Recapping 21st Annual Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic

(RELEASE) — Ann Liguori hosted her 21st Annual Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic at Westhampton Country Club benefitting cancer research, prevention and care. It was the event’s 21st straight sell-out.

This year’s honorees were Sportscasting Legend Lesley Visser, NFL Hall of Famer/Media division and long-time reporter for CBS Sports; Business Honoree Robert Bicocchi, Senior Property Manager, CBRE; and Music Honoree Steve Azar, hit singer-songwriter, musician and philanthropist.

The popular tournament, played every year at a prestigious club in The Hamptons, featured a premium goodie bag including PeakVision Sunglasses, Greg Norman shirt, Imperial headwear, Weatherman umbrella, Dune Jewelry ball markers, Swing Lube, StaminaPro, and BARE Republic Mineral Sunscreen.

The day included brunch, golf, cocktails, dinner and entertainment by Steve Azar, Gary Valentine and Dan Liguori.

Celebrities who attended included Katrina Adams, former tennis professional and immediate past President, USTA; PBS’ Bill McCuddy; Marty ‘Mr. Fashion’ Hackel; Rick Cerone, former NY Yankees catcher; Alan Kalter, announcer for David Letterman; Jane Hanson, former Anchor, WNBC; one-armed golfer Gianna Rojas; and actor and comedian Gary Valentine.

Sponsors include ABM, CBRE, Greg Norman Apparel, PeakVision Sunglasses, Platinum Inc., Structure Tone & TaylorMade Golf.

Donors include BARE Republic, Bo Dietl and RAOS Restaurant, Carnival Cruise Lines, Casa de Campo, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Dooney & Bourke, Dune Jewelry, Dunning Shirts, Evan Schiller Golf Course Photography, G/Fore, Golf & Body NYC, Hotel Indigo, Imperial, Kendra Scott,  Knot Standard, Motor City Seafood Company, North & West Coast Links Golf Ireland, Pete’s Golf, PGA National Resort & Spa, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sagaponacka Vodka, Sketchers, STAMINAPRO, STITCH®, SWING LUBE, The Abaco Club in Bahamas, The Clover, The Bobby Jones Whiskey Collection, TOUR EDGE Golf, the U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance and Weatherman.

Winners were Low Gross, Kenneth Whitney, John Eager, Mark Kenyon, Anthony Casalino and low net winners Walt Wasnieski, Shawn Lynch, Russ Marnell and Joe Ventimiglia.


For more information on the Ann Liguori Foundation visit: www.annliguorifoundation.org.

Toptracer Range Introduces Historic Old Course at St Andrews in Virtual Golf Mode

(Dallas, Texas) – Toptracer, an extension of global sports and entertainment leader Topgolf Entertainment Group, is the world’s leading ball-tracing technology revolutionizing how fans watch and play golf, and has added the hallowed grounds of the Old Course at St Andrews to the list of world-class courses available to play in Toptracer Range’s “Virtual Golf” mode.

Toptracer is committed to driving the future of golf through innovative technology that connects communities both on and off the course. Toptracer develops on-screen solutions that show shot shape and data such as distance, ball speed, launch angle and height, to drive enhanced practice and entertainment options for a variety of audiences. Whether it’s transforming the golf viewing experience on more than 700 PGA and European TOUR telecasts this year during NBC, CBS and Sky Sports coverage or setting the new standard for practice through more than 170 driving ranges around the world that utilize Toptracer Range products, the technology offers golf fans of all skill levels both fun and insights to understand the game better.

Toptracer Range helps range owners transform their facilities into a modern and data-driven practice environment, while also catering to the general consumer as an entertainment destination. Toptracer Range utilizes state-of-the-art technology to create an interactive and fun experience that is perfect for all skill levels, allowing friends and family to compete in a variety of games or play virtual golf on simulated, world-class golf courses. The Virtual Golf feature is a convenient way for beginners to play a single hole, the front 9, back 9, or all 18 holes in a low-pressure environment.

The Old Course at St Andrews is the latest world-renowned course to join a growing list of historic courses available through Toptracer Range’s Virtual Golf. Recognized worldwide as the Home of Golf, the Old Course at St Andrews boasts an unparalleled history. For more than 600 years the world’s most famous Links has been revered and celebrated for its rich heritage and the spirit and traditions of golf it has safeguarded and cherished for so long. Now available as a premium course at Toptracer Range locations, the scenery and challenge of the Old Course at St Andrews can be experienced by players who possess a profile on the Toptracer Range Community app.

“The addition of the Old Course at St Andrews offers Toptracer Range owners a great opportunity to provide their guests the feel and challenge of playing an iconic course,” says Ben Sharpe, President of Toptracer Range. “We are committed to growing the game and with that comes making traditional golf accessible, so that casual or competitive golfers alike can experience the rich history of the original links style course at any of the hitting bays at Toptracer Range locations around the globe.”

“We are hugely proud of what the Old Course represents and symbolizes to golfers around the world,” says Danny Campbell, Commercial Director St Andrews Links. “We are committed to harnessing the passion for this iconic place to engage with new audiences and grow the game. Making the Old Course available at Toptracer Range will ensure the Home of Golf is accessible to a new generation of golfers; providing a fun, engaging and tech-driven experience that appeals to seasoned players, friends, family, and first-time golfers alike.”

In addition, the 11th hole at the Old Course at St Andrews will be the new marquee hole in the “Closest to the Pin” competition, providing golfers the opportunity to experience a challenging Par 3 at the famous course.

Using cameras mounted around the facility and 21-inch monitors found at each hitting bay, Toptracer Range technology displays an array of details of each shot – including shape, distance, speed, launch angle and more. Data is instantly recorded and displayed on the screen through a player profile that can continuously be accessed through the Toptracer Range community application (free on iOS and Android).

For more information, visit Toptracer.com.

Millennium Companies to Purchase Site of Former Germantown Country Club

High-Profile Team Presents Innovative Design Plans for the Next Generation

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – The Trustees for the Anderson family have executed a Letter of Intent with Millennium Companies to purchase the 180-acre former site of Germantown Country Club, in Germantown, Tenn.  Memphis-based Dalhoff Thomas (DT) Design Studio was instrumental in the planning, landscape architecture, parks and recreation design within the proposal.

“Our intent is to maintain the spirit and memories of Germantown Country Club, which was known for its gentle slopes and mature trees,” said Bob Hobbs, Jr., CEO of Millennium Companies. “Out of respect for the legacy of the Anderson family as long-time stewards of this land, we have named the proposed development Anderson Park and hope to maintain the character and tradition of the property for the next generation of golfers and Germantown residents.”

Award-winning golf course architect Forrest Richardson was recruited to envision the Germantown Golf Park, a 9-hole short course with holes varying from 100 to over 200 yards. The landscape will take advantage of the beautiful parkland setting of the famous Germantown Country Club. Great care has been taken to integrate the new course concept among existing trees.  Additionally, there are plans for an 18-hole putting course adjacent to the clubhouse.

The project has special meaning for Millennium Companies’ Director of Capital Markets and PGA Tour Ambassador Bryce Molder. An Arkansas native, Georgia Tech graduate, and former PGA Tour player, Molder is familiar with the Germantown community having played in the St. Jude Classic for 10 years. He competed at Germantown Country Club in the Bubba Conlee Junior Invitational and two U.S. Open Sectional Qualifiers.  

“I’m excited to help give this special course a new future,” Molder said. “The vision for Germantown Golf Park is to provide all the hallmarks of great golf in a non-intimidating fashion. The idea is to let the golf be fun, but still challenging and enjoyable whether you’re a scratch player or just an occasional golfer,” he added.

According to Bob Dalhoff, Co-Owner and Principal Planner of DT Design Studio, the property will showcase a variety of uses that support one another and create a great place to live and play.

“The concept is centered around the Germantown Golf Park and a Village Center, which includes the renovated clubhouse and complementary uses within a walkable area,” Dalhoff explained. “This Village Center will provide pedestrian-oriented uses such as restaurants, ice cream and candy shops, boutiques, and other related services. This not only supports the golf play, but also the surrounding community by providing an attractive neighborhood-scale destination.”

Surrounding the Golf Park and Village Center will be residential neighborhoods in a variety of product types, planned to be compatible with adjacent neighborhoods. Townhome lofts (condominiums) and detached single-family homes within large, medium, and small lots are to be arranged around the Golf Park to create a quality, walkable neighborhood setting. The community will feature sustainable planning and design practices, including green building and preservation of numerous specimen trees.

The conceptual development plan also provides buffer space between different housing types and insulates the densest area of development from the existing neighborhoods, which is fundamental to best planning practices.

The proposal includes substantial acreage dedicated to a nature park that will be an invaluable amenity not only to Anderson Park residents but the entire City of Germantown.

“It is our intention to improve this area and dedicate it to the City of Germantown. The public park would include a large lake, specimen trees, natural areas, and both paved and primitive trail systems,” Hobbs explained.

A series of community and neighborhood meetings will be held in the coming months to introduce citizens to conceptual plans and to provide opportunities for creative dialogue and an exchange of ideas.

Millennium Companies offers real-estate-repurposing solutions to private owners and municipalities with underperforming and out-of-business golf courses within major metro areas across the U.S. The Scottsdale-based company’s innovative approach to repurposing land into new and exciting forms of golf—along with other uses such as residential, commercial, recreation, and neighborhood retail—revitalizes communities economically as well as physically, and creates hubs for families and professionals to enjoy year-round in many different ways.

Additional information may be found at www.millenniumcompanies.com.

Lamkin Grips in Winner's Bag at U.S. Senior Open

(SAN DIEGO) – Lamkin Grips, the innovation leader in golf grip manufacturing, would like to congratulate the winner of the U.S. Senior Open on his record breaking victory at the weekend.

Equipped with LAMKIN Deep Etched Full Cord Pistol grip on his putter, the winner carded a 19-under par 261 on the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame, beating the previous U.S. Senior Open scoring record by three shots.

Records fell at regular intervals through the tournament after the winner’s opening 62 matched the tournament best. He then went on to set the U.S. Senior Open scoring record for 36, 54 and 72 holes, with his putting a stand out, maintaining his position at the top of the PGA Tour Champions Putts per Round average for the season.

The Lamkin Deep-Etched Full-Cord Pistol putter grip as used by the winner features a prominent horizontally etched pattern, heavy cord exposure and a traditional pistol shaped profile. The surface texture and firmer material make it an ideal choice for players who want a grip that delivers maximum feel and shot feedback, while the pistol profile encourages a lighter grip and consistent hand placement.

More information: www.Lamkingrips.com

Check out our recent review HERE.

Srixon Golf Tips with Mike Bender — Hit Every Type of Shot with Srixon Utility Irons

The latest installment of Tips Tuesday returns just in time for the holiday weekend as top golf instructor Mike Bender discusses the versatility of the Srixon Z U85 Utility Irons.

Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run Brings Division 1 NCAA Men’s Golf to Michigan’s U.P.

South Dakota State University to Host Ranked Teams at First-Ever Event

(Bark River, Mich.) – The newest golf course in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Sage Run at Island Resort & Casino proudly announces that its first signature tournament will be an NCAA men’s Collegiate Invitational hosted by South Dakota State University. The Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run, a two-day, 54-hole stroke-play invitational will tee off this fall with ten college teams competing Sept. 1 – 2 on Sage Run’s 7,309-yard Paul Albanese design.

South Dakota State director of golf Casey Van Damme, an Upper Peninsula native, was instrumental in organizing the tournament and bringing it to Sage Run. His squad will host and square off against Michigan State, Detroit University, Purdue, Kentucky, 18th-ranked North Florida University of Central Florida, East Carolina, Northern Michigan and 21st-ranked Liberty University in the first-ever Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run. Liberty’s Ervin Chang, a top-ranked player in 2018-2019, headlines a talented field while Northern Michigan’s squad, from nearby Marquette, will rely on depth and local knowledge.

“We’re excited to be bringing in top intercollegiate talent from around the country to showcase and take on Sage Run,” Tony Mancilla, Island Resort General Manager, said. “It will be interesting to see how the golf course holds up to top-flight talent and how the players react to the challenges the course presents. With several blind shots off some tees and some very demanding long par fours, this isn’t typically a course that players go low on their first time out.”

Mancilla adds that bringing in alumni and families of the players and attracting local galleries and volunteers will be a great way to acquaint avid golfers with the beauty and natural setting of the region’s newest championship golf course. “We think once visitors see the course, they’re going to want to come back and play it for themselves,” Mancilla said. The public is invited to attend with no admission charge.

Sage Run plays around, over and through a scenic ridge that was shaped by glacial activity. Golfers experience winding holes through the trees and some open areas with tremendous variety of landscape and shot values. Natural long grasses edge the bunkers, and some of the short par 4s have blind shots to the greens.  Albanese said Royal County Down in Northern Ireland, rated among the world’s top courses, served as inspiration for the course bunkering.

“The depth and quality of the field playing in this event is a testament to commitment from Island Resort to host it on this great course,” Van Damme said. “Sage Run is a different kind of venue than these players normally see week-in and week-out, so I think what you’re going to see is the start of a great tradition and a tournament teams will want to return to year after year, especially when they see how strongly this community will embrace golf and support this event.”

Van Damme adds that the he and his staff will prefer to see Sage Run play long and feature fast greens for this tournament. “College players and teams want to separate and identify the best players and they want to be challenged,” he said.

For more information on the inaugural Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run, visit www.islandresortandcasino.com and www.gojacks.com/index.aspx?path=mgolf.

Matt Hurley Named President of Troon's Honours Golf Division

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the leader in club management, development, and marketing, has named Matt Hurley president of its Honours Golf Division, while Honours Golf Founder and current CEO, Bob Barrett will move to Troon’s board of directors as vice chairman.

Matt Hurley

In his 22 years with Troon, Hurley has served as a general manager for various clubs, earning the company’s “General Manager of the Year” award in 2005. Also in 2005, Hurley was promoted to area managing director, and in 2010 to vice president, operations. Most recently, as senior vice president, operations, Hurley has been overseeing the company’s growing portfolio of daily fee, resort and private club properties along the East Coast, from New England to the Caribbean.

“Throughout his distinguished career with Troon, Matt has been an innovator and a respected leader,” said Bruce Glasco, chief operating officer, Troon. “We’re proud to have him lead Honours Golf and are excited about the future of this division. Bob Barrett’s vision and passion for delivering both operational and service excellence will be continued for years to come.”

Hurley joined Troon in 1997 from Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla., where he held the position of facility director, overseeing the operations of 72 holes of golf, three clubhouses and 100-plus employees. A graduate of Penn State University, Hurley also worked for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide where he held the position of director of sales & marketing and earned Starwood’s prestigious North American Platinum Sales Award.

Honours Golf was founded in 1998 by Barrett with a vision to provide award-winning golf courses with unparalleled course conditions, hire dedicated team members who share a passion for golf, and deliver impeccable personalized service. Over the years, Honours Golf has grown to become the Southeast's leading golf course development and management company. In 2014, Honours Golf was acquired by Troon and operates as a subsidiary of the global brand. Honours Golf currently operates 23 award-winning daily fee, resort and private club facilities including the King & Bear at World Golf Village Resort in St. Augustine, Fla.; Reunion Golf & Country Club in Madison, Miss., Craft Farms Golf Resort and Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club in Gulf Shores, Ala.

For more information on Troon’s Honours Golf Division, visit www.honoursgolf.com.

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