PGA GC Places All Three Layouts on Golfweek’s ‘Best State-By-State Courses You Can Play’ List

(PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.) – PGA Golf Club, the PGA of America’s premier 54-hole facility, announces all three of its courses – the Dye, Wanamaker and Ryder – made Golfweek’s list of  “Best State-by-State Courses You Can Play” for Florida.

The Dye Course remained steady at No. 22 in the publication’s annual rankings of public courses in the Sunshine State, while the Wanamaker Course ranked 24th and the Ryder Course placed 45th.

“We’re elated that Golfweek ranked all three of our courses among the best in Florida golfers can play,” says PGA Golf Club General Manager and Director of Golf Jeremy Wiernasz, PGA. “This recognition is a testament to the course updates and incredible work our team has done to provide guests with a truly memorable golf experience.”

Golfweek’s ranking panel consists of 675 voters from seven countries who rely on 10 criteria to rate a golf course, including overall land plan; variety and memorability of golf holes; conditioning and ecology; and the “walk in the park test,” which determines if the course is worthy of spending four hours on it. The number of courses per state varies based on course supply, population and level of play. The Golfweek rankings include daily-fee layouts and golf courses accessible via resorts.

Designed by Pete Dye, the acclaimed Dye Course features some of the most elaborate bunkers east of the Mississippi. The layout also boasts Celebration Bermuda-grassed fairways, vast coquina waste areas and pristine Tifeagle putting surfaces.

Considered one of the most scenic layouts in Florida, the Tom Fazio-designed Wanamaker Course seamlessly incorporates the natural habitat, with holes routed around wetlands, through native palmetto and sabal palms, and over subtle slopes.

Named after Samuel Ryder, the namesake and founder of the Ryder Cup, the Ryder Course meanders over rolling hills and through majestic pine trees, with several lakes and ponds lining the fairways and guarding the recently enhanced greens.

“We’re honored all three of our courses are a part of this prestigious Golfweek list,” says Dick Gray, Director of Agronomy at PGA Golf Club. “Our mission has always been to provide tournament-ready course conditions every day. Each course has its own agronomy team, and are well-coached. They take great pride in their work and strive to earn accolades such as these.”

In 2021, PGA Golf Club will host the PGA Professional Championship on the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses. The Championship will be comprised of players who advance from the 41 PGA Section Championships, along with past champions, competing to finish in the Top 20 and a spot in the 2021 PGA Championship. All four rounds will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.

PGA Golf Club also offers attractive membership opportunities at competitive pricing, including a six-month Premier Seasonal Membership with limited spots available. Members will enjoy private member dining, food and beverage discounts at the 1916 Bar and Grille inside the newly renovated and expanded clubhouse and member merchandise discounts in the golf shop—all with no assessments or F&B minimums.

To learn more about PGA Golf Club, visit pgavillage.com.

Inside the Ropes at the 2019 KPMG Women's PGA Championship

Klara Spilkova

(RELEASE) - With barely a moment to catch our breath after Gary Woodland's breakthrough U.S. Open victory at Pebble Beach, the major season rolls on, as the women take center stage in Minnesota for the KMPG Women's PGA Championship.

Of the 156 players in the field, 83% (129) are trusting a Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball, nearly 13 times more than the nearest competitor with 10 players and more than all other competitor brand golf balls combined. Graphic showing that Titleistis the overwhelming golf ball choice among players at the 2019 Memorial Tournament

The Women's PGA Championship is the third of five major championships on the LPGA Tour calendar each year (joining the ANA Inspiration, U.S. Women's Open, The Evian Championship and the Women's British Open). This year, the Women's PGA Championship will be contested at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, a southwestern suburb of Minneapolis. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1962.

In its relatively brief history, the club has established a strong pedigree as a major championship venue, hosting two U.S. Opens (1970, 1991), two PGA Championships (2002, 2009), two U.S Women’s Opens (1966, 1977), the 1983 U.S. Senior Open, the 1994 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 2006 U.S. Amateur. Hazeltine last entered the national spotlight in 2016, when the club hosted the 40th edition of the Ryder Cup Matches.

Poplar Grove Golf Club Completes Phase I of Planned Renovations

Course Makeover Finished, Facility Upgrades Continue

(AMHERST, Va.) – Poplar Grove Golf Club – Sam Snead’s final course design located in the rolling hills of beautiful southern Virginia – has completed Phase I of its $3 million renovation project, including re-built bunkers, cleared trees, updated drainage, remodeled practice areas and brand new comfort stations.

Improvements continue to be made on the property in Phase II, as the historic Manor House is in the midst of a restoration, including the addition of several member exclusive lounge areas, a luxury bar, 100-seat indoor/outdoor dining space and accommodations for special overnight guests. The edifice, built in 1773 and original to the property, will serve as a classic, country-side venue for weddings and events.

“As our extensive renovations wrap up, we welcome players from all over to come experience the new Poplar Grove with us,” says Jacob Mast, head golf professional of Poplar Grove. “The design elements inserted by Sam Snead years ago and built upon by Ed Carton, combined with the upgrades made for convenience and aesthetic purposes, will be relished by our members for years to come.”

Additionally, Poplar Grove has partnered with Sweet Briar College to introduce exclusive stay-and-play packages for visitors looking for overnight accommodations.

As Tiger Woods’ quest to surpass Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA TOUR wins continues, golfers across the Mid-Atlantic can treat themselves to the style of course Slammin’ Sammy preferred. Poplar Grove features strategically placed bunkers with a variety of green sizes and elevated tee boxes on 15 of its 18 holes allowing players to execute demanding shots without being overly penal.

The course restoration was led by Ed Carton, a Virginia native who honed his craft under Tom Fazio, Michael Hurdzan, Gary Player and Raymond Floyd. Carton consulted closely with Snead when designing Poplar Grove and saw the project through to its finish in 2005, three years after Snead’s passing at age 89.

The two also teamed up to design nearby Spring Creek in Charlottesville, one of Golf Digest’s “100 Greatest Public Courses in America.”  Poplar Grove, a Golf Digest “Best New Upscale Public Course” in 2005, is poised to return to its heyday under the close watch of Carton, the man who initially brought Snead’s blueprint to life.

For more information, visit www.poplargrovegolf.com.

KemperSports-Managed Properties Earn Top Honors in Golfweek Rankings

20 courses receive accolades from Golfweek Magazine

(NORTHBROOK, Ill.) – Twenty KemperSports properties were named to Golfweek’s most recent Best Of Lists – Best Courses You Can Play and Best Courses You Can Play By State – which were announced in the publication’s June issue. KemperSports has more managed properties ranked on these lists than any other management company.

“The awards are a testament to the continued dedication and support of our staffers,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We are incredibly honored to have so many properties recognized on these lists. We would like to thank our incredible staff and clients; these accolades would not be possible without you.”

The full list of KemperSports-managed properties on the lists include:

Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play:
No. 2 – Pacific Dunes (Bandon, Oregon)
No. 4 – Old Macdonald (Bandon, Oregon)
No. 6 – Bandon Dunes (Bandon, Oregon)
No. 10 – Bandon Trails (Bandon, Oregon)
No. 13 – Mammoth Dunes (Rome, Wisconsin)
No. 15 – Sand Valley (Rome, Wisconsin)
No. 16 – Streamsong Red (Streamsong, Florida)
No. 17 – Streamsong Black (Streamsong, Florida)
No. 22 – Chambers Bay (University Place, Washington)
No. 25 – Streamsong Blue (Streamsong, Florida)
No. 73 – Golden Horseshoe – Gold Course (Williamsburg, Virginia)

Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play by State:
Florida – No. 2 – Streamsong Red; No. 3 – Streamsong Black; No. 4 – Streamsong Blue
Illinois – No. 14 – The Glen Club
Maryland – No. 5 – Whiskey Creek Golf Club
Minnesota – No. 2 – The Wilderness at Fortune Bay
Missouri – No. 8 – Shoal Creek Golf Course
New Jersey – No. 9 – Knoll Golf Club (West Course); No. 11 – Heron Glen; No. 15 – Galloping Hill
New York – No. 13 – Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course
Oregon – No. 1 – Pacific Dunes; No. 2 – Old Macdonald; No. 3 – Bandon Dunes; No. 4 – Bandon Trails
Texas – No. 4 – Butterfield Trail Golf Club
Virginia – No. 4 – Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold Course)
Washington – No. 2 – Chambers Bay Golf Course
Wisconsin – No. 2 – Mammoth Dunes; No. 3 – Sand Valley

Rankings were based on scores from Golfweek’s team of course raters, who evaluated more than 3,600 courses nationwide.

For more information on KemperSports, visit www.kempersports.com.

65 Troon-Affiliated Courses Named To Golfweek's Best For 2019

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the leader in club management, development and marketing is pleased to announce that 65 of its brand-affiliated courses were recently named to Golfweek's Best for 2019. Fifty-two managed daily-fee/resort properties appear on Golfweek’s 2019 “Best Courses You Can Play, State-by-State” list, while 13 private clubs were named to the “Best Private Courses, State-by-State” ranking. In addition, five Troon-affiliated facilities appear on Golfweek’s  prestigious "Top 100 Modern Courses in the U.S." (post 1960) ranking, including: Gamble Sands in Washington (No. 42); Kapalua (Plantation) in Hawaii (No. 45); Pronghorn (Fazio) in Oregon (No. 58); Fallen Oak in Mississippi (No. 63); and The Rim Club in Arizona (No. 75). Troon brands include Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf and OB Sports.

Six Troon-affiliated courses were recognized as the top public courses in their respective state, including Mystic Creek Golf Club in Arkansas; Bayside Resort Golf Club in Delaware; Kapalua (Plantation) in Hawaii; Fallen Oak at Beau Rivage in Mississippi; The Rawls Course at Texas Tech in Texas; and Gamble Sands in Washington. Of the 65 properties ranked, 52 facilities are Troon Golf/Troon Privè-affiliated, 10 OB Sports, and three are Honours Golf branded facilities.

Affiliated courses named among Golfweek's Best include:

Top 100 Modern Courses
No. 42 Gamble Sands, Brewster, Washington - OB Sports
No. 45 Kapalua (Plantation), Maui, Hawaii
No. 58 Pronghorn (Fazio), Bend, Oregon
No. 63 Fallen Oak at Beau Rivage, Saucier, Mississippi
No. 75 The Rim Club, Payson, Arizona - OB Sports

Best Courses You Can Play, State-By-State
Arizona
No. 2 Quintero Golf Club, Peoria
No. 4 Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, Wickenburg
No. 6 Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Maricopa
No. 7 Troon North Golf Club (Monument), Scottsdale
No. 9 Troon North Golf Club (Pinnacle), Scottsdale
No. 12 Boulders Resort & Spa (North), Carefree
No. 13 Sewailo Golf Club, Tucson
No. 14 Laughlin Ranch Golf Club, Bullhead City
No. 15 Boulders Resort & Spa (South), Carefree
No. 20 The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa (Ridge/Canyon), Tucson
No. 22 Papago Golf Course, Phoenix - OB Sports
No. 26 The Westin Kierland Golf Club, Scottsdale

Arkansas
No. 1 Mystic Creek Golf Club, El Dorado

California
No. 8   PGA WEST (Stadium), La Quinta
No. 13 Baylands Golf Links, Palo Alto- OB Sports
No. 18 Yocha Dehe Golf Club, Brooks
No. 20 Maderas Golf Club, Poway
No. 21 Saddle Creek Golf Resort, Copperopolis
No. 24 Indian Wells Golf Resort (Celebrity), Indian Wells
No. 25 PGA WEST (Nicklaus), La Quinta
No. 26 Classic Club, Palm Desert
No. 28 Indian Wells Golf Resort (Players), Indian Wells

Colorado
No. 7 The Ridge, Castle Pines North

Connecticut
No. 4 Lake of Isles (North), North Stonington

Delaware
No 1 Bayside Resort Golf Club, Selbyville
No. 5 Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club, Ocean View

Georgia
No. 13 The Club at Savannah Harbor, Savannah

Hawaii
No. 1 Kapalua (Plantation), Maui
No. 4 Princeville Makai Golf Club, Kauai
No. 8 Turtle Bay Resort (Palmer), Oahu
No. 12 Kapalua (Bay), Maui
No. 13 Mauna Lani Resort (North), Kohala Coast

Indiana
No. 3 Chariot Run Golf Club, Laconia

Kansas
No. 3 Ironhorse Golf Club, Leawood

Maryland
No. 3 Lake Presidential Golf Club, Upper Marlboro

Mississippi
No. 1 Fallen Oak at Beau Rivage, Biloxi
No. 5 Grand Bear, Saucier

Montana
No. 2 Old Works, Anaconda

Nevada
No. 2 Cascata, Las Vegas
No. 12 Rio Secco Golf Club, Las Vegas

New Jersey
No. 7 Seaview Hotel and Golf Club (Bay), Galloway Township

New Mexico
No. 6 Sandia Golf Club, Albuquerque - OB Sports

Oregon
No. 7 Tetherow, Bend - OB Sports
No. 8 Pronghorn (Nicklaus), Bend

Texas
No. 1 The Rawls Course at Texas Tech, Lubbock
No. 8 La Cantera Resort & Spa (Palmer), San Antonio
No. 14 Palmilla Beach Golf Club, Port Aransas

Utah
No. 3 Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club, St. George
No. 5 Thanksgiving Point Golf Club, Lehi

Vermont
No. 5 The Golf Club at Equinox, Manchester Village

Virginia
No. 13 Potomac Shores Golf Club, Potomac Shores

Washington
No. 1 Gamble Sands, Brewster- OB Sports

Best Private Clubs, State-By-State
Alabama
No. 5 Steelwood Country Club, Loxley

Arizona
No. 3 The Rim Club, Payson - OB Sports
No. 5 Stone Canyon Club, Oro Valley - OB Sports

Delaware
No. 4 The Peninsula Golf & Country Club, Millsboro

Hawaii
No. 4 The King Kamehameha Golf Club, Maui

Minnesota
No. 10 Somerby Golf Club, Byron - OB Sports

Mississippi
No. 4 Reunion Golf & Country Club, Madison

Missouri
No. 3 Dalhousie Golf Club, Cape Girardeau - OB Sports

North Dakota
No. 2 Fargo Country Club, Fargo

Oregon
No. 1 Pronghorn (Fazio), Bend
No. 5 Tetherow, Bend - OB Sports

Wyoming
No. 3 The Powder Horn Golf Club, Sheridan

Among the criteria used by Golfweek's panel of course raters include:
- Ease and intimacy of routing - The extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner.
- Variety and memorability of par 3s, 4s and 5s - Different clubs hit; extent to which the angles of play create interesting and varied playing options; and extent to which holes offer variety of options from the tee and on the second shot.
- Basic quality of conditioning - Variety of playing textures; extent of turf coverage; consistency and quality of bunker sand.
- Walk in the park test - Degree to which the course ultimately is worth spending a half-day on.

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

Golf Life Navigators Welcomes Jeff Raimer to Executive Team

(NAPLES, Fla.) – Golf Life Navigators (GLN) – the world’s only virtual marketplace for consumer-to-club connections – announces noted private golf club expert Jeff Raimer is joining its executive team as senior data analyst.

Throughout his illustrious career of more than 35 years, Raimer has facilitated four clubs into becoming “member-owned,” and demonstrated vast success in developing industry professionals by promoting assistants into numerous head professional or director of golf positions.

Elected into the South Florida PGA Section Hall of Fame in 2015, Raimer was previously the director of golf at the West Bay Beach & Golf Club in Estero, Fla. for 11 years. He also was the South Florida PGA’s Golf Professional of the Year in 2005 as well as an elected officer with the PGA’s Southwest Section for 17 years.

Raimer will be responsible for showcasing GLN’s data and trends on the specific ingredients prospects are looking for when researching private clubs for membership. His duties will also include educating consumers and prospective members on club finances as well as assisting club operations on working “hand-in-hand” with real estate divisions to offer an all-encompassing buying experience.

“I’m excited about joining the Golf Life Navigators team as the trendsetting data they provide private clubs is essential for targeted growth in today’s competitive marketplace,” says Raimer. “Their unique programs are exactly the data prospective members and clubs need to access invaluable information and make profitable decisions.”

Raimer will also assist private clubs with individual marketing programs and work closely with GLN’s CEO Jason Becker on developing the company’s innovation, strategic marketplaces.

“Jeff is passionate about our quest to position Golf Life Navigators as a go-to resource for clubs who are positioning themselves for future buyers, we are excited to have him as an integral part our supercharged team,” says Becker. “His valuable professional experience in the private club sector will be a tremendous asset as we continue our incredible growth across the Sun Belt.”

GLN recently unveiled the next generation of its marketplace designed to offer unprecedented flexibility and access to its platform for clubs seeking exposure and connection with highly qualified prospective members. The updated GLN marketplace now offers three levels of participation to provide clubs with an experience tailored to their membership recruitment needs: Marketplace Entry and Marketplace Link. Marketplace Pro will be GLN’s premier level offering clubs a series of data and analytics programming.

“The innovative new program from Golf Life Navigators is very impressive and a fantastic way to obtain information about what prospective members desire and need in a club,” says Zach Wygant, general manager of Quail Creek Country Club. “Club executives are all about making data-driven decisions and  the new Golf Life Navigators platform is an amazing and helpful tool for those decision-makers.”

More information: www.golflifenavigators.com 800.447.8707.

Whispering Pines Golf Club Rated the No. 1 Best in State Course in Texas by Golf Digest

(Trinity, Texas) – Golf Digest released its biennial ranking (2019-2020) of the Best in State Courses and Whispering Pines Golf Club was voted the top golf course in Texas.

Golf Digest has been publishing its Best in State rankings since 1977 and a panel of some 1,700 low-handicap golfers are assigned to evaluate candidate courses in every state.  A minimum of 25 rater ballots are required in order to be considered for the prestigious Best in State list.

Earlier this year, Whispering Pines advanced to No. 54 on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses for 2019-2020.  Whispering Pines is the highest rated Texas course with only one other club in the state making the top 100. Whispering Pines Golf Club, a Nicklaus Design led by architect Chet Williams, opened in 2000. In addition to the championship course, the club has a challenging nine-hole short course named The Needler, which was inspired by the great short course at Pine Valley and the Par 3 course at Augusta National.

For more information about Whispering Pines Golf Club or The Spirit International, visit www.whisperingpinesgolfclub.com or www.thespiritgolf.com, respectively.