Charlie Woods Picks College, Stepping Out of Tiger’s Shadow

Charlie Woods is bound for Tallahassee.

The 17-year-old son of Tiger Woods announced Tuesday on Instagram that he has verbally committed to Florida State University and plans to join the Seminoles in the fall of 2027. For a player who has grown up under relentless attention, the decision represents more than just a college choice — it’s another step toward carving out his own identity in the game.

Earning It

Woods currently sits No. 21 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, a reflection of steady progress that extends well beyond the made-for-TV moments at the PNC Championship. His résumé includes a victory at last year’s AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational, proof he can deliver in elite junior fields.

At The Benjamin School in South Florida, Woods has been a central figure in the program’s success. Last fall he fired a team-best 68 during the state championship run, the kind of performance that resonates with college coaches and signals readiness for the next level.

A Program Built for Pros

Florida State, led by longtime coach Trey Jones, has developed a reputation as a launching pad to professional golf. Alumni such as Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger emerged from Tallahassee before moving on to the PGA Tour, and the Seminoles finished ninth at last spring’s NCAA Championship — missing match play by a single shot.

Woods is also set to join an elite recruiting class that includes Miles Russell, the nation’s top-ranked junior, who committed to FSU last summer. On paper, it’s a pairing that could quickly elevate the Seminoles into national-title contention.

Tiger’s View

Tiger Woods has taken a measured approach to his son’s development and recruitment. Speaking last fall at the Hero World Challenge, he emphasized that Charlie’s opportunities are a product of his own performance.

“It’s fun to be a part of the process with Charlie and go through it and see where the opportunities that he has that he has created for himself,” Tiger said.

The official signing period won’t arrive until November, but the direction is clear. Charlie Woods is heading to Florida State — not simply as Tiger’s son, but as a rising prospect ready to build a legacy of his own.

Caledonia, True Blue Prepare to Host 32 Teams From Across the Nation for Golfweek Challenge

(Pawleys Island, S.C.) – Thirty-two collegiate golf teams from across the nation are gearing up to play Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club, two of America’s top 100 resort courses, as part of the Golfweek Challenge.

The 54-hole event will be held September 10-12 with 14 women’s teams playing at Caledonia while 18 men’s teams will challenge True Blue. Schools from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific are traveling to the area to play the highly acclaimed Mike Strantz designs in hopes of starting their 2023-24 season with an early victory. 

“We are looking forward to welcoming some of the nation’s best college golfers to True Blue and Caledonia,” said General Manager Bob Seganti. “With our busy fall golf season on the immediate horizon, both courses are in fantastic shape and prepared to identify the best men’s and women’s teams in the field.”

The men’s field will feature: Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Stephen F. Austin, Western Carolina, Wright State, Presbyterian College, Charleston Southern, Richmond, Loyola-Marymount, New Orleans, Washington State and Jacksonville. 

The women’s field will feature: Eastern Washington, Campbell, Central Arkansas, Texas A&M Commerce, East Carolina, Jacksonville State, Stephen F. Austin, Lipscomb, Morehead State, Delaware, Florida Atlantic, Charleston Southern, Richmond, East Tennessee State, UNC Wilmington, Alabama-Birmingham, New Mexico State and Winthrop. 

Caledonia and True Blue, both ranked among America’s Top 100 Resort Courses by Golfweek magazine, will offer contrasting tests to the nation’s next generation of stars. Caledonia will demand a combination of power and precision from the women who challenge the layout that launched Strantz’ brief but storied career. 

From the opening tee shot through the 18th hole, a par 4 widely regarded as one of golf’s most memorable finishing holes, Caledonia’s combination of natural beauty and outstanding architecture are a powerful draw for teams traveling from as far away as Los Angeles, California. 

While Caledonia’s Lowcountry beauty provides a timeless appeal, True Blue is a more rugged design. The layout’s massive fairways are framed by native waste bunkers, providing visual contrast and challenge. 

True Blue’s greens are large and undulating, allowing the course staff to dramatically change the type of challenge players will face based on pin placement. While the talk of large fairways and greens could lead one to believe True Blue is a bomber’s paradise, for the young collegiate stars to go low, they will have to play to the proper spots in the fairway and on those greens. 

For more information or to book a tee time, visit CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or TrueBlueGolf.com. 

adidas Golf Support College Golf Experience Top100 Camps

Official partner provides performance-focused apparel for CGX Top100 golfers

(LOS ANGELES, CA) – College Golf Experience (CGX), exclusively endorsed by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), is proud to announce adidas Golf as the presenting sponsor for its innovative series of Top100 Boys and Girls Camps bringing together top ranked coaches, programs, and junior golfers.

As part of the sponsorship, players at CGX Top100 Camps will receive adidas backpacks, hats, shirts and outwear to wear during camp as well as an exclusive link to additional discounted adidas product offerings. The campers will receive adidas Golf scripting with notes on what to wear at the camp each day, similar to what they would experience on a college golf team and in professional golf. CGX marketing across all platforms for Top100 Camps will bear the adidas logo, and adidas signage will appear on-site at all Top100 camps.

“adidas Golf is an iconic brand with a rich heritage of supporting elite junior golf initiatives like the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). To have them as the presenting sponsor of CGX Top100 Camps brings great pride and further validates our camps as an integral step on the pathway to playing college golf,” says CGX CEO Joshua Jacobs. “CGX camps with college coaches complement a junior golfer’s tournament schedule and create the connective tissue between junior golf and college golf. By bringing together college coaches and junior golfers it opens the door for coaches to guide junior golfers down their path to realize a dream of playing college golf.”

adidas Golf sponsored CGX’s first-ever Boys and Girls Top100 Showcase Camps at The Wigwam Resort outside of Phoenix last year and will continue its support beginning with the upcoming Boys Top100 South Camp at Texas Rangers Golf Club in Arlington, TX, July 18 - 19. Five more Top100 Camps are scheduled for 2023.

At CGX Top100 Camps, juniors and their parents engage with the best-of-the-best coaches over two days where they experience: immersive education sessions on college golf and the recruiting pathway, open Q&A sessions and one-on-one engagement with coaches, on-course coach engagement and instruction during simulated college golf practice and tournament rounds, and real-time evaluation and personalized feedback from the coaches help them find the right collegiate program fit.

“adidas Golf is proud to continue our support of CGX and the exceptional gathering of coaches and junior golfers it brings together to foster young players and their game," said Steve Splavec, Managing Director of NAM and LAM at adidas Golf. “We’re confident that our performance apparel and footwear products will support these college hopefuls as they strive to achieve their dream of playing collegiate golf. We are proud to be a part of it.”

Head coaches from top NCAA golf programs confirmed for the upcoming Top100 South Camp include:

Alan Bratton (Oklahoma State), Grant Robbins (Kansas State), Mike McGraw (Baylor), Chris Parra (SMU), Jonathan Dismuke (University of Houston), Glen Millican (University of New Mexico), Chuck Winstead (LSU), Brad McMakin (Arkansas), Jamie Bermel (Kansas), Ryan Blagg (Louisville), Brian Kortan (Texas A&M), and Bill Allcorn (TCU).

“CGX Top100 camps are a great opportunity for junior golfers to be exposed to valuable aspects of college golf," says Glen Millican, University of New Mexico Head Men’s Golf Coach. "The lineup of coaches at the Top100 camps provide a unique experience for parents and students to understand more about the recruitment process and learn from coaches that have worked with some of the best amateurs in the world.”

Prominent coaches who have attended previous CGX Top100 Camps include NCAA Men’s Division I National Championship winners like J.C. Deacon of Florida (2023), Michael Beard of Pepperdine (2021), Alan Bratton of Oklahoma State (2018), and Ryan Hybl of Oklahoma State (2017).

For more information on CGX Camps, visit www.collegegolfx.com/camps/#upcoming.

True Blue Golf Club, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Set To Host Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate

(PAWLEYS ISLAND) – True Blue Golf Club and Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, two of America’s top 100 resort courses, are poised to host 36 teams from across the nation for the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate. 

The 54-hole event will be played March 27-29 with 18 men’s and 18 women’s teams competing on the highly acclaimed Mike Strantz designs. The women will play Caledonia all  three days while the men will tee it up at True Blue, with everyone hoping to build momentum as team’s look toward postseason play.

“We can’t wait to welcome teams for the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate,” said Bart Romano, director of golf operations for True Blue and Caledonia. “We will have 36 teams from 15 states playing Caledonia and True Blue while enjoying the best the area has to offer on and off the course. Both layouts are in pristine condition and will provide an enjoyable test for the game’s next generation of stars.”

The men’s field will feature Valparaiso, University of Connecticut, High Point, Ohio, Evansville, Southern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Wichita State, Marshall, Central Arkansas, Xavier, Austin Peay, Winthrop, Troy, Delaware, Northern Colorado, Loyola-Chicago and Western Illinois. 

The women’s field will include North Dakota State, Marshall, Akron, Gardner-Webb, Evansville, Winthrop, Morehead State, James Madison, Coastal Carolina, St. Thomas, Florida Gulf Coast, UNC Greensboro, East Carolina, UNC Asheville, Western Illinois, Ohio, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Colorado. 

Caledonia and True Blue are two of the Myrtle Beach area’s most acclaimed courses. Strantz’ first solo design, Caledonia is a consensus top 100 course. The layout is equal parts art and architecture, rewarding precision as much as raw power. 

Conversely, True Blue is a big course in every sense of the word. Players will enjoy the opportunities provided by some of the area’s widest fairways, but that doesn’t mean tee shots will be without challenge. 

True Blue’s greens are equally large in scale and it is incumbent on golfers to find the proper spots off the tee if they hope to attack pins on a layout that rewards a creative approach to the game. 

The Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Intercollegiate is one of three college events the Caledonia and True Blue will host this year. 

For more information or to book a tee time, visit CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or TrueBlueGolf.com. 

Ivy Golf Institute and CGX Partner for Ivy Junior Camp Series

Two-Day Boys & Girls Camps Launching in California, Florida, and New Jersey

(LOS ANGELES, CA) –  College Golf Experience (CGX), a college golf education program with exclusive endorsement from the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), announces, in partnership with the Ivy Golf Institute (IGI), a series of educational junior golf camps hosted exclusively by Ivy League coaches. Camps are designed to offer insights for junior golfers and their parents on playing college golf in the Ivy League. Together, IGI and CGX are creating a new pathway to playing college golf in the Ivy League in an educational, immersive, and fun setting at various locations across the country throughout the year.

The Boys and Girls Fall Ivy Camp will be held at The Saticoy Club in Somis, CA, Nov. 19 – 20, the same course as the 2022 LPGA Tour’s Mediheal Championship. The Boys and Girls Winter Ivy Camp will be held at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Jan. 7 – 8. A Boys and Girls Summer Ivy Camp is scheduled for Summer 2023 at Springdale Golf Club in New Jersey with more details will follow. 

To register for an upcoming Ivy Camp, visit: https://collegegolfx.com/camps/#upcoming.

“In partnership with Ivy Golf Institute, we strive to teach, motivate, and inspire campers, while supporting these highly academically-minded players and families with the tools to help them find their fit in college golf,” said CGX CEO, Joshua Jacobs. “Our Ivy camp series is an exciting opportunity to create unique and transformational experiences for juniors and their parents with esteemed coaches from the most prestigious institutions in the country.”

Coach participants for the Fall and Winter camps are listed below:

Ivy Boys Fall Camp - Princeton Men’s Head Coach Will Green, Columbia Men’s Head Coach Rich Mueller, and Cornell Men’s Head Coach Matt Baughan.

Ivy Girls Fall Camp - Princeton Women’s Head Coach Erika DeSanty, Columbia Women’s Head Coach Amy Weeks, and Penn Women’s Head Coach Mark Anderson.

Ivy Boys Winter Camp - Dartmouth Men’s Head Coach Rich Parker, Columbia Men’s Head Coach Rich Mueller, and Penn Men’s Head Coach Clay White.

Ivy Girls Winter Camp - Yale Women’s Head Coach Lauren Harling, Dartmouth Women’s Head Coach Alex Kirk, and Penn Women’s Head Coach Mark Anderson.

“The partnership between Ivy Golf Institute and College Golf Experience is reshaping the camp model for junior golfers interested in playing at elite academic institutions. Representing nearly every golf program in the Ivy League, we are determined to build meaningful connections with all participants and their families, while supporting and guiding them as they embark on one of the most crucial decisions of their golfing lives,” said Erika DeSanty, Head Women’s Golf Coach, Princeton University.

Players attending the Ivy Golf Institute Camps will participate in simulated college golf practice and tournament rounds while engaging with the Ivy coaches throughout the experience. Juniors and their parents will also attend education seminars led by the coaches on college golf, the recruiting process, course management and strategy, along with experiencing real-time feedback on their games via skill assessments and challenges similar to what coaches work on with their teams.

“CGX is a first-class operation driven to educate junior golfers about college golf while also leveraging a unique partnership with Ivy League schools. I’m incredibly honored and excited about working CGX camps and sharing my experience,” said Rich Mueller, Head Men’s Golf Coach, Columbia University.

To learn more about CGX and other dates and locations, visit www.collegegolfx.com.

Caledonia, True Blue Welcome 34 Collegiate Golf Teams To The Hammock Coast

(Pawleys Island, S.C.) — The ever-popular fall golf season along South Carolina’s Hammock Coast will begin with some of game’s best young players challenging two of the area’s best courses, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club.

The two Mike Strantz designs will be hosting Golfweek’s Fall Challenge, an event that will bring 34 collegiate golf teams - 20 women, 14 men - to the Hammock Coast for the 36-hole event September 11-13. Teams will descend on Georgetown County from as far away as California and New Mexico to compete on a pair of top 100 caliber public courses.

Women will play at Caledonia while the men will challenge True Blue.

Caledonia, a consensus top 100 layout, plays through a stunning piece of Lowcountry property as sprawling live oak trees draped in Spanish moss frame a layout that is universally lauded. The course was Strantz’ first solo design and it rocketed him to stardom.

A par 70, Caledonia will challenge some of America’s best women’s teams to produce their best golf on a layout that rewards precision.

Conversely, True Blue is a big golf course from the jump. The fairways, greens and waste bunkers are among the largest in all of South Carolina and so are the rewards. There is plenty of room to hit the ball at True Blue, but golfers must play to the proper spots to maximize their chances to score, a challenge the men’s teams will take on.

The women’s teams competing in the Golfweek Fall Challenge are Cal Baptist, Illinois-Chicago, Winthrop, Gardner-Webb, Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville State, Stephen F. Austin, Georgetown, UNCW, Campbell, Presbyterian College, Austin Peay, Wofford, Morehead State, New Mexico State, Delaware, East Tennessee State, Lipscomb, USC Upstate and Appalachian State.

The men’s field will include Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian, Stephen F. Austin, Southern Indiana, Incarnate Word, Austin Peay, Delaware, Wright State, Tennessee Tech, Queens, Temple, Samford, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State.

Home to 12 award-winning courses, the Hammock Coast is one of America’s most popular golf destinations, highlighted by layouts like Caledonia, True Blue, Pawleys Plantation and Heritage Club. The Waccamaw Golf Trail package, which allows golfers to choose among all 12 layouts, is the area’s most popular.

For more information, visit HammockCoastSC.com.

Blue Tees Golf Reveals New Collegiate Series 2 Pro+ Rangefinders

The official NCAA licensed Series 2 Pro+ rangefinders are coming this fall

(LOS ANGELES, CA) – Award-winning producer of golf rangefinders and accessories, Blue Tees Golf, is proud to announce that the company has retained the NCAA licensing rights to five of the TOP universities in the nation, and the Series 2 Pro+ rangefinder has been curated to reflect the culture and visual signatures of these universities.

“This new collegiate Series 2 Pro+ line of rangefinders is perfect for the golfer who wants a high-performance rangefinder and wants to show their college pride or spirit,” said Blue Tees Golf CEO Chris Markham. “We are thrilled to have partnered with these prominent universities, and early sales indicate this new series appeals to some very active fan bases.”

The Series 2 Pro+ rangefinder is licensed with these distinctive universities:

· University of Southern California - Trojans

· The Ohio State University - Buckeyes

· University of Alabama – Crimson Tide

· University of Florida – Gators

· University of Georgia – Bulldogs

The Series 2 Pro+ rangefinder offers an advanced and modern design, and premium materials, all to make the club selection easy. Premium features include a high-definition display, slope switch, advanced flag lock, pulse vibration, 800-yard range and is water resistant.

“If you like fan gear and follow any of these teams, we encourage you to visit one of our golf specialty retailers.”

The new collegiate Series 2 Pro+ rangefinder includes a carrying case, mountaineer buckle, lanyard, cleaning cloth, (2) CR2 3v batteries, sticker, and retails for $249.99. Dick’s Sporting Goods / Golf Galaxy, and PGA TOUR Superstores all carry the collegiate Series 2 Pro+ rangefinder.

For more information, visit www.blueteesgolf.com.

Jimmie Austin Golf Club replaces Ol’ Colony Golf Club as 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships Regional Host Site

(INDIANAPOLIS) – The NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Committee announced that the Jimmie Austin Golf Club at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma will replace Ol’ Colony Golf Club in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as one of the six regional hosting sites for the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships.

The committee was recently notified by the University of Alabama, host institution in Tuscaloosa, that the Ol’ Colony Golf Club would be unable to host due to current course conditions. The course was on schedule to host, but a late freeze, followed by cooler temperatures and excessive rainfall prevented necessary corrections to the course and stalled other maintenance projects.

The six regional host sites for the 2022 championship will now include Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas (Texas A&M, host); OSU Golf Club – Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio (Ohio State, host); Yale Golf Course in New Haven, Connecticut (Yale, host); PGA National Resort – Champions Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (Florida Atlantic, host); The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton, California (Pacific, host) and now the Jimmie Austin Golf Club (Oklahoma, host), with play taking place May 16-18. The top five teams (30 teams total) and the low individual not on an advancing team (six individuals total) from each regional site will advance to play in the championships at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 27–June 1.

The Jimmie Austin Golf Club has played host previously to five combined men’s and women’s NCAA Division I regional championships, hosting in 1998 (men), 2012 (men), 2013 (women), 2018 (men) and 2019 (women). The course also hosted the 1997 Oklahoma State Amateur, the 1998 and 2010 Big 12 Conference Women’s Championships, and U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships in 2009 and 2012.

“While this was a difficult situation for the committee to address in late April, the Jimmie Austin Golf Club is ready to host immediately and has a championship pedigree that will provide a great championship experience for our teams,” said Connie Hurlbut, chair of the Division I Men’s Golf Committee and senior associate commissioner and senior woman administrator at the West Coast Conference. “The committee also felt that Oklahoma, as the top ranked team in the country, earned the right to serve as the replacement host.”

Field Announced for 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship

The Championship, hosted by the Union League of Philadelphia, features exemptions for Korn Ferry Tour and Epson Tour events

(FRISCO, Texas) — PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, today announced the field for the 2022 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC). The PWCC will be hosted by The Union League of Philadelphia, which donated two of its courses for the 54-hole stroke-play Championship - Union League Liberty Hill and The Union League Golf Club of Torresdale – from May 2-4.

The PWCC, considered the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, will feature a competitive lineup of 30 teams representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions and other minority-serving institutions from all over the country.

DIVISION I (MEN’S)

Alabama A&M University

Alabama State University

University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff

Chicago State University

Florida A&M University

Howard University

North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina Central University

Prairie View A&M University

Texas Southern University

DIVISION II (MEN’S)

Bluefield State College

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Fayetteville State University

Johnson C. Smith University

Kentucky State University

Lincoln University

Miles College

Savannah State University

Virginia State University

Virginia Union University

WOMEN’S DIVISION

Alabama State University

Chicago State University

Delaware State University

Howard University

Lincoln University

North Carolina A&T State University

Prairie View A&M University

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Texas A&M University – Kingsville

Texas Southern University 

The individual divisions will see 56 competitors representing 40 programs. Howard University, thanks in part to NBA Star Steph Curry making a six-year commitment to fund its golf program, will return to the PWCC for the second consecutive year. The men's team will play in the Men's Division I Team Division and is the highest ranked team in the field, while the Bison will also compete in the Women's Team Division. 

Prairie View A&M (Men’s DI), Miles College (Men’s DII) and Texas A&M – Corpus Christi (Women’s) will all return this year, looking to defend their respective titles.

For the second year, exemptions from the Epson Tour and Korn Ferry Tour can be earned. 

The top three finishers and ties in the Women’s Team or Individual Divisions will be eligible to apply for an “MVP Invite” exemption into the Epson Tour’s Guardian Championship, Sept. 16-18 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Capitol Hill – Senator Course in Prattville, Alabama. The Guardian Championship Tournament Committee will review applications and award the exemption. 

Korn Ferry extended its sponsor exemption applications to the top three finishers in the Men’s Division I, Men’s Division II and Men’s Individual Divisions. Those individuals can apply for the exemption into the 2022 Price Cutter Charity Championship, July 21-24, at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield, Missouri.

“We are extremely excited to partner with the Union League in Philadelphia to provide this deep field the opportunity to compete at two phenomenal and historic courses,” said Scooter Clark, Director, PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship. “There is so much significance to this partnership and venue, as the Union League celebrates its 160th anniversary, and it will truly benefit the student-athletes competing.”

Clark adds, “The Union League has carried out this mission through the lens of inclusion and community engagement which strongly aligns with the PGA of America’s commitment through PGA WORKS to enhancing the experience of our underserved and underrepresented programs and students. The PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship allows us a great opportunity to connect with hundreds of student-athletes from diverse backgrounds, most of whom will continue to play golf throughout their lives.”

For more information on the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, visit www.PGAWORKSCollegiate.org. 

BIG MAX Extends Support for College Coaching Associations

(RELEASE) — Europe’s leading push cart manufacturer, BIG MAX, has announced its continued support of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) through the 2022 season.

As the two professional associations for collegiate golf coaches, the GCAA and WGCA provide vital resources and educational opportunities for collegiate golf coaches, while promoting participation in the game at the collegiate level. Both organizations rely on the support of corporate partners for their sponsored events and programmes, so the involvement of brands such as BIG MAX is vital to the continued operation of the Associations.

"The GCAA and WGCA play such an important role in the development of competitive amateur golf and the professionals of tomorrow,” commented Rick Oldach CEO of BIG MAX USA. “BIG MAX is privileged to be able to support college golf and help bring awareness of the positive impact that walking while using a push cart has on both the players’ performance and enjoyment of the game."

BIG MAX’s unmatched success in Europe is based on it’s innovative Fold-Flat push cart technology that allows for easy storage and transport of the cart while providing a smooth and stable experience on the course. The multi award winning BLADE IP folds down to just 5” deep, meaning it fits easily in any locker or in the trunk of most cars with a golf bag on top. Alongside push carts, BIG MAX is known for its waterproof Aqua, and Water Resistant Dri Lite golf bags. Combining practical innovations, ample storage and stylish, European design, BIG MAX bags are the perfect partner on course, whatever the weather.

Learn more: bigmaxgolf.com

Support Your Favorite March Madness NCAA Team with a Zero Friction Logo’ed Golf Glove

(OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL) — As March Madness continues, now is the time to show support for your favorite NCAA teams by wearing their logos. And logo’d items are not limited to apparel.

Zero Friction, LLC, makes high-quality, technologically advanced products for golfers worldwide, including its award-winning line of colorful golf gloves. Zero Friction compression fit synthetic golf gloves are now available with your favorite college teams.

Each glove comes with a magnetic double-sided ball marker emblazoned with your favorite team’s emblem, and a Zero Friction performance tee, color matched to the glove. Choose your glove color and get ready to show your team spirit out on the course. These gloves make the perfect gift for every golfer in your life.

“Our licensed gloves and Supertubes featuring the top teams are one of Zero Friction’s hottest selling items,” said John Iacono, Founder and President of Zero Friction. “It’s a terrific way to show support for your favorite teams on the golf course while utilizing a quality product that will help your game.”

In addition to golf gloves, balls and tees, Zero Friction has a line of quality golf bags made for convenience and style.

This past January at the PGA Merchandise Show, Zero Friction introduced the Wheel Pro Push Cart Golf Bag is a three-in-one, multi-functional push or pull golf cart bag. The Wheel Pro ($349.99) has a single strap, six full length dividers and seven zippered pockets. Plus, it includes an umbrella holder and bag head cover. The new golf bag is available in three color choices: black/gray, gray/black and navy/white.

For more information on Zero Friction, see the Zero Friction catalog, visit www.zerofriction.com, or call 630-317-7700.

Additional regional sites for the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships Announced

(INDIANAPOLIS) – The NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Committee announced that Stanford Golf Course in Stanford, California, and the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee have been added as regional hosting sites for the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships.

Already slated to host regional play May 9-11 in 2022 are The Championship Course at UNM (Albuquerque, New Mexico), University of Michigan Golf Course (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Karsten Creek Golf Club (Stillwater, Oklahoma) and Seminole Legacy Golf Club (Tallahassee, Florida).

In November, the NCAA had announced the move to a six-regional format effective with the spring championship. Each of the six regional sites will now feature 12 teams and six individuals, with the top four teams and top two individuals (not on an advancing team) qualifying for the championships, which will be held for the second straight year at Grayhawk Golf Club (Raptor Course) in Scottsdale, Arizona, from May 20-25.

With the move to six regional sites from the previous four-site format, 72 teams will still qualify for regional play, with the number of individuals not on an advancing team increasing from 24 to 36. 

The committee will now shift its attention to determining the regional hosting sites for 2023-26, with that announcement expected in March.

“The response from the NCAA membership and local organizing committees to host these additional regionals has been remarkable,” said Julie Manning, chair of the Division I Women’s Golf Committee and deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator at the University of Minnesota. “We are thrilled to add two outstanding venues and institutions as hosts for our 2022 regional championships and we look forward to awarding additional regional hosts for the 2023-26 championships in the very near future.”

Second Annual Copper Cup Set for January 16 & 17 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

(Maricopa, Ariz.) – In-state rivals, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University men’s golf teams, will square off in the second annual Copper Cup, a two-day, four-round match January 16 and 17, 2022 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. The inaugural Ryder Cup-style event held in 2021 was won by Arizona State as David Puig pulled out a singles win to lead the Sun Devils to a one-point victory. Puig birdied the 16th hole, then parred 17 and 18 for a 1-up win over Briggs Duce to clinch a 12.5-11.5-point win.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club and the two universities are encouraging fans to attend the 2022 Copper Cup as stands will be set on the 1st and 18th holes to take-in the action. The Copper Cup will be free to attend. The teams will play four four-ball matches on January 16 in the morning, followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon. On January 17, four matches with foursomes will take place, followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon to finish. Each match will be worth one point, while ties will be awarded a half-point to both sides. Twenty-four points are awarded, as it will take 12.5 to win the Copper Cup. Selection of pairings for both daily matches will be done live the night before between coaches and made available to all players and public immediately. 

“Everyone loved last year’s Copper Cup. What started as a quasi-exhibition event, turned into an intense competition that came down to the final holes,” said ASU Men’s Golf Head Coach Matt Thurmond. “I believe all the match play practice really helped us at the NCAA Championship.  The second Copper Cup will be even better and we can’t wait for it. Our team is spending the off-season training with the Copper Cup on their mind as it is the first college golf tournament of the spring. We hope to see many Sun Devil and Wildcat fans out there cheering on their teams.”

“The Copper Cup is a major for our team,” said Arizona Men’s Golf Head Coach Jim Anderson. “The tournament provides us so much to debut the championship segment of our season. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is championship course with conditions, and the speed, firmness, and overall course set up require discipline and smarts. The format, both Match Play and Team, give eight players a chance to score meaningful points, something we see very little prior to the postseason. Of course our opponent too, will have our full attention as we know both programs are poised for success independent of one another. Lastly, the rivalry adds to the week where players and fans on both sides can easily relate.  Our team couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to open up at The Copper Cup and we are very appreciative for the staff and community’s efforts to kick off the college golf season.”

“Our goal in 2021, with the inaugural Copper Cup, was to create an event that had such a great feel and buzz that everyone would want to make it an annual event – we accomplished that goal,” said Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club General Manager Brady Wilson. “Now, in 2022, our mission is to take this event to the next level by inviting fans.  We want to create a Ryder Cup-like atmosphere for these teams. With the caliber of players from each university, I believe a number of them will be playing in a future Ryder Cup!” 

In October 2020, the NCAA announced that Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club will be a host site for the 2026 Men’s Golf NCAA Regionals. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, named a “Top 100 Golf Course You Can Play” by Golf Magazine, will be one of six Regional sites in the U.S. with each site hosting 14 collegiate teams. The top five teams from each Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships to be held in 2026 at La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego, Calif. Exact dates for the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Regionals will be announced at a later date, but the tournament is expected to take place in mid-to-late May 2026. 

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club was designed by Brian Curley and PGA TOUR veteran Fred Couples in 2002. Originally developed as a private club by private investors, the championship Australian Sandbelt-style golf course sits on 320 acres of land that was once a part of the Ak-Chin’s May 1912 reservation before it was removed by Presidential Executive Order in late 1912. Nearly 100 years later, in 2010, the Ak-Chin Community recovered its sacred land when it purchased the golf facility and opened the course to public play. The course currently boasts several coveted accolades, including being included on Golfweek’s coveted rankings of the “Top 100 Resort Courses” and “Best Courses You Can Play.”

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes has played host to numerous major tournaments and events since opening in 2002, serving as an annual U.S. Open qualifying site, host course for the PING Southwest Section PGA Section Championship and several top collegiate men’s and women’s golf tournaments. The course annually hosts top amateurs in the Tucker Amateur in September and the Saguaro Amateur held in early January. Both events are part of the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series, a multi-tournament series providing high-level amateurs a chance to compete throughout the year.

For more information on Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, visit www.akchinsoutherndunes.com.

For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.

Columbia, Yale to Celebrate 125-Year Anniversary of Collegiate Golf

Head-to-head, holes-won competition this Friday, Oct. 22 at The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club

(NEW YORK) — In celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the first collegiate golf match played in the United States, the Columbia and Yale men’s golf teams will take to the links to square off in a holes-won format event on Friday, October 22 at The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club.

The exact same holes-won format was used when the two Ivy rivals competed on November 6, 1896 in the first-ever collegiate golf match, which was played at Ardsley Casino (Ardsley Country Club). At that time, golf was coming into its own in America and “found its way among the colleges,” says an article which was published prior to the competition in the New York Times on November 1, 1896.

Initially, five college teams were invited to compete in the event—Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale—showing that the game among Ivy schools was slowly taking shape. Unfortunately, Harvard and Penn did find it “difficult to field teams” for the event, but Princeton did commit, and by at least one account, were quite good. However, and most notably, Princeton’s team decided not to participate in the match because team members wanted to enjoy the football game against Harvard.  It’s fair to say that this was, indeed, a different time in college sports. Alas, it left only Columbia and Yale to duke it out.

According to the New York Times’ recap of the event published on November 8, 1896, the event was exceptionally well-attended and garnered lots of local interest. Each side put forward their best six players in a holes-won format. Unfortunately, the Lions were beaten by the Bulldogs 35 holes to zero.

Columbia Director of Golf Rich Mueller said. “The Saint Andrews Golf Club is the perfect setting to host such an event and we would like to thank those at the course for helping to make it a reality.”

At 133 years old, Saint Andrew’s Golf Club is the oldest, continuously operating golf club in America and is the home course for the Columbia University men’s golf team. The course is located at 10 Old Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. 10706. More information on the course is available on the St. Andrews Golf Club Website or by calling (914) 478-3500.

Other historical items of note:

• Yale was the first college in the country to have a golf team and it was organized by John Reid Jr.

• Two of the five Yale golfers that day were the sons of the five founders of the USGA.

   o John Reid, Jr., whose father (John Reid) was a Scottish émigré who helped co-found The Saint Andrews Golf Club with Robert Lockhart in 1888.

   o F. C. Havemeyer was the son of the sugar baron Frederick Havemeyer, of the Newport Country Club, for whom the U.S. Amateur Championship trophy is named. 

• The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club was a founding member (along with The Country Club, the Chicago Golf Club, the Newport Golf Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club) of the United States Golf Association.

If you would like to attend, cover the match or need additional information, please contact Greg Hotchkiss, Columbia University’s Associate Athletics Director for Communications & Public Relations at gh2469@columbia.edu.

EVENT DETAILS

125th Anniversary of Golf Celebration Match

Columbia vs. Yale

Friday, October 22, 2021 at 11:45 am

The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club | Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Time: Noon ET

The Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis Paradise Island Set to Host White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational

(Paradise Island, Bahamas) – The Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis Paradise Island is set to host some of the top collegiate golf teams during the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, October 20 – 31, 2021. Led by host schools, the University of Miami (women’s tournament) and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (men’s tournament), the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, will feature a total of 19 teams, including seven women’s teams and 12 men’s teams.

The White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational features a 54-hole women’s competition, played October 22 – 24, followed by a 54-hole men’s competition, played October 29 – 31. Team practice rounds for both competitions will be played on Wednesday and Thursday of the respective weeks. Teams competing in the women’s competition include: University of Miami Campbell University, Florida International University, University of Iowa, Mercer University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northern Illinois University. Men’s teams competing include: University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Bowling Green State University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Lamar University, Lipscomb University, Michigan University, University of Mississippi, University of San Francisco and University of South Florida.

The Ocean Club Golf Course has hosted several premier events, including the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. The world-renowned Atlantis Paradise Island features the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole Ocean Club Golf Course that stretches over 7,100 yards on Paradise Island Oceanside peninsula. Views of the Bahamian coastline makes the Ocean Club Golf Course one of the most spectacular and challenging venues to play golf. 

“On behalf of The Ocean Club Golf Course and Atlantis Paradise Island, we welcome all of the athletes competing in the 2021 White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, along with their coaches and fans. The Invitational is a great opportunity to showcase our course to some of the top golfers in the amateur ranks. Our Director of Agronomy, Jeff Hood, and his team have done an amazing job prepping the golf course for the tournament.  We are really looking forward to the competition, and showcasing our beautiful destination,” said Robbie Leming, General Manager, The Ocean Club.

The White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational provides an experience for players and coaches that is unmatched in college golf, thanks to the quality of The Ocean Club Golf Course, Atlantis Paradise Island’s luxury accommodations and amenities, the incredible tropical weather and the genuine Bahamian hospitality. 

The Ocean Club Golf Course is professionally managed by Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee club operations division of Troon. For more information on the Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis Paradise Island, visit https://oceanclubgolfcourse.com. For more information on The White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, visit www.whitesandsbahamas.com.

For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.

College Golf Experience Announces San Diego Showcase Camp at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

Premier junior camp brings golfers together with San Diego area college golf coaches

(LOS ANGELES, CA) — College Golf Experience (CGX), exclusively endorsed by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), announces a new camp coming to Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. CGX provides junior golfers unprecedented access to college coaches – helping them learn about collegiate golf and the recruiting process, showcase their talents, and set and achieve their goals.

The San Diego Showcase Camp at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa will be held on November 14th and feature four collegiate coaches from the San Diego area: San Diego State - Lauren Dobashi, Women’s Head Coach, San Diego State - Evan Emerick, Assistant Men’s Coach, University of San Diego - Sam Foust, Assistant Coach, UC San Diego - Fred Hanover, Men’s Head Coach.

Registration is now open for this camp at https://collegegolfx.com/san-diego-showcase/ All campers will engage in skills challenges, an 18-hole simulated collegiate golf practice round with all coaches, education and Q & A sessions with coaches, lunch, and receive special welcome gifts.

“Our vision for collegiate coaches, junior golfers and their families is to create high quality camp experiences that transform the traditional recruiting process,” said CGX founder, Joshua Jacobs. “Partnering with Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, one of the top golf resort destinations in the country and being able to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for junior golfers and their families is very exciting.” 

CGX camps are a tremendous opportunity for young men and women ages 8-18 to learn from and interact with multiple coaches in an immersive fun and educational setting. Camps include instruction, engagement with coaches in simulated collegiate practice and tournament rounds, educational seminars and Q&A sessions about the recruiting process and provide the opportunity for college coaches to create unique and transformational experiences for junior golfers at all stages of development with an emphasis on aspiring collegiate student-athletes.

For more information on CGX, visit www.collegegolfx.com. Follow @collegegolfx.

Junior Golf Hub Releases First-Ever 2021 College Golf Signer Report

Findings Reveal the Verified Scores and Skills Necessary for High Schoolers to Reach the Collegiate Level

(RIDGEFIELD, Conn.) – Junior Golf Hub (The Hub) – the leading online community for junior golfers, their parents and college coaches – today released the 2021 Junior Golf Hub College Golf Signer Report, a first of its kind study that analyzes verified historical tournament data of more than 900 junior golfers who signed a National Letter of Intent in 2021. 

The golfers included in the report signed to play collegiate golf with 524 different schools, including men’s and women’s programs that compete in NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA. The study mixes visual graphics, statistical breakdowns and deep analysis to paint a complete picture of the 2021 class of signees, acting as a reliable benchmark for college golf hopefuls.

What’s Inside:

- Scoring Average of Signers

- Course Difficulty of Signers

- Signers’ Home Countries and States

- Signers’ Scoring Progress Throughout High School

Premium Extended Report:

- What It Takes to Play DI

- Scoring Average Related to Program Division

- Signer Case Studies

- Comparing and Contrasting Signers vs. Non-signers

To join Junior Golf Hub and gain access to the complete Signer Report, click here. Existing Premium members received a copy of the report this week.

“From day one, our team at The Hub has set out to educate, simplify and clarify the realities of what it takes for junior golfers to reach their goal of competing at the collegiate level,” says Junior Golf Hub’s founder, Roger Knick. “This report will open the eyes of players and parents to the rich and diverse playing opportunities available at nearly 2200 college programs across the country. It gives legitimacy to our core belief that college golf is attainable for nearly any golfer that’s willing to work for it.”

All scores have been accumulated and verified through official competition on the American Junior Golf Association, Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Golfweek Junior Tour and numerous other national, regional and local junior tours, including PGA Sections and State Golf Associations.

At just $129 per year, members of The Hub gain full access to the platform that helps connect recruits with college golf coaches through tailored, searchable online profiles. Player profiles present to coaches their athletic measurables such as verified tournament scores, swing speed, tournament schedules and academic information such as GPA, test scores and academic honors. 

A membership to The Hub, which also tracks a player’s growth and development as they move through their junior golf journey, is not only a beneficial tool for burgeoning young golfers, but it also hosts an invaluable suite of resources and education that supports parents throughout the complicated process of recruiting. The platform hosts a vast library of resources designed as a step-by-step guide to the college golf recruiting process.

For those still seeking their perfect fit, the platform’s “Find a College” function filters results based on the program’s scoring average, acceptable test scores, tuition, majors offered, enrollment size and more. College golf hopefuls are instantly notified via mobile app or desktop portal when a collegiate program starts following them.

To date, nearly 10,000 athletes have created a profile on The Hub, while more than 1,000 members have gone on to play golf at an NCAA DI, DII, DIII or NAIA school. The current collegiate database consists of more than 2,200 men’s and women’s golf programs.

To access the platform and learn more, visit www.juniorgolfhub.com. The Junior Golf Hub App is available in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Stanford Freshman Rachel Heck Wins 2021 ANNIKA Award Presented by Stifel

Recognizing the Most Outstanding Female NCAA Division I College Golfer, Heck Becomes 2nd Freshman to win ANNIKA Award; Earns Exemption to 2022 Amundi Evian Championship

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Stanford Freshman Rachel Heck continues to re-write the record books in college golf by becoming the second Freshman to win the prestigious ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel, recognizing the most outstanding female NCAA DI college golfer. The announcement was made today by Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam and Ron Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel on GOLF Channel.

As a result of winning the 2021 ANNIKA Award, Heck receives an exemption to compete in the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship, one of the LPGA Tour’s five major championships.

“Every time someone asks my who is my favorite golfer and who is my biggest role model, Annika is the easiest answer,” said Heck after receiving the award and a congratulatory phone call from Annika. “She is incredible. What she did with her career in golf alone speaks for itself, but what she has done after that is unbelievable. She has given so much back to the game. After she finished her career, she has spent the rest of her life just giving back to the game, growing golf and growing girls golf. So, to receive the award from her is so special. 

“A huge thank you to all of the coaches and especially the players for voting,” continued Heck. “These are my best friends. These are girls I grew up playing with, and to get their vote is really special. They are the reason I come out here, want to play and are the reason why I love golf so much. To win an award voted on by them means the world to me.”

“It makes me super proud and warms my heart when I hear her comments,” said Annika after hearing Heck’s interview on GOLF Channel. “I’ve seen her play the last few years and I have seen her grow up and mature. I think golf is in good hands when you have players like Rachel. It validates what we do. It makes me want to do more and celebrate these wonderful young women and what they do both on and off the golf course.

“She has had an amazing season, and I think it says a lot about not only her performance on the course but a lot about her personality,” continued Annika. “Thank you to Haskins Commission and Stifel in presenting this award. It is very special for us. This is the eighth year, and every year we have had some incredible winners, many who have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour and are great ambassadors for the game.” 

“Stifel has been a proud supporter of college golf for more than a decade, and our commitment grows stronger each year,” said Ron Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel. “As an organization with an abundance of top women performers, we are honored to be a presenting sponsor for such a prestigious award. This year’s recipient has gracefully handled the challenges of a very unconventional golf season and we salute her remarkable resilience and achievements.”

Heck became Stanford’s first individual national champion on Monday by winning the NCAA Women’s Golf Individual National Championship, finishing at 8-under par 280. The victory was Heck’s sixth title of the season, where she became the third collegiate woman to sweep postseason competition by winning conference, regional and the individual national championship. 

Heck, the 2nd ranked player in the country on GolfStat and the 6th ranked player in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings, enrolled in the Air Force ROTC this semester, with her ultimate goal of becoming the first woman to serve in the military reserves while playing on the LPGA Tour. She will compete next week in the U.S. Women’s Open at The Olympic Club after earning low medalist honors at the Marin Country Club qualifier in early May.

Prior to teeing off in her final round at the NCAA Women’s Individual Golf Championship on Monday, Heck paused after she heard the name Victoria Pinckney by the first tee starter. Every player in the field at the championship on Monday played in memory of a fallen U.S. serviceman or servicewoman. Air Force captain Pickney – a wife and mother – passed away serving her country in Krygyzstan during Operation Enduing Freedom eight years ago. Heck walked over the starter to write down Pinckney’s name on her scorecard. 

“We’re playing a golf tournament; that doesn’t matter,” Heck told GOLF Channel following her individual championship victory. “These people gave their lives for this country, so I didn’t want to lose sight of that. When I missed a putt that I thought was going in and looked down at my scorecard and saw her name, it kind of brought me back to real life and reminded me of what’s important.”

GOLF Channel’s live coverage of the NCAA Golf Championships continues today and tomorrow with the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships team match play competition in primetime, followed by live coverage of the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships, May 31-June 2. Complete information about GOLF Channel’s television coverage of the NCAA Golf Championships can be found HERE.

Voting for the ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel was compiled and verified by the Fred Haskins Commission, which oversees the award. Past winners of the ANNIKA Award include Natalie Srinivasan (Furman, 2020); Maria Fassi (Arkansas, 2018-19); Leona Maguire (Duke, 2015, 2017); Bronte Law (UCLA, 2016) and Alison Lee (2014). These past ANNIKA Award recipients tallied 33 wins during their collegiate careers; have been collectively recognized as First Team All-Americans 10 times; and have accumulated three professional wins (Bronte Law – 2019 Pure Silk Championship; Leona Maguire – two Symetra Tour wins). GOLF Channel and Golfweek are media partners for the ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel.

Dartmouth College Selects Montcalm Golf Club as New Home Club

(ENFIELD, N.H.) — Montcalm Golf Club is pleased to announce that it is the new home golf course to the Dartmouth College men’s and women’s golf teams. 

The two-year partnership provides the Big Green program access to practice and play at the award-winning, 6,829-yard Enfield, New Hampshire based course, imagined and built by Andrew Sigler, a graduate of Dartmouth (’53) and Tuck (’56). The partnership provides Dartmouth access to Montcalm’s course and its state-of-the-art practice facilities as well as the ability to host tournaments. Montcalm will also carry Dartmouth merchandise in their pro shop.

Last July, it was announced that Hanover Country Club would permanently close. In January, Dartmouth reinstated its men’s and women’s golf teams and, therefore, needed a new home.

“We are sensitive to the challenges and transitions the Dartmouth golf program has endured over the past year, but we are pleased to support, welcome and accommodate the Big Green,” said Steve Rogers, Director of Golf at Montcalm Golf Club. “We will do everything to ensure they, like all our Montcalm members, feel at home and thrive here with the use of our course and state-of-the-art practice and training facility. This partnership provides us with the ability to host competitive play and showcase our course to some of New England’s finest collegiate players.”

It was close to 20 years ago when Sigler designed and built Montcalm as a result of Dartmouth temporarily closing the Hanover Country Club in 2001 for renovations. Golf Digest recognized the course among the top-10 best new private courses in the U.S. in 2005, and the magazine acknowledged Montcalm again in 2007 as one of the best in New Hampshire.

Rich Parker, Dartmouth’s Bill Johnson Head Coach of Men’s Golf, is complimentary of Montcalm’s recent enhancements to its amenities in 2020, namely a new training and practice venue that includes 40 full-swing, natural-grass hitting stations, 20 PGA Tour approved Turf Hound hitting stations and a bent-grass putting and chipping green, as well as beautifully groomed practice bunkers and pitching areas. A new 5,700-square-foot putting green was also installed for 2020.

“We are excited to have our men’s and women’s golf programs being able to call Montcalm their home,” Dartmouth Director of Athletics and Recreation Peter Roby said. “I’ve visited the course and was impressed with the amenities related to practice and understand that it is a true test of golf. Our golfers will benefit from Montcalm’s hospitality and will enjoy all it has to offer.”

Situated between the Green Mountain National Forest and the White Mountain National Forest in the Upper Valley section of the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region, Montcalm Golf Club has outstanding panoramic mountain views of Killington, Vermont’s Green Mountains and Mt. Ascutney, as well as rolling hills of velvet fairways and greens. Montcalm Golf Club is conveniently located off of I-89 Exit 15 at 2 Smith Pond Rd. Enfield, NH 03748. 

For more information: call 603-448-5665 or visit the website: www.montcalmgolfclub.com.

Collegiate Golfers Return to Reynolds Lake Oconee for 16th Annual Linger Longer Invitational, March 11-13

(Greensboro, GA) – Regarded as one of the top collegiate golf events in the nation, the 16th annual Linger Longer Invitational (LLI) at Reynolds Lake Oconee will take place at Great Waters, March 11-13, 2021.

The Linger Longer Invitational showcases leading collegiate players from around the country as they compete for the individual and team titles in a 54-hole stroke-play tournament.

Some of the country’s most competitive college golf programs will contend for the title, including Kennesaw State, Mercer University, Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia State, Virginia, Augusta, North Alabama, Toledo, Chattanooga, Louisiana Tech, Charlotte, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Troy, and High Point.

Georgia Tech is the highest ranked team among the field, listed at 20th in the Golfweek Pre-Spring Coaches Poll.  The Yellow Jackets are also ranked #8 in the ACC power rankings, followed closely by Virginia at #10.

Linger Longer Invitational alumni include PGA Tour players with combined earnings of close to $250 million and 46 tour victories. Former LLI participants include four-time major champion Brooks Koepka (Florida State), 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas (Alabama), 2015 Players champion Rickie Fowler (Oklahoma State), Russell Henley, Brian Harman, Keith Mitchell and Chris Kirk (Georgia), Beau Hossler (Texas), and Kyle Stanley (Clemson).

The Linger Longer Invitational has been held at three of the six golf courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee – twice at The Oconee (2006, 2007), followed by five years at The Landing (2008-2010, 2019-2020) and eight years at Great Waters (2011-2018). This year’s tournament returns to Great Waters, which reopened in 2019 after an 18-month complete renovation by Nicklaus Design.

For additional information on the Linger Longer Invitational or to check scores during the event, access the web site at https://www.reynoldslakeoconee.com/the-linger-longer-invitational.