bizgolf January 2019 by GEC MEDIA GROUP

JANUARY 2019

HOLES FEATURE :

GEC OPEN 2018 QUALIFIERS END

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Pint-sized Goa is more than beaches and trance parties. A colorful blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood, and spirituality, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nowhere in India quite like it./ 12

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AT THE LALIT GOLF & SPA RESORT, GOA

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JANUARY 2019 VOLUME 02 ISSUE 03

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COVER STORY

18 Holes At at The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort, Goa

GEAR UP

New Rules of Golf The U.S. Golf

Association and the R&A have made changes to the Rules of Golf that will take effect Jan.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most geographically diverse countries, with stunning mountain scenery, desert scrublands, evocative colonial architecture and beaches galore.

OFF COURSE

A pair of Macallan loafers

MORE GOLF

10 SOCIAL MEDIA

2018 asian tour order of merit champion

32 GEC OPEN

GEC Open 2018 qualifier ends

28 SPOTLIGHT

The Inaugural World Sand Golf Design Competition

38 TEE TIME

Clark coasts to victory at Constance Belle Mare Plage

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BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 EDITOR’S NOTE

A Grand Finish Awaites GEC Open 2018

PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR TUSHAR SAHOO CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BHARATH ARVIND MANAGING EDITOR VINEET MANN vineet@gecmediagroup.com

LEAD VISUALIZER NEHA DESIGNER AJAY ARYA

After a roller coaster final few months, the 5th edition of GEC Open 2018 has come to a close. Well…at least as far as the national qualifying rounds are concerned. The World Final that was earlier scheduled for December is now scheduled for April 2019 extending the 2018 season into the New Year. In a season that will be remembered as the most inclusive and fartraveling golf tour in the short yet dominant history of the GEC Open as the event hosted 54 qualifying rounds in 34 countries reaching out to golfers from Canada to Down Under. While the grand culmination of the season at the World Final in April is going to be mighty exciting for the national winners and their families, it also promises to be a treat for golf lovers as competitors representing a wide range of professional backgrounds and culture will be seen in action vying for the coveted trophy. I can’t wait! In this issue, our cover story of the month features India’s The LaLiT Golf and Spa Resort located in Goa. The Spotlight of the month features World Sand Golf Design competition organized by Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Design. Golfscapes features a truly unique tour package of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean followed by a guide for the New Rules of Golf. Update yourself with newsworthy stories from the world of professional golf and Golf industry in Tee Time and Business News. Remember to check out the lifestyle page to make a statement off the course!

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BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 COVER STORY

GEC OPEN VENUE OF THE MONTH

HOLES AT THE LALIT GOLF & SPA RESORT, GOA

COVER STORY JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

BY: VINEET MANN

int-sized Goa is more than beaches and trance parties. A colorful blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood, and spirituality, there’s nowhere in India quite like

it.

Goa’s biggest draw is undoubtedly its virtually uninterrupted string of golden-sand beaches. This shimmering strand stretches along the Arabian Sea from the tip to the toe of the state, and each of the various beaches has developed their personalities and reputations. They cater to every tropical whim: choose from backpacker Arambol or bolder, brasher Baga; from the palmfringed sands of Palolem to hippie market bliss at Anjuna or lovely, laid-back Mandrem; from expansive groomed sands in front of fancy five-star resorts or hidden crescent coves, where the only footprints will be the scuttling crabs’ and your own. South Goa is the more serene half of the state, and for many travellers, that’s the

attraction. There are fewer activities and not as many bars, clubs or restaurants, but overall the beaches of the south are cleaner, whiter than and not as crowded as those in the north. Golf has long been a favorite sport in the Goa area of India and visitors will find many promising courses here. Many hotels within Goa have capitalised on the golfing market and now offer their golf courses, with packages available. If mountains have their charm, so do beaches! Part of The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort, The LaLiT Goa Golf Greens is currently the only golf course open to visitors in Goa. The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa is located on the Raj Baga beach in Canacona,

Goa stands out in India for its Portuguese colonial architecture and heritage. The Portuguese arrived in Goa in 1510, lured by the exotic East and the promise of lucrative spice

routes. Their indelible mark is still evident in the state’s baroque architecture, whitewashed churches, crumbling forts, colorful Catholic ceremonies, mournful fado music and the stunning cathedrals of Old Goa.

Goa. Situated nearby the Talpone River, the resort is surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain range and offers views of the Arabian Sea. The resort has Baroque-Portuguese Style architecture and landscaped gardens. Playable year round, LaLiT is a golfer’s paradise, complete with challenging sea wins that give dimension to the game of golf. The 9-hole course is of international standard and offers visitors the unique experience of playing right next to a beach. The sea breeze and the sound of the waves crashing only add to the golfing delight, thereby making for a perfect addition to your next holiday in Goa. It is equipped with welltrained staff, caddies and a fleet of deluxe golf carts. There are a driving range and a

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 COVER STORY

FACILITIES

It operates 263 rooms and suites and offers over 32,000 square feet of conference and banqueting space. The resort provides recreational facilities to customers and includes a sports complex. The Sports Complex with two lawn tennis courts, two air-conditioned squash courts, and facilities for table tennis is open for all resident guests along with all sporting types of equipment. Ergonomically engaged, The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa highlights the best-inclass state of the art Gym., which has a cardio suite and adequate space for yoga,

while extending and free development facilities are there to keep you fresh and always fit. Rejuve - The Spa, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group’s signature brand offers a complete holistic experience encompassing aroma, ayurvedic, herbal and natural therapies and yoga. Besides eastern and western therapies, Rejuve also has a salon, state of the art gymnasium and an outdoor swimming pool. The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa won the “best golf resort, India” award at the

International Hotel Awards for the Asia Pacific in 2013. In 2016, the resort received the Trinity’s Goan Hospitality Award of Excellence in the “best 5-star wedding destination (South)” and “best 5-star horticulturalist & landscaping (South)” categories and the Award of Notable Achievement in the “best 5-star with exotic cuisine restaurants (South)” and “best 5-star F&B manager (South)” categories. Corta’s, a beach shack serving Goan cuisine, received the “2015 best shack food” award from The Times Food Awards for the year 2015 in 2014.

COVER STORY JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

GASTRONOMY The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa operates five restaurants, namely, Canacona, Corta’s, Gazebo, OKO, and Veri Feni, which offer various cuisines. Reflecting traditional Portuguese inspiration, Canacona- a 24-hour multi-cuisine restaurant- showcases

a range of cuisine, from authentic à la carte Goan dishes to Indian, Oriental and Continental specialties. Furnished with wooden floors and a relaxed ambiance, a must try at Corta’s beach shack is the fresh catch of the day. In the afternoon, be sure to join for unique “sun-downer

cocktails” while watching the sun disappear over the horizon. Located adjacent to the swimming pool, the Polynesianthemed sunken bar, Gazebo, is open seasonally and offers sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, salads, a range of mocktails and cocktails.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 COVER STORY

GOLF COURSE

Nestled amidst the lush surroundings of The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort, the Goa Golf Greens is an international standard, double-tee 9-hole links Golf course in Goa. Spread over a sprawling 6,303 yards, the Golf course is laid along the pristine sands of Raj Baga beach. Designed by Col K D Bagga, a disciple of master Golf designer Alister Mackenzie, The Goa Golf Greens offers 27 Gents and 9 Ladies Tees, playing to Par 36, from each set. Interestingly this is the only championship Golf course in Goa. With a well-trained staff, caddies and a fleet of deluxe Golf carts, The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa is a perfect place for a Golf break.

COVER STORY JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

1st hole

2nd hole

3rd hole

4th hole

5th hole

6th hole

7th hole

8th hole

9th hole

Not so dangerous 5 bunkers guard this hole, four of this necklace the green. So if you think you can’t land on the green be short of the bunkers that are 206 yards from the yellow tee. The O.B. is to the left of the hole. Stroke index is 7

This is a tricky dogleg and Par-4 hole on the course. The tiger line would be over the left corner of the temple. And for conservative play, aim left of the left bunker near the green. There is a water hazard on the left hidden behind trees straight of the hole

Nasty winds will call for judgment in selecting your club. It is a large three tier green with subtle slopes to the front and sides. The hotel area is O.B.

. The green is guarded by a big water hazard. To carry to the green one needs crisp contact. The O.B. is running along the left and behind the hole. Another way of playing this hole is to lay up in front of the water body. Strong wind from front may add to difficulty.

The GM’s bungalow is O.B. to the right and surrounding the green . The green is also surrounded by easy set of bunkers. The ladies have to carry 129 yards to the center of the green. White tee is 134 yards.

The landing area is narrow compared to the rest of the course. Coconut trees are helpful in aligning the flight and to maintain line of play. Also be careful of the O.B. running along the hole on the left.

Here the O.B. is to the right of the hole may go to the lobby of the hotel, so be careful of that. The green is on a slight slope. Three side of the green except front is having very little space to land. Short of the green there are 3 bunkers. There is a water hazard near the Blue and red tee.

This is the first hole were the breeze is going to effect the flight of the ball. . The green is a tricky, which slopes to the front and rear, and a beautiful view. The O.B. is to the left.

The tiger line on this hole is the hut in the maze behind the green, also one has to hit over the fence of the villas, for the tiger line. The fairway has 2 bunkers perfectly placed to trap a good number of balls.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 COVER STORY

TÊTE-À-TÊTE How many millennialare visiting/ members of the golf club? What are the various initiatives that the club has taken to accommodate the new generation of golfers? We have no membership. It is pay and play golf course. We have on average 150 to 200 golfers playing per month. We are open through out year, even in rains as drainage of our golf course is good considering nearer to sea and sand base. This is a link golf course. We have approached local schools to organise camps for them for inculcating the Golf game in young generation during holidays. We are also starting the Junior Golf Monthly Medal round for promoting Golf.

How has the club made use of technological advances in the past five years to enhance the visitor/golfer experience? What kind of tee time management system does the club employ? We have tied up with Golfing Nation for promotion of the club and also online Tee Off time booking system. They have equipped us with an app which can be downloaded from Playstore to check available Tee Off times.

Does the club make use of Social Media platforms to engage with present and potential members? If yes, how does the club position itself among the internet audience? We do regular promotion on social media as well as Local Radio station, Newspaper, Hoardings,. We have more than 20 to 30 thousand follower on Internet.

Regardingt he club’s annual revenue, can you please indicate the contributing share of following activities only in

percentages? n n n n n n

Membership fee- Nil as it is pay and play Tournament/Events revenue- 13 % Catering and F&B- 10 % Guest and Green Fee- 67% Driving Range- 5 % Pro Shop- 5 %

How many golf tourists teed off in the last 12 months? 2000 guest teed off in last 12 months. 40 % are regular golfer and 60 % visiting golfer

Does the club experience a drop in footfall on certain months of the year? How does the club manage the offseason? What initiatives are in place to tackle this issue that many clubs face around the world? We have less footfall in rains. We organise coaching camps and promotional camps during these times as well as two club monsoon tournament or any other fun and recreational tournament

What are the various activities/ events hosted by the club as part of the marketing initiatives to promote the club? We have Monthly medal round, Major Tournament like Carnival Golf Tournament, Cooperate Golf Tournament, Navy Golf tournament, Goa shipyard Golf Tournament.

Anything else that you want our readers to know about the club? We are practicing organic maintenance of our Golf course form controlling the diseases and pest to fertilizing of golf course. We also use salt water for control of weed in golf course considering the proximity to sea and the Sea Shore Paspalum Grass in Golf Course.

COVER STORY JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 GOLFSCAPES

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbean’s most geographically diverse countries, with stunning mountain scenery, desert scrublands, evocative colonial architecture and beaches galore. Hundreds of kms of coastline define the Dominican Republic – some of it white-sand beaches shaded by rows of palm trees, other parts lined dramatically with rocky cliffs, wind-swept dunes or serene mangrove lagoons. Whether it’s fishing villages with boats moored along the shores or indulgent tourist playgrounds with aquamarine waters, the sea is the common denominator.

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JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

Package Dominican Republic 2019 Duration: 7N/8D | 5 golf rounds Price starts from US$ 3165 per person

Itinerary

With 26 golf courses to choose from, the Dominican Republic is rapidly becoming the premier golf destination of the Caribbean and, with five Pete Dye courses (three resort courses and two private courses) at Casa de Campo, including the magnificent Teeth of the Dog, the Dominican Republic really does live up to the hype. Renowned for having the most magnificent golf courses in the Caribbean region, and Latin America, the Dominican Republic is the undisputed leader of golf in the tropics. At least seven of the DR’s courses have consistently topped Golf Week Magazine’s Top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Mexico, including Punta Espada in the

top 10, Los Corales—where the 2018 PGA Tour will be held in the Dominican Republic—and Teeth of the Dog, at Casa de Campo, in the number one spot since 2009. From La Romana to Punta Cana, Juan Dolio, and Puerto Plata, the DR’s courses, counting 86 sea-facing holes and 39 ocean-side, offer you tee time by the sea, or along lush inland courses designed by the most acclaimed golf course architects, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Price, and Greg Norman. Whether champion or hobby player, you’ll enjoy trying your hand at these spectacular courses.

Day 1 – Arrive at La Romana International Airport and travel straight to Casa de Campo (5 mins drive) Day 2 – Play golf at Teeth of the Dog, Casa de Campo (On-Site) Day 3 – Play golf at Dye Fore, Casa de Campo (On-Site) Day 4 – REST DAY and travel to Westin Punta Cana Resort and Club (50 mins from Casa de Campo) Day 5 – Play golf at Corales Golf Course (10 mins drive) Day 6 – Play golf at La Cana Golf Club (30 mins drive) Day 7 – Play golf at Punta Espada Golf Club (20 mins drive from Westin Punta Cana Resort and Club) Day 8 – Return

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ACCOMMODATION

Casa de Campo Widely considered one of the world’s leading golf resorts, Casa de Campo is renowned for its elegance, quality, and diversity of activities. With a fantastic 5-star hotel, an excellent choice of private villas, 63 holes of golf, tennis courts, polo fields, a private beach, and a marina, it’s easy to see why Casa de Campo has won so many accolades.

Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club The Westin Puntacana Resort Club is part of the 15,000-acre Puntacana Resort & Club, which boasts 3 miles of white-sand beaches. Nearby are two championship golf courses, a range of water activities, a shopping village, and world-class restaurants. All 200 guest rooms, including 16 suites, feature contemporary décor and private balconies with soothing views of lush gardens or the Caribbean Sea.

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JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

GASTRONOMY

There are so many restaurants to choose from within the Casa de Campo Resort. From expertly prepared Mediterranean dishes, to Dominican cuisine with an international flair—and everything in between—the culinary offerings at Casa de Campo are fresh, sophisticated, and downright delicious.

MINITAS BEACH CLUB & RESTAURANT

Minitas Beach Club & Restaurant is Casa de Campo Resort & Villa’s flagship restaurant. Designed by locally recognized architects the beach club is immersed in a tropical beachfront landscape, offers sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea, and unquestionably one of the best sunsets on the island. Discover the expansive pool deck with its infinity pool, enjoy specialty house cocktails at the ocean-view bar or delight yourself with a memorable meal at the restaurant.

LA CAÑA At the heart of the Casa de Campo Hotel, La Caña Bar & Restaurant takes its name from the sugar cane crops that surround the town of La Romana and have been the driving force of the local economy since the 1900s. The restaurant highlights and elevates local ingredients within the context of French-inspired fare. Guests congregate at the bar and lounge area on a nightly basis to enjoy the sounds of local live music as well as hand-rolled cigars and an extensive selection of Dominican rums.

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Brassa Grill & Bar This open-air restaurant specializes in grilled meats and seafood but also offers several delicious kinds of pasta. The executive chef hails from Peru, which explains why the menu includes a traditional ceviche with sweet potato garnish, as well as a few other Peruvian dishes. Look forward to everything from grilled rib-eye and salmon to penne with chicken and prosciutto, and be sure to save room for desserts like lemon pie and flan.

La Yola Restaurant A Mediterranean and seafood restaurant awarded with the AAA Three Diamond Award is modeled after a fisherman’s boat and perched right on the sea with magnificent views of the sparkling turquoise waters For detailed information about the package and booking, please visit: golfbreaks.com

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JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

LAGO RESTAURANT

Simple, yet elegant décor makes this one of the most relaxing and casual restaurants to be found at Casa de Campo. Dine al fresco for the full effect—a view of the stunning Dominican landscape, and the taste of local cuisine. With three of the best restaurants in Punta Cana, you can find the perfect Punta Cana restaurant at The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club. The experienced culinary staff brings the color and robust flavors of Dominican Republic cuisine alive

Anani Restaurant For an authentic taste of what this incredible Caribbean island has to offer, book a table at the beautiful Anani Restaurant at the Westin Puntacana. The baby rock lobster is a stroke of grilling perfection, while the ceviche has earned rave reviews throughout Punta Cana and the salads are elevated to something of an art form. Anani is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests of the Puntacana Resort & Club.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 GOLFSCAPES

GOLF COURSES Teeth of the Dog It was back in 1971 that Pete Dye’s aptly named Teeth of the Dog set the bar for a new generation of golf courses in the Caribbean islands. To date, few courses have matched the Oceanside splendor and fabulous design features of this magnificent layout. The seven holes played directly alongside the ocean (and some over it), have tested and thrilled all who play here. The short, challenging and exquisite par-3 5th, is one of the Teeth’s most photographed holes, with its seemingly postage-stamp green surrounded on three sides by the azure waters of the Caribbean. This gem of a par-3 starts a run of four Oceanside holes, all of them immensely scenic, any one of them capable of giving your score a serious bite

Dye Fore For over thirty years, the toast of Casa de Campo was Pete Dye’s legendary Teeth of the Dog golf course. Then, in 2002, the great man unveiled another in his world-class collection of inspired designs. Challenging “The Teeth” for top honors at Casa de Campo, but very different from its stablemate, the Dye Fore course is another immensely scenic, challenging and daring layout. Blessed with incredible terrain, the front-nine enjoys many fabulous views onto the Caribbean Sea, the wonderfully crafted holes sweeping down and back from the River Chavon. The views of Casa de Campo’s marina and the river flowing out to the ocean are, like the holes themselves, stunning. Not to be outdone, the fabulous back-nine is played on one side of, and high above the river, which spectacularly carves its way through a valley of rocky cliffs, tumbling forests and the majestic river below.

Corales Golf Course Completed and opened in 2010, the Tom Fazio designed Corales Golf Club course is operated as a private members’ facility. Non-member access is limited to guests staying at the Puntacana Resort (Tortuga Bay and Westin hotels). Set between rocky cliffs, coral reefs, and the expansive Caribbean Sea, the course offers fabulous Oceanside golf, with six immensely scenic and challenging oceanfront holes. Multiple lines of approach and picturesque canyons are also integral to the design, making a round at Corales a wonderfully rewarding experience. The exciting challenge of the Corales course culminates with the Devil’s Elbow, the layout’s last three holes. The Devil’s Elbow features the striking eighteenth hole with a dramatic forced carry over the clifflined Bay of Corales, an inspired capstone to a memorable and breathtaking golf experience.

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JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

La Cana Golf Club Dye’s youngest son “P.B.” blazed the oceanside golfing trail in the east of the island, designing the La Cana course. Recently P.B. extended the original 18 by adding the “inland” Hacienda-nine. The immensely scenic La Cana course, crescendoes at the fabulous par-4 8th and par-5 9th on its Arrecife-nine. A Pebble Beach-style ending to your round. The turqouise waters of the Caribbean Sea will swallow-up anything hit too far left on this fabulous closing duo. On the “safer” right side of these two spectacular oceanside holes, a rich array of bunkering lies in wait. A mere 72 yards deep, the Arrecife’s final green is three-putt territory, or worse. On the Tortuga-nine the ocean highlights come at the beautiful beachside par-3 5th, and the risk-reward dog-legging par-4 7th. La Cana’s good-width fairways should inspire big-hitters, with expansive sandy waste areas collecting anything hit too far offline. A profusion of Himalayan mounding and stylish bunkering lurks greenside, while small lakes and ponds threaten your approach shots at the par-3 3rd and par-4 6th (Tortuga), par-4 2nd (Arrecife) and 1st, 4th and 5th holes on the newer Hacienda-nine. Among many other features, the 3rd hole (Arrecife) throws up a rocklined island-green par-3, and look out for the natural grotto next to the green at the par-4 opener (Tortuga).

Punta Espada Golf Club This bold, dramatic and testing Jack Nicklaus design makes full use of Cap Cana’s rocky Atlantic shoreline, as well as incorporating two blue lagoons and a line of spectacular coral-laden bluffs - the ocean’s former boundary. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th holes provide plenty of front-nine Oceanside drama. But they are themselves eclipsed by the long par-3 13th and the short par-4 17th; both these spectacular holes requiring tee-shot carries over the ocean. At 13, the green is perched above the sea on a wonderfully scenic rocky promontory. At 17, the approach shot is again threatened by the ocean, which skirts the right side of the green. The par-5 12th and par-4 18th also have you playing right alongside the ocean’s rocky foreshore. If the Oceanside holes steal top honors, the undulating and dramatically crafted “inland” holes, all with their ocean views, are not too far behind. The par-5 2nd is one of the best long holes in the Caribbean; played from an elevated tee, a turquoise lagoon protects the second and subsequent shots to the green. On the first outing at Punta Espada, your score could be decidedly unflattering, especially if the wind is blowing. Acquired knowledge will serve you well on subsequent occasions, while the majesty of this course and its oceanside surroundings will remain as visually jaw-dropping and vivid as on your first visit.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 SPOTLIGHT

The Inaugural World Sand Golf Design Competition

SPOTLIGHT JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

n 2009 the first Golf Study Tour (The McKenzie Tour) was undertaken by the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the European Institute of Golf Course Architects and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects. It was held in Australia, with 86 Golf Architects from around the world visiting Sydney and Melbourne. The Architects decided to continue the Study

Tour each three years and in 2012 it was in USA then 2015 in the UK. This year in November the Study Tour was again held in Adelaide over five days and incorporating visits to Kooyonga GC, Adelaide Oval, Grange GC, Seppeltsfield Winery (conference venue), Glenelg GC and Royal Adelaide GC where the final dinner was also held. The tour was named

“Cargie Rymill’s Four Reds Tour” in honour of Herbert Rymill (nicknamed Cargie / the local Golf Architect who influenced much of the original design in Adelaide), the four Golf Courses all which are built on red sand areas with red sand bunkers and finally the Study Tour sponsor Toro (famous for its red machinery). On the Tuesday of the Four Reds Tour

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 SPOTLIGHT

a new innovation was introduced into the program, the World Sand Golf Design Competition which was held on the beach at Glenelg in front of the hotel. This new team event was sponsored by HydroPlan (irrigation engineering consultants http:// hydroplan.com.au). Each team (ASGCA, EIGCA & SAGCA) had six Golf Architects and were provided with some basic tools along with a rectangle area of sand 4m x 2m. Teams were only allowed to use materials sourced from the beach or sea, buckets provided brought water from the sea to the sites. The competition rules stated that it must be a golf theme, teams can develop the concept for their project prior to the event but cannot “overlay” any such designs onto the

sand. Other Architects could provide advice and encouragement but could not actively take part in any construction or material gathering. A Toro Sand Pro prepared the sand and also cleaned up after. All three teams developed a single hole concept, both the SAGCA team and EIGCA with a Par 3 and the ASGCA team opting for a short Par 4. The SAGCA had a pre-prepared plan but other teams had only discussed their concepts. As originator of the concept and referee it was interesting to watch the different styles of the competing teams and how they went about concept development and construction. SAGCA went with historical theme by recreating a famous Par 3 hole from the Royal Melbourne Golf Course,

influenced by Dr Alister Mackenzie. ASGCA developed a short Par 4 with strategic options, rock wall and bunkers with timber facing. Team EIGCA developed a links Par 3 hole. The two-hour challenge was hotly contested and finished with each team Captain explaining their design features to the enthusiastic spectators and three judges; John Gransbury (HydroPlan), Richard Walne (Toro) and Tony Webeck (Australian Golf Digest). After due deliberation the judges awarded the American Society of Golf Course Architect team of Andy Staples, Mark Hollinger, Rick Phelps, Mike Benkusky, Brian Huntley and Cary Bickler winners of this inaugural event. Commemorative trophies and plaques were awarded, and then HydroPlan’s 11 local staff and helpers treated everyone to local food and wine overlooking the sea until sunset. What came out of the competition…. well Golf Architects working together as a team in front of their peers generated some very special golf holes incorporating a lot of what was being discussed during the Study Tour, sustainability, environment, strategy and above all…. fun. Discussions were held as to how this event could move away from the beach at future gatherings. Simple just pick a golf course with either one big bunker or three smaller bunkers near each other and allocate an area within of 4m x 2m, away we go again. Rules to be modified to allow water from Irrigation system and natural materials found on the golf course. Phil Ryan: International Organizer

BOOK REVIEW JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

Read A MUST

Golf is not a game of perfect Published: May 9th 1995 By: Simon Schuster Pages: 224

Filled with insightful stories about golf, Dr. Bob Rotella’s delightful book will improve the game of even the most casual weekend player. Dr. Bob Rotella is one of the hottest performance consultants in America today. Among his many professional clients are Nick Price (last year’s Player of the Year), Tom Kite, Davis Love III, Pat Bradley, Brad Faxon, John Daly, and many others. Rotella, or “Doc,” as most players refer to him, goes beyond just the usual mental aspects of the game and the reliance on specific techniques. What Rotella does here in this extraordinary book, and with his clients, is to create an attitude and a mindset about all aspects of a golfer’s game, from mental preparation to competition. The most wonderful aspect of it all is that it is done in a conversational fashion, in a dynamic blend of anecdote and lesson. And, as some of the world’s greatest golfers will attest, the results are spectacular. Golfers will improve their golf game and have more fun playing. Some of Rotella’s maxims include: n On the first tee, a golfer must expect only two things of himself: to have fun, and to focus his mind properly on every shot. n Golfers must learn to love ‘the challenge when they hit a ball into the rough, trees, or sand. The alternatives— anger, fear, whining, and cheating—do no good. n Confidence is crucial to good golf. Confidence is simply the aggregate of the thoughts you have about yourself. n It is more important to be decisive than to be correct when preparing to play any golf shot or putt.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 CORPORATE GOLF

GEC OPEN 2018 QUALIFIER ENDS

Final qualifying rounds held at Thailand, Nepal, Delhi, Oman, and Goa After tournaments in Egypt, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Dubai and Pakistan, the global golf tour wrapped up remaining qualifying golf rounds as the GEC Open 2018 comes to an end.

CORPORATE GOLF JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

THAILAND In the second week of November, Nikanti Golf Club near Bangkok, Thailand hosted the second consecutive GEC Open qualifying round. The tournament was played in the Stableford format in two h’cap divisions amongst the crème-de-la- crème of Thai amateur golf fraternity. Over 60 avid golfers gathered in a familiar setting on a major occasion to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The schedule through the day was competitive yet fun-filled round of round of golf complemented with networking lunches and gala dinner. One winner each from the two categories was selected to represent Thailand in the World Final - Benja Rattanaphan and Phum Ketkham. The Duo bags an all-expense paid trip to Dubai for the World Finals where

they will battle it out with champions from other countries for global bragging rights. “Thailand is one of the major destinations in the world for Golf tourism as well as sees a high number of corporate golfers plying their trade across numerous golf courses in the country. It is an important stop on the GEC Open global golf tour, and this is the second time we are hosting the qualifying round at Nikanti Golf Club. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants, and I would like to congratulate the host club and its management for their support and organizing such a fantastic event. I am glad to welcome the Thai amateurs to the world finals. “, Ronak Samantaray, CEO, GEC Open.

NEPAL The city of Kathmandu played host to the GEC Open Nepal leg of the Indian swing of the global tournament. This was the 2nd consecutive edition of the event played at Gokarna Golf. A golfing extravaganza where Ladies and Men compete in their categories competing for a variety of prizes. The most important of them all, an all-expense paid trip to Dubai to compete under national colors in the world final – Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup was played in two categories – Nett and Gross. Hridesh Kumar Singh was the

winner in the Nett category who also had the best gross score of the day. Next best gross was tied at 75, and on the countback system Tashi Tsering, who played with handicap +1, won. The prizes were awarded by the president of the club, Suhrid Ghimire. The event was organized amongst the crème-de-la- crème of amateur golf fraternity in Kathmandu and nearby cities. Over 50 industry big-wigs came together for a competitive yet fun-filled round of golf complemented with a networking luncheon.

OMAN The elusive and private golf course of the Al Mouj in Muscat, Oman played host to over 60 corporate and amateur golfers on November 30, 2018. Played in a Stableford format, the event provided equal opportunities to golfers from all skill levels to compete for the world-final berths. With the grand prize on the line, GEC Open Oman saw fierce competition among some of the best golfers

from the region. The competitive aspect of the tournament was complemented with ample networking opportunities for personal and professional camaraderie. Karl Armstrong emerged victorious at the top of the leader board with 38 points while Emma Merritt finished runner up with 33 points. Both have now qualified for the World Final in Dubai.

“We are glad to have finished our national qualifying rounds and are now anxiously waiting for the winners to arrive for the World Final in Dubai. 2018 was certainly a season of pride for us as we took the event to so many countries and engaged thousands of golfers, inducting them in the GEC Open ecosytem. We look forward to continuing this journey in the future with expanding the tournament to more courses and players from around the world, truly allowing us to position ourselves as the fastest growing corporate golf tournament in the world. We can’t wait to host the winners at the world final and wrap up the 2018 season with a bang.” TUSHAR SAHOO, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, GEC OPEN.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 CORPORATE GOLF

DELHI

CORPORATE GOLF JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

After hugely successful golf days in Assam, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, the seven-city Indian tour of the GEC Open 2018 amateur series moved North with the Delhi edition played at ITC Classic Golf Resort located at the outskirts of Gurgaon. With participation from over 120 amateur golfers from the corporate golfing community from the NCR region, the tournament was played in Double Peoria format in various categories amongst other contests and individual hole competitions. Two winners qualified from the Bengaluru leg – Nikhil Narain and Ankit Mohindra both tied at the top with leaderboard with 42 points. The Delhi edition of GEC Open was hosted in association with Callaway India alongside a parallel competition Callaway Chrome Soft Challenge.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 CORPORATE GOLF

GOA

CORPORATE GOLF JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

About GEC Open: GEC Open made its debut in 2014 with just one golf round in Dubai. In 2015 and 2016, the event grew in popularity and was played in six and eight countries respectively connecting over 1100 corporates in the GEC ecosystem. Since then, GEC Open has matured into a global platform for networking, forging everlasting friendships and business relations. The 2017 edition held 29 golf rounds in 18 countries reaching over 2400 corporate leaders under the aegis of 800+ global organizations! Website: www.gecopen.com

The final leg of the seven-city Indian edition of GEC Open 2018 was held at the picturesque The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort in South Goa. Over 40 avid golfers representing a wide array of industries that contribute to the Goan economy came together for a day of competitive golf and networking opportunities. The tournament was played in Stableford format to select the best Nett score player. Gokul Saibaba, a 16 handicapper from NEPTA Goa golf course, set the course ablaze as he carded 43 Stableford points to emerge clear winner ahead of second-placed PS Verma at 34 points. With this win, Gokul has claimed an entry into the world final – Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup to be played in February 2019. The world finalists enjoy a once-in-alifetime opportunity to compete under national colors and ply their craft at two world-class venues in Dubai. Besides this, the winner’s package includes return airfare, luxury accommodation, venue transfers, Gala dinners, etc. Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup provides amateur and club golfers with a unique opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement akin to a professional player. GEC Open 2018 hosted 54 qualifying rounds in 34 countries making it one of the biggest corporate golf tournament all around the world. Engaging over 3700 corporate leaders and industry stakeholders, the GEC Open is a unique blend of sporting excellence and networking opportunities for partners and players alike. A 36-hole tournament, DCGWC will be played over two days in February next year where national winners from 34 countries will compete to be crowned global champions.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 TEE TIME

EUROPEAN TOUR

Pepperell’s ace voted 2018 Shot of the Year Eddie Pepperell’s unusual holein-one at the Sky Sports British Masters - his second European Tour title - has been voted the 2018 Shot of the Year by fans. The Englishman produced the highlight of the day on Thursday with his maiden European Tour ace on the par three ninth hole at Walton Health Golf Club. The 27-year-old hit the pin with his tee shot before the ball landed on the green and spun back into the cup to the delight of home crowds. “This is very cool,” Pepperell said. “The British Masters was a massive tournament for me, and that shot sparked off the week. “With the wind, the ninth was a tough hole all week, picking the right club and ball flight was tricky. I hit a really good seven iron, and it never left the

pin. It obviously got lucky, but it nearly went in on the fly. It’s one of the craziest aces I think I’ve seen. “It’s nice to finish the year by winning Shot of the Year. I owe a massive thanks to all the fans who voted.” Throughout three weeks, Pepperell’s hole-in-one received nearly a quarter of all fan votes, narrowly topping Italian Renato Paratore’s miracle escape on the 72nd hole of the Porsche European Open, and beating out competition from the likes of Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, and Russell Knox. Pepperell joins Joost Luiten, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Jamie Donaldson, Henrik Stenson, Louis Oosthuizen, and Graeme McDowell as the winners of the award since 2010.

STAYSURE TOUR

Streeter defeats Jiménez for second Tour title Paul Streeter became a two-time Staysure Tour winner after beating Miguel Ángel Jiménez in a play-off at the inaugural Costa Blanca Benidorm Senior Masters at Meliã Villaitana. Streeter, who won his first over-50s title at the Travis Perkins Masters in September, bogeyed the 54th hole for a round of 67 and a 14 under par total. The dropped shot saw him head into a play-off with two-time Senior Major Winner and home favorite Jiménez, following his bogey-free round of 65. Both players found the fairway on the par four 18th, and the Englishman hit a stunning second shot over the troublesome greenside bunker, landing it three foot from the pin. The Spaniard, who was roared on by the home crowd all week, could only find the heart of the green and left himself a tricky downhill

putt from 15 foot. With The Senior Open Presented by Rolex champion two-putting for par, Streeter grasped the chance to become the maiden Costa Blanca Benidorm Senior Masters champion as he rolled his birdie putt into the middle of the hole. Having gained his 2018 Staysure Tour card via the Final Stage of Qualifying School, Streeter did not worry about nerves on his way to clinching his second title of the season. “I didn’t feel the pressure during the play-off because I’m a rookie and Jiménez is a Senior Major winner,” he said. “I felt less pressure during the playoff than I did in normal time. To hit that second shot on 18 that close and below the hole, I couldn’t have put it in a better place, so it was great to finish like that.”

TEE TIME JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

AUSTRALIAN PGA

Smith goes backto-back on Gold Coast

EUROPEAN TOUR

Cameron Smith held off the challenge of fellow home favorite Marc Leishman to successfully defend his title at the Australian PGA Championship. The 25-year-old came into the final day at RACV Royal Pines Resort with a threeshot lead but found himself two behind after nine holes as Leishman turned in 32 to move ahead. However, Smith came home in 33 to sign for a 70 and finish at 16 under, two shots clear of the World Number 21. Smith’s second European Tour victory comes in just his 20th event and makes him the first player to successfully defend this title since Robert Allenby in 2001. England’s Ross McGowan broke the course record with a 63 to finish at 11 under alongside Australian Matthew Millar. McGowan birdied the third, fourth, fifth and eighth to turn in 32 and then made four birdies in a row from the tenth to get into double-figures. Another gain came on the 15th, and he parred his way home for a place in the history books. Jake McLeod signed for a closing 74 to finish in a tie for 19th and that was good enough to secure the Australian the Order of Merit on the PGA Tour of Australasia and a European Tour card for the rest of the 2019 season. The Australian catapulted himself into contention in the season-long race with a first professional win at the NSW Open three weeks ago, and he followed that up by finishing third at the Australian Open and securing a spot at The Open Championship in the process.

Kitayama claims maiden victory in Mauritius Kurt Kitayama secured his maiden European Tour title in just his third event after claiming a two-shot victory at the tri-sanctioned AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Anahita. The American, who earned his playing privileges at Qualifying School last month, carded an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys in his closing round of 68. But it was not all plain sailing for the 25-year-old as he saw his lead reduced to a single shot when he missed his par putt from six feet at the 16th. He held his nerve, though, holing from 20 feet for a birdie at the 17th to restore his two-stroke cushion, before safely parring the last to finish the tournament on 20 under par. India’s S Chikkarangappa and Matthieu Pavon of France finished in a tie for second on 18 under par after they both produced closing rounds of 67 at Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita. South African Justin Harding fired a closing birdie to get to 17 under par and finish in solo fourth, one shot ahead of his countryman and defending champion Dylan Frittelli - who notched seven birdies in his bogey-free round of 65 - and Masahiro Kawamura of Japan.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 TEE TIME

STAYSURE TOUR

Clark coasts to victory at Constance Belle Mare Plage Clark Dennis secured his fourth Staysure Tour title stunningly as he equaled the Tour’s lowest 54-hole score to win the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius. The American, victorious at the Senior Italian Open presented by Villaverde Resort earlier this year, carded an eight-under par final round of 64 to sign for a 23 under par total, matching the record-setting score achieved by defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant at last year’s event. Even more impressively, last year’s Staysure Tour Number One didn’t drop a shot across the three days at Constance Belle Mare Plage, carding 21 birdies and an eagle over 54 holes. He started the final round three strokes ahead of Sweden’s Magnus P Atlevi, and the pair traded blows on the front nine as they both made the turn four under par.

Atlevi reduced the deficit to just one stroke after six holes, but Dennis crucially birdied the seventh and eighth holes to restore his advantage. There were just two strokes in it as Atlevi birdied the 13th hole. However, the American switched gear on the closing stretch and birdied four of the last five holes

to sign for a 23 under par total, finishing eight strokes ahead of Atlevi. “To have my fourth victory on this Tour is amazing,” said Dennis. “I was not expecting much coming into this week. My game didn’t feel good, and the jetlag was getting to me, but everything fell together.

EUROPEAN TOUR

Francesco Molinari named 2018 Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Year

Francesco Molinari, the reigning Open and Race to Dubai Champion, has been named as the 2018 Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Year, winning the prestigious annual award for the first time. A panel comprising members of the golfing media chose Molinari

to be the recipient of the distinguished prize following a magnificent 12 months on the European Tour in which he secured a first Rolex Series title in the BMW PGA Championship, a maiden Major victory at The 147th Open Championship and played a starring role in Europe’s

Ryder Cup win in France. Molinari’s first triumph of a memorable 2018 came at Wentworth Club where he finished two shots clear of Rory McIlroy to win the BMW PGA Championship, having finished runner-up in the event 12 months previously. He came close to adding another Rolex Series victory the following week by carding rounds 66-66-66-65 to finish runner-up to his Ryder Cup teammate Thorbjørn Olesen in the Italian Open in his homeland. The 36 year old’s standout performance in 2018 would come in July, though, where, playing alongside 14-time Major Champion Tiger Woods, he held his nerve in tricky conditions at Carnoustie by carding a bogey-free final round of 69 to lift the Claret Jug and become the first Italian to win one of golf’s four Major

Championships. He followed that with another top ten finish in August at the US PGA Championship, before creating more history in The Ryder Cup the following month, forming a memorable partnership with Tommy Fleetwood en route to becoming the first European to win all five points from his five matches against the United States. Fittingly, it was also Molinari’s victory over Phil Mickelson in the Sunday Singles at Le Golf National which reclaimed The Ryder Cup for Europe. Molinari then rounded off a remarkable year by becoming the first Italian to win the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, holding off Masters Champion Patrick Reed and 2017 Race to Dubai Champion Fleetwood to finish the year as the European Tour’s Number One.

TEE TIME JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

RYDER CUP

Padraig Harrington Named 2020 European Ryder Cup Captain ASIAN TOUR

Truslow is first in class at Asian Tour Qualifying School

Padraig Harrington has been named as the European Captain for The 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from September 25 – 27, 2020. The three-time Major Champion has a storied Ryder Cup career, having represented Europe six times as a player – including being part of four triumphs – while latterly he has brought his extensive experience to the role of ViceCaptain in the past three editions of the biennial contest. The 47-year-old joins Paul McGinley (2014) and Darren Clarke (2016), as professionals from the island of Ireland to lead Europe and will be hoping to emulate the last European triumph on American soil – at Medinah in 2012 – as Europe defend the trophy won memorably at Le Golf National last September. As a player, Harrington made his Ryder Cup debut at The Country Club in Brookline in 1999 and was everpresent for the following five editions, helping Europe to victory in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010. He was named as Vice-Captain for the first time by fellow Dubliner McGinley for the victory at Gleneagles in 2014, a role he returned to in 2016 at Hazeltine National under Darren Clarke, and again last September in France under Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn. The former European Number One has collected 30 titles worldwide and famously secured his first Major in The 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie, defeating Sergio Garcia in a playoff. He successfully defended the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale the following year and became the first European to win back-to-back Majors when he added the 2008 US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills a few weeks later..

Austen Truslow of the United States topped the class when he signed off his marathon week with a closing six-under-par 65 to secure his Tour card at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Sunday. Truslow was also the leading player to progress from the first stage last week and impressed many with

his one-hand dexterity at chipping as he wrapped up his week with a five-day total of 24-under-par 331. Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul also completed an unforgettable week at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club as he carded the lowest score of the day with a 61 to finish in second place. India’s Aadil Bedi, who was the youngest player to tee up in the Final Stage, showed his mental toughness by posting a 63 to end the week tied for ninth. Despite learning about the loss of a close friend who was involved in a fatal traffic accident at the start of the week, the 17-year-old displayed maturity beyond his years by staying focused to earn his playing rights for the 2019 Asian Tour season. Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and China’s Jin Cheng will meanwhile give up their amateur status after emerging as the top-35 and ties players to earn their Tour cards after five rounds. The pair will be hoping to carry forward their distinguished amateur record as they start their early professional careers on the Asian Tour.

HERO CHALLENGE

Stenson claims final title of 2018 Henrik Stenson won the final Hero Challenge of the 2018 European Tour season ahead of this week’s DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, the Ryder Cup star overcoming the European Tour’s most recent champion Lee Westwood in an exciting finale. The 2016 Open Championship winner shone from the word go at Atlantis, The Palm, on Tuesday evening, scoring an incredible 190 points to top Group Two before seeing off his Ryder Cup team-mate Tommy Fleetwood in the semi-final. And he took that momentum and consistency into the final where he beat Westwood 105-85, finding the floating target with each of his five balls to secure the trophy. It could have been a different story for Westwood, who won his 24th European Tour title last week at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player, as hit the pin with his fourth shot and watched on as his ball bounced away

from the central 50 point zone and to the outer five-point zone. For Swede Stenson, it was a perfect end to an enjoyable occasion at the glamorous venue on Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah. “I guess that’s my first individual victory of 2018 and maybe I’ve reached that stage where I’ll take any victory,” joked Stenson. “It was good fun out there, and it’s always good fun with that friendly banter, especially the first ten shots when it’s rapid fire. “I was watching the guys, and a few of them struggled to get all ten shots out there, and I sent off three in rapid fire and didn’t even know where they were landing until I heard ’50 points, 50 points’, so I guess I was dialed in!

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 BUSINESS NEWS

REVAMP

New Short Game Facility At St Andrews A major revamp of the short game facility at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy is nearing completion. The project, which aims to further enhance the facilities at the Home of Golf, has seen the golf and greenkeeping team at the Links work closely with award-winning golf course architecture firm Mackenzie and Ebert. The work began at the end of October, and with the project nearing completion, excitement is now building for March 2019, when the area will open for golfers to enjoy. Director of Golf John Grant said: “We are very passionate about our work and being able to offer golfers great practice

facilities where they can work on improving their game. In recent years we felt the short game area didn’t provide enough variety

or replicate the conditions and types of shots golfers experience across the seven courses at the Links.

APPOINTMENT

Honma Appoints European Marketing Manager Honma Golf has appointed experienced sports marketeer Tony Scott to head up its marketing operations across Europe. The premier Japanese equipment manufacturer, which earlier this month announced the signing of world No.1 Justin Rose to spearhead its presence on Tour, has added the former Mizuno EMEA marketing manager to its European team based in Zug, Switzerland. “This is a key appointment for Honma in Europe, and we are delighted to welcome Tony to our team as we look to build the brand reputation and maximize our enhanced profile on Tour,” said Alejandro Sanchez, general manager of Honma Golf Europe. Scott, who took up his new appointment this week, has more than 15 years of experience in sports and golf marketing. He left university with a degree in French, and after working at Lloyd’s of London for six years, he joined Sports Marketing Surveys

in 2003. He then spent 18 months working on the European Tour before he became Head of Golf Research in late 2004. Five years later, his role became more focused on business development, including other sports such as tennis, skiing, cycling, and rugby. In August 2012 he joined Mizuno as UK marketing manager and was promoted to cover the EMEA region following a company restructure in 2015. “I’m thrilled to be joining Honma Golf at such an exciting time for the brand,” said Scott. “The launch of the new TWorld747 club range comes as the company celebrates 60 years in the golf industry, and I’m sure there is great potential for its premium products among Europe’s leading golf markets. I’m looking forward to working with Justin and other world-class players set to join Team Honma and turn the brand into a major player regarding golf industry sales in the coming years.”

BUSINESS NEWS JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

TOURISM

Scottish Golf Tourism Strategy Targets £325m Value LAUNCH

EGU launches performance analysis data with PING The English Golf Union is starting an Order of Merit and Performance Measurement Analysis System with the support of PING Europe. The PING/ EGU Order of Merit and Performance Measurement Systems will provide an Order of Merit for English golfers and also measure individual player’s performances through statistical analysis. The Order of Merit will be based on a series of selected tournaments, awarding ranking points to the players who finish in the top 20 in stroke play and last 16 in match play. The Performance Measurement Systems will

analyze the individual performances of English golfers in a pre-determined series of tournaments. Individual performances will be monitored in various categories including stroke average, driving accuracy, greens hit in regulation, putts per round, par 3, 4 and 5 scoring. The launch of the systems follows trials carried out during 2002 with the England Elite Squad as part of the World Class Performance Programme supported by the Sport England Lottery Fund. The initial trials provided some fascinating facts and information on players in the Elite squad.

EQUIPMENT LAUNCH

Odyssey Aims For Consistency With New StrokeLab Putters

Odyssey’s new StrokeLab putters incorporate a new method of weight distribution which is designed to improve the consistency of a player’s stroke. The theory behind the design is that most putting strokes vary in pace from shot to shot, yet most putting technologies focus on improving alignment or improving the quality of roll, rather than consistency. StrokeLab putters help improve the stroke through a change in

weight distribution made possible by a new multi-material shaft which is 40g lighter than a standard Odyssey steel shaft putter. Featuring a graphite body with a steel tip, the shaft weighs just 75g, with most of the mass concentrated in the tip. The weight saved has been moved to the head in the form of two 5g sole weights, and by adding 30g to the grip-end via a 10g-lighter grip and a 40g end-weight. Tests on the effect of this change in weight placement have seen improvements in the consistency of backswing time, face-angle impact, ball speed, and ball direction when compared to a standard Odyssey #7 putter. Feel for the head becomes more acute, helping the golfer repeat the same stroke.

A review of Scotland’s National Golf Tourism Strategy has extended the industry’s target for the value of the sector to £325 million following a substantial period of growth. On Course for Growth, is a mid-term review of Scotland’s original National Golf Tourism Strategy, Driving Forward Together, which initially targeted increasing the value of golf tourism from £220 million in 2013 to £300 million by 2020. But a study published last year showed that by 2016 the value of the golf tourism industry in Scotland had already soared to £286 million annually, indicating that the sector was on course to smash its original target ahead of 2020. The updated strategy has now set an ambitious goal of £325 million by 2020 in addition to rationalizing many objectives aimed at encouraging a continued collaborative approach to the promotion of golf tourism and galvanizing partners across the industry. The On Course for Growth strategy is supported by a number of key organisations involved in the development & promotion of golf tourism in Scotland including Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland, Scottish Golf, the PGA of Scotland, the Scottish Inbound Golf Tour Operators Association and regional marketing groups including Ayrshire Golf Scotland, Scotland’s Golf Coast, Fife Golf Partnership, Golf Perthshire, Carnoustie Country, Golf Aberdeen City & Shire and Golf Highland. Allan Minto, Project Manager with Golf Perthshire, was part of the team reviewing the strategy and said: “The results of the 2016 study into the value of golf tourism indicated that Scotland was well on its way to achieving its target of £300 million by 2020, having already reached £286 million annually.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 BUSINESS NEWS

TECHNOLOGY

St Andrews Links joins Foresight Sports Course Portfolio

Foresight Sports is adding four of the most popular St Andrews Links courses to its line-up of global ‘bucket list’ golf courses available to play from any indoor facility on its ultra-high definition FSX 2018 simulation software. From the end of next month, The Old, Castle, New, and Jubilee courses will be accessible in the FSX 2018 portfolio and described as the ‘St Andrews Links Collection.’

The courses at ‘The Home of Golf’ will join other star attractions such as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Quail Hollow, and Wentworth, plus Open Championship venues including Carnoustie, Royal Troon and Royal Birkdale. Ahead of this year’s Open, Carnoustie Links installed seven Foresight Sports’ simulators in its new clubhouse, each equipped with a true-to-life representation of the Championship course.

Foresight Sports’ simulators enable players to take on many of the world’s best and most exclusive courses, even in prevailing weather conditions, using the world’s most realistic and intuitive virtual golf software. Players can play the course, work on their game year-round, or compete in skill-building competitions. Every shot can also be automatically uploaded and stored in a free online cloud account.

ADDITION

La Finca Strengthens Management Team La Finca Golf & Spa Resort in Spain has strengthened its management team following the appointment of Brendan Dwyer as general manager, Luke Murphy as executive assistant manager for sales & marketing, and Ana Lopez as director of marketing and communications. This new executive team is now in charge of developing La Finca Golf’s expansion plan to position the resort as one of the best five-star golf and spa resorts in Spain. Dwyer has worked for global hotel brands such as Hyatt Regency and Intercontinental in an 18-year career in sales and market-

ing. He started his career at La Manga Club, managed by Hyatt Regency, where he developed most of his professional career: first in Spain, then in Cairo and then in London, where he became Hyatt Regional Vice President Global Sales for Europe. “This is a new challenge and, of course, a new opportunity to position La Finca where it belongs,” said Dwyer. “I am confident that with the new sales team we are building, we will soon achieve our main goal: to become one of the best five-star golf and spa resort in Costa Blanca and Spain.”

BUSINESS NEWS JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

RESHUFFLE

Sandy Jones Steps Down As Chairman Of The PGAs Of Europe Sandy Jones has stepped down as chairman of the Association of National PGAs, and will be succeeded by PGA of Holland Chief Executive Frank Kirsten. After 25 years at the helm of the PGAs of Europe, Jones passes on the chairmanship at an exciting time for the Association, where he had agreed on a new vision with the Board of Directors that includes greater collaboration and the exploration of digital opportunities with the membership. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as chairman of the PGAs of Europe across the past few decades. To have been there from the beginning, and then from 1994 to have been chairman, and play my part in the success and growth of the Association has been an incredible privilege. Being present as the PGAs of Europe has become an established and influential body within world golf has been an honor, and is a testament to all of the efforts of everyone involved with PGAs across the Association’s membership. I look forward to watching the PGAs of Europe and its Member Country PGAs grow and grow, and wish all of my PGA organization colleagues the very best for the future.”

EQUIPMENT

Benross Secures £2m Financing Deal To Fund European Expansion Equipment brand Benross has secured funds to increase its growth following a £2 million refinancing deal secured through investment firm Independent Growth Finance (IGF). Benross, which was set up by chief executive Jon Everitt in 1997, has secured the boost to working capital funds to cement the company’s position as the largest independently owned golf equipment manufacturer in Europe. The Weybridge-based company saw revenue growth hit 45% in 2017, and that momentum continued into 2018. Significant investment has already been made in new product development, sales and marketing, workshop and head office staff, but more funding was needed to continue to grow at speed and work to expand its market share in Europe. “As an equipment manufacturer, working capital is paramount,” said Everitt. “Ernst & Young helped us look for a working capital funding partner. IGF stood out. We chose IGF as they offered the best combination of stock levels and invoice discount financing – £2m in total, with consideration of fee rates. Previously we only had invoice discounting with Barclays but at less favorable rates.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 GEAR UP

NEW RULES OF GOLF

The U.S. Golf Association and the R&A have made changes to the Rules of Golf that will take effect Jan. 1, and there’s plenty to consider. These changes are part of the ruling bodies’ efforts to modernize the game, eliminate several unusual rules that could lead to head-scratching penalties and even possibly speed up play.In all, the rule book was consolidated from 34 to 24 rules, but each of these has sub-rules. There’s a lot to consider. Some of these changes might require a change in thinking on the part of players, and competitive players in particular should grab a copy of the new rules

Players will be permitted to leave the flagstick in the hole while playing a shot from the green, and there is no penalty if the ball strikes the flagstick. In the past, players had to pull the flagstick from the hole or have somebody else (a caddie or FLAGSTICK another golfer) tend and pull the flagstick before the ball struck it.

BUNKERS In the past, it was against the rules to test or touch the sand in a bunker or to remove natural loose impediments that might get in the way of swing. The old, stern restrictions change somewhat in 2019. Players will be able to remove loose impediments such as stones, leaves or twigs without penalty. Players should simply pick them up and move them, and there is no penalty if the player touches the sand while moving a loose impediment so long as the player didn’t intentionally test the sand to see how a shot might best be played. However, a player is not allowed to move a loose impediment if that action results in the ball moving.

Players will be allowed to repair ball marks; shoe damage, including spike marks; scrapes and indentations caused by equipment or a flagstick; old hole plugs; turf plugs; seams of cut turf; scrapes REPAIRING or indentations from THE GREEN maintenance tools or vehicles; animal tracks; or embedded objects such as stones, acorns or tees. Basically, any unintended damage made by another player or outside influence is fair game. Players also can remove loose sand or soil on the green’s surface or on the teeing area, but not anywhere else on the course.

There will be no penalty if a player accidentally causes a ball or ball marker to move on a green, even if the player touches the ball with the club while addressing it before a stroke or kicks it BALL while bending over to mark it. MOVES ON A player must simply move the A GREEN ball back to its original spot. If the original spot is unknown, the player should make a reasonable estimate and place it there. The same applies to a ball marker that is inadvertently moved.

GEAR UP JANUARY 20198 BIZGOLF

Players will have more options for taking relief with penalty. For example, we’ll use a scenario in which a player’s ball has buried under the lip of a bunker. The player can still declare the ball unplayable and drop the ball in the bunker, either within two club-lengths of the original spot or on a line with the flagstick, no nearer the hole. Or the player could take stroke-and-distance relief, playing outside the bunker from the spot where they BUNKER had played their previous shot. Those RELIEF scenarios result in a one-stroke penalty, same as with the old rules. But under the new rules, a player also can accept a twostroke penalty and drop the ball outside the bunker on a line with the flagstick, no nearer the hole.

The new rules do away with various traditional terminology and include many hazardous spots in what are now called penalty areas. The USGA defines penalty area as “bodies of water or other areas defined by the committee where a ball is often lost or unable to be played. PENALTY For one penalty stroke, you may use specific AREAS relief options to play a ball from outside the penalty area.”

LOCAL RULE FOR OUT OF BOUNDS, LOST BALL If a player hits a ball out of bounds or loses a ball, the general rules still require the player to return to the spot of the previous stroke and take a one-stroke penalty – a standard stroke-and-distance scenario. For example, if a player sends a tee ball past the white stakes and out of bounds, he must play another ball from the tee, which becomes the third shot after the penalty. It’s the same scenario for a lost ball. But the ruling bodies have added the option of a local rule that provides time-saving relief in such a scenario. Instead of the player returning to the spot of the previous shot in the event of a lost ball or a ball out of bounds, the player can take a drop in the nearest spot of the fairway (within two club-lengths of the edge of the fairway), no nearer the hole than where the ball crossed the OB line, with a two-stroke penalty.

Under the new rules, there will be no penalty if a player, his caddie, another player or outside influence inadvertently moves the ball while searching for it. The player must simply return the ball to its original spot. If the ball was SEARCHING under an object, including under a FOR A BALL bush or immovable obstruction, it must be replaced under that same object.

BIZGOLF JANUARY 2019 OFF COURSE

Lifestyle To share news on your products or updates on new launches, please email vineet@gecmediagroup.com

LVMH owned Rimowa has collaborated with Skyhour for the world’s first experiential suitcase After presenting travelers with compact, lightweight and ultra-chic suitcases for more than a decade, the brand is now prepping to introduce a one-of-its-kind experiential suitcase that will provide free sky hours or travel points to its buyers. Produced in association with travel platform- Skyhour, the exclusive suitcase offers buyers 12 sky hours of travel every month for 12 months straight. Each Skyhour makes for paid-for coach travel and can be redeemed for one hour on any flight booked via skyhour.com. In line with most Rimowa’s offerings, the special edition cabin features a sturdy aluminum hard shell, a flex divider and a multi-wheel system in addition to several other elusive features. It also comes adorned with 12 city stickers from the RIMOWA Sticker Collection that further add to the look and feel of the already chic suitcase.. Price: US$ 6,000+

A pair of Macallan loafers Macallan recently introduced a limited-edition batch of loafers in close association with designer Rob McAllan. Christened as the ‘King of Speyside’, the loafers are a perfect ode to the marquee’s eye for finesse and luxury. Defined as “an evolution of the iconic loafer, inspired by “The Macallan Rare Cask”, the shoe finds a muse in the brand’s rare collection that is made up of 50 casks, each hand-picked from the most unique casks of scotch. Each pair is carefully hand-crafted in Italy and features rich handpicked velvet with gold stitching of the Macallan “Spiritual Home” along with an imperial metal lion accent on the heels. In spite of the sophisticated bling, the loafers promise an unparalleled comfort, unlike most dress shoes. Price: US$ 500

OFF COURSE JANUARY 2019 BIZGOLF

Porsche adds “T” variant to its 718 line-up Porsche has created a driver-focused package by adding many of the performance upgrades that are otherwise available as optional extras. While the T model comes with the same flat-four engine from the base car that makes 295 horsepower and 285 pound-feet of torque, it gets a healthy dose of added equipment to make it track-focused. Standard equipment on the 718 T includes the GT sport steering wheel, Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Active Suspension Management that lowers the body by 20 millimeters over 20-inch wheels. Additionally, it gets Porsche Torque Vectoring, which includes a mechanical locking rear axle differential to maximize traction. Price: To be announced

Parmigiani Fleurier reveals a 19th-century pocket watch inspired timepiece The new Parmigiani Toric Capitole Rose Gold Brown, which is a modern reinterpretation in a wristwatch form of an early 19th-century pocket watch restored in the Parmigiani workshops. Introduced as a pre-SIHH 2019 reveal, the new timepiece features a “sector time display” and minute repeater. The name of the watch has been taken from the Capitolium in Rome, the religious and political heart of Ancient Rome. The highlight of the watch is its display. Instead of traditional hands, it uses a combination of wandering hours and minutes on a track which is called sector-time indication. The watch is powered by the PF321 caliber movement, which features a module dedicated to the sector time display. Price: US$ 390,000

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