The Experience Golf Launches The 1867 Club - An Exclusive Ladies Golf Tour of St Andrews

Five-night, four-round premium women's golf break includes a guaranteed round on the legendary Old Course

(ST ANDREWS, Scotland) – The Experience Golf, the leading provider of luxury golf tours across Great Britain & Ireland, has launched The 1867 Club, an exclusive women's golf experience combining world-class links golf, five-star hospitality and a highly curated stay in St Andrews, culminating in a guaranteed round on the legendary Old Course.

New for 2027, The 1867 Club takes place from 12-17 June and is strictly limited to just 16 guests, creating an intimate and highly personalized experience for women seeking to play some of Scotland's most iconic courses. The five-night, four-round itinerary showcases some of the finest links golf in the St Andrews area.  Kingsbarns Golf Links, Dumbarnie Links and the Jubilee Course provide three distinct championship experiences before the tour culminates with a guaranteed round on the famous Old Course, with every round offering a different perspective on the links golf heritage of St Andrews, the Home of Golf. 

Guests will stay throughout at the five-star Old Course Hotel, overlooking the legendary Old Course and providing a luxurious base for the experience. The itinerary also includes curated dining, with a welcome dinner at ‘18 at Rusacks St Andrews’ and a farewell dinner at the Old Course Hotel. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s renowned spa and St Andrews town at leisure. 

“The 1867 Club has been created to offer women something genuinely special, including access to an exceptional collection of courses, a guaranteed round on the Old Course and five-star hospitality, all within an intimate group of just 16 guests,” said Richard Payne, Director of Commercial Strategy and Golf at The Experience Golf. “Our long-standing relationship with St Andrews and our expertise in creating luxury golf experiences allow us to bring together the very best of the Home of Golf in a way that feels personal, exclusive and truly memorable.” 

The 1867 Club name pays homage to the history of women in golf, marking the year women first putted around the Himalayas course at St Andrews. The name is intended to celebrate that heritage while creating a distinct sense of belonging and exclusivity for the women taking part. 

Designed to offer more than championship golf, The 1867 Club experience brings together a small group of like-minded women in an exclusive and welcoming environment. Guests will benefit from daily transfers between the hotel and courses, full bag transfer service, group airport transfers from Edinburgh, on-course refreshments, bespoke gifting and the support of a dedicated Experience Golf team throughout their stay. 

The 1867 Club is open to women aged 18 and over, with a valid handicap certificate of 36 or lower required to play the Old Course. Guests can also extend their stay with additional rounds of championship golf, sightseeing, a distillery visit or other bespoke experiences, allowing them to build a wider Scotland itinerary around The 1867 Club.

For more information and to book your spot today, visit https://www.theexperiencegolf.com/uk/golf-experiences/the-1867-club/ 

The Joys — and Aggravations — of Fall Golf

There are few things better in golf than a perfect fall day.

The temperature is cool enough that you don't sweat through your shirt after the second hole, but warm enough that you don't need three layers and a hand warmer just to make a backswing.

The air feels crisp. The course is quieter. The fairways are often firm and fast. And those beautiful fall colors surrounding the golf course can make even a mediocre round feel like something worth remembering.

Fall golf is special.

Of course, there is one little problem.

The leaves.

Lots and lots of leaves.

And if you've played enough fall golf, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

You hit what feels like a perfectly acceptable drive. Maybe it even finds the middle of the fairway. You watch the ball bounce once or twice and then disappear.

You walk to the general area where you think it landed.

Nothing.

You look to the left.

Nothing.

You look to the right.

Still nothing.

Then you start moving leaves.

One leaf.

Two leaves.

Five leaves.

Twenty leaves.

At this point, you're no longer playing golf. You're conducting an archaeological excavation.

And naturally, the ball is nowhere to be found.

It's particularly maddening when you know you saw it land.

You can see the exact spot in your mind. You know it couldn't have gone more than a few feet.

But apparently your golf ball has discovered the greatest camouflage technology known to mankind.

The worst part is when you finally find it.

It's sitting underneath a single leaf.

One.

Single.

Leaf.

You probably walked over it four times.

But that's the tradeoff with fall golf.

The same leaves that make a golf course look spectacular can make finding your golf ball feel like a scavenger hunt.

And honestly, that's OK.

Because there is something about playing golf in October and November that makes you appreciate the game in a different way.

You can walk down a fairway surrounded by red, orange and yellow trees and forget — at least temporarily — about your score.

You can hear the crunch of leaves under your shoes.

You can feel that cool autumn breeze.

You can enjoy a course that isn't nearly as crowded as it was a few weeks earlier.

And you don't have to worry about spending half the round searching for your golf ball in three-foot rough.

Well... unless your ball happens to land under a leaf.

There are other challenges, too.

The greens can be covered with leaves. A perfectly good putt can run straight into a pile of them. A gust of wind can blow leaves across your line just as you're getting ready to putt. And if you're playing in the afternoon, the sun can get low enough that you're suddenly trying to find your ball while staring directly into it.

But even those little annoyances are part of the charm.

Fall golf reminds us that golf doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyable.

In fact, some of the most memorable rounds aren't the ones where you shoot your best score. They're the ones where you play with good friends, enjoy a beautiful day and laugh when somebody loses a Titleist underneath a leaf that couldn't possibly be hiding anything.

So embrace fall golf.

Wear the extra layer.

Enjoy the scenery.

Take your time.

And when you hit your ball into a pile of leaves?

Good luck.

You're going to need it.

Because somewhere under those leaves is your golf ball.

And you're probably going to have to find it the old-fashioned way.

One leaf at a time.

Sunridge Canyon Golf Club Pulls the Ferrari Out of the Garage, Completes Major Enhancements to Elevate Golf Experience

A decade of family-led improvements has transformed the course, clubhouse, and practice facilities

(Fountain Hills, Ariz.) – When the Misheff family took ownership of SunRidge Canyon Golf Club in 2010, the property was a Ferrari in grandma’s garage: a great car that hadn’t been tuned up, washed, or waxed in 15 years. Over the past decade-plus, the family and club’s management team have been hard at work, using the slower summers to make upgrades to the golf course, clubhouse and practice facility. This week, the course reopened from overseed, revealing the enhancements made in recent months, including the resurfacing of the green complexes on holes 3, 5 and 18.

“This is a never-ending journey,” said SunRidge Canyon Owner Don Misheff. “Our job is to keep making this place better, and we will. However, the improvements to the course and clubhouse are only part of the story, as our management team and staff are critical to our success. They take care of our guests like family, and that’s something you can’t build with a renovation budget. I’m incredibly proud of the people here.”

Over the past decade, facility enhancements projects have included:

ON THE COURSE:

Greens: Every green has been resurfaced, and several were fully rebuilt to improve playability, irrigation, and overall conditions.

Bunkers: Bunkers that were overly punishing for the average player, with little impact on low handicappers, were removed. The remaining bunkers have been rebuilt with stacked sod. The result is a softer, more playable course.

Tees: New tees were added on the 2nd and 14th holes to improve sight lines and add flexibility for multiple tee options.

Hazards: Numerous hazard areas and ravines have been cleared, and additional mounding has been added on several holes reducing rollouts into penalty areas.

OFF THE COURSE 

Clubhouse: Major upgrades include a show kitchen, outdoor bar, fire pit, and outdoor pizza oven, supporting live music four nights a week. To protect the golf experience, the club no longer hosts weddings.

CoolClubs at the driving range: The 3,500-square-foot facility features three hitting bays, multiple TrackMan launch monitors, a club-testing robot, and a putting lab. It is one of the finest brand-agnostic fitting centers in the country and offers world-class instruction.

Adero Resort: Though not under the club’s ownership, the adjacent Adero hotel and resort is completing a significant renovation with expanded conferencing capabilities. This allows SunRidge Canyon to host corporate outings, bachelor parties, and other events seamlessly.

Nestled between the canyon walls and foothills of the McDowell Mountains, on the edge of Scottsdale, this Keith Foster-layout features scenic elevation changes, bold design features and natural beauty that is simply awe-inspiring. From its beginning and all the way through the signature “Wicked 6” stretch of finishing holes, it’s no wonder why SunRidge Canyon is consistently ranked in the top 25 “Best Courses You Can Play” in Arizona.

The Club’s Wicked Six Bar & Grill is a modern American taphouse featuring gourmet burgers, sandwiches, wraps, wood-fired artisan pizzas and chef specialties. Guests can enjoy live music every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as bagpipes played at sundown on Fridays.

For more information on SunRidge Canyon Golf Club, visit www.sunridgegolf.com or call (480) 837-5100.

Angkor Golf Resort Set For New Chapter With Appointment of Troon International

Sir Nick Faldo-designed course in Siem Reap prepares for November reopening with a focus on international tourism, operational excellence and the guest experience

(SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA) – Angkor Golf Resort, the acclaimed Sir Nick Faldo-designed championship golf course in Siem Reap, Cambodia, has appointed Troon International, the global leader in golf and club-related leisure services, as a strategic advisor ahead of the resort’s planned reopening in early November.

The partnership will see Angkor Golf Resort utilise Troon International, the international division of Troon, with the team providing strategic support across golf operations, agronomy, sales and marketing, finance, procurement, learning and development, and international golf tourism.

Opened in 2007, Angkor Golf Resort features an 18-hole championship course designed by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo. Located in Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, the resort is one of Cambodia’s leading golf destinations and has previously hosted international professional golf.

Troon International’s agronomy and operations teams are already working alongside the resort’s existing team to prepare the course and facilities for reopening next month. The initial work is focused on course conditions and operational preparations ahead of the peak golf tourism season.

The appointment will also support Angkor Golf Resort’s international sales and marketing activity, drawing on Troon’s global network and accelerating international golf tourism to the resort and Siem Reap.

DJ Flanders, Executive Vice President of Troon International, said: “Angkor Golf Resort is an outstanding golf course in one of the world’s most recognised tourism destinations, and we are delighted to begin this partnership with Holic and his team. Our goal is to combine the strengths of the existing Angkor Golf Resort team with Troon’s international expertise and resources to further elevate the golf experience and build greater awareness of the resort globally. We believe there is a tremendous opportunity to connect world-class golf with everything Siem Reap has to offer and attract more international golfers to this remarkable destination.”

Troon International specialists will provide guidance across the resort’s operations, with an initial programme of on-site support beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026. The work will combine Troon’s expertise with the local knowledge and experience of the Angkor Golf Resort team.

Neak Oknha Holic Tandijono, Owner of Angkor Golf Resort, said: “We are delighted to welcome Troon International as a strategic partner to Angkor Golf Resort as we begin this exciting new chapter. Siem Reap is one of the world’s great tourism destinations, and our ambition is to further establish it as an international golf destination as well. Troon’s global experience, network and expertise will be invaluable as we strengthen the standards and playability of Angkor Golf Resort, enhance the experience for our guests and introduce the resort to more golfers around the world.”

The addition of Angkor Golf Resort further strengthens Troon International’s presence in Cambodia, building on its longstanding relationship with Vattanac Golf Resort in Phnom Penh. Together, the two destinations provide international golfers with the opportunity to experience two distinctive Troon-affiliated golf venues across two of Cambodia’s most compelling cities, combining championship golf with the country’s renowned culture, heritage and warm Cambodian hospitality.

To find out more about Troon International, visit www.troon.com.

Bobby Jones Links to Manage Mount Vintage Golf Club in North Augusta, S.C.

Scenic 27-hole golf operation readies for proud next chapter with expert operations and elevated service.

(ALPHARETTA, GA) – Bobby Jones Links (BJL), one of the fastest-growing club management and development companies in the industry, is proud to have been selected to manage the golf and food and beverage operations at Mount Vintage Golf Club in North Augusta, South Carolina.

Tucked into the rolling hills midway between Aiken, S.C. and Augusta, Ga., Mount Vintage serves as the centerpiece of an affluent, private residential community. Originally opened as an 18-hole property in 2000, the property features 27 Tom Jackson-designed holes — the Chester, Vintage, and Independent nines. With its rolling topography, lush tree cover, sparkling streams, stacked-stone bridges, the club presents a scenic, challenging, and enjoyable golf experience for players of all abilities.

“We are proud to welcome Bobby Jones Links and embrace the opportunity to elevate Mount Vintage Golf Club with more engaging and rewarding customer experience and efficient operations across our golf and food and beverage operations,” said Marcella Gleie, President, Board of Directors, of the Mount Vintage Home Owners Association. “As residential growth continues to thrive in this area, we endeavor to work with Bobby Jones Links to make the upcoming years at Mount Vintage something truly special for members and those who come here to golf, dine, and enjoy this proud cornerstone of the community. BJL solidifies the perfect team to help carry Mount Vintage into its next proud chapter.”

Mount Vintage operates as a semi-private facility where all 27 holes feature Champion G12 Bermuda greens and Bermuda 419 fairways, giving the rolling terrain a consistent, well-manicured playing surface.

Many who have played golf at Mount Vintage – or have simply seen photos of the golf holes – can’t help but remark on its uncanny resemblance to golf’s most famous address. With its majestic magnolias, towering pine trees, arched stacked-stone bridges, and sweeping elevation changes, the course reminds golfers of Augusta National Golf Club, which sits less than 30 minutes away. According to club lore, Hall of Fame legend and five-time major champion Byron Nelson visited and reportedly called Mount Vintage a “magnificent layout.”

“Bobby Jones Links is grateful for the opportunity to become part of the Mount Vintage community. Our team looks forward to working closely with the HOA, the club’s members, residents, guests, and team members to build upon its many strengths and add to its cherished legacy,” Bobby Jones Links Founding Partner Steve Willy said. “BJL is committed to delivering exceptional golf and dining experiences while preserving the character, traditions, and warm hospitality that make Mount Vintage such a memorable place.”

Beyond its scenic golf course, Mount Vintage offers an outstanding practice facility, a welcoming golf shop, and The Vintage Grille, where rustic elegance, Southern charm, and a beautiful glass-lined dining terrace create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

For more information, visit BobbyJonesLinks.com.

Audubon International Rolls Out New Club Amenities Certification Program

(New York) – Audubon International launched its new Club Amenities certification program that guides and recognizes golf and country clubs and resorts for their environmental stewardship beyond the golf course.

Covering clubhouses, racquet courts, fitness centers, pools and other recreational areas, Audubon International’s best management practices help its club amenities members elevate their ecological and financial well-beings.

The Audubon International club amenities playbook includes how to create:

- Wildlife protection habitats

- Healthy landscapes

- Integrated pest management controls

- Reduced maintenance costs

- Low-energy usages

- Plastics reduction

- SMART utilities choices

- Culinary gardens and composting

Clubs that piloted the science-based sustainability program prior to official launch reported meaningful reductions in operating costs while enhancing product and service deliveries.  They also attracted and secured new members and guests who favor eco-friendly clubs over those without conservation measures.

Additional outcomes of club amenities’ environmental activities include enhancing club aesthetics, building credibility in the community and strengthening staff pride.

“We listened to the desires of our cooperative sanctuary for golf members to offer a club amenities program that covers sustainability throughout the entire property,” said Ken Benoit, CEO of Audubon International.  “It’s rewarding to help golf business thrive in building community trust, differentiating from neighboring competitors, improving operations, reducing risk and improving top and bottom lines.”

Across club amenities, golf and green community membership categories, progress toward achieving Audubon International certification focuses on environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, waste and procurement, chemical use reduction and safety, and water conservation quality management.

The procedure-related workload on team members is not burdensome; rather, it tucks in nicely with existing club amenities functions.

To further illustrate Audubon International’s popularity as a sustainable best practices leader, corporate social responsibility statistics show that 77% of consumers prefer purchasing from socially responsible companies, and 93% of employees believe businesses must lead with purpose.

Schedule a Zoom with Audubon International advisors: clubamenities@auduboninternational.org

More information: auduboninternational.org and 844.767.9051

Wedge Guys Turns Up the Color With New Neon Green GLP Velvet Golf Grip

The vivid new color expands the popular GLP Velvet family for golfers and retailers seeking performance with personality.

(WAUCONDA, Ill.) — Wedge Guys is a PGA Professional-owned golf company built around a straightforward idea: make professional-quality golf grips and regripping supplies more accessible without asking golfers or golf businesses to compromise on choice. The company’s grip families are offered in Standard, Midsize and Oversize, with more than 30 color options across the lineup and consumer prices below $10 per grip.

The new Neon Green GLP Velvet adds a high-visibility option to a family already known for bold color. The launch responds to customers who have asked for more ways to personalize their clubs and gives retailers a timely reason to refresh their grip displays.  The Neon Family now consists of Pink, Orange, Yellow, Blue and Green!

GLP Velvet combines a soft full-rubber feel with W-pattern texture and is available in Standard, Midsize and Oversize. The new color will retail at $6 per grip, preserving the line’s accessible value story.

“Wedge Guys doesn’t just want to sell golf shops grips—we want to help golf shops sell more grips,” said Brian Dalton, founder of Wedge Guys and a PGA Member. “That means giving partners products golfers are excited to see, sound margins and the supplies and support to build a successful regripping business.”

Golf shops, PGA Professionals, club fitters and builders interested in becoming a Wedge Guys Authorized Retailer or Preferred Partner can contact Brandon Cabbiness at Brandon@wedgeguys.com.