ga.

Hamilton is the PGA Director of Golf and Instruction at Cartersville Country Club, located in the foothills of northwest Georgia. Over the years, he's worked on the swings of many PGA Tour pros, and currently teaches Boo Weekley, Tim Herron, Will Claxton, Steven Bowditch and Scott Brown.

Now, he's thrilled to add Swing Catalyst to his armor.

"It blows me away at how detailed and visually compelling this system is," says Hamilton, the PGA of America's 2007 Georgia Section Teacher of the Year. "It shows me parts of the swing I've never seen captured before by any other system."

Tom Christian, marketing manager for Swing Catalyst, says Hamilton is just the latest in a slew of top instructors to add Swing Catalyst to their facility.

"We've had a great year so far, and getting our equipment into top-caliber facilities such as Scott Hamilton Golf Academy bolsters our reputation even more," says Tom. "It's great to know that some of the top players in the world are relying on our system."

Initial Force AS is a Norwegian company that was established in 2006, with the goal of developing an easy-to-understand and simple-to-use motion analysis system for golf instruction. Previously this type of data was only available at high-end research facilities, Olympic training centers, and advanced university sports laboratories. The results of the endeavors led to the development of Swing Catalyst, a revolutionary new technological system for golf training that integrates the unique Swing Catalyst 3D Motion and Balance Plates, multiple high-speed cameras and the most-popular ball flight and club tracking devices.

For more information: www.swingcatalyst.com