True Spec Golf Opens Chicago Fitting Studio

(Chicago, IL) - Premium custom club fitter True Spec Golf has opened their first state-of-the-art indoor fitting studio in Chicago, Ill. This new indoor fitting facility is located a short 30-minute drive north of downtown Chicago in Highland Park, Il.

"True Spec Golf's foundation is built on fitting and building golf clubs that provide a measurable improvement to our clients," said Hoyt McGarity, CEO of True Spec Golf. "Our new studio will provide Chicagoans with the ultimate premium fitting experience."

The Chicago studio features:
- Spacious indoor fitting bay
- Foresight GC2 Quad launch monitor
- State-of-the-art Putter Fitting studio
- Fitting Matrix with 30,000+ club head and shaft combinations
- GEARS Golf Biomechanics lab
- 2 Spacious Golf Simulators

True Spec Chicago provides golfers with in-depth knowledge on pairing the right club head and shaft together to make a measurable improvement to your game. This knowledge is combined with industry leading technology to guarantee the results of every fitting.

"I could not be more excited to bring a truly technologically advanced studio to the Chicago golf community," says Scott Anderson, True Spec Golf Chicago Director. "The combination of our fitting capabilities and a matrix of 30,000+ fitting options will differentiate the experience we offer. Our goal is to assist players in improving their game by providing the most innovative technology in combination with data driven analytics."

Each club fit by True Spec Golf is hand built in their Scottsdale, U.S.A. build shop. Cutting edge technology and the highest-grade components are combined to ensure that clubs are built to the exact specifications that were determined during the fitting process.

Fitting services will include an entire set fitting; driver; woods, irons or putter. Prices range from $125 to $450 per fitting session, based on the fitting type.

Website: TrueSpecGolf.com

Forsgate Country Club Announces New Staff Hires

(Monroe Township, NJ) — Forsgate Country Club is pleased to announce the recent hiring of two valuable staff members who are making a big difference in the day to day operations at the club.

Leslie Conover, Membership Director, joined Forsgate last October and is enjoying her first full season at the club.  A native of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Leslie has significant years of experience in membership marketing having worked for various private golf clubs in New Jersey including Trenton Country Club and Greenacres Country club.  Leslie graduated from American University in Washington, D.C

Shari Courtney is the new Director of Catering at Forsgate Country Club.  As the Director of Catering, Shari is responsible for all catering top line revenue of the property, marketing efforts, forecasting and soliciting new business.  Shari has been in the catering and sales profession for the past 16 years with a strong focus on social, wedding and ethnic markets.  Her most recent catering positions were with the Westin Princeton, Renaissance Woodbridge and the Molly Pitcher Inn. Shari graduated Cum Laude from East Stroudsburg University where she studied Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management.  Born and raised in New Jersey, she currently lives in Ocean County.

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

Titleist Introduces New Scotty Cameron Futura 5.5M

High-MOI Model with Toe Flow Combines Forgiveness of a Mallet with Feel of a Blade

(FAIRHAVEN, Mass.) – Scotty Cameron has added a high-MOI mallet with enhanced toe flow to his new Futura line of putters – the Futura 5.5M – combining the forgiveness of a mallet with the feel of a blade.

Inspired by Scotty’s work with players on the worldwide professional tours, the Futura 5.5M offers a new mallet option featuring the alignment and high-MOI characteristics of the Futura line coupled with a neck configuration that promotes a flowing, arced putting stroke more commonly associated with blade style putters.

The Scotty Cameron Futura 5.5M is available in North American golf shops beginning Aug. 25 (Sept. 22 worldwide).

QUOTING MASTER PUTTER MAKER SCOTTY CAMERON: “The idea for the Futura 5.5M began as a prototype when Justin Thomas came to the Putter Studio looking for a new option,” Cameron said. “He wanted a smaller mallet that he could align easily, but one that also promoted the arced putting stroke he preferred. We welded a flare neck to a Futura X5 Tour putter and sent him on his way. He went on to win three events, reporting back that some of his buddies wanted a putter like his. The wheels started turning from there.

“In addition to Justin’s visit, I’d also received requests for a smaller version of the Futura 7M. So, in thinking about this new entry in the world of mallet putters, I was able to blend my MOI and toe flow thoughts into this new model, the Futura 5.5M. To achieve this, I created a leaned over, stainless steel half-neck spud off the topline that accepts a single bend shaft. This is an elegant way to give the player a full shaft of offset and also offer a clean view of the entire leading edge of the topline. The proportion is right. The weight is right. And now we have a mallet with more toe flow for players who like that arcing feel in their stroke, but want more forgiveness.”

FUTURA 5.5M DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY: The new Futura 5.5M extends the popular Futura line with a model designed for players seeking a smaller mallet with additional toe flow and forgiveness:

• The compact mallet—about 10 percent smaller than the similarly-shaped Futura 7M—is designed for easy alignment with built-in toe flow.

• Shorter single bend shaft configuration for additional toe hang, promoting an arced path and flowing putting stroke.

• Multi-material technology – featuring wrap-around face-sole construction milled from lightweight 6061 aircraft grade aluminum, integrated with precision-milled 303 stainless steel – moves weight back and to the perimeter, allowing for a larger putter head with enhanced high-MOI performance (resistance to twisting during the stroke).

• Tour-proven heel-and-toe sole weighting technology increases stability and forgiveness.

• Mid-milled face with vibration dampening technology offers soft feel with 3.5 degrees of loft to deliver optimum roll characteristics

FUTURA PUTTER FAMILY: From rounded mid-mallets to high-tech, high-MOI larger mallets, the 2017 Futura family melds design characteristics of the previous generation mallets with Scotty Cameron’s continued innovation in multi-material putter constructions. The result is a cohesive lineup of tour-proven shapes and configurations – Futura 5CB, 5MB, 5W, 5S and 5.5M; Futura 6M and 6M Dual Balance; and Futura 7M – with enhanced stability and forgiveness, improved alignment features, and responsive feel and feedback.

FUTURA ACCESSORIES: Each new Futura putter features advanced stability weighting with removable, customizable stainless steel sole weights, stepless steel shafts and supple Black Matador Mid-size grips with red and gold accents (Futura 6M DB employs a 15-inch Dual Balance grip) developed to offer the comfort of a larger grip while maintaining responsiveness and feel.

MODERN AESTHETICS: Scotty gave the Futura line’s raw stainless steel surfaces a Silver Mist finish with a unique bead blast for a radiant, yet glare-resistant, appearance. All aluminum sole plates have been anodized in black. Additionally, the Tour-inspired cosmetics display the familiar three bright translucent red dots in the back cavity with engraved typography befitting this modern, high-performance line.  

FUTURA 5.5M AVAILABILITY: Futura 5.5M putters will be available beginning Friday, Aug. 25 in North America (Friday, Sept. 22 worldwide) through Titleist authorized golf shops.

MAP $379 | MSRP $410.

ON THE WEB: www.scottycameron.com

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

Cleveland Golf Announces the Cleveland CBX Wedge

Cleveland CBX Wedge is a New Category of Wedge for Golfers Who Play Cavity Back Irons

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.) — CLEVELAND GOLF establishes a new category of wedges with the announcement of the Cleveland CBX Wedge, a cavity back wedge designed for the 84% of golfers who play cavity back irons. Cleveland CBX Wedges will launch in North America on Sept. 15, 2017.

Cleveland Golf is a trailblazer of wedge design, continually innovating short game technologies since 1979. Their latest wedge offering, the Cleveland CBX Wedge, is a new take on traditional wedge philosophy aimed at the segment of golfers who play forgiving cavity back irons.

The Cleveland CBX is built to be more forgiving and easier to hit than tour-designed wedges while providing dramatically more spin and versatility than set-matching wedges. This totally new wedge design—modeled to complement the address profile and swing weight of the most popular cavity back irons—is designed to look, feel, and play like the game improvement irons used by 84% of the golf market.

With Cleveland Golf’s RTX-3 wedges designed for skilled players, and their Smart Sole 3 wedges created for golfers who want maximum forgiveness, the Cleveland CBX is positioned as a forgiving yet versatile wedge that caters to the needs of the majority of golfers.

John Rae, Vice President of Research and Development at Cleveland Golf, explained how the new Cleveland CBX fits into the existing wedge market: “Wedges that match iron sets have next to no spin technology and sole designs that are ill equipped for the demands of the short game. Tour wedges are versatile and spin the ball but are significantly heavier and lack the forgiveness features that most golfers are used to in their irons. The Cleveland CBX combines the spin and versatility of our tour wedges with a cavity back design so golfers get plenty of control and forgiveness.”

Key Innovations Inside Cleveland CBX:
· A Cavity Back Wedge Design offers more forgiveness and blends with the look, feel and weight of cavity back iron sets.
· A Rotex Face, the most advanced wedge spin technology ever made, helps the CBX produce spin just like a tour-designed wedge.
· A Dual-V Sole Grind offers forgiving turf interaction, delivers extra assistance on bunker shots, and provides versatility when executing different short game shots.
· Feel Balancing Technology repositions the center of gravity for better feel and distance control.

Cleveland CBX is offered in left and right handed options with Men’s steel and graphite shafts and Women’s graphite shafts. The wedges are available in 46 through 60 degree loft, each with the new Dual V Sole Grind. Men’s steel and Women’s are priced at $129.99 MAP; Men’s graphite is priced at $139.99 MAP.

Mike Aldrich named Chief Operating Officer at LOOPER Caddies On Demand

Former PGA official accepts full-time position with fast-growing caddie app

(Haymarket, VA) – LOOPER Caddies On Demand, a new app bringing loopers back to the game of golf, has hired PGA Player Development Manager Mike Aldrich as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Caddie Enrichment.

Mike Aldrich

A PGA Certified Professional who has been involved with golf for more than a quarter of a century, Aldrich will join the burgeoning on-demand caddie company full time on September 1, 2017, while ensuring a smooth transition in his current position at the PGA in the interim.  He has served in an advisory role since the company was founded in 2015.

LOOPER Caddies On Demand has created a shared-economy app, in the model of popular ride- sharing services like Uber and Lyft.  The new user-friendly marketplace is gaining popularity in the golf industry given how easy it is for golfers to book caddies, for caddies to find work, and for courses to offer caddie services.

Aldrich brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the golf business to the company at a time when it is growing and expanding into new markets across the country.  As a pro from 2006 to 2009, amid the recession, he led his small staff to increase rounds by 28% and revenue by 47%. Aldrich then spent the next three years elevating the Youth Development Program at a private club by 190%, which had the effect of increasing overall club revenue by 22%.

In 2012, Aldrich was chosen by the PGA of America as a Player Development Consultant.  He was one of only nine PGA Professionals in the country selected to lead their peers in driving rounds and revenue through elevated consumer engagement. In this role, he consulted with over 200 facilities, providing an opportunity to recognize the behaviors of clubs that are successful, and those that struggle.

He played a major part in helping his fellow professionals succeed through initiatives such as “Get Golf Ready” and PGA Junior League Golf.  Under his watch during the last four years at the PGA, the PGA Junior League expanded from dozens of players to now more than 41,000.

“Mike Aldridge has an impeccable reputation and successful track record of innovation and revenue growth throughout his career in golf,” said Dave Cavossa, LOOPER Caddies On Demand Founder and CEO. “He is uniquely qualified for this position.  He sees the big picture for us, as well as for our courses, and understands their day-to-day operations. His expertise and insight are a tremendous asset to us as we continue to add more golfers, caddies and courses.”

Aldrich is looking forward to coming on board. “This is a great opportunity,” Aldrich said. “I love taking on new projects and challenging experiences. LOOPER Caddies On Demand is completely revamping the old caddie model, which was inefficient, costly and demanding.

I have run small caddie programs at several clubs in the past, and loved working with the caddies and golfers. However, it took a lot of money and time to run a caddie program to make a dozen or so golfers happy.  LOOPER brings caddies back in a way that is easy for courses to implement at no cost, provides an entry point to golf for young people, and makes caddies affordable and accessible for all golfers.

“Drawing more young people to the game is important to me, “ said Aldrich, who has been playing golf since he was seven.  “We developed a mission to bring caddies back to the game because we believe caddying has so many positives.  It provides immediate income, chances to play great courses and opens networking opportunities that can help teens and college students with their future careers. The lifetime impact can be immeasurable.”

To use the service, golfers simply download the LOOPER Caddies On Demand app, which is available for iPhone and Android devices, and register.  After golfers enter the course, date and time they plan to play, they receive a confirmation notice from their looper, who will meet them at the course.  Fees range from $25 - $100, plus tip, depending on the golfer’s desired level of caddy experience. LOOPER Caddies On Demand offers four levels of caddie service: JR LOOPER, LOOPER, FORE-LOOPER and PRO-LOOPER. The company currently has agreements with 70+ courses in six states and has operated on 30 additional courses for special events, and both lists are growing.

For more information go to www.looper.golf.

Jack Nicklaus Named Honorary Chairman for 2017 Folds of Honor Patriot Golf Day

Golf legend and course designer named Chairman for the 10-year anniversary of Patriot Golf Day

(OWASSO, Oklahoma) – This year, for the third time in event history, a true American icon, Jack Nicklaus, has joined Folds of Honor as honorary chairman of the non-profit’s leading annual fundraising event, Patriot Golf Day. Since 2007, PGA professionals around the country have raised more than 22 million dollars for educational scholarships for children and spouses of men and women who have fallen or been disabled while serving the country.

Former F-16 military pilot, and Folds of Honor founder, Major Dan Rooney, relies on the continued support from organizations and individuals like Mr. Nicklaus to support the recipients of Folds of Honor. “It is because of people like Mr. Jack Nicklaus that Folds of Honor continues to strive since its founding ten years ago,” said Major Dan Rooney. “Every year we are overwhelmed by the generosity and support for our cause. We could not advance our mission without the golf community and supporters around the nation.”

Open to golfers across the country in 41 PGA sections and in all 50 states, Patriot Golf Day will take place from September 1-4, 2017. Throughout the weekend, golfers who play at participating courses will be asked to add one extra dollar to their green fees to support Folds of Honor’s scholarship program, which has awarded more than 16,000 scholarships since its inception in 2007. In 2016, Patriot Golf Day raised $6.1 million for educational scholarships.

The Golden Bear has been a long-time supporter of efforts aimed at helping our servicemen and women, including American Lake Veterans Golf Course (alvetsgolfcourse.com and veterangolf.org). American Lake, located outside Tacoma, Wash., is the only course in America designed specifically for the use of wounded and disabled veterans. The existing nine holes at the 60-year-old course had become a respite for soldiers looking to recreate and rehabilitate, and use the healing powers of golf to transition back into the mainstream of life. The nine holes could not accommodate the incredible demand by the veterans and their families, so after a phone call from friend, Ryder Cup teammate and American Lake supporter Ken Still, Jack Nicklaus quickly donated his design services to expand the layout to 18 holes. When the new nine was opened in June of 2016, American Lake fittingly became the 400th golf course Nicklaus Design has created worldwide.

“I am honored to be named the Chairman for this year’s Patriot Golf Day,” Nicklaus said. “I never had the privilege to serve our great nation, but I am passionate and committed to any initiative that allows us to recognize, assist and support the men and women of our military, who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. When we can use the game of golf as the vehicle to give back, it becomes even more meaningful to me. That’s why I feel blessed to be involved with projects like American Lake Veterans Golf Course, or partnering with great organizations like Folds of Honor and the PGA of America, with its PGA HOPE program.”

During Labor Day weekend, participating golf facilities around the country host special events, tournaments, and ask golfers to donate at least one additional dollar to their greens fee. Non-golfers can also participate by making a donation to the foundation at its web site, foldsofhonor.org.

Rooney founded Folds of Honor in 2007, following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. After returning from his second tour, Major Rooney witnessed a profound display of a family’s grief as they welcomed home the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin. Inspired by this tragic homecoming of a fallen American soldier, Rooney started Folds of Honor to provide support to military families in the aftermath of their tragedies.

For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship, visit www.foldsofhonor.org.

Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation Names Chris Kolodinsky as Chief Development Officer

Former Director of Corporate Partnership Sales with the Orlando Magic, Kolodinsky Joins Foundation to Help Lead Legacy Program in Support of Arnold Palmer’s Lifetime Mission of Philanthropy

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation (AACF), the organization created to support golf legend Arnold Palmer’s lifetime mission of philanthropy, announced that Chris Kolodinsky has been named Chief Development Officer.  In his new position, Kolodinsky will help lead the AACF’s Legacy Program, which was developed to align the Foundation with partners that share Mr. Palmer’s core values. Among the AACF’s current Legacy Program partners includes longtime Arnold Palmer allies Hertz, MasterCard and Golf Channel/NBC Sports.

Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation was established in 2015 to help fulfill Mr. Palmer’s lifelong passion of investing in the well-being and development of children and youth, supporting health and wellness initiatives and strengthening both communities and the environment. Today, the AACF has been entrusted to carry on the legacy of Mr. Palmer in marching toward a better tomorrow, while enhancing his commitment of giving back by expanding into new communities across the nation.

“We are thrilled to have Chris join the Arnie’s Army Team and help drive our strategy that centers on celebrating a Life Well Played by pushing forward on Mr. Palmer’s unmatched commitment to philanthropy, and a lifetime dedicated to making lives better around the world,” said Kevin Bingham, CEO, Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation.  “Chris brings extensive experience in partnership development to our foundation and he will be instrumental in our overall business growth initiatives.”

Kolodinsky comes to the AACF after a 6-year tenure with the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association, where he held several leadership positions, most recently serving as Director of Corporate Partnership Sales. A resident of Maitland, Fla., where he resides with his wife Allison, and two daughters, Kolodinsky is an honors graduate with a BS in Sports Management from Florida State University, and also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Rollins College.

In his new role, Kolodinsky will develop and cultivate new partnerships, programs and special events that encompass the AACF, and which are supported by the Legacy Program. The founding legacy partners in the program are shining examples of companies that truly reflect the ideals and vision of Mr. Palmer, highlighted by a longstanding partnership with MasterCard, a 35+year partnership with Hertz and Golf Channel/NBC sports, which Mr. Palmer helped establish in 1995.

Bingham adds, “By leveraging new marketing assets, financial resources and creative programming, in collaboration with the power of our partners’ brands, the AACF will be positioned to expand our reach nationally and continue to exceed our charitable goals well into the future. Backed by our three founding partners, we are seeking to align with additional companies and brands that support the philanthropic initiatives that are synonymous with Arnold Palmer’s lifetime of giving back.”

For decades, Arnold and Winnie Palmer dedicated unwavering time and resources through their philanthropic endeavors, especially in Orlando, Florida through the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, as well as in Arnold’s hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania through the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve.  In creating the AACF, Mr. Palmer’s mission is never ending, and today the Foundation remains laser focused on sustaining the great work that has been established, while expanding the footprint to new communities across the nation.

The AACF, which operates as a united front in support of Mr. Palmer’s vision, represents the charitable components of several high profile events and programs, highlighted by the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, the PGA TOUR event that takes place in Orlando every March and the Arnold Palmer Cup, the annual Ryder Cup-style tournament matching top collegiate golfers from the United States against Europe.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard is the signature event for AACF, encompassing a breadth of special events throughout tournament week.  Most notably, it is home to the original Arnie’s March Against Children’s Cancer, which is now being expanded to new TOUR markets nationwide.

Moreover, the 2018 edition of the Arnold Palmer Cup, July 6-8, 2018 at Evian Resort Golf Club in France will be the first co-ed format event. The reality of having men’s and women’s USA collegiate golfers competing side-by-side against their counterparts from around the world will showcase all that is great about the game of golf, and speak directly to Mr. Palmer’s inclusive vision for cultivating the next generation of competitive golfers.

In fact,  the event has produced over 100 players who have gone on to earn PGA or European Tour cards, and can proudly claim 178 professional victories, multiple major champions and nearly two dozen Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup members.  Noted alumni include Rickie Fowler, Graeme McDowell, Brandt Snedeker, Justin Thomas, Bill Haas, Matt Kuchar and Thomas Pieters, among others.

Legacy Program partners have the opportunity to receive brand integration at these events and others in collaboration with AACF. For companies seeking to join the legacy program, please contact Chris Kolodinsky at (386) 679-6503, or ckolodinsky@arniesarmy.org. For more information on Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation, or to make a donation, visit www.arniesarmy.org.