Thursday, October 26, 2023

Pinehurst Resort and Country Club to Host Six Additional USGA Championships

Following the monumental announcement in 2020 of the establishment of "Golf House Pinehurst" and the first U.S. Open Anchor Site at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced today that Pinehurst will serve as the host for six more prestigious USGA championships in the coming years. These events include the 2027 U.S. Women’s Amateur, 2032 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior, 2038 U.S. Amateur, 2044 U.S. Women’s Amateur and a future U.S. Adaptive Open. The 2027 and 2044 U.S. Women’s Amateurs and 2038 U.S. Amateur will be held on Pinehurst No. 2, with the remaining championship’s courses to be determined at a later date.

“Bringing more championships to a venue like Pinehurst is a testament to the USGA’s commitment to our long term partnership with the Resort and our promise of expanding the presence of our organization in the area,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “Pinehurst's rich golfing heritage and commitment to excellence make it the perfect setting for all of the USGA’s world-class events. Their commitment to our Open championships is incredible, and now we are able to shine a light on the amateur game here as well.”

The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation and PXG Double Down for Veterans with a $10 Million Match

For the 12th consecutive year, Semper Fi & America’s Fund (The Fund) is partnering with The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation (The Foundation) and PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf) for the Double Down for Veterans match campaign. Through the end of the year, The Foundation, with support from PXG, will generously match up to $10 million in donations made to The Fund. If met, this match will bring support of The Fund from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and PXG to $100 million!

The Fund will celebrate its 20th anniversary this Spring. Since its inception in 2004, it has given more than $320 million in grants to support 31,000 combat-wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families.

Kyle Berkshire Captures Third World Long Drive Title with Cobra PUMA Golf

Kyle Berkshire captured his third World Long Drive Championship on Sunday, tying the all-time record for championship wins. He sealed the deal at the Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta with a 398-yard bomb in the final, making him officially the longest hitter on the planet. His longest drive of the day came in the quarterfinals, where he launched a 432-yard drive straight down the middle of the grid.

“Kyle worked closely with our R&D and innovation teams to build the fastest driver we have ever created,” said Dan Ladd, President COBRA PUMA GOLF. “It’s a remarkable feat to be the longest in the game and we are thrilled to have an athlete like Kyle showcase our speed innovations.”

Monday, October 23, 2023

USA Wins its 16th Eisenhower Trophy, First Since 2014

The United States of America surged to its 16th Eisenhower Trophy win, and its first since 2014, on Saturday in the 33rd World Amateur Team Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. David Ford, the No. 5 ranked amateur in the world, posted an 8-under 64, while 2023 U.S. Amateur champion Nick Dunlap contributed a 4-under 68.

“I just feel so happy for these guys,” said USA Captain Mark Newell. “This is a great championship filled with lots of good players and they really earned their victory with great play all four rounds and especially today.”

Thursday, October 19, 2023

USA Leads at Midway Point in Abu Dhabi

The United States of America’s Nick Dunlap, who is No. 4 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®/WAGR®, tallied seven birdies en route to a 5-under 67 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club to position the Americans one stroke clear of France and the People’s Republic of China through the second round of the 33rd World Amateur Team Championship.

“I just like the vibe out here,” said Dunlap, the 2023 U.S. Amateur champion. “It’s a little bit different so I’m just trying to embrace it. There are a couple holes that I like hitting 3-wood where a lot of people are hitting driver, so I’m trying to play to my strengths and play to what looks good to my eye and go from there.”

TGL Announces San Francisco Team Ownership Group Led by Marc Lasry's Avenue Capital Group and Steph Curry

TGL presented by SoFi, the new tech-forward, prime time, team golf league developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports in partnership with the PGA TOUR, today announced the formation of the ownership group that is acquiring the rights to TGL’s San Francisco team.

This fifth ownership group to be announced by TGL is led by Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund and Stephen Curry. Additional investors include NBA stars Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson. The announcement was made today by Marc Lasry, Avenue Capital Group Chairman and CEO, and Mike McCarley, CEO, TMRW Sports Group and TGL presented by SoFi.

Opening Round Matchups Announced for 2023 LIV Golf Team Championship

LIV Golf today revealed the matchups for Friday’s quarterfinal round of the 2023 LIV Golf Team Championship, teeing off October 20-22 at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami. Team opponents were announced at a captains’ selection show press conference to kick off this week’s three-day tournament taking place at the iconic Blue Monster course, site of LIV Golf’s 14th and final event of the year.

For each head-to-head team matchup, three matches will take place: two singles matches and one alternate-shot (foursomes) match. All 32 players amongst the eight participating teams will compete simultaneously in a shotgun start and matches will be played until a winner is determined. Each match winner receives one point, and the first team to earn two points will advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

The TPC Sawgrass Experience

Have you always wanted to play where the pros play and experience all that TPC Sawgrass has to offer?

Well now you can enjoy a round on Stadium and Dye’s Valley with accommodations at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa thanks to Marriott Golf.

Galvin Green Unveils Open Skies Capsule Collection

Leading high-tech golf apparel brand Galvin Green has today unveiled a new premium OPEN SKIES capsule collection of top-performing garments in supremely vibrant aquatic color combinations and patterns that will brighten up any golfing wardrobe and golf trip.

Ideal for serious golfers looking to play in warmer regions this winter, the latest collection from the innovative Swedish brand features six fashionable shirts, a pair of shorts, plus two sweaters and a matching baseball cap centred around the vibrant Aqua color and lighter shades of Grey and White that form the mix of colors associated with vast open skies.

Club Champion Putter Fitting Review (Franklin, Tennessee) - PGAPappas Winner Guest Review

No matter who you are, what your game is like, or what you want to accomplish, a Club Champion fitting will help you play better golf and in the process make the game more fun.  I recently had a Club Champion putter fitting that was educational, eye-opening, and ultimately one of the best fitting experiences I could have possibly had.

And the winner of my recent Club Champion putter fitting giveaway also had himself one heck of a day.  Ty was fit at Club Champion - Franklin, and describes his fitting as "thorough, detailed, and high quality."

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

2023 World Amateur Team Championship – Inside the Field

This week 36 teams will compete in the 33rd World Amateur Team Championship.

Italy will try to become the first team to win consecutive WATC titles since the USA did so in 2012 and 2014. Last year’s gold in the Eisenhower Trophy was Italy’s first medal in 32 championship appearances.

Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark, Lucas Glover, Min Woo Lee, and Kevin Kisner Complete Committed Player Roster for TGL Presented By SoFi

PGA TOUR stars Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark, Lucas Glover, Min Woo Lee and Kevin Kisner announced their commitment to complete the 24-player roster of TGL presented by SoFi, a new golf league that fuses advanced tech and live action with six teams of PGA TOUR stars across a season of matches in prime time starting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, on ESPN and ESPN+.

These players join the sport’s top names including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Keegan Bradley, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Cameron Young, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Tom Kim, Sahith Theegala and Billy Horschel.

NBA Star Steph Curry to Receive The Charlie Sifford Award Presented by Southern Company for Advancing Diversity in Golf

The World Golf Hall of Fame announced today that NBA star Stephen “Steph” Curry will receive The Charlie Sifford Award presented by Southern Company, which honors recipients for their spirit in advancing diversity in golf. Curry will be presented the award on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by CME Group held during the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.

The Charlie Sifford Award was created in 2021 to honor an individual who personifies Sifford’s groundbreaking achievements through perseverance, confidence, respect, and adaptability. Curry will be recognized as the recipient of The Charlie Sifford Award during the 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by CME Group, at which Padraig Harrington, Sandra Palmer along with the late Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, Tom Weiskopf and the 13 LPGA Founders will be inducted as part of the World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

The Peninsula Club Breaks Ground on Next Generation Golf Renovation

The Peninsula Club, the esteemed golf and country club located on the shores of Lake Norman just north of Charlotte, NC, broke ground on an extensive golf course renovation project on October 2, 2023.

Led by Beau Welling Design (BWD), the project is set to be completed by October 2024 and will feature significant renovations to both the 18-hole championship golf course as well as other facilities which will result in a brand new feeling and playing experience for the club’s membership.

Duca del Cosma Announces Partnership with PGA of Alberta

Award-winning Italian lifestyle brand, and golf footwear trendsetter, Duca del Cosma, announced today that the company has partnered with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Alberta, one of the nine district zones within the PGA of Canada. This partnership appoints Duca Del Cosma as the Presenting Sponsor for three PGA of Alberta Players Tour events for the 2024 and 2025 golf seasons.

“We are thrilled that the PGA of Alberta has selected Duca Del Cosma to be a Presenting Sponsor for three distinct events to be held in the North, South, and Central venues in Alberta, Canada,” said Evelien Lauwers, Managing Director of Duca del Cosma North America. “The Duca del Cosma brand continues to grow throughout Canada and this exclusive sponsorship opportunity will help to further grow brand awareness as well as product recognition in the respective region.”

Shriners Children's Hospital Open Winner Plays Graphite Design Tour AD IZ Hybrid

Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts, Inc. announced today that the winner of the Shriners Children’s Open, held at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, NV was playing a Graphite Design Tour AD IZ Hybrid Prototype X-Stiff flex shaft in his Titleist TSR3 19° hybrid.

The champion shot a 4-day score of 68, 68, 62, 66 resulting in a score of 20 under par to claim his 3rd PGA Tour Victory.

True Spec Tuscon Opens at The Club at Starr Pass

True Spec Golf, the global leader in custom club fitting and club building, is pleased to announce that they have partnered with one of the most highly regarded golf facilities in the state, The Club at Starr Pass. True Spec Tucson will open on October 31st and is the latest undertaking in a series of partnerships that brings True Spec’s bespoke fittings and best-in-class customer service to prominent clubs and resorts across the country.

The premium facility features outdoor fittings utilizing the industry’s first quadroscopic launch monitor, Foresight GCQuad. True Spec’s brand-agnostic fitting matrix has more than 50,000 club head and shaft combinations from every major equipment manufacturer which helps its master fitters find the best equipment to improve a player’s game. Each club will be custom built at True Spec’s Scottsdale headquarters to the exact specifications derived from the fitting process.

Tiger Woods Announces Initial Field for the 2023 Hero World Challenge

Tournament host Tiger Woods has announced the field for the 2023 Hero World Challenge, set to return to Albany, Bahamas, November 30 – December 3.

This year’s field features eight of the top 10 players in the world, including two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland and world No. 1-ranked Scottie Scheffler. Three members of the winning European Ryder Cup team will compete at Albany, joined by 11 members of the U.S. team. Two major champions from the 2023 season will make their debuts in the Hero World Challenge – U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark and Open Championship winner Brian Harman. The 2023 field features nine players who boast a total of 13 major victories.

Monday, October 16, 2023

Titleist TSR3 Fairway Wood and TSR3 Hybrid Review - PGAPappas Guest Review (Jeff)

This guest review is from Jeff (@Jeff17Black on twitter) on his new Titleist TSR3 Fairway Wood and Hybrid.  Jeff was one of the players in the Play With Pete Invitational at Scioto Country Club where everyone was fit for and received a new Titleist TSR driver for their rounds.

You guys know how much I've loved playing the entire TSR line with a TSR4 driver, TSR2 and TSR3 wood and TSR3 hybrid of my own.  And Jeff's gone all in on the TSR family, saying he "can hit any shot" with the TSR3 fairway wood and calls the TSR3 hybrid "an absolute weapon."

Mizuno Introduces the New Mizuno Pro 241, 243, 245 Irons: A New Era of Forging

Mizuno, a revered name in golf equipment, proudly introduces the highly anticipated Mizuno Pro Irons, including the Mizuno Pro 241, Mizuno Pro 243, Mizuno Pro 245, and Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi.

These irons signify a revolutionary leap in golf club design, a testament to Mizuno’s enduring commitment to precision craftsmanship and forging excellence.