Friday, November 29, 2013

Tucson's Casino Del Sol Resort to Open Championship Golf Course

A Notah Begay designed masterpiece, Sewailo Golf Club is Arizona's newest ace

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) - In the Pascua Yaqui language, the word Sewailo means "flower world" and Sewailo Golf Club at Casino Del Sol Resort exudes this sentiment at every turn with more than 30,000 native flowers, plants and cacti incorporated into this 200-acre Notah Begay III designed masterpiece.

Located in southwest Tucson, Casino Del Sol Resort, an enterprise of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the only Forbes Four Star-rated casino resort in Arizona, is scheduled to unveil Sewailo Golf Club to the public on Dec. 12. Inviting players of all skill levels, the challenging course measures 7,400 yards from the championship tees and features five different tee boxes at each hole. The course's rolling velvet fairways and exquisite greens complement the nearly 14 acres of extraordinary lakes, streams and water features. Indigenous flowers and plants used in tribal ceremonies are also in abundance throughout the course and have been salvaged and replanted from the original site.

"Casino Del Sol Resort is an extraordinary destination on its own. With the addition of Sewailo Golf Club, we've introduced the perfect complement to our award-winning property," said Jim Burns, CEO of Casino Del Sol Resort. "We're proud to now offer guests and locals alike a round of world-class golf as part of their experience."

Opting to work within the native landscape and incorporate existing resources, Casino Del Sol Resort and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe tapped Native American Notah Begay III for his expertise. A player on the PGA Tour, Golf Channel commentator and renowned golf course architect, Begay carefully carved Sewailo out of the high Sonoran Desert, resulting in one of the most remarkable courses in the Southwest.

"The opening of Sewailo is a great achievement for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Casino Del Sol Resort. The Tribe is pleased to bring a golf course to the Tucson community that reflects the beauty and spirit of the land, and continues the traditions of sharing gifts with everyone," said Councilman, John Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

Additional course amenities include an extensive driving range, practice areas for chipping and putting, Callaway Golf equipment rentals and instructional programs. Managing the course will be Troon Golf - the undisputed worldwide leader in top-shelf golf experiences. Sewailo Golf Club is open to casino resort guests and the general public, and tee times can be scheduled by visiting www.sewailogolfclub.com or calling 520-838-6623.

Since debuting its new resort tower in 2011, Casino Del Sol Resort has become one of the most decorated casino resort properties in Arizona, earning the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star award for its resort, Hiapsi Spa and P.Y. Steakhouse; AAA Four Diamond status for the overall resort; and the Wine Spectator award for P.Y. Steakhouse. Committed to providing exceptional service and accommodations throughout the property, Casino Del Sol Resort also offers guests and players alike six restaurants and bars, a state-of-the-art conference center with breakout rooms, Hiapsi Spa, Oasis pool and bar, two vibrant casinos, AVA outdoor amphitheater and now, Sewailo Golf Club.

For more information about Casino Del Sol Resort or Sewailo Golf Club, visit www.casinodelsol.com.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Partnership Leads to NGA Hurricane Cup at Foxfire

Best of NGA Carolina Winter Series to compete against best of Hurricane Pro Golf Tour in Ryder Cup styled event

(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) – For 25 years the NGA Tour has been a leader in providing opportunities for professional golfers at the developmental tour level and those opportunities continue to grow with the announcement of a partnership between the NGA Tour, Brown Golf Management and the Hilton Head Island based Hurricane Pro Golf Tour to create the new “NGA Hurricane Cup at Foxfire”, a Ryder Cup styled team competition pitting the top 6 members from the NGA Carolina Winter Series against the top 6 members of the Hurricane Pro Golf Tour. The event will take place May 15th and 16th, 2014 at the Country Club of Whispering Pines and the Foxfire Golf Resort near the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.

The “NGA Hurricane Cup at Fox Fire” will include lodging, meals, uniforms, and equipment for all players who qualify into the inaugural event and there will be no entry fees for qualifying players. Every participant is guaranteed to make substantial earnings for the two day tournament as well with $1,500 going to each member of the winning team and $1,000 going to each member of the losing team.

“We are always looking for new opportunities and new ways to benefit the most players possible at our developmental tour level,” stated NGA Tour President Robin L. Waters, “and we feel this opportunity, presented by Brown Golf Management and the Hurricane Pro Golf Tour, will only help to enhance the experiences and financial gains that can be achieved by our professionals. The NGA Hurricane Cup will be a nice reward for the players at the top of both the NGA Carolina Winter Series and the Hurricane Pro Golf Tour and we look forward to working with Todd and his staff in making this a top notch event.”

“We are very excited to announce our partnership with the NGA Tour and the formation of the NGA Hurricane Cup,” exclaimed Todd Brown, Vice-President of Business Development with Brown Golf Management, “The Hurricane Pro Golf Tour’s mission is to provide the players with every advantage available to improve their skills. We feel that adding a complementary event of this caliber to the players is another excellent advantage for them. We look forward to working with Robin and the NGA Tour as we know they embody our philosophy of making the players’ experience as rewarding as possible.”

As part of the event week, the NGA Tour will host a regular 2 day 36-hole NGA Carolina Summer Series event on Tuesday and Wednesday May 13-14, 2014 at the Fox Fire Resort. This event will be open to all NGA Carolina Summer Series and Hurricane Pro Golf Tour members at NGA Carolina Summer Series member’s entry. The event, however, will not count as official earnings on the Hurricane Pro Golf Tour.

The partnership will also reward the top members of the Hurricane Pro Golf Tour with complimentary membership and full exempt status onto the NGA Tour’s main Pro Series, the number 3 ranked Men’s Professional Golf Tour in the United States behind the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour. The NGA Tour Pro Series is made up of 18 to 21 week-long guaranteed purse events running from late February through early September and is played primarily throughout the southeastern United States. Major Champions such as Keegan Bradley, Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Jim Furyk all won on the NGA Tour Pro Series before finding success on the PGA Tour.

For more information on the NGA Pro Golf Tour visit www.ngatour.com or contact Joy Johnson (800-992-8748 or email Joy@ngatour.com).

Product Review: Nike Golf FI Impact Shoe

Like everything else in golf, the shoe has evolved over time. Gone is the rigid leather upper with static sole and metal spikes. In its place - a lightweight, flexible, breathable shoe ... often without any spikes at all.

With this in mind, NIke Golf introduced the FI Impact. The free-inspired outsole is designed to mimic and conform to the natural movement of a golfer’s foot. It offers increased flexibility and full athletic motion by allowing contact with the ground longer, better harnessing the energy of the foot to the shoe and, therefore, the shoe to the ground. The result is more control and power with every shot.

Out of the box, you may think there’s been a mistake. You wanted a golf shoe ... not a running shoe. There’s a perfectly good explanation for this, however. After learning that Stanford athletes had been training barefoot on the university's golf course, three of Nike's most innovative and creative employees set out to develop a shoe that felt natural and weightless, similar to bare feet. In 2002, they examined a group of men and women with pressure-measuring insoles taped to their feet, using high-speed cameras to capture images of each foot in motion.

The team spent eight years studying the biomechanics of shoeless running. The results yielded a profound understanding of the foot's natural landing angle, pressure and toe position, allowing Nike designers to build an unconventional and flexible running shoe from the inside out.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical. I’ve only recently ventured away from replaceable cleats. Now I’m being asked to believe a shoe without aggressive “nubs” will keep me in place throughout a swing. According to Nike, the FI Impact’s Integrated traction provides low-profile stability, maximum ground feel and comfort.

Time for a test. Typically, if/when I slip, it’s my right foot going backwards as I finish my backswing and begin my move toward impact. More times than not, this happens when I’m trying to gain a little extra speed. With that in mind, I took a series of swings as violently as I would under those playing conditions. Not once did I lose traction. Success!

American Golfer recommendation: Strap a pair of Nike Golf’s FI Impact shoes to your feet. If you’re inspired to run, so be it. If you’d rather golf, know you’re secure in your footing and in for a cushy, comfy round. If you still feel like running, run in a few putts and lower your score.

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com

3 Up Golf Kicks Off Black Friday with Huge Sale

A holiday message from 3 Up Golf:

It's that time of year again. The day when commerce starts bustling and everyone begins searching for the best deals. This season there is only one place you'll be able to find 3 Up Golf balls which means there's only one place you'll find a good deal on them too. Starting at midnight (EST) on Friday the 29th everything on the store will be 40% off. Every two hours after that the discount will decrease by 5%. The longer you sleep in, the less money you save. Shopping is tough, isn't it?

I'll admit it - there's a good chance I won't be able to stay up until midnight to run this sale. Thankfully the whole thing will be automated. In the event I find myself awake when the golden hour strikes, you'll find me on the website's chat channel. Click the turkey in the bottom right corner to see if I'm available.

In the event that sleep is worth more to you than saving 40% on the best balls in golf don't worry: there's always Cyber Monday.

Check out the American Golfer Product Review HERE.

For more information: 3upgolf.com.

ClubCrown at Top of PGA Tour Latinoamerica Leaderboard

Mario Clemens Notches Fourth Place Finish with a ClubCrown on His Driver

(NEW YORK CITY, NY) - Mario Clemens stormed the field in only his 2nd professional event to place fourth at the PGA Tour Latinoamerica Chile Open that concluded on Sunday.  Mario stole the show with a Mexican Flag ClubCrown on his driver.

"We're thrilled Mario is using our product," says Brendan Doyle, president of ClubCrown. "After a stellar collegiate career, he's making a smooth transition into the professional golf arena. We look forward to many more years of success with him."

Clemens shared the third-round lead, only to post a 1-over 73 in the final round Sunday at Club de Golf Los Leones in Santiago. He finished the tournament at 11 under par.

"Previously Mexico's number one amateur golfer, Mario is one of the hardest working players I have met and an even better person," says Doyle. "It is great to see him utilizing ClubCrown to show his deep affiliation with his Mexican heritage."

All designs are available at www.ClubCrown.com.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Product Review: Golf Pain Away

Love playing golf, but suffer from aches and pains that make a round almost unbearable? Golf Pain Away may be for you.

My first thought when I heard of the product was yoga or pilates designed to lessen a golfer’s pain via downward-facing and crouching animal movements. I was very wrong. Golf Pain Away is an oil applied to the skin that quickly goes to work easing pain.

We now know what Golf Pain Away is ... but what is it? Simply, it’s a mix of four natural ingredients: Olive Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and Vanilla. Math, science and something called “triple maturation” come together for the final product.

For Arthritis, hip pain, back pain, neck pain and other joint pain, apply Golf Pain Away to the painful area twice a day by gently massaging a small amount of oil into the area, until fully absorbed. Use every day for up to 14 days for maximum anti-inflammatory benefit, then just use as required.

A concern I’ve heard about traditional pain medication such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen is using too much. In those cases, too much of a good thing can really hurt. Not so with Golf Pain Away. It’s made from four natural ingredients and there is no risk of overdosing.

Is this a magic elixir promising everything from virility to a glorious head of hair? In a word: No. Golf Pain Away delivers on its promise to ease the aches that can make this game a chore.

Need a 100 percent Money Back Guarantee to convince you? OK. Try it. Use as directed every day for at least 14 days, and if you find it does not work for you, return the unused portion for a full refund. The only thing you have to lose with Golf Pain Away is the pain.

For more information, visit www.golfpainaway.com.

SCOR Golf Celebrates Black Friday-Cyber Monday

(Victoria, TX) – SCOR Golf is celebrating Black Friday-Cyber Monday with the deal of the season.

“With ‘Black Friday-Cyber Monday’ right around the corner, we at SCOR Golf are giving consumers the opportunity to “SCOR Big” with their favorite golfer -without even leaving the house,” said Terry Koehler President of SCOR Golf.   “Our ‘SCOR BIG’ Gift Card promotion makes it easier to give the most forgiving and accurate scoring clubs in golf to your loved ones, your friends, co-workers or even yourself.”

Here is how it works. Go to www.scorgolf.com/scor-big-promotion and view the special holiday gift card promotion where you can get up to a 25% bonus on new purchases:
“The Stocking Stuffer” –pay $50 and receive $60
“The Holiday Cheer”-pay $100 and receive $125
“The Red Velvet Special”-pay $400 and receive $500
  
“With the SCOR4161 precision scoring clubs, SCOR golf is dedicated to bringing golfers the most comprehensive package of scoring technologies ever assembled,” added Koehler.  “These holiday gift cards were created to help scoring and help golfers of all abilities hit it closer to the hole, resulting in the kind of ‘Holiday Closeness’ that only SCORGolf can bring.”

More information on SCOR Golf and the SCOR4161 scoring system can be found at www.scorgolf.com or at 877-726-7670.

IJP Offers Free Signed Photos for Holiday Shoppers

As we approach the busiest weekend of the year for online retailers, IJP Design has some great offerings to make Thanksgiving and Black Friday special.

This Wednesday and Thursday the company will be giving away a signed Ian Poulter photo with every order over $120.

Also on Thursday, Ian will be sending out a Thanksgiving message to all Clubhouse members – Make sure you are a member: www.ijpusa.com/clubhouse.

Their Black Friday deals are better than ever and they have a deal every hour starting at 6 a.m. (EST) for a full 12 hours, but when they’re gone they’re gone.

Saturday, they are continuing the great offers with a "Mini Black Saturday." including special deals on their junior collection. Monday, they will be giving away some great stocking fillers with all orders over $120.

95 NGA Tour Alums make Final Stage of Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament

(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) - In a time when other developmental tours outside of the United States are being granted a certain number of guaranteed spots, the NGA Tour continues to lead all tours by having more players advance into Final Stage of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament than any other tour in golf. The NGA Tour will have an astounding 95 current and past players competing in the Final Stage of the inaugural Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament scheduled for December 12-15, 2013 at the PGA West Nicklaus TC and TPC Stadium courses in La Quinta, Cal.

What makes the number even more incredible is the fact that it is more than the 87 the NGA Tour graduated from 2nd stage last year, even though Q School entries have dropped by 19 percent for this year according to the PGA Tour's executive vice president of tournament operations Andy Pazder. So, while the number of Q School participants has declined, the number of NGA Tour players advancing has increased. This speaks volumes about the level of talent that is competing day in and day out on the NGA Tour and the talent only seems to be getting better and the players advancing quicker. Of the 95 NGA players advancing, 62 had played in at least one NGA event this year with 35 being full time members. And it's no wonder with how closely the NGA Tour emulates the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour.

Both players who won PGA Tour event exemptions on the NGA Tour this past season advanced; Reno-Tahoe Open event exemption winner Justin Lower and Sanderson Farms Championship event exemption winner Ryan Blaum. This year's contingency also includes 3 award winners from this past NGA Tour season; Player of the Year Jon Curran, Rookie of the Year Blayne Barber, and Golf Achievement Award Winner Jonathan Randolph. Randolph also won the NGA Tour co-Rookie of the Year in 2012. Fellow NGA Golf Achievement Award Winners Brent Long (2010) and Mark Silvers (2012) also advanced. Curran wasn't the only NGA Tour Player of the Year to advance with Michael Connell (2002) and David Skinns (2008) also advancing. 2002 NGA Most Improved Award Winner Josh Broadaway also advanced.

NGA alumni advancing into Final Stage also accounted for 10 wins on the NGA Tour Pro Series this season. Jon Curran led the way with 3 wins including the season opening Members Only Shootout, the Brunswick-Heritage Oaks Classic, and the Honda Powersports Classic. Justin Lower had two wins with the Spring Hill Classic and Mountain Lakes Classic. Riley Wheeldon won the Kandy Waters Memorial Classic in May, Blayne Barber won the popular Savannah Lakes Village Classic, Matt Hendrix won the Cutter Creek Classic, Ryan Blaum won the Magnolia Bluffs Casino Classic (which earned him the Sanderson Farms Championship event exemption), and Jonathan Randolph won the Eagles Landing Classic.

Of note, 2013 NGA Tour member Justin Hueber fired a final day 66 to join five other players on the number in Brooksville, Fla., including fellow 2013 NGA Tour members Mark Blakefield, Doug Letson, and Jonathan Randolph. And fellow 2013 NGA Tour member Brandon Bunn shot a final round 68 to get in on the number Gautier, Miss. where 2012 NGA Tour member Matt Fast earned medalist honors. 2013 NGA Tour Player of the Year Jon Curran finished 3rd at his site in Plantation, Fla. while Player of the Year runner-up Justin Lower finished 2nd at his site in Gautier, Miss. 2012 NGA Tour member and 2013 NGA Tour player Connor Arendell, who had Web.com Tour status in 2013 and advanced to Final Stage this year as well, earlier secured exempt status onto the European Tour for next season through the European Tour's Q School.

The Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament has taken the place of the former PGA Tour Qualifying School, since PGA Tour cards can no longer be earned through the qualifying school. This year's Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament will hand out exempt status Web.com Tour membership to the low 45 places and ties at Final Stage categorized as follows. The Medalist at Final Stage will be exempt for the 2014 season and exempt from any periodic re-orders. Players finishing after the winner and ties through 10th place and ties will be exempt until the third periodic re-order of the 2014 season. Players finishing after the 10th and ties position through 45th and ties will be exempt until the second periodic re-order of the 2014 season. Players finishing after the 45th and ties position will receive conditional Web.com Tour status for the 2014 season alternating, based on their spot, with the 76th thru 100th positions from the 2013 Web.com Tour Regular Season.

This past season the periodic re-orders on the Web.com Tour took place after every 4th event so, should this hold true for the 2014 season, those players finishing 2nd thru 10th should expect to receive a guaranteed 12 starts while those players finishing 11th thru 45th should expect to receive a guaranteed eight starts (barring any ties).

The NGA Tour is the No. 3 Men's Professional Golf Tour in the United States after the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour and is the No. 1 recommended developmental tour by more PGA Tour and Web.com Tour professionals. On average, over 40% of every PGA Tour field, and over 60% of every Web.com Tour field, have spent time on the NGA Tour. In fact, NGA Tour alumni, including Keegan Bradley, Bubba Watson and Zach Johnson, have won an astounding 15 Championships.

For more information on the NGA Pro Golf Tour visit www.ngatour.com or contact Joy Johnson at (800) 992-8748 or by email joy@ngatour.com.

Nike Golf Introduces New Speedlock RZN Core Technology

Nike Golf’s new interlocking RZN core design delivers more energy at impact for faster ball speed, longer distance and a more stable ball flight

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – For the second time in three years, Nike Golf is transforming golf ball technology with another industry-first. Building on the success of the game-changing 20XI ball and RZN core technology, Nike Golf is unveiling its innovative Speedlock RZN core technology and adding four golf balls to the new RZN franchise – RZN Platinum, RZN Black, RZN Red and RZN White -- designed to deliver more distance, better feeland a more consistent, stable ball flight than ever before.

Nike’s proprietary Speedlock RZN core technology features an interlocking core design – the core’s surface is similar to that of a waffle iron – that interconnects with the compression layer to form a tighter bond that helps promote better energy transfer through the layers at impact.  Similar to how snow tires utilize aggressive treads to bond with a road surface, the Speedlock core’s interlocking geometry helps eliminate the slipping that normally occurs between a traditional, smooth-surface core and the outer layer. When a core slides or slips on impact, the ball loses energy and as a result, speed and distance. Speedlock Technology helps to harness more energy between layers for faster ball speed, longer distance and more stability into the wind.

“We knew we hadn’t pulled 100-percent of the energy that we could out of the existing RZN core,” says Rock Ishiii, Senior Director, Golf Product Development. “Working in partnership with DuPont we were able to develop a softer and faster RZN material and created the interlocking core design to reduce energy loss at impact. That means more distance, especially with fairway woods, irons and wedges, and softer feel and sound around the greens.”

“The lightweight RZN material allows us to add weight to the perimeter of the golf ball which gives the new RZN family an extremely high Moment of Inertia (MOI) in a golf ball,” Ishii adds. “This provides incredible ball flight stability in all wind conditions.”

When the exploration into new technology began a little over a year ago, Nike Golf designers looked to the past to find inspiration for the future. They landed on the original Haskell ball, which emerged in the early 1900’s as the first rubber core golf ball, consisting of elastic thread wound around a rubber core under extreme tension. The Haskell design helped make historically slower materials faster – and Nike Golf engineers began to explore what that could mean for a lighter, more modern RZN material in the core.

“Tightly-wrapped material pulls more energy through the layers, and converts that energy into additional ball speed,” Ishii says. “One additional mile-per-hour produces an average of five yards in additional distance.”

Several Nike Golf athletes, including Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey, have put the new ball into play in 2013.

“I want something that sounds fast off the club head, and something that sounds soft around the green,” Casey says. “This new ball with Speedlock Technology does that.”

“I’m finding that especially around the greens there is a big difference,” adds McIlroy. “The ball feels and sounds a lot softer. And even from inside 50 yards, it felt like the ball was getting a little more grip, a little more spin. My iron shots were great, and wedge shots were great, too.”

A new spin-optimizedcoating on the outer surface of the ball helps grip the grooves for better control on wedge and iron shots. The coating, in addition to a softer cover and softer compression in the core, also helps provide improved sound and feel, especially on off-center shots.

The Nike RZN franchise will launch four versions of the new ball:
* RZN Platinum: Tour Performance control and moderate spin
* RZN Black: Tour Performance distance and less spin
* RZN Red: Distance Performance, longer carry
* RZN White: Distance Performance, softer feel, for swing speeds 95-100 mph

Availability: 3/1/14

RZN Platinum/RZN Black
MSRP: $58.00
Street Price: $45.99

RZN Red/RZN White
MSRP: $40.00
Street Price: $29.99

Hopkins Golf Introduces Black Wedges


(NEWPORT BEACH, CA) – Hopkins Golf is introducing their CJ-1 wedges in a new Black Satin finish. The original CJ-1 wedges were offered in Tour Raw, which are made with un-chromed carbon steel, because that's what the vast majority of tour players prefer. The lack of chrome on Tour Raw wedges allows for great feel and rusting to reduce glare and, potentially, increase spin.

"We received emails, calls and Facebook posts from folks saying they wanted us to offer wedges that don't rust," said Greg Hopkins, Chairman and CEO. "Black Satin is a great option because it looks cool and will stay that way for a really long time."

The base price for Black Satin wedges is $109.99 each and , like all Hopkins Golf products, come with the company's 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Interested consumers can click http://hopkinsgolf.com/cj1-select-set.php to see the new wedge offering.

Also, from now through Christmas Hopkins is giving away a free tour authentic golf towel to anyone who purchases a wedge or wedge set. Purchasers must enter the code TURKEY at checkout to receive their free towel.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Product Review: GolfLogix

If you’ve been fortunate enough to ride in a golf cart equipped with state-of-the-art GPS, you know how much this technology can help your round. You have all the information you need - distance to pin and any hazards that are seen or unseen - right in front of you.

Pay no attention to the 999 yards.
I downloaded this image from home.
Or maybe you or a buddy have spent a few hundred dollars on the latest handheld GPS and/or laser distance finders. These are effective, though costly, options to assist you in a round.

How about getting the best golf course GPS mapping for free? GolfLogix has you covered.

Going out on a limb here, but I’m guessing a large percentage of the people reading this article own a smartphone. You already own the key component in improving your golf game. GolfLogix has done all the legwork.

GolfLogix, the leader in Golf GPS technology, was founded in 1999 and was first to introduce handheld GPS to the golf industry. Mapping courses for more than 12 years, the company has the largest, most up-to-date golf course database in the world. For our purposes, let’s jump to 2009. That’s when GolfLogix captured the smartphone market with an app that provides precise GPS distances, plus keeps score and tracks stats and uploads them to an online clubhouse community where golfers can share and compete with millions of golfers worldwide.

GolfLogix uses proprietary tools to build its robust database of golf courses worldwide. The imagery and software allow them to zoom in on any hazard or hole in the world, but they don't stop there. GolfLogix updates and reviews course maps on a regular basis to make sure members have the most up-to-date information available. They dare you “pick a course, any course” because they probably already have it. In Ohio, there are almost 1,000 courses mapped. Almost 1,600 mapped in Florida!

A) Scoring broken down.
With my iPhone 4s in hand, I took the GolfLogix app out for a spin at StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights, Ohio. I’m probably going to share too much about my game, but in the interest of full disclosure, I shot a 9-over, 80 while riding in a cart equipped with the aforementioned GPS. By comparison, the yardages were spot on.

Considering not all areas have terrific WiFi signals, I’d suggest downloading the course you’re going to play while at home. Once at the course, select the stats you want to track, add players for scoring purposes and even start the play clock and calorie counter (which provides an accurate time of your round and an estimated calorie burn based on age, weight and method of transportation).

As you can see from the screen grab at the right (Image A), GolfLogix broke down my round by how I fared on Par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. Taking three puts after missing the Par 3 11th was my biggest blemish in that area - canceling my birdie on the 161-yard sixth.

After each hole, GolfLogix prompts you to enter some basic data. Stats I chose to track included the score, number of putts and fairways hit. Even by expanding upon how I missed a fairway - hook, pull, push or slice - this takes less than 3 seconds to complete.

B) Driving accuracy.
Image B breaks down my driving accuracy. I hit the fairway more times than I missed, but splitting the six misses evenly between left and right is a good indication of my inconsistency ... which led to a couple double bogies.

Greens in regulation is a popular stat. Simply put, by entering your score and number of putts, GolfLogix will track how many greens you actually hit. No extra step here, but a key piece of information to share with your buddies following the round.

Last (here), but certainly not least, Image C shows the number of putts you had during the round. I’m a pretty average putter and my count of 35 for 18 holes backs that up.

These pictures are just a few examples of the stats you can track and features available with GolfLogix. Hit the camera icon and take a picture of the course or your playing partners. There are tips from Golf Digest, the ability to get discounted tee times, and a Pro Shop with access to deals ... all on the free version. Upgrade to the Champions version ($19.99 annually) and utilize the target and landing zone features for advanced yardages, enjoy a flyover of the hole, set pins, track club distances and so much more. Click HERE for a list of all the features - broken down between free and Champions.

C) Number of putts.
There is a ton of information available at www.GolfLogix.com. Click HERE for a stack of demo videos if you’d like to dig in even deeper.

Rarely have I reviewed a product or service and been this excited. If you’ve golfed with me, you know of the frustration I have with my $400 handheld GPS unit. It wasn’t worth the price BEFORE I tried the free version of GolfLogix and it’s even more irritating now that I’ve explored the company’s Champions version. GolfLogix offers everything a golfer could want (and more) in their free app.

American Golfer recommendation: Download the GolfLogix app on your smartphone today. Encourage your friends to do the same. GolfLogix offers two free rounds at the Champions level. Try that and do not hesitate to pay the $19.99 annual fee to maintain that membership level. Heck, you get your money back in the form of a $20 credit in the Golfsmith Pro Shop.

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com

The PUMA Golf Monolite: Style and Comfort for 19 Holes

(CARLSBAD, CALIF.) – PUMA Golf has introduced the Monolite golf shoe, a versatile shoe designed to give you comfort and style for all 19 holes. The Monolite weighs in at only 9.5oz., which is 30 percent less than comparable styles on the market.

“The Monolite is the perfect shoe to kick off our new LiteStyle platform we are launching in 2014,” commented Tom Manthe, Global Marketing Manager for PUMA Golf.  “The spikeless shoe goes from the tee box to the clubhouse in effortless style and lightweight comfort.”

The Carbon Rubber outsole uses SmartQuill to enhance grip and traction throughout the golfer’s swing by strategically shaping and positioning traction lugs directionally. The compression EVA midsole is fully integrated with the external heel counter, creating one cohesive unit that allows for ultimate lightweight comfort and cushioning while maintaining high levels of support and traction.

A premium, waterproof upper made with full-grain leather features subtle design and color details in five hard-to-resist color options. Everfoam is strategically positioned within the upper for a comfortable fit that has slow recovery memory foam adjusting to the contours of your foot with every step.

Available in two perforated leather options (Monaco Blue/Lime Green/White and White/Tradewinds/Pomegranate) and three smooth leather options (Tradewinds/White/Monaco Blue, Chestnut/Black Coffee/Vibrant Orange and Black/Castlerock/Deep Lavendar), each shoe comes with two laces to customize your look as often as you want.

The Monolite Wns is available in four trendsetting color combinations with an upper inspired by an oxford silhouette. Featuring a yoga mat sockliner (that is literally made out of yoga mat material) the Monolite Wns provides all day comfort and cushioning to keep your feet feeling relaxed and looking great.

The Monolite ($100) and Monolite Wns ($70) are available for pre-order now at www.pumagolf.com/monolite-golf-shoes and will hit shelves at select golf retailers starting Dec. 1, 2013.

Golfsmith has Gifts Galore to Fill the Fairways

Inspire the Golfer on Your Holiday List by Giving the Perfect Round

(AUSTIN, TX) – Finding that perfect holiday gift for the golfer in your life can be a confusing proposition. The myriad of choices can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The experts at Golfsmith International, the world’s largest specialty golf retailer, have identified the ‘must-have’ gifts for every golfer this holiday season. From hi-tech gadgets to clubs; from stocking stuffers to stylish apparel, Golfsmith is ready to help consumers navigate gift giving with ease.As the headquarters for all-things golf, Golfsmith has that perfect something to help golfers of all levels improve their game, enhance their style and enjoy their round regardless of the season. Golfsmith stores will be stocked with more than 35,000 products this holiday season—making each of its 150+ experiential stores coast-to-coast a veritable cornucopia for golf shoppers. The company expects to sell more than three million golf balls, 100,000 golf gloves, 25,000 polo shirts and more than 15,000 rainwear units during the holiday season.

“At Golfsmith, we want to help customers experience that awesome feeling you get when you give the perfect golf gift,” said Eli Getson, Golfsmith’s Executive Vice President, General Merchandising Manager. “Our team has hand-picked the hottest apparel, the coolest gadgets, and the latest gear. Our in-store and online experts are always available to help customers hit a hole in one when shopping this holiday season.”

Golfsmith’s top picks this holiday season are:
Top 5 Hi-tech Gifts – Technology continues to transform the game, with GPS devices and smart watches that give golfers a bird’s eye view of each hole and laser rangefinders that provide exact distances on every shot. Top tech picks include the Garmin S2 Watch, Garmin G6 & G3 handheld GPS units, OptiShot Golf Simulator and Bushnell Neo Watch.

Stocking Stuffers Under $50 – For consumers who need a last-minute stocking stuffer (or something that won’t break the bank), wallet-friendly items under $50 include the Titleist ProV1, the top-selling and most played ball in golf, as well as Novelty Headcovers that add personality to your bag. There’s also a tried-and-true Titleist Cap, a 25-ball storage rack for collectors, or a gift card – the gift that always fits – available at stores in any denomination or via convenient E-Card.

Top 5 Club Gifts – When it comes to the hottest selling clubs, technology and adjustability are now standard. With a few twists of a wrench, golfers can adjust face angle, loft and lie, altering a club’s specs to deliver the player’s desired ball flight. Top picks include TaylorMade’s SLDR and r1 drivers, Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme, Odyssey ProType tour Series Putters, Titleist Vokey SM4 wedges, and Mizuno JPX EZ irons.

Top 5 Style Gifts – Help keep your golf-obsessed friends and family members decked out in the trendiest apparel and accessories. Whether looking for the newest waterproof golf shoes or a great looking polo, you’ll find the latest style and functional designs in Golfsmith’s massive apparel department.

For more information: www.golfsmith.com and www.golftown.com.

Jason Day wins World Cup of Golf with TaylorMade equipment, adidas Golf apparel, adizero Tour footwear

Fourth Career Professional Win for 26-Year-Old Day

(CARLSBAD, Calif.) – After nearly withdrawing due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines which included the loss of eight of his relatives, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Tour Staff professional and Australian native Jason Day played his first tournament in five weeks with a heavy heart, winning the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf over a group of the world’s top players at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. With a final score of 68-70-66-70-274, Day, playing TaylorMade equipment and wearing adidas Golf apparel and adizero Tour footwear, was consistent off the tee with the R1 driver and precise around the greens en route to an emotionally-charged two-shot victory.

Battling windy conditions and pressure from some of the top players in the world, Day made the most of his one-shot lead at the start of the final round, holing out for eagle on the sixth hole and never looked back. The win marked the fourth career professional victory for Day and his first since winning the 2010 Byron Nelson Championship. In addition to winning the individual title, Day also captured the team portion of the World Cup as a member of Team Australia.

The lightest tour performance shoe adidas Golf has ever created, the adizero Tour is the company’s top-selling model globally and worn by many adidas Golf tour staff professionals in competition.

In the Bag:
* R1 Driver
* RocketBallz Fairway Wood
* Tour Preferred MC Irons
* ATV Wedges
* Ghost Tour Monte Carlo Putter
* Lethal golf ball
* adizero Tour footwear – black/white/black
* adidas Golf apparel

St. Andrews Golf House: New Twist in an Auld Grey Toon

Visit the birthplace of golf without sacrificing the creature comforts of home

(ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND) — As managing director of a new and unique accommodation designed specifically for American golfers visiting the game’s storied Scottish birthplace — appropriately named “St Andrews Golf House” — Eddie Papczun said he became convinced he and the home’s investment team had created something special during a recent wine and cheese cocktail party at the house.

The party was hosted for many of the St. Andrews locals and travel companies around town. One longtime Royal & Ancient member and native of St. Andrews made a point to corral Papczun during the event to tell him: “I’ve never seen anything like this home. There is nothing like this around St. Andrews.”

“To me that is a strong endorsement of what we have created in this special place,” said Papczun, a former Air Force Major who served as a weapons launch officer during the Cold War. The native Ohioan now living in Florida first entered the golf industry nearly two decades ago in his role as founder of Golf Links to the Past, one of the preeminent creators, acquirers and marketers of premium golf collectibles.

Papczun’s latest project is an ideal combination of his two loves: history and golf. Geared toward Americans coming over to play golf in the game’s birthplace and the surrounding Scottish countryside, the St. Andrews Golf House was custom designed and built to the very highest standards — a 5-star accommodation offering guests a perfect home base for any Scottish holiday or business trip that is truly unlike any other luxury accommodation within the “Auld Grey Toon.”

Said Papczun: “Accommodations in St. Andrews range from the very high-end, where you can stay at the Old Course Hotel, to the more country-wide guesthouse experience, but nobody thinks about things that Americans take for granted: Big, walk-in showers with great water pressure, vented tumble dryers, heated club storage, ice makers — those things were present in my mind when I was laying the house out with a very creative, St. Andrews-based architect.

“We wanted to have a lot of natural illumination in the house so we put in huge, west-facing bay windows,” he said. “Those who have been to Scotland know that sunlight can be an issue. So we were able to build a very high-end type of home with plenty of green components to leave a small energy footprint.”

The first feature that catches a guest’s eye on the entry level of the St. Andrew Golf Home are a laundry room with full-size washer and vented electric dryer, along with its four en-suite bedrooms that can be configured to comfortably sleep from four to eight guests (“two four-balls,” as Papczun describes it). The stone and hardwood floors throughout feature under floor, radiant heat. All of the bedrooms are named after bunkers on the Old Course, so there is a “Hell Bunker,” a “Road Hole Bunker,” a “Strath Bunker” — you get the picture. Guests rest their heads on top-of-the-line Serta mattresses — the same as those used in the famed Fairmont Hotel — with goose-down quilts, high thread-count linens and luxury pillows to help ensure a sound night’s sleep even for the most restless traveller.

Beautifully appointed with elegant contemporary pieces that offer a nod to Scottish tradition as well as classic antiques, the house is extremely cozy and above all comfortable — clearly designed to offer each guest every imaginable convenience including elegant interiors and fine furnishings. Its circa-1890 Scottish oak dining table seats eight comfortably, so there is no need to go out every night for dinner — stay in, cook and enjoy each others company in this very special space.

The house’s fully equipped, state-of-the-art Ashley Ann Custom Gourmet Kitchen allows guests the option to either dine or cater in while enjoying the art of cooking. The kitchen is perfect for social cooking and entertaining featuring state-of-the-art amenities including custom appliances, a six-burner gas range, dual ovens, a French country sink, granite counter-tops, a 40-bottle wine refrigerator and an icemaker.

In addition, the St. Andrews Golf House also features three spacious marble baths with large walk-in American style showers, lightening fast internet Wi-Fi, zoned iPod music system, a billiard’s and pub room (called the “Valley of Sin”), a heated exterior club store, three-hole practice putting green and much more. Indeed, once a guest sinks into one of the St. Andrews Golf House’s down-filled leather chairs — single malt in hand and golf on the 50-inch plasma satellite “telly” — they likely will not want to get up.

“Even before you get into the house, we have put in club storage that only has access from the outside, so if you are pulling your clubs out and everything is wet, you can throw all your gear into this room that is heated and in the morning everything will be dry, so there is no reason for the golf clubs to come into the house,” said Papczun. “That idea came from playing over [in Scotland] so much and realizing that is a big problem.

“I wanted to keep the golf clubs out of the house,” he said. “You don’t want to be bringing your clubs in the house and banging up the walls. I said there’s got to be a better way around this problem. And that’s why there is a laundry room right when you walk in, so when you head off to your bedrooms and you start changing and getting ready to go upstairs hopefully you will not be bringing all that water and the golf course with you.”

Papczun says he and the designers of the St. Andrews Golf House envisioned guests reminiscing about the day’s round while enjoying a cigar and a scotch in the house’s cedar-roofed “Cigar Pavilion,” a hand-built, eight-seat heated seating area offering the perfect space to enjoy the long sunlit nights — a staple of Scotland’s summers.  Sitting in the garden or back yard, the pavilion overlooks a three-hole links inspired putting green, which was designed and built by renowned greens keeper, Andy Campbell — former superintendent at Ireland’s famed Loch Erne Golf Club. Additionally, there is an American-style barbeque grill near by so guests can grill up steaks while they enjoy this incredible outdoor space.  

“Every kind of little nuance we could incorporate we did,” said Papczun. “We tried to use every square inch of space in the house in a positive and user-friendly way. We wanted this to be an off-the-charts hotel experience that is all yours while you are in Scotland.”

St Andrews Golf House is just a short stroll to anywhere in the historic university town.  The Old Course, cathedral ruins and castle, as well as the West Sands beach (made famous in the filming of Chariots of Fire) takes but a few enjoyable minutes to reach on foot via the many walkways that dissect this wonderful town.  St Andrews is a town begging to be explored and discovered — one ancient medieval building and pub at a time.  Oh, and there is the fact that St Andrews is possibly the greatest golfing destination in the World.

The town of St Andrews and the surrounding countryside has one of the greatest concentrations of world-class golf courses on the planet.  Courses in the town include; the Old Course, the New Course, the Jubilee, the Castle, the Eden, the Strathyrum, the Balgove as well as Kingsbarns, the Duke’s, Crail, the Torrance and Kittocks courses at the Fairmont, which are all within 10 miles of the town center.  And just a little further on down the road is Carnoustie — popular member of the Open Championship rotation and one of the most demanding tracks in all of golf.

Ideally situated near the Westport gate and the town center, St Andrews Golf House is the perfect location for a memorable Scottish vacation or special corporate business getaway.  Easy walking distance to every significant attraction in town, to include the numerous golf courses, you’ll love being so close to everything.

Although St Andrews is renowned for its golf courses, there are many other attractions available in the vicinity including the British Golf Museum, Byre Theatre, Fife Coastal Path, Preservation Trust Museum, St Andrews Aquarium, Botanic Garden, St Andrews Castle, St Andrews Museum and plenty of Scotch Whisky Tours. And while the town of St Andrews and the historic Kingdom of Fife provides endless opportunities for adventure and exploration, the St. Andrews Golf Home offers a concierge happy to answer questions, help set up golf, and arrange activities that guests will enjoy — as well as to bring in a chef to create a gourmet meal at the house.

“You can literally walk from the house to the center of town without getting on any main roads get on the foot path used by the people for hundreds of years to get around the town,” said Papczun, who also runs The Great Republic at Colorado’s historic Broadmoor Hotel, specializing in extremely rare and unique United States flags, maps and Americana as well as vintage British Empire sporting antiques and collectibles. “You can get from the house to the middle of Market Street and all the way down to the Links in 10 minutes. That’s the other thing. We can even arrange for them to be picked up as part of our à la carte concierge services. We can pick them up for golf. We can arrange for them to be picked up.”

Papczun said rates for 2014 are £500 per high-season evening. High season runs from April 1 through October 31. Low season runs from November 1 to March 31 and rates are £300 per night. Minimum stay is four nights – regardless of the time of year. To check for room availability and make arrangements for your stay, visit www.standrewsgolfhouse.com or contact Eddie Papczun at epapczun@gmail.com.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Stay More, Play More, Talamore in North Carolina

Just minutes from the historic Village of Pinehurst, Talamore Golf Resort offers popular extended stay program

(SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.) — Imagine your golf ball rolling methodically toward the hole. Aided by a brush from a passing breeze, it continues on its way perhaps more fortuitously than your strike warranted. As if by magic, the ball trundles all the way to the lip and with one last nudge of gravity, slips over the edge before falling softly into the cup for an eagle.

Such is the beauty of golf: A game not to be rushed; instead, savored, one stroke, one hole, one round, one day at a time. Which is why, for ages, travelers have visited all corners of the globe to spend inordinate amounts of time, energy — and money — experiencing the game’s mystical appeal. Fortunately, golfers stateside have access to a far more affordable and expandable alternative experience of similar quality in the heart of America’s home of golf. This unbeatable bargain is the Talamore Resort “Extended Stay Program,” found only in the storied Sandhills of Pinehurst.

The name “Talamore,” of Gaelic origin and meaning “land of great value,” was first introduced to the Carolinas in the early 1990s with the construction of the Rees Jones-designed golf course at Talamore Golf Club. Years later, Talamore merged with the Arnold Palmer-designed course at the Mid South Club located across the street. Together, they form what is known today as the Talamore Golf Resort.



As the ultimate “out-of-town” membership for those looking for a place to spend a few weeks or even a few months, the Talamore Resort Extended Stay package provides unlimited access to incredible golf while enjoying luxurious golf villa or lodge accommodations.



The distinctly North Carolina Sandhills golf adventure found at Talamore has been a favorite for years by players from northern climates. Now it is reaching golf groups originating from regions far and wide.



Jill and Phil Stevenson are retirees from Creemore, Ontario, located just north of Toronto, Canada. They’ve been coming to Pinehurst for 25 years, mostly in shorter visits during November and April. This past winter, for the first time, they decided to stay for the duration of the season — January through March.

Because Talamore has been their target destination for the past 18 years, a long-term rental was as natural as dimples on a golf ball. “We’ve always been skiers, but we gave that up,” explains Jill Stevenson. “We also got tired of the snow. We’ve been coming to Talamore for so long, it feels like a second home to us. We enjoy the warmer weather and the golf.”



Though they have stayed in the newer and more spacious Mid South units, the Stevensons prefer lodging on the Talmore side of the resort, as it is closer to the two-mile hiking and biking trail that loops around Reservoir Lake. Their residence of choice is a middle-level, corner unit at Talamore as they are “nice and bright.” Their unit in 2013 overlooks Talamore’s 18th fairway.

Being leisure golfers, the Stevensons don’t always enroll in the golf membership program available to long-term renters. But when they do, says Jill: “We play Mid South and Talamore a lot to get the value of our dollar. When we don’t, we probably only play three times a week and like trying other courses around town [Talamore Resort] is a great place. We’ve looked around at other places, but since we’ve been coming here so long, it’s like a second home to us.”

Meanwhile for more than 20 years, Elfie Alexander — first with her late husband and, the past five years, by herself — visited North Carolina in week-long trips from Canada. Those trips eventually blossomed into months with long-term stays at Talamore Resort. 



“We started out windsurfing in Hatteras, but then decided to switch to golf,” says Elfie. “We saw an ad for Pinehurst and booked a golf vacation. The first time I drove along Midland Road I just said to him, ‘I never have to go anywhere else. It is so beautiful here.’”



Of course, curiosity got the best of the twosome and they decided to drive around to America’s hotspots just to see if there was anything better out there for them. In 2005, they loaded up their car in Ontario, Canada and headed back to Pinehurst in early December. From there they drove to Florida, across the state’s panhandle, to Alabama, Texas and Arizona – even the entire length of the California coast before retreating home across Canada.



“We put together a list of pros and cons of all the areas and there was nothing that equaled what we already had in Pinehurst,” says Elfie. “Although many areas were very nice, we really didn’t find anything that equaled the quality and quantity of golf in such close proximity that you find here. We liked the people and the lifestyle here. Everyone is very friendly and the accommodations are very consistent.”



According to Elfie, word about Talamore’s benefits have spread throughout her golf club back home – the Mad River Golf Club in Creemore.



“I’ve started the ball rolling and as many as 40 people come here now from my club,” claims Elfie, who can travel to the resort by car. “I continue to come here (from November through April save for three weeks back home in Canada at Christmas) because this is where I’m comfortable. This is my second home. That is one of the benefits of a long-term stay. All my friends are here; the restaurant owners know me, the store people know me, the resort folks know me. There’s really no reason to go anywhere else.”



As a more avid golfer, Elfie elects to partake in the golf membership program during her entire stay at Talamore.



“As a long-term renter, you get a better rate on golf fees,” she says. “I sign up for golf the entire time. I love having access to the private members lounge and the clubhouse. The ladies days are great. With the membership, I can make all the friendships and associations I want.”



For those interested in a long stay program at Talamore, here’s what you get when you sign up:

Lodging at a Talamore golf villa or Mid South Lodge includes local phone, cable TV and electricity so there are no monthly bills to pay.

Associate club membership privileges at both courses include unlimited greens fees including cart; playing privileges anytime Monday through Thursday; playing privileges after 11 am Friday through Sunday; tee time up to one week in advance.

This getaway offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area for an extended period of time with unlimited golf privileges.

Other Talamore Resort extended stay programs include:
Couples Getaway
This getaway offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area for an extended period of time with unlimited golf privileges.

Golf Widow/Widower Package
Perfect for the couple that has only one golfer. While the golfer enjoys a round of golf, the other can sit back and relax, or venture into town to enjoy the local flavor.

Favorite Foursome Package
Double the fun and bring four players to America’s golf mecca.

For information call (800) 552-6292 or visit www.TalamoreGolfResort.com.

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Nike Golf Delivers Forgiving Distance with the VRS Covert 2.0 Driver

New Fly-Brace technology allows for higher ball speed, more distance and greater forgiveness with every shot

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – Nike Golf introduced the new VRS Covert 2.0 family of drivers during an event at the company’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. Bigger, faster and longer than last year’s industry game-changing VRS Covert drivers -- the world’s first to feature conforming High Speed Cavity Back technology -- the new VRS Covert 2.0 drivers deliver more forgiving distance, faster ball speed and simple, intuitive customization to meet the swing needs of every athlete.

High-Speed Cavity Back technology redistributes weight to the heel and toe allowing for increased distance and more stability across the face of the driver.

“We re-engineered VRS Covert 2.0 with enhancements to our High Speed Cavity Back technology that allow athletes to experience more forgiving distance than ever before,” says Nate Radcliffe, Nike Golf Director of Engineering.  “The new VRS Covert 2.0 driver features a redesigned cavity with Fly-Brace technology that ties the sole to the crown. By stiffening the rear portion of the club, more energy is transferred to the face at impact. The end result is even greater ball speed and up to six yards of distance gain over last year’s model.”

“It’s similar to an automotive frame design,” Radcliffe adds. “Fly-Brace technology reinforces the rearward portion of the club head to focus impact stress, flexing and subsequent energy transfer to the point of impact.”

Several Nike athletes, including Rory McIlroy, Kevin Chappell and Nick Watney, have put the VRS Covert 2.0 driver into play in 2013.

“We work very closely with our athletes and the new VRS Covert 2.0 drivers deliver on the shape, stability, and speed they have asked for,” Radcliffe says. “The added stability and speed realized by our athletes with VRS Covert 2.0 allows for an aggressive approach off the tee which is essential in the modern game.”

The VRS Covert 2.0 drivers feature two additional proprietary technologies: A larger, re-engineered NexCOR face for increased ball speed and distance, and FlexLoft adjustability, which allows athletes to easily customize loft and face angle positions for 15 drivers in one.

The redesigned NexCOR face incorporates variable face thickness for a faster, hotter face and as a result, more speed at impact. It is 15-percent larger in the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver, and seven-percent larger in the VRS Covert 2.0 driver.

Nike Golf’s patented FlexLoft system offers the same, intuitive adjustability system featured in the VRS Covert driver. Athletes can adjust lofts from 8.5 to 12.5 degrees while independently modifying for three different face angle positions to optimize launch and spin conditions for maximized distance and accuracy.

The second generation of Mitsubishi Rayon’s Kuro Kage shafts are the standard graphite option for both models. In the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour, the Kuro Kage Silver 60 graphite, featuring Titanium Nickel fiber in the tip section, creates more stability and lower spin. The VRS Covert 2.0 utilizes the Kuro Kage Black HBP Graphite 50 shaft with a higher balance point, allowing for higher swing speeds without adding shaft length.

Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Driver
Availability: January 31, 2014
Specifications: 8.5-12.5º Kuro Kage Silver TiNi shaft; RH/LH: R, S, X
Street Price: $399

Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Driver
Availability: January 31, 2014
Specifications: 8.5-12.5º Kuro Kage Black HBP shaft; RH/LH: A, R, S, W
Street Price: $299

Friday, November 22, 2013

PING introduces long, forgiving, tungsten-weighted Rapture driving iron


(PHOENIX) – PING introduced its Rapture driving iron, which the club maker says offers innovation and performance that are unmatched in the category. Significant tungsten weighting in the heel and toe creates a high MOI for a head its size, making the Rapture easier to hit than a long iron. At the same time, its wider sole gives the Rapture the playability of a hybrid but with much less spin. As a result, the 18-degree head delivers a low, penetrating ball flight that maximizes distance and control.

“The Rapture driving iron has been well-received by tour pros because it provides longer shots and a controlled trajectory,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “You have the best of both worlds. It’s more forgiving and generates much faster ball speed than the 2-iron equivalent, yet it launches lower and spins far less than a comparable hybrid. The low, penetrating trajectory offers control and command, which is essential for keeping the ball under the wind, for example, or when you’re playing a hard, fast course and you want to maximize roll out.”

A key attribute of the Rapture driving iron is its flat, 455 stainless steel face, which contributes to greater ball velocity and promotes workability because it has no bulge and roll. The generous sole in the 17-4 stainless steel head locates the CG low for optimizing launch conditions and turf interaction. “This club is a great option off the tee but it’s also effective in making solid contact from the ground,” Solheim said. “It’s a versatile design that reflects PING’s commitment to custom-engineering solutions for golfers, in this case a club that plays a more specialized role in their shot making.”

The shaft in the Rapture is a half-inch longer than a standard 2-iron shaft. Solheim said PING’s proprietary TFC 949 graphite shaft promotes greater momentum and inertia for improved energy transfer, resulting in faster ball speeds and more distance.

Technical specifications:
- 17-4 stainless steel body, 455 stainless steel face
- Tungsten heel and toe weights
- 39.75-inch length, 18º head
- Foggy-chrome finish
- Stock graphite shaft: TFC 949 with chrome PVD finish (R, S, X flexes)
- U.S. MSRP: $220.00

Golf architect John Sanford brings game to the Bronx, New York City

(JUPITER, Fla.) - With a resume that includes a magical transformation of an unsightly Boston landfill into the spectacular award-winning Granite Links golf course, golf architect John Sanford has duplicated that feat with the completion of the long-awaited Ferry Point golf course on the East River, in the Bronx, in New York City.

The links-style course brings new life to a former landfill that has been an eyesore and dumping ground along the river since the 1960s. The vision and proposals for building a golf course on the treeless 185-acre site had been around for decades, but finally came to fruition under the Bloomberg Administration.

The layout is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course designed in collaboration with John Sanford Golf Design in Jupiter, Fla. The Trump Organization won a bid to maintain and operate the property and will invest $10 million to build the new clubhouse. The formal name of the facility is the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.

"Our experience at Granite Links put us in a nice position to get the Ferry Point project," said Sanford, who also served as project manager, after a final inspection of the site with Mr. Nicklaus and Mr. Trump. "All the holes are grassed and we're in the process of seeding the practice facility and then course construction will be substantially complete."

Sanford said Jack and Donald were enthused with the final product.

"We walked the entire golf course, start to finish, and I'm happy to say everyone was very pleased with not only the design, but also the grow in," Sanford said. "Jack was great to work with and Donald is very excited about the layout."

As manager and operator of the facility, the Trump Organization is also responsible for growing in the course, an assignment they handled flawlessly," Sanford said.

"I am very impressed with the Trump Organization," he said. "They have done an exceptional job with the grow-in."

Sanford said visitors and golfers will be blown away by the course.

"The surrounding views are incredible," he said. "Holes 16, 17, and 18 are on the East River. The Whitestone Bridge is right there. To the west is the Manhattan Skyline, and that's visible from most of the golf course, so it's an incredible location."

The golf course is a part of Ferry Point Park, which includes a community playground area and a 19.5-acre waterfront area.

Sanford was able to incorporate some of the invaluable experience he gained working on the Granite Links Golf Club. At that site he capped two landfills with the 27-hole course, seven miles from downtown Boston.

On the course design and construction, Sanford worked closely with Nicklaus and the Nicklaus Design team. Sanford also coordinated the work of seven consultants, engineers, landscape architects, and surveyors among others on the project.

"It certainly has been challenging," Sanford said of the Ferry Point project. "It's been a marathon of high hurdles, but well worth it. The course is phenomenal, a true team effort."

A date for the official opening of the course will be announced by the Trump Organization.

Earlier this year Sanford's work on Granite Links was honored by the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) with one of six inaugural 2012 Design Excellence Recognition awards.
In addition to Ferry Point, Sanford Golf Design is busy at work on renovations at the Kona Country Club on the Big Island in Hawaii; Kosaido CC outside Sapporo, Japan; and two clubs on the West Coast of Florida.

Sanford Golf Design offers expertise in all phases of strategic, sustainable and significant golf course design. Sanford's services include new course design , construction documents and computer modeling; landscape design and land planning; remodeling and restoration.

The company has produced or renovated more than 60 courses across North America and Hawaii, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Egypt, Japan, and Vietnam.

For more information: sanfordgolfdesign.com

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com

Nike Golf Unveiled New Innovations for Spring 2014

New products in golf clubs, golf balls, footwear and apparel are designed to unleash the athlete in every golfer

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – Nike Golf unveiled an innovative range of products for 2014 – featuring golf clubs, golf balls, footwear and apparel - at an event at the company’s world headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. The new products are designed to unleash the athlete in every golfer in a way that only Nike can through four key technologies: Cavity Back technology in golf clubs; Speedlock RZN Core technology in golf balls; Lunar technology in footwear; and Mobility Enhanced technologies in apparel.

"For us, innovation and design is at the epicenter of everything we do,” said Cindy Davis, President of Nike Golf. “We obsess every detail.  Is it fast enough?  Is it light enough?  Does it feel right?  Sound right?  Does it meet the eye?  Does it move with the body? We challenge everything. We think something nobody else thinks. We build something nobody else builds.  We improve something that no one else thinks needs improving.  If it's good enough, then we must make it better."

GOLF CLUB INNOVATIONS

VRS Covert 2.0 Drivers: An enhanced cavity back design with new Fly-Brace technology delivers increased energy transfer at impact for more ball speed and forgiving distance.

VRS Covert 2.0 Fairway Woods: Coupled with High Speed Cavity Back technology for longer and straighter shots, a lower center of gravity promotes a higher launch with reduced spin, which produces an average of eight yards in additional distance compared to last year’s model.

VRS Covert 2.0 Hybrids: Nike Golf engineers tapped into their “Linear Transition Design” methodology to create a new line of hybrids with progressively smaller head designs while increasing face height on each model.

VR X3X Toe Sweep Wedges: With a wider sole area toward the toe and improved Nike X3X groove technology, the VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges deliver a more consistent shot in any condition, providingbetter ball flight and stopping power on the green

VRS Covert Forged Irons: Nike Golf engineers incorporated a NexCOR face, Nike’s proprietary technology that delivers faster ball speed and more distance, and a high-speed cavity back design with a lower, deeper center of gravity for longer and straighter shots.

GOLF BALL INNOVATIONS
Speedlock RZN Core technology: This new technology features an interlocking core design – the core’s surface is similar to that of a waffle iron – that interconnects with the compression layer to form a tighter bond. Speedlock Technology helps to harness more energy between layers for faster ball speed, longer distance and more stability into the wind.

Four new golf balls featuring Speedlock RZN Core technology:

•RZN Platinum: Tour Performance control and moderate spin
•RZN Black: Tour Performance distance and less spin
•RZN Red: Distance Performance, longer carry
•RZN White: Distance Performance, softer feel, for swing speeds 95-100 mph

FOOTWEAR INNOVATIONS

Nike Lunar Control: Venom Green, Military Blue and Challenge Red pop against white and black premium full-grain leather uppers and highlight Nike’s proprietary full-length Lunarlon technology, a lightweight cushioning system that is highly responsive, resulting in a unique combination of comfort and support.

Nike Lunar Clayton: Nike Golf footwear designers combined a handcrafted, waterproof leather upper with lightweight Nike Lunarlon technology in the outsole for maximum responsive cushioning to create a versatile shoe for both on and off the course. A leather welt joins the upper to the outsole while protecting from the elements.

APPAREL INNOVATIONS

Nike Hyperadapt Wind Jacket: Featuring the same four-way stretch technology and sweater-like feel as the Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket, the Hyperadapt Wind jacket is a lighter, windproof and rain-resistant version perfect for spring. A transparent outer shell showcases the jacket’s technical details inside and out.

NikeLightweight Innovation Color Polo: The mobility chassis, a new seam construction that allows for optimal movement, is bonded rather than stitched to lie more closely against the body. Designers shifted the seam towards the upper back so it doesn’t run across the top of the shoulders, allowing maximized movement throughout the swing, free of distractions.

Nike Innovation Woven Cover-up: The Innovation Woven Cover-up features two technologies merged into one unique, hybrid design. The lightweight wind-and-water resistant Dri-FIT stretch woven body – the ‘jacket’ – is breathable and protects against the elements. The 3D knit sleeves – the ‘sweater’ – keeps warmth in and amplifies movement through the arms and shoulders.

For more information on Nike Golf, visit www.nikegolf.com.

Pound Ridge Golf Club Announces Clubhouse Enhancements

Off-season upgrades offer convenience, expanded facilities and dining options

(POUND RIDGE, N.Y.) - Pound Ridge Golf Club - Westchester County's premier daily fee course - will undergo significant enhancements to its clubhouse this offseason to better serve golfers at the only Pete Dye designed-course in New York.

The main building will be expanded to provide permanent bathrooms, a full-service kitchen with new equipment, and men's and women's showers and small locker rooms. The breezeway between the building and temporary structure will be enclosed for additional comfort and privacy.

Floor, ceiling and window frame moulding, chair rails and other fixtures, features and equipment will be added to create both elegance and permanence. Guests will have the choice of relaxing in the refreshed interior or outdoors on one of Pound Ridge's two alfresco seating and gathering areas.

"The end result will be a significantly more appealing and single integrated structure," says Pound Ridge owner Ken Wang. "This is part of our long term plan to provide facilities and amenities commensurate with the quality of the golf course."

According to Wang, Pound Ridge's proximity to Wall Street and the financial community of Stamford, Greenwich and Norwalk area of Southern Connecticut leads to a high number of "business golfers" out for an efficient and enjoyable round.

"Having a comfortable spot to grab a quick shower, change of clothes and bite to eat, perhaps before returning to the office or an evening function, is important," adds Wang. "The layout is also very walkable and those who carry or pull their clubs will appreciate the option of freshening up, post-round."

The project is underway, and all work is expected to be completed by spring 2014.

Since opening in 2008, Pound Ridge has earned world-class accolades from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, Golfweek, AskMen.com, Rolex and LINKS Magazine. It quickly emerged as a "destination golf course," sought out by serious golfers collecting the world's best golf experiences.

More information: www.poundridgegolf.com, 914.764.5771.

NGA Tour Partners with Ontario-Based Great Lakes Tour

National Golf Association becomes sanctioning body of newly branded NGA Great Lakes Tour

(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) - For the past 25 years the NGA Tour has prided itself in organizing events that closely mirror the PGA Tour and, once again, the NGA Tour is following the PGA Tour's lead by helping to grow the game of golf internationally at the developmental level. The NGA Tour and long standing Ontario-based Great Lakes Tour announce a partnership whereby the Great Lakes Tour will join the NGA Association of Developmental Tours starting in 2014 and the NGA Tour will act as the sanctioning body for the newly branded NGA Great Lakes Tour. The NGA Tour becomes the second US based tour, joining the PGA Tour, to partner with a developmental tour outside of the United States.

This new partnership between the NGA Tour and Great Lakes Tour will help to provide players with more opportunities to compete, as well as higher financial gains, at the developmental tour level as they look to advance their professional careers.

The Great Lakes Tour, which operates professional events throughout Ontario, Canada, will be the first developmental tour outside of the US to be sanctioned by the National Golf Association. The NGA currently sanctions 3 developmental tours in the United States aside from their main NGA Tour Pro Series; the NGA Florida Winter Series, NGA Carolina Summer Series, and NGA Carolina Winter Series. The agreement will allow the top points leaders from the NGA Great Lakes Tour to receive complimentary membership and full exempt status onto the NGA Tour's main Pro Series. The Pro Series is the third ranked professional golf tour in the United States behind the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour. The NGA Tour Pro Series is made up of 18 to 21 guaranteed purse events running from late February through early September. Major Champions such as Keegan Bradley, Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Jim Furyk all won on the NGA Tour before finding success on the PGA Tour.

"We have always strived to provide as many opportunities for as many professionals at the developmental tour level as possible," stated NGA Tour president Robin L. Waters, "In 2006 we became the first developmental tour in the United States to host an event outside of the country (in Guatemala). Now that the opportunity has presented itself, it seems like the perfect time to partner with a tour outside of the US to provide even more opportunities than can be had by hosting just a single event. We have found that partnership with the Great Lakes Tour, a Tour that is just as committed as we are to the development of their players. After all is said and done, that's what developmental golf is all about, the players."

The Great Lakes Tour, widely recognized as Canada's top developmental minitour, was founded in 2000 and conducts events from mid-April through October.

"It's pretty clear what the partnership with the NGA represents in our market," says Great Lakes Tour Director John Brisson, "It gives the Great Lakes Tour many new opportunities and offers the players even more. When my son David and I acquired the Tour, it was with one simple goal, to grow professional golf in Canada, and this partnership further shows our commitment. Our Great Lakes Tour members will be able to improve and develop their games while competing against some of the world's best. We are excited to work with Robin and the NGA team."

Heading into their 14th anniversary season, the Great Lakes Tour will conduct 16 events for the 2014 season including a Tour Championship and the popular Southern Ontario Open. As part of the agreement, NGA Tour Pro Series members will be able to participate in any NGA Great Lakes Tour event at member's entry.

The NGA TOUR is the No. 3 Men's Professional Golf Tour in the United States after the PGA and Web.com Tours and the No. 1 recommended developmental tour by more PGA and Web.com Tour Professionals. On average over 40% of every PGA TOUR field and over 60% of every Web.com Tour field have played on the NGA TOUR. In fact, NGA alumni have won an incredible Fifteen (15) "Major" Championships.

NGA TOUR alumni include: 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson; 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley; 2010 PGA TOUR Player of the Year and 2003 US Open Champion Jim Furyk; 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson; two-time U.S. Open Champion Lee Janzen; British Open and PGA Champion John Daly; and recent PGA Tour winners like Michael Thompson, Ted Potter Jr, Gary Woodland, Russell Henley, Mark Wilson, George McNeill, Scott Stallings, Scott Piercy, and many more.

Established in 1988, the NGA TOUR predates the Web.com Tour as the longest running developmental tour in golf. In 2013, the NGA TOUR was awarded five Web.com Tour event exemptions and two PGA TOUR event exemptions (Reno-Tahoe Open and the Sanderson Farms Championship), the most of any tour in the history of developmental golf.

The Great Lakes Tour serves as a vital training ground for some of Canada's best touring professionals. More than 4,000 players from around the globe have competed with more than $4-million in prize money handed out. The Tour was recognized by the Golf Journal (USGA Publication in 2001) as the first open golf tour in the world. The Great Lakes Tour was established in 2000.

For more information on the NGA Pro Golf Tour visit www.ngatour.com or contact Joy Johnson (800-992-8748 or email Joy@ngatour.com).

For more information on the Great Lakes Tour visit www.greatlakestour.com or contact Christine MacDonald (519-732-6640 or email Christine@greatlakestour.com)

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com

'Giving Thanks' at Mountain Air in North Carolina

At Mountain Air Country Club in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Thanksgiving has emerged as one of the community’s most popular holiday gathering opportunities and inspired a host of family traditions

(BURNSVILLE, N.C.) — In his job as a creative director, Peter Odiorne spends considerable time on the road. Back home in Philadelphia, meanwhile, Odiorne and his wife of 16 years, Liz, are raising four daughters ranging in age from 3 to 11, so the 41-year-old also spends time trying to juggle quality family get-togethers.

For Odiorne these days, optimal family time takes place during the holidays and actually requires very little planning: His favorite holiday is Thanksgiving; his next favorite, Odiorne says, inspired by Thanksgiving in a roundabout way, is Fourth of July.

Both occur at Mountain Air Country Club, a graceful, private aerie perched nearly a mile above sea level in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains just 30 minutes northeast of Asheville, N.C. As the holiday season begins its final approach atop this pristine mountaintop, the community springs to life for its annual crescendo: a Thanksgiving weeklong celebration that has steadily become among the most popular events on the mountain — attracting more than 300 members — and has inspired a host of unique Mountain Air traditions.

Odiorne says his family’s Thanksgiving experiences at Mountain Air not only spurred them to begin spending a large portion of their summers at the community — developed two decades ago nearly a mile high atop Slickrock Mountain at some of the highest elevations in the Tar Heel State’s picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains — they have already provided his four daughters a wide swath of unique memories as well.

“We build fires, make s’mores, hit the driving range, play football, take golf cart rides, we keep an eye out for bears, you name it,” said Odiorne. “Our girls love to hike up to the tree house on top of the mountain. As they get older the experience is different every time, which is really neat.

“Thanksgiving at Mountain Air is like camp for three generations: grandparents, parents and children,” said Odiorne. “It is a very special place — particularly for our girls to be able to spend such quality time with their grandparents.”

With him from his home in Birmingham, Ala., Odiorne’s father-in-law, former Mountain Air Board President John Cuckler, brought to the community a tradition of deep-frying the family turkey. After that, the family decided that if they were going to deep-fry one turkey they might as well deep-fry five or six — which has now turned into a dozen or more at the request of their Mountain Air friends and neighbors. “I think I’ve had maybe one non-deep-fried turkey since I had my first,” said Odiorne. “I’ll never eat another turkey that is not deep-fried.”

Last year, the Cuckler family deep-fried 17 turkeys: “People begin arriving around 7:30 AM and it has turned into a giant, all-day party,” said Cuckler’s wife, Margie. “That’s the best thing about Thanksgiving at Mountain Air. It is a laid back, fun week with very few expectations, just a special time with family and friends.”

Mike Renfro has heard so many rave reviews he said he plans to ask the Cuckler’s to fry a turkey for his family this year as well. “I’m going to ask them to plunge one down for us,” said Renfro. “I hear they’re delicious.”

Renfro and his best friend, Ernie Euler, are business partners who for nearly a quarter of a century have run a commercial real estate development business in Melbourne, Fla. “[Mike] is not only my business partner, he is my best friend and I would certainly say my spiritual compass as well,” said Euler.

The two are also devoted, longtime Mountain Air members who have started their own family Thanksgiving traditions. Mike and his wife, Mary, have four kids and five grandkids (“and growing” adds Mike). Meanwhile, numerous extended family members join Ernie, his wife, Tina and their high-school son, John Lucas, on the mountain at Thanksgiving. For both, the get-togethers at Mountain Air have outgrown their own residences, so the families also rent some of the community’s luxurious condominiums.

“From our family standpoint, Thanksgiving has become the most important holiday on the Renfro calendar,” said Mike. “It is a very active week. Although we don’t have our meal on the top of the mountain, we pretty much participate in everything else the club puts together: building gingerbread houses, the lighting of the tree, the caroling with hot chocolate and meeting Santa Claus. Our grandchildren just absolutely love everything the association puts together.”

Best of all, according to Renfro, the Mountain Air golf maintenance staff mows a fallow field every year so his family can enjoy its annual family Thanksgiving football game prior to their meal. “The highlight of the week is the annual family football game on the field behind our condo,” said Renfro. “We really look forward to that special time.”

As for the Euler family, they started making the tradition of going to Mountain Air for Thanksgiving and have only missed once in the past nine years, now welcoming numerous family members from Florida, South Carolina and New York.

“Thanksgiving is a special time up there for us,” said Ernie Euler, whose parents visit from Florida. “The Thanksgiving tradition at Mountain Air is one that has become very important. Even though none of our other family members live at Mountain Air, it is a place that has come to represent for us special times with our family.”

Learn more at www.MountainAirCountryClub.com.

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com