SwingWing Golf introduces 6-in-1 inflatable power swing trainer

Wind resistance training improves tempo, clubhead speed, and warm-up

(COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich.) - SwingWing Golf is offering golf's only inflatable power swing trainer. The SwingWing is an amazing lightweight, easy-to-inflate 6-in-1 training tool that quickly slides over the grip of any club.

"The patented design of the SwingWing provides just the right amount of wind-resistance to develop a stronger, faster swing," said Dan Gitre, SwingWing inventor and CEO SwingWing Golf. "Wind-resistance training is a proven technique to help improve a golfer's tempo, lag, sequencing, and full body turn, resulting in increased distance off the tee."

Made of soft, flocked vinyl, the SwingWing will not damage your club. It is also the perfect tool for warming-up before you practice or play. With just 10 swings, you're warmed up and ready to play a great round of golf.

The SwingWing is simple to use. Just inflate the SwingWing, slide it onto the club shaft and position it near the head of the club and you are all set.

For strength building, swing the club 10 to 20 times, increasing your effort with each swing. To work on your tempo, swing the club and feel the resistance on both your backswing and as you bring the club forward through your swing.

In addition to warming-up, other features and benefits of the SwingWing include:
• Place between your forearms for proper arm position and symmetry
• Stabilize the wrists for controlled chipping and putting
• Place between your knees to involve your legs and torso and maintain a proper base
• Place under one arm to eliminate the "chicken wing"
• Use it as a prop for your clubs at the range or on a wet course
• Use it as an alignment tool or to help visualize and perfect the proper swing plane

After you are finished, the SwingWing can be attached to a towel hook on your bag, or it can be deflated and quickly stored in your golf bag.

The SwingWing retails for $29.99 and comes with a 60-day money back guarantee. For more information or to order, visit www.SwingWingGolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

International Golfers Compete for LPGA Card at Michigan’s Sweetgrass Golf Club

(HARRIS, Mich.) – An international field of 144 women golfers will descend on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula next week to compete in the second Island Resort Championship, presented by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, June 29 – July 1.

The 54-hole stroke-play Symetra Tour event has drawn professional golfers from 25 different countries and six continents to vie for a total $110,000 purse, from South Africa to Australia, Chile to Columbia, England to France, Norway to Japan, the Middle East to Thailand, and beyond.

“Several of the players from last year’s inaugural event have already graduated to the LPGA Tour,” says Susan Harris, co-chair and marketing director for the Island Resort & Casino, host site of the tournament.  “Their spots have been filled with the next set of rising talent, ready to fight their way to the top.”

This is the seventh tournament of the Symetra Tour’s 2012 season, as Tour members play for the top 10 spots on the money list to win automatic entry to the LPGA Tour.

Players to Watch
Defending Champion Stephanie Kim will not be in the final field of 144, leaving the next generation of LPGA stars to capture the honors at Sweetgrass Golf Club, a Golfweek “America’s Best Courses You Can Play” layout.

Marquette High School graduate and Michigan State rising sophomore Carley Saint-Onge, four-time Upper Peninsula Division 1 Champion, has again received an amateur local exemption to compete in the event. Saint-Onge currently plays on the Michigan State golf team.

She’ll be joined by two native Michiganders in the 2012 field, including Laura Bayaird of Grosse Ile, Britney Hamilton of Lake Orion – both Western Michigan University graduates.  Former Michigan State graduates Allison Duncan and Aimee Neff will also be found on the Friday roster of players.

Wisconsites will cheer for Kenosha’s Carly Werwie, a Wisconsin-Madison graduate.

On the international front, Australian Kristie Smith won the Tate and Lyle Players Championship last week, carding three bogeyless rounds.  She’ll be in the Sweetgrass field, along with several players who have qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin directly following the Island Resort Championship.  Among them are Sue Kim of Canada, Veronica Felibert of Venezuela, Lili Alvarez of Mexico, and Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea.

“I was amazed at the number of under-par rounds I saw on the leaderboard last year,” said Sweetgrass Director of Golf Dave Douglas. “For those who love golf, you’ll enjoy watching the incredible talent in the field.”

A complete list of players in the field has been posted at www.symetratour.com.

Tickets are still available for the Island Resort Championship; $10 three-day passes can be purchased at the Island Resort & Casino Showroom or by calling 877-ISL-SHOW, or through several local non-profit organizations who keep the profits from their tickets sales.  A complete list can be found at www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com/lpga-2012.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Patrick Cantlay to Play in Frys.com Open

(San Jose, CA) – Patrick Cantlay, who won the Ben Hogan Award as College as Player of the Year for UCLA and began playing professionally at this week's PGA TOUR Travelers Championship in Cromwell, CT, has committed to play in the Frys.com Open.

Tournament Director Jeff Sanchez invited him to play in the Oct. 10-14 Frys.com Open at CordeValle, in San Martin California and he has accepted. Cantlay may accept a maximum of seven sponsors exemptions this season.

Cantlay played as an amateur in the 2011 Frys.com Open. He was grouped with Tiger Woods and Louis Oosthuizen for the first two rounds, made the cut, and scored a respectable 69-74-70-72-285 for the tournament.

He was low amateur in last year's U.S. Open and this year's Masters. He set a PGA TOUR record for low round in the history of the TOUR by shooting a 60 in the second round of last year's Travelers Championship. In addition, Cantlay’s scoring average last year was an impressive 69.26, which would have ranked third on the TOUR. He averaged better than 290 yards off the tee and would have ranked in the top 35 in greens in regulation.

He has also played for UCLA in two Gifford Intercollegiate tournaments at CordeValle, shooting a 63 in the first round last Fall.

"Patrick will be pursuing his PGA TOUR card by trying to earn enough money in six events to be equivalent to last year's 125th place TOUR member, approximately $670,000, just like Bud Cauley did last year," said Sanchez. "He is clearly good enough and just might do it. He is certainly an attractive addition to our field."

Launched in 2006, the Frys.com Open is an official PGA TOUR tournament benefiting many worthwhile charities. The title sponsor is Fry's Electronics, a privately owned retailer with 34 nationwide locations headquartered in San Jose, California. Information about the
tournament is available on www.frysopengolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

STX Golf Launches National Broadcast Campaign Featuring 'Skylar Chase'

(BALTIMORE, MD) - STX Golf, world-renowned as an industry pioneer in putter innovation with its patented Soft Face Insert Technology, has launched its broadcast campaign featuring the new 2012 putter line and Skylar Chase.

STX Golf developed the new, edgy, 30-second spots around Skylar Chase, a character that embodies the new direction of the company. He's self-confident, bold, and represents the youth movement in the golf industry. According to STX Director of Golf Steve Henneman, "It is difficult getting a young golfer like Rickie Fowler on staff, so we did the next best thing - we created our own golf professional. We all know 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' and now STX has Skylar Chase."

The creative commercials target their younger 18-35 demographic and will run nationally as well as regionally. During the US Open, the spots ran in the Maryland area to support local business and kick start the campaign around the home of STX. Throughout the Travelers Championship, the STX commercials will be broadcasted on The Golf Channel in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles. Golfsmith, one of STX's largest retailers, are in each of these California counties. In addition, the company has expanded its distribution in the South; therefore spots will also be aired in North and South Carolina.

During the next couple of months, the STX commercials will air nationally as well as expand into other specific territories including; Pittsburgh, Florida and all up and down the East coast and Midwest. "STX is enjoying rapid sales growth thanks to key retailers. We developed this comprehensive broadcast campaign to support their sell-thru," added Henneman.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Affiniti Golf Partners to Manage Griffin Country Club

(Alpharetta, Georgia) - Affiniti Golf Partners (www.affinitigolf.com) has been retained to manage Griffin Country Club, a private facility located 45 minutes south of Atlanta, according to the company's founding partner, Whitney Crouse.

Griffin Country Club has been a fixture in the local community since it opened its Willard Byrd-designed golf course in 1967. Its lakefront clubhouse and the Georgia Ballroom have hosted countless weddings, family reunions and special civic events over the years.

The club's 6,895-yard, par 72 golf course annually hosts the Griffin Classic, one of the most prestigious and lucrative competitions on the Georgia PGA calendar for the last 20 years. The course also has been the site of numerous qualifying tournaments for the U.S. Open, Atlanta Open and the Georgia State Open.

Says Crouse, "We are very flattered to be involved with a club that has a 45-year legacy of excellence and community involvement. Our immediate focus will be on marketing the club, letting Atlanta area golfers know that a great golf experience awaits them. Little was done in recent years to promote this fun club."

In addition to managing all golf operations, Affiniti Golf Partners will oversee see the membership, marketing, finance, dining, special events, and swim and tennis functions at Griffin Country Club.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

KemperSports Selected to Manage Victory Ranch Club

Victory Ranch will be added to the KemperCollection portfolio of private clubs ... Features Rees Jones-designed championship golf course, fly fishing within close proximity to Deer Valley

(NORTHBROOK, Ill.) – KemperSports, a leading golf course management company, has been selected by Sterling Bay Companies to manage Victory Ranch Club, a private luxury home development located 15 miles from Park City in Kamas, Utah. The 6,700 -acre property, just a 10-minute drive from the ski lifts at Deer Valley, includes an 18-hole Rees Jones-designed championship golf course, fly fishing and additional ranch club amenities.

“Victory Ranch is a very special piece of property that has great potential,” said KemperSports chief executive officer Steve Skinner. “We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Sterling Bay Companies to develop a world class club.”

The private golf course, which opened in 2009, has been recognized by leading golf publications including Golfweek as part of the publication’s “2010 Best New Courses” list.

“We selected KemperSports to manage Victory Ranch because of the company’s proven success in the golf industry, especially in the private club sector,” said John Gavin, Investment Principal at Sterling Bay Companies. “We are excited about the acquisition of Victory Ranch and we expect it will be a premier ranch destination in the Western U.S., offering both world-class golf and fly fishing on property."

The 18-hole golf course at Victory Ranch features a 7,599 yard par-72 layout, and was designed by Rees Jones to complement the 20-mile views of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains and views of the upper Provo River and Jordanelle Reservoir. Exciting elevation changes and high plateaus also allow spectacular views of Flat Top Peak. The course features fescue-lined fairways, white sand bunkers, natural walls of ancient stone and an average of seven tee boxes per hole to offer numerous yardage options for golfers of all skill levels. An outstanding practice facility featuring a driving range, chipping area and putting area completes the golf experience at Victory Ranch.

In addition to the golf course, Victory Ranch features a fishing lodge with access to world-class private fly fishing on a five-mile stretch of the upper Provo River—one of the world’s greatest freestone trout fisheries.

KemperSports recently began management of Victory Ranch Club June 1.

For more information about Victory Ranch Club, visit www.victoryranchclub.com.

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CHAMP Introduces Ultra-Lightweight FLIX Divot Repair Instrument

Fun, Ergonomic Switchblade Design Available in Variety of Eye-Catching Colors

(MARLBOROUGH, MA) – CHAMP/MacNeill Engineering Worldwide – The World Leader in Sport Cleat Technology and maker of innovative CHAMP spikes, high-performance golf tees and accessories – announces the nationwide availability of its new, ultra-lightweight FLIX Divot Repair Instrument.

An essential accessory for any golfer who cares about course conditions, the fun-to-use and practical “switchblade” design is the company’s most ergonomic offering yet. Heavy duty enough to handle stubborn divots, yet collapsible with the push of a button, the new FLIX tool can be comfortably stored without fear of damaging pants pocket linings. Catering to a variety of personal preferences, the device is available in orange, lime green, pink, black and white.

“As a matter of proper etiquette, all golfers should use a divot tool, and we’ve designed the most comfortable, functional option on the market,” says Harris MacNeill, President and CEO of CHAMP/MacNeill Engineering Worldwide. “It’s so small and sleek that players will forget it’s in their pocket until they need it.”

Great for all golfers, the FLIX Divot Repair Instrument features a magnetically attached ball-marker that can be customized to include company, club or event logos and names. This is a tremendous way for facilities and outing planners to uniquely promote their brands and functions.

Beyond its popular green repairing accessories, CHAMP spikes are the #1 Brand on Tour, and have been used by 28 of the last 35 major champions. The company also recently launched a new version of its Tour-proven, eco-friendly Zarma FLYTee, the MyHite. Featuring a series of colored bands around the stem, it allows golfers to quickly and easily place the ball at a consistent height to maximize consistency and ensure repeatable performance.

For more information: www.champspikes.com, 1-800-OK-CHAMP.

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