Annika Sorenstam Accepts Special Exemption into 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links

Three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Annika Sorenstam, of Sweden, has accepted a special exemption into the 78th U.S. Women’s Open Championship, which will be conducted July 6-9 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.

Sorenstam, 52, won the 1995, 1996 and 2006 U.S. Women’s Open Championships as well as seven other major championships and 72 total LPGA victories in her Hall of Fame career before retiring from full-time professional golf in 2008. In 2021, she returned to competitive golf at the 3rd U.S. Senior Women’s Open, where she cruised to an 8-shot victory, securing her place in the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., site of her 1996 Women’s Open win. The 2022 U.S. Women’s Open was Sorenstam’s first start in the championship in 13 years and 16th overall.

USGA To Invest in LA Golf Community as U.S. Open Approaches

In anticipation of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship this June, the USGA is announcing its plans to leave a lasting impact in Los Angeles, connecting its host community with the organization’s ongoing commitments to champion and advance golf, and to propel a healthier future for the game.

The USGA is collaborating with the community in four distinct areas, highlighted by a $1 million donation to restore the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course, a nine-hole, par-3 public facility operated by Los Angeles County that provides thousands in the area with affordable, accessible golf. In one of the most significant host community investments in U.S. Open history, the USGA is joining forces with the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), The Los Angeles Country Club (LACC), Los Angeles County and several other organizations and donors to bring the project to life. Acclaimed course architect Gil Hanse will lead the restoration project.

Gamble Sands Announces the Gamble Sands Experience Sweepstakes

Gamble Sands, one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America” located in Brewster, Wash., and Troon® have teamed up for the Gamble Sands Experience sweepstakes.

One lucky person will a win a four-day, three-night in-season trip or a three-day, two-night out-of-season trip for two people to Gamble Sands. Those interested in entering the sweepstakes can click here by May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be notified via email.

SQAIRZ Ultra Blends Luxury and Performance

SQAIRZ, the fastest growing golf shoe company, has announced the release of their newest performance golf shoes for women: FREEDOM ULTRA, available for pre-order now at sqairz.com.

Building on the proven stability of SQAIRZ’s bestselling FREEDOM shoe, the ULTRA offers the same game changing performance with a polished look that nods to classic golf styling, and a breathable, lightweight, upper.

World’s Most Dangerous Golf Courses

As the golf season gets into full swing in the northern hemisphere thrill-seeking golfers wanting to spice things up have been told where they can head this summer.

Holiday car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have researched the eight most dangerous golf courses in some of the strangest places in the world.

Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Takes the Top Spot in Texas

Fujikura, the leader in performance golf shafts, was honored to be the #1 driver shaft on the LPGA Tour at the first Major of the year. This also included a victory for the first-time Major champion, who used all VENTUS woods during the week.

At the Chevron Championship, Fujikura followed up the previous major success in Augusta, GA with the #1 driver shaft spot in Texas. The eventual winner of her first Major title also claimed her latest victory using all VENTUS driver and wood shafts in the bag. Using the VENTUS TR Blue 5-S in her driver, VENTUS TR Blue 6-S in her 3-wood and VENTUS TR Blue 7-S in her 5-wood, the Chevron Championship winner sealed her play-off victory for her first ever Major win.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas from New Balance and Callaway Footwear

The New Balance Brighton golf shoe features a waterproof microfiber leather upper that is lightweight and breathable. Women will experience comfort in every step with the DynaSoft midsole and CUSH+ insole.

The Ndurance® rubber outsole is designed to move with the natural motion of the foot with flex grooves in key places and maximum durability in high-wear areas. The spiked shoe uses the FastTwist 3.0 system, giving it a lower profile for better comfort.

Galvin Green Unveils G-Force Capsule Collection

Leading high-performance golf apparel brand Galvin Green today unveiled a new premium G-FORCE capsule collection of garments in ultra-modern patterns inspired by the force of the waves that golfers often witness when playing close to the ocean on links courses.

The latest limited-edition range from the environmentally conscious brand features distinctive wavy designs and seascape colorways applied to a windproof and water-resistant jacket, a warm crew-neck sweater, six stylish polo shirts and a matching baseball cap. Many of the garments feature a prominent ‘GG’ logo in a contemporary style intended to make a bold impact on or off the golf course.

PopStroke Announces Expansion Plans for 2023

PopStroke Entertainment Group, a national leader in golf entertainment owned by Greg Bartoli, Tiger Woods’ TGR Ventures, and TaylorMade Golf Company, announced their upcoming venue lineup that will bring the unique experiential putting concept to several new markets across the United States.

The company’s expansion efforts will begin construction this year in major markets, including Nashville, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Myrtle Beach, The Colony, TX, Tuscaloosa, and College Station, TX. They will also extend their footprint in Florida with three additional groundbreakings in Orlando/Winter Garden, Daytona Beach and Wellington.

Topgolf to Become Global Medaled Event in Special Olympics

Topgolf is beyond excited to share that beginning in 2024, Topgolf will be an officially sanctioned event with Special Olympics, the first time a brand has become a medaled event. That means Special Olympics athletes will be able to compete in Topgolf as an individual or with a team through Special Olympics Unified Sports, which joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team for training and competition.

Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf is committed to making the game of golf more diverse, inclusive and fun, and with off-course golf participation at an all-time high, the partnership with Special Olympics was an easy “yes!” for Topgolf.

Arccos and TaylorMade Extend Partnership Offer to UK Golfers

Arccos, the pioneer of big data and Artificial Intelligence for golf, today announced the extension of its partnership with TaylorMade Golf, allowing players based in the UK to access the ‘Track Better. Play Better.’ program by registering to receive free Arccos smart sensors and free 45-day trial membership to the award-winning platform.

Accessible at taylormade.arccosgolf.com, this special offer also includes the option to bundle the Arccos Link wearable at a limited-time, 50% discount, further helping TaylorMade customers harness the power of their on-course data to play smarter and shoot lower scores. A nominal shipping and handling fee may apply.

2023 Arizona Summer Troon Card Now on Sale

Troon, the Scottsdale-based golf management firm, has launched its 2023 Arizona Summer Troon Card program, providing preferred rates to cardholders at more than 22 Troon-managed and brand-affiliated facilities, which include 26-plus golf courses throughout the Grand Canyon State. The 2023 Arizona Summer Troon Card is valid May 4th through September 30th and can be purchased for $139 for a TwoSome Card or $179 for a FourSome Card at www.TroonCard.com.

For the fourth consecutive year, Troon will donate funds to St. Mary’s Food Bank for each Arizona Summer Troon Card sold. Previous St. Mary’s Food Bank donations from Summer Troon Card sales have resulted in more than 850,000 meals since 2020, helping to feed the less fortunate. St. Mary’s Food Bank, one of the largest food banks in the United States, distributed more than 102,000,000 pounds of food in 2022 throughout Arizona.

Retro Golf Club Reintroduces Nostalgic Days of Golf to Country Clubs Spanning the East Coast

Golf enthusiasts across the nation yearning for the nostalgic days of yesteryear now have the opportunity to take a step back in time as today marks the launch of Retro Golf Club, a new venture by golf industry veteran Cory Crelan, giving players of all skill levels the chances to use golf clubs made famous in Augusta, Ga., Pebble Beach, Calif., Pinehurst, N.C. and St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland.

Retro Golf Club has the ability to enhance any corporate outing, country club tournament or a golf trip amongst friends with carefully refurbished clubs from the 1970’s and 1980’s when persimmon and laminated woods, and blade irons filled the bags of the top professionals in the world.

The Sea Pines Resort Gives Golfers the Tour Pro Experience

A new champion—Matt Fitzpatrick—has been crowned in the 2023 RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, played at the world-famous Harbour Town Golf Links. Fitzpatrick, who bested 2022 defending champion Jordan Spieth in a three-hole play-off, is a long-time visitor to Hilton Head Island and relished this victory.

“This one is the one that I’ve always wanted to win,” he said in his post-tournament media conference. “My family can tell you that, and my friends can tell you the same thing. This place is just a special place for me, and it means the world to have won it.”

Lee Smith Named Executive Director of The Players Championship

The PGA TOUR announced today that Lee Smith has been named Executive Director of THE PLAYERS Championship and replaces Jared Rice, who has taken a new role leading business development for the TOUR’s Championship Management portfolio of events.

Smith comes to THE PLAYERS Championship after spending the last five years as General Manager at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he was instrumental in helping the PGA TOUR contest THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2019 and 2021. While overseeing an onsite staff of nearly 150 team members at the club, he secured the LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americas Open, which will debut at Liberty National in June. Since 2008, Smith has been a key member of the TPC Network, serving as Head Golf Professional at TPC Sugarloaf outside Atlanta; General Manager of TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas; and Regional Director of Operations for TPC Networks, a role he held concurrently with his position at Liberty National. He has been a Class A member of the PGA of America for more than 20 years.

Charlie Mechem Launches Arnie and Jack Audiobook

Charlie Mechem is proud to announce the release of the audiobook version of his popular book, Arnie and Jack: Stories of My Long Friendship with Two Remarkable Men.

In the Arnie and Jack audiobook, you’ll enjoy a front-row seat to many of golf’s cherished moments in locales rich in history, as narrated by 92-year-old Mechem with a combination of wit, humor, and emotion. Through his stories, he’ll take you on the course at pro-golf’s famous Bay Hill, Camargo Club, Muirfield Village, Tradition, and Augusta National and off the course at the Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant, the Captains Club, even the White House and Congress.

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 so far in 2023, the company is continuing to bolster its identity as the industry leader.

With studios now open in Kingwood and Midland, TX; and Farragut, TN, 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.

Edel Golf Under New Ownership

Premium golf equipment manufacturer Edel Golf has been acquired by former CoorsTek executive Doug Coors. Hailing from the Coors Brewing family, his background resides in engineering physics and manufacturing processes. What stands out about Coors is his passion for golf, knowledge of the biomechanics behind the golf swing, and keen sense of club fitting processes.

Coors’ relationship with Edel Golf first started when he was asked to be a manufacturing consultant where he became familiarized with the company, its products, and fitting processes. “I learned so much from my putter and wedge fittings that I was shocked how little the industry shared with the casual golfer,” said Coors. “There is so much to this game, and I wanted to learn everything I could. Acquiring Edel Golf has given me the platform to share what I learned.”

Uneekor Golf Simulator Brand Acquires Evnroll Putters

Uneekor is delighted to announce the acquisition of a controlling interest in US-based premium putter brand Evnroll.

The deal sees Creatz Inc., parent company to the South Korean golf technology company Uneekor, acquire a 70% share and controlling interest in Evnroll putters with immediate effect.

First Nicklaus Heritage Course Breaks Ground in the Bahamas

Nicklaus Design—the world’s leading golf course design company— announced today they have commenced work on an 18-hole championship layout at Jack’s Bay, the one-of-a-kind exclusive resort club and residential community that features four miles of magnificent white sand beaches on the Atlantic coastline on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas.

Jack’s Bay will be the first Nicklaus Heritage® course in the world, as well as include the rare Nicklaus real estate branding rights as a Nicklaus Community—a distinction afforded to only a very select collection of developments around the world and the very first in the Caribbean.