Sunday, February 12, 2023

Club Champion Grows Beyond the Borders in 2022

The game of golf requires a certain optimism — players keep coming back regardless of the challenges. The golf industry has seen the perseverance of that optimism in recent years and Club Champion, the globe’s top custom club fitter, is proud to report on exceptional growth in 2022. Following international acquisitions in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, Club Champion has further solidified its place atop the club fitting industry.

The company’s thorough fitting process, hand-built clubs, and attention to detail have gained a strong recognition among golfers, leading to over 94,000 fittings in 2022 alone.

World Long Drive Champion Martin Borgmeier Joins PAYNTR Golf

PAYNTR Golf, North America’s fastest growing golf footwear brand, today announced 2022 World Long Drive Champion, Martin Borgmeier, as its newest ambassador ahead of the 2023 World Long Drive season. Borgmeier is currently wearing the Payntr X 002 LE, the brand’s celebrated full grain leather offering with graphite propulsion plate.

“We are thrilled to establish a partnership with Martin and look forward to witnessing his continued success on the World Long Drive circuit this coming year,” said Mike Forsey, Co-founder and President of PAYNTR Golf. “This was a tremendous step forward for PAYNTR Golf to show golfers how our technology will help improve their on-course performance. Martin has proved to be a true student of the game and obsesses over every detail of his craft just like we have in the development of our products.”

Landmark Win for Kanaya at International Series Oman

Japan’s Takumi Kanaya secured a convincing victory in the US$2 million International Series Oman today to record his first professional victory outside of Japan and suggest that the gifted young golfer is coming of age.

The 24-year-old from Hiroshima shot a final round one-under-par 71 to finish on 10 under and beat American Berry Henson (70) and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (72) by four strokes.

Kanaya Secures Victory as Al Mouj Golf Thrills in Spectacular Finale at International Series Oman

Japan's Takumi Kanaya held off a strong challenge from Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana and American Berry Henson to secure a dominant four-shot victory and claim the International Series Oman 2023 title at Al Mouj Golf, part of an enhanced series on the Asian Tour.

Starting the final day on 9-under-par, one shot clear of Ryo Hisatsune, Kanaya shot a resolute 71 to tame the testing conditions that Oman’s first ever links course has become renowned for across the globe.

Friday, February 10, 2023

PUMA Golf x Arnold Palmer Collection Gives Modern Players the Style of Golf's Best Dressed Icon

Golfers far and wide are familiar with the multi-colored umbrella logo and the world-famous sports icon it represents. Fittingly, on National Umbrella Day, PUMA GOLF is introducing its latest collaboration with Arnold Palmer Enterprises.

Comprised of apparel, footwear, and accessories, all of which were designed by drawing inspiration from Arnold Palmer’s legacy both on and off the course, the newest PUMA Golf x Arnold Palmer Collection embodies the essence of what golf’s greatest style icon would be wearing today.

Major Winners Emphasize Asian Tour and International Series as Pathway for Aspiring Professionals

Recent Asian Tour Q-School Final winner Jack Thompson has continued to impress making the cut at the first International Series Oman, the first of 10 elevated tournaments on the Asian Tour in 2023.

The Australian has played in a field consisting of major champions Brooks Koepka and Charl Schwartzel, in just his second International Series event following last year’s England tournament at Slaley Hall.

Japan’s Kanaya Beats the Breeze to Hold Halfway Lead in Oman

Takumi Kanaya, one of Japan’s most exciting young prospects, made the most of slightly easier conditions in the morning to take the halfway lead in the US$2 million International Series Oman today.

The world’s former number one ranked amateur shot a one-under-par 71 to reach four under par for the tournament, an unassailable lead with the wind getting progressively stronger and blowing the field off course at Al Mouj Golf.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Ralph Lauren RLX Golf Pre-Spring 2023 Collection Now Available

Ralph Lauren RLX Golf’s Pre-Spring 2023 collection is now available on RalphLauren.com

The latest collection from RLX Golf, spanning men’s and women’s fashion, takes inspiration from Key Largo’s active lifestyle and use of color. Key new colorways include beautiful shades of rose, green, yellow, blue, and peach. Sustainability and performance attributes are featured across both traditional and modern silhouettes alike.

USGA Announces 2023 Exemption Categories for U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that four exemption categories will be added for the U.S. Open Championship, beginning with the 2023 championship at The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club’s North Course, June 15-18.

One additional exemption will be introduced beginning with the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, to be contested July 6-9 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.

Motocaddy Appoints Mark Kuryak to Lead Americas

Motocaddy has appointed Californian Mark Kuryak as its new President/General Manager in the Americas to drive sales and raise awareness of the world’s biggest-selling electric golf caddy brand in the golf playing nations across both continents.

With over two decades of high-level management and sales experience across a number of successful sporting goods and lifestyle brands, Mark is now responsible for maximizing on-course, big box retailers and online sales opportunities for the innovative brand that ranks as global market leader in electric caddies and complementary golf bags.

Shin Takes First Round Lead at Inaugural International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf

Yonggu Shin took advantage of benign early morning conditions to shoot a six-under-par 66 to take the first round in the inaugural International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf today.

The Canadian, who first shot to prominence last year when he finished joint second in the Shinhan Donghae Open, carded six birdies and impressively was bogey free – in the second event of the season on the Asian Tour, and first International Series tournament.

Glowing Praise about Al Mouj Golf Championship Course from Players Competing in International Series Oman

Ahead of the first round at the International Series Oman, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Sihwan Kim and Azzan Al Rumhy attended a press conference at Al Mouj Golf.

The quartet were asked questions on the upcoming event which is the first of 10 on the Asian Tour. Koepka and Garcia gave their first impressions on the stunning golf course here in Muscat as well as sharing their inspirations for taking up the game of golf as kids, whilst Omani Al Rumhy offered his thoughts on the arrival of the International Series to the Middle East.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Women's Golf Day Announces Inspire Action Award Winners and New Week Long Format

Women’s Golf Day (WGD) has announced the winners of the 2022 Inspire Action Awards.  This year’s awards reflect the tremendous international reach of WGD with winners from: North America – Mark Gore, SVP Golf Operations Invited: Canada – Shannon Cole, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC: Scotland – Iona Stephen, Presenter: and Spain – Finca Cortesin.

The awards, which were announced during the PGA Merchandise Show are presented annually and acknowledge the important role that these individuals and organizations play to Engage, Empower and Support women and girls through golf.  Founder Elisa Gaudet also announced that WGD 2023 will be a weeklong celebration, for the first time, offering locations the chance to host an event on any day from May 30th, the same date as WGD’s PALOOZA digital event, through to WGD’s birthday on Tuesday June 6th.

G/FORE Opens Store in Scottsdale

Luxury lifestyle brand and golf footwear innovator, G/FORE is excited to announce the opening of their new retail store location, G/FORE Supply Scottsdale.

This new aesthetically pleasing, monochromatic storefront is in the heart of the Scottsdale Quarter, featuring limited edition styles that customers could previously only explore online at gfore.com, gfore.co.uk, and select international locations.

Stunning Stage and Blockbuster Field Set for The International Series Oman with Strong Event Partnership

The International Series Oman commences on Thursday 9 February, at Official Host Venue Al Mouj Golf – one of the Middle East’s top ranked courses making the perfect setting for the first of the 10 elevated Asian Tour events in 2023.

With enhanced investment for the 2023 season, the 132-player field comprising many of the world’s best golfers will compete for US$2m on the Greg Norman designed layout, which stretches across 2km of stunning oceanfront adjacent to the Gulf of Oman.

WM Phoenix Open Headlines Live Coverage on Golf Channel and Peacock

Live Coverage of WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona – Featuring Eight of the Top 10 Ranked Players in the World – Begins Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.

Golf Central and Golf Today Studio Coverage Live from 16th Hole at TPC Scottsdale All Week on GOLF Channel.

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Titleist Presents ‘We Go Farther’ Docuseries - The Story of the Titleist Speed Project

We Go Farther,” a new four-part docuseries chronicling the Titleist Speed Project, an R&D breakthrough that drove the resurgence of Titleist drivers on the PGA TOUR, debuts today on the Titleist YouTube channel and Titleist.com/We-Go-Farther.

I teased a little of this at the PGA Show a few weeks ago and encourage you to watch all episodes.  Some really interesting, really dramatic, and really compelling insight and backstory into the Titleist Speed Project.

USGA Launches GS3 - An Innovative Technology Tool Designed to Streamline Putting Green Performance Measurement

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the launch of GS3, a state-of-the-art golf technology tool that calculates putting green speed, firmness, smoothness and trueness – all with one device.

A rechargeable smart ball that is the same size and weight as a standard golf ball, GS3 creates accurate, measurable, first-of-their-kind agronomic benchmarks that superintendents can use to facilitate change more effectively on their course. The tool has sensors that collect over 15,000 data points, empowering analytics-driven decisions.

Water Oak Country Club and Estates Debuts USGA Rated Championship Golf Course

Water Oak Country Club and Estates, a Sun Communities destination, has opened its newly renovated golf course to community residents and the public. The course recently received USGA accreditation as a championship course and is part of a larger multi-million-dollar revitalization project for the 55+ living community.

Water Oak Country Club and Estates is an active residential community with more than 1,300 homes and resort-style amenities such as the new championship golf course, community swimming pools, clubhouses and various outdoor activities. The community recently announced the expansion of the property with an additional 267 homes available for residents seeking a fun and active lifestyle.

Cost to attend Both the WM Phoenix Open and Super Bowl 57

This week both the WM Phoenix Open and Super Bowl 57 descend upon the Greater Phoenix area. Naturally, our minds might gravitate toward the real possibility of being able to attend both events.

But how much can fans expect to dish out to experience the ultimate Arizona sports weekend? Bookies.com calculated the expenses and determined that the lowest possible cost for one person to attend all four days of the Waste Management Phoenix Open AND Super Bowl 57 comes to a total of $10,209.20!