Wild Wing’s Avocet Course Closes to Undergo Major Restoration Project

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) – Wild Wing’s Avocet Course closed on May 18 for a four-month restoration project designed to return the acclaimed Jeff Brauer-Larry Nelson layout to the top of the Myrtle Beach market.

The centerpiece of the project will be the restoration of Avocet’s greens and the overhaul of every bunker on the course. Avocet is expected to reopen in late-September, just in time for Myrtle Beach’s peak fall season. 

Founders Group International, Myrtle Beach’s largest golf course ownership group and Avocet’s parent company, has contracted with Brauer to oversee the project. 

“This is about restoring Avocet to where it belongs,” said Wild Wing general manager Mark Andrews. “The golf course has always had great bones, and we want to bring back the features and playing characteristics that made people fall in love with it in the first place.”

Over the years, Avocet’s greens gradually shrank in size, eliminating many of the original pin placements and design features envisioned by Brauer and Nelson.

“You’re going to see pin locations that haven’t been available for years,” Andrews said. “There will be flags in places golfers didn’t even know existed.”

The greens will be rebuilt from the ground up using a new root-zone mix and TifEagle bermudagrass, providing improved consistency and conditioning throughout the property.

In addition to the greens work, every bunker on the course will be reshaped and renovated. While bunker square footage will be strategically reduced to improve playability and maintenance efficiency, the overall character of the design will remain intact.

The updated bunkering will create cleaner visuals, more defined shot values, and a more enjoyable experience for mid- to high-handicap players. All bunkers will also receive concrete capillary liners to ensure improved drainage and consistent playing conditions.

Among the most notable architectural restorations will be the return of the “Valley of Sin” on the ninth hole, a collection area left of the green that disappeared over time.

“It’s something most people don’t even realize used to be here,” Andrews said. “But it’s coming back, and it’s going to add a really cool element to the hole.”

The renovation will also include the addition of forward tee boxes on 16 holes, making the course more accessible and enjoyable for a wider range of golfers.

Beyond the golf course, Wild Wing’s clubhouse experience will also receive significant upgrades. The pro shop will be redesigned with a more upscale-casual atmosphere, while the grill area will transition into a sports bar-style venue featuring an updated menu and golf simulators to create a year-round entertainment destination.

“Everything is getting attention this summer,” Andrews said. “From the moment you arrive, it’s going to feel like a completely new experience.”

The renovation of Avocet further highlights Founders Group International’s commitment to providing the best golf vacation experience possible. FGI has undertaken numerous renovation projects in recent years, including work at King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, Pawleys Plantation, Grande Dunes, and Pine Lakes.

With a dozen renovation projects completed and more planned, FGI continues to raise the bar for golf in Myrtle Beach, cementing its place as the region’s premier golf course operator.

For more information or to book a tee time at Avocet, visit PlayWildWing.com. 

Scheffler Returns to Defend at Revamped TPC Craig Ranch

After one of the most entertaining major championships in recent memory, the PGA Tour heads from the intensity of the PGA Championship to the familiar Texas swing for this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

The event returns to TPC Craig Ranch for the sixth time, but this year’s tournament arrives with a dramatically different look. Following Scottie Scheffler’s dominant eight-shot victory in 2025, the course underwent a $25 million renovation — the first significant redesign since the venue opened in 2004.

Scheffler’s performance last year was historic in more ways than one. His eight-shot margin marked the second-largest victory in tournament history, trailing only Sam Snead’s 10-shot win in 1957. The world No. 1 also tied the lowest 72-hole score in PGA Tour history with a blistering 253, matching marks set by Ludvig Åberg at the 2023 RSM Classic and Justin Thomas at the 2017 Sony Open in Hawaii.

Now Scheffler returns to defend his title on a course that should look and play significantly different from the one he dismantled a year ago.

The Byron Nelson remains one of the Tour’s most historic stops. It was the first PGA Tour event named after a professional golfer, honoring legendary Texan Byron Nelson, whose résumé includes 52 PGA Tour victories and a record-setting 18-win season in 1945, including 11 consecutive titles.

While Scheffler enters as the clear headliner, recent tournament history suggests international players have thrived at Craig Ranch. Five of the last six champions have come from outside the United States, including Sung Kang, K.H. Lee, Jason Day and Taylor Pendrith.

One of the more intriguing storylines this week belongs to Texas native Pierceson Coody, who will make his fifth career start at the event. The 26-year-old has quietly pieced together a strong season with seven top-25 finishes in 14 starts, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Golf history runs deep in the Coody family. His grandfather, Charles Coody, won three PGA Tour titles, including the 1971 Masters and the 1964 Byron Nelson.

This year’s field includes two of the top 25 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by Scheffler and Si Woo Kim. The tournament also features five former Byron Nelson champions: Billy Horschel, Aaron Wise, K.H. Lee, Pendrith and Scheffler.

Five major champions are also in the field, including five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, giving the event added star power just days removed from the season’s second major.

After the drama and pressure of the PGA Championship, the Byron Nelson offers a different kind of challenge: a renovated course, a historically low-scoring setup, and a field eager to chase down the game’s top-ranked player in his home state.

Cleveland Golf Leans Into Heritage with “The Short Game Authority” Campaign

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.) – With the launch of its new global campaign, “The Short Game Authority,” Cleveland Golf is staking its claim on the most critical part of the game: performance inside 130 yards. The campaign reinforces the brand's long-standing leadership in the short game, where precision replaces power, and scores are ultimately decided.

Built around a cinematic brand anthem, “The Short Game Authority” positions Cleveland Golf squarely within golf’s most exacting space. The campaign explores the quiet, controlled side of the game, where feel, creativity, and confidence dictate outcomes. Through calm, authoritative narration delivered by Cleveland Golf’s Tour Staff, the brand claims ownership of the 130-yard range and elevates the importance of performance where it matters most.

This campaign pulls back the curtain on how Cleveland Golf continues to set the standard, powered by the athletes, insights, and innovation that have defined the brand for decades. Through relentless collaboration from our team, we’re able to understand the smallest details that shape performance and translate that into precision and consistency for every golfer. James Fodera, Cleveland Golf Creative Director

At the center of the campaign is Cleveland Golf’s Tour roster, whose insights and experiences help shape both the storytelling and technology behind the products. Throughout the creative, viewers will be guided through a sensory-driven environment designed to capture every nuance of the short game, from the sound of impact to turf interaction, spin characteristics, and bunker feedback. This data-driven approach reflects how Cleveland Golf collaborates with its Tour players to refine performance in real conditions.

The campaign unfolds in a controlled, near-futuristic setting – part golf course, part research facility, featuring greens that are lit like soundstages, cameras that line trees, and sensors that sit beneath the turf. The environment visually represents Cleveland Golf’s commitment to studying every variable inside 130 yards. From pitch shots to bunker play, the brand highlights its relentless pursuit of understanding how golfers score and translating those results into wedge and putter innovation.

“The Short Game Authority” also signals Cleveland Golf’s strategic decision to focus exclusively on wedges and putters, allowing the brand to further invest in the categories where it has historiclaly found great success. By narrowing its focus, the brand can deliver more specialized research, player insights, and elevate its presence for both professionals and everyday golfers.

We’re diving deeper into what we do best, and that’s giving golfers the tools, technology, and confidence to master their craft. This is a celebration of everything this brand has built over 45 years, and a bold commitment to keep leading where it matters most. James Fodera, Cleveland Golf Creative Director

As Cleveland Golf enters this next chapter, its long-term commitment to short-game innovation remains unwavering. Golfers can expect continued advancements in feel, control, and consistency, ensuring every future product delivers the precision and trust the brand has built its legacy on.

For more information about Cleveland Golf’s Wedge and Putter offerings, visit us.dunlopsports.com/cleveland-golf.

Vietnam Golf Coast Turns Up the Heat This Summer

Central Vietnam clubs pair seasonal promotions with fireworks, coastal breezes, and night golf

(DANANG, Vietnam) — Vietnam Golf Coast clubs are bringing the heat to Central Vietnam this summer, with a host of seasonal promotions, stay-and-play offers, and off-course attractions giving golfers added reasons to tee it up in one of Asia’s most compelling golf destinations.

At Montgomerie Links, summer means bright skies, firm fairways, and cooling coastal breezes sweeping in from the East Sea. The course’s rolling terrain, casuarina pines, and proximity to Danang’s beaches give it a classic seaside character, while a new stay offer adds further incentive for golfers planning a longer escape.

Guests can currently take advantage of a “Stay 1 night, get 1 complimentary night” promotion, with additional food and beverage credit enhancing the overall golf getaway experience.

“Summer is a particularly rewarding time to experience Montgomerie Links,” said Club Manager Le Vo Hoang Van. “The sunshine, sea breezes, and relaxed coastal atmosphere combine to create the kind of golf holiday that feels distinctly Central Vietnamese.”

The timing also coincides with one of Danang’s biggest annual draws. The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026 runs from May 30 to July 11 under the theme “Da Nang – United Horizons.” The six-week event will bring 10 teams from nine countries to the Han River, with displays staged across five qualifying nights and a grand finale, alongside street performances, music, dancing, and riverfront festivities across the city.

In the highlands west of Danang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is carrying strong momentum into summer following its 10th anniversary celebrations. A special tournament on May 9 brought golfers, partners, and supporters together to mark a decade of growth for one of Vietnam’s most distinctive golf venues with its spectacular Luke Donald-designed layout.

Set among pine forests and mountain air, Ba Na Hills Golf Club offers a cooler counterpoint to the coast. Its summer promotions lean into that advantage, with Twi-night Tee Off allowing golfers to start in the afternoon and play into the evening under lights. Prices start from VND 2,250,000 ($90), with tee times available on selected weekdays.

The club is also offering a same-day second-round promotion from VND1,290,000 ($52), designed for golfers who want to extend their play while avoiding the hottest parts of the day. Young Talent Moments encourages junior participation on weekdays, while Sunday Swing combines an afternoon round with a food and beverage coupon for use in the clubhouse.

For players seeking an added refreshment boost, Ba Na Hills has also introduced a Cooling Kit, priced at VND179,000 ($7), featuring frozen mineral water, a chilled towel, and ice cream.

“Summer golf is about timing, comfort, and atmosphere,” said Andrew McGregor, General Manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “With mountain conditions, night golf, and offers for families and returning players, we are giving golfers more ways to enjoy the season.”

Beyond the fairways, Central Vietnam continues to strengthen its appeal as a complete golf destination. Danang’s beaches, expanding dining scene, Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed ancient town, and major seasonal events such as DIFF all give golfers reasons to extend their stay.

“With coastal play, mountain golf, strong-value promotions, and a packed summer events calendar, Vietnam Golf Coast is positioning the season as one of the most rewarding times of year to visit,” added Le Vo Hoang Van.

Aaron Rai’s Brilliant Back-Nine Charge Put a Fitting Finish on a Wild PGA Championship

The 2026 PGA Championship had everything: star collapses, impossible pin locations, angry exchanges with fans, LIV-vs.-PGA tension, and a Sunday leaderboard that looked ready to turn into total chaos. And then, through all of it, Aaron Rai delivered the kind of closing stretch that instantly becomes part of major championship history.

Rai’s final-round 65 at Aronimink wasn’t just enough to win his first major championship. It was historic.

Over his final 10 holes, Rai played them in 6-under par, becoming just the third player in modern major championship history to finish that strongly and still win the tournament. The other two names on that list tell you everything you need to know about the company he joined: Cameron Smith at the 2022 Open Championship and Jack Nicklaus during his legendary 1986 Masters victory.

That closing stretch transformed what had been a tense, crowded Sunday into a coronation.

Rai entered the final round chasing, not leading. But while bigger names stumbled around Aronimink’s punishing setup, he got steadier as the pressure mounted. His tournament scores — 70, 69, 67, 65 — made him the first player in PGA Championship history to improve his score in every single round en route to victory.

That almost never happens in major championships because majors are designed to break players down physically and mentally as the week progresses. Instead, Rai got sharper.

The victory also carried broader historical significance for European golf. Rai became the first player representing England to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes captured the first two editions of the event in 1916 and 1919. And in the modern era of the four current majors, this is the first season in which Europeans have captured both of the first two majors of the year.

The week, though, will also be remembered for how brutally Aronimink tested the world’s best players.

Players spent much of the championship openly complaining about course setup, particularly the hole locations. Scottie Scheffler called one Friday pin placement among the hardest he had ever seen. Rory McIlroy unraveled late Thursday, then boiled over Sunday during a heated interaction with a fan after a “U-S-A!” chant from the crowd.

And still, amid all the carnage, somebody nearly stole the championship outright.

Kurt Kitayama fired a stunning final-round 63, tying the major championship record for the lowest final round ever recorded. He became just the second player to shoot 63 in the final round of a PGA Championship, joining Brad Faxon in 1995.

For a few hours Sunday afternoon, Kitayama’s charge looked like it might become one of the great major comebacks ever. Instead, it became the final obstacle Rai calmly stepped over on his way to the Wanamaker Trophy.

That’s ultimately what made this PGA Championship memorable.

It wasn’t dominance from start to finish. It wasn’t survival golf. It was escalation. Every hour brought more tension, more volatility, and more opportunities for the tournament to spin sideways.

And when the dust settled, the player standing tallest was the one who improved every single day and played his best golf when the pressure was greatest.

Aaron Rai didn’t just win the PGA Championship.

He closed it like a major champion.

Trump-Backed East Potomac Renovation Plan Revealed, Sparking Fresh Debate Over D.C. Muni’s Future

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Thursday unveiled a new rendering for the future of East Potomac Golf Links, offering the clearest look yet at the controversial overhaul of the historic municipal golf facility.

The proposed redesign, created by renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, features a par-72 championship course stretching 7,660 yards across the manmade peninsula in southwest Washington, D.C. The plan also includes three new water features, a large practice complex and what appears to be a nine-hole short course north of the main layout. A sizeable section at the southern end of the peninsula would remain dedicated green space rather than golf development.

Additional details about the project have not yet been released by either Burgum’s office or Fazio.

The future of East Potomac has become one of the most debated golf projects in the country. The century-old muni currently offers affordable public golf, with greens fees hovering around $40, but critics worry the proposed transformation could dramatically change both the character and accessibility of the property.

The controversy intensified after the Trump administration terminated the lease of the National Links Trust in December. The nonprofit previously held long-term leases for East Potomac along with D.C.’s other municipal courses, Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Golf Course, with plans to restore all three facilities.

Federal officials cited missed payments and delayed improvements as reasons for ending the agreement, though the NLT disputed those claims and said it strongly disagreed with the administration’s characterization of the situation.

Just last week, however, the administration shifted course again, announcing that the National Park Service would partner with both private and public groups — including the NLT — to begin immediate renovations at East Potomac while returning oversight of Langston and Rock Creek back to the nonprofit.

Officials say the goal is to create a nationally recognized public golf destination while maintaining affordable access for local players. Burgum compared the vision for East Potomac to celebrated municipal venues like Bethpage Black Course and Torrey Pines Golf Course, promising “championship-quality golf” at discounted local rates.

Still, many local golfers and preservation advocates remain unconvinced.

Advocacy group Save East Po criticized the proposal Thursday, arguing the community was excluded from the planning process. The organization also objected to reducing the facility from 36 holes to 27 and questioned whether the redesign adequately honors the original architecture of legendary designer Walter Travis.

Fazio’s proposed routing bears little resemblance to the historic layout that has existed at East Potomac for more than a century.

Despite the backlash, the NLT praised the administration’s pledge to keep the facility affordable, pointing to successful public golf models like Memorial Park Golf Course and Bethpage State Park as examples of high-quality municipal golf that remains accessible to local communities.

Donald Trump has said little publicly about the redevelopment plans, though he told The Wall Street Journal in December that if his administration moved forward with the courses, “we’ll do it really beautifully.”

Colonial Country Club Unveils Newly Renovated and Expanded Amenities

(Fort Myers, Fla.) – Colonial Country Club has completed a comprehensive, multi-million-dollar renovation of its amenities, including the golf shop, cart barn, pool area, and community center. This project follows the recent $9 million golf course renovation, further elevating the member experience at the club. 

The golf shop underwent a complete remodel, focusing on offering quality apparel and goods at member-friendly prices. The cart barn was rebuilt and expanded, reopening with a new, upgraded fleet of carts; a new storage mezzanine with double the bag storage capacity; a club fitting room; additional merchandise storage and a staff break room. The wellness center now features additional meeting spaces, a revamped selection of athletic wear, new gym equipment, an enhanced sound system, acoustic paneling in fitness areas, complimentary daily coffee and fruit stations, and digital signage. The pool deck has been remodeled to include weekend DJ entertainment, chef-attended grills, and drink specials. 

These enhancements have significantly contributed to the club’s vibrant atmosphere, leading to the largest revenue month in Colonial’s food and beverage history this past March.

“Over the last several years, Colonial has remained focused on making thoughtful investments that enhance the overall member experience while also positioning the club strongly for the future,” said Colonial Country Club Board President Dan Casciano. “We committed ourselves to doing these projects the right way the first time. Through strong planning, teamwork, and oversight, these projects were completed on schedule, under budget, and without sacrificing quality. We are extremely proud of the outcome and appreciative of everyone who played a role in bringing this vision to life.”

“We wanted every enhancement to feel intentional and member focused. What makes me most proud is not just the physical transformation, but the people behind it,” said Colonial Country Club General Manager and COO Robert D. Podley CCM, CCE, CAM. “Our team remained incredibly committed throughout the process, continuing to deliver exceptional hospitality and service while operating through construction and change. Their passion, adaptability, and dedication to our members are what truly brought these enhancements to life.”

Earlier this year, golf course architect Gordon Lewis led course renovation work that focused on improving playability, aesthetics, and sustainability of the 24-year-old course.

Colonial Country Club is recognized as a Distinguished Club by BoardRoom Magazine;  one of the Top Four Most Sustainable Clubs in the U.S. by Vivid Leaf; one of ‘America’s Healthiest Clubs’ by Prevo Health Solutions; a Top 100 Golf Shop by the AGM Platinum Awards; achieved Top-Ranked status in culinary and racquet operations from Club and Resort Business Magazine. For more information on Colonial Country Club, visit www.colonialcc.com or call (239) 768-9421.