Apes Hill Barbados Celebrates Three World Golf Awards

(ST. JAMES, BARBADOS) – Apes Hill Barbados won three categories during the 2026 World Golf Awards at Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt on Nov. 7 – Caribbean’s Best 9-Hole Golf Course and Best Golf Clubhouse, and Barbados’ Best Golf Course.

The World Golf Awards recognized the wealth of experiences available at Apes Hill – from the Ron Kirby-designed 18-hole course where the Legends Tour plays each spring, to the family friendly Little Apes short course, and the property’s chic, casually elegant clubhouse.

“To receive these awards is a source of great pride for our team,” said Sunil Chatrani, Executive Chairman, Apes Hill Barbados. “They dedicate great care for the courses and into looking after our members and guests. These honors affirm their excellent work.”

Set within the resort’s 475-acre estate, Little Apes is a 9-hole, par-3 walking course designed for golfers of all ages and abilities. Its layout allows families and friends to enjoy a round in around an hour, while giving more experienced players the opportunity to test their short game by chasing the challenging pin placements. The course takes inspiration from well-known golf holes around the world, with views across the surrounding landscape towards the Caribbean Sea.

The 18-hole championship course makes full use of Apes Hill’s elevated setting, reaching around 1,000ft above sea level with views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Indigenous gullies and tropical vegetation shape the layout, which is complemented by the island-green 19th hole and a Golf Performance Centre offering technology-supported coaching and practice. Both Little Apes and the Championship Course are certified by Audubon International for their enviro and sustainability best practices.

The clubhouse, which overlooks the bonus, island-green 19th hole, features the Pro Shop, Noisy Cricket and 20th Hole restaurants, and is a gathering place for members and guests.

The World Golf Awards come on the heels of Apes Hill’s inclusion in GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, which also recognized Apes Hill for “Best Lodging” among the Top 100 resorts. These honors celebrate Apes Hill's continuing investment in creating one of the Caribbean's leading luxury lifestyle destinations, where championship golf, wellness, nature, sustainability and exceptional hospitality come together within a single community.

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Book Alert: From the First Tee to the Last Green: A Teen's Guide to Golf

Most golfers spend their time thinking about their next shot. But have you ever stopped to think about how the golf course you're playing was designed?

That's one of the interesting things about From the First Tee to the Last Green: A Teen's Guide to Golf, a new book from respected golf course architect Andrew Green and writer Lee Carr.

Set for release November 20, the book takes readers beyond the golf swing and introduces them to the history, strategy and architecture behind the game.

Green, whose golf course restoration work includes well-known properties such as Inverness Club, Oak Hill and East Lake, brings a unique perspective to the project. He shares stories from his career in golf course construction and design, offering readers a look at what it takes to create a great golf course.

The book also explores some of the game's most famous courses, why they are special and how golf course design has changed over the years.

One of the more interesting features is the opportunity for readers to try their hand at designing golf holes. The drawing exercises encourage young golfers to use their imagination and think about the game from a completely different perspective.

That's what makes this book appealing beyond its target audience of teenagers. Even longtime golfers can appreciate learning more about the courses they play and the history behind the game.

Golf is about much more than hitting shots and keeping score. The land, the design, the strategy and the history all play a part in making the game special.

From the First Tee to the Last Green offers a fun way to explore those connections and perhaps inspire the next generation of golf course architects.

For young golfers, golf fans and anyone who has ever wondered what makes a great golf course, this is a book worth checking out.

Kristin Powers Named Championship Director for 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Bethpage Black

(FARMINGDALE, New York) ー The PGA of America has named Kristin Powers as Championship Director for the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to be played at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.

Kristin Powers

Powers will manage onsite operations, drive revenue and build community partnerships while collaborating with KPMG and the LPGA Tour to enhance the Championship’s premier status in women’s golf.

“Kristin brings a wealth of experience across our Championship portfolio to this role,” said David Charles, PGA of America Senior Director of Championships. “Her strong knowledge in executing world-class events, proven leadership abilities and familiarity with Bethpage Black and the New York market will help her deliver a fantastic Championship on Long Island in 2028.”

Now in her 10th year with the PGA of America, Powers transitions to the championship director position from a corporate hospitality sales role. She also previously held similar positions for multiple PGA of America Championships including the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club and the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club.

Powers also contributed to the success of numerous Senior PGA Championships, including as Corporate Hospitality Sales Manager in 2021 at Southern Hills and Marketing & Promotions Specialist in 2019 at Oak Hill Country Club. She launched her PGA of America career in 2016 as a corporate hospitality intern for the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club. 

“I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead our onsite team for the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship,” said Powers. “This Championship boasts a strong legacy in New York state and its highly-anticipated debut at Bethpage Black will mark another memorable milestone. I look forward to working alongside our partners KPMG and the LPGA as well as the local community as we prepare to welcome the best women players in the world to Long Island.” 

A native of Rochester, New York, Powers graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she competed on the women’s golf team.

The 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be contested June 24-27 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

For more information on the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, visit kpmgwomenspgachampionship.com.

Mountain Capital Partners Closes on Tubac and Sedona Golf Resorts

Through Dec. 31, the biggest Power Pass ever gives passholders a free round at each of four Arizona golf courses, while kids 12 and younger ski, mountain bike and golf free

(PHOENIX) – Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) announced today it closed on two Arizona golf resorts, giving Power Pass and 12 Day Power Pass holders a free round of golf at each of four Arizona courses through Dec. 31. In addition, kids 12 and younger can ski, mountain bike and golf for free on one pass, a combination no other U.S. season pass offers.

MCP, alongside affiliated fund Texas Capital Partners, acquired Tubac Golf Resort & Spa and Sedona Golf Resort, adding two of Arizona’s most iconic golf destinations to the Power Pass alongside MCP’s Birdie Ranch and Bison Golf Club in Show Low, Arizona.

The acquisition was led by MCP partner Kuzi Mutsiwegota, who oversees the company’s golf operations. Since acquiring its Show Low courses in 2023, MCP has tripled its golf business.

One season pass now unlocks skiing at 11 resorts across the United States and Chile, year-round, lift-served mountain biking at Spider Mountain Bike Park, and golf that now stretches from Show Low to Sedona and Tubac.

“It’s the most expansive Power Pass in our program’s history,” Mutsiwegota said. “We know of no other season pass in the world that gives kids 12 and younger free skiing, free mountain biking and free golf, with no adult purchase required. Kids who learn to ski and bike with us can now learn to play golf with us, too. That’s how you grow the game. Now the whole family has one more reason to get outside, year-round, together.”

What passholders get through Dec. 31

Courses: Sedona Golf Resort, Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, Birdie Ranch and Bison Golf Club.

Free round: One free round at each course for the passholder only; a $25 cart fee applies.

Who’s eligible: Power Pass, 12 Day Power Pass and Power Kids holders.

Half-price golf: Additional rounds at 50% off the tee-time rate during designated passholder hours through Dec. 31, subject to availability (Power Kids: 50% off the junior rate).

Half-price lodging: 50% off Sunday through Thursday nights at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa for Power Pass and 12 Day Power Pass holders through Dec. 31, 2026, subject to availability.

Details: Passholder hours and full terms at powerpass.ski. Power Pass prices increase after Nov. 6.

“We’re working on a more robust golf program for 2027, but we didn’t want our pass holders to wait,” Mutsiwegota said. “This is a chance for everyone to play these courses this season. We believe this makes the Power Pass the only outdoor recreation product in the world that pairs unlimited skiing with free golf at four different golf courses.”

Whether they’re golfing or skiing, Power Pass holders also have year-round access to Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock at preferred rates, plus a $30 food and beverage credit.

The golf expansion comes as Arizona Snowbowl prepares to open Nov. 20, aiming to be the first ski area in Arizona to open for the second consecutive season. In Chile, MCP’s Valle Nevado is wrapping up the longest season in its 38-year history, with daily operations through Nov. 8 and select dates through Dec. 1, while neighboring La Parva just concluded its longest winter season in history on Nov. 1.

MCP purchased Tubac Golf Resort & Spa and Sedona Golf Resort from the Allred family, who have shaped Arizona’s hospitality landscape for decades. Before founding The Arizona Hideaway Collection, the Allreds helped transform Telluride, Colorado, into a world-class ski destination from the late 1970s through the late 1990s. Current management and operating teams at both resorts have been retained.

“Bringing ski and golf together like this is a transformative step for Mountain Capital Partners,” Mutsiwegota said. “Our job is to take care of what the Allred family built and share it with more people than ever. I’m grateful to my partners and to Mike Allred for believing in what we’re building, and we will honor the trust they’ve placed in us.”

Rancho Mañana Golf Club in Cave Creek, the third property in The Arizona Hideaway Collection, remains part of the overall transaction. Its closing timeline has been extended to allow for municipal approval requirements.

For more information, visit tubacgolfresort.com and sedonagolfresort.com.

Troon Selected to Manage En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, N.Y.

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected by the Village of Endicott Board to manage En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, New York beginning on January 1, 2027. Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will oversee golf operations, agronomy, as well as sales and marketing.

En-Joie Golf Club has a rich and storied history. Set along the Susquehanna River, the course was established in 1927 and has been owned by the Village of Endicott since 1963. Originally designed by Ernie Smith, the course underwent significant renovations in 1998 and 1999 by architect Michael Hurdzan, transforming its flat, round greens into large, undulating ones and introducing narrow, tree-lined fairways. Today, the 6,490-yard, par-72 course is renowned for its exceptional conditioning.

From 1971 to 2005, En-Joie hosted the PGA Tour's B.C. Open, attracting top golfers like Tom Kite, John Daly, Brad Faxon, and Craig Stadler. In 2007, the club became the venue for the PGA Tour Champions Dick's Sporting Goods Open, an event it continues to host each summer.

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with Troon and build on En-Joie's longstanding reputation as one of the region's premier golf destinations," said Nicholas Burlingame, mayor of the Village of Endicott. "Our priority has always been to protect this valuable Village-owned asset while ensuring its continued success for residents, golfers, and the entire community."

“We are honored to manage such a historic and prestigious golf course,” said Troon Vice President of Operations Chris Strand. "Our team is committed to enhancing the En-Joie experience for both members, guests and the entire community."

En-Joie Golf Club boasts one of the largest natural turf practice ranges in the region with nearly 5,000 sq. ft. of teeing area, plus 12 artificial turf mats for early spring and wet weather use. The clubhouse is home to a well-appointed golf shop, a full-service restaurant as well as indoor and outdoor event space.

For more information on En-Joie Golf Club visit enjoiegolf.com.  

Boyne Golf’s Bernie Friedrich receives Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award

A golf career that spans 50+ years in Michigan earns its highest honor from the MGCA

(Harbor Springs, MI) — Bernie Friedrich, Director of Golf Course Renovation and Development for BOYNE Resorts, has been named the winner of the 2026 Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA). 

Bernie Friedrich

Friedrich will be honored at the Annual MGCA Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Dec. 1, during the 2026 Michigan Golf Business Conference and Vendor Fair at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant. 

The Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to an individual or organization that, over a lifetime, has provided steadfast leadership, outstanding service, and continuous commitment to the Michigan golf industry.

“I’m humbled and honored to receive the Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Friedrich. “I’ve been fortunate to spend my career in an industry and a state I love, surrounded by incredible people who make this work so rewarding. This recognition belongs to every colleague, mentor and teammate who helped along the way. Boyne Resorts and Michigan golf have given me so much, and I’m grateful for the chance to give some of it back.”

Friedrich began his career with BOYNE 50 years ago, embodying company founder Everett Kircher’s philosophy of developing year-round employees capable of leading both golf and ski operations. A 45-year PGA of America member, Friedrich has overseen BOYNE’s 14 golf courses and semi-private clubs across Michigan, Maine and Montana, managing golf operations, staffing, agronomy, marketing, memberships, and retail operations. Now serving as director of golf course renovation and development, he continues to help shape the future of golf experiences at one of North America’s largest golf and ski resort operations.

Friedrich’s contributions to the game have earned him numerous honors, including the MGCA Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award in 2018 and induction into both the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. He has also served on the MGCA Board of Directors, held committee roles with the Michigan Section PGA, and received two Michigan PGA Golf Professional of the Year awards. In 2023, the PGA of America recognized Friedrich with its prestigious PGA Golf Executive of the Year Award for his outstanding leadership, vision and service to the game.

“Boyne Resorts is built on our people, and for 50 years Bernie has been the best example of what that means,” said Stephen Kircher, President and CEO of Boyne Resorts. “He has developed talent, led with integrity and cared deeply about our guests, our teams and the communities we serve. His impact reaches well beyond our 14 golf courses, from the golf professionals he’s mentored to the young people who’ve benefited from The First Tee and the Harbor Cup Fund. There is no one more deserving of this honor, and we’re proud to call him one of our own.”

Friedrich’s most rewarding achievement has been the charitable efforts he implemented, which BOYNE Golf’s PGA professionals continue to carry out. He is a founding member and board member of The First Tee of Northern Michigan and is a co-founder of Harbor Cup Fund, a Michigan-based charitable fund that has raised more than $1 million since its 1997 inception.

GolfN Welcomes G/FORE as Retail Partner, Making the Brand’s Premium Footwear, Apparel Available for GolfN Rewards Redemption

G/FORE joins leading equipment and apparel brands in GolfN’s rewards-driven Pro Shop.

(MERRILLVILLE, Ind.) – GolfN, the innovative golf rewards platform and digital caddie app that pays golfers to play, proudly announces that luxury lifestyle brand and golf footwear innovator G/FORE is the newest retail partner that can be found in the growing rewards-redemption Pro Shop found on GolfN’s highly rated mobile app.

“We’re extremely pleased to welcome G/FORE as a retail partner and we’re just as excited to report their golf shoes and apparel have been an instant hit in the GolfN Pro Shop,” Co-founder and CEO Jared Phillips said. “We’re proud of every single brand we work with because we take a strategic approach to offering our members the golf items they truly want when it comes time to redeem their GolfN points or just purchase from a trusted brand. G/FORE makes some of the industry’s most trendsetting men’s and women’s product lines that bring a distinctive style and functionality to the golf fashion game and golfers really love their products.”

G/FORE is a luxury golf footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Founded in 2011 in Beverly Hills, Calif., its long-running tagline is “disruptive luxury.” Popular G/FORE golf shoe models like the MG4+, the MG4X2, the Gallivanter, the Gallivan2r Longwing, and the women’s lace-free G/DRIVE. G/FORE was the first golf shoe brand to introduce removable, washable massaging insoles. In apparel, the Tour 5 Pocket trousers are lightweight, breathable, stretchy and comfortable, and its jackets, polos and caps (such as the Wreath Trucker) remain staples for well-dressed golfers. G/FORE makes golf fashion feel edgy and modern, with bold colors and street-style design in place of traditional looks.

The golf community’s first true rewards app, GolfN allows members to redeem points they accrue by playing rounds with the GolfN mobile app engaged – with or without its dynamic GPS yardage and digital caddie mode engaged. Additionally, the 4.5-Star-rated app’s Daily Grind feature rewards users points toward golf merchandise for everyday things like practicing at the driving range, the indoor golf venue, local Tour event, visit to the golf retail store, or almost any golf-related activity.

With the incentive to redeem top-tier golf merchandise from leading L.A.B. Golf, Miura, Cobra Golf, Bettinardi Golf, Srixon, and Cleveland Golf, Vessel, Holderness & Bourne, and TRUE linkswear, GolfN users are taking the credit card rewards model and cashing in on points earned from doing the things they love doing the most.

Since the GolfN app launched in 2025, more than 200,000 rounds have been tracked by members engaging with the in-round scoring, GPS, and social features. An Apple Watch version of the GolfN app is in development and is expected to be in the App Store in late 2026.

The GolfN app is free to use, ensuring that any golfer can begin earning immediately. For those seeking to accelerate their rewards, GolfN offers optional membership tiers that provide points multipliers and enhanced earning potential — without compromising the core free experience.

As GolfN continues to scale, its mission remains clear: to make every round more rewarding, every golfer more engaged, and every moment connected to the game more valuable. The app is available to golfers everywhere in Apple and Android versions.

Learn more at GolfN.com.