Hilton Head Golf Island, JetBlue Announce ‘Airways, Fairways & Spa Days’ Sweepstakes

Enter to Win the Ultimate Lowcountry Family Golf Getaway

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI) – a collection of 28 of the Lowcountry’s premier golf courses – and JetBlue announce the “Airways, Fairways & Spa Days” sweepstakes featuring airfare, accommodations, golf and spa treatments for four, valued at over $5,000.

To mark the arrival of the new non-stop JetBlue flights from Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK) to Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), JetBlue and HHGI have teamed up to offer a giveaway golfers can enter from April 23 – September 23, 2014.

The Boston Airways, Fairways & Spa Days sweepstakes includes:
* Roundtrip airfare for four from BOS to SAV
* Two rooms for three nights, four days at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
* Two rounds per person (based on a foursome) at any of the seven Heritage Collection courses
* One complimentary round for two at Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage
* One complimentary round for four at Golden Bear Golf Club
* Two spa treatments at the Heavenly Spa by Westin
* Complimentary breakfast for four at the Westin
* $100 resort credit towards bikes, kayaks and other family activities
* Complimentary court times at the Port Royal Racquet Club

The New York Airways, Fairways & Spa Days sweepstakes includes:
* Roundtrip airfare for four from JFK to SAV
* Five days, four nights’ accommodations for four in a Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort villa
* Two rounds of golf for four on any of the three Palmetto Dunes championship courses (Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio and Arthur Hills)
* One round for four at the Country Club of Hilton Head
* Four complimentary massages at Marriott’s Spa Soleil
* $100 resort dining card
* Complimentary kayak excursion for four
* Complimentary bike rentals
* Two hours of court time daily at Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center

To enter, visit www.hiltonheadisland.org/jetblue/sweepstakes/

“The ‘Airways, Fairways & Spa Days’ sweepstakes is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to take a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expense-paid vacation and experience everything our beautiful island has to offer,” says Cary Corbitt, President of the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association and Vice President of Sports and Operations at Sea Pines Resort. “With our partner, JetBlue, Boston and New York residents are only a short flight away from the ultimate Lowcountry golf getaway.”

The inaugural JetBlue flights took place Feb. 13 and are now available seven days a week. Duration from BOS and JFK to SAV is about 2.5 hours. Hilton Head Island is an easy 40 minute ride from the airport.

As one of the nation’s foremost golf locales, Hilton Head is the preferred vacation spot of players seeking a high-concentration of world-class courses. Legendary designers like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player and Davis Love III are represented. The region features an unspoiled natural environment, beautiful resorts and inns and old-fashioned Southern hospitality.

More info: www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, 800.523.3373.

Rules and restrictions apply. Giveaway is courtesy of JetBlue Airways, Palmetto Dunes Resort, Country Club of Hilton Head, Golden Bear Golf Club, Harbour Town Golf Links, Heritage Golf Group and Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau. For JetBlue terms and conditions, visit www.jetblue.com/vacations/getaways-terms.

Island Resort Championship Seeks Volunteers for Women’s Professional Golf Event, June 28-30

(HARRIS, Mich.) - Sweetgrass Golf Club (www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com) at Island Resort & Casino and the Delta County Chamber of Commerce seek more than 300 volunteers for the LPGA Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship, June 28-30.

Positions for cart drivers, scoreboard assistants, marshals, ticket sales and hospitality greeters will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis at the Chamber website (www.deltami.org) through June 1.

In return for their time, volunteers receive an official tournament staff shirt, meal ticket, four general admission passes and a round of golf at the award-winning Sweetgrass Golf Club. Applicants can state their preference of assignment and shift availability.

"We’re extremely fortunate to have such a strong base of volunteers in our community,” said Volunteer Chairperson John Lewandowski. “Year after year, we see a growth in numbers and it's the shared vision and passion of this extraordinary group that helps make the Symetra Tour an overwhelming success in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula."

“The Delta County Chamber of Commerce is honored to be a presenting sponsor of the Symetra Tour,” said Vickie Micheau, the chamber’s executive director. “We believe the tournament experience at Sweetgrass for spectators, volunteers and players will once again be a memorable one.”

This is the fourth year Sweetgrass Golf Club has hosted the Island Resort Championship. Since it began in 2011, Symetra Tour purses have escalated to an all-time combined high of $2 million.

“Each year we have seen the event grow and the volunteers have played a major role,” says Tony Mancilla, tribal attorney for the Hannahville Indian Community, which owns and operates Island Resort and Casino and Sweetgrass Golf Club.  “We look forward to hosting another exciting weekend, when fans can see the rising stars of women’s professional golf up close.”

The Island Resort Championship is part of the new Potawatomi Cup, a series of four tournaments involving Symetra Tour host venues with Native American Indian and or Potawatomi tribal ties.  The player who scores best cumulatively in the four events wins $20,000.

Three-day grounds passes to the 54-hole stroke-play tournament are $10; kids 17 and under enter free with a paying parent. All ticket holders will be eligible for daily prize drawings.

To purchase tickets visit www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com/symetra-tour-2014.

For more information:  www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com, 877-ISL-GREEN

Say it with Titleist: Free Personalization on all Titleist Golf Balls through June 15

Includes Pro V1 and Pro V1x Models with Double-Digit Play Numbers 

(FAIRHAVEN, Mass.) – Whether it’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation day or another special occasion, there’s an easy way to show appreciation for the golfers in one’s life: Say it with Titleist.

Titleist, the #1 ball in golf, is currently offering free personalization on every Titleist golf ball dozen, a spring gift-giving solution that’s tried and true.

From now until June 15, personalization charges will be waived on all custom orders of Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x, NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity and DT SoLo golf balls. Free personalization is also available on orders of Pro V1 and Pro V1x, the world’s best selling and most trusted golf balls, with double-digit play numbers (00 and 11-99).

Personalization includes up to three lines of block text (17 characters per line) imprinted on each golf ball in black, blue, green, red or pink ink. Popular choices include names, nicknames, initials and special messages, as well as social media usernames (i.e., @Titleist) and hashtags (i.e., #TeamTitleist).

On Pro V1 and Pro V1x models, the combination of a single- or double-digit play number with personalization is often used to commemorate a holiday, birthday, anniversary or other significant date or event. Other popular double-digit choices include lucky or favorite numbers and athlete jersey numbers. Many players choose a score (i.e. 79) they’re striving to shoot.

The minimum order for free personalization is just one dozen. Orders can be placed by visiting any authorized Titleist golf shop. To locate a local Titleist golf shop, please visit the Titleist golf shop locator at: http://www.titleist.com/find-a-golf-shop. For custom individual and double-digit play numbers, an additional charge may apply.

PROMOTION DETAILS:
• U.S. customers only.*

• Offer: Free personalization.
• Products: All Titleist golf ball models.

• Imprint: Black, Blue, Red, Green or Pink ink.
• 1 color per personalization.
• Maximum 17 characters per line, up to 3 lines of personalization
• Minimum: 1 dozen (packaged in std. dozens)
• Play numbers: Pro V1 and Pro V1x (1-9, 00, 11-99); NXT Tour and NXT Tour S (1-9); Velocity (1-4, 00, 11, 22, 33); DT SoLo (1-4).
• Dates: An order must be placed between April 14-June 15, 2014.
• Orders for individual and double-digit play numbers may incur an additional charge.
• Lead-time: 2 weeks.

*Note: Free personalization promotions may also available in markets outside the U.S. Please refer to the Titleist website in each respective market for complete details. 

Mississippi State Park Golf Courses Offer Variety, Quality and After-Round Activities

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Golf in Mississippi is a cornucopia of choices – from casino resort amenities and professional TOUR venues to an array of designs traversing diverse terrain in five distinct regions – with state park courses an indicative niche exemplifying the golf values and options which abound here.

Twenty-five state parks grace the Magnolia State, providing a wealth of unspoiled beauty and outdoor recreation.  From boating, fishing and water-skiing to camping, hiking and RV-ing, Mississippi state parks have something for everyone – including golf.

Four state parks feature golf courses, several with lodging and stay-and-play packages available, as well as a myriad of after-golf activities accentuating Mother Nature’s finery.

To wit:
* Mallard Pointe Golf Course: Located on Sardis Reservoir in John W. Kyle State Park, one hour from Memphis in Northern Mississippi, the course was designed by acclaimed golf course architect Bob Cupp – author of the famed Old Waverly course in relatively nearby West Point, MS.  Wending through rolling hills and around water bodies, it paints a scenic backdrop for your game.

* Quail Hollow Golf Course: Esteemed course designer Dr. Arthur Hills crafted this layout in Percy Quin State Park, a Southern Mississippi outdoor sanctuary where loblolly pines and magnolia trees proliferate.  With a mild year-round climate 90 minutes from New Orleans and golf villas a few steps from the golf course, this is a place where you can relax and replenish.

* Dogwoods Golf Course: Sitting amidst Hugh White State Park in Grenada, this award-winning course is a setting golfers and fishermen value with reverence.  The championship layout – designed by Gary Roger Baird – and Grenada Lake yield birdies and bass in admirable fashion.  They’re also a haven for pars and crappie, bream and catfish.

* LeFleur’s Bluff Golf Course: This 9-hole track nestled in LeFleur’s Bluff State Park in Jackson is named after an 18th Century French explorer. The golf course and park add flavor to the state capital’s rich culture and attractions.

Rates for the three 18-hole state park courses are affordable in the extreme, ranging from $24 for 18 holes including golf cart to $49 (much less for 9-hole LeFleur’s Bluff).  Likewise, lodging rates are value-laden at the state parks with on-site accommodations.

To learn more about Mississippi State Park golf and related recreation activities and rates, visit
www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations.aspx.

The state of Mississippi offers multiple stay-and-play packages at a variety of price points in five distinct regions. For more information please visit www.visitmississippi.org/golf or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551.

60th Anniversary of Pat Fletcher's Canadian Open Victory (1954-2014)

From left: Pat Fletcher, R.C. Borland, President RCGA, and John Landry, Australian long distance runner.

(Montreal, QC) - The 2014 RBC Canadian Open marks the 60th anniversary of Pat Fletcher's win at the Canadian Open.  Sixty years later, Fletcher retains the title of "The Last Canadian" to win this prestigious championship.  The late Pat Fletcher, a Victoria native and longtime professional of the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club and The Royal Montreal Golf Club, won the Open July 17, 1954 at Vancouver's Point grey Golf and Country Club.

The 60th anniversary of Pat Fletcher's victory coincides with the 110th anniversary of the RBC Canadian Open.  The RBC Canadian Open returns to The Royal Montreal Golf Club, July 24-27.

A Canadian Golf legend: Caddy, player, Club Pro, Administrator, Advocate, and Champion.  Born in 1916, Mr. Fletcher began caddying at the age of 10 for the Victoria Club to make some money during the "Great Depression" years.  Fletcher was encouraged to learn the game by Club Pro Phil Taylor, who often lent Fletcher his clubs.  This tutelage resulted in a long and fruitful association with the game that spanned over 50 years.  Fletcher's first professional event was in 1935 at The Alberta Open.

Pat Fletcher's competition career highlights include winning the CPGA Championship in 1952 and the 1953 Low Canadian Professional at the Canadian Open.  Provincial wins include: three Saskatchewan Open victories in 1947, 1948 and 1951, the Alberta Open in 1946 and Quebec Spring open in 1956 and 1957.  Fletcher, a season tournament player, also represented Canada at four World Cup matches.

Two years after his win at the age of 40, Fletcher was named Golf Director at The Royal Montreal Golf Club.  This move marked the end of his competitive career and the beginning of a 20-year legacy.  Pat Fletcher became one of the most respected instructors of golf in Canada, mentoring amateur and professional players.

Among his many professional achievements, Fletcher was the first President of the Quebec branch of the CPGA to come from within the club professional ranks, Vice-president of the PGA of America and three-term President of the CPGA from 1962 through 1965.

Fletcher is the only Canadian to be inducted into eight sport halls of fame: the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (1974), Canada's Sports hall of Fame (1975), RCGA's Canadian Hall of Fame (1976), Quebec Golf Association's Hall of Fame (1998), the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (1999).  Saskatoon Sport Hall of Fame (2007), Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame (2010) and the CPGA of Canada Hall of Fame (2014).

Pat Fletcher contributed greatness to the game with his Canadian Open victory and also with his enduring dedication, passion and activity to promote the game.  Fletcher's legacy lives on today through sons Allan and Edward Fletcher's endeavors, and grandson Mark Fletcher.  As a tribute to Pat Fletcher's accomplishments, The Pat Fletcher Golf Scholarship Foundation was established in 1985, providing educational scholarships at the post secondary level to Canadians who show ability as golfers.

Product Review: Palmbird Putter Grips

If you’re considering a switch to a larger putter grip, it’s probably safe to assume you’re struggling on the greens. While there are myriad possibilities to explain poor putting, two that can be corrected with an oversized grip are excessive wrist action and squeezing the grip too tightly.

There are dozens of choices on the market, but we started our exploration by taking Palmbird for a test drive. Why should you consider doing the same?
1. The Palmbird stabilizes your wrists; and
2. The Palmbird covers a larger surface area in your palms, resulting in lighter grip pressure and decreased tension - two catalysts for the dreaded yips.

Created by PGA Professional Phil Jaffe, the Palmbird also touches upon another hot topic - counterbalancing. For many, the the drastic difference in weight from end of the grip to the putter head, creates problems in the stroke. Counterbalancing provides greater control of the putter head and promotes a a steadier stroke. Coming in at 169 grams, the Palmbird is roughly 100 grams heavier than a standard putting grip - providing the counterbalancing that’s gaining popularity.

One common complaint about larger grips is that they take away from feel. I can see that in the “jumbo” grips, but didn’t experience that with the Palmbird. Perhaps its the crescent shape or the non-tapered design. Whatever the case, the Palmbird provided the stabilizing benefits without sacrificing feel.

Three more positives: Easy to install, conforms to USGA rules and is made in the United States.

Bottom line: The Palmbird promotes a steadier stroke through proper hand and wrist positioning. If you’re making putts, don’t change a thing. But if you’re reading all the correct breaks and still struggling on the greens, you may want to switch to a larger grip, like the Palmbird.

Take Control of Your Short Game with the Exotics CB PROs Forged Wedge

(Batavia, IL) – Tour Edge introduces the CB PROs the first forged wedge in the Exotics line. The forged construction combined with the new MONGO grooves produce pro-like control and deadly accuracy around the greens.

The CB Pros wedge series is forged from 1025 carbon steel to provide the ultimate feedback for the perfect touch. Designers precision-milled the MONGO grooves which feature the most aggressive legal sharpness and width allowed by the USGA. The MONGO grooves are layered with 28 micro-grooves to provide maximum face roughness for the ultimate control in your short game.

Versatility is maximized through the tour-grind beveled sole. A custom sole grind, perfected by David Glod, president and chief designer, increases the versatility to meet the needs of PGA Tour players and good amateurs alike. The eliminated bounce from the heel and toe for to allow players to easily open the face or shut it down for the ultimate in shot-making ability. It all combines to give you the most precise scoring club available.

The Exotics CB PROs wedges feature Tour Edge’s lifetime warranty and 30-day play guarantee. It is available in True Temper Dynamic Gold wedge shafts. Available in 50, 52, 54, 56, and 60 degrees with a suggested retail price of $99.99 steel, $119 graphite. For more information, call (800) 515-3343 or visit www.touredge.com.