Jack Nicklaus Visits Golf Channel

Eighteen-time major winner Jack Nicklaus sat down with Morning Drive hosts Gary Williams and Matt Ginella from Trump National Doral in Miami, Fla., ahead of next month’s WGC-Cadillac Championship. During the interview, Nicklaus discussed the recent challenges facing Tiger Woods’ golf game.

Business icon and owner of Trump National Doral – Donald Trump – also joined Williams and Ginella during today’s show. And, Henrik Stenson – No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking – made an in-studio appearance at Golf Channel headquarters to promote the release of Callaway’s new driver, and to discuss the recent announcement of Darren Clarke being named the European Ryder Cup captain for 2016.

Notable quotes from Nicklaus’ interview are included below:
On Tiger Woods’ recent struggles
Jack Nicklaus  - “Tiger is struggling, I don’t think there’s any question about that… I think he’s struggling more between his ears than he is any place else. He’s struggled with the driver most of his life really, but he’s always been able to find the golf ball and get it somewhere back around the green… And now he’s having trouble with the short game. That is not a good combination, to drive it poorly and have a bad short game.”

“You go through things, and you have to have a positive thing happen to you to turn it around… I think Tiger will turn it around. He’s too dedicated, he works too hard at it, he’s got too much talent. He’ll figure it out. And personally, I think he needs to figure it out himself. Because a teacher can’t teach what’s inside your head. You’ve got to be able to put that positive thought into your head yourself.”

On whether he thinks Woods will still eclipse his 18 major championships
Jack Nicklaus – “I still do. Why would I not think that?... He’s got a lot of golf in front of him. But it’s going to be up to him, he’s still got to do it. He may, he may not. Obviously chances are harder for him now than five years ago, but I still think he has time on his side.”

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Product Review: Mizzen+Main

Today’s golfer is a far cry from the fashion-challenged players from a generation ago. Gone are the ill-fitted cotton polos and pleated khakis. In their place are performance fabrics designed to work with the swing - not competing with it.

A large part of the technology that goes into the best golf shirts on the market today is moisture control. It’s hard enough to play golf in ideal conditions, while a sweat-soaked top compounds the difficulty. Now, Mizzen+Main is borrowing this concept and incorporating it into a stylish line of shirts to be worn off the golf course.

The idea for a moisture wicking dress shirt was born on a hot, summer day. A staffer in a sweaty dress shirt stood out in an important meeting for all the wrong reasons. There was an alternative and Mizzen+Main jumped on the opportunity.

We looked at the Faulkner dress shirt with spread collar and the Huron henley. Both breathe incredibly well and keep you cooler, regardless of the situation. They wick away moisture, won’t show sweat and remain wrinkle free throughout the day - extremely important whether you’re at the office, the club or out for dinner and drinks. And forget about the hassle and expense of dry cleaning: Toss them in the washing machine and hang ‘em to dry. Also, the henley features sewn-in loops inside the sleeve for easy rolling without annoying slippage.

OK ... Mizzen+Main shirts look great and feel great. Need another reason to check them out for yourself? We’ll give you two: They’re proudly made in the United States AND a percentage of every shirt supports wounded veterans and their families. That’s right; Mizzen+Main donates a percentage of all shirts to wounded veterans and their families and is pioneering an innovative job experience program for veterans called "A Shirt for a Start."

You go to great lengths to look good on the golf course. Mizzen+Main will help you look incredible off the course while supporting our veterans. Every shirt sold has a direct impact on your appearance and a veteran’s life.

For more information, visit www.mizzenandmain.com.

Win a Bag Boy Push Cart During Heart Health Month

Bag Boy is running a Facebook contest in honor of heart health month. The company is giving away a C3 push cart each Saturday of the month to bring awareness to heart heath and walking the course.

Click HERE to enter.

Datrek Launches New Bags At 2015 PGA Merchandise Show

(Richmond, Va.) – Datrek, one of the premier choices in organizer golf bags, announced today the successful showing of three new golf bags; the Lite Rider, CB Lite and Go Lite Pro at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show.  The ultra-lightweight bags have a sleek design and 14-way divider tops to simplify organizing golf clubs.

The award winning Lite Rider cart bag is Datrek’s top selling bag.  Five new colors were introduced at the show to the already popular line.  The Lite Rider received top honor in the Golf Digest Hot List and the expanded line includes a limited edition Digital Camo, two fashion colors and two ladies colors.  This bag has a 14-way organizer top with full-length individual dividers, seven total pockets to provide ample storage and an oversized putter well.  The Lite Rider is available in nine sporty colors for a suggested retail of $179.95.

The NEW CB Lite cart bag is the lightest bag in Datrek’s line weighing in at only 4.6 lbs. The organizer bag features a 14-way top with a rubber molded putter well and full-length individual dividers.  The CB Lite has seven total pockets including two large apparel pockets and an insulated beverage sleeve.  Two handles are integrated into the bag top for carrying convenience.  The CB Lite is available in nine fashion colors for a suggested retail of $159.95.

Datrek’s most popular carry bag is the NEW Go Lite Pro hybrid stand bag.  This organizer carry bag offers a 14-way top with full-length individual dividers and an ergonomic handle integrated into the bag top.  The bag provides plenty of storage with five total pockets including an oversized ball pocket and a large fleece lined valuables pocket.  Walking the course is easy with the ergonomic padded double shoulder strap and hip pad.  The Go Lite Pro is available in ten fashion colors with a suggested retail of $159.95.

For information on Datrek, visit www.datrek.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/datrekgolf.

Fairways Golf and Brands Set January Record

Company Predicts Industry will have Best Golf Travel Season in Eight years

(Birmingham, Ala.) – Fairways Golf, the United States’ largest golf tour operator, announced record January sales.  The company and the golf travel industry typically look to January sales as the bellwether month for the full winter/spring golf travel season.  While the company has enjoyed tremendous growth in the past six years, this January far exceeded the expectations of Fairways Golf’s management team.  In addition to record demand and sales for its own consumer brand, GolfThere, the company saw record sales in its strategic partnerships with companies like GolfTrips.com and in its portfolio of private label brands, which includes golf industry notable, Troon Golf.

Alan Hale, President of Fairways Golf, trumpeted the accomplishments of all company employees.

“This January was very telling about the company, our incredible staff, and our clients.  While we have grown at a double digit rate since 2009, we far exceeded expectations and our projected sales for this January.  This rate of growth has our team concluding that the industry, as a whole, will see golf travelers this winter and spring season in numbers not seen since 2007 or earlier.”  Hale continued, “I couldn’t be prouder of our team of professionals at GolfThere, Troon Golf Vacations, and our other company or affiliated brands.  The reality is that our phenomenal growth is a testament to the hard work of our team of co-workers at Fairways Golf and portends a great year ahead for the golf travel industry.”

The company also reported record sales for the entire 2014 calendar year.  Fairways Golf showed steady growth in each of the USA’s major regional golf markets.  The company polled clients and found that regional golf trips in the fourth quarter of 2014 had been positively impacted by falling gasoline prices.  In fact, a majority of golf group leaders asked about 2015 travel and who booked a trip in the past 30 days, cite lower gasoline prices as a major factor in enabling their group to take a golf trip this winter/spring in the USA.  With positive customer feedback, lower gasoline prices, and strong demand, the company is predicting significant growth for the industry.  Fairways Golf is confident that these trends will translate into more rounds at golf destination courses and resorts, as well as, increased room nights for golf destination hotels in 2015.

More information can be found at its corporate website: www.FairwaysGolf.com.  Travel information at:  www.GolfThere.com or www.FairwaysGolfVacations.com

Billy Casper Golf Selected to Manage Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield, NJ

(VIENNA, VA) – Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – the largest owner-operator of golf courses, country clubs and resorts in the U.S. – has been selected to manage the iconic Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield, NJ, less than 15 minutes from Manhattan and once a favored course of legendary New York Yankee Babe Ruth.

For the private, member-owned Forest Hill, BCG will direct club operations, golf and grounds maintenance, membership marketing, staffing and training, member activities, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, public relations, special events and financial management.

“We are deeply honored to manage Forest Hill Field Club,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG.  “Our talented team will introduce new membership programs, special events and other initiatives to build on the history of Forest Hill as one of the Northeast’s premier country clubs.”

“Billy Casper Golf’s unique approach to bolstering financial performance and enhancing services for members is unmatched,” says Peter Kelly, President of the Board of Forest Hill.  “We will work with its experts to create even more structure and value to memberships which promote the highest level of exclusivity with world-class amenities.”

Opened in 1896 and anchored by an A.W. Tillinghast-designed course, Forest Hill presents members and their guests with a classic-style layout, pristine conditions and dramatic views of the New York City skyline.  The 18-hole, 6,547-yard, par-71 layout features several elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, fast, undulated greens and a view of the Empire State Building from the first tee.

Recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Tillinghast is considered one of the most prolific architects in golf history.  His designs include nearby Baltusrol Golf Club, Winged Foot Golf Club, Ridgewood Country Club and Bethpage State Park’s Black Course.

Arguably Forest Hill’s hardest hole is the 396-yard, par-4 11th that challenges golfers with an uphill tee shot and a green that severely slopes from back to front.  The signature hole is the 200-yard, par-3 18th with a two-tiered green guarded by deep bunkers and heavy rough.

Complementing the course is a comprehensive practice area where members hone their games on a spacious driving range, putting green and chipping green with bunker.  A full-service pro shop features equipment and apparel from top brands.

Forest Hill is also home to an Olympic-sized pool, sauna, private locker rooms and modern fitness center.

Members and guests enjoy multiple dining options in the stately clubhouse and outside on the renovated patio.  The 1896 Grille Room offers a varied lunch menu while the Tillinghast Dining Room serves savory dinners.  With room for more than 250 guests and breathtaking views of the course and Manhattan, the elegant Ballroom is renowned for being one of New Jersey’s premier wedding venues.

More information: www.foresthillfc.com, 973.743.1255.