Final Tune-Up Before Augusta: Deep Field Headlines 2026 Valspar Championship

With The Players Championship now in the rearview, attention naturally begins to drift toward The Masters. But before the season’s first major takes center stage, the Valspar Championship offers one final proving ground on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort.

Though not designated as a signature event, this year’s Valspar field is anything but lacking. A strong mix of major champions and rising stars arrives in Palm Harbor, Florida looking to sharpen their games before heading down Magnolia Lane.

Among the headliners, Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick come in riding momentum after strong performances at TPC Sawgrass, where both chased down eventual champion Cameron Young.

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline belongs to Justin Thomas. After a rocky season debut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the two-time major winner rebounded with a T8 finish at The Players. Now, he returns to a course that has consistently treated him well, still in search of a long-overdue victory at Copperhead.

Past champions Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland also enter the week with something to prove. Spieth continues to battle inconsistency and costly mistakes, while Hovland looks to rein in his driver despite otherwise solid results. Both, however, have already shown they can conquer this demanding par-71 layout when their games click.

Recent winners are adding even more intrigue. Akshay Bhatia and Jacob Bridgeman will each tee it up for a third consecutive week after impressive showings at Sawgrass. They’re joined by a deep supporting cast that includes Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka, Corey Conners and Sahith Theegala—all capable of contending come Sunday.

The tournament runs March 19–22 on the 7,352-yard Copperhead Course, a Larry Packard design known for demanding precision over power. With a $9.1 million purse and one last chance to build momentum before Augusta, the stakes feel higher than ever for a non-signature stop.

Picks to Watch

Winner: Akshay Bhatia (22-1)

Bhatia’s iron play was elite at TPC Sawgrass, and his confidence is surging. After a recent win and a solid showing last year at Copperhead, he looks primed to break through again.

Contender: Matt McCarty (60-1)

His putter has kept him competitive, and if his ball-striking rebounds, he has the tools to climb the leaderboard quickly.

Sleeper: Bud Cauley (75-1)

Quietly consistent, Cauley’s tee-to-green game and short-game touch make him a dangerous under-the-radar pick.

As the Florida Swing comes to a close, the Valspar Championship serves as more than just a stopgap—it’s a litmus test. For some, it’s about fine-tuning. For others, it’s about finding something—anything—before the bright lights of Augusta.

Streamsong Golf Resort unveils "Bone Valley," the bold new course by David McLay Kidd

(BOWLING GREEN, Fla.) — Streamsong Golf Resort today revealed the official name and logo of its highly anticipated fifth golf course: Bone Valley, a striking new design by acclaimed architect David McLay Kidd. The announcement marks another defining moment in the evolution of the nation’s premier winter season golf destination.

With Bone Valley, Kidd joins an extraordinary roster of modern architectural icons at Streamsong - Coore & Crenshaw, Tom Doak, and Hanse & Wagner - forming the “Mount Rushmore” of modern minimalist golf designers. Four visionary philosophies. One unforgettable destination.

The name, Bone Valley, is rooted in the land itself.

Long before fairways carved across the horizon, Central Florida lay beneath a prehistoric sea. Over hundreds of millions of years, ancient marine life, mammals, and reptiles were preserved beneath layers of sand and sediment — earning the region its enduring name. Today, Bone Valley stands as one of North America’s richest fossil beds, a landscape shaped by deep time and elemental forces.

Kidd’s routing embraces that history. Flowing across dramatic ridgelines, natural bowls, and shifting sands, the course feels discovered rather than built. Expansive, raw, and visually arresting, Bone Valley reflects the untamed character that defines Streamsong — strategic, bold, and unforgettable.

“The name is a natural fit for the land and a course that was literally millions of years in the making,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “David has created something truly special — a course that honors the land while delivering a golf experience unlike anything else. We can’t wait for players to see it.”

Bone Valley joins Streamsong’s lineup of three courses ranked in the top 40 of GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Public Courses in the U.S. Preview play begins October 30, 2026, with the official grand opening set for January 26, 2027.

A Retro Collection Rooted in Cleveland Golf’s Beginnings

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.) – CLEVELAND GOLF is happy to announce its new Retro Collection of soft goods, a lineup inspired by the era when Cleveland Golf first established its name in the game. Built for golfers who recognize great design when they see it and trust what’s already proven, this collection brings timeless style back to the course with classic looks that still hold up for a reason.

With the Retro Collection, we wanted to celebrate Cleveland Golf’s roots and bring back the kind of classic style that never goes out of fashion. These are pieces that feel authentic to who we are; simple, functional, and built for golfers who appreciate the history behind the brand. -James Fodera, Creative Brand Director at Cleveland Golf

The Retro Collection delivers classic Cleveland Golf style with a modern touch, featuring a curated lineup of on-course essentials designed to bring a timeless look and feel to any setup. Highlighting the collection is a collaboration with Jones Sports Co., introducing a Retro-inspired Sunday golf bag built for convenience and comfort. Featuring easy-access pockets for essentials, a premium cream and navy colorway, and a lightweight design, the bag is made for golfers who enjoy walking the course in style.

Also included in the collection are two headwear options: the classic Cleveland Golf Straw Hat and a modern snapback cap. Rounding out the lineup are premium accessories designed to support performance on the course, including a navy towel featuring the Cleveland Golf emblem and a Groove Brush to help keep scoring clubs clean and performing at their best.

From the bag to the finishing details, every piece in the collection is designed to bring Cleveland Golf’s heritage back to the course in a way that feels timeless, functional, and unmistakably classic.

To shop the collection, visit us.dunlopsports.com/cleveland-golf.

Pricing & Availability
- Retro Snapback Hat: $29.99
- Retro Straw Hat: $39.99
- Retro Caddie Towel: $34.99
- Retro Club Brush: $49.99
- Retro Sunday Bag: $199.99
- Launch Date: March 18, 2026

Cowboys Golf Club Unveils Multi-Milllion-Dollar Transformation

The World’s Only NFL-Themed Club Sets a New Benchmark for Golf, Entertainment, and Culinary Excellence

(DALLAS) — Cowboys Golf Club has reopened following one of Arcis Golf’s most extensive entertainment-driven transformations. The multi-million-dollar renovation of the world's only NFL-themed golf club includes a completely redesigned championship course, a Dallas Cowboys-themed high-tech driving range with game-used AT&T Stadium turf, and an 18-hole putting course.

A flagship within Arcis Golf’s 88-course portfolio of private, destination, and public properties, Arcis Golf commissioned renowned course architect Beau Welling to redesign the layout, with the company’s in-house design and construction team overseeing implementation.

“We reimagined every aspect of this property to create unforgettable experiences for our members and guests," said Blake Walker, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Arcis Golf. "From championship-caliber golf to immersive Cowboys-themed entertainment, visitors now enjoy a destination that blends world-class sport with the excitement and tradition of America's Team.”

During the closure, the tee boxes, greens, bunkers, and cart paths were rebuilt or reshaped as part of a comprehensive master plan. Welling refined design elements in the field while seven Arcis crews simultaneously executed the transformation, which touched every element of the course:
- All 18 greens were expanded and modernized with dramatic contours and thrilling new hole locations, challenging golfers of every skill level.
- Cowboys Golf Club is the first in the nation to feature Tif3D Bermuda on all 20 greens (18 holes plus practice facility), ensuring consistent, pristine championship-level conditions year-round.
- Five sets of tees were rebuilt with a classic square design, while every greenside bunker complex was repositioned to better frame the greens and elevate the short-game challenge.
- Architectural styling and bunkering features were comprehensively reimagined.

Notably, bunkers on the par-3 third hole were relocated to the front of the green, allowing the hillside backdrop to prominently showcase the Dallas Cowboys’ legendary star logo.

The driving range is a showstopper, featuring a 60-yard-long, game-used turf football field from the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, complete with an NFL regulation goal post and 14 cutting-edge Toptracer stations that bring data, practice, competition, and entertainment together. The short-game practice area was also fully revamped, including the addition of new bunkering and expanded chipping areas.

These enhancements were strategically designed to further elevate Cowboys Golf Club as one of the premier corporate event, outing, and sports-entertainment venues in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and beyond.

“This transformation is about more than aesthetics – it’s about redefining and gamifying how people experience golf,” added Walker, who noted that Cowboys Golf Club now blends championship-caliber design with immersive entertainment in a way that reflects the power of the Dallas Cowboys brand and our commitment to innovation. “It’s golf redefined, fan-inspired, and built for families, players, and guests.”

The reimagined short-game area and the spectacular 18-hole putting course, “The Huddle,” feature an acre of Dallas Cowboys-blue turf, ensuring every moment is unforgettable.  Each hole starts with the star logo, summoning the true Cowboys spirit.

Between rounds, golfers can enjoy food and beverage offerings at The Huddle’s Airstream trailer, serving up frozen margaritas, local beers, and signature barbacoa tacos and sausages crafted exclusively for Arcis Golf. The acclaimed Ring of Honor Kitchen & Bar (ROHK) features a bold Texas fusion menu, highlighting the freshest local ingredients and dry-aged meats.  A 23-foot smoker and wood-fire grill accentuate smoky flavors, and soon, Neapolitan pizzas are fired to perfection in under two minutes. Guests can sip a jalapeno margarita or savor a curated bourbon tasting on the Five Points Patio, overlooking the new event lawn, putting course, and practice areas.

Super Bowl trophies, Tom Landry’s fedora, and other historic team mementoes line the Clubhouse interior and display cases, while stone markers throughout the course highlight milestone moments from the Cowboys’ rich history.

Arcis Golf owns eight additional clubs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex – Bear Creek Golf Club, Lantana Golf Club, The Golf Club at Fossil Creek, The Club at Frisco Farms, Gentle Creek Country Club, Lake Park Golf Club, Mansfield National Golf Club, and The Golf Club at Twin Creeks – and owns and operates a national portfolio of premier clubs including The Woodlands Country Club in Houston, Texas, and host site of the Insperity Invitational, a PGA Tour Champions event; Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, and host site for the first two rounds of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur; Grayhawk Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona, former host site for the 2021-2023 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships; and The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, host to the PGA Tour Champions’ Boeing Classic, to name a few.

An industry leader in providing inventive programming and unrivaled lifestyle amenities that complement exceptional golf offerings, Arcis Golf has invested more than $175 million over the past four years on property upgrades, new amenities, personnel, training, and systems to create extraordinary experiences and forge emotional connections with members and guests. The Company has received numerous honors, including recognition on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit www.arcisgolf.com. 

The Bernardus Experience: Play, Eat & Stay at the Netherlands’ Solheim Cup 2026 Venue

(Noord-Brabant) - Set to host the Solheim Cup in September - the first time the event will be staged in the Netherlands - Bernardus showcases The Bernardus Experience: a seamless Play, Eat & Stay offering combining championship golf, Michelin star dining, and boutique on-course accommodation.

The Dutch championship venue, located in the province of Noord-Brabant, near the historic city of ’s-Hertogenbosch and the Van Gogh National Park, is set within a tranquil natural landscape while remaining highly accessible internationally,  positioned within approximately 30 minutes of Eindhoven Airport and easily reached from Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

The Bernardus Experience is designed for those who want more from their round, turning a day of golf into an on-site reset, where the transition from course to table to room feels effortless, allowing visitors to enjoy the full experience.

The Bernardus Experience centres on the venue’s championship course, where guests can play unlimited golf throughout the day, with access to the driving range, alongside the club’s short game areas and premium practice facilities. Dining is anchored by Noble Kitchen, the on-site Michelin star restaurant, where a six-course dinner provides a refined conclusion to the day in a setting recognised for both precision and atmosphere. Accommodation is offered at Bernardus Lodge, a boutique on-course retreat comprising eight modern double rooms with spacious bathrooms, designed to provide privacy, calm, and immediate access to the first tee.

Guests staying at the Lodge also have access to on-site leisure facilities including the gym, sauna, hammam, and tennis court. The heated outdoor pool is open from the 1st of April to the 1st of October. Non-golfing partners are equally well catered for, with complimentary access to the facilities or the option to enhance the day with additional  experiences such as a massage, personal training in the gym, or a lesson on the range.

Designed by Kyle Phillips, Bernardus has earned a reputation for elite conditioning and presentation, having hosted the DP World Tour’s Dutch Open in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Now entering a defining period of international visibility ahead of this year’s Solheim Cup, the venue continues to position itself as a modern golf-and-lifestyle destination where detail, rhythm, and service shape the stay on and off the course. This year also marks the first occasion on which the PING Junior Solheim Cup will take place on the same course as the Solheim Cup itself, reinforcing Bernardus’ position at the centre of a defining week in women’s golf.

Sabine Riezebos, General Manager at Bernardus, shared: “The Bernardus Experience reflects what we aim to offer every day: high level golf, warm hospitality, and the simplicity of staying right on the course. As we look ahead to the Solheim Cup in 2026, we look forward to welcoming visitors who want to experience Bernardus as a complete on-site destination, where golf, dining and downtime come together naturally.”

As part of the wider Bernardus Experience (only available from Wednesday to Sunday), guests can stay and play at the Solheim Cup venue through a range of seasonal packages. For a one-night stay including one full-day access to the course and practice facilities, rates start from €662.50 in low season and €722.50 in high season, with options also available for two guests from €1,035 in low season and €1,155 in high season. The packages include golf, accommodation and food; beverages are charged separately. Full details and seasonal availability are available via the official booking channels.

To find out more, visit: https://bernardusgolf.com/bernardus-experience/ and https://bernardusgolf.com/lodge/

Long Cove Announces The Old Mine Club and The Canary Course

Beau Welling-designed 18-Hole Championship Golf Course Set to Open in 2027;

Lakeside Layout Will Pay Homage to Land’s Mining History, Feature Two Island Holes

Long Cove, the luxurious lakefront community located an hour from Dallas, announces The Old Mine Club, an invitation-only private club on the shores of Cedar Creek Lake, and its centerpiece, The Canary—an 18-hole championship golf course designed by acclaimed architect Beau Welling that is set to open for member play in 2027.

The Canary will transform the century-old mining terrain into a refined and unforgettable golf experience that also celebrates East Texas’ natural landscape. Spanning over 7,400 yards from the back tees, The Canary will boast striking elevation changes, bold contours and water features that come into play on 10 holes, the majority of which will be located on the back nine.

“Beau Welling Design and our team have been working on The Canary for nearly five years now, and we are excited to invite members to enjoy what will be an unrivaled golf experience,” says Don McNamara, founder of Long Cove. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Beau and his team in transforming this land that was once the site of abandoned coal mines and a railroad into a striking lakefront course that will delight players and should be considered as one of the best layouts in the state.”

The signature holes at The Canary will be Nos. 11 and 18. These demanding par 4s will call for tee shots over a cove to island fairways that were once lignite coal tailings piles. The 11th and 18th holes will be perched directly across from the site of the Old Mine Club’s future clubhouse and anchor house, with iconic bridges spanning 180 feet connecting these holes to the mainland.

Other notable holes and unique features of The Canary will include:
- The fourth and fifth holes will play into the mounding formed by the dredging that created over two miles of shoreline at Long Cove
- Following the land’s natural formation, the ninth hole will have dual, or alternate, greens—a rarity among golf courses in Texas
- The 13th hole will play through a pine tree farm that was planted more than 20 years ago
- Hole Nos. 14-16 will play around a channel formed from mining excavation.

“After years of planning and promising conversations with the leadership at Long Cove, our team is excited to see work underway,” says Beau Welling, Founder and CEO of Beau Welling Design, whose impressive portfolio includes new projects at Omni PGA Frisco and Travis Club, as well as recent renovations to Ocean Forest Golf Club and Atlanta Country Club. “It’s a rare opportunity to work with such a unique piece of land, and we’re excited to add to the legacy of this great property with a new championship golf course that the membership will enjoy for years to come.”

Offering a rare combination of accessibility from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and a secluded, destination-style setting, The Old Mine Club will feature a 20,000+ square-foot full-service clubhouse overlooking the signature island holes. Inside the clubhouse members will enjoy multiple dining options suitable for private functions, fine dining and casual fare, and a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center. The Old Mine Club will also feature a driving range, short game practice area, watersports and the Anchor House – a hub for fishing, private instruction, and guided fishing and angling tours. Kids’ activities and family-friendly amenities will be thoughtfully integrated throughout, creating an inviting environment for all ages and many different interests.

For more information: www.oldmineclub.com and www.longcovetx.com

Brian Curley Progresses on Reimagined Golf Course at The River Club in Boise

Construction is well underway on the reimagined golf course at The River Club, with work progressing across all 18 holes as architect Brian Curley and his team continue a sweeping transformation of the club’s historic layout along the Boise River.

The current routing effectively swaps the club’s original nines. Much of the former back nine, where the holes run through residential corridors and required fewer structural changes, has already been completed, with irrigation installation and bunker construction underway.

The most dramatic changes are taking shape on what will become the new back nine, where holes now play through wider parkland corridors framed by large specimen trees. While the sylvan setting remains familiar, the design bears little resemblance to the original holes.

Among the most striking transformations are along the Boise River frontage on the new 13th and 18th holes. Historically, that portion of the property had little relationship to the river, sitting well below a protective dike and densely forested with vegetation. After years of permitting to clear the area, the land has been raised roughly 10 feet on average, creating two green sites that back into each other while overlooking a gentle bend in the river and nearby rapids.

The result, Curley says, is a dramatic new focal point for the club that also underscores its identity.

“These greens now sit above the Boise River and take in the sound and movement of the water,” Curley said. “As the only course in the market with true river frontage, those holes really reinforce the identity of The River Club, a name the club recently adopted to reflect its renewed connection to the river. In a region where most courses occupy inland valley land, direct riverfront golf is a rarity.”

Throughout the project, the design team has taken care to preserve as many trees as possible, with several also transplanted to maintain the character of the property and create natural backdrops throughout the course.

Curley also drew inspiration from the club’s architectural lineage. The original course, opened in 1917, was laid out by H. Chandler Egan, the celebrated amateur champion and early golf architect who later collaborated with Alister MacKenzie on the 1929 renovation of Pebble Beach Golf Links.

“Chandler Egan was involved here, and he of course played a role in the history of Pebble Beach as well as Pacific Grove Golf Links,” Curley said. “I grew up in Pebble Beach myself, so it felt meaningful to acknowledge that connection while respecting the character of this course in its small greens and bunkers.”

The project carries another personal dimension for Curley. His son, Cooper, is working on the build as a shaper, marking the first time the two have collaborated on a golf course.

Most green complexes have now been shaped, and the majority of fairway bunkering has been completed using modern Z-Line bunker-liner technology. Grass installation is expected to begin in late April, with Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass blends planned for fairways and rough, and Pure Eclipse bentgrass for tees and greens.

The club is planning an official reopening for late spring 2027.

“I’m very proud of what we are accomplishing at The River Club,” Curley said. “This project transforms what had been a relatively modest layout into a much more dramatic and memorable golf experience for the membership.”

Founded in 1917 along the Boise River, the club traces its roots to the original Boise Country Club, which later became Plantation Country Club before recently adopting its current name. Today the club serves as a full-service private lifestyle destination in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, featuring golf alongside amenities that include racquet sports, swimming, fitness facilities and a newly renovated clubhouse.

For more information about Curley-Wagner’s global collection of current and past projects, visit curley-wagner.com, @curley_wagner (Instagram), @curley_wagner (X).