BallenIsles Country Club Leaders Play 454 Holes of Golf to Raise $20K for the First Tee – Palm Beaches

Members of the BallenIsles Country Club leadership team played a combined 454 holes of golf over nine hours on Monday, September 15 to raise more than $20,000 for the First Tee – Palm Beaches. General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Ryan Walls, Director of Golf Jeff Fitzherbert, Head Professional Chris Hayes, Assistant Professional David Flinn, Marketing Manager Laren Fender and Senior Communications Coordinator Brooke Harrison participated in the 10th Annual 100 Hole Challenge Golf Marathon held at Jupiter Country Club to raise funds for the First Tee – Palm Beaches through BallenIsles’ member donations and pledges.

First Tee – Palm Beaches is a major youth development program at golf courses throughout Palm Beach County and is one of 15 First Tee chapters in the state of Florida. Founded in 1988, the Palm Beaches chapter encompasses over 80,000 elementary school students, providing opportunities for students to learn the Nine Core Values of the First Tee Life Skills Experience. Additionally, the program serves children with special needs and disabilities, veterans disabilities and people with paralysis. The First Tee also provides life skills and life enhancement opportunities to all young people through the game of golf.

2025 marked the sixth time Walls and Fitzherbert participated in the Annual Golf Marathon, and the first time for Hayes, Flinn, Fender and Harrison. Fender and Harrison joined the group and played the first 30 holes. Collectively, BallenIsles Country Club has raised over $115,000 for the First Tee through the Golf Marathon. Last year, Walls and Fitzherbert played for five hours to complete their combined 280 holes of golf at the Palm Beach Par 3 and raised $17,000 for the First Tee of the Palm Beaches through member donations and pledges. Previous donations include $21,500 in 2023, $23,995 in 2022, $17,500 in a rain-shortened 2021 event, and $15,000 in 2020.

“I’m exhausted and don’t want to play any more golf,” joked Walls. “But, our BallenIsles team, 454 holes and all, are super proud of our members for supporting such a great cause once again. It was rewarding today to get to meet a successful businessman who was a recipient of a First Tee scholarship years ago. It is a wonderful program that continues to provide in our local community, to our future golfers, but more importantly, future leaders. Great job once again to the First Tee and Marathon Golf players.”  

While the 2025 100 Hole Challenge is complete, the BallenIsles team hopes to continue to collect donations for the First Tee – Palm Beaches through the end of the year as the fundraiser website is still accepting contributions. For more information on the First Tee – Palm Beaches and their 100 Hole Challenge Golf Marathon, visit Children’s Golf Foundation.

For more information on BallenIsles Country Club, visit www.BallenIsles.org.

Dubsdread 2.0: Orlando’s Oldest Course Embraces $4M Tech Makeover

Orlando’s oldest golf course is entering a new era. Dubsdread Golf Course, a 101-year-old landmark in the College Park neighborhood, is undergoing a $3.8 million transformation that blends its historic charm with state-of-the-art technology.

At the heart of the renovation is a brand-new Learning Center and an upgraded, covered driving range with 40 bays—36 of them equipped with Trackman simulators. The system’s Doppler radar technology analyzes swings in real time, providing instant feedback on everything from ball speed to club path. Golfers can choose traditional practice, compete in skill-based games, or even play simulated rounds on world-famous courses. Dubsdread itself will also be digitized, allowing players anywhere with Trackman access to “play” the Orlando classic.

The Learning Center adds another layer to the experience, with indoor air-conditioned simulator bays, short-game practice areas, and professional instruction. According to Dubsdread’s teaching staff, the new setup makes it possible to seamlessly move from a full swing on the range to fine-tuning short-game shots—rain or shine.

But the upgrades aren’t just about serious practice. A new “19th Hole” concession area near the chipping green will serve snacks and drinks, creating a relaxed, social atmosphere reminiscent of Topgolf-style entertainment.

City officials say the goal is to honor Dubsdread’s legacy while attracting the next generation of players. Construction began in April, and the grand reopening is slated for October.

This Little Piggy Went to the Golf Course

Lancaster County, Pa., has a new kind of golf hazard — a runaway pig who has made Conestoga Country Club his personal playground.

For months, the porky fugitive has been spotted rooting around the greens, sneaking into neighbors’ yards, and even befriending local dogs. Manor Township police confirmed there were originally two pigs on the loose, though only one remains at large.

Animal rescue group Eastern Snouts Adoption and Rehoming has been leading the effort to capture the elusive swine. One pig was caught, but the second continues to dodge traps — despite being tempted with Cheerios trails and feeding stations.

“He’s adorable, his tail never stops wagging,” said local resident Stephanie Reddinger, who has temporarily hosted the pig in her yard. “I’ll care for him until he’s safe.”

Golf course staff have had their share of encounters too. Superintendent Matthew Turner said the pig has been bold enough to trot across the course in broad daylight, while assistant superintendent Casey Post once had to escort him off the property with a golf cart.

Rescuers say the pig has also dug trenches, torn up patches of grass, and taken cover in nearby woods. Despite the damage, most locals find the situation more charming than frustrating.

This isn’t an isolated case — stray pigs have been reported on golf courses in Lititz and across the region. Eastern Snouts estimates around 40 have been spotted this year in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, often after escaping pens or being abandoned by overwhelmed owners.

For now, the Conestoga pig remains free, happily hogging the fairways — proving once again that golf isn’t just a gentleman’s game.

Streamsong Golf Resort to Host 2027 PGA Professional Championship

312 PGA of America Golf Professionals to compete on Streamsong’s Red and Blue courses

The PGA of America announced today that Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, Fla., will host the 2027 PGA Professional Championship. The four-day, 72-hole Championship will be contested on Streamsong Red and Streamsong Blue, April 25-28, 2027.

The PGA Professional Championship—the national championship for PGA of America Golf Professionals from across the country—has served as a showcase event for PGA of America Golf Professionals since 1968. The 312-player field consists of past Champions, the top-20 players and ties from the previous year’s Championship as well as players qualifying through 41 PGA Section Championships. The low 20 scorers earn a spot in the same year’s PGA Championship as members of the Corebridge Financial Team.

The 2027 PGA Professional Championship will mark the event’s eighth visit to Florida and the first time a PGA of America Member Championship will be staged at Streamsong Golf Resort.

“Streamsong Golf Resort is one of the finest golf destinations in the country and will serve as a tremendous venue for the 2027 PGA Professional Championship,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., PGA Master Professional and Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “The PPC continues to showcase our PGA Members on a national stage, providing no shortage of outstanding performances and captivating storylines. We look forward to more of the same at Streamsong Golf Resort in April 2027.”

“The golf professionals are the heart and soul of the game of golf and as a company that proudly employs more than 350 PGA Members at our properties, we are honored to host the 2027 PGA Professional Championship at Streamsong,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “It is an iconic golf resort with outstanding courses designed by truly legendary architects Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, and Gil Hanse. The Coore Crenshaw and Doak courses will provide a unique atmosphere and true championship test.”

“Hosting the 2027 PGA Professional Championship is a tremendous honor for the entire team here at the resort.” said Miles Blundell, PGA Master Professional and General Manager of Streamsong Golf Resort. “Streamsong Red and Blue were built to inspire golfers at the highest level, and we look forward to showcasing our courses while welcoming the best PGA Professionals from across the country to experience everything our resort has to offer.”

Streamsong Red, the primary course for the 2027 PGA Professional Championship, was designed by highly-regarded course architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. It provides a true test, winding through sand dunes shaped over decades, expansive lakes, and rolling terrain. Streamsong Red is ranked No. 20 on Golf Digest’s 2025-2026 “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses”, No. 2 on Golf Digest's 2025 “Best Courses You Can Play in Florida” and 19th in Golfweek’s 2025 “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”

Streamsong Blue was designed by renowned course architect Tom Doak and navigates significant elevation changes, spectacular terrain, fairways closely guarded by wild grasses and large bunkers that roll off towering sand dunes. Streamsong Blue is ranked 26th on Golf Digest’s 2025-2026 “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses”, third in Golf Digest’s 2025 “Best Courses You Can Play in Florida” and 26th in Golfweek’s 2025 “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”

The 2026 PGA Professional Championship is scheduled for April 26-29 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore.

Pinnacle Golf Now Managing The Revival Golf Club at The Crescent

Deal marks growing strategic relationship with course owner Walden Golf Group, bringing new investments and AI technology to North Carolina golf club

Pinnacle Golf Properties, a leading golf course management firm based in Charlotte, announced it is now overseeing The Revival Golf Club at The Crescent in nearby Salisbury, N.C.

Pinnacle Golf’s latest management deal, effective Sept. 10, 2025, also marks another strategic third-party partnership with The Revival’s new owner Steven Schorr, whose Walden Golf Group recently acquired the semi-private club as part of the real estate investment firm’s growing golf course portfolio.

The synergistic Pinnacle Golf-Walden Golf relationship is rapidly growing with The Revival representing the third collaboration between the two private firms since late May, after Walden Golf purchased Serenoa Golf Club in Sarasota, Fla., and brought in Pinnacle Golf to oversee the high-end daily-fee facility.

Earlier this month, Walden Golf introduced Pinnacle Golf as its new management partner at The Eagles Golf Club, a 36-hole facility in Odessa, Fla., near Tampa, bringing the number of Walden-owned golf properties under Pinnacle management to seven. And the two companies are poised to announce even more growth in the coming week(s).

The Revival Golf Club at The Crescent – formerly known as The Crescent Golf Club – is yet another exciting newly acquired Walden golf facility that lies smack dab in the path of continued residential growth. For instance, the 18-hole, par-72 layout, which serves as the centerpiece to an upscale residential golf community with 200-plus planned homes, is conveniently located along Interstate 85 just 40 minutes north of downtown Charlotte and 45 minutes south of North Carolina’s growing Triad (Winston-Salem, High Point and Greensboro).

“We are thrilled to partner with Pinnacle on another exciting project,” said Walden Golf Group principal Steven Schorr. “The Revival at The Crescent is a wonderful property with a great layout and tremendous potential. We’re fully committed to investing in the guest experience and elevating this club to new heights. Pinnacle’s proven track record of quality and innovation made them our obvious choice for management. We have full confidence that their team will deliver outstanding results for our members and guests, just as they have at our other properties.”

A former dairy farm close to Catawba College, The Revival’s original owner put in a golf driving range in the early 1990s. In late 1996, the 260-acre property was sold to a pair of local residents and national golf course builder to develop an 18-hole championship course.

Two years later, the 6,822-yard, par-72 course designed by noted architect John LaFoy opened to rave reviews. Known for its rolling terrain and challenging layout, The Revival remained a favorite in the greater Salisbury community in the early years. Now, the golf property’s newest ownership team is eager to revitalize the course and elevate the overall facility and community to greater heights.

Planned Improvements Underway

Walden Golf and Pinnacle Golf outlined several significant capital improvements that will be starting in the coming months. Among the more exciting upgrades and capital improvement projects planned is a new Toptracer Range Technology system to be installed on The Revival’s practice range.

Like so many other highly popular Toptracer Range systems popping up throughout the golf industry and Pinnacle’s growing portfolio, The Revival’s new golf amenity will provide golfers with a modern, interactive practice experience featuring shot-tracking and game modes.

Other major changes coming are improvements to cart paths and updates to the irrigation system that will improve turf quality and water efficiency and ensure excellent playing conditions year-round.

“We’re honored to add The Revival at The Crescent to our portfolio and expand our partnership with Walden Golf Group here in North Carolina,” Pinnacle Golf Properties CEO David Taylor said. “This club has a strong community of golfers, and a fantastic John LaFoy design that people love. It’s exactly the kind of property where Pinnacle can add tremendous value – by elevating course conditions, embracing innovative operating practices, and integrating advanced technology like CourseRev.ai. Our team is fully committed to exceeding expectations for both the ownership and golfers. We look forward to transforming The Revival into one of the region’s standout golf experiences.”

AI-Driven Technology Integration and Operations

In addition to the multi-million-dollar investments coming to the course and clubhouse areas, Pinnacle Golf Properties is eager to implement cutting-edge technology that has already been proven to elevate customer service and operational efficiency at numerous other Pinnacle Golf facilities.

Among the most innovative systems to be rolled out by Walden Golf-Pinnacle Golf is their partnership in CourseRev.ai – an AI-powered golf technology platform that is dramatically reshaping the way golf facilities are doing business nationwide. For instance, among the proprietary new AI tools that will be on display are a 24/7 voice concierge for booking tee times and intelligent chat assistants for answering golfers’ questions in real time.

Thess AI-driven systems will streamline communications, allowing members and guests to book tee times or get information via natural language at any time of day. The integration of CourseRev.ai’s platform is part of Pinnacle’s broader strategy to embrace operational innovation, which helps improve service levels and optimize tee sheet availability and revenue.

The Revival at The Crescent will also benefit from Pinnacle’s decades-long operational strength and expertise in golf club management, not the least of which is the company’s signature hands-on approach to every facet of operations – from agronomic excellence in course maintenance to top-tier customer service and marketing.

What Are the Worst Golf Courses in Each State? (Arizona)

Papago Golf Club

Arizona is home to some incredible golf—Scottsdale, Tucson, Sedona, and desert gems all over—but like anywhere, not every course is a winner. Based on reviews from golfers, course conditioning, layout quality, and overall value, here are three of the worst-rated traditional golf courses in Arizona:

1. Papago Golf Club (Phoenix) – historically inconsistent

- Once a local favorite, Papago has struggled with conditioning and pace-of-play issues over the years.

- Despite hosting big events in the past, many golfers report thin fairways, patchy greens, and overcrowding.

- The city-run setup means maintenance varies—some days solid, others downright frustrating.

Ahwatukee Golf Club

2. Ahwatukee Country Club (Phoenix area) – tired and outdated

- A once-charming layout that has fallen into disrepair.

- Players complain of barren fairways, slow greens, and neglected bunkers.

- The design itself is flat and repetitive, offering little of the desert golf experience Arizona is known for.

Cave Creek Golf Course

3. Cave Creek Golf Course (Phoenix – city muni) – value, but at a cost

- Popular because it’s cheap and accessible, but often slammed with tee times.

- Conditions are usually rough: bare patches, muddy spots, and extremely slow rounds.

- For many locals, it’s seen as a “grinder course”—good for practice, but not for an enjoyable round.

Note: These aren’t unplayable—they still serve a purpose for budget-friendly golf or beginners. But compared to Arizona’s elite tracks (like Troon North, We-Ko-Pa, or Grayhawk), they land at the bottom of rankings for conditioning, playability, and value.

Here’s a look at what recent reviews (2024–2025) say about those three courses you asked about. Some confirming the complaints, others showing improvements. You decide if they still deserve “worst in Arizona” status.

1. Papago Golf Club (Phoenix)

What people say lately:

- On GolfPass, several recent reviews praise its views, layout, and “excellent layout and scenery.” Some say greens and fairways are well-kept. 

But there are also plenty of complaints:

- Pace of play is a common gripe (slow rounds). 

GolfPass

- Some say the value doesn’t match the price—especially for non-locals. They feel you’re paying a premium for the location and name rather than excellence. 

Reddit

- Conditions aren’t uniformly good—some reports of thin grass, rough spots, tee boxes needing repair. 

GolfPass

Conclusion:

Papago seems to have mixed reviews. It is not unanimously “bad”—many like it and feel it’s good, especially for what it offers. But the weaknesses (pace, price, inconsistent condition) do hurt its reputation. It’s perhaps not in the bottom tier anymore, but it might be sliding if expectations remain high.

2. Ahwatukee Country Club (Ahwatukee Golf Club)

What people say lately:

GolfPass shows an average rating around 3.1 / 5 based on ~2,000+ reviews. Key negatives are in “conditions,” “pace,” and “amenities.” 

Several reviews complain about muddy or dirt fairways, problems with wetness, poor bunker condition, slow play, and general decline. 

GolfPass

On the flip side, there has been mention of new ownership (since ~2023) and efforts to improve. Some reviews note improvements in condition and service. 

Wanderlog

Conclusion:

Ahwatukee is still suffering from a lot of the issues you’d expect in a “bad” course (poor conditions, pace, value). There are signs of recovery, so whether it is among the “worst” depends on how much weight you put on those improvements versus poor recent rounds. Right now, it’s definitely in a lower tier.

3. Cave Creek Golf Course (Phoenix, City Muni)

What people say lately:

Some recent reviews are surprisingly positive. Golfers say the course has made repairs, conditions have improved especially on greens and sand traps. The layout is still liked. 

That said, there are continuing complaints:

- Pace of play is often poor—rounds take longer than expected. 

GolfPass

- Some spots of the course are rough, especially off fairways. Amenity/service issues crop up. 

GolfPass

- But its pricing/value gets praise from many. People tend to say: “for what you pay, you get a decent experience.” 

GolfPass

Conclusion:

Cave Creek is somewhere in the middle. It’s not pristine or perfect, but for a public muni course, many feel it's acceptable especially given the cost. It probably doesn’t deserve to be in the absolute worst list, but some rounds definitely disappoint.

Bottom line

Based on recent reviews:

- Ahwatukee Country Club still seems to be a strong candidate for “one of the worse” due to consistent negative feedback about conditions, pace, and value.

- Papago has mixed reviews: many positives, but recurring complaints keep it from being a “top” course for many.

- Cave Creek, while imperfect, has enough positive feedback and value that it might be above the worst-tier in many people’s books.

The Club at Eaglebrooke to Celebrate Grand Reopening of Golf Course with October 1 Ceremony

The Club at Eaglebrooke, a semi-private facility in Lakeland, Fla., will celebrate the reopening of its 18-hole golf course with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 1st. The course has been closed to play since April, undergoing a $1 million-plus, multi-phase renovation. The Club at Eaglebrooke will officially reopen for member and limited non-member/public play on October 1st.

During the six-month renovation project, crews from Bartow, Florida-based Mondragon Golf rebuilt 20 greens to their original size/shape and resurfaced with TifEagle Bermuda grass, while collars around greens were resurfaced with TifGrand Bermuda grass. The two bridges on hole 13 were rebuilt, and the large bulkhead on hole 17 was also reconstructed. Crews also reshaped select bunkers and improved landscaping throughout the course.

The project also included a complete redesign of the club’s short game practice area. Enhancements include a brand new 8,000 square foot practice green, a new bunker, new irrigation, and new drainage.

“We’re incredibly proud to welcome our members and the community back to Eaglebrooke for this exciting new chapter,” said Ryan Roberts, General Manager of The Club at Eaglebrooke. “This renovation not only restored our greens and infrastructure but elevated the overall playing experience. Our investment ensures Eaglebrooke remains one of Central Florida’s premier golf destinations for years to come.”

The Club at Eaglebrooke’s golf course was originally designed by architect Ron Garl and opened for play in 1996. The 2025 renovation marked the first substantial changes to Eaglebrooke’s greens since the course opened for play. The 6,917-yard, links-style course features natural lakes, abundant wildlife and has 100 feet of elevation change, which is unique in this part of Florida. In addition to golf, The Club at Eaglebrooke offers a full-service restaurant and banquet facilities that can accommodate up to 200 guests.