California Bans Tee-Time Brokers From Reselling Municipal Golf Course Reservations

California is taking aim at a practice that has frustrated golfers trying to get tee times at some of the state's busiest municipal golf courses.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation prohibiting third-party brokers from advertising, selling or transferring tee-time reservations at publicly owned golf courses without written permission from the course operator.

The new law comes after a controversy in Los Angeles involving brokers who were accused of using online booking systems to secure desirable tee times and then reselling those reservations to golfers at significantly higher prices.

According to the Los Angeles Times, some brokers were charging as much as $40 in booking fees for tee times at Los Angeles municipal courses. The practice became particularly controversial because golfers already faced difficulty getting reservations through the normal booking system.

How the tee-time scheme worked

The issue became widely known in 2024 after golf influencer Dave Fink brought attention to what was happening at Los Angeles-area municipal courses.

Brokers were allegedly using online systems to grab tee times as soon as they became available. Those reservations were then advertised on social media and other platforms, including the Korean messaging app KakaoTalk, with customers paying additional fees to obtain the coveted times.

Following Fink's reporting and videos, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks announced an investigation into the practice.

The controversy wasn't simply about golfers paying a little extra for convenience. The concern was that people who wanted to play their local public courses were competing against third parties that were securing tee times for the purpose of resale.

And this isn't a small issue in terms of the number of courses potentially affected. California has more than 200 municipally owned golf courses, according to Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward, who authored the legislation.

California's new law targets the resale

Under the new legislation, third-party brokers cannot advertise, sell or transfer reservations at publicly owned golf courses unless they have written consent from the course operator.

Ward said public golf courses are intended to serve the communities that support them and argued that residents shouldn't have to compete with brokers purchasing tee times and reselling them at inflated prices.

The legislation represents a significant response to the debate over how public golf courses should manage increasingly limited tee-time inventory.

For golfers, the issue is bigger than California. Online tee-time booking has become an increasingly important part of the public-golf experience, and the ability to quickly secure popular times can have a major impact on who gets to play and how much they pay.

What about the brokers?

The controversy also has a legal history beyond the tee-time issue.

The Los Angeles Times reported that two tee-time brokers were arrested and charged in 2025 with failing to report $1 million in income to the IRS. One of those brokers, Ted Kim, defended his actions at the time, saying he was simply booking tee times for himself and did not believe he was doing anything illegal.

The new California legislation specifically addresses the resale of municipal-course reservations rather than simply making the act of booking a tee time through an online system illegal.

That distinction matters. The law is aimed at preventing third parties from turning public-course tee times into a resale business without authorization from the course operator.

Why this matters for public golf

Municipal golf courses are designed to provide public access to the game, and tee-time availability can be especially important for local golfers who don't have access to private clubs.

When desirable tee times disappear almost immediately after becoming available, golfers can understandably question whether they're competing against other players or against automated systems and commercial brokers.

California's new law doesn't eliminate the basic problem of limited tee times. Popular municipal courses can still be difficult to book, particularly during weekends and peak playing periods.

What it does is establish a clear restriction on one particular practice: buying or securing public-course tee times and then reselling them without the course operator's written permission.

How this affects you

If you play municipal golf in California, the new law could make it easier to understand who is legitimately selling or transferring tee times and who isn't. It does not guarantee that you'll suddenly have an easier time getting a Saturday morning tee time, but it does prohibit unauthorized third-party resale of reservations at publicly owned courses. For golfers outside California, the bigger question is whether other states or municipalities will consider similar rules as tee-time demand and online booking technology continue to evolve.

Golf Bunker Rake Rule: Should the Rake Go Inside or Outside the Bunker?

If you’ve ever played golf with someone who insists that a bunker rake must be left outside the bunker, there’s a good chance this debate has come up.

But what does the USGA actually say?

The answer might surprise you: There is no Rule of Golf requiring bunker rakes to be placed either inside or outside the bunker.

However, the USGA does have a recommendation.

The USGA recommends putting the rake outside

According to the USGA, bunker rakes should generally be placed outside the bunker and away from areas where they could interfere with play.

That's a recommendation, though, not a Rule of Golf.

So if your home course keeps its rakes inside the bunkers, that's perfectly permissible. The course's Committee can establish its preferred rake-placement policy.

Why does the USGA prefer rakes outside?

There are a couple of reasons.

One is that a rake sitting inside a bunker can create a potentially difficult situation if a golf ball comes to rest against it.

Under the Rules, a rake is a movable obstruction. If you move the rake and your ball moves, you generally have to replace the ball. But if the ball won't stay in its original position because of the slope of the bunker, things can get considerably more complicated.

There's another consideration: where golfers leave the rake inside the bunker.

Players will often leave it along the edge of the bunker, where it can potentially stop or deflect a ball and leave the next player with a difficult lie.

The USGA has specifically noted that keeping rakes outside the bunker can reduce those potential problems.

But there isn't a universal answer

This is the part that gets lost in the debate.

The USGA acknowledges that there isn't a perfect answer.

A rake outside the bunker can potentially deflect a ball into the bunker. A rake inside the bunker can affect a ball that lands in the sand.

Maintenance also matters. Some courses prefer rakes inside bunkers because it makes mowing around the bunker easier, while other courses prioritize keeping them outside and out of play.

So the best rule for golfers is pretty simple:

Follow the course's preferred rake placement.

If the course doesn't specify where the rakes should go, the USGA's recommendation is to put them outside the bunker, in a location where they are least likely to affect play and are still accessible to other golfers.

So, inside or outside?

USGA recommendation: Outside.

USGA Rule requirement: Neither.

The Committee at the golf course gets to decide.

And now I'm curious: Where do you think bunker rakes should go?

Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Private Summit Rock Clubhouse Recognized in Golf Inc.’s “Clubhouse of the Year” Honors

Sweeping Hill Country views, timeless architecture and thoughtful design shine as the private clubhouse is lauded for naturally inspired touches.

(HORSESHOE BAY, TX) – Horseshoe Bay Resort, part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes collection, is proud to announce its Summit Rock Clubhouse, the luxurious and thoughtfully designed gathering space for the private 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Summit Rock course, was awarded second place in Golf Inc. Magazine’s Clubhouse of the Year competition.

Set atop a majestic elevation of rocky Texas Hill Country, the Summit Rock Clubhouse was inspired by the local architecture, specifically the historic German farmhouses endemic to the region. The design has created a focal point that feels both timeless and contemporary, establishing a strong visual identity for the Summit Rock members while remaining authentically rooted to the iconic surrounding Hill Country.

“It’s a tremendous honor to have the Summit Rock Clubhouse awarded in Golf Inc.’s Clubhouse of the Year competition,” says Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Managing Director Randy Zupanski. “Our ownership, Summit Rock members, and staff feel a great sense of pride each time they enter this incredible gathering venue. The elevated, luxury design touches are awe-inspiring yet still provide a warmth and sense of home while taking great advantage of light and the expansive views of the Summit Rock course and miles and miles of amazing Hill Country panoramas.”

An artful collaboration between clubhouse architects Three Architecture, interior design firm Murphy Cramer Design, and construction contractors Jacob White Construction, the clubhouse conveys the sophistication expected of a premier private club while avoiding excessive ornamentation. The architecture relies on proportion, material authenticity and careful detailing to create a sense of permanence, warmth and understated luxury.

The Summit Rock Clubhouse’s public spaces were positioned to maximize views and natural light, while service and support functions were integrated discreetly. The resulting design minimizes unnecessary circulation, supports efficient building operations and creates a clear organizational structure for members and staff.

“The ideal golf clubhouse — as an idea — has a particularly tricky needle to thread: It needs to be enticing and alluring enough to draw people in but not overshadow the golf course itself,” the Golf Inc. editors said in the announcement of the 2026 Clubhouse of the Year winners. “The winners of our 2026 Clubhouse of the Year competition achieved that ideal in spades, while still delivering world-class facilities that would make the Hulk green with envy. The overwhelming sentiment from this year’s slate of winners was the idea that a clubhouse should be welcoming and inviting. The design ethos writ large was to encourage members and guests to linger and enjoy the atmosphere, furnishings and amenities. In a sense, the clubhouse should be somewhere you want to spend the time just as much as your own home.”

Golf Inc. editors went on to say the clubhouses showcased in the Clubhouse of the Year Awards excel at complementing the natural golfing environment, providing socially centric spaces, displaying aesthetic and functional excellence and importantly, solving operational and revenue-generating realities necessary for long-term financial feasibility.

“The vision for the Summit Rock Clubhouse was to create a gathering place that was deeply connected to the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and to celebrate the region’s rich Texas German heritage. Drawing inspiration from the warmth, craftsmanship, and timeless character of Hill Country German farmhouses, the design interprets these influences through a contemporary lens,” said Geoffrey Cramer, AIA/Partner of Murphy Cramer Design. “With carefully framed views of the course beyond, the interiors feature a thoughtful palette of natural materials, handcrafted details, refined textures, and a curated mix of furniture and artwork that create an authentic, welcoming environment that feels uniquely connected to its surroundings.”

One of the finest and most highly ranked golf courses in Texas, Summit Rock is the private, members-only golf course at Horseshoe Bay Resort. A Jack Nicklaus Signature design, Summit Rock opened in the fall of 2012. The 7,246 yard, par-72 layout covers stretches 200 spectacular acres. The course showcases the natural Texas terrain in both a lower expanse of pastureland framed by mature Texas live oaks and a majestically elevated and rugged section that showcases sweeping views of Lake LBJ and the surrounding Hill Country. An expansive practice facility complements one of the most exquisitely manicured courses in the state. The course features 007 Creeping Bentgrass on the greens, 419 Bermudagrass on the fairways and tees, with Buffalograss accents used in the naturalized roughs.  

Visit www.hsbresort.com for more information.

Max a Mandel Municipal Golf Course Named Best in Texas Under $75

(Laredo, Texas) – Max A Mandel Municipal Golf Course in Laredo has been recognized as “The Best Golf Course Under $75 In Texas” by MyGolfSpy, a leading authority in golf equipment testing and reviews.

MyGolfSpy Senior Editor Sean Fairholm stated, “A regulation-length course must offer an 18-hole rate of $75 or less during the heart of its normal golf season… The goal was to find genuinely compelling architecture, scenery, conditioning, or character at a price that keeps the course within reach of ordinary golfers.”

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II and owned by the City of Laredo, ‘The Max’ spans 270 acres of rugged Texas terrain. The course features four holes along the Rio Grande River and six that navigate deep arroyos. Fairholm noted, “Arroyos, mature mesquite trees, and substantial elevation changes distinguish it from the state’s flatter municipal courses while its remote location helps preserve its exceptional value.”

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by MyGolfSpy as one of the top golf courses in Texas,” said Max A Mandel Municipal Golf Course General Manager Jeremiah Cabrera. “Our team is committed to providing an exceptional golf experience at an affordable price.”

MyGolfSpy is an independent digital media company dedicated to golf equipment and the game of golf. Often described as the “Consumer Reports of golf,” its core goal is to provide data-driven, objective reviews on golf clubs, balls, and gear.

Opened in 2012, the golf course is named after Max A. Mandel, a Laredo banker and civic leader whose family donated the land for the project. The Max is annually ranked among the top public golf courses in Texas and is recognized as one of the best municipal golf courses in the U.S.

Indigo Sports, a Troon company, oversees golf operations, agronomy, and sales and marketing for the daily-fee golf facility. For more information on Max Mandel Municipal Golf Course, visit www.golfthemaxlaredo.com or call (956) 726-2000.

Egypt Valley Country Club Embarks on Major Golf Course Renovation

C.W. Golf Architecture leads comprehensive bunker and course enhancements across the club’s 36-hole Ridge and Valley course

(ADA, Mich.) — Egypt Valley Country Club (EVCC) has begun a significant renovation of its 36-hole golf facility, marking the first major update to the Ridge and Valley courses since they opened in 1990-91.

Led by golf course architect Christopher Wilczynski, principal and lead designer of C.W. Golf Architecture (CWGA), the project includes a comprehensive bunker renovation and targeted grading and shaping improvements throughout both courses. Construction began in August 2026 and is scheduled for completion by mid-November, with the club targeting a spring 2027 reopening.

The renovation includes the addition, rebuilding and removal of bunkers, with an emphasis on improving their visibility and strategic relationship to the golf holes. Many of EVCC’s existing bunkers feature relatively flat sand floors and grass faces, with surrounding landforms obscuring the sand from view. New flashed sand faces and reshaped bunker perimeters will create a stronger visual connection from tee to green.

The project will also soften some of the bolder shaping around several greens. Additional grading improvements are planned for Ridge No. 2 and Valley Nos. 14 and 16 to improve sightlines, maintenance and playability.

“Bunkers have an enormous influence on how golfers see and interpret a hole,” said Wilczynski. “By making the sand more visible, we can give players a clearer sense of the strategy in front of them and create a more engaging experience from tee to green. The work is intended to bring renewed character to the courses without losing the qualities that make Egypt Valley distinctive.”

EVCC is also undertaking a complete rebuild of its golf course irrigation system as part of the project.

“This is a project our membership has been looking forward to for a long time, and it’s exciting to see years of planning become a reality,” said Kyle Lundy, general manager of Egypt Valley Country Club. “Beyond the physical improvements, this is about ensuring that Egypt Valley continues to provide an exceptional golf experience for the next generation of members and their families.”

CWGA’s relationship with Egypt Valley dates to 2016, when the firm was retained to develop a comprehensive architectural master plan for the Ridge and Valley courses. Approved in 2017, the plan has since guided improvements including strategic tree removal and a renovation of the club’s practice driving range completed in late 2023.

Wilczynski also brings a connection to the courses’ original architect, having worked for and alongside Arthur Hills for nearly 20 years. Although he was not involved in the original design of Egypt Valley, his firsthand experience with Hills provides a deep understanding of the design principles and architectural approach that shaped the Ridge and Valley courses.

Golf course construction is being completed by Aspen Golf Construction of West Virginia. Michael Kuhn and Associates is responsible for irrigation design, with Thielen Turf Irrigation handling irrigation installation. Representing EVCC during construction is Jeff Holmes, the club’s longtime golf course superintendent, who retired from that role in late 2025 and is serving as construction manager for the renovation. Golf Course Superintendent Joel Larsen is helping execute the project while overseeing day-to-day management of the courses.

Egypt Valley traces its history to 1921, when it was founded as the Masonic Country Club. It became Green Ridge Country Club in 1931. More than half a century later, members voted to sell the original property and build a new club and golf facility on a rolling 357-acre site east of Grand Rapids. The Ridge and Valley courses officially opened in 1990-91.

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