Club Champion Named a Preferred Partner of Troon

Members and guests of Troon-managed facilities gain an elevated club fitting experience at 150+ North American Club Champion fitting studios, and on-site at their home course through Club Champion's Mobile Fitting Studio

(Scottsdale, Ariz. and Willowbrook, Ill.) – Troon Partners Network, a division of Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, today announced Club Champion, a national leader in custom golf club fitting and building, as the company’s newest Preferred Partner.

Through the partnership, members of Troon-managed private clubs and guests of Troon-affiliated daily-fee and resort facilities will be eligible to receive an elevated club fitting experience at any one of Club Champion's 150+ fitting studios across North America. 

This fall, Club Champion's Mobile Fitting Studio will begin scheduling visits to Troon-affiliated properties so members and guests can experience custom club fittings at their home course. Each mobile studio carries the same launch-monitor technology, expert fitters and deep inventory of heads and shafts found in Club Champion's brick-and-mortar locations. Golfers can schedule a fitting for a single club or a full bag, test combinations from leading manufacturers side by side, and see the data behind every recommendation.

In addition, select Troon-affiliated golf facilities will incorporate a Club Champion fitting studio on property to regularly serve golfers. Together, the Mobile Fitting Studio tour and local property-based fitting studios will enable more golfers to receive world-class fittings. 

“Troon-managed properties are home to some of the most passionate golfers in the game, and those players deserve equipment built for their swing,” said Nick Sherburne, Founder of Club Champion. “Whether they visit one of our studios or step onto the range at their home course to find our Mobile Fitting Studio, golfers playing at Troon-affiliated clubs will receive the full Club Champion experience.” 

For Troon, the partnership adds a new amenity across a portfolio that spans private clubs, resorts, daily-fee and municipal courses in more than 45 states and 40 countries. Members and guests can book a fitting and pair it with a round, a lesson, a meal or a stay. 

“Our goal is to provide members and guests with an exceptional experience every time they visit a Troon-managed property,” said Ryan Pensy, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Troon Partners Network. “Partnering with Club Champion adds a premium, data-driven service golfers can't get just anywhere, while helping golfers get more enjoyment out of every round.” 

Club Champion is the latest company to join the Troon Partners Network. From golf, sports and leisure brands to the airline, automotive, food and beverage, and financial services sectors, Troon partners can secure exclusive status that provides direct marketing to millions of golfers every day. Today, through Troon Partners Network, companies/brands enjoy a range of partnership levels, from preferred to official status, and receive custom programming designed to fit the marketing needs of each respective product or service being offered.

For more information on marketing programs available through Troon Partners Network, contact Sabrina Hale at sabrina.hale@troon.com.

Why A Fitting Matters 

Most golfers play clubs built for an average swing rather than their own. Shaft weight, flex, length, lie angle and loft all change how the ball launches, spins and lands, and a mismatch in any one of them costs distance and accuracy. A fitting measures a golfer's swing and matches each club to it, so better shots come from better equipment rather than from swing changes alone. 

What Sets Club Champion Apart:
- Brand-agnostic recommendations. Fitters test heads and shafts from top manufacturers and recommend what performs best, not what a single brand sells.
- Data on every swing. Launch-monitor readings on ball speed, launch, spin and dispersion back each choice.
- Built to spec. Master builders assemble every club to the golfer's exact measurements.
- Perfect Fit Guarantee. If Club Champion-built clubs don't deliver the results seen in the fitting bay, golfers can return within 90 days of pickup and Club Champion will make it right.
- Recognized expertise. Golf Digest calls Club Champion a “national club fitting leader” and has named it to its list of America's 100 Best Clubfitters for 12 years running. 

For more information about Club Champion, visit clubchampion.com. 

Tiger Woods and TGR Design to Create The Armchair Collective’s Flagship Club on Long Island’s Gold Coast

Private club in the Village of Brookville, NY, to feature a distinctive 18-hole private course, extensive practice and performance facilities, member cottages and country-house-inspired architecture.

(JUPITER, Fla. / BROOKVILLE, N.Y.) – The Armchair Collective today announced plans for its Long Island flagship, a new private golf destination featuring an 18-hole course designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Design. The club’s name will be revealed alongside conceptual renderings in early 2027. Located in the Village of Brookville on Long Island’s historic Gold Coast, the project will transform a former private golf club into a destination for a national membership.

The comprehensive redevelopment will reimagine a property with more than six decades of golf history, pairing a completely redesigned course with extensive practice facilities, an indoor / outdoor golf performance center, a new clubhouse and member cottages. Architecture inspired by the surrounding country houses, estates and farms will connect the club to its setting.

“The opportunity to create a new golf experience in the heart of Long Island’s Gold Coast, a region steeped in rich history, is tremendously exciting for our team,” said Woods. “I have great memories of competing on Long Island, especially at Bethpage. This region has an extraordinary golf course architecture tradition, and we look forward to contributing to that legacy with a course that players can enjoy for generations.”

Woods’ connection to Long Island includes his victory at the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. The club will bring his design approach to a region celebrated for its golf course architecture.

A Distinctive Golf Experience

Designed to build on the property’s character, the course will emphasize strategic choices, variety and thoughtful shot-making. Plans call for firm, fast playing conditions that reward different approaches to each hole. Situated between New York City and the Hamptons, the club will accommodate both local visits and extended golf stays.

Practice and player development will be central to the experience. A 20,000-square-foot, Himalayas-inspired putting green beside The Barn (the club’s social hub) will offer a setting for practice and informal play, complemented by dedicated short-game areas. Indoor and outdoor practice facilities and a golf performance center inspired by those used by touring professionals will combine advanced golf technology with training spaces for instruction and skill development.

A Place to Stay and Gather

A new clubhouse and The Barn will provide welcoming spaces for members and guests to gather before and after golf. Member cottages will offer on-property accommodations, supporting the club’s national membership experience. Together, the buildings will reflect the Gold Coast’s country-house and agricultural heritage.

“Bringing Tiger Woods and TGR Design to this beautiful and historic part of Long Island is a remarkable opportunity,” said Village of Brookville Mayor Dan Serota. “Combining the Gold Coast’s longstanding golf tradition with Tiger and his team’s skill and attention to detail makes this an exciting project for Brookville and the broader region.”

Development Schedule

Site preparation and demolition are underway, with golf course renovation planned to begin in 2027. Conceptual renderings of the course, structures and overall site plan are expected in early 2027. Further details on the development schedule and membership opportunities will be announced as the project progresses.

Srixon Staffers Andrew Novak, Miyu Yamashita Capture Victories on PGA Tour, LPGA Tour

Srixon staffers Andrew Novak and Miyu Yamashita enjoyed a memorable week on the golf course, capturing victories on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, respectively.

Novak claimed a dominant five-shot victory at the VidantaWorld Mexico Open for his second career PGA Tour win, while Yamashita successfully defended her title at the Maybank Championship, earning her fifth career LPGA Tour victory and third win of the 2026 season.

Novak Earns Second PGA Tour Victory

Novak delivered an impressive performance at the VidantaWorld Mexico Open, posting four consecutive rounds in the 60s to pull away from the field. He opened with a 67 before following with rounds of 61, 62 and 69 to finish with a five-shot advantage.

His iron play proved particularly effective throughout the week. Novak ranked second in Strokes Gained: Approach and first in Strokes Gained: Total, consistently putting himself in position to score.

He also made an equipment adjustment heading into the tournament, switching from the Srixon Z-STAR DIAMOND golf ball to the Z-STAR XV in search of slightly less spin. The change paid off as he paired the ball with a Srixon and Cleveland Golf setup.

Novak's winning equipment included:
Srixon ZXi5 Iron (4-iron)
Srixon ZXi7 Irons (5-iron through pitching wedge)
Cleveland Golf RTZ 2 Wedges (50, 54 and 60 degrees)
Srixon Z-STAR XV Golf Ball

Yamashita Makes History With Maybank Championship Defense

Yamashita continued her outstanding 2026 season by becoming the first player to win the Maybank Championship in consecutive years.

She established control early in the tournament with opening rounds of 65, 66 and 67, taking a two-shot lead into Sunday's final round. Yamashita closed with a 4-under-par performance, making five birdies, including a clutch birdie on the 18th hole, to secure a two-shot victory.

The win marks her fifth career LPGA Tour title and third victory of the season, joining her earlier wins at the Meijer LPGA Classic and CPKC Women's Open.

Yamashita's winning equipment included:
Srixon ZXi Driver (9 degrees)
Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway Woods (3 and 5)
Srixon ZX Mk II Hybrids (4 and 5)
Srixon ZXi5 Iron (6-iron)
Srixon ZXi7 Irons (7-iron through pitching wedge)
Cleveland Golf RTZ Wedges (48, 52 and 58 degrees)
Srixon Z-STAR XV Golf Ball

With Novak adding another PGA Tour title and Yamashita making history with her successful title defense, it was a strong week for Srixon and Cleveland Golf equipment across both professional tours.

For more information about the winning equipment, visit Srixon.

Bill Bergin, ASGCA, elected president of American Society of Golf Course Architects

(BROOKFIELD, Wis.) – Bill Bergin, ASGCA, of Atlanta, was elected president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) at the organization’s recent 80th Annual Meeting in Nashville.

Bill Bergin, ASGCA

A St. Louis native, Bergin is a business graduate of Auburn University. One of the nation’s top collegiate golfers, Bergin qualified for five major championships and 50 PGA Tour events. Today, his focus as a golf course architect is to make the game available for everyone.

“Having worked on several First Tee and Youth golf facilities, the goals of inspiring and building better people through golf resonates with my personal experience and presents an opportunity, as ASGCA president, to take that message even further,” Bergin said. “The innate tenets of golf are valuable to all, not just to those exposed to the game. Golfers represent better citizens through the lessons the game teaches, and golf courses provide green space, recreational opportunities and environmental benefits, which have a positive impact on the entire community. My aim is to support and expand on that message.”

In 1986, a missed 3 ½-foot putt changed the course of his life. Had he made the putt on the 72nd hole at the Atlanta Classic at Atlanta Country Club, Bergin would have earned a PGA Tour card. “As I look back, I am convinced it worked out exactly the way it was supposed to,” he said.

Bergin soon retired from competition and began to gain an understanding of club operations and the abilities of everyday players as a club professional before acquiring technical design experience under ASGCA Past President Bob Cupp.

“As a player, I enjoyed mapping golf courses before yardage books were readily available,” he recalled. “I was fascinated by how the ground, hazards, angles and strategy all worked together. I was a good student, learning the nuances of design from a player’s perspective.

“I was incredibly fortunate to learn from some great people at Cupp Design – including ASGCA members Billy Fuller, David Johnson and John Fought – and Chris Brands, Mike Riley and many others.”

Since founding Bergin Golf Designs in 1994, he has combined his strategic instincts and extensive design experience with the latest technology and a dedication to detail in project management. Along with his design associates – including his son, Matt, and Justin Killingsworth, both ASGCA members – Bergin offers design and construction supervision services for new layouts, renovations and practice facilities.

Bergin’s design highlights include:

Richland Country Club in Nashville, named as one of Golf Digest’s Best Transformations for 2023

The Keep at McLemore in Georgia, named 2025 Best New Course by Sports Illustrated

Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, a sandy gem nestled along 30A on the Florida panhandle

McLemore Club, an “ASGCA Design Excellence” selection on Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, Georgia

Minnesota Valley Country Club, a renovation of a Seth Raynor design in Bloomington, Minnesota

Oaks Country Club, an A.W. Tillinghast renovation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recognized by Golf Digest as one of the 2015 Best Remodels in the U.S.

Tennessee Grasslands, a 36-hole facility on Old Hickory Lake near Nashville, one of Golfweek’s 2009 Best New Courses

Chattanooga Golf & Country Club, a Donald Ross restoration on the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga

In 2017, Golf Inc. Magazine named Bergin one of the Top 10 Most Innovative People in Golf for his work with the Longleaf Tee Initiative, which provides additional tee options and encourages golfers to play from tees based on how far they hit the ball, rather than their age, gender or handicap.

Bergin now brings a lifetime of golf experience to his new role, heading ASGCA and its membership for the next year.

“One of my favorite things about being an ASGCA member is our shared experience,” he said. “We know what it’s like out there. We know the joy of landing a new project. We know the disappointment of not getting one. We know the fulfillment of taking a project from start to finish and seeing people enjoy what we have been part of creating.”

Bergin became an ASGCA member in 2013. He and his wife, Mary, live in Atlanta. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Heritage Golf Group Acquires Fox Hollow Golf Club, Expanding Tampa Bay Portfolio to Three Clubs Within 10 Miles

Heritage Golf Group, the fastest-growing owner and operator of golf and country clubs in the United States, has announced the acquisition of Fox Hollow Golf Club in the Tampa Bay area from the Creighton Family. The acquisition marks Heritage’s 51st property nationwide and fourth acquisition in just four months, bringing the company’s Florida portfolio to 14 clubs and further strengthening its presence in one of the country’s most desirable golf markets.

Located within a ten-mile radius of two existing Heritage properties, The Club at Cheval and TPC Tampa Bay, Fox Hollow creates a unique cluster of clubs in the Tampa market. The proximity of Fox Hollow and TPC Tampa Bay, both accessible to the public, presents new opportunities to attract traveling golfers and position the area as a premier golf destination. The acquisition also supports Heritage’s broader strategy of building regional club clusters that create operational efficiencies, enhance Member benefits, and expand the company’s market presence.

Recognized as one of Tampa Bay’s premier semi-private golf destinations, Fox Hollow Golf Club is home to one of the final courses designed by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. Since opening in 1994, the Club has earned a reputation for its championship layout, playing conditions, and memorable golf experience. The par-71 course features five sets of tees, offering a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.

Beyond the course, Fox Hollow features a 15,000 square-foot clubhouse, expansive practice facility with 25 hitting bays, a dedicated chipping green and practice bunker, and a 10,800-square-foot putting green. The Club also offers lessons and clinics led by experienced PGA and LPGA teaching professionals.

Fox Hollow has earned recognition among Florida’s notable public-access golf courses, including a ranking on Golf Digest’s list of the Top 75 Courses Accessible to the Public in Florida. The course has also received regional acclaim, with the Tampa Tribune recognizing it among the top public-access courses in West Central Florida and Central Florida Magazine highlighting its finishing hole as one of the state’s best par fours.

Heritage Golf Group plans to begin making immediate capital improvements to the property, with initial work scheduled to begin during the first week of ownership. Early enhancements will focus on golf course conditions, including overseeding to improve playability heading into the peak Florida golf season. Longer-term renovation opportunities are also being evaluated, with future investments guided by the property’s needs, operational leadership, and Member feedback.

“Fox Hollow represents an incredible opportunity for Heritage Golf Group,” said Jim Oliver, Chief Operating Officer of Heritage Golf Group. “Its location, just minutes from two of our existing clubs, makes it a natural addition to our Tampa Bay portfolio. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. course has character and the strong architectural foundation we look for in a golf course. We are grateful to the Creighton family for entrusting us with the opportunity to build on their legacy and look forward to investing in the Club’s future while continuing to welcome Members, local golfers, and traveling guests. With three clubs in such close proximity, we see tremendous potential to further establish this area as a destination for exceptional golf in Tampa Bay.”

By expanding regional club clusters, Heritage creates greater opportunities for Members to enjoy convenient travel and reciprocal access across its growing portfolio through the Heritage Plus Network. Backed by extensive experience in both private and public club ownership, Heritage continues to invest in acquired properties by enhancing amenities, operations, programming, and the overall Member experience, delivering long-term value for Members and the communities it serves.

Sunday Golf Enters Indoor Golf Game With New Groundbreaking Simmy Bag

(SAN DIEGO, Calif.) – Sunday Golf, the most innovative golf bag brand so famous they named a day of the week after it, is introducing the Simmy Indoor Golf Bag, a premium golf bag designed specifically for indoor golf simulators. Built for golfers who have easy access to an indoor simulator, the Simmy combines the organization and functionality of a traditional golf cart or staff bag with features designed specifically for indoor play.

Constructed from polyurethane leather (vegan leather) the Simmy bag is notably equipped with a dedicated side phone holder designed to be a training aid so golfers can record and review their swing along with dual cupholders to keep multiple beverages handy.

“Indoor golf has become a huge part of how people play, practice and hang out with their friends,” said Ronan Galvin, CEO and co-founder of Sunday Golf. “We wanted to build a bag specifically for this rapidly growing environment that’s so far been neglected in the golf bag world. The result is something that goes great for any home, garage or professional venue setup that’s a sleek, easy and practical design. Winter’s coming and we have your back with the Simmy bag.”

The 14-way top Simmy bag has several staple features that have become synonymous with Sunday Golf bags, namely a four-can, insulated frosty pocket, full-length dividers for each club compartment, external glove holder and oversized ball pocket that can be embroidered. The bag weighs 6 lbs and the extra wide flat base design ensures the bag stays upright when loaded with clubs and gear.

The Simmy bag is now on sale at sundaygolf.com for $200 and is also available at select golf retailers.

Wild Dunes Resort’s Harbor Course Named Course of the Year by South Carolina Golf Course Owners’ Association

Tom Fazio-designed Lowcountry classic honored for distinct quality and operational excellence.

(ISLE OF PALMS, S.C.) – Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt on Isle of Palms, South Carolina, proudly announces its iconic Tom Fazio-designed Harbor Course has been named the South Carolina Golf Course Owners’ Association’s Course of the Year for 2026.

Just one year after the course underwent an expansive $9.5 million enhancement project, accolades are pouring in for par-70 course that winds through parkland vistas, native marshlands, and a dramatic Intracoastal Waterway coastline.

“We’re honored to accept the SCGCOA’s award singling out the Harbor Course as the 2026 Course of the Year,” Director of Golf & Sports Jeff Minton said. “So much — and so many valuable contributors — went into the redevelopment of the Harbor and to see, every day, how golfers respond to the quality, conditions and overall playing experience of the course is extremely gratifying. To have the industry take notice and shine a light on what a distinctive and special course this is, and what it means to the community, says so much about our ownership’s commitment to making Wild Dunes an extraordinary resort destination for generations to come.”

The SCGCOA evaluates Golf Course of the Year nominees on four criteria: the exceptional quality of the golf course, excellence in ownership and management, outstanding contribution to the community, and significant contribution to the game of golf.

The Harbor Course has been a centerpiece of the Wild Dunes 36-hole golfing experience for more than four decades. In 2025, the Fazio Design team, Heritage Links Golf Course Construction, and the Wild Dunes Resort Golf Course Agronomy team collaborated to rebuild and expand all 18 greens to improve the playability, variety, and unique challenge of each golf hole. Several of the course’s bunkers were reshaped and moved to accommodate modern driving distances and playing areas have been expanded on multiple holes to enhance shot values and strategy.

All of the Harbor Course’s tee boxes have been rebuilt, leveled and, in some cases, expanded while the irrigation system has been replaced to help optimize turf conditions and water usage. Holes near the Intracoastal waterway that runs alongside the course were raised several feet to curb flood risk and multiple golf cart bridges have also been restored.

“The golf courses at Wild Dunes Resort — and the high standard with which they are operated by our dedicated and expert team — are a source of pride and distinction for this special resort property, so we’re pleased to see the Harbor Course garner this deserved recognition,” said Wild Dunes Resort’s Managing Director Terri A. Haack. “We strive to make Wild Dunes an unforgettable experience for guests and members of the courses and getting to celebrate this honor is particularly meaningful to honor Jeff Minton and his professional staff and our peerless agronomy team who present a stunning product day after day and season after season.”

The Harbor Course is now eligible for national, industry-wide consideration in the 2027 National Golf Course Owners Association’s Resort Course of the Year category. The new award, added in 2026, honors a resort golf course that delivers an exceptional experience across all facets of operation — from turf management to guest engagement — while also contributing meaningfully to the growth and vitality of the game of golf. Recipients of this award exemplify excellence in resort-level golf experiences, setting the bar for service, design, and industry leadership.

Recognized as one of the top 10 resorts in the South by Conde Nast Traveler, the Wild Dunes Resort and its partners have invested more than $150 million in property renovations since 2021. These investments include the debut of Sweetgrass Inn, a stunning 153-room hotel featuring a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art spa, 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a 3,000-square-foot rooftop bar, and sprawling pool deck. Wild Dunes Resort expanded its sports offerings earlier in 2025 with the addition of two new tennis courts and six pickleball courts, catering to the growing demand and popularity of the sport.

For more information or to learn more about Wild Dunes Resort, please visit www.wilddunesresort.com.