Friday, September 1, 2023

Medalist White Caps Off Week at Martis Camp With Senior Am Title

Over the years, the administration at Spartanburg (S.C.) High School has been quite accommodating to Todd White’s amateur golf career, giving him time off to compete in numerous USGA championships, including the 2013 Walker Cup. The history teacher and boys’ and girls’ golf coach made his excused absence worthwhile this past week at Martis Camp Club, as the 55-year-old from Spartanburg is bringing home a shiny piece of hardware to show off to the faculty and students.

The top seed claimed the Frederick L. Dold Trophy as the champion of the 68th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship on a glorious Thursday in the Lake Tahoe area, defeating Jody Fanagan, 58, of the Republic of Ireland, 4 and 3, in the 18-hole final. It is the second USGA title for White, who captured the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball title in 2015 with 2013 USA Walker Cup teammate Nathan Smith at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. That’s two gold medals in the Golden State.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Dramatic Pawleys Plantation Restoration Project Taking Shape As Jack Nicklaus Design Eyes October Reopening

The restoration of Pawleys Plantation, a stunning Jack Nicklaus design that plays along a tidal marsh, continues to progress smoothly, and the layout’s plans for an October reopening are on schedule.

Founders Group International, Pawleys’ parent company, closed the acclaimed design on May 22 for a comprehensive greens, bunkers and clubhouse renovation project. The on-course work is being led by Nicklaus Design and its Design Associate, Troy Vincent, with the goal of reinvigorating a layout that has been among the Myrtle Beach area’s most popular since its opening in 1988.

49th Walker Cup Match Fact Sheet

The 2023 Walker Cup kicks of this week on the Old Course at St. Andrews

The course will be set up at 7,313 yards and will play to a par of 36-36–72. The yardage for each session of the competition will vary due to course setup and conditions.

2023 USA World Amateur Teams Announced

The six players who will represent the USA in the 2023 World Amateur Team Championships, to be played Oct. 18-21 for the men and Oct. 25-28 for the women at Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) Golf Club, have been finalized.

The players are Anna Davis, 17, of Spring Valley, Calif., Rachel Kuehn, 22, of Asheville, N.C., Megan Schofill, 22, of Monticello, Fla., Nick Dunlap, 19, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., David Ford, 20, of Peachtree Corners, Ga., and Gordon Sargent, 20, of Birmingham, Ala.

USGA to Return to Portland Golf Club for Two Senior Amateur Championships

After a thrilling conclusion to the 2023 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, the USGA announced today that it will return to Portland for two more senior championships. Portland (Ore.) Golf Club will be the host site for the 2026 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and 2034 U.S. Senior Amateur. The club has previously hosted three USGA championships.

“We are excited to return to Portland Golf Club, which not only has a fantastic golf course, but a supportive and engaged membership familiar with USGA championships," said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “We are appreciative of the invitation and look forward to welcoming the best male and female senior amateurs from around the world."

Walker Cup Alums White, Fanagan to Meet In U.S. Senior Am Final

How about a Walker Cup appetizer before the actual main course. Medalist and top seed Todd White, 55, of Spartanburg, S.C., who competed on the winning USA side in 2013, will face 1995 Great Britain and Ireland competitor Jody Fanagan, 58, of the Republic of Ireland, in Thursday’s 18-hole final of the 68th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Martis Camp Club.

White, a high school history teacher and champion of the 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with his teammate from the 2013 Match at National Golf Links of America, Nathan Smith, and Fanagan, who went 3-0 in a GB&I victory at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, each won a pair of matches on another chamber-of-commerce day in the Lake Tahoe area Wednesday to become the last two standing.

Three Ozarks Courses Take Best in State Honors

Golf Digest ranks Ozarks National, Payne’s Valley, and Buffalo Ridge among the top 10 in its list of “America’s Greatest Courses by State, 2023-24.”

All three are amenities of Big Cedar Lodge, the sprawling luxury wilderness resort in the Branson Ozarks.  This marks the debut of Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods design) on the exclusive list.

Tour Championship Winner Played Graphite Design Tour AD in FedExCup Victory

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announced today that the winner of the TOUR Championship held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI 85-X Stiff flex hybrid shaft in his Titleist U505 #3 Utility Iron.  The champion carded an incredible 4-day score of 68, 64, 66, 63 for a total score of 27 under par, capturing the season ending TOUR Championship and the coveted FedEx Cup.

“Congratulations to the 2023 FedEx Cup champion.  What a fantastic season for the champion and we are excited that he chose to use a Graphite Design Tour AD shaft in his Utility Iron”, stated Bill McPherson, Vice President of Sales, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc.

PXG Tour Pro Megan Khang Snags First LPGA Tour Title

PXG LPGA Tour Professional Megan Khang triumphed in a one-hole playoff to win Canada’s 2023 CPKC Women’s Open. Finishing the tournament at 9-under, Khang poured in her playoff putt to close out the thrilling afternoon and claim the much-anticipated title.

“Megan is an exceptional player and so much fun to watch,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “We knew it was just a matter of time before she would snag her first win, and the entire PXG team was thrilled to watch her seal the deal on Sunday. Way to go, Megan!”

Dormie Network Announces Brad Wilson as General Manager at Victoria National Golf Club

Officials at Dormie Network, a national network of private destination golf clubs has announced that Brad Wilson has been named General Manager of Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Indiana. After starting at Victoria National Golf Club as the head golf professional 18 months ago, Wilson was elevated to assistant general manager earlier this year before being named as general manager.

Prior to joining the Victoria National Golf Club team, Wilson served in golf professional roles at a number of prestigious private golf clubs including Stone Eagle in Palm Desert, California, The Country Club of Indianapolis in Indiana, and most recently Sutton Bay in Agar, South Dakota.

New Fall and Winter Packages at Dundonald Links Scotland

Effortlessly combining heritage and tradition with contemporary surroundings and luxurious finishing touches, Dundonald Links is fast becoming one of the most sought-after golf resorts in Scotland.

From just £199 per person, visit Dundonald Links between the Oct. 16, 2023 and Feb. 29, 2024 and enjoy the excellent value Winter Stay & Play package. The £199 rate is for 1 night stays from Monday to Thursday or £219 for 1 night stays from Friday to Sunday, based on 2 people sharing a twin room.

Extracurricular Announced as Official Apparel Sponsor of 4Aces GC

Extracurricular and 4Aces GC, one of the 12 teams competing in the LIV Golf League, are proud to announce a new partnership wherein the cutting edge clothing brand will debut as the team’s official on-course apparel sponsor. This collaboration marks an exciting chapter for both organizations as they join forces to enhance the team’s performance and style on the course.

 

Extracurricular – founded by Chris Rosaasen, former CEO of Travis Matthew – creates performance apparel that seamlessly combines functionality, comfort, and style. The partnership with 4Aces GC reflects Extracurricular’s dedication to supporting athletes in their pursuit of excellence, and will see 4Aces GC team members Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, Peter Uihlein and their caddies, sporting Extracurricular apparel on the course and at all LIV Golf events.

PXG Announces New Apparel and Accessories for on the Course and Everyday Wear

PXG has unveiled its latest apparel and accessory offerings designed to carry golfers and lifestyle enthusiasts through the upcoming fall and winter seasons. This drop features a curated series of must-have classic and new silhouettes that boast technical innovations and thoughtfully crafted details for enhanced performance on and off the golf course.

The newest wave of apparel is comprised of 64 trend driven, performance-based designs – 32 looks for men and 32 for women. This seasonably smart collection elevates classic golf-wear, and introduces layering essentials and innovative, lightweight, easy to pack outerwear. PXG’s classic black, white, and gray colorways anchor monotone, color block, and printed styles, while military green, blue, and purple hues add variety and depth to the series.

Sunday, August 27, 2023

ECCO GOLF and Erik van Rooyen Introduce the New Signature Edition BIOM H4 Collaboration

 In collaboration with Ambassador Erik van Rooyen, ECCO – a golf footwear innovator – introduces a new signature edition BIOM® H4 for the AW23 collection. Paying homage to his individual style, the new iteration of the shoe includes a partial redesign and showcases van Rooyen’s renowned passion for fashion and music.

ECCO GOLF and van Rooyen launched the South African’s first signature edition model last summer, and the new design is equally bold and eye-catching with nods to the style icon’s love for guitar, his iconic jogger pants, and his enviable moustache.

Chacarra Defeats Jones in Epic Record-Breaking Playoff at Inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship

The Asian Tour sensationally witnessed the longest sudden-death play-off in its history today, when young Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra defeated veteran Matt Jones from Australia on the 10th extra hole at the inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship.


Chacarra made a par on the par-five 18th, two putting from 30 feet, while Jones, 20 years his senior, missed a five-footer for a five at Fairmont St Andrews – after one of the most exciting ever finishes on the Asian Tour. 

After Near-Misses, Trish Johnson Claims the 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open

If there was one thing in ample supply at the 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open, it was experience. On Sunday, a trio of players with a handful of near-misses in this championship staged an epic battle at Waverley Country Club, ultimately won by Trish Johnson by one stroke over Leta Lindley and two ahead of Catriona Matthew. 

Johnson, who has played in all five of these championships, was T-2 in 2019 and third in 2018. Lindley was second last year and Matthew was T-3 in 2022 and T-4 in 2021. The Englishwoman took a one-stroke lead over Matthew into the final round and was two ahead of Lindley. The three stayed locked in a duel right down to the last hole, with Johnson closing with an even-par 72, Lindley a 71 and Matthew 73.

White’s Even-Par 144 Good Enough For Medalist at Martis Camp

Another beautiful day greeted the competitors for the second and final round of stroke play in the 68th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Martis Camp Club. Weather-wise, the contestants could not have asked for better conditions – gentle breezes, temperatures barely reaching into the 70s with no humidity, and not a cloud in the sky.

The Tom Fazio-designed golf course, however, proved for a second consecutive day to be no pushover. The longest course in championship history – it measured 7,251 yards on Day 2 – yielded just two sub-par scores on Sunday, a day after just six players bettered the par of 72. This rough and adjusting to the altitude attributed to a scoring average of 78.8.

Finster, Haag (70) Share Day 1 Lead at Challenging Martis Camp

The 68th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship could not have started any better at picturesque Martis Camp Club, a Tom Fazio design situated not far from Lake Tahoe. Clear blue skies, a gentle breeze and temperatures in the 70s with a relative humidity of less than 30 percent was the kind of Chamber-of-Commerce weather anyone would want for an 18-hole round.

But Martis Camp, with its thick rough, tree-lined fairways and elevation changes, wasn’t quite as nice as Mother Nature on Saturday for the opening round of stroke play.

Trish Johnson’s Sizzling 67 Grabs Lead at 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open

What looked like it was going to be a table for one at the 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open turned into an open party. Catriona Matthew took a three-stroke lead into Saturday’s third round at Waverley Country Club, but by day’s end Trish Johnson sat atop a leaderboard that was suddenly crowded by a slew of players that went low in an exciting third round.

After yielding only one round in the 60s over the first 36 holes – a 69 by Matthew on Thursday – Waverley surrendered a 67 by Johnson, 68 by Leta Lindley and 69s by Moira Dunn-Bohls, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Silvia Cavalleri as what promises to be a dynamic championship weekend began.

Friday, August 25, 2023

Catriona Matthew, Michelle McGann Grab Early Lead at 5th U.S. Senior Women’s Open

Brilliant skies hugged the Williamette River just south of Portland, Ore., on Thursday as historic Waverley Country Club served as both a stern test of championship skill and a startling reminder of how the U.S. Senior Women’s Open succeeds on so many levels. Most prominent in the opening round was the competitive intensity as Catriona Matthew and Michelle McGann both shot 3-under-par 69 to lead the field of 120 after 18 holes.

Matthew, who includes the 2009 AIG Women’s Open among her 11 professional victories, gave herself an early birthday present – she turns 54 on Friday – with six birdies and three bogeys over an extremely challenging layout, missing only four greens on the day and turning in a rock-solid 29 putts.