Sunday, February 26, 2023

Marriott Announces 22 Locations for Annual Family Golf Festival

Golfers of all ages and abilities are invited to join their family members to experience a day on the golf course at one of twenty-two scheduled Marriott International Family Golf Festivals in 2023. The first event will kick off on March 4, 2023, at La Iguana Golf Course at the beautiful Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica and will continue across the U.S. through December 6, 2023.

The Marriott International Family Golf Festival is an important annual component of Marriott’s commitment to player development programs.  Families are invited to Marriott Golf properties for a day of fun-filled activities, including complimentary golf instruction, clinics, interactive golf games, contests, family golf programs, prizes, giveaways and more. Under the guidance of PGA/LPGA Professionals, each resort location offers a welcoming environment where families can learn and play the game together.

Major Champions and Top World Players Headline Early Commitments to the DIO Implant LA Open

Tournament officials announced the preliminary field list for the 2023 DIO Implant LA Open at Palos Verdes Golf Club on March 30-April 2, the first of two LPGA Tour events taking place this spring in the greater Los Angeles area. The tournament is expected to feature a strong international field, with eight of the top-10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings currently slated to play in the event.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda (2), Minjee Lee (3), Jin Young Ko (5), Brooke Henderson (7), In Gee Chun (8), Hyo-Joo Kim (9), and Nasa Hataoka (10) headline early commitments. Additionally, all four past champions; Moriya Jutanugarn (2018), Minjee Lee (2019), Brooke Henderson (2021), and Hataoka (2022), are set to return for the event’s fifth year on the LPGA Tour. Los Angeles-area residents Andrea Lee, Lilia Vu, Alison Lee, Lizette Salas, and Angel Yin are also entered into the championship.

Montcalm Golf Club Announces March Membership Madness Promotion

Montcalm Golf Club in Enfield NH is running a March Membership Madness sweepstakes for a chance to win a 2023 membership at its award-winning golf course. The promotion which begins March 1 will also include three runner-up prizes with winners being rewarded a free foursome of play.

All winners will be randomly selected.  Click here to enter. The promotion begins March 1 and runs through midnight on March 31, 2022. No purchase is necessary to enter. Please see official entry rules for details.

AboutGOLF Spring Series Competition Tees Off in March

Following on the heels of its popular 2022-23 Ryder Cup Sim Series, officials at aboutGOLF today announced the details of the 2023 aboutGOLF Spring Series, another free competition available to anyone with access to a public or personal aboutGOLF simulator. The three-month contest includes nine-hole stroke play and closest to the pin competitions on three prestigious courses available on aboutGOLF simulators.

The competition will open with Myrtle Beach favorite Caledonia Golf & Fish Club as the featured course for March. Annually ranked in Golf, Golf Digest and Golfweek “Top 100” lists since opening in 1994, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club has been recognized for both its design and incredible beauty.

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Fred Perpall Elected as USGA President

Fred Perpall of Dallas, Texas, was elected to serve as the 67th president of the USGA today at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Napa, Calif.

Perpall will serve a three-year term leading the USGA Executive Committee, the all-volunteer policy-making board that provides strategic direction and oversight to the Association’s full-time staff.

Friday, February 24, 2023

USGA Launches U.S. National Development Program to Strengthen American Golf Pipeline and Foster Top Junior Talent

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today launched the U.S. National Development Program, creating the country’s first unified pathway to nurture the potential of America’s top players, starting in competitive junior golf and progressing to the pinnacles of the sport.

The U.S. National Development Program will identify, train, develop, fund and support the nation’s most promising junior players – regardless of cultural, geographical or financial background – to ensure that American golf is the global leader in the game. The program’s elite juniors, amateurs and young professionals will be invited to join one of three national teams with dedicated staff and resources and compete internationally under the U.S. flag.

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Austin Country Club Unveils Newly Renovated Clubhouse

Austin Country Club in Austin, Minn., recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of its clubhouse renovation project. Ceremony attendees included Austin Chamber of Commerce leadership and ambassadors, as well as Austin Country Club members, associates, and its board of directors. The H. Chambers Company of Baltimore, Maryland oversaw the three-phase project, while the Joseph Company of Austin completed the renovations.

The $5 million clubhouse renovation project began in September 2020 and addressed many areas of the facility, including dining, retail, event space and deferred maintenance. The newly renovated facilities feature modern colors and décor where members can come relax and enjoy their home away from home. The club’s new restaurant and bar named “Bunkers” has a casual/modern feel and includes a state-of-the-art golf simulator and lounge area adjacent to the space. The HD Golf Simulator hosts leagues, challenges as well as provides for practice or lessons on a year-round basis.

PING Announces Power Fitter Award Winners

To recognize custom fitters who distinguish themselves by elevating the custom-fitting experience and demonstrating how properly fit clubs translate to better and measurable results on the course, PING has announced its PING Power Fitter Award winners for 2022.

Formerly known as the Top 100 Fitters of the Year, PING evolved the honor in 2022 to bring even more recognition to its growing list of fitting experts who consistently deliver the best fitting experience in the industry.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

ANNIKA Foundation Begins 2023 Share My Passion Clinic During The Players Week

The ANNIKA Foundation – golf Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam’s charitable organization – will begin its 2023 “Share My Passion” clinic series on March 8, the Wednesday of THE PLAYERS week, at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

With the help of The First Tee of Northern Florida and The North Florida Junior Golf Foundation, the Foundation will invite 50 girls between the ages of six and 14 to participate in a special afternoon with Annika. It will begin with a clinic with Annika, followed by a photo and autograph session. Then, the groups will rotate through stations taught by local instructors covering the fundamentals of driving, putting and the importance of fitness with Annika participating in each. Throughout the afternoon, Annika will engage with the girls sharing tips and stories from her career and share her love for the game.

Billy Foster Extends Partnership with Motocaddy

Major winning Tour caddie Billy Foster has extended his role with industry leading golf trolley brand Motocaddy as a global brand ambassador, to promote its extensive range of electric caddys, bags and rangefinder products in 2023.

After first signing with the brand in 2021, Billy enjoyed a historic year in 2022 that saw him claim his first Major Championship, carrying the bag for Matthew Fitzpatrick during the U.S. Open at The Country Club at Brookline. Wearing the distinctive Motocaddy branding on his chest and sleeves, Billy helped lift the trophy during his 40th year on Tour, in a season that also saw Fitzpatrick break into the top-10 in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time. The standout year put Foster and Fitzpatrick in a prime position to play in the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy, which would see Billy carrying the bag for Team Europe in his 16th Ryder Cup.

NBC, Peacock, and Golf Channel Will Air More than 500 Hours of Live PGA Tour Coverage for Six Straight Weeks Beginning with The Honda Classic

NBC, Peacock and GOLF Channel will present more than 500 hours of live PGA TOUR tournament and studio coverage exclusively over the next six weeks – averaging more than 12 hours of coverage per day – as the TOUR makes its annual spring swing through Florida and Texas.

Peacock will stream all tournament coverage that airs on NBC and GOLF Channel and all Golf Central pre- and post-round coverage that airs on GOLF Channel.

Aon Risk Reward Challenge at The Honda Classic at PGA National

After clawing through ‘The Bear Trap,’ the world’s best players are greeted by a 556- yard closing par 5 at PGA National. While bunkers protect the left side of the fairway, the numbers say taking on that line is worth the risk.

A drive into the left fairway or intermediate rough has led to players going for this green in two nearly 70 percent of the time over the past decade.

Plan Your Perfect Winter Golf Getaway at JW Marriott Resorts in Arizona

When it is time to get away, reward yourself with a winter getaway at one of our JW Marriott Resorts in Arizona.

For a family–friendly escape, weekend with friends, or much–awaited romantic rendezvous, guests are immersed in luxury with exceptional services and amenities to reset from the stressors of everyday life – and it is all in Arizona.

Garsen Putter Grips Picks Up 63rd Tour Win With Lydia Ko's Victory at the LET Aramco Saudi Ladies International

Garsen Golf congratulates Lydia Ko on her 1 shot victory on the Ladies European Tour while using her custom Garsen Quad Tour putter grip.

In addition to winning her first tournament of the 2023 season, Lydia also claimed 3 LPGA Tour wins in 2022 while using a Garsen grip as well as won The Race to CME Globe, The Rolex Player of the Year, and led the LPGA in scoring average and strokes gained putting. This now totals 63 tour wins for Garsen.

Notah Begay III to Play Wilson Staff Model Golf Ball in PGA Tour Champions 2023 Debut

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. today announced an expanded partnership with Notah Begay III and his youth foundation golf initiative. The multiyear deal includes a golf ball product endorsement and Wilson’s recommitment as the official equipment sponsor of the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship.

Begay III made his 2023 PGA TOUR Champions season debut at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, FL last week at the Chubb Classic, where he played the Wilson Staff Model golf ball and wear the Staff Model golf glove.

Club Champion Arrives in Three New Markets

Club Champion, the globe’s top custom golf club fitter and builder, continued its steady climb into the new year. With three new stores opening in the first quarter of 2023, the company is continuing to bolster its identity as the industry leader.

With studios now open in Destin and Fort Myers, FL; and Westlake, OH, Club Champion is primed to hit over 125 domestic and international locations by the end of the year. There are now fitting studios in 42 U.S. states and partnered locations in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

World Golf Hall of Fame Announces Finalists for 2024 Induction Class

The World Golf Hall of Fame released the names of 12 finalists who will be considered for induction in 2024. Final selections for the 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Class will be announced the week of March 6, 2023.

Before gaining consideration, each finalist met the necessary qualifications in his or her respective category by way of on-course accomplishments or significant contributions to the game of golf. The finalists include Padraig Harrington, Tom Weiskopf, Johnny Farrell, Jim Furyk, Dottie Pepper, Sandra Palmer, Beverly Hanson, Cristie Kerr, Peter Dawson, Butch Harmon, Jay Sigel and the seven remaining co-founders of the LPGA: Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Detweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Shirley Spork and Sally Sessions.

Sports Illustrated Debuts SI World Golf Rankings

Sports Illustrated (SI) today announced the creation of the SI World Golf Rankings, a new ranking system that includes all major men’s professional tours and data-driven player results. The rankings will be continuously updated at SI.com/golf alongside in-depth stories, breaking news, championship coverage, and analysis from SI Golf.

The SI World Golf Rankings seek to address concerns about the widely utilized world rankings system and offer an alternative that reflects the importance of measuring results from the most immediate 12 months, whereas current world rankings include tournament results as far back as two years ago.

The Path to The Los Angeles Country Club Begins

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that online entry applications will be available beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m. EST, for the 123rd U.S. Open Championship, to be played from June 15-18 on The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club’s North Course.

Thousands of golfers will attempt to qualify for the championship through a two-stage process, with a field of 156 players advancing to The Los Angeles Country Club, where one will be crowned U.S. Open champion. Non-exempt players will compete in one of 109 local qualifiers hosted throughout the United States (with one in Canada) between April 17 and May 22.

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR Releases Course Dynamics Deep Dive Trailer

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR has released a visually stunning Courses Reveal trailer providing players a peek into the game’s meticulously crafted courses along with core gameplay features centered around Pure Strike. 

You can find the all-new trailer HEREThe trailer showcases the game’s stunning, realistic visuals along with the state-of-the-art course mapping technology the team employed like photogrammetry scanning, drone technology, and survey-grade GPS.