Gary McCord, Peter Kostis to Headline Nemacolin’s Golf Academy Season Kick-off Party

(Farmington, PA) – Nemacolin, Pennsylvania’s premier luxury golf resort destination, rings in the 2023 golf season this weekend with a Season Kick-off Party at The Nemacolin Golf Academy, Saturday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With droves of anxious golfers soon returning to the resort’s acclaimed Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock Courses, the resort’s golf staff is helping them prepare for the season with chances to try the latest equipment from Titleist, Callaway, and Mizuno. A Travis Mathew trunk show will also take place, showcasing the latest fashion-forward golf styles, while fun contests will give attendees the chance win a new driver, putter, or wedge. 

Two legends in golf broadcasting, Peter Kostis and Gary McCord, will also be appearing at the event to regale attendees with epic stories and even help them with their golf games.

Hosts of the golfing world’s fastest-growing new video podcast, Kostis & McCord - Off Their Rockers, the duo spent three decades on the CBS Sports broadcast team, covering hundreds of marquee PGA Tour events. They have been the eyes, ears, and voice of professional golf, and now they’re sharing their best stories and insights from a lifetime in the game. Kostis is one of golf’s most respected and awarded teaching professionals while the hilariously off-kilter McCord played in more than 400 PGA Tour events and won twice on the PGA Tour Champions.

“Nemacolin members, guests, and VIPs are going to get a peek inside our process and repartee. Gary and I can’t wait to meet everyone and share some laughs and perspective on the game we all love. With this podcast, we can finally share all the untold feuds, fights, laughs, and secrets that we had to keep quiet for all those years. Those previously off-limit stories are fair game now,” said Kostis. “We've pretty much seen it all in our decades of playing, teaching, calling the action, and now we're ready to bring fans inside the ropes and behind the scenes with no holds barred.”

Kostis and McCord will spend the day with Nemacolin’s members of The Woodlands Club and Season Kick-Off Party attendees in The Nemacolin Golf Academy, doling out swing tips, legendary stories, and recording an episode of Kostis & McCord - Off Their Rockers live from the event. Then, later that night, Kostis and McCord will join the group for an intimate after-dinner conversation where they’ll let loose with their unique brand of storytelling and invite questions from the crowd.

This is a can’t-miss golf event and a one-of-a-kind opportunity to spend time with golf’s ultimate insiders-turned-outsiders. The Kostis & McCord - Off Their Rockers podcast has already yielded some scintillating conversations that have gone viral in the golf media. Who knows which of their stories will make headlines next?

“Coming off one of the greatest golf seasons for Mystic Rock, Shepherd’s Rock, and The Nemacolin Golf Academy, we’re excited for what’s in store for 2023, and this event is a fun opportunity to get golfers primed for the season in our state-of-the-art teaching and practice space,” says Director of Golf Operation Chris Anderson. “The chance to hang out with Gary McCord and Peter Kostis will really elevate this event for our attendees and is sure to bring a ton of laughs and inspiration to take into the golf season.

This is event is also an opportunity to introduce guests to The Woodlands Club membership at Nemacolin, which takes uncompromised advantage of the award-winning 2,200-acre, four-season resort’s unparalleled recreational, dining, adventure, and leisure amenities plus around-the-clock concierge service, and access to private aviation. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains and home to Mystic Rock and Shepherd's Rock, two imaginative Pete Dye golf courses, Nemacolin showcases the Laurel Highlands’ vast, rugged topography, lush terrain, and majestic sweeping vistas along with grand hotels and a thrilling cornucopia of lifestyle amenities and activities.

Learn more about this event and The Woodlands Club membership at Nemacolin.com.

Check out YouTube.com/@KostisMcCord or any podcast platforms to watch Kostis & McCord - Off Their Rockers. Visit KostisMcCord.com to learn more.

Learn more about The Nemacolin Golf Academy at https://www.nemacolin.com/golf/golf-academy/.

RADMOR Drops ‘New Beginnings Collection’ for Spring 2023

New Colors, Styles, Patterns and Materials Showcase Unwavering Commitment to Sustainability

(SEATTLE) – RADMOR, the golf lifestyle brand crafting on and off-course apparel from meticulously-curated, all-natural and recycled materials, has dropped its spring 2023 line, the “New Beginnings Collection,” featuring new colors, styles, patterns and materials with the same unwavering commitment to sustainability in golf fashion.

New Beginnings, available in men’s and women’s capsules, leans hard into the new golf season with vibrant color pops of True Blue, Wisteria, Glacier and Cloudy Blue. The men’s line is highlighted by a host of new polos, including the Taylor Recycled Floral Drip and Crosby Reverb Ultralight, Vincent and Five-O Knit Performance Shorts (hey, it’s spring, after all). Colton ¼ Zips, Higgins Hoodies and Perkins Crew Sweatshirts in an array of new colors and patterns are standing by for those crisp mornings and late afternoons.

RADMOR continues to expand its offerings for women, and the 2023 New Beginnings Collection features the new Hannah Pleated and Yesler Skorts, Michele Block Stretch Polo, Olivia GEORAD Long Sleeve and Sleeveless shirts, Olivia Cap Strip Long Sleeve, Mila Deep V Sleeveless Shirt and the Lauren Cap Stripe Polo. Also new for 2023 are a host of RADMOR accessories like the Dead Center RadCap Trucker Hat in show white and true blue, and two-packs of RADSOCKS made from cellulose, recycled nylon and elastane.

“We’re a Pacific Northwest-based brand at heart but we can’t help but feel like our plight is a global one – make really fashionable golf clothing with an unwavering commitment to sustainability,” says RADMOR Co-Founder Scott Morrison, who along with partner Bob Conrad played golf at the University of Washington.

RADMOR’s sustainably-sourced golf clothing forgoes virgin polyester in favor of natural cellulose fibers like Peruvian Pima cotton, elastane yarns, and super-soft Tencel and recycled REPREVE to create the most environmentally minded golf apparel in the industry. Fabrics in 2023’s collections include RADMOR’s flagship 96% ELS Cotton 4% Elastane blend, its ultra-light 100% Pima, an organic Pima with recycled polyester/stretch blend, and an all-new certified recycled REPREVE blend designed for fans of synthetic fabrics.   

For more information about RADMOR and the full men’s and women’s New Beginnings Collections, visit www.radmorgolf.com.

Myrtle Beach Named Official “Buddies Trip” Destination of Barstool Classic

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) – Myrtle Beach, golf’s most popular destination, has been named the official “Buddies Trip” of the Barstool Classic, the game’s leading tournament series. 

The Barstool Classic began its 25-event schedule at True Blue Golf Club on March 6. The one-day tournaments are being played in 18 states and Toronto, Canada with courses such as The Greenbrier, TPC Boston and Grand Traverse Resort joining True Blue as high-profile hosts in 2023. 

As the official “Buddies Trip” of the Barstool Classic, PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com, the Grand Strand’s leading golf trip planning resource, will have activation opportunities at every event. The winner of the closest to pin contest at each tournament will also receive free entry into 40th Annual World Amateur Handicap Championship, a 72-hole, net stroke play event that annually attracts more than 3,200 people from across the globe to Myrtle Beach. 

Additionally, one lucky “Stoolie” will win a free trip to Myrtle Beach that includes: 

– Two nights, three rounds for four golfers

– Two Double Occupancy Rooms 

– Three rounds of golf on a Golf Tourism Solutions member course

– Visit www.ForePlayMyrtleBeach.com to learn more and enter.

The Myrtle Beach golf community’s partnership with the Barstool Classic extends a relationship that began in 2022 when the Fore Play podcast team brought its ever-popular travel series to the area, spotlighting Pine Lakes Country Club, Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, TPC Myrtle Beach and True Blue. The YouTube series included four videos that have all generated in excess of 125,000 views. 

Barstool’s team - Trent, Riggs, Frankie and Dan - have enjoyed a meteoric rise based on the popularity of its Fore Play podcast, an engaging, irreverent look at the game through the eyes of regular golfers. Many of golf’s biggest names have appeared on Fore Play, reaching a younger, yet no less passionate, audience.

For more information on everything the Myrtle Beach golf scene has to offer, visit PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com.

Edison Golf Company Introduces EDISON 2.0 Wedges

Designed for forgiveness without sacrificing shot making.

(ROCKPORT, TX) — Edison Golf, a company dedicated to revolutionizing wedge performance, introduces the new EDISON 2.0 wedges for 2023, the 2nd generation of innovative wedges specifically designed for forgiveness, distance control and versatile turf interaction, without sacrificing shot making precision. EDISON 2.0 wedges are now available for pre-order, with order fulfillment to begin by mid-April.

The new EDISON 2.0 wedges represent a quantum leap in wedge design, as they are the only wedges on the market specifically designed around a multi-year study of the way recreational golfers hit their wedges, as opposed to being designed only for the extraordinary skills of elite tour players.

“For over 40 years, I have been puzzled as to why golfers are forced to suffer from the inefficiencies of ‘tour design’ wedges,” explained Terry Koehler, Chairman and Director of Innovation at Edison Golf. “Robotic testing consistently proves even the newest iterations of these traditional wedge designs are less forgiving than even a tour blade short iron. Our research reveals that less than 10% of golfers consider their wedge play a strength of their games . . . and the wedges they play are a big reason why.”

Koehler shares that his extensive study of the impact pattern on thousands of recreational golfers’ wedges reveals that even the most skilled golfers routinely make contact higher in the face and over a larger area than do the elite tour professionals. He explains this is why rank-and-file amateurs cannot get consistent performance from their wedges, and why you even see tour professionals frequently come up way short with their wedge shots.

“Distance inconsistency is built into every other wedge on the market,” explained Koehler. “The physics of the golf club doesn’t know who you are, only where impact is made. And a high-face or toe impact is going to lose up to 15-18% impact efficiency, regardless of your pedigree.”

Introduced in 2020, the original Edison Forged wedges significantly improved wedge performance by dramatically changing the way mass was distributed across the back of the clubhead. In the EDISON 2.0 line of wedges, an additional 14-17 grams have been positioned even higher in the clubhead, achieved by creation of a multi-level back design that optimizes smash factor across the face. This repositioning also creates a fresh and distinctive visual appeal to the product. 

“I’ve been pursuing dramatic changes in wedge design for over thirty years. While it’s flattering to see all the major brand wedges finally beginning to position a tiny bit more mass higher in their wedge clubheads, none are anywhere close to the EDISON 2.0. In fact, none of today’s wedges are even to the point where my Reid Lockhart® wedges were in the 1990s,” said Koehler. “A caliper measurement of the face thicknesses of any major brand wedge to my historic wedge designs proves that I have led this design concept for decades. The EDISON 2.0 wedges are generations ahead of everyone else.”

In addition to enhanced weighting technologies, the EDISON 2.0 wedges feature an improved version of the renowned and proven “Koehler Sole.” Patented over 30 years ago, this unique sole design combines both a high and low bounce into each wedge and has been proven by thousands of golfers to deliver an unmatched level of sole versatility to handle different lies and different swing paths.

“I’ve always believed the notion of ‘bounce fitting’ to be absurd because the texture of the turf, the array of possible lies your ball can find and every golfer’s divot pattern are all variable,” explains Koehler. “How anyone can claim to fit things that are constantly changing is mind-boggling to me.”

In addition to the high-performance advanced weighting and the Koehler Sole, the EDISON 2.0 wedges feature the company’s new ‘pearl chrome’ finish for an upscale and contemporary appearance. The pearl chrome combines with glass bead texturing for a soft surface finish and a warmer color than traditional chrome plating to reduce glare from the face at address. The pearl chrome finish is also “slicker” to help channel away moisture from the face when playing in wet conditions.

The rear of the EDISON 2.0 topline features an engraved graphic, “5X FORGED” to acknowledge Edison’s five-step forging process, which produces the most precise raw forgings possible and delivers the unmatched feel of a quality forged golf club head. It should be noted that wedges from nearly all major brands feature clubheads that are cast, not forged, which are much cheaper to make but are inferior in feel to a true forging.

With the introduction of the EDISON 2.0 product line, Edison’s online buying experience has been enhanced and streamlined for ease of use and improved customer engagement. With a few simple and easy clicks, the buyer can assemble the lofts in his/her set of wedges, select the preferred shaft and grip and request any custom alterations to Edison standards. This “Build Yours Now” interface coordinates with Edison’s enhanced and improved WedgeFit Scoring Range Analysis experience.

Koehler, who also writes a popular weekly blog as The Wedge Guy on GolfWRX.com, has spent more than 40 years designing golf clubs. His work in wedges dates to 1990 with his patented sole design, which incorporated two distinct bounce angles in the sole of each wedge to deliver versatility for any lie and swing path. Shortly thereafter, he pioneered raising the CG (center of mass) of wedges with Reid Lockhart, and his EIDOLON wedges of the early 2000s were the first to introduce CNC-milled grooves in mainstream wedges. Koehler’s wedge design breakthroughs were further advanced with his progressive weighting technology in the SCOR wedges of 2011-2014 and the Ben Hogan TK wedges of 2015-2017.

The technologies found only in the EDISON 2.0 wedges further separate and distance Koehler’s work from all other wedge brands.

All EDISON 2.0 wedges are backed by a 30-Day Risk Free Trial. The company will build you an EDISON 2.0 wedge and let you put it to the test on your course, hitting the variety of shots you face every round. If for any reason it's not the best wedge you've ever played, Edison Golf will buy it back.

EDISON 2.0 wedges are engineered to odd-number lofts from 45 to 59 degrees and are custom built for each golfer from a wide selection of premium shafts and grips. Requests for even number lofts are met by tweaking the lower number clubhead. Pricing is $199.95 for steel shaft wedges and $214.95 for graphite shafts. Shipping is free, and discounts are applied on orders for full sets of two or more. A broad selection of up-charge options for shafts and grips is also available during the shopping experience via the company’s website at www.EdisonWedges.com.

Take Your Top Off!!! Draft Top

I was so surprised that Draft Top worked (see my reaction for yourself) that I decided to post the original video to my personal channel. 

You can't taste what you can't smell, so get the total drinking experience by taking the top right off your beer can. The Draft Top takes the top off and leaves a silky smooth surface from which to drink. It's amazing!

Learn more at www.drafttop.com.

Cheers!

Arcis Golf Clubs Voted Among ‘Best in Region’ in 2023 CAGGY Awards

Three Properties Recognized by Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine

(DALLAS) — A trio of Arcis Golf properties in the Denver-area has been recognized by readers and editors of Colorado AvidGolfer in their annual CAGGY Awards. 

Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, a public facility, and two private clubs in Parker, The Club at Pradera and The Pinery Country Club, were honored, based on online voting by more than 5,000 of the publication’s readers.

One of the most photographed and popular daily fee courses in Colorado, Arrowhead Golf Club has been literally 300 million years in the making. It is noted for its scenic natural beauty, elevation changes, abundant wildlife, ancient red sandstone rocks towering majestically above the fairways, and strategic Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design.

Between Arcis Golf’s Colorado two private clubs are two world-class golf courses, two remarkable restaurants, breathtaking patio dining, award-winning indoor and outdoor tennis facilities, and a host of fine lifestyle amenities.

“To be recognized by the readers of Colorado AvidGolfer is a testament to our talented team members,” said Blake S. Walker, founder and CEO of Arcis Golf. “The voters and editors visit facilities throughout Colorado and recognize quality when they experience it first-hand. We are grateful for the recognition of these properties, their first-class amenities, and personnel.” 

Arrowhead Golf Club was honored in five categories:

• Best Wedding or Party Venue (first place). The Club’s 3,200-square-foot Event Pavilion provides a picturesque backdrop for weddings and special occasions for as many as 200 people.

• Best Après-Golf Experience (second place). With a diverse menu and upscale but casual ambiance, the Club’s On the Rocks Bar & Grill has long been a local favorite.

• Best Denver Region Course (third place). The acclaimed par-70 championship course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., is one of America’s most photographed courses due to its breathtaking setting. 

• Best Place to Hold a Tournament (third place). The Club prides itself on delivering flawlessly executed golf tournaments and outings that exceed expectations at every turn.

• Best Value (third place). The overall experience and price point make this one of the best values in the marketplace.

Honored jointly with the 2023 CAGGY awards were The Club at Pradera, a spectacular 7,200-yard layout that blends harmoniously with pristine natural surroundings in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains, and The Pinery Country Club, which offers 27 holes of golf with panoramic vistas.

These private clubs offer an extensive year-round schedule of member dining and social events, and numerous other activities and amenities to spend quality time with family and friends in a spectacularly beautiful natural setting to help rejuvenate, relax, and enhance well-being. 

Both were noted as “best values” and their director of instruction, Jason Witczak, was a top four selection for “Best Instructor for Juniors” and “Best Instructor for Men.”

The CAGGY awards can be viewed in the Spring edition of the magazine, as well as online at 2023CAGGYS.

An industry leader in providing inventive direction and unrivaled lifestyle amenities that complement exceptional playing experiences, Arcis Golf focuses its resources on creating extraordinary experiences and forging emotional connections with members and guests.

In the past four years, nearly $100 million has been invested across its portfolio in property upgrades, new amenities, personnel, training, and systems to maximize growth and future success. The company has received numerous honors, including a National Golf Foundation “2023 Top 100 Businesses in Golf.” To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit www.arcisgolf.com.

True Blue Golf Club, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Set To Host Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate

(PAWLEYS ISLAND) – True Blue Golf Club and Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, two of America’s top 100 resort courses, are poised to host 36 teams from across the nation for the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate. 

The 54-hole event will be played March 27-29 with 18 men’s and 18 women’s teams competing on the highly acclaimed Mike Strantz designs. The women will play Caledonia all  three days while the men will tee it up at True Blue, with everyone hoping to build momentum as team’s look toward postseason play.

“We can’t wait to welcome teams for the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate,” said Bart Romano, director of golf operations for True Blue and Caledonia. “We will have 36 teams from 15 states playing Caledonia and True Blue while enjoying the best the area has to offer on and off the course. Both layouts are in pristine condition and will provide an enjoyable test for the game’s next generation of stars.”

The men’s field will feature Valparaiso, University of Connecticut, High Point, Ohio, Evansville, Southern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Wichita State, Marshall, Central Arkansas, Xavier, Austin Peay, Winthrop, Troy, Delaware, Northern Colorado, Loyola-Chicago and Western Illinois. 

The women’s field will include North Dakota State, Marshall, Akron, Gardner-Webb, Evansville, Winthrop, Morehead State, James Madison, Coastal Carolina, St. Thomas, Florida Gulf Coast, UNC Greensboro, East Carolina, UNC Asheville, Western Illinois, Ohio, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Colorado. 

Caledonia and True Blue are two of the Myrtle Beach area’s most acclaimed courses. Strantz’ first solo design, Caledonia is a consensus top 100 course. The layout is equal parts art and architecture, rewarding precision as much as raw power. 

Conversely, True Blue is a big course in every sense of the word. Players will enjoy the opportunities provided by some of the area’s widest fairways, but that doesn’t mean tee shots will be without challenge. 

True Blue’s greens are equally large in scale and it is incumbent on golfers to find the proper spots off the tee if they hope to attack pins on a layout that rewards a creative approach to the game. 

The Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate is one of three college events the Caledonia and True Blue will host this year. 

For more information or to book a tee time, visit CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or TrueBlueGolf.com.