Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Junior Golf University Announces John A. Solheim Scholarship

Junior Golf University is proud to announce the new John A. Solheim Scholarship, named after the current longtime Chairman of PING Golf, to help enterprising high-school senior golfers with college expenses.

The scholarship will award $5,000 to the individual who lives by the same high character, integrity and core values as Mr. Solheim, demonstrates community involvement through extracurricular activities, impresses with a written essay, and is a proficient golfer.

Bobby Jones Links to Manage Ohio's Piqua Country Club

Bobby Jones Links (BJL), the golf industry’s leading client-centric, boutique management company, proudly announces that it is now managing Dayton, Ohio’s Piqua Country Club, a classic Midwest property with a player-friendly 18-hole golf course. The original six holes were designed and built in 1896 – just eight years after the first golf course opened in the United States. In 1920, renowned course architect Donald Ross redesigned those holes and added three more. Later, the course had more enhancements and renovations, including the addition of nine holes designed by Jack Kidwell. Piqua is Dayton’s oldest golf course and Ohio’s second oldest.

“We courted several other management companies and what led us to BJL was the attention to detail and their team’s plan to orient their management strategy specifically toward our biggest needs,” said Piqua Board President Chris Francis. “Piqua has a tremendous history and great opportunity to welcome in more local young families who want to be a part of a historic golf course in superb conditions as well as the swimming pool and other excellent amenities here. We’re aligned with BJL to concentrate a push in our sales and marketing efforts and in elevating the food and beverage experience. We’re excited to move forward with BJL (as well as with our new, highly respected general manager) and benefit from their expertise and best practices in these areas.”

PXG Opens First Retail Store and Golf Club Fitting Studio in California

PXG, a global research and development company dedicated to creating the world’s finest golf equipment and apparel, continues down its path of strategic store expansion with its first brick-and-mortar venture in California. A premier golf destination, PXG East BayTM will support custom club fittings for PXG® equipment and a top-quality apparel and accessory shopping experience for golf and active lifestyle enthusiasts across the San Francisco Bay Area.

“Similar to PXG, the Bay Area is a hotbed for tech, innovation, and opportunity, so setting up shop seemed like a natural fit,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons. “We’re proud to be part of this thriving community of golfers. And, we look forward to providing San Francisco-based PXG Troops with easy access to the absolute best, personalized golf experience in the business.”

Genesis Invitational Winner Uses Pro's Choice Graphite Design AD DI

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announced today that the winner of The Genesis Invitational was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-8 TX wood shaft in his Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS 9.5° Driver, a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-9 TX wood shaft in his TaylorMade Qi10 15° fairway metal wood and a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-10 TX wood shaft in his Cobra King RadSpeed Tour 17.5° fairway metal wood.  The champion claimed his ninth PGA Tour victory after a strongSunday finish where he rallied from a six-shot deficit by shooting a 9-under 62, to win the tournament by 3 strokes.

“Congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Genesis Invitational with nine birdies during the final round to shoot a 62.  The winner used Graphite Design Tour AD DI shafts to capture his 9th PGA Tour win on one of the most challenging and historic courses on the PGA Tour”, stated Erik Boysen, Vice President of  Tour Promotions, Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc.

Hideki Matsuyama Surges to Genesis Invitational Win with Final Round 62

In a come from behind effort, Hideki Matsuyama chased down the field at The Genesis Invitational with a scorching final round back-nine 30, carding six birdies and no bogeys to close out the tournament at 17-under and win by three strokes. Matsuyama’s 9-under 62 on Sunday is the lowest final round tournament score recorded at Riviera Country Club. This is his ninth PGA Tour victory.

Delivering on one of the biggest stages of the year, Matsuyama found himself in cruise control on Sunday, showcasing his pristine Iron play throughout the final round. His back-nine 30 was fueled by his Srixon Z-Forged II Irons hitting back-to-back Iron shots on the 15th and 16th holes within nine and six inches respectively. He ranked second in strokes gained approach in the final round.

Sunday, February 18, 2024

PXG Driver Fitting (PXG Scottsdale) - 2023 PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Winner Guest Review

Here's another great guest review from a winner in my PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas a few months ago.  This one comes from Nick (@BogeyCharlie on X) on his PXG Driver Fitting.

An extra fun background to it because Nick was on vacation in Scottsdale and asked me if we could set him up for his fitting at PXG Scottsdale.  I was in California at the time for an event, so I called my friends at PXG and we got it done!

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Srixon Golf Announces Buy 3 Dozen Get 1 Dozen Free Season Opener Promotion

Stock up for the golf season with Srixon’s buy three dozen, get one dozen free golf ball promotion. From now until March 31, 2024, golfers who purchase three dozen SRIXON golf balls will receive an additional dozen for free. Personalization is required and free for all four dozen golf balls.

With a reputation for producing high-performance golf balls that offer outstanding distance, control, and feel, Srixon has become a trusted brand among golfers worldwide. From their popular Z-STAR series to their SOFT FEEL line of balls, Srixon carries a variety of options for players of all skill levels.

PUMA Golf Releases Phantomcat Nitro Golf Shoes

PUMA GOLF has announced the PHANTOMCAT NITRO golf shoe, the newest and most advanced shoe PUMA GOLF has ever produced. Featuring multiple new technologies both inside and out, the new PHANTOMCAT NITRO™ provides the ultimate comfort and performance in a wide variety of turf conditions with the added benefit of cutting edge PUMA styling that compliments any players’ on-course look.

The new PHANTOMCAT NITRO is designed with NITROGEN INFUSED FOAM in the heel to provide improved rebound and lightweight responsiveness with every step a player takes during the course of a round. To further increase comfort, a new ANATOMICALLY SHAPED LAST WITH A GENEROUS TOE BOX, which was developed through years of research, provides a better fit for a wider range of people.

Advance Your Game With The New Pro/SLX From FootJoy

Regarded as one of the most successful product franchises in golf, Pro|SL has set a high standard for performance golf shoes by delivering comfort, traction and performance for men, women and juniors at all levels of the game.

In 2024, FootJoy will release the next evolution of Pro|SL with the all-new Pro/SLX and Pro/SLX Carbon.  Incorporating the most advanced materials and construction processes, Pro/SLX and Pro/SLX Carbon will advance your game with revolutionary traction, comfort and control features.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

PXG Deploys Head to Head Black OPS Driver Challenge

Hot on the heels of its highly-anticipated Black Ops launch, PXG is once again ready to put its money where its mouth is with the official deployment of the Black Ops Driver Challenge. The PXG Black Ops Driver Challenge invites all golf enthusiasts – both PXG Troops and critics – to bring their current driver to a free fitting for a head-to-head, knockout event. If the PXG® 0311 Black Ops Driver is longer in total distance or has a tighter dispersion, PXG wins. If not, PXG will issue a $100 Rewards Card — no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

“Our R&D department has gone above and beyond with these babies, and I’m proud to say PXG Black Ops Drivers stand tall as one of most versatile, high-performing clubs on the market. I’m confident that our new, breakthrough technology will knockout the competition, and if we don’t, I am happy to pony up,” said PXG Founder and CEO Bob Parsons.

Club Champion Kicks Off Full Bag February at US Studios

Industry leader Club Champion announced it will be offering discounted fittings to kick off golf season. To coincide with their national commercial campaign starting during the Genesis Invitational, you can take advantage of their best offer of the year — just $100 for a 3.5 hour full bag fitting or just $50 for any of their other custom fitting types. This promotion is active through February 19.

Club Champion fits, sells, and builds custom golf clubs using brands like Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist, Cobra, Fujikura, Golf Pride, and many more. The company delivers a Tour-level fitting that produces longer, more accurate shots with a nearly 100% satisfaction rate for golfers of any ability level. The in-depth process uses real-time data and industry-leading technology to hone in on the details needed to upgade your equipment and lower your scores.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

USGA Announces Qualifying Sites for 2024 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced qualifying sites for the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship Presented by Ally, to be held at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club, from May 30-June 2. The club will host its second U.S. Women’s Open.

Conducted over 36 holes, qualifying will be held at 23 sites across the United States, plus Canada, Japan and Germany between April 15 and May 20. Online entry applications open on Wednesday, Feb. 14, and will continue through Wednesday, April 3, at 5 p.m. EDT (champs.usga.org).

Tiger Woods to Play New 2024 Bridgestone Tour BX Golf Ball for First Time in Competition at Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles

Tiger Woods will be playing the all new 2024 Bridgestone TOUR B X golf ball for the first time in competition this week at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.

The new ball was designed by Bridgestone’s R&D department with significant input from Tiger himself, who has officially switched from the TOUR B XS to the TOUR B X, due to the X providing a bit more “pop,” off the tee while still providing shot stopping spin on approaches and shots around the greens. Tiger has repeatedly thanked Bridgestone’s ball fitters for helping him select a better ball for his game.

Ping Adds Five New Models to the PLD Milled Putter Series with Custom Options Added

Five new models and the ability to personalize each design through an on-line customizer tool represent the newest additions to the Putting Lab Design (PLD) program, PING CEO & President John K. Solheim announced today.


The 2024 PLD Milled Anser, Anser 2D, Oslo 3, DS72 and Ally Blue 4 are available at PING authorized retailers committed to selling premium, custom-fit putters. The on-line customizer tool is available on ping.com.

PING Introduces Tour-Inspired s159 Wedges and WebFit Wedge Consumer App

Combining short-game-changing performance with industry-leading fitting software, PING introduced the s159 wedge series today, its next generation of specialty wedges engineered to bring golfers more spin and control into and around greens.

The tour-proven s159 wedges are offered in 25 loft/grind combinations and are available for custom fitting and pre-sell beginning today at authorized PING golf shops around the world.

Monday, February 12, 2024

The Club at Olde Cypress Unveils Plans For Transformative Clubhouse Renovation

The Club at Olde Cypress, one of the most vibrant, active and welcoming private clubs in Southwest Fla., will undergo a transformative clubhouse renovation project beginning in spring of 2025, club owner STOCK Development announced.

When the multi-million-dollar endeavor concludes in January 2026, the 34,000-square-foot clubhouse, one of the private club’s centerpiece amenities, will boast an additional 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, redefining the dining and social scene for members.

PAYNTR Golf Releases Pre-Sale for New X Tour Proto RS

PAYNTR GOLF, North America’s fastest growing golf footwear brand, today announces the pre-sale launch of the Payntr X Tour Proto RS, a new spiked offering, on the company’s website. Retailing for $220.00, the X Tour Proto RS is the company’s forth offering in the spiked category, further establishing the brand’s presence of best-in-class performance focused golf footwear.

“We are proud to debut another standout spiked footwear product to the market,” said PAYNTR Golf Co-founder and President, Mike Forsey. “The response from our Tour Staff, golfers, and our global distributors to a tour tested spiked golf shoe continues to drive our innovation in developing new models and we are pleased to enthusiastically launch the Tour X Proto RS this month.

Tiger Woods to Make 2024 Debut at The Genesis Invitational

Tournament Host Tiger Woods will make his 2024 PGA TOUR debut at The Genesis Invitational, held February 15-18 at The Riviera Country Club. Woods headlines the field set to compete in the 98th playing of the event.

One of eight Signature Events on the PGA TOUR schedule, 71 players will compete for a $20 million purse, with this year’s champion slated to collect a $4 million prize and 700 PGA TOUR FedExCup points. The Genesis Invitational will feature a 36-hole cut for the top 50 plus ties and any player within 10 shots of the lead.

Forty Players Highlighted on 2024 Ben Hogan Award Watch List

Forty of the nation’s most accomplished collegiate golfers across all levels have been named to the watch list for the 2024 Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank. The joint announcement was made by the Hogan Trophy Award Foundation, the Friends of Golf (FOG) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

The Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank annually awards the top men’s NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or NJCAA college golfer based on all collegiate, amateur and professional events over the previous 12 months.

Disney x Volvik Golf Balls Celebrating 100 Years of Magic

Volvik USA, Inc. (volvik.com) – the world’s most innovative manufacturer of multilayer high-performance golf balls, and The Walt Disney Company, the world’s premier entertainment company, will release an extensive collection of special golf ball sets in a new collaboration to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and other iconic Disney characters will be featured on a range of limited-edition packaged sets including Volvik golf balls and collectible ball markers. Furthermore, beloved Disney artwork will adorn the packaging throughout the variety of special gift packs and dozen boxes.