23 minute read
Chip Shots
Coming Soon: OnCore’s Tour-Level VERO X2
OnCore Golf released its critically-acclaimed 2022 ELIXR back in May, and now the Buffalo, N.Y.-based technology company is at it again. In August, it will unveil the highly-anticipated VERO X2, and early results and reviews indicate it’s a Tour-caliber ball to be reckoned with.
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The VERO X2 is the second iteration of OnCore’s VERO X1, one of the most awarded direct-to-consumer golf balls in recent years. Engineered using a proprietary formulation and manufacturing process, it boasts a high modulus, metal-infused mantle connected to a thin, cast urethane cover by a nano-engineered transition layer. The VERO X2 has a higher compression rating than the VERO X1 – 95 vs. 85 – and firmer feel optimal for players with high swing speeds.
Leveraging the same unique core, mantle and cover integration as the VERO X1, the VERO X2 delivers low driver spin and a high, wind-penetrating trajectory for even greater distance and accuracy. This combination brings an optimized spin profile with irons and a trajectory engineered for stopping power on firm greens.
VERO X2 features OnCore’s proprietary perimeter-weighting that significantly reduces sidespin and bores through headwinds and crosswinds. This same patented technological advancement led to the VERO X1 topping Titleist’s Pro V1 and Pro V1x in several categories in independent testing by Golf EQ in 2021.
OnCore has cultivated a loyal stable of professional golfers, including PGA TOUR / Korn Ferry Tour player Erik Compton, who originally switched to the VERO X1 after extensive testing and numerous practice rounds. Compton, who put the VERO X2 in play at several Korn Ferry Tour events, described the ball as “crazy hot, baby!” The VERO X2 also landed on Golf Digest’s 2022 Hot List before officially hitting the market.
Members of “Club OnCore” – the company’s VIP rewards membership – get first crack at the VERO X2 in August, followed by a release to the general golfing public in late August or early September. Club OnCore affords members free shipping, free customization, early access to new products and free golf balls for signing up.
As a true direct-to-consumer golf ball brand, OnCore is on a mission to make premium balls more affordable for the playing public. The company offers free shipping on purchases of $100 or more, and its wildly popular loyal program offers product discount tiers ranging from 10% up to 25%.
Visit www.oncoregolf.com for more information or to purchase OnCore golf balls.
Grande Dunes Resort Course On Pace To Reopen Sept. 15 Following Renovation Project
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – A comprehensive greens, bunkers and clubhouse renovation project at the Grande Dunes Resort Course is progressing smoothly as one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular properties approaches its September 15 reopening date.
The 4-month project began on May 16 and architect John A. Harvey and his team have worked diligently to ensure Grande Dunes, which has been ranked among America’s top 100 public courses, is in pristine condition for the area’s peak fall season.
As part of the effort, Harvey is overseeing the restoration of Grande Dunes’ greens to their original specifications, an effort that will reclaim nearly 40,000-square-feet of putting surface. The new TifEagle ultradwarf bermudagrass greens have been sprigged and are growing in beautifully.
Harvey’s team is regularly top-dressing, rolling and cutting the greens. With more than five weeks remaining until Grande Dunes reopens, golfers can look forward to smooth, fast putting surfaces.
Work on the bunkers, which includes coring out the floors and the installation of Capillary Concrete bunker liners is on schedule as well.
The enhancements to the course will be matched by the overhaul of the Grande Dunes clubhouse, which is being renovated to include a new restaurant, greatly expanded outdoor seating, and a larger pro shop.
“We are delighted with the progress in all three phases of the Grande Dunes renovation,” said Founders Group International president Steve Mays. “We allowed four months for the completion of the project, ensuring the course will be in spectacular condition from the moment we welcome players back. As we enter the homestretch and you see the grass growing on the greens and the work being done on the bunkers, it only heightens our anticipation. I can’t wait to play the course again, and hopefully the golfers who flock to the area this fall feel the same way.”
Grande Dunes, which opened in 2001, has been ranked among America’s top 100 public courses and has long been regarded as one Myrtle Beach’s premier layouts. The course features five holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, including the unforgettable, par 3 14th.
The fairways and greens at Grande Dunes are among the area’s largest, providing a cushion for mid to high handicappers while challenging more skilled players. Designed by Roger Rulewich, the course has long been one of Myrtle Beach’s most sought after tee times.
Founders Group International owns 21 Myrtle Beach golf courses, making it one of the largest management companies in the Southeast, and FGI has aggressively reinvested in its courses in recent years. FGI has also undertaken significant capital improvement projects at Pine Lakes, Aberdeen Country Club, River Hills, Tradition Club and the PineHills and Palmetto courses at Myrtlewood over the last four years. With additional capital improvement projects on the horizon, FGI is reinforcing its commitment to providing golfers with the best golf vacation experience possible.
For more information on Grande Dunes, visit www. GrandeDunesGolf.com. For more information on FGI, visit www.FoundersGolf.com.
Grande Dunes Resort Course
As Airline Travel Woes Multiply, Explore Branson Golf
BRANSON, MO – According to industry research released in June by Skift – the global leader in studying and reporting travel news and trends – for the first time since January “travel health” registered a decline. While a small decline, “this is significant in what it implies. Economic worries, mass cancellations at airports, and price hikes seem to be catching up with the industry,” reported Skift.
The canceled flights, major staff shortages, and lost baggage that has plagued airlines and airports for much of the summer, coupled with rising fares, is increasingly dissuading people from flying.
For travelers wanting to enjoy vacations this summer and fall but don’t want to fly, Branson is ideally located for drive visitors. One-third of the U.S. population is within and 8-hour drive, while 50 percent are within a 12-hour drive.
“The numbers don’t lie, and this is why Branson is increasingly appealing to so many people who aren’t flying currently but don’t want to sacrifice their summer vacations and golf getaways,” said Lynn Berry, Explore Branson Director of Communications.
Approximately 10,000,000 visitors came into the region in 2021, a significant increase over COVID-19 impacted 2020, and more than 10% over 2019, the last non-COVID-19 affected year.
While destination’s overall numbers were up, the positive trends held for many of its niches including golf. Branson’s 10 courses, live entertainment theatres, exceptional lakes, and family friendly activities are renowned for their variety and quality.
All 10 Branson Golf courses are open to the public and range from luxury resort to daily fee options. Located close to one another, the courses are situated near many lodging options, restaurants, theme park, museums, and countless other attractions without losing their idyllic settings amid the Ozarks’ natural bounty.
Five of Missouri’s Top 10-rated courses are in the Branson Golf destination, including the top four. Some of those are ranked among the country’s top 100 public courses by leading magazines.
Course designs by Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Bob Cupp, and Tom Fazio combine with first-class playing conditions, welcoming hospitality, and five courses that are certified by Audubon International for their environmental and conservation best practices.
Branson is annually voted a TripAdvisor community top U.S. destination, ranking No. 3 in 2021.
For more about Branson Golf, visit: ExploreBranson.com/golf
Instagram.com/explorebransongolf or Facebook.com/bransongolf
Mountain Top Hole No. 2 par 3 uphill 185 yards
Scottish Golf Tourism Week
Fresh from an overwhelmingly successful return in February 2022, after sitting out 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the sixth staging of the hugely popular business-to-business showpiece will take place from January 29 to February 2, 2023.
The five-star Fairmont St Andrews resort in Fife will once again play host as more than 90 of the world’s leading golf tour operators come face to face with over 100 Scottish golf businesses, creating thousands of meetings in the process.
As well as that, familiarisation trips will be organised for visiting international tour operators to six key regions across Scotland.
The week will conclude with the latest edition of the annual Scottish Golf Tourism Awards. Entries for the new-look awards open in late August with full details to be communicated in due course.
Cara Munro, the Head of Business Development at organisers DC Thomson, remarked: “We are delighted to confirm the dates for the 2023 staging of Scottish Golf Tourism Week and are, in particular, looking forward to returning to the magnificent Fairmont St Andrews resort.
“Since its launch in 2016, Scottish Golf Tourism Week has made a substantial contribution to the country’s economy and, as the long recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are excited to play our part in reaffirming Scotland’s status as the world’s original and premier golf destination.”
Launched in 2016, Scottish Golf Tourism Week is a unique platform that gives businesses in Scotland the opportunity to engage directly with international inbound golf tour operators.
An economic impact report prepared for VisitScotland and Scottish Development International in April 2022 found that suppliers who attend Scottish Golf Tourism Week forecast an average increase in turnover of over £215,000 across the following three years as a direct result of the new connections they build at the event.
It is further estimated that the tour operators in attendance bring approximately 50,000 golf tourists into Scotland every year.
Danang Steps Back Onto Centerstage at Vietnam World Masters
Danang, Vietnam – Danang returns to the spotlight as one of Asia’s top golf destinations when the AccorHotels Vietnam World Masters Golf Championship returns to Central Vietnam between 1117 September.
This year’s event showcases BRG Danang Golf Club, Ba Na Hills, and Hoiana Shores: three of the world-class clubs that have made Vietnam’s glorious central coastline one of the most coveted places for play in world golf. Golfers will also be thrilled by the first-class beachside accommodation at the Pullman Danang Beach Resort: the main partner hotel for the event.
Two participating courses — the Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed links at Hoiana Shores and the American-style Nicklaus layout at BRG Danang Golf Club — mark debuts in the tournament line-up. Therefore, the event offers fresh exposure to a destination only set to grow in stature.
“With over 100 golfers from around the world attending this event, we could not be happier to host this prestigious event, three years after hosting the last Vietnam World Masters. The two new
courses in our event lineup are going to be talked about for weeks to come,” said Mark Siegel, Managing Director of Golfasian.
Indeed, the buzz about Vietnam’s golf courses has grown almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Danang itself in recent years.
Big-name architects like Sir Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones Jr have made their mark with a string of incredible layouts the length and breadth of the Southeast Asian country.
Global accolades for the nation, including the coveted title of World’s Best Golf Destination at the 2021 World Golf Awards, fueled demand for travel during a period when Vietnam’s borders remained closed.
With high-quality golf combining with incredible beaches and luxury resorts like the Pullman Danang Beach Resort, Central Vietnam is arguably the nation’s hub for golf tourism. It offers a range of attractions, including the heritage sites in history-steeped Hoi An.
But for golfers, the evolving nature of the course scene is the area’s most compelling drawcard.
“Many golfers won’t have been in Central Vietnam since 2019. It already had several championship courses at that time,” mentioned Peter McCarthy, Managing Director of Go Golfing. “Now, with the addition of Hoiana Shores and the Nicklaus course at BRG Danang Golf Resort, there’s even more.”
For more information and registration details, visit www. vietnamworldmasters.com.
Audubon International Releases New Edition of “A Guide to Environmental Stewardship on the Golf Course”
Audubon International – the environmentally focused nonprofit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play – has released the newly updated version of its “A Guide to Environmental Stewardship on the Golf Course.”
This revised 3rd edition is available to all Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ASCP) members as part of the organization’s 35th anniversary celebration and replaces the 2nd edition, which was last updated in 2013. The new guide incorporates knowledge gained through Audubon International’s decades of experience helping golf courses serve as ecologically valuable green spaces, while reducing potential environmental impacts associated with golf course operations.
“The 3rd edition closely reflects the expertise and experiences of the thousands of golf course superintendents, golf industry professionals, environmental organizations, researchers, and others, who have participated in the ASCP since 1991,” said Audubon International Chief Executive Officer Christine Kane. “We hope our members will refer to this new document frequently and allow it to guide them with sustainable practices already in place, as well as help introduce new ones at their courses, leading to tangible environmental results.”
Every chapter in the 3rd edition has been updated to provide current information, resources, and links. Audubon International began its 35th anniversary on July 1 with the announcement that it would waive the enrollment fee for the first 35 new members of the ACSP, by using the code “35Years” during the application process. Bringing on 35 new members will equal an investment of $17,500 and kicked off a calendar year of other important initiatives, such as the release of the new guidebook.
To learn more about how your local golf course, community or resort can gain recognition for your environmental efforts or to learn how to expand your initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications, visit www. auduboninternational.org or call toll free: 1-844-767-9051
On Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/AudubonInternational/ https://twitter.com/AudubonIntl
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Hole 2
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club To Host National Golf Invitational
Maricopa, AZ – Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. will be the host site for the inaugural National Golf Invitational in May 2023. Presented in partnership with Golfweek, the National Golf Invitational will feature a men’s and women’s competition, each with a maximum of 18 teams playing 54 holes of stroke play. Women will play May 11-14, with the men playing May 18-21. The exciting new collegiate event comes after the NCAA announced in May that it would allow schools to play in one season-ending event, similar to college basketball’s NIT.
Golfweek’s Lance Ringler will serve as the National Golf Invitational’s tournament director and the field will be invitationonly as decided by a committee using both the Golfweek/Sagarin and Golfstat rankings along with a committee decision on teams that have a strong regular season.
“This is something I have talked about for many years and am extremely excited to make this a reality. Many coaches over that time have expressed a want and a need for a second postseason event like we see in other sports and the sport is ready to support another postseason tournament,” said Ringler. “With the NCAA now allowing teams to play in one postseason event, teams that don’t find a path to the NCAA regional play can now look at what we are doing as an option.”
“Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is excited to carry on our proud tradition of hosting high level championship events as the host site for the men’s and women’s National Golf Invitational,” said AkChin Southern Dunes General Manager Brady Wilson. “Certainly, the popularity of golf in the Valley of Sun and the growing exposure of college golf make for perfect timing to have a second National Championship event so that more college programs and student athletes are able to play into the post-season.”
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes has played host to numerous major tournaments and events since opening in 2002, serving as an annual U.S. Open qualifying site, host site for the first stage of the PGA TOUR’s Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, and several top collegiate men’s and women’s golf tournaments, including the Copper Cup, a twoday Ryder Cup-style event featuring in-state rivals the University of Arizona and Arizona State University men’s golf teams. In addition, the course annually hosts top amateurs in the Desert Amateur in December and the Saguaro Amateur held in early January. Both events are part of the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series, a multi-tournament series providing high-level amateurs a chance to compete throughout the year.
In 2026, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club will be a host site for the Men’s Golf NCAA Regionals. The “Top 100 You Can Play” golf course will be one of six Regional sites in the U.S. with each site hosting 14 collegiate teams. The top five teams from each Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships to be held in 2026 at La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego, Calif. Exact dates for the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Regionals will be announced at a later date, but the tournament is expected to take place in mid-to-late May 2026.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club was designed by Brian Curley and PGA TOUR veteran Fred Couples in 2002. Originally developed as a private club by private investors, the championship Australian Sandbelt-style golf course sits on 320 acres of land that was once a part of the Ak-Chin’s May 1912 reservation before it was removed by Presidential Executive Order in late 1912. Nearly 100 years later, in 2010, the Ak-Chin Community recovered its sacred land when it purchased the golf facility and opened the course to public play. The course currently boasts several coveted accolades, including being included on Golfweek’s coveted rankings of the “Top 100 Resort Courses” and “Best Courses You Can Play.”
For more information on Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, visit www.akchinsoutherndunes.com.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Troon®, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has acquired ClubUp, a leading golf technology and service company that currently caters to 65 golf clubs and resorts operating caddie programs domestically and internationally.
As part of the acquisition, Troon will invest significantly in ClubUp technology, expanding and enhancing the current platform, while adding new features that partner clubs have requested. The existing ClubUp team will continue to lead the company and as part of the transaction, they along with other key ClubUp stakeholders, have elected to invest in Troon.
“The team at ClubUp is very excited to be part of Troon,” said ClubUp Founder/ CEO Matthew Rose. “We remain committed to providing a world class platform for the over 8,000 independent contractors using ClubUp to provide caddie services. Our business model and operations will remain unchanged. The support and investment from Troon will enable us to add even more value to our customers. The time was right for ClubUp to be acquired and Troon was the ideal partner to help us take the next step as a leading golf technology company.”
Founded in 2016 by brothers Matthew and Michael Rose, ClubUp provides innovative technology which helps improve the caddie experience for golfers and caddies at partner clubs and resorts. Additionally, ClubUp technology offers a more efficient way to schedule and communicate with caddies working at a partner club property. The improved communication and efficient logistics provided by ClubUp technology yield significant productivity improvements for caddie programs. ClubUp has added 25 new partner clubs to date in 2022 and currently has 65 partner clubs and resorts using their technology, including National Golf Links, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Los Angeles Country Club, Ridgewood Country Club and Cherry Hills Country Club.
“We are proud, and extremely excited, to bring ClubUp into the Troon family of brands and services offered to the industry,” said Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz. “The ClubUp technology is second to none, with smart, dedicated and hard-working leaders who will continue to support the product, business and ClubUp clients moving forward. We are excited to see the next chapter for ClubUp and support their continued dedication to their impressive roster of existing clients and those to come.”
Troon’s purchase of ClubUp continues its focused effort to build out services, scale and technology for the benefit of its clients. In May 2022, Troon acquired ICON Management Services, a Floridabased golf, tennis, amenity and community association management company, to expand its HOA management capabilities regionally and nationwide. Through the acquisitions of Peter Burwash International and Cliff Drysdale Management, the nation’s largest racket sports management company, Troon has furthered its expertise in racket sports, while the acquisition of RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design has furthered the company’s food and beverage knowledge and capabilities. In acquiring and combining industry leading golf management companies, including Honours Golf, Green Golf Partners, OB Sports Golf Management, Premier Golf Centers and Indigo Golf Partners, Troon has infused additional support, expertise and resources to associates as well as current and prospective clients.
For more information on ClubUp, visit www.ClubUp.com.
Ed Oliver Golf Club Announces Namesake’s Biography Receives Top National Honor
ZION CROSSROADS, VA – Ed Oliver Golf Club – located on the original site of Wilmington Country Club and serving the local community for over a century – announces the recent biography How He Played the Game: Ed “Porky” Oliver and Golf’s Greatest Generation, written by award-winning author John Riley garnered first place honors for nonfiction biography / history at the National Federation of Press Women’s annual awards ceremony. The annual competition considered over 2000 submissions in multiple categories from thirty-nine states. The biography had earlier received the top nonfiction book award of the Delaware Press Association in March.
The story explores how Ed Oliver rose from the caddie ranks to become one of the leading professional golfers in the world. After winning the prestigious Western Open, he was suddenly pulled into the U.S. Army with an early draft call and would be away from the game longer than any of his tour competitors. After the war he would become a member of three Ryder Cup teams, serve as honorary captain of the 1961 team, and finish second in three major championships. This book portrays more than Oliver’s story. It is a look into how many professionals returned home after serving their country and built the modern golf tour. They could be called, “Golf’s Greatest Generation.”
“Unfortunately, golf history has lost sight of one of its finest. While Porky Oliver is sometimes mentioned by writers and historians, he has never received the acclaim he deserves,” says Riley. “Beloved by fans and fellow players, a 1957 Sports Illustrated profile called him the most popular player on the circuit. His outstanding record will be recalled next month when the BMW Championship comes to his hometown - to the club that gave him his start.”
Ed Oliver Golf Club was built on the old site of Wilmington Country Club, which opened in 1901. All that remains of the original design is a 100-year-old chimney located on the signature 18th hole. John Reid designed the first layout that was later recrafted twice, first by Alfred H. Tull, and later by Edmund B. Ault in 1971. The layout has essentially remained the same since and continues to be an asset for the Wilmington community.
“We are honored to carry Ed Oliver’s namesake and legacy that John Riley described so well in his book, How He Played the Game,” says Mary Leneweaver, general manager of Ed Oliver Golf Club. “Oliver’s perseverance and commitment to the game set the roadmap for Wilmington’s golf community today. We have changed tremendously from the place where Oliver caddied, but his spirit lives on at the oldest course in the state.”
For more information or to order the book, please visit: https://www. olivergolfbook.com/.
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
Golfers travelling to Italy, where The Ryder Cup will be played in 2023, are being invited to a new, exclusive Tuscany golf experience at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Travel + Leisure’s newly crowned No. 1 Hotel in the World.
Residents staying at the five-star luxury hilltop resort near Montalcino, set within a 5,000-acre, 800-year-old Tuscan estate, now benefit from exclusive access to The Club at Castiglion del Bosco, Italy’s only private golf club.
The 18-hole championship golf course, which ranks No.1 course in Italy by Leading Courses (July 2022), is one of the finest private courses in Europe and the only Continental European design of acclaimed architect Tom Weiskopf.
The former Open Champion and Ryder Cup player’s Tuscan masterpiece is exquisitely blended into the soft curves and contours of the estate’s rolling hills and valleys, with panoramic views across the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO protected landscape.
Famously, Weiskopf added a short 19th hole, The Brunello Hole, where Members and Residents can settle matches and play for a Magnum of Brunello di Montalcino from the estate’s prestigious winery.
In addition to heading the list of The 100 Best Hotels in the World*, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco was also ranked Best Resort in Europe and Best Resort in Italy by readers of Travel + Leisure.
“Italy is now a sought-after golf travel destination and for the many discerning golf travellers coming to Italy ahead of next year’s Ryder Cup, we wished to create a unique opportunity to experience the very best of Tuscany at the World’s No.1 hotel and Italy’s only private golf club,” said David Waters, General Manager of The Club at Castiglion del Bosco.
“So we are delighted to be able to offer limited reserved tee times exclusively to our hotel residents including privileged access to the clubhouse for lunch and dinner.”
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco offers 42 suites that exude a rich sense of authenticity, with heritage features, antique furnishings, local textiles and artisanal accessories.
In addition, 11 one-of-a-kind luxury Tuscan villas dot the landscape, each created from restored 17th- and 18th-century Tuscan farmhouses. These private homes provide luxurious lodging and feature heated pools, terraces, pergolas and gardens—all framed by the unmatched natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside.
The estate’s organic-certified vineyards occupy 62 hectares of stunningly beautiful Tuscan hillsides, planted solely with the Sangiovese red wine grape variety responsible for the soughtafter Brunello di Montalcino wines. The state-of-the-art winery, named one of the top ten wineries to visit in Tuscany by Decanter magazine, regularly hosts tours and tastings, as well as private social events.
The new, exclusive Tuscany Golf Experience includes:
• A stay at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco for two guests in a Suite • Daily breakfast for two • 2 x 18-hole rounds (advanced reserved tee times, 8am-10am only, subject to availability) per day of stay • Rental equipment
• Golf cart • Practice range • One meal a day for two (either lunch or dinner, excluding alcoholic beverages) at one of the Resort’s restaurants: – Osteria La Canonica, open for lunch and dinner – Restaurant Campo del Drago, open for dinner (closed on Sunday and Monday) – The Clubhouse Restaurant open for dinner on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (closed from October 31st, 2022)
Tuscany Golf Experience prices start from: € 1,870 per day on a half board, double occupancy basis.
Golf is subject to availability and by advanced reservation only. Information and reservations: rosewoodhotels. com, castigliondelbosco. com, cdelbosco.reservations@ rosewoodhotels.com
Hole #2 at Castiglion del Bosco - photo by Steve Carr
