Renown Swing Coach Rick Smith Enthusiastic About PGA Tour Season

Golf’s renaissance man guides Brendan Steele to season’s first win on PGA Tour; prepares to launch The Rick Smith Golf Performance Center at Trump National Doral Miami

(Miami, FL) – Rick Smith, one of golf’s leading swing coaches, has been very busy in his usual enthusiastic manner while preparing for the upcoming 2017/2018 PGA Tour season.

Kicking off the fall season, long-time Smith student Brendan Steele won the PGA Tour’s 2017-2018 season-opening tournament at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa Valley on Oct. 8. At the same time, Smith is preparing for the opening of the Rick Smith Golf Performance Center at Trump National Doral Miami on January 1, 2018.

“I can’t say enough about how excited I am for Brendan and the work he has put into his golf swing,” Smith said. “The changes we have been implementing over the past few years are taking shape and putting him in a great position to be one of the top players on Tour. He is beginning to rise to the top in many of the key statistical categories on Tour including driving distance and strokes gained tee to green and off the tee, which is a testament to his dedication to improvement. Like last year, this win should set the tone for him to once again compete for the Fed Ex Cup.”

Beginning in January, Smith, whose successful and diverse resume includes being a top instructor, course designer, TV analyst, spokesman and communicator, will concentrate on the passion that laid the foundation for his industry success – instruction. He has been ranked as high as the No. 3 teacher in the world, and has worked with the likes of Golfer of the Century - Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Lee Janzen, Vijay Singh, David Duval, Paul Azinger, John Daly, Greg Norman, and Sang Moon Bae, among other top players in the world.

“I have had tremendous opportunities around the world to teach, design courses, and help promote the game, but my true passion has always been teaching all aspects of the game of golf and to help people get better,” Smith says. “This opportunity to bring my flagship performance center to Trump National Doral Miami will allow me to focus on my passion for helping golfers of all levels from PGA Tour players, elite amateurs and beginners to improve their games.”

Smith’s current PGA Tour students like Steele, Rocco Mediate, Latin American Tour player Tyler McCumber, as well as other players, will now have one of the best teachers and facilities in the world to call upon when they want to improve their games.

During the development of the new Rick Smith Golf Performance Center at Trump National Doral Miami, Smith will be assembling an elite team of instructors that will include key past teachers he has worked with along with a collection of top teachers that exemplify Rick’s swing philosophies he has implemented over the years.

“There are common fundamentals shared by all the best teachers, but there certainly is not one method or swing to play the game with,” explained Smith. “This has been proven over the years by the several different types of players’ golf swings we have worked with who have won multiple times on tour as well as major championships.”

Along with world-class instructors, state of the art swing technology and video analysis, the new performance center will serve resort guests, club members and visitors. This modern facility will provide a wide range of unique, fun, and non-pressure type programming in a relaxed atmosphere. This includes private lessons, half-day, full-day and multi-day programs, PGA Professional-member programs, group clinics, on-course programs, and junior programming.

For more information, visit www.RickSmith.com.

Antigua Tour Staff Player Ryan Armour Wins First PGA Tour Title

(PEORIA, AZ) - The Antigua Group, Inc. - one of the nation's leading designers and marketers of genuine sports apparel under its Antigua brand congratulates Ryan Armour on his first PGA Tour win at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi.

Armour shot a 4-under 68 to earn an impressive first career win at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Armour started Sunday's final round with a five-shot lead and was never seriously challenged. The 41-year-old won for the first time in 105 career starts, finishing at 19-under par for a five-shot victory.

"Antigua is proud of Ryan and we congratulate him on his convincing win," says Ron McPherson, President and CEO of Antigua. "All of us at Antigua are so happy for Ryan and so proud to have him as a brand ambassador."

Find Antigua on the web at: www.Antigua.com and ShopAntigua.com. Like Antigua on Facebook at: facebook.com/Antigua. Follow Antigua on Twitter at: twitter.com/AntiguaWear. See Antigua YouTube videos at: youtube.com/AntiguaWear.

Tiger Woods Prop Odds for Return, 2018

(RELEASE) - BookMaker.eu has posted Tiger Woods props for his return to professional golf, as well as the 2018 year. You can find the full list of Tiger props below.

Will Tiger Woods announce retirement from professional golf before January 1, 2019?
Yes +240
No -300

How many PGA Tour/European Tour events will Tiger Woods compete in during 2018 calendar year?
Over 5.5
Under 5.5

How many majors will Tiger Woods compete in during 2018 calendar year?
Over 2.5
Under 2.5

Will Tiger Woods win a PGA Tour/European Tour event prior to January 1, 2019?
Yes +2000
No -4000

Tiger Woods best finish during 2018 calendar year (minimum playing field of 100)
Over 18.5
Under 18.5

How many cuts will Tiger Woods make during 2018 calendar year? (minimum playing field of 100)
Over 2.5
Under 2.5

Tiger Woods Official World Golf Ranking on January 1, 2019
Over 1180.5
Under 1180.5

Will Tiger Woods withdraw during any professional tournament prior to January 1, 2019?
Yes -600
No +400

Will Tiger Woods undergo back surgery in 2018?
Yes +130
No -160

Will Tiger Woods be the U.S. Ryder Cup Captain in 2018?
Yes +140
No -170

Will Tiger Woods shoot 80 or worse in a round in 2018?
Yes -130
No +100

Will Tiger Woods withdraw from the 2017 Hero World Challenge before the tournament begins?
Yes +220
No -280

Will Tiger Woods withdraw during the 2017 Hero World Challenge?
Yes +240
No -300

Tiger Woods finishing position at 2017 Hero World Challenge
1st +2000
2nd +1300
3rd +1100
4th-10th +300
11th-17th -155
18th +350

Will Tiger Woods finish in the top 5 at the 2017 Hero World Challenge?
Yes +600
No -1400

Will Tiger Woods finish last (18th) at 2017 Hero World Challenge?
Yes +350
No -500

Will Tigers Woods hit fairway on first round tee shot on Hole No. 1 of 2017 Hero World Challenge?
Yes -165
No +135

Tiger Woods score on Hole No. 1 during first round of 2017 Hero World Challenge
Birdie +250
Par -120
Bogey or worse +160

How many birdies will Tiger Woods record in the first round of 2017 Hero World Challenge?
Over 2.5
Under 2.5

How many bogeys or worse will Tiger Woods record in the first round of 2017 Hero World Challenge?
Over 3.5
Under 3.5

Tiger Woods highest score on any hole during 2017 Hero World Challenge
Over 6.5
Under 6.5

Tiger Woods 18-hole score during first round of 2017 Hero World Challenge
Over 72.5 
Under 72.5 

Tiger Woods highest 18-hole score during any round of 2017 Hero World Challenge
Over 75.5
Under 75.5 

Tiger Woods lowest 18-hole score during any round of 2017 Hero World Challenge
Over 69.5
Under 69.5

BookMaker.eu is considered a pillar of the offshore gaming industry. Established in 1985 and located in Costa Rica, BookMaker is one of the oldest and most trusted sportsbooks in the world. BookMaker Sportsbook is “Where the Line Originates.”

XXIO Announces XXIO X, the Tenth Generation of XXIO Woods and Irons: Experience Easier Distance

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.) — XXIO has announced the new XXIO X product lineup, the tenth generation of their flagship woods and irons. XXIO X (pronounced ZEK-si-oh ten) features the new True-Focus Impact Technology, which combines a larger sweet spot with a shaft that helps golfers find the face-center more often so moderate swing speed golfers can experience easier distance.

XXIO is one of the world’s fastest growing premium golf equipment manufacturers. With the highest quality materials and revolutionary technologies, XXIO products are painstakingly crafted for the discerning golfer with a moderate swing speed.

“We build golf clubs differently than any other manufacturer,” said Chuck Thiry, Vice President of XXIO’s North America headquarters. “XXIO equipment is lightweight and easy-to-swing. Each club features custom-made shafts and grips, ensuring that every component actively helps moderate swing speed golfers get more distance and more control.

“XXIO X takes this philosophy to the next level,” said Thiry. “The innovative shaft and head technologies in these clubs will actually help a moderate swing speed golfer improve their swing with more consistency and a tighter impact pattern.”

XXIO X is extremely lightweight compared to average golf equipment. With lighter components and a higher balance point, XXIO X’s Low Swing MOI helps increase club head and ball speed without requiring any swing changes.

The new True-Focus Impact Technology—the engine that drives every XXIO X club—is a combination of two innovations: Smart Impact Shaft and Hi-Energy Impact Head. Together, these two features increase a moderate swing speed golfer’s chances of finding the sweet spot from 58 percent to 68 percent.

XXIO engineers observed moderate swing speed golfers and measured strong centrifugal forces that pull those golfers off-balance throughout their swing. The Smart Impact Shaft was made with a unique flex profile that works to reduce those forces, resulting in more consistency and a 28 percent tighter impact pattern.

When developing the Hi-Energy Impact Head, XXIO mapped moderate swing speed impact patterns and found that most mishits are on the toe or low on the heel. To help golfers hit the sweet spot more often, XXIO X features increased COR in those specific areas. This produced the highest effective COR of any XXIO driver with the largest sweet spot in XXIO history.

XXIO X Woods Key Technologies:
· Increased COR in the most common impact locations for more distance
· High-density rear weight improves center of gravity location for a higher launch
· Thin, lightweight titanium crown redistributes weight for increased forgiveness

XXIO X Irons Key Technologies:
· Tungsten nickel sole weights positioned low and deep produce a higher launch
· Progressive weight shapes optimize performance for each loft
· Titanium face construction creates a larger sweet spot with higher ball speeds

XXIO X Clubs Include:
· Driver, $649.99 MAP
· Fairway Woods, $399.99 MAP
· Hybrids, $299.99 MAP
· Irons, Graphite $200.00/each MAP
· Irons, Steel $160.00/each MAP

XXIO X Woods and Irons will be available in North America starting on Dec. 9, 2017.

To learn more about XXIO X, visit the newly redesigned www.xxiousa.com.

You First Foundation Golf Event Raises $20,000 to Support Brain Injury Victims and Their Families

(Houston, TX) - The You First Foundation raised more than $20,000 in its third annual Wendy Kwan Memorial charity golf tournament. The tournament is held in honor of Wendy Kwan, a young mother who died in 2014 unexpectedly from an undetected brain aneurysm.

The tournament was held at the BlackHorse Golf Club in Cypress October 20. Wendy's husband, Ken Lee, and their two children were honorary guests at the tournament. Lee is also a board member of the You First Foundation.

The You First Foundation is a Houston-based non-profit that provides support to individuals and families that have suffered a traumatic brain injury. The foundation was formed by Wendy Kwan's co-workers at First Service Credit Union following her tragic death.

You First will use the money raised through the golf tournament to provide scholarships for brain injury victims’ children and to contribute to local neurointensive care centers and causes.

"As part of our effort to support people affected by traumatic brain injuries and those dedicated individuals researching them, the money raised from this annual tournament is very important,” said David Bleazard, chairman of the You First Foundation and President of First Service Credit Union. "This is our biggest single fund-raiser of the year, and we appreciate all the players and donors who helped make it a success."

About You First Foundation
You First foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity that provides support for individuals affected by traumatic medical events and whose goal is to put smiles on the faces of children by assisting with their educational needs. The foundation is assisted by the success of First Service Credit Union’s charitable events and fully supported by employees. You First Foundation supports charitable children’s groups, the Nexus Health Systems (including Healthbridge Children’s Hospital, and Touchstone Neurorecovery Center), the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and more. You First Foundation believes that with further research, brain injuries can be fully recoverable. Visit www.youfirstfoundation.org to follow the cause.

East Lake Cup Collegiate Foundation Announces $498,750 Donation to The East Lake Foundation

Nearly $1 million Donated to the East Lake Foundation Since the East Lake Cup’s Tournament Inception in 2015

(ATLANTA) – The East Lake Cup collegiate match play championship announced a charitable donation of $498,750 to the East Lake Foundation from behalf of Golf Channel, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (presenting sponsor) and associate sponsor CSX. To date, the East Lake Cup has donated nearly $1 million to the East Lake Foundation.

“We are very appreciative of the generous financial support we have received from the Golf Channel and the sponsors of the East Lake Cup at East Lake Golf Club,” said Daniel Shoy, Jr., President of the East Lake Foundation. “This important funding helps sustain the progress made in the East Lake community over the past 22 years and ensures the Foundation can continue to effectively provide residents with the tools necessary to build a better life for themselves and future generations.”

The third annual East Lake Cup collegiate match play championship is taking place this week at historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga. The three-day event (Monday-Wednesday) features the eight semifinalists from the 2017 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s golf championships competing in an elite college match play championship, airing live on Golf Channel each day from 3-6 p.m. ET. Monday featured the individual stroke play championship, where USC’s Robynn Ree and Vanderbilt’s Will Gordon claimed stroke play honors.

Today’s East Lake Cup semifinal matches will mirror that of both the men’s and women’s NCAA Championships earlier this year: Women’s – Stanford (1) vs. Arizona State (4) and USC (2) vs. Northwestern (3); Men’s – Vanderbilt (1) vs. Oregon (4) and Oklahoma (2) vs. Illinois (3). Winners of today’s semifinal matches will advance to compete in the East Lake Cup championship matches on Wednesday (tomorrow), while teams failing to advance today will compete in tomorrow’s consolation matches.

The East Lake Cup also features the presentation of the Tom Cousins Award, an annual recognition of an outstanding male and female golfer who exemplify the values of the East Lake Cup Foundation: excelling in academics, engaging in his or her community and overcoming adversity. USC’s Divya Manthena and Vanderbilt’s Will Gordon were announced last night as the 2017 recipients of the Tom Cousins Award.

Founded in 1995 by developer and philanthropist Tom Cousins, the East Lake Foundation collaborates with public and private organizations to provide tools that enable Atlanta’s East Lake residents to build a better future through its holistic model for community revitalization. The East Lake model includes cradle-to-college education at Charles R. Drew Charter School and its early learning partners, mixed-income housing at The Villages of East Lake and community wellness through programs including The First Tee of East Lake, the Resident and Community Support Program, Start ME: East Lake micro-entrepreneur program and East Lake Healthy Connections. This approach to building a strong community not only helps break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, but creates a place where people of all ages and incomes choose to live. East Lake has become a national model for holistic community redevelopment across the country through Purpose Built Communities.

K-MOTION Systems Used by 17 Instructors on Golf Digest’s ‘50 Best Teachers in America’ List

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) - K-MOTION Interactive – the pioneer of innovative human motion training for the golf, baseball, hockey, fitness and physical therapy industries – congratulates 17 K-MOTION certified coaches on being named to Golf Digest’s exclusive ranking of the "50 Best Teachers in America.”

Some of the instructors honored on the prestigious list include John Dunigan, Bernie Najar, Claude Harmon III, Chuck Cook, Andrew Rice, Gary Gilchrist, Todd Anderson, Mark Blackburn, Cheryl Anderson and Martin Hall, each of which have adopted the K-VEST or K-PLAYER wearable systems to help their students achieve unparalleled results. Beyond golf, various Major League Baseball and National Hockey League teams use K-MOTION products to enhance athlete training.
         
Winners were identified by their teaching peers, with over 1,000 individuals voting on the best teachers in each state and across the nation.

“This group of talented individuals deserves recognition for their invaluable contributions to the game of golf,” says K-MOTION CEO Michael Chu. “We’re proud that K-MOTION is an essential component of the instructional lifecycle, as it accelerates player improvement through motion-learning and complements each coach’s knowledge of the game.”

K-MOTION is the industry leader in wearable, motion-training technology that makes athletes better faster. The company’s products (including K-VEST and K-PLAYER) create the complete learning solution: from diagnosis, to supervised instruction, to unsupervised practice. Through patented real-time audio and visual cues, athletes can connect perception and reality and master perfect motion in seconds. K-MOTION creates a seamless connection between player and coach through its cloud-based improvement sequence of measure, assess, coach and train.

For more information: www.k-vest.com, 603.472.3519.