Chip Shots

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS New Golf Nation Channel Showcases Golf Destinations in Cool Ways

Finally, there’s a new medium for golf destinations globally to showcase their offerings. And, logically, the medium exposes traveling golfers to exotic golf courses, clubs, resorts and cultures they may never have otherwise considered.

We love this type of matchmaking.

The medium is the super-cool Golf Nation channel that sneak-peeked on December 5 on www.golfnation.com. It is the first and only producer of original golf-lifestyle entertainment shows with the ability for viewers to instantly purchase items while never leaving the screen.

Succinctly, Golf Nation is hailed as “Netflix Meets Home Shopping Network.”

Watching shows is free. In early 2023, they will also be viewed on a mobile app, connected-smart TVs, Apple TV, Android, Fire TV and Roku in early 2023.

A signature Golf Nation show is “Golf Unseen,” and the first four season-one episodes focus on “Adventures in Africa.” Golf Nation cameras traverse South Africa, highlighting The Links at Fancourt, Pinnacle Point, Erinvale Country Club and Simola.

The cinematography, music of the land and narrative are magnificent as shows capture the true essence not only of golf, but the people, customs, landscapes, food, music and all things culture. It’s like you’re supplanted there, on the scene. Thanks to Golf Nation, South Africa is sure to gain its rightful place on golfers’ bucket lists.

Viewers request information about places, like South Africa, they see on “Golf Unseen” by clicking on an icon that intermittently pops on-screen while watching the show. Each episode is a digestible 18 to 24 minutes without annoyance of commercial breaks.

Equally impressive as “Golf Unseen,” is the early line-up of Golf Nation shows: • Ambush with David Feherty – Hidden camera hijinks with golf’s foremost funnyman • Don’t I Know You? – Golf’s “Newlywed Game;” first episode with Zach & Kim Johnson • No Judgment – Three female friends from Grueter Golf breaking down golf’s barriers • Tee Shots – Drink, chat, swing, repeat hosted by famous mixologist Bill Binder • Versus – Golf influencers compete head-to-head • Watch. Buy. Play. – Hottest golf products on the planet

The concept of on-screen shopping inside videos isn’t new to Golf Nation parent company NBTV Channels and its NBTV Studios production arm. Backed by pioneering video commerce technology, leadership created the highly dynamic and successful Spirits Network that sells countless products inside “Cocktail History,” “Tales from the Cask,” “Sipping Point” and “Science of Spirits” and other shows.

Golf Nation was founded because surveys show more than 60% of Spirits Network viewers count golf as a passion. That’s an amazing core audience from Day One.

“The watch, buy, play experience is efficient, pleasant and immediate for viewers of Golf Nation shows,” says Suzy Whaley, President of Golf Nation. “Click on the screen to request information and quotes about travel to golf destinations and buy products right then and there.”

Whaley should know. Like Golf Nation, she’s a groundbreaker as the first and only female President of the PGA of America and one of only a handful of women to compete in a PGA TOUR event.

Golf equipment, travel, fashion, technology, instruction, club lifestyle and fitness brands are already onboard with Golf Nation. More than 10 non-endemic brands are expected to be fully immersed selling their products via on-screen icons / “buy bars” inside Golf Nation shows in Q1.

With aplomb, Whaley notes “Golf Nation’s video commerce is transforming the way golf entertainment, including golf destinations, is presented and products are bought and sold,” likening this business approach to a “secret sauce.”

NBTV’s investor line-up is a clear indication Golf Nation’s on-demand, streaming channel is here to stay. They include Mark Bezos (HighPost Capital), Mindy Grossman (former CEO of Home Shopping Network and Weight Watchers International), David Nichols (former President of K-Swiss), John Esposito (Chairman of Whistle Pig and former CEO of Bacardi North America), and other family offices and venture funds.

Getting back to “Golf Unseen,” we can’t wait to see the exotic destinations to soon be featured. That begs the question – is there golf at the North Pole?

Suzy Whaley, President of Golf Nation

Rumbling Bald Golf

Rumbling Bald Releases Winter, Spring Golf Packages For 2023

LAKE LURE, N.C. – Amid record demand for golf stay-and-plays – Rumbling Bald – the 36-hole golf sanctuary on Lake Lure an hour east of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains, announces its winter and spring golf packages for 2023.

Winter rates start at $308 per golfer for two nights lodging in a Rumbling Bald vacation rental and two rounds on its Apple Valley and Bald Mountain Golf courses. Three-night, three-round and fournight, four-round options are also available for $452 and $574 per golfer, respectively. Spring rates start at $363 per golfer for two nights and two rounds, $501 for three nights and three rounds and $640 for four nights and four rounds.

Rumbling Bald will once again offer its popular Weekday Specials starting April 1, 2023. Rates start at $330 per person for two nights and two rounds, $452 for three nights and three rounds, and $574 four nights and four rounds. Weekday Special rates are available for any combination of Sunday through Wednesday nights only. Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy (blackout dates apply).

Lodging options geared specifically for golfers include the Apple Valley Studios (across from Apple Valley) and two- and four-bedroom Fairway Villas situated along Bald Mountain just steps from its first tee. Via its wide variety of spacious vacation rentals, Rumbling Bald can accommodate golf groups of all sizes. Luxury vacation homes are also available for extended stays and golf rounds can be added a la carte.

“We can’t wait to welcome golfers to Rumbling Bald in 2023 and showcase all the enhancements we’ve made to the golf courses, practices facilities and amenities,” says Rumbling Bald General Manager Jeff Geisler. “Whether it’s a foursome or large group, we provide a relaxing, fun golf experience that provides an escape from the day-to-day grind.”

Rumbling Bald continues to extend complimentary golf rounds to leaders of groups of 12 or more when booking their first trip to the property. The Large Groups 12+ Comp is ideal for PGA Professionalmember trips, small tournaments, or large golf buddy trips. The shoulder- and off-seasons are ideal for group play, with ample value and typically a faster pace of play than the peak spring and fall periods.

To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or email jdoran@rumblingbald.com. To book packages directly, or to speak with a golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072.

Golf Course Architect Ron Kirby Greenlights ‘Caribbean Masterpiece’ at Apes Hill Barbados

APES HILL BARBADOS – Legendary golf course architect Ron Kirby, ASGCA, is thrilled to confirm that his most recent design work is completed following a final pre-opening visit to Apes Hill Barbados last month.

The par-72 layout features stunning views over the Caribbean Sea to the west and Atlantic Ocean to the east. Set within 475 acres of natural terrain and perched on one of the highest points of Barbados 1,000 feet above sea level, Apes Hill is the most elevated golf experience on the exquisite island.

Kirby’s visit followed an exclusive opening to the Apes Hill Barbados members and their guests on November 1. The course is planned to officially open during late 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances. Members who played Apes Hill say its playability, hole variety, and several new signature holes make it an exceptional golf experience.

Kirby, who has collaborated with design greats such as Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus in a distinguished career, is perhaps best known for his superlative work at Old Head Golf Links in Ireland.

“When I saw Apes Hill for the first time, I noted that the hills and vistas were superb –you can see both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean in many places,” said Kirby. “I knew that if I could get the holes to play with the vistas in the right position, players would more deeply enjoy the course while taking in the astounding views.”

Kirby’s work – aided by Justin Carlton and Gary Shapiro, two of the finest land shapers in the industry – began in 2019 and he has created a new Caribbean golfing masterpiece at Apes Hill Barbados.

The layout has been beautifully crafted around the surrounding landscape and indigenous tropical forests, with sustainability at the forefront of the resort’s long-term DNA to make it the most

environmentally responsible golf course and resort development in the Caribbean. Underscoring its commitment to sustainability and conservation best practices, the Apes Hill Barbados golf course has become a member of Audubon International, the global leader in environmental sustainability certifications.

Fairways and tees have been re-laid using the more drought tolerant Zoysia Zorro grass and the greens with TifEagle. The resistance of these grasses to insects also further reduces the reliance on fertilization and use of pesticides, with a view to eventually becoming ‘chemical-free’.

Meanwhile, the construction of a reservoir that can hold up to 58 million gallons of rainwater will help fully irrigate the resort, with hundreds of trees, fruits and vegetables being planted around the property.

Playing the course for the first time since its reopening, members were struck by a layout set against remarkable topography that separates Apes Hill Barbados from any other course in the Caribbean. Kirby’s work has been hailed not only for the test he has created for better players, but also the scoring opportunities and variety which make it appealing to less accomplished and novice golfers.

The new layout stretches to 7,002 yards, although four teeing options make it playable for all levels with the shortest at 5,034. The holes weave seamlessly through the island’s natural surroundings, and robust Atlantic trade winds can influence the difficulty of play, bringing shorter tee boxes into consideration.

“We put four tee boxes in so that we could cover all types of players,” Kirby said. “From those who can strike it pure to the average players and then beginners. We have made this mix so that Apes Hill can be fun for everybody. Also, I only needed to use what land we had, and so did not want to abuse what nature had given us. Sustainability means you don’t build anything you cannot maintain.”

An exclusive and gentle opening has been designed to ease players into the course, with the second hole serving up an early birdie opportunity. A par four stretching to only 255 yards, it is still demanding of a well-placed drive should you wish to attack the green from the tee, with the putting surface heavily protected by bunkers, coral rock and a cascading creek.

While there is plenty to get excited about on the course’s outward nine – notably the fourth hole with its tee box positioned on one of the highest points of the course – the inward half delivers great excitement. Notably, the run from 12 to 15 – perhaps the most popular and stunning part of the layout – that sets up a grand finish as players reach the course’s signature hole at 16.

Named the ‘Cave’ with a coral rock hugging the hole behind the green and water lining the right, Kirby has left an indelible mark on Caribbean golf with a par 3 that possesses many characteristics for which Barbados is genetically famous for.

The course finishes with another short par 4 at hole 17, followed by a monstrous downhill par 5 on the home hole where a gully snakes along the left-hand side and round to the back of the green. It is a high-drama finish that is befitting of top-level championship golf.

Kirby added: “I am grateful to be a part of Apes Hill Barbados and proud to say it is one of mine. I can say that about 140 or 150 golf courses, but this is a special one. It is hard to find a golf course anywhere that has everything that we have here at Apes Hill.”

To complement the work that has gone into Kirby’s ‘Caribbean Masterpiece’ and the championship routing, a state-of-the-art Performance Centre and floodlit driving range are due to open soon. A family friendly short course, with holes ranging from 95 to 150 yards, will open in 2023 while an additional 19th hole played to an island green, and a contemporary clubhouse are set to be completed during the first quarter of the year.

Guests will be able to enjoy a range of other amenities such as a fitness centre and health club, hiking and nature trails, eight floodlit paddle and two tennis courts, while a world-class spa is also in development.

Away from the golf, Apes Hill Barbados has a range of luxury real-estate options available with pricing to be announced in the new year. Additionally, golf vacation properties allowing guests to stay and play are in development, with pricing to be announced in early 2023.

To learn more about the real estate community, golf course, luxury residences and amenities at Apes Hill Barbados, email info@ apeshill.com or call +1 246 826-5020.

Apes Hill Barbados

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas Announces Outstanding Winter and Spring Golf Getaways

LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including its iconic Teeth of the Dog ranked No. 20 in Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Courses in the World” – is offering an outstanding array of winter and spring stay-and-play packages perfect for couples, families and group vacations.

The “Unlimited Golf” package starts at $1,259 (per room, per night). Resort guests can tee it up to their heart’s content on two renowned Pete Dye-designed gems: Dye Fore (27 holes) and The Links (18). Play on the legendary Teeth of the Dog has a preferred rate of $199 per round (plus taxes). All golf rounds are based on availability and include play on arrival and departure days.

The offer also includes deluxe accommodations in the resort’s recently renovated guest rooms, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, use of a four-passenger golf cart to internal travel throughout the 7,000acre gated property, unlimited horseback riding, use of the property’s tennis courts, one round at the 245-acre Shooting Club, non-motorized water sports, family program activities and use of the resort’s fitness center.

Casa de Campo is additionally offering its “Unlimited Golf in Villa” stay-and-play offer starting from $3,319 (per villa, per night). The package allows groups and families the opportunity to enjoy a “world of their own” in a three- to five-bedroom luxury villa with one daily round of golf (per person) on Dye Fore and The Links. Breakfast for the group is prepared right in the villa each morning along with daily housekeeping and dedicated concierge services.

“Our world-class resort is the perfect escape for family, friends, groups and golf buddies looking for respite during the cold months,” says Jason Kycek, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “With gorgeous golf courses, beaches, pools, marina, equestrian and shooting centers, and much more, our Casa de Campo experience is truly exceptional.”

Teeth of the Dog has long been a “bucket list” layout for those seeking to play one of the top 50 golf courses in the world. Dye’s design hallmarks are all present: railroad ties, vast waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, hand-sculpted putting surfaces and a unique assortment of pot bunkers. “The Heaven 7” oceanfront holes are astoundingly beautiful, causing Dye to famously quip: “I created 11 holes and God created seven.”

The resort’s world-class Golf Learning Center is a “must visit” when on property. Highlighted by Trackman and BODITRAK technology, it features two indoor hitting bays for rapid game improvement, yearround training, individual and group golf lessons and schools, and expert club-fitting and repair. Residing on 21 acres of “pure grass,” the PGA Tour-quality facility also showcases practice greens for honing putting, chipping and pitching skills as well as unlimited use of the pristine outdoor range for full shots. On-course instruction is also available.

For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas please call 800.877.3643, email golf@ccampo.com.do or visit: www. casadecampo.com.do.

No. 5 - Teeth of the Dog

Tom Doak to Design Pinehurst Resort’s 10th Course

To borrow a phrase from former Van Halen front man David Lee Roth, “and the Cradle of American Golf will rock.”

Pinehurst Resort will break ground on its first new golf course in nearly three decades this month, and it will be designed by Tom Doak, one of the most respected and decorated golf course architects of the modern era.

Located four miles south of the main resort clubhouse, Doak’s 18-hole routing is expected to open late spring of 2024, coinciding with the return of the U.S. Open to Pinehurst No. 2. The new course – the resort’s 10th – will incorporate rugged dunes mined at the turn of the 20th century accented by native sand and wiregrass. With natural ridgelines, intriguing landforms, towering longleaf pines, streams and ponds, Doak envisions a course that complements the resort’s other courses through its contrasts.

“The site is topographically distinct and drastically different from anywhere in Pinehurst,” Doak says. “It’s bigger, bolder and more dramatic. There’s about 75 feet of elevation change, and we’ll work our way up to it around the mid-point of the layout. You’ll have expansive views from this apex over the rest of the course. It will be an unforgettable experience for golfers.”

Doak recalls first visiting Pinehurst more than 40 years ago and playing and touring No. 2. He rated the storied Donald Ross design a perfect “10” in his famed book “The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses,” and was one of the most vocal supporters of its restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2010 prior to the 2014 U.S. Open.

“Tom Doak builds incredible golf courses on sand, and we’re excited to see what he’ll create in the North Carolina Sandhills,” says Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley. “We’ve worked with some amazing golf architects who’ve embraced our natural aesthetic and believe Tom will do something fantastic on this site.”

Landscape architect Angela Moser will serve as Doak’s lead design associate for this project. Moser’s impressive credentials include work at the Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course, Streamsong Black in Bowling Green, Fla., St. Patrick’s Links in County Donegal, Ireland, Te Arai Links in Tomarata, New Zealand and Ohoopee Match Club in Cobbtown, Ga.

“The number one thing that excited us about the project is working with the beautiful sand that’s native to this region,” Doak says. “The sand, the wiregrass, the bluestem grass, and other native grasses that grow around the Sandhills create a fabulous texture for golf. It’s something most places just don’t have.”

In addition to Doak’s routing, Pinehurst envisions the potential for more growth in the area, which encompasses 900 total acres in Aberdeen. A variety of development opportunities will be evaluated with town officials, including additional golf, short course, clubhouse, guest cottages and other lodging.

“This exceptional property is a place where many of our dreams of the future can be contemplated,” says Pinehurst Resort CEO Bob Dedman Jr. “How those dreams play out will be determined over time, the same way the path forward revealed itself through recent additions like The Cradle, Thistle Dhu and the redesign of Pinehurst No. 4. Adding a Tom Doak design to our collection is another historic chapter in the story of Pinehurst. We can’t wait to read it.”

Pinehurst Resort is heading toward what’s sure to be an epic year in 2024 with the opening of its 10th course and the playing of the U.S. Open on No. 2. It’s been a busy two years at the resort, with the renovation of The Manor, the opening of the North & South Bar, the opening of the opening of The Next between No. 2 and No. 4 and stately Carolina Hotel just is undergoing a complete refresh to its rooms, hallways and dining areas.

For more info on all things Pinehurst Resort, visit www. pinehurst.com.

Tom Doak

Branson Hills Golf Club

Branson Golf Thriving; Recognized as 2022 Leading North American Destination

BRANSON, MO – Branson Golf – home to 10 extremely diverse yet highly complementary courses in the Southwest Missouri Ozarks – had an exceptional 2022 season that included increased visitors, additional best-of honors, and pervasive media coverage extoling the destination’s must-visit status.

The flourishing golf travel venue now claims five of Missouri’s top10 rated courses (and three ranked among the top 100 nationally), and five courses hold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary certification for their sustainability and environmental best practices.

Virtually each course in the destination experienced upticks in key metrics, underscoring the increased number of players who are coming to play here.

At LedgeStone Country Club (Tim Clark design), for example, 2022 was the best year for rounds and revenue in the 29 years the course has been operating.

Branson Hills Golf Club (Chuck Smith and Bobby Clampett) realized a significant increase in membership and merchandise sales, and the golf course was in better shape than ever with faster green speeds and improved rough in high-traffic areas. The club recently installed all new wood flooring in the clubhouse, adding a revitalized look to the upscale club.

Area players and golf travelers are choosing Branson Golf for many reasons, not the least of which are the five courses under the Big Cedar Golf mantle – Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods and Johnny Morris), Ozarks National (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw), Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio and Morris), Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus), and Mountain Top (Gary Player).

Big Cedar added a caddie program in 2022, as well as a half-way house at Payne’s Valley and a tee-side bar at the bonus 19th hole there. This winter Payne’s Valley, Buffalo Ridge and Top of the Rock remain open (weather permitting). Ozarks National and Mountain Top are closed from now until Friday, March 10.

The courses at Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp), The Pointe, and Holiday Hills continue to be player favorites and some of the most popular, particularly for local and regional golfers.

“We’ve entered a new era with our golf destination and once people come here to experience it, they keep coming back due to the high quality of the courses and our after-golf activities,” said Lynn Berry, Explore Branson, Director of Communications. “We look forward to welcoming new visitors in 2023.”

The blossoming golf haven is made more captivating thanks to the destination’s plethora of complementary other attractions. Three superb lakes offer boating and water sports. Astounding museums – Titanic Branson and Ancient Ozarks Natural History – showcase displays not found anywhere else. Also beckoning are hundreds of restaurants and lodging establishments, dozens of live entertainment theatres, an array of outdoor adventure options, and Silver Dollar City (award-winning theme park).

Most of Branson’s courses are open year-round. Call to confirm playing availability via the phone numbers below. For those considering booking stay-and-play packages for 2023, reach out sooner than later as the tee times are filling fast and ahead of time due to the popularity of the golf destination. For more information about Branson Golf, visit www.explorebranson.com/golf or www.facebook.com/bransongolf

Dom Pedro Experience Centre Stage with Vilamoura Hailed as Peak of Golf Travel

The bustling town of Vilamoura is preparing for another busy year in 2023 as the evergreen Portuguese venue remains one of Europe’s most coveted destinations.

Home of the Dom Pedro Experience, the Algarve hotspot is a firm favourite among tourists and passionate golfers looking for a luxury break. The resort’s world-class golf offering is headlined by the Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, boasting five stunning courses within a 3km radius.

Vilamoura’s breath-taking natural vistas are tailor-made for the game, while the pleasant climate is a joy to play in throughout the year. Guests can enjoy easy international access from the nearby Faro Airport to the resort’s plentiful accommodation, including a trinity of luxuriant Dom Pedro hotels.

Away from the fairways, the coastal destination is a hive of activity, with plenty to see and do between rounds. The popular Marina de Vilamoura is the largest in Portugal and bisects two golden beaches overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean. Nearby stands the Casino Vilamoura, a vibrant hub combining games, theatre, cuisine and comedy. A diverse range of bars and restaurants await throughout the area, ensuring that visitors can always find their perfect dining option.

Available until October 31, 2023, the Dom Pedro Experience presents an elegant way to experience everything on offer in Vilamoura. The per-person package includes accommodation with breakfast at a Dom Pedro hotel as well as one round of golf per day at Dom Pedro Millenium, Dom Pedro Pinhal or Dom Pedro Laguna. Green fees at the esteemed Dom Pedro Golf Victoria and Dom Pedro Old Course are available as part of a premium package, giving guests the opportunity to sample Vilamoura’s world-class golf for incredible value.

Luis Correia da Silva, CEO of Dom Pedro Golf, said: “We have three hotels in Vilamoura and five golf courses. We also have hotels in Lisbon and on the island of Madeira, but our focus is always here in Vilamoura.

“During all the different seasons, we always have great numbers of incoming tourists. We have a great offering – it’s affordable for them and they can play a different golf course every single day of the week, and we have some of the best golf courses in the Algarve.

“There is great variety on offer for all levels of player. Of course, people are always keen to play a DP World Tour venue and so the Victoria course is very popular.

Pietro Dal Fabbro, CEO of Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, added: “We started the whole process of changing the mindset of golfers, turning golf into an event for everybody - something that people do to have fun.

“Vilamoura offers great qualities both on the course and off it, and that is why it remains one of Europe’s best destinations where visitors can rely on a first-class experience with great golf and accommodation options at Dom Pedro.”

The Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection is at the heart of Vilamoura’s lively tourist scene, with its quintet of unique courses featuring the Dom Pedro Victoria, an acclaimed par-72 course known as the stage of the Portugal Masters. The Dom Pedro Old Course, Dom Pedro Millennium, Dom Pedro Pinhal and Dom Pedro Laguna complete one of the most well-rounded luxury golf offerings in Europe.

Over 600 rooms across three Dom Pedro hotels provide the ideal place for golfers to stay: Dom Pedro Vilamoura, Dom Pedro Marina and Dom Pedro Portobelo. Each luxurious hotel neighbours the marina and casino, with every Dom Pedro golf course just a short drive away.

OnCore Igniting ‘DTC’ Golf Ball Category in 2023

There was a time not long ago when direct-to-consumer golf ball companies were few and far between. Golfers would typically buy balls at the local golf shop minutes before teeing off, or at a big box store while shopping for other gear or household items. Entering 2023, however, the “DTC” channel continues to explode as golfers have migrated online to buy golf balls, clubs and apparel.

One of the DTC category leaders over the past decade, OnCore Golf, caught fire in 2022 with the release of two new golf balls. The Buffalo, N.Y.-based company dropped the new ELIXR, a three-piece, 84-compression offering geared toward golfers with driver swing speeds between 85 and 100 mph. And in October, OnCore unveiled the four-piece VERO X2, the follow-up to the wildly successful VERO X1, aimed at players with 110 mph and above swing speeds.

The ELIXR 2022 and VERO X2 join OnCore’s AVANT 55, ELIXR and VERO X1 to round out OnCore’s five-ball lineup. The common thread among the portfolio is the company’s proprietary perimeter weighting that pushes mass to the ball’s exterior for less side spin and straighter ball flight across all clubs. Case in point, the VERO X1 tested at 60% less driver side spin than Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x in independent testing by Golf EQ.

Founded over a decade ago, OnCore has fast-tracked its growth through performance on the course and partnerships in the boardroom. Financial legend Charles Schwab is a key investor, as is Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen, who also serves at the company’s lead ambassador. Major traction in the DTC golf ball category has ignited OnCore’s foray into adjacent technologies, such as the Golf Boost AI app for virtual golf instruction, a “smart golf ball” that will track myriad performance parameters and a golf and entertainment complex in Buffalo.

Golfers new to OnCore can visit the website, www.oncoregolf. com, for an online ball fitting and receive $10 off their first purchase. And new for 2023, the company will offer a “Performance Pack” with a sleeve each of VERO X1s, VERO X2s, ELIXR 2022s and AVANT 55 (a two-piece Surlyn cover) for just $35.

OnCore offers free shipping on orders over $100 – key for DTC brands looking to steer golfers away from shopping offline. And for golfers who’re all-in on the brand, there’s Club OnCore – an Amazon Prime-like concept offering free shipping, customization, site-wide discounts and deals on other golf and lifestyle products.

First Tee-Naples/Collier announces “Swing Fore the Future” Gala Event on February 13

NAPLES, FL - First Tee-Naples/Collier is pleased to announce that the “Swing Fore the Future” gala event will be held on Monday, February 13, at 6:00 PM. The event will be hosted by the Presenting Sponsor, Arthrex, Inc. at its corporate event center in Naples, Florida. The Swing Fore the Future gala will include cocktails, dinner, and an exciting auction of golf-related auction lots. Special Guests will include PGA Tour and Champions Tour Legends Peter Jacobsen, Bernhard Langer & Padraig Harrington and Golf Channel Host Rich Lerner.

“Working with First Tee-Naples/Collier has opened my eyes to the powerful role we can play in mentoring the next generation of leaders. Each year, 1,000 students are actively engaged in our afterschool golf and character education programs, but limited access to driving ranges and golf courses has inhibited our growth. Fortunately, Collier County has offered us the opportunity to create our own home base – a Learning Center on the site of the old Golden Gate Country Club – and now it’s up to us with the help of our community to raise the funds to build it. We hope The Swing Fore the Future Gala will help us to reach our goal,” Ann Bain, Gala Chair and Board Member.

Proceeds from this event will support the ongoing capital campaign to fund the construction of First Tee Naples/Collier’s New Learning Center. The Learning Center will be part of a larger public golf venue which will include a BigShots Golf Driving Range facility and a 12-hole Nicklaus Designs golf course. Designed Pro Bono by MHK Design and Architecture and Freestyle Interiors, the center is designed with materials that absorb sound, accent lighting that provides a warm atmosphere, and resilient flooring aimed to prevent leg fatigue and will also include golf simulators, a putting area, an outdoor range, stadium seating, classrooms and event space.

This new facility will allow First Tee Naples/Collier to reach many more children from Golden Gate, East Naples, Immokalee, and other communities throughout Collier County. Executive Director Cindy Darland is confident they will be able to double the children served to 2000 within the first three years of the center’s operation. With the Learning Center, children will have a safe place where they can grow, learn, and have fun after school and on weekends. The program teaches children nine core values, valuable life skills and helps them build confidence and develop a positive character that will be beneficial as they step into adulthood.

In addition to the Presenting Sponsor Arthrex, Platinum Sponsors include Benson Blackburn, LLC, DeVoe Automotive Group, and First Foundation Bank. And Golf Digest has come in as a Silver Sponsor.

For more information about the gala event, contact First Tee Naples/Collier’s Executive Director, Cindy Darland at cindy@ firstteenaplescollier.org or call (239) 825-4851.

Introducing Camiral Golf & Wellness: the new name for PGA Catalunya, Spain’s #1 Golf Resort

GIRONA, SPAIN – Camiral Golf & Wellness becomes the new name for Spain’s number one golf resort.

For more than two decades, as PGA Catalunya, home of the revered Stadium Course, consistently ranked among the top 10 courses in Continental Europe, it has been a must-visit destination for discerning international golf travellers.

Now, complemented by the acclaimed Tour Course, Golf Academy and Golf Hub, the European Tour Destination and DP World Tour hosting venue and begins a new journey and a new chapter in its history.

Camiral Golf & Wellness, which combines world class golf, the five-star Hotel Camiral, a state-of-the-art Wellness Centre and award-winning residential community, brings together an array of experiences under one name.

The name Camiral is taken from an ancient Roman Road, the Camí Ral, meaning Royal Way, connecting France and Spain and which can still be followed on foot or by bicycle through the 500-hectare forested estate.

It is also the name of the resort’s five-star Hotel, which sits at the heart of the property, alongside a new €5 million state-of-the-art Wellness Centre.

Consolidating its position as a unique wellness and leisure destination, Camiral Golf & Wellness will now create a new 3-hectare naturalised lake for waters sports, alongside a 700 square metre swimming pool and Lake Club with restaurant and bar. An initial investment of €8.4 million will see work begin in 2023.

Camiral Golf & Wellness CEO David Plana said: “It is the right time to take this important next step on our journey, reflecting how far we have come as a golf resort and our future as a golf and wellness destination.

“With the support of our proprietors, Denis and Catherine O’Brien, there will be continuity and significant further investment for our two world class golf courses and academy facilities. We will also continue to associate closely with our valued partners, including European Tour Destinations.”

More than €1 million has been invested in golf in the past year, including sustainability measures for the Stadium Course that have reduced water usage by 25%. Camiral Golf & Wellness is one of the few resorts worldwide that employs a full-time biologist to advise on ecological and sustainability management of golf. The resort produces its own honey, grows its own eco-wine and in 2020 achieved the IAGTO Sustainability Award for Nature Protection.

David Plana continued: “Of course, as PGA Catalunya, we have been a familiar name in golf for more than two decades. Now, we have reached an important milestone in our journey. As the world evolves, golf is changing, too, and, more than ever, we can appreciate the value and rarity of our green spaces.

For more information about Camiral Golf & Wellness, please visit www.camiral.com

Camiral Golf & Wellness