Bernardus Delivers Historic 20th Edition of the Solheim Cup on the Global Stage

Netherlands’ first Solheim Cup welcomes 80,000 spectators as Bernardus becomes the first venue to stage the PING Junior Solheim Cup and Solheim Cup on the same course 

(Noord-Brabant, Netherlands) — For a few unforgettable days, Bernardus became the stage for the world’s leading golfers from Europe and the United States, surrounded by tens of thousands of passionate fans on the course and many more following from home. 

Held from 11–13 September, the tournament placed Bernardus in front of a global audience and concluded with Team Europe reclaiming the trophy following a dramatic 15–13 victory over the United States.

The event attracted approximately 80,000 spectators from 40 countries, creating an unforgettable atmosphere throughout the week. 

At the centre of the occasion was Bernardus’ Kyle Phillips-designed championship course, which delivered a strategic and compelling match-play test for the world’s leading players.

The course was presented to an excellent standard throughout the competition and remained resilient following heavy rain on the final morning. Its water features, strategic bunkering, contoured greens, and changing wind conditions contributed to memorable moments across all three days.

Several international media outlets highlighted the presentation and resilience of the course following Sunday’s heavy rain, alongside the atmosphere, spectator experience, and match-play drama created across Bernardus.

The week also marked the first time that the PING Junior Solheim Cup and Solheim Cup were staged on the same golf course, bringing together emerging players and some of the leading names in the women’s game at Bernardus.

Robert van der Wallen, owner of Bernardus, shared: “By hosting the Solheim Cup at Bernardus, we brought women’s sport at the very highest level closer to a broad audience, both in the Netherlands and beyond. In doing so, we are helping to grow the appreciation of women’s sport, encouraging people to get active themselves, and inspiring young athletes to dream bigger. In this way, we are investing in both sport and society.”

Beyond the action on the course, Bernardus introduced new experiences designed to bring the tournament closer to audiences in the Netherlands and around the world.

The Home of Bernardus brought the venue into the Fan Village through Bernardus wines, merchandise, and interactive activities. Bernardus Solheim Cup Radio also delivered the first dedicated live radio service in the competition’s history, covering every match across the PING Junior Solheim Cup and Solheim Cup for spectators and international listeners.

Sabine Riezebos, General Manager of Bernardus, said: “The Solheim Cup was the result of several years of preparation and an enormous collective effort. We are extremely proud of how Bernardus was presented throughout the week and of the experience created for visitors. The tournament may have finished, but its impact will remain, and we look forward to welcoming golfers and guests from around the world.”  

The Solheim Cup became the most significant event hosted at Bernardus since the destination opened in 2018. What began several years ago as a dream to bring the competition to the Netherlands became a historic week that placed Bernardus before audiences around the world.

From the atmosphere surrounding the first tee to Maja Stark’s eagle and Jennifer Kupcho’s unforgettable putts, the tournament created moments that will remain part of the venue’s story.

With the crowds now departed, golfers can experience the same fairways and greens for themselves through Bernardus’ day-membership concept, which offers unlimited golf for the day alongside access to the venue’s wider facilities.

The Solheim Cup may be over, but the course where history was made is ready to welcome its next visitors.

To find out more about Bernardus Golf, visit: www.bernardusgolf.com | https://bernardusgolf.com/day-member | https://bernardusgolf.com/golf-packages/

Ugly Rabbit Golf Launches With a Simple Message for Everyday Golfers: Play Ugly. Have Fun.

New golf lifestyle brand turns bad shots, good friends and an unlikely connection into a brand built for golfers who don’t take themselves, or their scorecards, too seriously.

(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – Golf can be beautiful. It can also be really, really ugly.

The shank into the woods. The three-putt. The drive that somehow finds the other fairway. The round where nothing works, except the laughs, the people you’re playing with and the realization that you’re still lucky enough to be out there.

That’s the golfer Ugly Rabbit Golf was built for.

The new golf apparel and lifestyle brand founded by Tim Havens, Chief Brand Officer and Brian Darling, CEO, officially launched its online shop September 27, following the inaugural Ugly Rabbit Golf Outing at Morrison Lake Golf Club in Saranac, Michigan, on September 26.

The inaugural outing brought 32 golfers together for an afternoon that offered a fitting introduction to the brand itself: good golf was welcome, but a good time was the priority.

Its philosophy fits comfortably into four words:

Play Ugly. Have Fun.

“Life can be ugly. Golf is ugly. How do you deal with the challenges? How do you deal with adversity? How do you find the fun or the silver lining in the trials?” said Darling. “You’re going to hit bad shots. What do you do when you’re done with it? Next one.”

That philosophy may now have a name and a logo, but the idea behind Ugly Rabbit started with Havens.

A designer with a seemingly endless stream of apparel concepts, Havens had been developing the foundation for a golf brand that felt playful, bold and recognizable rather than another overly serious golf label. He called it Ugly Rabbit.

What he didn’t have yet was an actual “Rabbit.”

That part of the story starts, appropriately enough, nowhere near a golf course.

Darling, an IT operations professional by day, longtime golfer and self-described people person, had earned the nickname “Rabbit” inside an online stock-trading community through a running joke that began when another member responded “Roger” to one of his messages. Darling replied that his name was Brian.

The response: Nope. You’ve got a new name.

Sure enough, Roger became Rabbit. And Rabbit stuck.

Not long after, Darling saw Havens post a blue rabbit-patterned golf polo on LinkedIn. Obviously, Darling wanted one.

What Darling discovered was that the shirt was part of the concept Havens had already been building. Havens had the idea and creative direction. Darling already happened to be “The Rabbit.”

Naturally, a conversation followed.

“By the end of the Google Meet, we were partners,” Darling said.

Sometimes business plans are carefully engineered. Sometimes the rabbit just shows up.

BUILT FOR THE REST OF US

Ugly Rabbit enters a golf apparel market filled with premium labels, but Havens and Darling aren’t interested in competing over who can take golf most seriously. They’re building for the golfer who loves the game without needing the game to define them.

The weekend player. The municipal-course regular. The buddy-trip golfer. The parent squeezing in 18 holes when life allows it. The player who may never threaten par but absolutely knows how to have a great Saturday.

“If you’re not playing golf for a living, you’re playing it for recreation,” Darling said. “It’s supposed to be fun. Don’t let a bad shot or some adversity ruin your day, your time with your friends or your time outdoors.”

The personality may be irreverent, but the founders aren’t treating the product itself as a joke.

Ugly Rabbit’s polos pair the brand’s distinctive rabbit-driven designs with moisture-wicking fabric, breathable ventilation, 4-way stretch and UPF 50 protection. Made from an 88% polyester and 12% spandex blend, the performance details were intentional from the beginning. The initial collection also includes headwear, with additional products and a women’s collection in development.

For Havens, that balance between personality and product is important. Ugly Rabbit can have fun with golf without treating what it makes as an afterthought.

“I could probably come up with 50 new designs a day if Brian let me,” said Havens. “He’s usually the one reminding me that we actually have to sell them. That balance works for us. I get to push the creative side, Brian pushes the business side, and somewhere in the middle is Ugly Rabbit.”

Unlike brands conceived in a conference room and introduced after months of carefully orchestrated buildup, Ugly Rabbit has been developing largely in public. Havens remains the creative force behind the brand, while Darling has taken the concept and run with its business development, relationships and public-facing growth.

Together, that balance helped move Ugly Rabbit from an idea to its first inventory in a matter of months, fueled largely by the founders themselves and early enthusiasm from golfers who encountered the brand before its official launch.

RELATIONSHIPS BEFORE TRANSACTIONS

The unconventional way Ugly Rabbit came together has also influenced how the founders want it to grow.

Instead of treating every interaction as a sales opportunity, Darling sees relationships with golfers, creators, courses and complementary emerging brands as part of the foundation for what comes next.

“You can have a great product, but this thing is going to be built on the back of the relationships that we build,” Darling said. “The product will only take you so far. It’s who you know. It’s who you can talk to. It’s about being relatable.”

That approach is already creating opportunities.

Before today’s official launch, Ugly Rabbit had begun conversations around creator collaborations, podcast appearances, events and potential relationships with complementary direct-to-consumer golf companies.

The thinking is straightforward: find brands speaking to the same golfer without competing for the same sale, then figure out how both companies can help one another.

It’s an approach that fits a company that itself came together through a relationship rather than a traditional business plan. And while the opportunities surrounding Ugly Rabbit are growing quickly, the founders keep returning to the same reason the company exists in the first place.

Golf is supposed to be fun.

“I’m having so much fun doing this,” Darling said. “If I can talk to people about Ugly Rabbit, how it got started and what we’re trying to build all day long, I would. I want to make Ugly Rabbit mainstream.”

With 32 golfers gathered at Morrison Lake Golf Club for its inaugural outing, Ugly Rabbit officially put that philosophy into practice. The first chapter started exactly where it should have, on a golf course, surrounded by people having a good time.

Website: UglyRabbitGolf.com

Instagram: @uglyrabbitgolf

BirdiLens GV1 Golf Smart Glasses Bring the Course Into View

The AR golf glasses bring hole maps, yardages, hazards, and AI-assisted putting guidance from the BirdiLens app into a heads-up display

The information a golfer needs changes as the round evolves. The BirdiLens GV1 Golf Smart Glasses keep that information within view, from hole layout off the tee to putting guidance on the green.

GV1 connects to the BirdiLens app to bring selected course information into a bright heads-up display controlled by voice or touch. “A phone may already hold the information a golfer needs, but reaching for it can interrupt the rhythm of the shot,” said George Wang, Founder and CEO of BirdiLens. “GV1 brings that information into view when it is useful, helping golfers check what they need and keep the round moving.”

Keep the Course in Sight

From the tee, GV1 displays the hole layout, key yardages, and carry distance for nearby hazards. As the golfer moves down the fairway, the view shifts to distances to the front, center, and back of the green. Through the BirdiLens app, golfers can access course data for more than 40,000 courses worldwide.

Full course maps, settings, and detailed round information remain available in the BirdiLens app, while GV1 provides key information at a glance.

Voice commands and touchpad controls let golfers switch between views without repeatedly reaching for the phone, while voice-based score entry keeps the app out of the way throughout the round.

With up to 2,000 nits of brightness, the display remains visible in bright outdoor conditions. Golfers can control when the heads-up display appears, hide it before the swing, or turn it off entirely when it is not needed.

Guidance Through the Green

On the green, GV1 extends the same heads-up experience to putting. In the BirdiLens app, proprietary range technology measures the distance from the ball to the hole. AI Putting then combines that measurement with green slope and direction data to generate a suggested putting path for display on GV1.

Designed to Wear Like Golf Eyewear 

BirdiLens

At 43 grams, GV1 is designed to wear more like everyday eyewear than traditional smart glasses. A die-cast magnesium-aluminum front frame keeps the structure lightweight and rigid, while flexible beta-titanium temples help create a comfortable, low-profile fit.

The temples and pure-titanium nose pads can be adjusted independently to accommodate different head shapes and fit preferences. Weight is distributed across the nose and ears to help the glasses stay stable while walking the course, setting up over the ball, and moving through the swing.

For golfers who wear prescription lenses, GV1 uses a two-layer optical structure. The display optic remains sealed and aligned inside the frame, while an optional magnetic prescription lens can be attached or removed without disturbing the display system.

GV1 is also rated IP65 for dust and water resistance, adding protection for regular outdoor use.

Now Available

The BirdiLens GV1 Golf Smart Glasses are now available. Learn more about the product, features, and availability at BirdiLens.com.

What are the Worst Golf Courses in Each State (North Carolina)?

Tanglewood Park

North Carolina is one of America's great golf states.

From Pinehurst and Southern Pines to the Outer Banks, Charlotte and the mountains, golfers have hundreds of public courses to choose from.

But not every course gets glowing reviews.

I looked at golfer ratings and reviews on GolfPass, Tripadvisor and other current golf-review sources to find three North Carolina courses that stand out for particularly low ratings and recurring complaints.

The goal wasn't simply to find three random courses with a bad review or two. I looked for courses with a meaningful history of golfer feedback and, importantly, made sure they are still operating and available for public play in 2026.

Here's what I found.

1. Tanglewood Park Reynolds Course — Clemmons

GolfPass rating: 2.2/5 from 373 reviews

If you're looking strictly at GolfPass's overall rating and review volume, the Reynolds Course at Tanglewood Park is one of the clearest candidates for this list.

GolfPass gives the public 18-hole course just 2.2 out of 5, with particularly low marks for conditions, value and pace of play. Only 10.4% of GolfPass reviewers recommend the course.

The biggest criticism is course conditioning.

GolfPass reviewers have complained about poor tee boxes, thin or nonexistent grass in fairways and rough, questionable greens and long rounds. One 2024 reviewer described the course as having barren areas and said a round was taking so long that his group left before finishing.

Tripadvisor tells a somewhat more nuanced story. The Reynolds Course currently carries a 3.5/5 rating from 15 reviews, but recent reviews have also raised concerns about the condition of the greens and fairways. A 2024 reviewer described the greens as rough and weedy, while another complained about dirt tee boxes and barren fairways.

It's worth emphasizing that Tanglewood is not a forgotten or abandoned golf course.

Quite the opposite.

The official Tanglewood golf site confirms that the Reynolds Course remains an 18-hole public course and continues to offer tee times. Current posted rates are $39 Monday through Friday and $45 on weekends and holidays.

That makes the Reynolds Course an interesting case: the layout and history of Tanglewood are considerably better regarded than the GolfPass rating would suggest, but golfers have repeatedly focused on conditioning and pace of play.

GolfPass rating: 2.2/5

GolfPass reviews: 373

Tripadvisor: 3.5/5, 15 reviews

Public play: Yes

Stonebridge

2. Stonebridge Golf Club — Monroe

GolfPass rating: 2.6/5 from 350 reviews

Stonebridge Golf Club in Monroe is another course where the difference between the layout and the day-to-day playing experience shows up clearly in the reviews.

GolfPass gives Stonebridge an overall rating of 2.6 out of 5 from 350 reviews. The most striking numbers are the category scores: conditions, value and pace of play each score just 1.9/5, while the layout scores a much stronger 4.8.

In other words, golfers generally don't seem to hate the golf course's basic design.

The complaints tend to focus on the experience surrounding it.

One GolfPass reviewer described the layout as nice but criticized the greens and value. Another review praised the course and staff while complaining about drainage and wet conditions.

Tripadvisor is considerably more positive. Stonebridge currently has a 4.1/5 rating from 26 reviews, although a March 2025 reviewer described the course as overpriced and said it wasn't as good as it had been several years earlier.

That difference between GolfPass and Tripadvisor is important.

Depending on the platform, golfers are seeing a very different picture of Stonebridge.

The course is unquestionably still operating. Its official website currently lists tee times, golf-shop hours and 18-hole play, and the club was still conducting leagues and other golf activities in 2026.

So while the GolfPass number puts Stonebridge near the bottom of the state's currently operating courses with substantial review histories, the Tripadvisor experience is much more favorable.

GolfPass rating: 2.6/5

GolfPass reviews: 350

Tripadvisor: 4.1/5, 26 reviews

Public play: Yes

Olde Liberty

3. Olde Liberty Golf Club — Youngsville

GolfPass rating: approximately 2.8/5 from 450 reviews

Olde Liberty Golf Club is perhaps the most interesting course on this list because recent reviews suggest that the course is in the middle of a significant improvement effort.

GolfPass's rating is reported at approximately 2.8/5 from 450 reviews, placing it well below the average for North Carolina golf courses.

The complaints are familiar: fairways, tee boxes, bunkers and overall conditioning.

But there is an important twist.

Recent 2026 reviews indicate that the course is improving.

Golfers have praised the condition of the greens and noted ongoing bunker work, while others continue to criticize the fairways and tee boxes. One recent reviewer described the fairways as being in poor condition, while another said the new ownership was making noticeable improvements.

Other recent reviews are considerably harsher. On 18Birdies, golfers in 2026 have complained about poor fairway conditions, aging carts and the overall condition of the course.

At the same time, some golfers are seeing a course that is clearly headed in a different direction.

That makes Olde Liberty less of a simple "bad golf course" story and more of a course-under-construction/improvement story.

The course remains open. Current listings show an 18-hole facility with daily-fee public access, tee times and practice facilities.

GolfPass rating: approximately 2.8/5

GolfPass reviews: approximately 450

Recent 2026 reviews: Mixed, with substantial criticism of conditions but also reports of improvement

Public play: Yes

A final warning about the ratings

Online golf ratings can be misleading.

A course can have a terrible year because of weather, aeration, drainage problems, renovation or staffing issues. A course with six reviews can also have a dramatically different rating from a course with 350 or 450 reviews.

That's why I wouldn't necessarily call these the three "worst golf courses" in North Carolina.

They're better described as three currently operating North Carolina courses with unusually low ratings and/or recurring negative feedback on major golf-review platforms.

And that's an important distinction.

For golfers looking for a tee time, it's also worth checking the most recent reviews before making the drive. Conditions can change considerably from season to season.

Bottom line: If you're searching for the lowest-rated currently operating public-access golf courses in North Carolina, Tanglewood's Reynolds Course, Stonebridge Golf Club and Olde Liberty Golf Club deserve a place on the conversation.

Sun Mountain Expands 2026 Apparel Collection

New outerwear, layers and everyday essentials combine all weather performance with style and versatility beyond the course

(MISSOULA, Montana) – Sun Mountain Sports has introduced its new 2026 apparel collection for men and women, expanding its range with new jackets, vests, layering pieces, hoodies and everyday essentials designed for the changing conditions of golf.

The collection provides comfort, protection and freedom of movement through cooler temperatures, sun, wind and rain, with colors and styling that give the pieces versatility well beyond the course.

“Sun Mountain continues to evolve as a brand, but our focus remains the same: committed golfers,” said Grant Lordan, Sun Mountain senior director of marketing and brand strategy. “One of the things that makes golf so great is that the elements are always part of the experience. We’ve spent 45 years understanding what golfers expect from the products they use, and we’re bringing that same thinking to how we evolve our apparel offerings. That means comfort and freedom of movement on the course, along with the style and versatility to wear those pieces well beyond the round.”

Among the new 2026 styles are the Torren Jacket and Vest, Motcha Q-Zip, Soltra Sun Hoodie and Payton Hoodie for men and women.

The men’s collection also adds the Kelson Full-Zip Jacket and Vest, Larevo Jacket and Vest, Peak Full-Zip Jacket and Vest, TQR Standard Hoodie and TQR Standard Pocket Crew. New women’s offerings include the All Day Vest and TQR Standard Crew.

The new collection of rain, cold, sun, and comfort pieces reflects Sun Mountain’s TQR Standard – Trust, Quality and Reliability – which has guided the company since 1981.

For more information, visit SunMountain.com.

Troon Selected to Manage Los Lagos and Ebony Hills Golf Courses in Edinburg, Texas

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected to manage Los Lagos Golf Course and Ebony Hills Golf Course for the City of Edinburg, Texas. Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will oversee golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, as well as sales and marketing for the two municipal golf facilities. The strategic partnership aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents, boost municipal tourism, and stimulate economic growth across the Rio Grande Valley.

Los Lagos Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Von Hagge, opened in 2001. The par-72, 7,188-yard links-style layout features 11 acres of lakes, Bermuda grass tees and greens, and is recognized as one of the top public courses in the region. Additional amenities at Los Lagos include a lighted driving range, a short game area with a putting green, chipping area and practice bunker. The clubhouse is home to the Putter’s Grill and a golf shop.

Ebony Hills Golf Course, established in 1927, is a 9-hole course designed by John Bredemus. Spanning 3,022 yards with a par of 35, the course is named for the ebony trees lining its fairways and offers a shorter, more casual round. Crews are currently constructing a two-story building that will include a new golf operations hub on the first floor, a golf cart storage facility and a workforce resource center and conference spaces on the second floor. The building is scheduled to open in the summer of 2027.

"This partnership with Troon is a hole-in-one," said City of Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa. "The history of golf in Edinburg is very special, and there's a lot to it. It's more than recreation; it's family, it's community, and it's economic development. Golf in Edinburg is a pastime that's been woven through the fabric of our own history."

"We are equally as excited as the city to be involved in this partnership and to bring these golf courses to the level of quality that the residents deserve and expect," said Troon Vice President of Operations Jeff Thomasson. "Our sales and marketing mechanisms will be brought to bear. We will drive an immense amount of interest and participation at both facilities."

Troon is the largest operator of municipal golf facilities in the U.S., managing over 150 courses. The company's relationships with municipalities are structured through management agreements, lease agreements, or a combination of both, tailored to each municipality's needs. Troon is also the leading employer of PGA professionals.

For more information on Los Lagos and Ebony Hills Golf Courses, visit www.cityofedinburg.com/community/golf_course.

How This Public Golf Course Doubled Revenue With Dynamic Pricing, Cookies and Pancakes

Personal touches are key to standing out in today’s daily fee golf course market

With more people playing public golf than in previous generations, daily-fee golf courses have an opportunity to engender a unique kind of customer loyalty. While private clubs rely on familiar culture, member fees and dues to bolster revenue, public courses across the nation must employ programming and allegiance-driving techniques to keep their fair share of happy and engaged golfers.

Perched on Charleston Harbor's edge with views of Fort Sumter, Patriots Point Links might seem like a course that uses its visibility and prime waterfront location as its calling card, but growing its business requires more than a picturesque location. Managed by Bobby Jones Links, the facility has had its hurdles, and GM Brad Parker is tackling them head-on.

Parker, a Buffalo, New York native who has been at the helm for 14 years, sees the 1979 Willard Byrd design as a solid layout that a renovation could truly elevate. Currently, the strategy for driving revenue centers on aggressive pricing and unique amenities that distinguish the club from other daily-fee operations.

Since the pandemic, the club has leaned into dynamic pricing. While many courses rely on third-party algorithms like GolfNow, Parker prefers a more manual, intuitive approach to managing the tee sheet.

Everything is handled in-house. Parker, who also oversees regional operations for BJL, adjusts rates several times a week based on demand, local events, and the weather forecast. These aren't minor tweaks; he moves the needle by $15 to $20 at a time.

If play remains steady, Patriot’s Point holds steady. Post-COVID, the integrity of the rate has been remarkable. Growth over the last three years has been significant.

Retaining loyal customers, though, has never been an exact science. Parker and his team have employed some distinctive personal touches to stand out in the hearts and minds of golfers. He says the feel of the club is enhanced by offerings like warm cookies in the winter and pancakes that Parker flips himself on a Blackstone griddle outside the clubhouse. Since the facility lacks a full kitchen, they've had to use some creativity with the local menu.

Without a hood for cooking, the snack bar now uses air fryers and hot boxes to serve fried chicken sandwiches. They've also found a winner in a frozen Transfusion machine that serves up a local rarity that moves quickly during sunny rounds.

The results are tangible and well worth noting: roughly $450,000 in annual snack bar revenue against 38,000 rounds. That averages out to about $12 to $14 per golfer at the turn.

Instruction and the lighted range, open until 9 p.m., are also key contributors to success. On the digital front, new social media director Lillian Stackhouse, who has a Disney background, uses drone footage among other strategies to grow the club's online presence. Parker trusts her creative mindset to help keep the brand fresh.

In 2019, revenue sat at $2.5 million. Today, projections are on pace for $4.8 million. Doubling the top line in six years is a significant milestone for the property.

The future could hold even more for this venerable Lowcountry mainstay. Patriot’s Point’s owners have explored the viability of a future golf course renovation with a vision to push the course into the Top 100 rankings. That plan would also call for taking strategic advantage of the prime, scenic locale and incorporating a premium stay-and-play component – an alluring notion in a coastal market already known for legendary golf travel opportunities.

Throughout his 17-year tenure at Bobby Jones Links, Parker has valued the autonomy and support provided by BJL. Having worked with other management firms, he notes that this partnership has been a “really good ride.”

He likes that he can call for help and get challenged or backed up when needed. It's a culture of direct access rather than corporate layers.

Resources are just a phone call or email away. At BJL, you can reach anyone in any department immediately -- a level of transparency Parker hasn't found elsewhere. And, for the long term, this daily-fee property has found a formula to keep its team and its clientele coming back for more.