Saturday, May 6, 2023

Tom Doak and Pinehurst Resort Release Must See 10th Course Update Video

For those awaiting an update on the 10th course at Pinehurst Resort, the wait is over. To quote Doak, “It is going pretty fast. We’re pretty quick on shaping greens.” Not only shaping greens, but turfing green complexes, fairways, tees boxes and more. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, a 2:30 video might be worth 10,000.

Check out Pinehurst Resort’s just-released video featuring numerous drone shots of the 10th course and invaluable insights from Doak about the front nine, back nine, terrain and timing. Landscape architect Angela Moser is the lead design associate and has been heavily involved in all day-to-day operations. Moser’s impressive credentials include work at the Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course, which will host the 123rd U.S. Open next month.

Korda, Ko, and Eight of the Top 10 Players in the Rolex World Rankings Headline Field in Inaugural Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club

Mizuho Americas, the Americas arm of one of the largest financial institutions in the world, and new title sponsor on the LPGA Tour, today announced World #1 Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko and 8 of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings will headline the field at the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open, taking place May 31 – June 4 at the iconic Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, NJ.

In addition to one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour, 24 of the top 26 juniors in the Rolex AJGA Girls Rankings, including New Jersey’s Top-Ranked Junior golfer Katie Li (Basking Ridge), will also be competing at Liberty National, as the Mizuho Americas Open will concurrently host the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) Invitational.

Bridgestone Golf President and CEO Dan Murphy to Speak at National Club Conference

The National Club Association, representing private clubs throughout the U.S., today announced Dan Murphy, president & CEO of Bridgestone Golf, will speak at its 2023 National Club Conference, May 7-9 in Chicago.

Murphy will address attendees, who are leaders of top private clubs throughout the U.S., on “A Manufacturing View of Golf.”

Firethorne Country Club to Host Grand Opening Celebrating Completion of Renovations

Invited, the worldwide leader in private clubs and formerly known as ClubCorp, is pleased to announce the grand opening of the renovated golf course at Firethorne Country Club on Tuesday, May 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The club invested in a significant renovation project for the ninth hole, as well as the creation of a new short game practice area.

The grand opening of the reimagined ninth hole and short game area will feature a collection of contests and clinics for members to participate in, including one where the winner will earn the right to hit the inaugural chip shop in the new practice area. Additionally, there will be a DJ, food stations, beer and wine, a balloon artist and games for children to enhance the experience for members and celebrate a new chapter for the club.

Major Champions and Global Superstars Set Sights on Oklahoma for LIV Golf Tulsa

Fresh off a successful stretch of tournaments in Australia and Singapore that featured massive crowds, multiple holes-in-one, a playoff finish and the first back-to-back individual winner in league history, LIV Golf will bring its star-studded lineup to Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for LIV Golf Tulsa, May 12-14.

Showcasing many of the sport’s biggest names, LIV Golf’s 12 teams are led by the likes of four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, reigning Open Champion Cameron Smith, World Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson, two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia and 2020 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. More than a quarter (13) of the league’s global field are major champions, with 24 major victories amongst them. The field of 48 players represents 16 different nations, includes 18 Olympians, and has made 125 combined appearances in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, with more than half of the league having competed in the biennial team events. In total, LIV Golf League players have amassed 533 worldwide wins across multiple tours, and four players have held the title of World No. 1.

Only 53 percent of Active Players on PGA Tour have a Hole-In-One

Stepping up to the tee on a par-3, taking dead aim at the flag, and draining a hole-in-one. It’s a dream scenario for the common golfer.

Meanwhile, nearly every week it seems as if there’s a PGA Tour pro hitting a hole-in-one.  But how many Tour golfers actually have a hole-in-one on their resume?

Friday, May 5, 2023

Pasatiempo Golf Course Offering Fantastic Deals on Tee Times During Restoration

Pasatiempo Golf Course restoration project to restore the greens and bunker complexes to their original 1929 Alister MacKenzie design is well underway. Hole Nos. 1 through 9 are set to be restores first.

During this time, Pasatiempo is offering limited availability to play the iconic back nine. Nine hole morning rounds are available at a rate of $150, or the option to play 18 holes in the afternoon at a rate of $275, which is $130 off the standard rate. Both rates include a golf cart.

NBC Sports to Present Nearly 150 Hours of Live USGA Championship Coverage in 2023

NBC Sports will present nearly 150 hours of live USGA championship coverage in 2023 across NBC, Peacock, USA Network and GOLF Channel, beginning Thursday, June 15, with the first round of the 123rd U.S. Open from The Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif.

This year’s USGA championship coverage is also highlighted by the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 6-9. For the first time ever, NBC will present live primetime coverage of the third and final rounds of the U.S. Women’s Open on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9.

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Club Champion Launches Military + First Responder Program

Club Champion is celebrating Law Enforcement and Military Appreciation Month by introducing their Military + First Responder program! Military and first responder personnel including police, firefighters, and EMS can now receive 10% off of Club Champion-built clubheads, shafts, and grips at all Club Champion and TXG locations in North America when proof of employment or veteran status is presented.

“We love our frontline workers — we even have veterans and former first responders among the ranks in our stores who have chosen a new career in golf,” said Nick Sherburne, Club Champion’s founder. “May is Law Enforcement and Military Appreciation Month, so I can’t think of a better time to introduce this new program to golfers of all experience levels.”

Tour Edge Exotics in the Bag for 22nd PGA Tour Champions Victory at The Insperity Invitational

Tour Edge, the pound-for-pound industry leader in performance and innovation, experienced their 22nd PGA TOUR Champions victory Sunday at the Insperity Invitational in The Woodlands, TX.

The 2022 Schwab Cup champion had a 22-degree Exotics C721 Hybrid in the bag for the four-shot victory that saw him successfully defend his Insperity title from last year. 

Motocaddy Named UK's Top Selling Electric Caddy Brand

Motocaddy has been named as the top-selling electric caddy brand in 2022, growing its UK market share by over a third (35%) compared to the previous year and selling almost 12% more models than its nearest competitor.

According to sales figures released by golf industry research specialists Golf Datatech*, the world’s leading electric caddy brand also ranked #1 with on-course retailers last year. Reliable high-performance Motocaddy models outsold those of its nearest rival by almost 13% through green grass accounts across the country.

LPGA JM Eagle LA Champion Played Graphite Design Tour AD DI Shaft

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announced today that the winner of the LPGA JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro tournament held at Wilshire Country Club, Los Angeles, CA was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-6 SR (Stiff Regular) flex wood shaft in her Titleist #5 Fairway metal wood.

“Congratulations to the winner of the JM Eagle LA Championship.  What an awesome playoff victory and we are so excited she plays a Graphite Design Tour AD shaft”, stated Wayne Ageno, President, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc.

Callaway Apparel Welcomes New 2023 Brand Ambassadors

Callaway Apparel is pleased to announce the signing of PGA TOUR professionals Harry Hall and Brian Stuard as new brand ambassadors, joining current staffer and LPGA professional Emma Talley.

“We are proud to have these two talented golfers joining Callaway Apparel as brand ambassadors,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International. “Harry and Brian are a perfect combination of a young star on the rise and an established veteran and we look forward to supporting them as they perform on the PGA TOUR.  Along with Emma Talley, Callaway Apparel is also worn by dozens of the world’s best players on the PGA, LPGA, Korn Ferry, PGA TOUR Champions and developmental tours.”

Srixon Golf Independent Robot Testing Driver Results

SRIXON®, a global leader in tour-quality golf equipment and innovation, is pleased to announce the results of independent robot testing run by Golf Labs, confirming Srixon’s ZX5 LS Mk II Driver is an average four yards longer than Callaway, TaylorMade, and Titleist Drivers.

The ZX5 LS Mk II tested nine yards longer than TSR2, six yards longer than Stealth 2, and four yards longer than Paradym.

Rain Or Shine Golf Partners with SkyTrak to Distribute New SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor

Rain or Shine Golf, a leading provider of indoor golf simulators and equipment, is pleased to announce its partnership with SkyTrak, a revolutionary golf launch monitor and simulator platform. As part of this partnership, Rain or Shine Golf has secured the rights to distribute the new SkyTrak+ launch monitor along with the other products SkyTrak has to offer.

“We’re thrilled to partner with SkyTrak and bring the SkyTrak+ launch monitor to our customers,” said Shawn Foley, CEO of Rain or Shine Golf. “We couldn’t be more excited. The price, performance and GOLFTEC integrations should make this one of the best-selling products of the year.”

USGA to Celebrate Monumental "Firsts" at Pebble Beach for 78th U.S. Women's Open

The 78th U.S. Women’s Open marks an historic first for the USGA. This year’s championship, contested from July 6-9, will be the first time the world’s best female players showcase their talents at Pebble Beach Golf Links, and a record number of entrants are vying for a spot in the field.

This unprecedented number of players competing to be the first U.S. Women’s Open champion at Pebble Beach promises to provide an unforgettable experience for fans, who can enjoy the championship through first-of-its-kind broadcast and digital experiences.

Record Number of Entries Accepted for U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has accepted a record total of 2,107 entries, including 13 champions and all top 25 players in the world, for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. The U.S. Women’s Open will be held for the first time at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links, from July 6-9, 2023.

Entries surpassed the 2,000 mark for the first time; the previous record of 1,874 was established last year at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, in Southern Pines, N.C. A total of 1,873 entries were filed for the 2015 championship at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club. The USGA accepted entries for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open from golfers in 47 U.S. states and 62 foreign countries.

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.

Friday, April 28, 2023

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.