Tri-State Golf Magazine Winter 2024

boyne SIMPLY THE BEST golf getaway

Boyne Set To Open 11 th Course – Doone Brae

Situated in Pennsylvania’s majestic Laurel Highlands, you will discover a golfer’s paradise at the always-adventurous Nemacolin.

Nemacolin presents two breathtaking courses designed by the legendary Pete Dye: Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock, delivering thrilling shot values, sweeping mountain views, and esteemed recognition.

Golf Digest 2022 Best Golf Resorts in the Mid-Atlantic

Golfweek 2022 #1 & #5 Best Courses You Can Play in Pennsylvania

Golf Digest 2022 Editors’ Choice: Best Golf Schools & Academies

Sharpen your skills at The Nemacolin Golf Academy, where expert instruction, state-of-the-art technology, custom fittings, and multi-day bootcamps improve your game.

Book an ultimate getaway to this incomparable destination for golf, spa, world-class cuisine, art, wine, and all-season adventure. Your trip of a lifetime awaits!

All experiences are exclusive to overnight guests and members.

nemacolin.com

THE GOLF, EPIC.

FROM THE PUBLISHER GREEN GRASS ACCOUNTS

JOE BURKHARDT

ADVERTISING SALES

(PA / NJ / DE / NATIONAL)

JOE BURKHARDT

610.755.8767

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MATT BIONDI

JIM BRINCKMAN

DAVE DAUBERT

MARK HOGAN

MIKE MAY

WAYNE MILLS

TOM MCNICHOL

AL RYDING

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GARO YEPREMIAN JR.

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Any opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of Tri State Golf. The information in this issue was accurate at the time of publication. All should be confirmed with the golf facility before making tee times and reservations.

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Our facility is perfect for your next event. You can use our space to host corporate parties, holiday celebrations, birthday, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and much more. We have ample space for you and your group, and will allow food and beverages in a suite-like experience. Our private rooms have simulators, and we have instruction available when using our golf clubs.

boyne SIMPLY THE BEST golf getaway

Boyne Set To Open 11th Course – Doone Brae

By Fred Altvater, Contributing Writer

Doon Brae will be the 11th course at BOYNE when it opens is 2024.

The new short course was designed by Ray Hearn and sits at the base of the ski hill behind The Highlands Lodge.

“As far as I know, this is the first modern golf course ever built on a ski hill,” said Bernie Friedrich, Director of Golf Course Renovations and Development at Boyne Resorts. “What excites me most is how beautiful and different it is. There are three or four stacked wall bunkers. Instead of using tee boxes, we’ll have just one marker on each hole and let guests play wherever they want. And the greens are inspired by some of the great ones around the world. They’re not copies of any specific greens, but they look different and are big. We also sodded all of the fairways,which will be well-maintained and surrounded by some tall fescue for that whisper look and feel. It’s going

to be quitestunning. There’s a lot of excitement about short courses. We want to keep people excited about golf and wanting to play. If playing 18 or 36 holes is not enough on any day, this gives golfers another option.”

In Scottish, Doon Brae translates to, Doon, going downhill into a valley, while Brae refers to a hillside. Sitting at the base of the Highlands ski hill, that is exactly what this 9-hole short course is.

The course maxes out at 993 yards with the forward tees being 678 yards. Holes will vary in length from the shortest 57 yards to the longest at 134 yards. Due to the elevation and slope of the hillside, uphill, downhill, as well as side-hill lies will add to the challenge. Golf designer Ray Hearn, who has been working closely with BOYNE to renovate several of the resort’s courses, was chosen to build this new course.

“Working with Stephen Kircher and Bernie Friedrich on this project has been really exciting,” said Hearn, who was inspired by his many overseas trips to Scotland and Ireland and in particular, Royal County Down. “Stephen came over to Ireland on one of the first architecture seminars overseas while teaching at MSU and we both fell in love with Royal County Down and it inspired us during the design of DoonBrae.”

Hearn drew inspiration from the iconic links greens in Scotland and Ireland. Golfers will find Hearn’s tribute to the Eden green, Punch Bowl, Redan, Reverse Redan, Volcano, Steep Slope, Postage Stamp, and even a Biarritz green.

Doon Brae will also be lit for night play and a quick round will be the perfect end to a day on the links. The short course is also the ideal family activity.

BOYNE TO HOST IAGTO

In June, Boyne resorts will host 350 tour operators from around the world at the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) convention. They will get to experience what great golf Northern Michigan has to offer.

“With three locations and 162 holes under our control we are one of the largest golf resorts in the country.’’ said Griffin. “It’s not just the holes. It’s the total golf experience. We’ve become an international destination.’’

Back 9 Report talked with Ken Griffin, Director of Sales & Marketing, about golf at BOYNE and the international tour operators coming to the resort. To watch the full interview, see https://bit.ly/3HeXLnr.

RENOVATIONS

BOYNE has been working closely with course designer Ray Hearn to renovate several of their courses.

The Moor course expanded fairways and updated the green surrounds to improve the playability of the course. Hearn updated several holes on the Ross Course and by using modern technology, he made them more closely replicate the original Donald Ross designs.

Bernie Friedrich spoke with Back 9 Report about the renovations and new short course at The Highlands. To view the full interview, see https://bit.ly/3HlexkN.

LODGING

BOYNE has also been busy updating their accommodations and they have never been better. With three locations, The Highlands, The Mountain and the luxurious Inn at Bay

Harbor, they have something for everyone. All three locations provide world-class lodging, plus they offer several wonderful dining options.

OTHER AMENITIES

When you are not on one of the 11 courses, zip lining, hiking, biking, swimming and other outdoor activities are available. BOYNE also boasts the largest indoor water park in Michigan at The Mountain location.

The world’s longest and tallest timbertowered suspension bridge, SkyBridge Michigan is also located at Boyne Mountain. At 1,203 feet long and 118 feet above the valley floor, resort guests can access SkyBridge via a chairlift, or hike the trail to the top.

CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT HAS 18 DIRECT FLIGHTS

It’s never been easier to get to BOYNE. The Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City now offers nonstop flights to 18 cities across the United States. American, Delta, United, Sun Country and Allegiant fly direct to Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington D.C. (Dulles and Reagan), Newark, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

Upon arrival breeze through the Cherry Capital Airport and be on the first tee at a BOYNE Golf course within two hours of touchdown. With the long summer days in Northern Michigan, there will be ample sunlight to get in a full round in the afternoon.

WHY WAIT? BOOK NOW!

BOYNE Golf has a 10-year plan for systematic renovation to their properties and to continue to offer the best vacation experience imaginable. Now is the perfect time to book your 2024 Golf Getaway to BOYNE Golf. TSG

For more information:: 855.688.3286

BOYNEGOLF.COM

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National, Auburn-Opelika

Horseshoe Bay Resort A Premier Destination for Golf Enthusiasts

By Joe Burkhardt, Publisher

Horseshoe Bay Resort Golf Club, touted as one of “ America’s Best Golf Resorts” by Golf Digest and annually featured in the “50 Best Courses in Texas” nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, is renowned for its world-class golf courses, exceptional amenities, and vibrant community atmosphere. This premier destination offers a perfect blend of luxury, recreation, and camaraderie, making it a haven for golf enthusiasts and those seeking a refined lifestyle.

The crown jewels of Horseshoe Bay Resort are its three award-winning Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf courses. Each course presents a unique challenge while showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding landscape. The Slick Rock Course, designed by Jones himself, is known for its iconic waterfall hole and challenging layout. Ram Rock, another masterpiece, is characterized by its dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views. Apple Rock, combines strategic design with stunning scenery, offering an unforgettable golfing experience. These courses consistently rank among the best in Texas, attracting golfers from far and wide who want a taste of real barbecue and Texas golf.

Beyond golf, Horseshoe Bay Resort boasts a plethora of amenities designed to cater to the diverse interests of its residents and visitors. The Yacht Club, overlooking Lake LBJ, provides an elegant setting for social gatherings, fine dining, and lakeside relaxation. The Spa at Horseshoe Bay Resort offers a rejuvenating escape, with a range of indulgent treatments and state-of-the-art facilities. The

resort’s marina facilitates water activities, from boating to fishing, ensuring there’s always an adventure waiting on the tranquil waters of Lake LBJ.

For those seeking an active lifestyle, the Sports Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort is a comprehensive fitness facility featuring tennis courts, a pool, and fitness classes. Residents and members can maintain their health and wellness while enjoying the camaraderie of a vibrant community. The Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort also hosts numerous social events, fostering connections among its diverse members and creating a sense of belonging.

The real magic of Horseshoe Bay Resort lies in its community spirit. Whether it’s a friendly round of golf, a shared meal at one of the resort’s restaurants, or participating in

Texas Hill Country is a world-class destination, with approachable luxury on award-winning golf courses.

organized events, residents and guests find a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The sense of community extends beyond the borders of the golf courses and amenities, creating lifelong friendships and a shared appreciation for the luxurious lifestyle that Horseshoe Bay Resort offers.

Horseshoe Bay Resort Golf Club stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of golf and luxury living. Its world-class courses, extensive amenities, and strong sense of community make it a sought-after destination for those who desire a refined and fulfilling lifestyle. Whether you’re an avid golfer, a fitness enthusiast, or someone seeking a vibrant social scene, Horseshoe Bay Resort Golf Club delivers an unparalleled experience in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. TSG

The 18-hole, par 72 Whitewater Putting Course was designed to play like a competitive course.

Horseshoe Bay’s Yacht Club pool.

How Golf Transformed a Community Along Lake Michigan

Whirlpool Corporation’s Partnerships Create Blueprint for $900 Million Community Economic Revitalization

By Joe Burkhardt, Publisher

Harbor Shores Resort, host of the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, sits on a site where 6,000 manufacturing jobs were lost over an 18-month period in the 1980s. Most of these buildings sat empty for years, leaving roughly three million square feet of industrial materials and contaminated soil—enough to fill a football field 80 feet tall. In 2008, this property had a state equalized value of $0. Today, the same land has a taxable value of nearly $40 million.

Harbor Shores and the development of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Design ten years ago signaled a turning point in Benton Harbor’s history. Golf was the core component of the Harbor Shores development on the shores of Lake Michigan and the Paw Paw River and stands as a remarkable testament to a vision made possible by $900 million in strategic investments, a collective set of projects with collaborating community leaders and organizations, led by the Whirlpool Foundation and its benefactor, global home appliance leader Whirlpool Corporation. See video links below:

Harbor Shores Overview - https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=djDJ4_5G9DM

Harbor Shores Brownfield Development - https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8IR13U9Niww

Over 75-years ago, Benton Harbor became a booming industrial town during World War II, when local Whirlpool plants and factories were transformed into F.D.R.’s arsenal of democracy, manufacturing components for fighter planes. The town then evolved into a vibrant manufacturing center in the 50’s and 60’s only to see it all disappear over the next two decades leading Whirlpool to recognize that change was needed.

“Before construction of Harbor Shores, the area was in need of a monumental project that could have the scale to bring about real change, especially in Benton Harbor,” said Jeff Noel, Vice President of Communication & Public Affairs for Whirlpool Corp. “While the golf course may generate most of the publicity, this community is consistently working on projects to ensure a better quality of life for everyone. Using golf to bring people

together to give back remains an ongoing mission and is the proud center of the Harbor Shores story.”

The direct spike in jobs, redevelopment, new homebuyers, tax base, vacationers and civic pride from the sprawling resort and residential development over the last ten years is almost incomprehensible when one considers what stood on these shores just over a decade ago. From lot after lot of abandoned manufacturing plants and industrial waste sites, to a focal point in a community that has been sustainably and measurably revitalized, Harbor Shores and the surrounding area is a decade-long chapter into a remarkable journey.

Today, this development has become part of the fabric of the community. Harbor Shores Resort dedicates itself to ensuring that more than 40 percent of its employees (golf course and hotel) are from the distressed census tracts in and around Benton Harbor. In all, more than 3,200 new jobs have been created by the community partners, including the Cornerstone Alliance and Berrien County economic development organizations in the area, since 2010. The economic impact from area tourism revenue has also increased each of the last five -years.

When a golf course has hosted a major, visitors arrive on the first tee with elevated expectations. The inspired layout at Harbor Shores, built improbably on a site that housed abandoned auto parts factories and a massive dump site, delivers beauty, challenge, and strategy at every turn.

The course, which Nicklaus has tabbed as one of his 18 favorite designs of all time, runs over four remarkably diverse terrains in a spectacular topographical locale. The beginning holes, 1-6, are in the Inland terrain, which was a site for a company that made automobile brakes.

Holes 7, 8, and 9 wind along a dramatic exposed dunes-scape with awe-inspiring views of Lake Michigan. Holes 10 through 13 plays through woodlands terrain and wind through rolling hills, ravines, and a hardwood forest. The finishing holes, 14 through 18, border the Paw Paw River, Ox Creek and

its wetlands. It was also an area of a former Superfund site once occupied by a company that manufactured components for fighter planes. Through remarkable engineering and vision, today, the course runs across some of Michigan’s best terrain including a photogenic setting along the coastal dunes of Lake Michigan.

When planning your stay, the new Champions Villa is a perfect space for 4-8 golfers. It’s conveniently located along the first fairway right next to the clubhouse. This 2,000-square-foot, 4-bedroom/4-bath unit exemplifies golf luxury and is equipped with a full kitchen and open living space. Make sure to check out the Champions Package that includes two nights lodging plus unlimited golf for four guests.

Another excellent option for lodging is the beautiful Inn at Harbor Shores, a 92room luxury hotel on the St. Joseph River. It features 14 luxury suites, two top-floor condominiums, a rooftop meeting space, and a wide selection of dining options such as Plank’s Tavern on the Water, Torch & Tapas, and Rise & Vine. A selection of fine dining options (including Plank’s Tavern on the Water, Torch & Tapas and Rise & Vine), a full-service spa, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, state-of-the-art meeting rooms and wedding venues for up to 300 guests

makes it a premier golf and lifestyle venue. Also explore nearby Makers Trail that features some of Michigan’s finest breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Today, Harbor Shores has become one of the region’s best places to live, work and play. The resort brings jobs, pride, and a discerning class of travelers to its thriving community. Harbor Shores Resort sits just 90 minutes east

of Chicago, three hours west of Detroit and three hours north of Indianapolis, making it a convenient weekend getaway destination and an ideal location for team building events, weddings and more. TSG

For more information:

269.927.4653

HARBORSHORESRESORT.COM

Gull Lake View Golf Resort: A Golfer’s Hidden Gem

By Al Ryding, Contributing Writer

Located in Augusta, MI and nestled in the south-central part of the state, the Gull Lake View Golf Resort is a hidden gem for golf enthusiasts. This expansive golf destination offers six championship courses, comfortable accommodations, and a serene natural backdrop, making it an ideal retreat for avid golfers, their friends and families.

The Gull Lake View Golf Resort has a rich

history dating back to 1962 when the first course, Gull Lake View East, was established by Darl and Letha Scott. This family-owned resort has since grown into one of the premier golf destinations in the entire Midwest. The Gull Lake View Golf Resort has consistently strived to provide golfers with an exceptional experience at an affordable price. The resort’s evolution over the years showcases their

GULL LAKE VIEW EAST

The East course is another challenging course, with multiple water hazards and elevation changes. Length isn’t a factor on this layout but accuracy is necessary if you are to score well.

Gull Lake View East has been rated as high Michigan’s 10th best course.

commitment to the game of golf and the satisfaction of their patrons.

One of the standout features of the Gull Lake View Golf Resort is its six distinctive golf courses. Each course has its own character and design, offering a variety of challenges and scenery to golfers of all skill levels. Let’s take a closer look at these courses:

GULL LAKE VIEW WEST

The oldest course in the resort, Gull Lake View West, is known for its classic layout and well-maintained fairways and greens. The course is a true test of a golfer’s precision and strategy, with rolling hills and valleys and mature trees adding to its beauty.

STONEHEDGE SOUTH:

Stonehedge South was built by Darl’s son Charles in 1988 and has since been included in Golf Digest’s list of top 75 most affordable courses in the U.S. There are several tight tree-lined holes that will make you think about your shot shape and how best to keep your ball in play. Some say that each hole could be considered a “signature hole” at Stonehedge South.

Gull Lake View West Hole #8

Gull Lake View East Hole #17

Stonehedge South Hole #5

BEDFORD VALLEY

Bedford Valley was the fourth Gull Lake View course and is the only course not on the Augusta property. It’s located in Battle Creek, which is about 15 minutes away and was purchased by the Scott family in 1988. Known for its mammoth bunkers, wide fairways and mighty oaks, Bedford Valley has hosted many historic events such as the Michigan Open, Michigan Senior Open, NCAA Championship and Michigan Publinx State Match Play Championship.

STOATIN BRAE

One of the resort’s most distinctive courses, Stoatin Brae is the sixth course and most recent addition, having opened in the spring of 2015. Designed by renowned architect Tom Doak, it offers a more rugged, links-style experience with open fairways, deep bunkers, and fast and firm playing conditions. Stoatin Brae is considered the resort’s “crown jewel” and sits atop the highest point in Kalamazoo County offering expansive and amazing views of the surrounding countryside.

The diversity among these six courses means that golfers can play a new round every day and never get bored. Whether you prefer the classic charm of Gull Lake View East, the stunning vistas of Stoatin Brae, or the challenges of Stonehedge North, there’s something for everyone.

STONEHEDGE NORTH

Designed by Charles Scott, Stonehedge North is Gull Lake View’s fifth course, which opened in 1995. This design offers a more traditional layout with a mix of challenging and forgiving holes. The rolling terrain and water hazards provide a diverse and enjoyable golfing experience.

Regarding course and property conditions, I can attest that the greens were consistently lush and well-kept, where putts rolled smooth, true and fast. Fairways and bunkers are also expertly maintained, enhancing the overall golfing experience. No matter which course you choose to play, you

can expect top-notch conditions that make your round even more enjoyable. At Stoatin Brae, I did notice that they removed heather from the right and left rough on many of the holes between 190 and 270 yards off most tees, allowing you to find and play your ball without severe penalty or delay. TSG

Bedfore Valley Hole #7

Stonehedge North Hole #7

Stoatin Brae Hole #17

By Joe Burkhardt, Publisher

David Payntr is a former professional cricketer who was deeply frustrated by the lack of quality footwear. He started modifying sneakers and adding spikes to existing footwear. Other players wanted him to modify their shoes, and in 2017, he launched the renowned brand in the sports footwear industry with the introduction of Payntr Golf Shoes. These shoes seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with stylish design to offer golfers a premium and performance-driven footwear option.

One of the key features of Payntr Golf Shoes is their emphasis on comfort and support. The shoes are crafted using high-quality materials that provide a snug fit without compromising on breathability. The incorporation of advanced cushioning technology ensures that golfers can enjoy long hours on the course with reduced fatigue and enhanced stability.

I must admit, I never heard of them and when I tried them they were extremely comfortable and had great support– I could wear them not only on the golf course but to the golf course and after my round.

In addition to comfort, Payntr Golf Shoes boast a sleek and modern design that caters to both aesthetics and functionality. The shoes are available in a variety of styles and colors, allowing golfers to express their personality on the course. The thoughtful design extends to the outsole, which is engineered to provide optimal traction and grip, enhancing the golfer’s performance in different terrains and weather conditions.

Durability is another hallmark of Payntr Golf Shoes. The brand is known for its commitment to quality, ensuring that the shoes withstand the rigors of the golf course over an extended period. Whether navigating through wet grass or tackling challenging terrains, golfers can trust Payntr Golf Shoes to deliver durability and reliability.

Moreover, Payntr often collaborates with professional golfers. Former Masters Champion Mike Weir wears them, as does world teacher David Leadbetter, incorporating their insights into the design and functionality of the shoes. This collaboration ensures that the shoes meet the specific needs of golfers at different skill levels, contributing to an overall positive experience on the golf course.

Payntr Golf Shoes stand out as a fusion of style, comfort, and performance. With a commitment to innovation and a focus on meeting the demands of the modern golfer, Payntr continues to leave an indelible mark on the golf footwear market. My recommendation is try a pair for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

For more information: www.payntrgolf.com

GOLF EQUIPMENT

Looking for a Winter Golf Boot? Duca del Cosma

By Joe Burkhardt, Publisher

If you play winter golf, Duca del Cosma is a renowned Italian brand that has gained recognition for its highquality golf footwear, catering to both men and women with a commitment to style, comfort, and performance. The brand’s golf boots for men and women are a testament to their dedication to merging fashion with functionality on the golf course.

For men, Duca del Cosma offers a diverse range of golf boots designed to meet the demands of both style-conscious golfers and those focused on performance. The brand incorporates premium materials, such as luxurious leather, in the construction of their boots, ensuring durability and a sophisticated aesthetic. Men’s golf boots by Duca del Cosma often feature innovative designs that seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary flair. These boots not only provide excellent traction and stability on the golf course but also make a bold fashion statement.

“I must say, I was skeptical, especially playing in golf shoes all my life and we found them to be comfortable, warm and stylish”.

Duca del Cosma’s women’s golf boots exhibit the same commitment to quality and style. Recognizing the increasing number of women embracing golf, the brand has crafted a collection that caters specifically to their needs. Women’s golf boots from Duca del Cosma are designed with a keen understanding of both fashion and functionality, allowing female golfers to express their personal style while enjoying the benefits of advanced golf footwear technology. These boots are often characterized by elegant detailing, feminine silhouettes, and a focus on comfort to accommodate the unique requirements of female golfers.

Both men’s and women’s golf boots from Duca del Cosma prioritize performance on the golf course. The brand incorporates features such as waterproofing, breathable materials, and ergonomic designs to ensure that golfers can focus on their game without compromising on comfort. The incorporation of advanced technologies in the design of these boots reflects Duca del Cosma’s commitment to staying at the forefront of golf footwear innovation.

So if you are in the market for a golf boot, I highly recommend Duca del Cosma’s men’s and women’s golf boots that are a harmonious blend of style and functionality. Whether you’re a male golfer looking for a sophisticated and high-performance footwear option or a female golfer seeking a combination of elegance and cutting-edge technology, Duca del Cosma offers a range of golf boots that cater to diverse tastes and preferences on the golf course.

For more information: www.ducadelcosma.com

Turtle Creek Just Feels Like Home The Waltz Family Continues To Put Out The Welcome Mat At Their Popular Public Course In Limerick

By Tom McNichol, Contributing Writer

Lisa Waltz mostly experiences Turtle Creek, the public golf course along West Ridge Pike in Limerick Township her family built and continues to operate, from afar.

She has carved out a nice career as an actress in Hollywood, a couple thousand miles away from the rich farmland that made Turtle Creek such a perfect canvas for the golf course her father and mother, Bill and Bobbie and her uncle Ray imagined for it.

Lisa helps out with the Turtle Creek website and she knows as much as anybody how important it is for a public golf course to maintain a digital presence. But what has always set Turtle Creek apart from so many public golf offerings is its personal touch.

“There was a period of time when golf courses went all in with their websites and putting out TikTok videos and getting your starting times on-line and that’s all great,” Lisa Waltz said when she came home for Thanksgiving as the 2023 golf season was winding down. “But most days, when the phone rings at Turtle Creek, it’s usually my mother who’s picking it up.

“I guess we’re a little old-school in that way, but it’s the kind of personal-touch that our regulars appreciate.”

Bobbie Waltz, Lisa’s mother, remains the heart and soul of the operation as Turtle Creek enters its 27th year in a western Montgomery public golf scene that has grown exponentially in those three decades.

Most days, Bobbie is the first person you will run across when you enter the pro shop at Turtle Creek. She gets there before the sun rises and she will often be there when darkness falls at the Turtle.

And if you call Turtle Creek with a question, yes it’s pretty likely it will be Bobbie Waltz you’re talking to.

Bobbie enjoys chatting up the regulars when they’re enjoying a post-round beer and she’ll look after every little detail when a group is at the Turtle for an outing. She’s never far away from the golf shop as she resides in the Waltz family homestead that sits just off the

green of the risk-reward par-5 18th hole at Turtle Creek.

Turtle Creek, you see, is what the Waltz family does.

Bobbie will get some help this year when her daughter Sandy Waltz joins the family business after retiring as an English teacher in the Phoenixville Area School District.

“She brings a teacher’s heart to the operation,” Lisa Waltz said of her sister. “What do school teachers do? They plan, they make lists, they make schedules. I think it took a little getting used to for some of the people who’ve been here for a while.

“I guess we were always a little looseygoosey, but everything always got done. I think she’ll help keep everybody on the same page.”

That means Sandy Waltz will be upgrading the human resources side of things for the staff with flow charts, inventory and schedules going virtual.

Sandy Waltz had always stayed involved in the operation at Turtle Creek in the summertime, particularly the food-service side of the business.

“Sandy loves mixing up cocktails, like our Turtle Transfusions, one of our specialties,” Lisa said. “And she’s looking forward to reimagining our food and beverage service.”

Like a lot of golf courses, the outing business at Turtle Creek has fully recovered from the uncertain days of the coronavirus pandemic. And Sandy Waltz will be working with Turtle Creek’s clientele, giving them the option of hiring outside caterers for their outing.

And then there is the golf course. It is in the capable hands of John Welsh, Sandy’s husband, the only superintendent Turtle Creek has known.

Lisa’s cousin Ray, (Butch to the family) is a partner in the business and spends most of his time overseeing operations at Waltz Golf Farm. Ray’s father Ray Sr., one of the founding fathers of the golfing complex, passed away in 2023.

Ray Waltz Sr. always shared the dream of his father, Raymond G. Waltz, to add an 18hole course to the Waltz Golf Farm, a driving

Lisa Waltz as “Suzanne” in AMC’s “Fear The Walking Dead: Flight 462”

range, nine-hole course and a miniature golf complex that you can see from West Ridge Pike.

It is Welsh, often accompanied by Nittany, Turtle Creek’s official dog, and the Turtle Creek maintenance crew who sweat out the vagaries of the weather and the ups and downs of keeping the grass green and it is Turtle Creek’s country club-like conditions that separate it from most public courses. Turtle Creek’s roots are, quite literally, in the grass.

Welsh and his crew were busy as they prepared for the 2024 season. They refurbished the bunkers, installed new tie walls and made improvements to the hardscape and the landscape.

There are plans to replace the tent that adjoins the clubhouse and contains the grill that produces all those tasty hot dogs and hamburgers with a more permanent pavilion structure.

Bill Waltz always envisioned Turtle Creek as a place where junior golfers would be able to develop their games.

As the head coach of the Phoenixville girls golf team, a role she has retained despite retiring as a teacher, Sandy Waltz has made her late father’s vision very real.

Sisters Kate and Kayley Roberts were two of the best high school players in Pennsylvania at Phoenixville the last two years, leading Sandy Waltz’s Phantoms to the first state team championship in Phoenixville’s storied sports history in the fall of 2022.

The Turtle Creek layout, an Ed Beidel design that measures 6,702 yards from the tips and plays to a par of 72, has been the place every high school golfer in District One is trying to get to ever since the district championship was first staged there in 2002.

In the fall of 2023, Kate Roberts and Kayley Roberts battled it out down the stretch for the District One Class AAA individual crown with Kate, a senior and the older sister, beating her younger sister Kayley, a sophomore, by a shot for the title, playing

on a Turtle Creek layout that has been their home course.

“They’ve really cut their teeth here,” Lisa Waltz said. “They work so hard. If you’re here, you’re going to see them out there working on their games. They made it cool to be on the golf team at Phoenixville.”

You can watch Kayley Roberts on TV in April competing in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals the Sunday of Masters week as she earned a trip to Augusta National Golf by winning the Girls 14-15 division in a regional qualifier in the fall at Aronimink Golf Club.

The golf side of the operation at Turtle Creek has a new face for 2024 as Rich Krause has taken over as the new director of golf operations.

One thing that has not changed, though, and that is the continuation of the golf boom that started not long after the COVID-19 pandemic first surfaced in the spring of 2020.

With recreational activities limited because of social distancing, it quickly became apparent that golf was something people could do safely. People who had the sticks stored away brought them back out and people who had never played golf before tried the game and found they liked it.

Public courses like Turtle Creek particularly benefited from the sudden surge of golfers, almost to the point of being overwhelmed. Nearly four years later, though, a new era of golf continues unabated.

“It has not let up,” Lisa Waltz said. “The pandemic really changed everything. People had to reassess what they do with their time. Things have returned to normal, but somehow golf survives. Maybe some people aren’t doing the things that got them through the pandemic, but golf is impervious to that.”

Turtle Creek is surrounded by a large group of competitors for the public golf dollar. Raven’s Claw Golf Club is right up Ridge Pike a few miles, Linfield National Golf Club and Landis Creek Golf Club are also in Limerick Township, Bella Vista Golf Club is nearby,

Twin Ponds Golf Course is in Gilbertsville and Hickory Valley has 36 holes not far from Gilbertsville.

Kimberton Golf Club, Pickering Valley Golf Club and Spring Hollow Golf Club are in neighboring Chester County and there are plentiful options in nearby Berks County.

Lisa Waltz looks at all that competition and sees it as a strength, not a weakness.

“Having all those great courses in this area makes us better,” she said.

Turtle Creek remains a bargain, particularly for senior golfers. Walkers are always welcome and it is a very walkable golf course. And the relaxed atmosphere at Turtle Creek, that comes straight from the Waltz family that runs the place.

Lisa hadn’t been home for Thanksgiving for a while when she turned down the Turtle Creek driveway past the driving range, the Castle mini-course and the par-3 that make up the Waltz Golf Farm. She was happy to be home.

“I drove down that driveway and I couldn’t help but think, ‘Our family business continues,’” Lisa said. “It always fills me with a lot of pride. I’d like to think my Grandfather, my Uncle and my Dad would be proud too since it all started with their vision.” TSG

Sandy Waltz with Kate and Kayley Roberts

LIV Golf Announces League Format And Competition Enhancements

Field Size, Counting Scores, Points and Prize Money Distribution

Among Key Changes for 2024

On the heels of announcing final team rosters and Wild Cards for 2024, LIV Golf today released league format enhancements ahead of this week’s season-opening event at LIV Golf Mayakoba.

To build upon the sport’s most unique competition, the LIV Golf League has instituted enhancements effective for the 2024 season spanning across field size, counting scores, individual points distribution, season-long individual standings and qualification for the Team Championship.

“The competition updates for 2024 reflect a natural evolution of the LIV Golf League format and illustrate our commitment to further enhancing an exciting product for the players and the fans,” said LIV Golf SVP of Competition Management David Benne. “League leadership will continue to work with our world-class players and teams to strengthen LIV Golf competition as we move the sport into the future. We’re looking forward to the League’s season opener this week and a thrilling year ahead.”

LEAGUE FORMAT ENHANCEMENTS

FIELD SIZE – 54 players, including 13 teams (4 players each) and 2 Wild Card players.

COUNTING SCORES – Each team’s top three scores count for rounds 1 and 2. All four scores will now count for each team in the final round of each event.

INDIVIDUAL POINTS DISTRIBUTION

– Points for players finishing with the same score will be added up and distributed evenly. Tiebreakers will only be in effect to determine podium positions.

SEASON-LONG INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS

– Season long individual standings will retain the Lock Zone for positions 1-24, with updated cut-offs for the Open Zone (25-48) and Drop Zone (49 and below) to reflect the increased field size. Players finishing in the top 24 at the end of the regular season secure their 2025 spot in the League. Players finishing 25-48 who are out of contract will need to be re-signed by their team or picked up by another team. Players finishing 49 and below are relegated out of the League and qualify for the 2024 LIV Golf Promotions tournament.

INDIVIDUAL POINTS & PRIZE MONEY

– Individual points will again be awarded to the top24 finishers in each event. Prize money payouts have been adjusted to account for the six players added to the field. Click here to view tournament points and purse distribution for 2024.

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

FIELD – The top 12 teams following the 13th regular season event will be seeded. The team that finishes in 13th place will not compete but will still attend.

LIV Golf competition begins tomorrow in Mexico, the kick-off to the league’s 14 tournament schedule in new and returning markets across the world. Fans are encouraged to sign up for free to LIV X to receive exclusive updates and access, including information on hospitality tickets and grounds passes for LIV Golf events which include live music and fan activities for all ages.

Throughout the season, LIV Golf League competition will air in the U.S. on Saturdays and Sundays on The CW, The CW App and LIV Golf Plus, with Friday rounds carried on The CW App and LIV Golf Plus. In addition, LIV Golf tournaments are carried globally on LIV Golf Plus, the LIV Golf YouTube channel and on more than a dozen international broadcast partners, delivering league broadcasts in over 180 territories to more than 380 million homes worldwide. For more information on how to watch the LIV Golf League, visit LIVGolf.com/whereto-watch.

LIV Golf is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments whose vision and mission are centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.

Whitney Espinoza: One Of Golf’s Rising Social Media Stars

By Mike May, Contributing Writer

Today, one of the more unique personalities in golf is actually not a playing professional, an instructor, or a caddie. It’s 44-yearold Whitney Espinoza who lives on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. In just a few months, she has made a name for herself on social media as a golf fashion model, specifically on Instagram and TikTok.

“I’m a mom, grandma, and content creator,” says Espinoza, who is known as the HotGrandma.

Espinoza already has 106,000 followers on Instagram, where her handle is HotGrandma.1. She’s new on TikTok, where her handle is hotgrandma11, but

she expects her list of followers to grow in the coming weeks and months. Right now, her TikTok delegation is close to 3,000 followers. And, by the time you read this story, her list of Instagram and TikTok followers will most likely be higher. You might be one of them, especially after you access her website: www.officialhotgrandma.com.

Despite her young age, she is truly a grandmother.

“I have four children and two grandchildren,” says Espinoza.

Right now, she is posting eye-catching images of her on Instagram and TikTok on a daily basis.

“I am posting every day and I’m keeping it light-hearted,” notes Espinoza.

And, she also communicates with her followers on Instagram and TikTok.

“Roughly three to four times a week, I chat with followers for 30 to 60 minutes on Instagram and I’m ‘live’ on my OnlyFans on Friday and Sunday nights at 9:00 pm,” says Espinoza. “I went ‘live’ on TikTok for the first time in January.”

Right now, Espinoza is not charging clients to showcase their apparel, hats, footwear, and accessories, but that will not always be the case.

“I am looking forward to monetizing my presence on social media,” adds Espinoza. “I’m not asking companies to send me items to promote. Instead, they are just sending them.”

Companies that want to contact Espinoza via email can reach her at hotgrandma.info@gmail.com and promotional items can be sent to her at P.O. Box 922, Powhatan, Virginia 23139.

With a daily dedication to her presence on social media, she expects her number of followers to grow quickly.

“At some point this year, I hope to get closer to 200,000 followers on Instagram,” predicts Espinoza.

Her decision to align herself with golf is because she likes golf’s atmosphere and vibe. And, her husband plays golf, too.

“My husband is a good golfer and I like being on the golf course,” says Espinoza. “I like being outside and I’m a good passenger in the golf cart.”

Espinoza’s decision to launch herself

into the golf world as a social media model was made in the fall of 2023. Prior to that, she worked in the corporate world.

“I worked fulltime as a district manager for a company based in Richmond that owned restaurants, after hours clubs and strip clubs in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas,” says Espinoza, who is a graduate of Braxton College. She also has a few semesters under her belt in contract law from Harvard University.

Those are perfect work experiences and qualifications for one of today’s most unique personalities in golf. TSG

Bobby Jones Links to Manage Chapel Hills and Mirror Lake Golf Clubs for New Owner Silverline Golf Group

Atlanta Area Clubs To See Enhanced Amenities And Event Programming

Bobby Jones Links (BJL), the golf industry’s leading client-centric, boutique management company, has been named the official management company of Chapel Hills Golf Club and Mirror Lake Golf Club, two Atlanta-area private golf clubs that offer joint membership privileges. Atlanta-based Silverline Golf Group recently completed the purchase of both clubs and will begin improving the amenities and developing an enhanced slate of member events and activities to appeal to more demographics within the membership.

Bobby Jones Links will leverage its expertise in club operations and optimizing member experience at clubs all over the country while taking a handson approach to revitalizing Chapel Hills and Mirror Lake which both sit just a few miles from BJL’s Alpharetta Support Center.

“Bobby Jones Links is honored to have been selected by Silverline Golf to manage and serve the membership of Chapel Hills Golf Club and Mirror Lake Golf Club,” said Bobby Jones Links Founding Partner Steve Willy. “Both the ownership and the BJL team see tremendous opportunity for these 18-hole Chapel Hills and 36hole Mirror Lakes properties to become

the hubs of their respective communities and bring a deep sense of pride and lifestyle enrichment for this membership. The greatest days are ahead for these sister clubs as they start to become true destination clubs with a great wealth of rewarding activities for every member of the family.”

Willy emphasizes that the outstanding existing infrastructure in the fine quality of both golf courses and clubhouses and a healthy and thriving membership will allow Silverline Golf and BJL to hit the ground running with immediate implementation of events and programming that will breathe new energy into the club and incentivize members to spend more time at the club while enjoying greater value from their memberships. While most of the first wave of improvements will pertain to event and activity programming, with additional fun and engaging activities presented in an attractive and inclusive way, some clubhouse, cart path and sand trap improvement projects will also be addressed early in this transitional phase.

The BJL team will work collaboratively within the fast-growing and economically thriving Villa Rica community to make Chapel Hills and Mirror Lake an attractive destination for charitable and corporate events that bring additional pride and purpose.

According to Silverline Golf leadership, BJL was selected to manage Chapel Hills and Mirror Lake because of its expertise in operating clubs efficiently but also because the nimble management firm takes a personal approach that brings out the true culture and identity of each club it manages. BJL will focus on bringing new life to the clubs and making the experience more fun for all ages by offering more programming that matches the active lifestyle and fun-seeking habits of today’s families.

“We’re excited for this transition for our team as much as we are for the members of Chapel Hills and Mirror Lake because these members are going to experience a much deeper and much more fun and engaging connection to their club,” Willy adds. “From the BJL side, it’s an opportunity to use our collective skill base and industry expertise to do something really special in a club and community that might have been a touch underserved in the past, but their time has definitely come and our team will see that member experience is completely optimal and very true to the community and people who make this membership special.”

Chapel Hills Golf Club (rated 4.5 by GolfPass users) and Mirror Lake Golf Club (with its Mountain and Lake courses both rated 4.8 by GolfPass users) are billed as two great clubs with exceptional golf

and more. Located just west of Atlanta in Douglasville, the 18-hole Chapel Hills Golf Club is a member favorite designed by Rocky Roquemore and Jeff Burton. The undulating double green on holes 9 and 18, as well as all of its other greens are some of the best-kept and fastest in the area. The layout meanders through steep hills and numerous granite outcroppings that are typical in Georgia. It’s an aesthetically pleasing course that’s challenging to play. Perched high above the course, the clubhouse offers spectacular views of the

surrounding natural beauty and includes a pro shop, restaurant and locker rooms. Members can enjoy indoor dining and gorgeous views on the patio overlooking the course. It’s also easy to host events in the private dining room with signature service. In addition to great pool and tennis amenities, the club offers a robust calendar of events and seasonal activities specifically tailored to children.

Also, just west of Atlanta in Villa Rica, Mirror Lake is a Roquemore and Burton creation that’s been delighting

members and guests since it opened in 1999. Set on the shore of beautiful 100acre Mirror Lake, its 36 holes of great golf feature some of the area’s most spectacular views. Atlanta golfers who choose to make the short drive on I-20 to visit Mirror Lake always enjoy the challenge of the four distinct nines and five tee options. Members take in the gorgeous panoramas as they dine in the grill, which offers tableside and walk-up service and a patio for outdoor dining. The private dining room accommodates up to 40 guests for parties and golf events. In addition to four outdoor tennis courts and a swimming pool, a spacious clubhouse offers a fully stocked pro shop and locker rooms, plus kids’ activities and a variety of events.

Membership includes access to both clubs. Walking is permitted at both facilities after 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Both clubhouses include a dining room, men’s and women’s locker rooms and a pro shop. But the clubs offer more than just great golf. Members enjoy tennis, swimming, and a variety of events for adults and children, as well as the amenities provided by the clubhouses. Sports clinics and programs are offered throughout the year, as well as group and private lessons. Chapel Hills/Mirror Lake members also received preferred rates on golf at other participating BJL-managed golf courses.

To learn more, visit BobbyJonesLinks. com.

GolfTrainingAids.com Debuts The Draw Board

New Training Aid Teaches Golfers To Consistently Hit One Of The

Game’s

Most Coveted, Powerful, Controlled Shots, The Draw

GolfTrainingAids.com, home of the world’s largest selection of golf teaching and training aids, is proud to debut a game-improving golf innovation called The Draw Board. In collaboration with Dan Frost, Golftrainingaids.com, announces this breakthrough product, inspired by the famous 13th hole at Augusta National Golf Club. The Draw Board is crafted to bring the skills that can best tame Augusta’s contours to golfers everywhere, allowing them to experience and groove how the perfect draw shot feels anywhere, anytime.

Recent studies show that more than 60 percent of amateur golfers can only play one shot shape: The Dreaded Slice. The Draw Board is purpose-built to help golfers achieve an effortless and reliable draw on command while executing the proper swing path that is so essential in golf. This breakthrough product is built for durability and its clean design makes it a visually appealing addition to any player’s practice routine. The Draw Board features wedge inserts that are specifically designed to guide the swing path during practice sessions, helping develop the

sensation of how to hit a draw shot consistently.

Dan Frost elaborates on the unique features of the Draw Board: “This device is akin to transporting the iconic undulations of Augusta National into your personal training space. It’s designed for simplicity yet delivers profound results. The Draw Board’s visual cues and exaggerated feel make it one of the most intuitive tools for transforming a slice into a desirable draw. Its beauty lies in its straightforwardness, providing obvious feedback that naturally guides golfers toward perfecting their draw shot.”

Highlights of the Draw Board include:

• Inspiration from Augusta National: Mimicking the undulating terrain of Augusta National’s 13th hole, the Draw Board offers golfers the unique opportunity to practice on a sloped lie with the essence of one of golf’s most revered courses.

• Patented Wedge Inserts: Integral to the Draw Board’s functionality, these inserts enable golfers to feel the correct swing motion for hitting a draw, fostering the development of muscle memory and proper swing mechanics.

• Simplicity and Intuitive Feedback: The Draw Board’s design prioritizes simplicity, offering clear visual guidance and immediate physical feedback, making it an incredibly effective tool for golfers transitioning from a slice to a draw.

“In a market with so many golf training aids, the Draw Board stands out for its unique approach. While other training aids focus solely on swing mechanics, the Draw Board takes the learning a step further by incorporating wedge inserts and physical feedback tuned into the body’s sense of feel,” says GolfTraingingAids.com President John Diulus. “This unique combination allows golfers to develop both the technical aspects and the feel required to hit the draw shot that so many golfers covet but haven’t ever learned how to play it when they need it. We fully expect The Draw Board to be one of GolfTrainingAids.com’s hottest sellers in 2024.”

Diulus and Frost believe the Draw Board is the ultimate tool for beginning or experienced players looking to master the art of hitting a draw. In addition to teaching golfers the proper swing path, using the Draw Board can help golfers develop muscle memory, and ultimately enable them to hit a powerful draw more consistently.

Learn more at GolfTrainingAids.com.

GolfForever Secures $10 Million in Series A Funding, Led by Clerisy

GolfForever, which offers golfers of all ages and abilities access to an at-home training system developed by world-class doctors and fitness experts, today announced it has closed a $10 million Series A funding round led by Clerisy, a consumer growth equity fund. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number 1 golfer, and PGA Tour winner Tom Kim both joined the round as equity investors and serve as GolfForever brand ambassadors.

GolfForever will use the new investment to accelerate its expansion through new industry, athlete and retail partnerships, a multi-state mobile experience tour and a series of other planned activations and events, and research initiatives that will impact its users and golfers worldwide. The GolfForever Training System is currently available through the brand’s own e-commerce site, Amazon and more than 900 retail doors, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, PGA Tour Superstore and golf clubs and courses nationwide.

“GolfForever was founded with a mission to help golfers of all levels and experience improve their bodies, so they can improve their games and play without pain or injury at every age and for as long as possible,” said Jeremy James, DC, CSCS, Founder and CEO of GolfForever. “We’re thrilled to join forces with Clerisy and Scottie and Tom, two of the world’s greatest golfers, to accelerate our growth and enable more players to reach and maintain their full potential and enjoy the game for years to come.”

More than 400 PGA Tour and LPGA Tour pros, along with thousands of amateur

golfers, use GolfForever to increase their flexibility, strength, balance and rotational power for more speed and consistency in their swings, and to avoid the pain and injuries that are common to golfers.

The LPGA additionally created a groundbreaking partnership with GolfForever, equipping all tour players with GolfForever Swing Trainers, app memberships and onsite training at tournaments as the cornerstone of the LPGA fitness program.

GolfForever is the first golfspecific training and wellness program that pairs portable equipment with a mobile app offering streaming instruction co-developed and presented by some of the top golf trainers and medical experts in the world. The AI-powered GolfForever app customizes each golfer’s exercise routines based on a proprietary strength and flexibility test. This results in personalized warmups, daily workouts and recovery plans to help each user maximize performance.

“GolfForever is a vital part of my daily warmup and fitness routine, and a key contributor to my success over the past two years,” said Scottie Scheffler. “I’m proud to help bring our training system to players everywhere, whether you’re a pro like me or a weekend golfer. Every golfer should use it.”

Aside from Scheffler and Kim, GolfForever’s brand ambassadors include PGA Tour pros Zach Johnson, Justin

Leonard, Ryan Palmer and renowned instructor Rick Smith, who has worked with Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, among many others.

“The game of golf is growing across the globe and GolfForever has created a new category in the sport which gives men and women of all ages and skill levels access to the same expertise and daily training as the pros on the PGA and LPGA Tours,” said Lisa Myers, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clerisy. “The sport’s growth is being propelled by a number of tailwinds, including increasing longevity, rising numbers of outdoor enthusiasts, and interest in onand off-course experiences among younger and more diverse players. GolfForever was created by medical professionals and expert trainers and the system’s credibility and effectiveness have earned it the endorsement of the sport’s most prestigious players and organizations. We’re proud to partner with Jeremy and the entire team as they bring this unique training system to more golfers at all skill levels.”

GolfForever’s board members and previous investors include Bob Hurst, Vice Chairman of Crestview Partners and former Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs, Amnon Rodan, Chairman Emeritus of Rodan + Fields, and Howard Jenkins, former Chairman and CEO of Publix Super Markets. Other science and business advisors include Todd Albert, MD and Chief Surgeon Emeritus at the Hospital for Special Surgery; Troy Van Biezen DC, ART, BPE, NASMPES, TPI-CGFI and PGA Tour Performance Coach; Mark King, CEO of Taco Bell and former CEO of TaylorMade Golf; Mark Ford, Former President, Sports Illustrated Group; and Chris Crowley, who co-authored the New York Times best-seller, The Younger Next Year Back Book, with Jeremy James.

For more information, visit GolfForever. com or download the mobile app on the Apple Store or Google Play.

TRUE linkswear Celebrates Chris Kirk’s Victory at The Sentry

Epic Birdie From 209 Yards Clinches

Season

Opener For Six-Time Winner, Who Wore TRUE’s All Day Ripstop V2 Golf Shoes

TRUE linkswear (TRUE), creators of ultra-comfortable, modern golf footwear for walking on the course and off, congratulates PGA TOUR brand ambassador Chris Kirk, who wore TRUE All Day Ripstop V2 golf shoes during his stellar one-shot victory at The Sentry on Sunday. Kirk said Aloha to the 2024 season by blistering the Plantation Course at Kapalua with a 29-under-par finish to collect his sixth-career win and the $3.6 million first-prize check.

The Georgia-born and former University of Georgia standout recorded 30 birdies and just one bogey over the four rounds and led the field in four critical Strokes-Gained categories: Total Putts, Around the Green, Scrambling, and Strokes Gained: Total.

The All Day Ripstop V2 is the most versatile all-season shoe TRUE has ever introduced. Designed to keep you warm and dry on cold, wet days while remaining breathable and comfortable when it’s warm thanks to its all-season design and temperature regulating premium wool liner. Featuring a wind and water-resistant 100-percent recycled, durable ripstop polyester shell, a fully updated aesthetic, and the All Day V2 sole with non-slip rubber, the AD Ripstop V2 redefines comfort on and off the course.

“Chris Kirk kicked off the 2024 PGA

Tour season in heroic fashion. His 209yard approach shot on #17, the 71st hole of the tournament, is a very-early contender for shot of the year and is a testament to his clutch resolve and immense talent on the golf course,” said TRUE Co-Founder and CEO Jason Moore. “We couldn’t be prouder to partner with Chris and have him represent TRUE as a PGA TOUR brand ambassador. It’s going to be an amazing season.”

Last season, the resurgent Kirk recorded four top-10 finishes, including his first win on the PGA TOUR since 2015, and finished 32nd in the FedEx Cup Standings. Kirk will compete in all four of golf’s major championships this season and defend his title and the nowrebranded Cognizant Championship at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm

Beach Gardens, Florida. Kirk’s fellow TRUE PGA TOUR Brand Ambassadors include Joel Dahmen, Mark Hubbard, Oliver Wilson, Ryan Brehm, Dylan Wu and company Co-Founder Ryan Moore. The LPGA’s Christina Kim is also a TRUE Brand Ambassador.

The TRUE All Day Ripstop V2 Kirk wore during The Sentry boasts the following features:

100% Recycled, Durable Polyester Ripstop Upper

Highly Water & Wind Resistant Construction*

Ergonomic, Minimalist Design for Enhanced Natural Comfort

New All Day V2 Sole with Non-Slip Rubber tread

Renewable and Temperature Regulating Wool Liner

Tour Tested & Approved Outsole

Cushion & Tread

Re-usable Shoe/Shag Bag in Lieu of the Traditional Cardboard Shoe Box

Anti-Microbial and Breathable Insert & Liner for All-Season Comfort

Transitional Drop (~6 mm)

Comfortably Fits up to EE Width

In keeping with its global ethos, TRUE’s current footwear portfolio includes five core designs focused on sustainability, performance and comfort with a modern, minimalist aesthetic appealing to professional golfers, dedicated amateurs, avid recreational players and new golfers alike. Several TRUE models, including the All Day Ripstop 2.0, are crafted almost entirely from recycled materials.

Learn more about the TRUE Ambassadors and look for other TRUE Ambassador stories coming soon at www. truelinkswear.com/pages/ambassador.

Golfweek Ranks 7 Myrtle Beach Layouts Among America’s Top 200 Resort Courses

Golfweek has released its always anticipated ranking of the “Top 200 resort courses in the U.S.,” and seven Myrtle Beach layouts, including two in the top 50, earned a spot on the prestigious list.

“Myrtle Beach is golf’s most popular destination, and Golfweek’s ranking of America’s premier resort courses highlights the depth and quality of the area’s offerings,” said Kyle Oland, Director of Marketing for Golf Tourism Solutions, the agency responsible for promoting Myrtle Beach as a golf destination. “With the peak spring season on the horizon, we look forward to welcoming players from across the nation, as they will enjoy great golf and good times on and off the course.”

Leading the charge for Myrtle Beach-area layouts were Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and The Dunes Golf & Beach Club. Mike Strantz’s first solo design, Caledonia was No. 46 on the list, wowing raters with its unforgettable combination of architecture, artistry and a beautiful piece of Lowcountry property.

The Dunes Club, ranked No. 48, is preparing to host the Myrtle Beach Classic, the area’s first PGA TOUR event, May 9-12.

The storied Robert Trent Jones Sr. design has long been regarded as among the nation’s premier layouts, and the experience is highlighted by the 13th hole, known as “Waterloo,” a memorable risk-reward par 5.

True Blue, Caledonia’s sister course and a fellow Strantz design, was No. 86 as Golfweek’s raters embraced the experience at one of the area’s boldest layouts. Featuring fairways that are up to 100 yards wide and green complexes that are endlessly creative, True Blue delivers an unforgettable experience.

The Moorland Course at Legends Resort (No. 177), King’s North at Myrtle Beach National (No. 181), Grande Dunes Resort Course (No. 191) and Barefoot Resort’s Dye Course (No. 195) were also ranked among America’s best.

A P.B. Dye design, Moorland offers a round highlighted by the 244-yard 16th hole, known as “Hell’s Half-Acre.” King’s North, an Arnold Palmer layout that has long been one of the Grand Strand’s most popular courses, is home to “The Gambler,” the par-5 sixth hole that features an alternate island fairway.

Grande Dunes enjoyed a comprehensive greens, bunkers and clubhouse renovation in 2022. The course features five holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, including the stunning par 3 13th, one of the area’s most photographed holes.

Pete Dye’s namesake design at Barefoot Resort is the annual host of the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, and it delights traveling golfers with the legendary architect’s trademark use of waste bunkers and visual deception.

According to Golfweek, a “nationwide team of course raters continually evaluate courses and rate them based on 10 criteria. [The raters] also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings on each course are averaged to produce a final, cumulative rating.”

The Myrtle Beach area is home to nearly 90 courses and it attracts players from across the globe to enjoy the game’s greatest combination of golf and value.

For more information or to book a tee time, visit PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com.

Kavooa Golf Names Drew Piller National Sales Manager

Piller

Becomes First Sales Leader For New Golf Training Aid Company

Kavooa Golf, which recently introduced its very first product – the Kavooa Pro training aid – has hired a National Sales Manager. Drew Piller, who has more than 10 years of experience as director of national and strategic accounts in account management, revenue growth, and achieving sales goals, has taken on the role. The Los Angeles-area resident will help take the company and its first training aid, Kavooa Pro, to the next level.

“We eagerly welcome our new national sales manager, Drew Piller. He is the perfect choice for this position,” says Andy Horowitz, Chairman and CEO of Kavooa Golf. “With his years of expertise and reputation for driving sales growth, we expect a positive impact on our sales department. His personality and enthusiasm for our product will shine through to potential customers and to everyone in the golf industry. He will undoubtedly help put us on the map.”

Piller’s role in the new position will include building and managing a nationwide team of sales reps, which will begin at the PGA Show. This will include collaborating with the National Golf Sales Association (NGSA) promoting the new sales rep opportunities, conducting meetings with potential reps during the show, job board placements, email campaigns to reps, as well as participating in various panels, and demo day. Interested candidates should stop by Kavooa Golf at booth No. 1793 or the NGSA Room W231A.

Piller will also work on developing strong relationships with key accounts and customers, including retailers and distributors, and collaborate on new training-aid development. In addition, he will oversee and develop the marketing and sales strategies for the company and its product.

Piller is excited for the new venture. “The product is so unique and different, and is helping golfers in so many ways,” he says. “It’s genuinely one of those rare products that golfers instantly realize its value for their golf game.”

Kavooa Pro, the first swing training aid from Kavooa Golf, helps golfers quickly improve and develop consistent contact with the ball. Kavooa Pro is a tripod-based product that can be adjusted via a patented telescoping device with rods (golf alignment sticks) to stabilize a golfer’s head and hips during the swing. That, in turn, helps solidify pure contact for consistent ball striking.

Click on the videos below to learn more about Kavooa Pro.

https://bit.ly/4bsxNuD

Kavooa Pro helps quiet excessive head movement during the swing, eliminates an over-the-top downswing, reduces unwanted hip sliding, improves a tooshallow downswing, promotes proper turn and rotation, helps groove the correct topof-swing position and dial in proper lowpoint contact, improves swing path and plane for chipping, and helps improve putting aim and path.

Selling for $129.99, Kavooa Pro weighs just 3.5 pounds and can easily collapse to be stowed in the side pocket of most golf bags. It can be used on the course, at the range, or in a backyard – anywhere you can swing a club.

For more information, visit KavooaGolf.com.

Drew Piller

Shot Scope Collaborates With Liverpool FC To Create A Laser Rangefinder For Football Fans

Shot Scope, the industry-leader in advanced GPS, rangefinder, and shot tracking technology, has announced a collaboration with Liverpool FC.

The collaboration allows golf enthusiasts to support their favourite football team, whilst bringing in award-winning precision from the PRO L2 laser to their game. Both the rangefinder and case feature the LFC crest, perfect to champion on-course.

“A customised rangefinder is a great chance to add something unique to the bag. With sporting fanatics in mind, we’ve teamed up with Liverpool FC for an exclusive golfing

gadget,” comments Scott Robertson, Head of Sales.

Shot Scope, like Liverpool FC, continue to look to the future and ways of innovating the product lineup to give consumers the highest quality product. The PRO L2 features Adaptive slope technology, Rapidfire detection, and Target-lock vibration to give you confidence out on the course.

Sir Kenny Dalglish, former Liverpool FC Player and Manager, adds: “As a long term Shot Scope customer, I am delighted that Shot Scope and Liverpool has collaborated to create this PRO L2 rangefinder for golfers

and Liverpool fans. I use Shot Scope on the golf course for my distances and enjoy the fantastic products they have to offer.”

Furthermore, with the purchase of a PRO L2 laser rangefinder, golfers gain access to the free Shot Scope mobile app and web dashboard, giving you access to full course aerial maps at no additional cost.

The Liverpool PRO L2 Laser Rangefinder can be purchased from the Official Liverpool FC Store for £160. https://store.liverpoolfc. com/lfc-shotscope-l2-range-finder

Honma Golf Redefines Luxury With BERES 09 Collection

Packed With Honma’s Legendary Craftsmanship And Technology This New Luxury Line Brings Fresh Potential To Performance-Minded Golfers

Honma Golf, the leader in beautifully crafted performance golf equipment, announces the latest addition to its luxury BERES line of game-enhancing woods, irons, and hybrids. Japan’s original golf manufacturer’s new BERES 09 carries forward six decades of Japanese tradition, innovation, meticulous craftsmanship, and beautiful artistry. From idea to concept, from deep earth materials to a high-polish finish, BERES 09 is the gold standard for elevating play and bringing Stunning Performance™ to discerning players worldwide.

BERES 09, which will be available to consumers this March (for men) and April (for women) 2024, evokes an unmatched sophistication, elegance, and luxury experience, with every detail carefully considered to provide players with a sense of control, precision, and confidence on the course. For discerning players who demand the very best from their equipment, BERES 09 raises the bar with exhilarating performance.

BERES 09s gold and silver design represents Honma’s harmonious balance between tradition and innovation—a club that not only looks and feels exceptional

but performs at the highest level as well. The line also adheres to traditional BERES 2- to 5-Star grading, with more advanced shaft technology as the grades progress.

PRICING Drivers start at $900, Fairways/ Hybrids at $400, and Irons start at $3,150 for a set of 5-11, AW, PW.

Honma’s BERES clubhead technology is meticulously matched with expertly hand-rolled ARMAQ shafts for soaring distance, unparalleled sensation, and confidence-inspiring ball flight—time after time. Click on the video below:

https://bit.ly/3SXgXwZ

PRODUCT SPECS

BERES 09 Driver

Honma’s Distance Technology features a new CG design and clubhead construction, which retains the signature BERES feel plus optimization for maximum yardage. High-strength lightweight carbon material on the toe side of the sole empowers the typical golfer with a draw bias, providing a significant advantage. The surplus weight resulting from the incorporation of carbon

is expertly positioned on the heel side for superior performance.

The newly developed face incorporates an intricate uneven-thickness design, precisely engineered to optimize repulsion power. This quad bridge structure provides exceptional support, elevating the power output and significantly enhancing repulsion capabilities.

A strategically positioned stainless weight (10g) at the rear of the clubhead vs. the sole effectively converts impact energy into a repulsive force, enhancing initial velocity for an amplified impact. Additionally, the back weight promotes a draw bias.

BERES 09 Fairway Wood and Hybrid

Honma’s engineers constructed a tungsten nickel weight positioned near the back heel, enhancing impact efficiency and achieving a CG angle of +5.0 degrees. A new unique face and crown design featuring uneven thicknesses improves repulsion performance by thinning the face and crown. Furthermore, the repulsion area has been expanded. These new BERES 09 features create an extraordinary synergy, delivering unparalleled ball speed and launching the ball high with a controlled draw.

The CG has been designed specifically for both fairway woods for optimal performance. The internal weight of the 3W has a CG design that emphasizes long distance, and the 5W has a CG design that emphasizes directionality for desired performance. In the hybrid, each loft is precision-engineered to deliver ideal spin and green-stopping performance.

BERES 09 Irons

The face design of the BERES 09 irons features a combination of uneven semicircles and a L cup face that delivers remarkable distance performance and forgiveness while effectively dampening impact shock for a soft feel and satisfying sound. The revolutionary groove pattern

structure delivers exceptional repulsion performance, resisting hitting point variation in both vertical and horizontal directions.

An innovative wide L-Cup face expands the face’s surface and enhances the repulsion area, ultimately boosting flight distance performance and minimizing dispersion even on off-center hits. An integrated vibration-absorbing resin midlayer is crafted with an inner cavity filled with vibration-absorbing resin, to quell vibrations upon impact for a pleasant hitting sensation and sound.

BERES 09 SHAFTS

ARMRQ FX star grade lineup improves shaft performance by creating differences in materials and design depending on grade. The Honma shafts flex then recover more quickly back to its original shape, producing unprecedented stability and swing speed.

2 Star ARMRQ FX shafts – The kick point is placed slightly closer to the bat, making it easier to time the swing, suppressing unnecessary spin, and utilizing the flex of the shaft to increase flight distance with a high trajectory.

3 Star ARMRQ FX shafts – The highelasticity TORAYCA® M40X, which pursues the ultimate in both fiber strength and elastic modulus, provides superior playing performance that efficiently accelerates head speed without waste, while at the same time suppressing torque and improving stability.

4 Star ARMRQ FX shafts – The kick point is designed closer to the tip to further improve H/S. At the same time, torque is further suppressed, increasing initial speed and stability.

5 Star ARMRQ FX shafts – From the 4S grade, the bias layer has been further strengthened to generate strong torsional return power. This is an ultra-premium

shaft that achieves the ultimate flight and stability.

TORAYCA®pre-preg – Featuring T1100G carbon-fiber with NANOALLOY® technology—unlike conventional prepreg material is comprised of both higher modulus and very high tensilestrength fibers. The resin system of TORAYCA®T1100G pre-preg is also based on NANOALLOY® Technology for added strength and vibration damping.

To learn more, visit https:// us.honmagolf.com.

71st PGA Show Signals A Big Year Ahead For Golf

Golf’s Longest Running And Largest Global Gathering Reunited The Industry To Drive Business In 2024

More than 31,000 golf industry professionals from 89 countries and 50 U.S. states came together to meet with more than 1,000 golf companies and brands at the 71st PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 23-26, 2024. With the continued upswing in consumer golf participation, the PGA Show signaled a bullish year ahead for the $102 billion golf industry.

While the PGA Show began in the trunks of cars during a 1954 golf tournament, it has grown into golf’s longest running and largest global business gathering covering 1.1 million square feet of exhibit, demonstration and meeting space within the Orange County Convention Center. The game’s most recognizable brands and veteran

manufacturers, along with more than 350 exhibitors new to the PGA Show, created an unparalleled marketplace to showcase the latest innovations that will enhance the golf experience and drive the business of the sport.

Among the tens of thousands of attendees were more than 7,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, LPGA and international PGA Professionals, representing widespread professional positions in the global industry and driving grassroots participation in the game by millions worldwide. More than 1,000 VIP buyers from 775 golf facilities and mass merchandisers sourced new products and services, bringing approximately $900 million in purchasing power and nearly $2.9 billion in retail sales

to the event. Additionally, more than 900 media from 22 countries reported from the trade-only PGA Show, offering an exclusive inside look to the game’s newest innovations for millions of consumers around the world. Industry professional attendance came from 89 countries and all 50 U.S. states with Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, China and Ireland topping the list of international attendees and New York, Texas, Georgia, California, and Pennsylvania representing top states, outside of the host state of Florida.

Thousands of products and services were introduced among the nearly 10 miles of Show aisles including products such as Titleist T-Series irons, Vokey SM10 wedges and AVX, Tour Soft, and

TruFeel golf balls; Club Car Tempo Walk autonomous caddie; Uneekor EYE Mini Lite portable launch monitor; Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2024 performance collection featuring washable cashmere; Toptracer Coach; Bridgestone TourB golf balls; Blue Tees Golf Player+ GPS Speaker; J. Lindeberg’s Team USA uniforms; Cobra’s Dark Speed driver and irons; Under Armour new Phantom Footwear; PING i530 irons and S159 wedges; adidas/Malbon apparel and footwear collaboration; Bushnell new Wingman 2 speaker and ProX3+ rangefinder; Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke driver and irons; Dunning Summer/Fall 2024 Collection; FlightScope’s MEVO+ Limited Edition launch monitor and simulator; Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Driver and Never Compromise Putters; Eastside Golf’s first line of women’s apparel; Srixon ZX7 Driver; Yamaha DRIVE H2 golf cart; PUMA Phantomcat Nitro shoe; Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi driving irons, Pro 245 irons and T24 wedges and many more.

“As someone who has attended the PGA Show for over 30 years, this one certainly had an added excitement around it,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing in Lansing,

Michigan. “The golf industry is in a great place and that was very evident this year. The Show is annually the largest gathering of PGA of America Golf Professionals and industry leaders and is the epicenter of golf business. It is also the largest stage in golf for education, career development and professional networking. As an industry, we are better equipped to drive continued growth of this game we all love by coming together annually at the PGA Show.”

“The 2024 PGA Show overflowed with more exhibitors, more floor space, more attendees and an amazing energy that will surely drive the business of golf ahead in the upcoming year,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “We are especially thrilled with the positive response to the inaugural PGA Show Winter Jam featuring country music star Jake Owen, and many other new experiential events that gave our attendees and exhibitors a chance to connect in fresh and exciting ways. We can’t wait to build off these successes in 2025.”

While the PGA Show is an unmatched marketplace for discovering the latest golf innovations, PGA Show Week also offered industry professionals programming to recharge and renew their passion for the business of the game by attending highlevel industry presentations, participating in education and career workshops and connecting in person with peers from around the world.

PGA Show Week began on January 23 when thousands of PGA of America Golf Professionals tested the latest equipment and technology from some 70 top golf companies during PGA Show Demo Day, the world’s largest professional outdoor demo day, at the expansive circular range and 42-acre practice facility at Orange County National Golf Center. The immersive day-long event, produced in partnership by the PGA Show and PGA Magazine, also featured extensive product education, coaching workshops, club fitting presentations, programming on golf range strategies, demonstrations by PGA TOUR professionals and top PGA of America Coaches, and opportunities to meet one-on-one with industry leaders in numerous categories.

The following day on January 24, PGA of America President John Lindert and PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh shared welcome remarks and the announcement of the Association’s firstever 30,000 membership milestone, while officially opening the Show. Following the ceremony, the Exhibit Hall doors opened to more than 1,000 companies and brands to create the world’s largest business-tobusiness golf event.

In addition to the busy marketplace across the expanse of the Show Floor, PGA Show days were full of professional learning opportunities during exhibitor and industry presentations at five Show Floor stages. The PGA Industry Stage presented by CapTech offered a full schedule of diverse programming from the PGA of America in collaboration with golf organizations, business leaders, top coaches, players and architects. The Clubhouse pavilion stage featured industry programming from brand executives and experts representing leading golf organizations such as the PGA of America, National Golf Course

Owners Association, United States Golf Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association, LPGA and more. The Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction stage offered complimentary education sessions presented by TPI and the Golf Fitness Association of America, with supporting sponsor Life Fitness. The Career Zone stage presented employer-led panel presentations and career workshops, while PGA of America Golf Professionals, college students and second-career professionals also connected in the Career Zone for recruitment activations and employer networking programs. The Inventors Spotlight stage offered entrepreneur and inventor education sessions and product pitch panels each Show Day.

PGA Show evenings brought exciting industry networking events. The first Show Day, Jan. 24, featured a lateafternoon announcement of the Class of 2024 PGA of America National Awards honorees, headlined by PGA of America Golf Professionals Tony Pancake, Joe Hallett and Kelly Williams earning PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year, PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year and PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year, respectively. In

all, 13 Award recipients were recognized on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech, and followed by a Member Reception in the PGA of America Hub. Day 1 finished with an Industry Reception sponsored by Rhone and a live runway Fashion Show, located in the new Concert Lounge in Hall E at the Orange County Convention Center. The last Show evening, Jan. 25, ended with thousands of industry professionals enjoying the inaugural PGA Show Winter Jam, supported by adidas and Corebridge Financial, and featuring award-winning country music artist Jake Owen, the Back Country Boys and DJ Spencer Ludwig. The after-hours concert experience attracted thousands of industry professionals to an exciting night of live music while unwinding with peers after a busy three days at the PGA Show. PGA HOPE, the PGA of America’s flagship military rehabilitative golf program, was the concert’s charitable partner with Veterans, Active Military, PGA HOPE certified PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE Ambassadors, and PGA HOPE graduates attending as special guests.

A dynamic 2024 PGA Show Floor featured interactive destinations to personally engage attendees with company

products and services including, the PGA of America Hub where members could centrally access Association and partner benefits and programming; the Equipment Test Center, featuring 44 testing bays and a 3,750 square-foot putting green; a new Clubhouse pavilion; a centralized New Product Zone sponsored by The Net Return, for a one-stop shopping of the newest golf merchandise; Career Zone; Inventors Spotlight exhibitor pavilion for patented products not yet available at retail; the Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction area; new PGA HOPE activation; Pickleball Courts for racquet demonstrations; an Adaptive Golf Center; Golf Travel Pavilion and a new Concert Hall which was home to the live Fashion Show and inaugural PGA Show Winter Jam.

The 2024 PGA Show also featured a comprehensive schedule of education sessions across a wide range of professional development topics presented by the industry’s foremost experts. The PGA Show Education Conference offered sessions on Teaching & Coaching, Executive Management and Golf Operations, led by expert PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Master Professionals and top PGA Coaches. The

Conference also featured new PGA Show partner association sessions focused on technology solutions, food & beverage operations, retail strategies, marketing practices, facility branding, public relations, and more. Partner association sessions featured industry experts who have presented at conferences by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM), Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), and National Golf Foundation (NGF). In addition to the PGA Show Education Conference, PGA of America Golf Professionals could attend complimentary Association workshops at the Member Business Center. PGA Show Week also was host to the National Golf Course Owners Association Golf Business Conference (Jan. 22-24) and the AGM Golf Retail Conference (Jan. 23). PGA of America Golf Professionals were able to earn up to 30 PDR credits through participation in the PGA Show Education Conference, additional PGA Show Week educational programming, and various PGA Show and PGA of America programs.

Renowned PGA teachers, PGA and LPGA touring professionals and celebrities also attended the PGA Show to participate in product launches and brand appearances including Brian Harman, Matt Fitzpatrick, Brad Faxon, Jim Furyk, Tom Watson, KJ Choi, Lee Trevino, Blair O’Neal, Annika Sorenstam, Reggie Bush, Smylie Kaufman, Sherri Steinhauer, Madelene Sagstrom, Kyle Berkshire, Jim

Awards Announced

The 2024 PGA Show also shined a spotlight on new products and talented inventors in the New Product Zone and Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion. Innovations in the New Product Zone, a one-stop pavilion of the newest golf merchandise, were judged by a panel of award-winning PGA of America Golf Professionals and golf buyers. The judging panel selected three overall “Best New Product” Award winners – AYRO low-speed electric vehicles, SKIM Turf Management software, and the Golf Shotz Wasted Wedge.

The Inventors Spotlight pavilion, organized in partnership with the United Inventors Association (UIA), showcased new golf products developed by independent inventors within 43 inventor exhibits. Products were reviewed by UIA

experts and top inventions were presented with one of three awards: Best Marketing to Subtlety LLC; Best Innovation to Putt Buddies divot tools; and the Pinnacle Award – Best in Show to All-In Golf Guard.

The Wednesday night live Fashion Show offered attendees the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Awards” in three categories. Among the standout brands presenting were Fore All, whose preppy youthful styles earned the company the People’s Choice Awards for Best Dressed and Best Women’s Brand. The People’s Choice Best Men’s Brand went to Rhone, whose combination of green sweater layered over a navy mock and paired with navy joggers was a standout during the fashion show.

PGA Golf Exhibitions will next hold the mid-season PGA Buying Summit, July 29-31, in Frisco, Texas and the PGA Show will return to Orlando, Jan. 21-24, 2025. Event details can be found at PGAShow. com.

Nantz, David Leadbetter, Johnny Damon, Kevin Harrington, JoAnne Russell and more.

GolfTrainingAids.com Products Draw Huge Accolades at 2024 PGA Merchandise Show

Power Shift Board, Draw Board, Tour-Feel and The Swing Plate find rave reviews from golf industry and media

The golf industry has spoken and GolfTrainingAids.com, home of the world’s largest selection of golf teaching and training aids, had some of the hottest and best-reviewed products on display at last week’s 2024 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL.

With an expanded booth space and a fresh array of innovative training aids for attendees to demo, the GolfTrainingAids. com team, including popular golf instructors-and-inventors Dan Frost and Jamie Brittain (both hailing from the United Kingdom), spent three busy days showcasing the brand’s newest wares. For many attendees, the PGA Show was the first chance to test out breakthrough new products The Power Shift Board, The Draw Board, The Connector, Sure-Strike and Tour-Feel. Brittain’s Swing Plate, for swinging on the proper plane, was also a hit at the PGA Show.

“We couldn’t be happier with the feedback from attendees, pros and the media at the PGA Show regarding our newest highly beneficial training aids that have recently hit the market,” says GolfTrainingAids.com President John Diulus. “We are constantly working hard to develop new innovative products for teaching professionals and consumers. The process is lengthy and requires developing and testing prototypes, making the necessary adjustments, and then finally going into production. The rave reviews we received for our new products is extremely gratifying and we want to make sure you get yours before our initial allotment runs out by going to golftrainingaids.com.”

Frost and Diulus demonstrated the company’s newest products on camera with a host of television and online golf news platforms, including Golf Channel, where viewers saw Frost’s demonstrate The Draw Board, The Power Shift Board and The Connector. In Golf Digest’s PGA Show recap article called “Golf nerds

will love these 10 products we saw at the 2024 PGA Show,” three of the 10 products featured were GolfTrainingAids.com products. The article led with rave reviews of the Tour-Feel. “Sure-Golf’s Tour-Feel provides a fantastic sensation of creating and maintaining width throughout the swing. Immediately at setup you’ll feel the width you need to create in your lead arm to resist the band. Continue to feel that resistance throughout the swing, and you’ll learn how to keep your lead arm straight, creating that wide, tour pro look at the top of the backswing.”

The article went on to praise the Power Shift Board for providing “audio feedback when you’ve moved enough weight to your lead leg. There are springs on one side of the board, so when you put pressure into your lead leg, the board will make a clicking sound. Testing it out, it requires a certain amount of force to trigger that click—which is by design and exactly what you want to feel to start using the ground properly.”

Frost appreciates the journalists’ take on his newest creations. “The great energy and enthusiasm for our training aids and everyone’s ability to instantly see the benefit of using them is exciting and rewarding for our team. We look forward to getting these products in the hands of more golfers very soon,” he said.

Golf Digest also commended the Swing Plate in the article. “The Swing Plate is a heavy-duty plate which sits on the ground and can hold multiple alignment sticks at whatever angle you want. If you’re coming down over the top, angle the stick so you’re forced to swing underneath it; if you swing too in-to-out, do the opposite. It’s low tech, but a simple solution for your swing path issues.”

Brittain, a veteran golf instructor who teachers out of 3 Hammers Golf Academy, said “The number of people who stopped to try the Swing Plate and left extremely impressed gives us great enthusiasm for 2024 and that golfers are very much focused on game improvement and solutions that will take their games to the next level.”

The GolfTrainingAids.com team also met with golf professionals at the PGA Show about the company’s

Pro Appreciation Program that offers preferred pricing, affiliate commissions, perks and bonuses that makes accessing training aids and getting them into the hands of golf students easier than ever. GolfTrainingAids.com’s National Director of Sales Brian Holmberg reports excellent momentum for the program heading into peak-season 2024.

With the explosive rise of golf participation since 2020, the industry has seen more golfers valuing game improvement and purchasing training aids in record proportions. To meet the growing needs of today’s golfers, GolfTrainingAids.com is committed to making an ever-expanding line of game improvement tools available that are keenly targeted to the needs and goals of today’s improvement-minded players.

Learn more at GolfTrainingAids.com.

Honma Golf Debuts Three New Performance-Driven Golf Balls

Honma introduces TW-X, TW-S, and D1 balls to the North American market.

Honma Golf proudly introduces an innovative trio of golf ball models to the North American market. Available this spring, the new TW-X and TW-S golf balls deliver top-tier ball speed, spin and overall performance while the D1 ball packs distance, forgiveness and durability at a price point and reliability that has helped make it one of the bestselling balls in the Asian market.

The TW-X and TW-S both sport a premium cast urethane cover that provides amazing spin performance on short irons, increased durability, and an extremely scratch-resistant surface. The cast urethane cover provides a soft feel with surprising durability, creating a ball that retains its resilience after rigorous use, from iron shots to bunker escapes. The TW-X and TW-S deliver exceptional feel shot after shot. The cast urethane cover bites into the grooves of the club face during shots at low clubhead speeds, increasing ground contact time and achieving high spin performance.

Honma’s 326 Dimple construction was developed over a rigorous three-year design process. The 326 dimples are intentionally aligned with a certain size to withstand strong winds with mid/high trajectory. This provides a highly stable trajectory for any shot. A simple yet sophisticated alignment design enhances player concentration. PRICING $36 dozen.

Japan’s No. 1 Golf Ball (D1)

Comes to North America

TW-X

• Improved Initial Velocity and Spin Performance

• Newly Formulated LD Core – greater distance, achieved by enhanced initial velocity from newly formulated Large-Diameter core.

• High Elasticity FLEX Layer – overwhelming distance by adopting high-elasticity FLEX in the layer that increases repulsion for more initial speed.

TW-S

•

Evolved Spin Performance and Feel

• Newly Formulated LS Soft Core – the newly formulated Large-Soft core improves the initial velocity of the ball and achieves further distance.

• Soft FLEX Layer – a newly developed ionomer layer increases backspin on iron shots and provides a softer feel for improved control.

The Honma D1 model, which has been the No. 1 sales volume ball in the Japanese market, has now been improved and updated for 2024 for the demands of the North American market. Designed for golfers who desire straight ball flight, solid feel and premium distance, the D1 ball showcases advanced performance with advanced raw material formulation.

With environmental sustainability in mind, Honma’s 2024 D1 ball is designed to reduce carbon emissions by reducing the volume of butadiene rubber required by using a particulate material for the core.

The newly formulated RM Soft Core, with high initial velocity yet stable feel that is achieved by a larger, softer core fore. This Eco-friendly next-Gen ball contributes to SDGs by blending recycled materials with butadiene rubber (BR). By mixing particulate recycled material into the RB soft core, the amount of butadiene rubber used carbon emissions are reduced drastically.

D1

• High Durability Ionomer cover, combination of uniquely formulated highlyresilience yet high durability ionomer cover and RM soft core generates incredible distance.

• 368 Dimple, produce a strong yet stable trajectory.

• Recycled material used in ball construction.

A precise alignment design that maintains concentration by making the line in the direction of movement thicker and the line with the face slightly thinner. PRICING $27 dozen.

Learn more at HonmaGolf.com.

U.S. Open to Return to Merion in 2040

The USGA announced today that Merion Golf Club, in Ardmore, Pa., will serve as the host site for the 2040 U.S. Open Championship. Merion was previously awarded both the 2030 and 2050 championships, setting the club up to host the U.S. Open once every 10 years. This latest announcement is reflective of the USGA’s long-term commitment to the club, which will also play host to the 2026 U.S. Amateur and both the 2034 and 2046 U.S. Women’s Opens.

“For well over a century, Merion has served as the site of some of American golf’s most iconic moments,” says John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “Our relationship with the club and its membership continues to grow, and when we looked at our future lineup for the U.S. Open, we wanted to enhance our upcoming commitment with a more regular cadence. We are thrilled to be able to return to such an important club on a regular basis and look forward to watching several generations of the world’s best write new chapters in the history of this great game.”

To date, Merion Golf Club has hosted 19 USGA championships, the most of any site:

• Five U.S. Opens (1934, 1950, 1971, 1981, 2013)

• Six U.S. Amateurs (1916, 1924, 1930, 1966, 1989, 2005)

• Four U.S. Women’s Amateurs (1904, 1909, 1926, 1949)

• One U.S. Girls’ Junior (1998)

• Two Curtis Cups (1954, 2022)

• One Walker Cup (2009)

“Starting with its formation, the desire to host significant championships has been at Merion’s core, said Buddy Marucci, Merion championship committee chair. “It is no wonder Merion has hosted more USGA championships than any other club in America. Our partnership with the USGA dates to its first decade and has produced some of the most memorable moments in golf history. We are thrilled to celebrate those moments by announcing an additional U.S. Open Championship to be played in the year 2040. We look forward to all future generations of the world’s best players having the opportunity to compete on Hugh Wilson’s timeless masterpiece.”

Golf In Ireland At The PGA Show

Epic

New Links To Open In Ireland’s Ancient East

Golf in Ireland will kick off its expanded presence at this year’s PGA Show with a media event on-site on January 24th. Hosted by Golf Channel’s Matt Adams, invited guests will hear from Director of Golf at Ardglass Golf Club - Paul Vaughan, Tourism Ireland EVP - Alison Metcalfe, and Jason Straka of Fry/Straka Design - who will bring his vision and expertise to an exciting new course coming to Ireland’s Ancient East.

Curracloe Links will break ground in February with a view to opening in 2026. Less than two hours from Dublin, the course, developed by the Neville Group, is located right next to the white sands of Curracloe Beach which was the filming location for Steven Spielberg’s epic ‘Saving Private Ryan’.

Jason Straka, Fry/Straka Design, “The ancient linksland of Curracloe Links, with its rolling hills, long sea views and rugged natural bunkers, will offer a quintessential Irish links experience and lure people from all over the world to its fairways.”

More than 30 partners will represent Golf in Ireland on our stand/booth 3673, at the PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Orlando this week. The world’s largest annual gathering of the golf industry, the PGA Show traditionally hosts golf industry

professionals from around the world discovering the newest trends, technology, and destinations from exhibiting golf companies and brands.

Alison Metcalfe, Executive Vice President Tourism Ireland North America, “The PGA show provides an excellent opportunity for our golf partners to meet and do business with US golf professionals and industry partners, as well as highlight the unique nature of an Irish golf experience to media. The continued investment in golf, as seen with the Curracloe Links project, means Ireland will carry on offering an unforgettable, world class golfing experience, for our visitors.”

Ms. Metcalfe continued, “The US golf market remains a priority for Tourism Ireland, and we continue to promote the island of Ireland as a leading golf destination. Golf is the world’s largest sports-related travel market and Tourism Ireland, together with our partners Failte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, is working hard to drive home the message that a golfing vacation on the island of Ireland is about much more than a round of 18 holes – the combination of our worldclass links, located all around the island of Ireland, and our unique brand of hospitality,

plays a key role in attracting US golfers to visit.”

Ireland will once again find itself at the center of the golf world in the coming years as it hosts two ‘major’ tournaments with The Open Championship returning to Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2025 and Adare Manor will be the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2027. The 2024 Amgen Irish Open will be played in September at the world-renowned Royal County Down Golf Club.

Ireland offers a fabulous array of signature links courses which includes Portmarnock, Lahinch, Rosapenna, Ballyliffin and others, but there is also an equally unique opportunity to discover outstanding alternatives such as Carne, Westport, Dooks, Castlerock and Connemara. Here, the US golfer will find epic new experiences and courses that will keep visitors coming back for more.

Getting to Ireland is also easy with non-stop flights available from 18 gateways across the US this summer to Dublin. Flights will also operate from New York, Boston and Chicago to and from Shannon. Both Irish airports boast US Immigration Preclearance which means visitors will return to the US as domestic passengers.

For more information on Golf in Ireland visit www.ireland.com

Super Fence Company

Island Resort & Casino –2024 Golf Packages Now Available

Northern Michigan Destination Preparing For Another Great Year As Pre-Bookings Are On Pace To Pass 2023

Island Resort & Casino announces 2024 golf packages are now available. While golf season is still five months away, now is the perfect time for golfers to start locking in their summer golf vacations. Home to award-winning Sweetgrass and Sage Run golf courses along with other top courses like Greywalls and Timberstone, this is one of the premier undiscovered golf destinations in Michigan’s breathtaking Upper Peninsula.

The newly expanded Island Resort & Casino is coming off back-to-back recordbreaking years in golf rounds. And with the sport’s continued rise in popularity, the resort is experiencing high demand for hotel rooms and golf, which has put golf package pre-sales on pace to surpass 2023’s sales.

The Island Resort & Casino golf packages have soared in popularity, in no small part due to the accolades bestowed on its two championship courses, both designed by architect Paul Albanese. Sweetgrass Golf Club was awarded 2021 Michigan Golf Course of the Year and 2022 National Golf Course of the Year, and Sage Run was named a 2019 Golf Digest Best New Course.

Island Resort & Casino golf packages combine the best golf in the region

Whether it’s a buddy trip or couple’s golf getaway, fully customizable golf

packages can be booked featuring 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-night lodging options with up to four rounds of golf. Package prices range from $95 - $758, depending on the time of year and single or double occupancy.

The hugely popular Perfect 4-Some package is a great way for Golfers to expand on their golf options. The combination of Island Resort & Casino’s Sweetgrass and Sage Run courses, together with the acclaimed Greywalls course in Marquette and TimberStone course in Iron Mountain make the region a top golf destination. Perfect 4-Some packages include 3, 4, and 5-night lodging options at Island Resort with four rounds of golf.

Resorts Expansion

Continues to Spur Demand

The increased demand for golf packages was the driving force behind the resort’s $30 million expansion in 2022. Renovations featured the new 11-story Palm Tower, with 138 guest rooms and golf suites, bringing the property’s guest room total

to 454. Also included in the expansion are Horizons Steakhouse, located on the top floor of the Palm Tower featuring the best views in the region, and Splash Island, a new family pool with waterpark features.

Golfers seeking to escape the stress of the big city and experience one of the most scenic golf destinations in the country won’t want to pass up a trip to Island Resort & Casino. Set amidst the peaceful beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Island Resort & Casino is easily accessible via regional airports in nearby Escanaba and Marquette, connecting through Detroit, Saginaw, Lansing, or Grand Rapids.

For more information on booking 2024 Island Resort & Casino golf packages visit: http://www.islandresortgolf.com/

TRUE linkswear Names PGA TOUR Player

Taylor Montgomery Its Newest Brand Ambassador

Nevada

native, UNLV standout and 85th-ranked player in the world wears TRUE footwear, sleeve logo

TRUE linkswear (TRUE), creators of ultra-comfortable, modern golf footwear for walking on the course and off, is pleased to welcome PGA TOUR player Taylor Montgomery to its family of TRUE brand ambassadors. The 28-year-old Las Vegas-born UNLV alumnus is playing in his second full season on the PGA TOUR and is currently ranked 85th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Last season, Montgomery led the PGA TOUR in Putting Average, Putts Per Round and One-Putt Percentage and ranked 2nd on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Putting. He posted five top-10 finishes last season, including a solo third place showing at the Fortinet Championship.

“I’m very happy to announce my partnership with TRUE linkswear for the 2024 season,” said Montgomery, who now wears TRUE footwear and apparel while also showcasing the TRUE logo on his right shirt sleeve. “Having gear that combines top-notch performance with style, comfort, and innovation is crucial. TRUE linkswear definitely embodies all

of this, and I appreciate their dedication to both performance and environmental sustainability. I’m proud to be aligned with this awesome brand and its values.”

Montgomery, who won the 2014 Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational while playing at UNLV, captured the 2017 Major Series of Putting and played his way into a suddendeath playoff in the 2021 LECOM Suncoast Open on the Korn Ferry Tour before finished T-2.

“Taylor, a fellow UNLV alumnus, is not only an immensely talented player but his calm, cool and collected nature gels well with the TRUE ethos,” said TRUE Co-founder and fivetime winner on the PGA TOUR Ryan Moore. “His game really impresses me, especially on the putting green – it’s the

kind of game that’s going to win on TOUR. We’re honored to outfit him head to toe as he takes on the greatest players in the game each week. His work ethic and drive to perform at the highest level are unmatched and we’re excited to see his immense talent continue to unfold.”

Montgomery’s fellow TRUE PGA TOUR Brand Ambassadors include Joel Dahmen, Chris Kirk, Mark Hubbard, Oliver Wilson, Ryan Brehm, Dylan Wu, and company CoFounder Ryan Moore. The LPGA’s Christina Kim is also a TRUE Brand Ambassador. “Taylor Montgomery fits the mold of the athlete we’re proud to align with in that he’s a tremendous person on the course and a dedicated professional inside the ropes. Taylor, like all of our ambassadors, has a genuine connection with our brand, team and products and exemplifies the authenticity and commitment we bring to our work at TRUE,” said Co-Founder Jason Moore.

Learn more about the TRUE Ambassadors and look for other TRUE Ambassador stories coming soon at www. truelinkswear.com/pages/ambassador.

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