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Friday, May 22, 2009

Norman Commits to Play 2009 U.S. Senior Open

(Carmel, IN) – Greg Norman, winner of 89 worldwide titles, including two British Open titles in 1986 and 1993, has committed to play in the 2009 U.S. Senior Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club, July 27-August 2.

Norman has appeared in the U.S. Senior Open twice – in 2005 and 2008 – finishing fourth in both.

Norman’s entry in the field provides U.S. Senior Open spectators with an opportunity to see one of golf’s most celebrated players.

During the 1990s, Norman held the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings for 331 consecutive weeks. He is a three-time team member on the International team in the President’s Cup (1998, 2000 and 2002) and will serve as Team Captain for the 2009 President’s Cup team which takes place this October.

“One of the most recognizable golfers in the world, Greg Norman appeals to fans of all ages,” says Steve Baker, Championship General Co-Chairman. “We’re excited to have him at Crooked Stick, and I know the community is proud to be hosting a field that includes many of golf’s greatest legends.”

A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Norman isn’t a stranger to Crooked Stick, as Indiana golf fans saw him compete in the 1991 PGA Championship hosted at the same venue.

In November of 2008, Norman was the presenter for renowned golf course builder Pete Dye’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Dye, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the 2009 U.S. Senior Open, has designed more than 90 golf courses throughout the United States. Among those designs is Crooked Stick, which will measure more than 7,300 yards this summer making it the longest in U.S. Senior Open history.

“Greg is both a great player and a great friend,” says Pete Dye. “To have him back at The Stick, my home course, competing in a USGA Championship, is a thrill for me and the entire community.”

Visit the championship’s Web site at www.2009ussenioropen.com for complete information regarding tickets, players, volunteers, hospitality options and spectator tips.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Industry Veteran Appointed Longaberger Golf Club General Manager

Jeffrey Parsons Brings 25 Years of Golf-Industry Experience to Acclaimed Arthur Hills Design

(NASHPORT, Ohio) – The Longaberger Golf Club today announces the appointment of Jeffrey Parsons to General Manager. Parsons takes the reins at the award-winning course that was recently named No. 4 in GolfWorld magazine’s inaugural “Readers’ Choice Rankings” in the category “Top 50 Public Courses” and one of Golf Digest magazine’s “America’s Greatest Public Golf Courses 2009-10.”

An Ohio native, Parsons – a 25-year veteran of club management and the golf industry – has held lead positions at revered Muirfield Village (Dublin, OH), Grand Cypress Golf Club and ChampionsGate Golf Resort (both in Orlando, FL). He was also Tournament Director for the Bobby Rahal Columbus Charities Pro-Am.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of a professional with Jeff’s expansive and diverse experience,” says Joseph Livingood, Senior Vice President of Billy Casper Golf, which manages Longaberger Golf Club. “The wealth of knowledge Jeff brings to this position and his extensive ties within the state of Ohio will serve him very well as he heads this remarkable golf club.”

Longaberger Golf Club winds through the rolling hills of central Ohio and panoramic sightlines highlight the immaculate playing conditions. With five sets of tees, the 7,243-yard layout challenges the lowest handicapper, while shrinking to manageable distance to accommodate each and every skill level. A 25-acre natural grass driving range and practice facility with target greens and a chipping, pitching and bunker area further caters to the golfers’ experience.

Longaberger Golf Club, which opened in 1999 and has collected national and international acclaim, ranks No. 57 in the United States (out of roughly 13,500 public-access courses) in GOLF Magazine’s 2008-09 “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list, while Golfweek Magazine rated the course No. 1 in Ohio in its recent 2009 state-by-state rankings.

For more information about Longaberger Golf Club, or to reserve a tee time, visit www.longabergergolfclub.com or call 740.763.1100.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Justin Timberlake Helps Give Green Message

During upcoming PGA Tour events, The Golf Channel will air a series of short videos called "Choose Your Course," which highlights the work of superintendents and the environmental benefits of golf courses. Justin Timberlake joins superintendents and GCSAA and ASGCA representatives in the videos.

The messages are introduced by Timberlake, a Grammy-award winner; avid golfer; host of this fall's PGA Tour event, The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open; and founder of Miramichi Lakes, the country's first Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified green course.

The first two videos have now been posted on GCSAA TV. View the video featuring Nancy Miller, Class A superintendent at Maple Leaf G&CC, and the video with Greg Lyman, GCSAA's director of environmental programs. Additional spots include Dan Dinelli, CGCS at North Shore CC; Kevin Breen, CGCS at Lahontan GC; and Bill Love of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

The videos have already begun airing on events this year, and will continue to air during live coverage Thursdays and Fridays for the following PGA Tour events. They will be rebroadcast later each of these Thursday and Friday evenings, as well as during The Golf Channel's "Golf Central" news show on Saturdays.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Friday, May 15, 2009

TaylorMade Golf Introduces R9 460 Driver

Combines Flight Control Technology with a 460cc Clubhead and a Longer, Lighter Shaft

(CARLSBAD, Calif.) - In February, TaylorMade Golf introduced the R9 driver, which today is the No. 1 driver model on the PGA Tour. Now, TaylorMade is introducing the R9 460 driver, which combines TaylorMade's renowned Flight Control Technology (FCT) with the forgiveness and power of a 460cc titanium clubhead and the speed-promoting properties of a longer length and extremely lightweight graphite shaft. All at the price of $299.

FCT gives the golfer the power to easily change the club's face angle, loft and lie angle simply by loosening a bolt in the sole, rotating the shaft into the designated position, then tightening the bolt. FCT makes it so easy to adjust the angle of the clubface into a position that suits your eye and your swing, helping you hit the ball straighter and longer. It also promotes a side-to-side change in trajectory of up to 40 yards, helping golfers to promote a draw or fade, or diminish a hook or slice. The R9 460 includes a white FCT wrench that delivers the 40 inch-pounds of torque necessary to adequately tighten the FCT bolt.

"FCT proved itself to be a major, major metalwood innovation immediately after we launched the R9 driver earlier this year," says Sean Toulon, TaylorMade executive vice president of innovation. "Tour pros took to it right away, and it quickly became the No. 1 driver model on the PGA Tour. Amateur golfers also embraced it quickly, as sales have been fantastic around the world, especially in the United States, Europe and Japan."

Compared to the R9 driver, the R9 460 driver has a larger head, deeper clubface and lower and deeper-back center of gravity (CG), qualities that deliver a higher MOI for greater forgiveness and a higher spin-rate, helping low-spin players keep the ball in the air longer for increased carry and distance.

Powerful 460cc Clubhead featuring TaylorMade's New Classic Shape "In addition to the advantages of FCT in a 460cc clubhead, the R9 460 also delivers the kind of shape, feel and sound that TaylorMade drivers are famous for, and which our competitors can't come close to matching," says Harry Arnett, TaylorMade senior category director for metalwoods.

The shape is what TaylorMade calls "new classic" because it is at once modern and traditional. The R9 460's new classic shape offers three distinct advantages:
1) it allows for a deep back, far-from-the-face CG location that makes it easier to launch the ball;
2) it contributes to a higher MOI for greater stability on off-center hits; and
3) it allows for an exceptionally low CG location.

The R9 460's clubhead is constructed with the aid of TaylorMade's Ultra-Thin Wall (UTW) technology, which allows for clubhead walls measuring as thin as 0.6 millimeters, with the saved weight redistributed to help make the low and-deep-back CG possible.

Longer Club-length; Aldila RE*AX 60-gram tip-soft shaft The R9 460 driver is long in length - 45.75" - and equipped with an Aldila RE*AX® 60-gram tip-soft shaft, available in L, M, R, S and X flexes. The characteristics of the shaft and the club's added length together promote increased clubhead speed and distance.

"Players who put a premium on distance are going to want to put the R9 460 in play," says Arnett. "It features a variety of characteristics designed to work together to promote faster ball speed and distance-enhancing launch conditions, while FCT technology will help them achieve the shot-shape they want to help keep the ball in the short grass."

Inverted Cone Technology The R9 460 driver also incorporates TaylorMade's renowned Inverted Cone clubface technology, which expands the area of the clubface that delivers high ball speed. Characterized by an inverted cone that's milled directly onto the inner side of the clubface, Inverted Cone Technology increases the club's forgiveness on mis-hits. Together, the combination of the R9 460's Inverted Cone Technology, high MOI and exceedingly low CG makes it incredibly easy to hit.

On Tour "Tour pros always want their drivers bent in some way, usually to change the face angle or to add or subtract loft," says Keith Sbarbaro, TaylorMade vice president of tour operations. It's so easy to do that with FCT. Instead of taking the club to our tour trailer and putting it in a bending block, we can adjust it quickly and cleanly, right on the spot, either at the practice range or the first tee. And now all golfers have the option to adjust their face angle, loft and lie angle, like tour pros do."

Tour professionals who have put the R9 driver in play include Sean O'Hair, Kenny Perry, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Darren Clark and Andres Romero. The R9 460 is expected to attract similar interest among tour pros. "

R9 460 TP For tour pros and skilled players, the R9 460 TP is also being introduced. It features the same identical clubhead as the R9 460, but is equipped with a Fujikura Motore F1 65 graphite shaft with a .335" tip. The R9 460 TP is also available with the following custom shaft offerings in X, S and R flexes: Fujikura Motore F1 75, Fujikura Motore F1 85, Fujikura Motore F1 55, Aldila Voodoo VS6, Aldila Voodoo NV6, Mitsubishi Fubuki 63, Mitsubishi Fubuki 73, Matrix Ozik X-CON 5 and Matrix HD 6.

Availability Available lofts for the R9 460 and R9 460 TP drivers include 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 11.5° in right-handed, 9.5° and 10.5° in left-handed. Availability at retail begins May 16.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Sweetgrass Golf Club Hosts a Portion of Perfect 4-Some Tournament Series

Newest Amenity of the Island Resort & Casino Teams with TimberStone and Marquette Greywalls for Award-Winning Trio of Courses

(HARRIS, Michigan) – Sweetgrass Golf Club – recently ranked by Golfweek as one of “America’s Best Courses You Can Play” by state – will host a leg of the 2009 Perfect 4-Some Tournament Series, an exciting, new competitive format whereby “everyday” golfers can play for cash prizes.

The newest amenity of the Island Resort & Casino, Sweetgrass is teaming with two other award-winning courses – TimberStone and Marquette Greywalls – in this event. Two-person teams will compete in a June 29 scramble at Greywalls, followed by a July 13 best-ball competition at TimberStone. The tournament culminates Aug. 17 with a Ryder Cup-style event – six holes of best-ball, six holes of scramble and six holes of alternate shot – at Sweetgrass.

The tournament is split into four divisions – Men, Women, Senior Men (50+) and Mixed – with an entry fee of $100 per player. A $1,000 cash prize is awarded to the winning team in each division. Points will be awarded to the teams by how they place within their respective flight and the team with the highest total of points within their division will be declared the overall winner. Players must play in all three events with the same partner and within the same division to be eligible to win their respective division.

“We’re excited to see how players fare on such a diverse, challenging blend of acclaimed courses in this fun format and rewarding event,” says Island Resort & Casino General Manager Tom McChesney. “And for those who prefer their golf less competitive, we offer our Perfect 4-Some stay-and-play package which gives them value and options.”

The Perfect 4-Some stay-and-play package, which includes golfers’ choice of two or three nights at the luxurious Island Resort & Casino and three rounds of golf to be played between the brand new Sweetgrass Golf Club, TimberStone and Marquette Greywalls, has been extremely popular and starts for as little as $249, based on double occupancy.

Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, the Paul Albanese-designed Sweetgrass stretches to 7,300 yards from the tips and promises to challenge the best golfers, while the beginner-friendly forward tees measure a modest 5,000 yards. In all, five sets of tees accommodate golfers of all levels.

The championship layout subtly pays homage to Native American lore throughout the design, while historic bridges rescued from the region, intricate rockwork and a liberal sprinkling of its namesake sweetgrass add to the course’s unique look and feel.

Off the golf course, the resort boasts the brand new, luxurious Palm Tower, which adds 162 spacious, well-appointed rooms and luxurious penthouse suites to the existing Sun Tower’s 113 rooms. Additionally, the Island Showroom hosts national acts, Club Four One nightclub and the Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar welcome guests looking to dine or quench their thirst, and the Vegas-style gaming floor was expanded with an additional 500 slot machines.

Sweetgrass Golf Club and the Island Resort & Casino are easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette. For more information on the Perfect 4-Some Tournament Series, Sweetgrass and the resort, please visit www.islandresortandcasino.com or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2251.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Adams Golf Introduces Idea Pro Black Irons

(PLANO, Texas) - Adams Golf introduces the latest offering of its successful Idea franchise with the new Idea Pro Black irons. Designed for skilled players, the premium set features eight tour-proven muscle-back irons with forged carbon steel heads and a distinctive black nickel ion finish.

With a precisely located center of gravity, the Idea Pro Black irons deliver a penetrating ball flight for superior shot making ability with an exceptionally soft feel.

The traditionally forged muscle-back blade features an adjustable weight port in the flange that allows the better player to customize the set to their exact swing weight specifications. Each head has CNC milled grooves with the maximum allowed volume by the USGA for consistent spin and control in all playing conditions. A thin top line and beveled trailing edge that reduces turf interaction makes this a forged set that definitely appeals to the better player. In addition, the constant reduced offset through the irons offer superior control for players wanting to work their ball flight.

Early acclaim from several prominent online golf communities has propelled interest in the newest release from Adams Golf. "The Idea Pro Black blades made Buzzz of the month with the black stealth finish and the adjustable weighting," says GolfWRX CEO Richard Audi II. "Early testing reported excellent feel and feedback. Sole grinds show a forgiving four-way camber that looks great."

"As the next generation of our extremely successful line of Idea irons, the Pro Black set has already proven itself on Tour and received high marks from golf enthusiasts," said Chip Brewer, Adams Golf president and CEO. "Low-handicap golfers everywhere will appreciate these irons because they not only look great but the adjustable weight will give them the control and workability they seek in a set of blades."

The stock shaft for the Idea Pro Black iron set is the KBS black steel shaft, which debuted last year and was in the bags of 10 PGA Tour champions by season's end. Designed for better players, the KBS shaft was engineered with moment of inertia analysis to increase stability from grip to club head to enhance results of well-executed swings. The Golf Pride Velvet grip is the stock offering in the 8-piece set. With a limited initial release of only 1000, Idea Pro Black iron sets began shipping to golf shops May 1 with a suggested retail price of $1,099.99.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Mount Airy Golf Club Reopens in the Pocono Mountains

Course Adds to Impressive Selection of Options in Northeastern Pennsylvania Golf Destination

(POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pennsylvania) – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau – overseeing tourism activities in the four-county region for 75 years – today announces the re-opening of the Mount Airy Casino Resort Golf Club.

Closed for two seasons due to construction of the casino, the re-introduction of the Mount Airy course further enhances an already impressive list of layouts in the Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret. The course had been temporarily closed for two seasons due to construction of the new resort, which features a mix of more than 2,500 of the latest slot machines, including the newest themed video slots, electronic table games, as well as progressive jackpots.

“The Pocono Mountains are flush with great golf, so visitors don’t have to travel far to experience some of these incredible courses,” says Carl Wilgus, President and CEO of the PMVB. “The addition of the Mount Airy Casino Resort Golf Club is just one of many reasons that make Northeastern Pennsylvania a must-visit destination this summer.”

In addition to Mount Airy, the Pocono Mountains offer layouts ranging from the Golden Age of golf course design to expansive tracks created by well-respected contemporary architects. From A.W. Tillinghast and Donald Ross to the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, the best in the business have lent their genius to this mountain oasis.

Courses throughout the Pocono Mountains are offering value-laden packages and early-season rates as the golf season opens. A complete list of Pocono Mountains golf courses and links to individual Web sites can be found at www.poconosgolf.com.

Off the golf course, three rivers and countless streams allow for outdoor water activities such as fishing, kayaking and whitewater rafting, while sporting clays, biking, horseback riding, camping and hiking are plentiful. Relaxing spas and fine dining options abound for those looking to enjoy the Pocono Mountains from the comfort of inside.

The close proximity of major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey, combined with the country’s current economic situation, has resulted in the increased popularity of the Pocono Mountains over recent years. Golfers are electing to remain closer to home rather than incur the rising travel costs and overcrowded fairways at other destinations. Instead of checking extra luggage, boarding planes and waiting in lines, smart golfers are making the short, scenic drive and teeing off on one of the conveniently located Pocono Mountains courses.

For more information on the area, visit www.800poconos.com or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Friday, May 1, 2009

Angel Park Honored in Best of Las Vegas Reader's Poll

(LAS VEGAS, Nev.) - Angel Park Golf Club was named "Best Golf Course" in Las Vegas in the 28th annual Best of Las Vegas Reader's Poll conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Taking top honors for the 12th consecutive year and 14 of the past 15 years, Angel Park maintained its popularity with the readers of Las Vegas' largest daily newspaper.

"We look forward to the Best of Las Vegas announcement every year," said David Bogue, general manager of Angel Park Golf Club. "This award validates our efforts to provide top-notch service and playing conditions. We are just overjoyed to see that the readers of the RJ appreciate Angel Park."

The editors of the Review Journal received 15,145 votes, up from 7,982 last year. Although the lion's share of votes came from the Las Vegas area, thanks to the Internet, they also received votes from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Cayman Islands, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Spain and the United Kingdom, to name a few.

Angel Park Golf Club is a 36-hole facility located in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. Its Mountain Course and Palm Course were both designed by Arnold Palmer. The club also has a 12-hole Short Course, the World's Original natural grass putting course and an expansive practice tee - all of which are lighted for evening enjoyment. For more information about Angel Park Golf Club visit www.angelpark.com or call (702) 254-4653.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Circling Raven Collects an Array of Honors from ZAGAT Survey 2009-10

Discerning Golfers and Travelers Give Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel Amenity High Marks in Several Best-of Categories
(Worley, IDAHO) – ZAGAT America’s Top Golf Courses 2009-10 (Sixth Edition) published its biennial results this month and Circling Raven Golf Club was lauded as one of the country’s best courses in multiple categories.

The ZAGAT survey covers 1,149 of the top courses in the U.S, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Results are based on input from 6,054 reviewers, collectively bringing in more than 640,000 annual rounds.

According to ZAGAT, courses that score between 26-30 points on a 30-point scale rate as “extraordinary to perfection.” Circling Raven scored in this highest category with 28 points.

Only 19 courses in the country scored higher – out of roughly 13,500 public access courses in the U.S. – including iconic names like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2 and Bethpage Black Course, which will host the 2009 U.S. Open Championship this summer.

ZAGAT survey respondents had much to share about Circling Raven including calling the course “majestic,” while another said Circling Raven’s golf course architect, Gene Bates, “aced the natural canvas” and that the surrounding land and “beauty define the setting.”

But perhaps this statement from one ZAGAT survey respondent spoke loudest: “If you are within 100 miles of Circling Raven head there and play it.”

Located an easy, scenic drive from Spokane International Airport (GEG) in eastern Washington, Circling Raven is owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and part of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel.

“Circling Raven was designed to honor the land on which it rests, as well as our Tribe and our people,” said CDA Casino Resort Hotel CEO David Lasarte-Meeks. “This pleases us greatly because it means we continue to uphold our responsibility and honor our heritage.”

Here are the other ZAGAT categories in which Circling Raven earned top scores:
* 40 Most Popular in the U.S.
* Top-Rated Service
* Scenic
* Par 3 Holes
* Practice Facilities
* Top Course by Region
* Quick Pace of Play
* Top-Rated Value

This is the latest award garnered by Circling Raven, which has accumulated more than 40 since its first full season (2004). Recent honors bestowed upon Circling Raven include:
* America’s Greatest Public Courses 2009-2010 – Golf Digest
* Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2008-09 – GOLF Magazine
* Top-40 Casino Courses in the U.S. (No. 4) – Golf Digest
* No. 1 in Idaho, America’s Best Courses You Can Play – Golfweek Magazine 2009
* Top U.S. Resort Courses – Golfweek Magazine 2008
* America's Top Golf Courses - Zagat Survey 2007-08 rankings
* No. 1 Tribal Golf Course in America - Native American Casino Magazine 2008
* Top 36 Resort Courses in the West – Fairways + Greens Magazine 2008
* Resort Merchandiser of the Year – PGA of America Northwest Section 2008
* Resort Merchandiser of the Year – Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA 2008
* Service Excellence Award by the Coeur d’Alene Area Chapter of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor

For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel call 1-800-523-2464 or visit www.circlingraven.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com