St Andrews Golf Magazine February/March 2016 by St Andrews Golf Magazine

February/March 2016

TIGER WOODS IS THIS THE END? HIS LIFE IN GOLF, ACHIEVEMENTS, LEGACY AND FUTURE

Golf Club Scotland

Ham’s Hame

Road to Rio Sandra Gal Interview

The Adamson

Florida Swing preview

Duke’s Course Review Middle East Swing review LPGA News

Matt Hooper is the editor, co-founder and publisher of St Andrews Golf Magazine. He began writing about golf in September 2012 and has a wealth of knowledge and experience across the golf industry. He is the chief features writer and lead journalist of St Andrews Golf Magazine. He has also written for Pro Golf Now and as an independent contractor for All Square Golf.

Cristina Panama is a Journalism student studying in San Antonio, Texas and is the LPGA Correspondent and features writer for St Andrews Golf Magazine. Cristina is from Guadalajara in Mexico.

Chloe Goadby is an amateur golfer from St Andrews who lives in Sydney, Australia and competes across the world and throughout Scotland under with the support of Scottish Golf. She is also a student in the golf programme at the University of Stirling. Chloe played as an amateur in the 2015 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and was voted as the 2015 St Andrews Golf Magazine St Andrews Golfer of the Year (Female). Chloe will be writing a regular column for us throughout the upcoming season.

This publication may not be reproduced in part or whole without the expressed written permission of St Andrews Golf Magazine Limited.

ÂŠSt Andrews Golf Magazine Limited 2016

Advertising enquiries

info@standrewsgolfmagazine.com

Matt Hooper info@standrewsgolfmagazine.com Colin Donaldson info@standrewsgolfmagazine.com

On The Tee 9 29 The Perfect EASTER SATURDAY in

ST ANDREWS+

70 94

I kicked off my 2016 season with a winter training camp and two tournaments this month. The golf team at Stirling University, where I am studying, are lucky to get the opportunity to go on a winter training camp to the United Arab Emirates for two weeks in January. This was a chance to get away from the cold, wet weather of the Scottish winter, and train in good weather at some fantastic courses. We spent the first week at Al Ain, which is great course, with world-class practice facilities, which we took full advantage of. Each day we challenged ourselves and varied our practice to sharpen up all areas of our game. We spent a lot of time on the par-3 course, trying to dial in our pitching distances, and when playing the course in the afternoon our coach, Dean Robertson, set us different tasks to test different areas of our game.

The second week was spent at Al Hamra, where we played a mini-tournament, to try and prepare us for the start of the competitive season. It was great to play so much golf at this time of the year as it is difficult to do the same volume of practice in Scotland due to the weather. Throughout the two weeks, we also put in some hard work in the gym in order to improve our strength and flexibility.

Our winter training camp prepared me well for my first tournament of the year, the South American Amateur, held at Lima GC in Peru. This was my first experience playing golf in South America, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I placed 42nd with scores of 79, 74, 80, 78. The course was in amazing condition with very challenging and grainy greens, making for a good test of golf. A very good field of players competed in this tournament and it was great to compete after a hard winter of practice.

I travelled straight from Peru to Lisbon in Portugal, for the Portuguese Amateur. This was played at Montado Golf Resort, and despite some wet weather on the practice days, the course was in very good condition. I had rounds of 76, 78, 78 and missed the cut, however I was very happy with my ball striking throughout the three rounds. My short game wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as sharp as I had hoped it would be, but I am looking forward to working hard on this area of my game over the next month in preparation for my next event. The Portugese Amateur allowed me to compete in another top class ladies amateur event and helped highlight the areas of my game I need to work on between now and the start of my season in April. I am very grateful to the R&A and Scottish Golf for the opportunity to play such high-level amateur events so early in the year. I feel that playing these two tournaments has boosted my confidence for the upcoming season and will be crucial in helping me prepare for a good 2016 season. I have some university events coming up, but in the meantime I will be preparing for the first big event of my season, the Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay in April.

Super Syme Shines Down Under to Win Australian Amateur Story: Scottish Golf Image ÂŠGolf Australia

Connor Syme proved the ‘Wizard of Oz’ in the early hours of Sunday morning after becoming the third Scot in the last 13 years to be crowned Australian Men’s Amateur champion. The 20-year-old, who plays out of Drumoig Golf Centre in Fife, lifted his biggest title in the game after a hard-fought 3&2 success against Aussie Travis Smyth in the 36-hole final in Melbourne. Syme, one of three Scots who reached the last-16 at Metropolitan GC, took early charge of the contest after three birdies in the opening six holes and battled hard to emulate the feats of countrymen Jack Doherty (2003) and Eric Ramsay (2005) by triumphing Down Under. The Scot, a European Amateur Team winner in 2015 and a semi-finalist at The Amateur Championship in 2014, found the sunny and breezy conditions to his liking in Australia as he emerged victorious from a starting field of 234 leading amateur players. The prestigious Australian Amateur title has a history dating back to 1894 and has also been won in the past by the Aussie professional trio of Scott Arnold, Matthew Goggin and Brett Rumford. Thanks to his victory, Syme has also secured a spot in the Emirates Australian Open in November. “It’s not quite sunk in yet for sure, it’s absolutely amazing,” said Syme, a former two-time Scottish Schools champion. “It’s been a long week and I’m absolutely delighted. I’m following in good footsteps among the past champions.”

After Syme claimed an early two-hole advantage, Smyth responded and went one up himself after 11 holes. However, the Scot quickly hit back and secured a three-hole advantage at lunch after his three-under-par effort for the opening 18 holes. Smyth’s bogey at the 19th took Syme four ahead and he increased the lead to five after 26 holes thanks to three more birdies. The home player refused to throw in the towel, though, thanks to a hat-trick of birdies of his own, before Syme’s impressive golf was rewarded with a closing par for victory at the 34th. Syme, coached by father and pro, Stuart, added: “It was a really good match. I was five up after eight holes in the second round, and he made a good up and down to stay five down. “He then made an amazing birdie on the next from the trees and I thought he was coming back at me. He is a gritty competitor and it was tough, but I stuck to my game plan and it was good enough in the end.

Sweden, three players in the record-breaking GB&I Walker Cup side, Daniel Young’s South African Amateur win and Grant Forrest’s run to The Amateur Championship final at Carnoustie. Rae added: “It’s a terrific win and Connor played awesome all day. He hit fairways and greens, and his short game and putting were tremendous. He made it really difficult for his opponent to compete. I’m so proud of his golf and the way he conducted himself all week.” For dad, Stuart, it was a long, long night, as he stayed glued to live scores and regular updates on social media from Golf Australia. But it was all worth it. St Andrews-born Stuart, who moved the family from Dumfries in 2014 to take over the running of the Golf Centre at Drumoig, said: “We are totally thrilled for Connor, he really deserves this. He dedicates himself to his dreams and he is just a pleasure to help along his way.

“The course is amazing, I loved it. The challenge is so fair. If you hit good shots, you are rewarded for them. I had great support on the course, especially from (National Coach) Ian Rae and the other guys. Ian has been great all week, constantly giving us tips and watching our golf.”

“Drumoig has been huge for his development as we have such a terrific facility for him to use and he has taken advantage of that. But it’s a team effort and his mum, Deborah, and sisters, Megan, Leah and Rachel, are as important to him as I am as his father/coach. We all stayed up all night and followed the scores online. He called us a few seconds after winning and the celebrations were loud!”

Syme’s success builds on Scotland’s amateur highlights last year, which included European Amateur Team Championship glory in

Syme, meantime, will leap up the world amateur world rankings from 146th spot this week and has put down an early marker in the

three-way fight to represent Scotland in the World Amateur Team Championship later in the year in Mexico. He also has a date with the professionals to look forward to and said: “I’m really, really looking forward to playing in the Emirates Australian Open, it will be amazing. You know what the prize is at the start of the week, but you try not to think about it.”

Owner of Old Course Hotel, Hamilton Grand and The Duke’s receives one of Golf’s Greatest Honours Herb Kohler wins Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Old Tom Morris Award Herbert V. Kohler Jr., who served as CEO of the Kohler Co. for 43 years and led the company into golf and hospitality, is the recipient of the 2016 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

St Andrews Golf Magazine is sad to learn of the passing of one of the great servants to the game in St Andrews. George Grant, who died earlier this month at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer. He was a member of St Andrews Golf Club from 1956 and was appointed vice-captain in 1976 and became captain in 1978. He famously awarded honorary membership of the club to golfing legend Jack Nicklaus during the 1978 Open championship. He was also golf steward at the Old Course Hotel when it opened. The funeral service took place in the golf club and the coffin was driven across the Old Course next to Grannie Clark’s Wynd as a final mark of respect, before committal at the St Andrews Western Cemetery. Club member Euan Cameron said: “Service in the golf club and being piped out in front of many of the past captains was a lovely touch and fitting for a highly respected member and past captain of our golf club, sadly missed by his family and all who knew him. RIP George”

The award has been presented annually by GCSAA since 1983 to an individual, who through a lifetime commitment to the game of golf, has helped to mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris. Morris, a four-time Open champion, was the longtime superintendent at St Andrews in Scotland until his death in 1908. “I am particularly honoured and I sincerely thank the GCSAA for this award,” said Kohler. "I am delighted. Old Tom was an entrepreneur, an influence in the creation of the Open Championship, a designer of golf products and some of the best courses in the world to this day. He nurtured the environment as the first official keeper of the greens.” Some of the past winners include Arnold Palmer, Gerald Ford, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Byron Nelson, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Ben Crenshaw, Ken Venturi, Nancy Lopez, Peter Jacobsen and Annika Sorenstam. Kohler received the award Feb. 9 at the Opening Session of the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. “We are indebted to Herb Kohler for what he has done for this association and for what he has meant to the game over the past four decades,” said Rhett Evans, chief executive officer of GCSAA. “He has made an indelible mark in golf with his focus on the importance of environmental stewardship, both now and for the future.” Kohler, 76, brought world calibre golf to the company that bears his family name and is most synonymous with manufacturing of leading-edge products for homes around the world. An avid golfer, Kohler hired famed architect Pete Dye to build four courses at two championship venues -- Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis., and Whistling Straits in Haven, Wis., which hosted a third PGA Championship in 2015. In 2004, Kohler ventured into the birthplace of the game when the company bought the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in St Andrews. Five years later, he expanded the Kohler presence in St Andrews with the purchase and development of Hamilton Grand. The historic landmark sits behind the 18th hole of the Old Course and has 26 private residences.

“St. Andrews: In the Footsteps of Old Tom Morris” Wins 2015 USGA Herbert Warren Wind Book Award In recognition of its high standard of achievement in golf literature, St. Andrews: In the Footsteps of Old Tom Morris, by Roger McStravick, is the recipient of the United States Golf Association’s Herbert Warren Wind Book Award for 2015. McStravick’s chronicle of life in St. Andrews, Scotland, during the era of Old Tom Morris examines the important role that Morris played in securing the town’s reputation as the “home of golf.” “Roger McStravick’s St. Andrews: In the Footsteps of Old Tom Morris is an outstanding achievement and a major contribution to the literature of the game,” said Michael Trostel, director of the USGA Museum. “The level of research undertaken to breathe new life into this subject is extraordinary. McStravick’s writing, along with the previously unseen photos of St. Andrews, Old Tom and others from that era, make this a magnificent, one-of-a-kind book.” “Living in St. Andrews, there is so much history here, but much of it is invisible,” said McStravick. “People know St. Andrews is the ‘home of golf,’ but you wouldn’t know it as you walk through town. I wanted to bring some of these stories to life and help people understand why it’s so prestigious.” McStravick’s careful curation allows readers to experience the undercurrent of Old Tom’s life and provides a unique perspective on the entrepreneurs, golfers and friends who made a living in the historic town. Considered the best golfer of his time – he won The Open Championship four times, all at Prestwick between 1861 and 1867 – Morris was also a prolific designer, credited with work on approximately 70 golf courses, including the Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield, Prestwick, Carnoustie, Royal County Down and Cruden Bay. In addition to being a strong supporter of women’s golf, Morris is often credited as being the key proponent of spreading the game worldwide. St. Andrews: In the Footsteps of Old Tom Morris is the third book in the past decade to win the Herbert Warren Wind Book Award with Morris as the subject matter. Tommy’s Honor, by Kevin Cook, was recognized in 2007, and Tom Morris of St. Andrews: The Colossus of Golf 1821-1908, by David Malcolm and Peter Crabtree, was honored in 2008. It took McStravick three years to research, write and collate the images for the book. Many people helped in the effort, including descendants of the great golf families and landowners of St. Andrews. The majority of the images came from The R&A, the St. Andrews Preservation Trust, Master Works

The majority of the images came from The R&A, the St. Andrews Preservation Trust, Master Works of Golf and the University of St. Andrews. The book’s foreword was provided by Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. “This is like winning the Oscar for golf writers,” said McStravick. “It really is the ultimate and I’m extremely delighted. It’s without doubt the greatest thing I’ve achieved but it could not have happened without the creative genius of book designer Chic Harper and the guidance of historians Peter Crabtree, David Hamilton, Dr. Eve Soulsby and David Joy. I am truly grateful to the USGA and those who supported the book from day one, including my family in St. Andrews and Lurgan.” McStravick has written for the British Golf Collectors’ Society magazine Through The Green, as well as Golf Illustrated, HK Golfer and organizations such as the Ladies Golf Union and the St. Andrews Links Trust. He has written scripts for Golf History with Peter Alliss and served as an advisor for Jean van de Velde’s Scottish golf and travel TV show on Golf Channel. He has been commissioned to write A History of Golf and The Fine Art of Golf. McStravick, who has a master’s degree in golf course architecture, lives in St. Andrews and is an avid collector of rare books about St. Andrews. The Herbert Warren Wind Book Award was established in 1987. The award recognizes and honors outstanding contributions to golf literature while attempting to broaden public interest in, and knowledge of, the game of golf. Wind, who died in 2005, was a famed writer for The New Yorker and Sports Illustrated who coined the phrase “Amen Corner” at Augusta National Golf Club. He is the only writer to win the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honour. The book is truly a piece of art that uncovers so many things about this world-famous golfing town, some of which many locals learn about for the first time. It is available in a softback version retailing (The 1821 edition – the year of Old Tom’s birth and the number of copies available) at £60.00; a case bound Wibalin version (The Collector’s edition, limited to 300 copies), retailing at £295 and a case bound leather edition (The 79 edition – number reflects the lowest scores on St Andrews Links by Old Tom and Allan Robertson), retailing at £395. A percentage of the sales of this fine piece of literature goes to the St Andrews Preservation Trust, who work to preserve the town and share the history of St Andrews with visitors and locals alike.

The R&A and European Tour has announced that the Senior Open Championship will be played on the Old Course for the first time in 2018. The Senior Open completes the set of professional majors, joining The Open Championship and Ricoh Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Open, in being played on the Old Course. Tom Watson will return, as will Nick Faldo, for one last hurrah at the home of golf and it gives us all the chance to get close to legends of the game in a less crowded environment when the Senior Open arrives.

ÂŠROLEX/Chris Turvey

Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

ÂŠMatt Hooper

The United States Golf Association (USGA) will bestow its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, to Judy Bell, of Colorado Springs, Colo., at an award ceremony on June 14, 2016, during the week of the 116th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. Presented annually since 1955, the Bob Jones Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by Jones, winner of nine USGA championships. Known for her generous spirit and largerthan-life personality, Bell, a native of Wichita, Kan., has championed a welcoming and accessible game as one of its most prominent ambassadors for more than six decades. “Judy is a towering presence in golf and her contributions to shaping the USGA can be seen to this day,” said Tom O’Toole Jr., president of the USGA. “Her devotion to the game makes her a worthy recipient of our organization’s most prestigious honor. From her earliest days as an accomplished player through her tenure as USGA president, Judy has been a staunch advocate and diplomat for the game. Those mantles were always delivered with

her unique kindness and infectious personality. Judy is a real treasure!”

opportunity to give back, you just step up to the plate and do what you can.”

The youngest of four children and the only girl, Bell largely credits her mother’s tenacious, straightforward and generous personality, as well as her can-do attitude as her strongest influences. The USGA’s first female president (1996-1997), Bell possesses a passion for women’s and girl’s golf that continues today, particularly through the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program, which she helped found.

Bell was also instrumental in the development and management of the USGA Foundation’s leadership and service fellowship program, which provided two-year, graduate-level training to nearly 70 young professionals interested in careers in the non-profit sector. Many fellows continue to serve in leadership roles for a variety of servicebased organizations and associations. The program fostered strong relationships within the golf community to promote accessibility, particularly through state and regional golf associations.

Her two-year USGA presidential tenure was hallmarked by the establishment of the “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which dedicated more than $65 million toward national and local projects devoted to improving the lives of communities through accessible golf. Bell was the program’s director from 19992010, and asserted hands-on service focused on providing opportunity to and building character among countless youth, particularly minorities, girls and those with disabilities. “I grew up around people who volunteered and it was something I felt strongly about, even as a child,” said Bell in her 2002 book, Breaking the Mold. “We all believed that if you’re asked and you have an

“Judy has an amazing capacity to connect with people of all walks of life,” said Steve Czarnecki, a fellow of the USGA Foundation and its assistant director of grants and fellowship for 13 years. “To her, the USGA committee member, golf course superintendent at a host club, USGA staff member or state and regional golf association representative is every bit as important as anyone else in the sport – herself included. Judy wanted everyone to have an opportunity to experience the game and benefit from the many wonderful lessons it conveys.”

Judy Bell among some of the 200 New York area youth who attended the U.S. Open Junior Day, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at Long Island National Golf Club in Riverhead, N.Y. The young golfers were from 12 innovative golf programs in the New York Metropolitan area. (USGA/John Mummert)

On the course, Bell was a passionate and well-respected amateur player who competed in 38 USGA championships, including three trips to the U.S. Women’s Amateur quarterfinals and one U.S. Girls’ Junior semifinals appearance. She also won three consecutive Kansas State Women’s Amateur titles from 1952-1954, the first at age 15. Bell also competed for the victorious 1960 and 1962 USA Curtis Cup Teams and captained the 1986 and 1988 USA Teams. The Women’s State Team Championship Trophy was named after her in 1998. “Judy was the most fun captain I had in my playing career,” said Carol Semple Thompson, a seven-time USGA champion and 12-time USA Curtis Cup Team member. “She makes everyone feel welcome and happy. She is also a pioneer, becoming one of the most important women in golf administration. Her advancement to the Executive Committee and presidency was a natural progression of her hard work, her passion for the amateur game, and her relationships with so many players and people in golf.” Bell’s volunteer career with the USGA began as a member of the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship Committee (1961-

1964). She served 17 years on the USGA Women’s Committee beginning in 1968, including four years as chairman (19811984). In 1987, Bell became the first woman named to the USGA’s Executive Committee and served on nearly every committee before becoming the Association’s 54th president in 1996. “Tom O'Toole called me the other night and we chatted a while,” said Bell. “Then he told me that I was going to get the Bob Jones Award. I was floored and in denial. Tom is a great friend and finally convinced me it was real. I'm honored beyond words.” Bell was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category in 2001. She is also a member of the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame, Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, among others. Both the PGA and LPGA have recognized her contributions to golf through honorary membership and the Patty Berg Award, respectively, as well as the American Society of Golf Course Architects with its Donald Ross Award.

became an honorary member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Bell joins a list of Bob Jones Award winners that includes national champions such as Francis Ouimet (1955), Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1957), Arnold Palmer (1971), Jack Nicklaus (1975), Ben Hogan (1976), Annika Sorenstam (2012) and Payne Stewart (2014), as well as those who have contributed to the fabric of the game in other meaningful ways such as Richard S. Tufts (1967), Joe Dey (1977), Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (1978), P.J.Boatwright Jr. (1993), President George H.W. Bush (2008) and Barbara Nicklaus (2015).

In 2015, Bell was named “Woman of the Century” by the Colorado Golf Association. That same year, she Judy Bell speaks to more than 400 children from golf programs in the Carolinas and Virginia who attended the U.S. Open Junior Day at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C., Monday, June 13, 2005. (USGA/John Mummert)

ÂŠMatt Hooper

Latest news and results from

St Regulus Ladies Golf Club

ÂŠMatt Hooper

January Silver Medal - Eden Course 1st

Jackie Thompson (14) nett 73 (bih)

2nd Joan Moir (16) nett 73 3rd

Fay Ronaldson (12) nett 77

January Bronze Medal - Eden Course 1st

Pauline Rew (23) nett 74

2nd Mary Clark (22) nett 75 3rd

Geraldine Mackle (23) nett 76

The Perfect EASTER SATURDAY in

ST ANDREWS+ 8.30m

2.30pm

4.30pm

18 holes at the Duke’s Course

Tour of the British Golf Museum

A pint at the famous Jigger Inn

1pm

3.30pm

6pm

Lunch at Ham’s Hame

A walk on West Sands

Dinner at The Adamson and drinks at The Adamson Bar

8pm Hotel California at the Byre Theatre

The Perfect EASTER SATURDAY in

ST ANDREWS+ ©Andy Brown/Flickr

Your Tee-time is reserved for 8.30am at The Duke’s

MAGNIFICENT DUKES IS A WELCOME RETREAT from links golf By Matt Hooper

©Destination 66

It is fair to say that one hundred percent of golfing visitors come to St Andrews for the Old Course and the other famous links courses in the area. Their history and tradition and the uniqueness of their style in comparison to the vast majority of courses in the world today are appealing for the American golfing tourist. Just once in a while, to break up the trip, or even for us locals, it is great to try something different and have our breath taken away by something beautiful and unexpected. Lying just 3 miles from the centre of St Andrews is the heathland classic, created in 1995 and re-born in 2006, the utterly magnificent Duke’s. Built on rolling farmland to the West of St Andrews, the Duke’s course was designed by Australia’s 5-time Open Champion Peter Thomson and opened in 1995. From the moment you drive in through the grand entrance to the property you get that feeling you are going to be playing golf in a very special place, passing the spectacular 7th hole on the left below you on your way to the vast parking area and the elegant, breath-taking clubhouse. The clubhouse is the starting point for your round, on arrival you check in with the professional or golf shop staff in the wellstocked and contemporary pro-shop before making you way down the stairs to the locker rooms. This is when the experience gets even better, with a stunningly appointed facility which takes

you almost back in time, with beautiful wood panelling, lockers, pool table and television with comfy armchairs, in addition to the showers and toilets. The locker room itself was a great part of the whole experience. If you can manage to pull yourself away from it, the driving range and practice facilities are a short walk away. We would highly recommend warming up before tackling the Duke’s, especially if you have had your game battered by the wind down on the links in town. The range is fully grassed and just about long enough for any big hitter, it really is one of the most popular practice facilities in St Andrews, and has a superb bunker and chipping green close by. Once fully warmed up it is time to head to the putting green, which is next to the starters box and first tee. The green, though fairly flat, does accurately represent the pace of the Duke’s greens, which are considerably faster than the ones down on the links, so it is worth stroking a few putts before you tee off. The view from the first tee couldn’t be more contrasting to that of the Old Course, although the fairway is fairly generous, anybody stepping up to the tee for the first time will be intimidated by the vast area of gorse to the right and a sea of sand. But if you can aim up the left of this par five you should get off to a decent enough start on this generous opening par five. This course just gets better and better the further you go through the round, and we

have picked out some of our favourite holes for you. The second hole, Drumcarrow, is one of the most fantastic par four holes I have played in the UK. From the tee you don’t really get a sense of the majesty of the hole, it is one of those holes which is best viewed from behind the green. From there you see the slight dogleg and you see exactly where you need to drive the ball to. The green is deep and narrow, and requires two strong shots to reach, I hit driver-rescue to the heart of the green and made two putts for a par. Going offline with either the drive or the second shot can cause you all sorts of problems, with tall, mature trees gobbling up and drive to the right, and a deep bunker to the left which will catch any big hitters who are less than accurate. This 437-yard par four truly is a stern test for a second hole, only your best is good enough. ©Kohler Co.

Our next selection comes at the third hole, and this is where my Kiwi playing partners for

the day instantly felt that the course was designed by an Australian, commenting that it had a really similar feel to Royal Melbourne and the courses on the famous Sandbelt.

back, a conservatively aggressive golfer will succeed on this hole. ©Kohler Co.

The 11th, Winthank, is the longest hole on the course is on the newer back nine, and plays from 453 yards up to 640 yards.

This 152-yard par three, Denhead, requires a straight shot and distance control is imperitive. Being short of the flag is crucial to making a birdie or par. Missing to either side, or long, will most likely see at least a bogey, possible a double written down. The hole is sheltered by trees but wind can whistle through them and turn this seemingly gentile hole into a brute. ©Kohler Co.

The sixth hole, at 525-yards is a reachable par five for the big hitters, but accuracy and shot making is crucial to success on this hole. The hole is at the edge of the property and affords glorious views of the surrounding countryside from the tee and the Eden Estuary from the green, but don’t be distracted. A tee shot down the left, avoiding a large fairway bunker on the right side will shorten the hole. You will however be left with a semi-blind shot to a green which falls off dramatically at the

Denbrae, offers remarkable views of St Andrews, West Sands and the links, again distraction leads to destruction, so concentrate and enjoy this superb hole.

©Kohler Co.

The seventh is a 513-yard par four and one of the truly great holes in Scottish golf. Playing from the championship tees you are perched well above the fairway and back in the trees, playing over the road you have driven in on. The hole doglegs sharply from left to right, but with gorse immediately adjacent to the left side of the fairway, and a large bunker to the right, you will get the best out of this hole by playing a conservative tee shot and accepting you will have over 200 yards in to the green for your second shot. ©Kohler Co.

The vast majority of the trouble on this hole is down the left off the tee shot, with a large bunker gobbling up any pulled shots. But if you have a helping wind and a dry day, long drives are possible, as proven by one of my playing partners, who smoked his drive nearly 400 yards down the middle (he preceded to semishank his second into the gorse though!). There is a small burn some 50 yards short of the green, so if you are in range for two you had better catch all of your second, or a birdie chance could turn into a bogey save.The green is shallow but wide and has a subtle incline from one level to another, so control of distance for your approach is crucial. A long hole, but manageable for most.

The 13th hole is exactly what it says in the name, Braw View. The view from the tee is truly sensational, with your destination for lunch, the Hamilton Grand, in full view along with most of St Andrews and the links, with the hills to the north in the distance. The long walk was definitely worth it to see this. ©Kohler Co.

needs to be up the right side to afford yourself the best view and angle to the green. The second shot plays at least one club more than you would usually use for the distance, and in a stiff breeze maybe 2 or 3 more. Don’t be too bold with a putt from the back edge, or you may find yourself back down the fairway. This is a hole which would fit on any great links, one can imagine imposing dunes either side rather than trees, and although the houses are stunning, they do ruin the ambience of this great hole. ©Kohler Co.

The hole itself is one of the shorter par fours, but don’t be deceived by its distance of 386yards, this can catch you out. Nasty bunkers lie to the left and a bunker which covers the left and centre of the fairway makes the golfer playing this hole for the first time question their alignment. A long iron shot to the fairway should leave a wedge or 9 iron to the green, and long hitters could cut loose at a driver, but missing this green can make you look very stupid and turn a birdie into a bogey very quickly.

Our penultimate selection is the stunning but brutal par four 15th. This can play up to 453 yards with the second shot severely up hill to a well-guarded green. The tee shot is set back into the trees at the edge of the property, and

Our final selection, but not your final hole, is the stunning par four seventeenth hole. Measuring under 400 yards this hole makes up for its relatively short distance, with an intimidatingly tight drive and second shot. Two large oak trees frame the driving area, and a long bunker, although not really in play, runs up the right side. The ideal line is just left of centre off the tee, but whichever angle you have for the second shot you will have to move it in the air to successfully avoid the oak trees.

©Kohler Co.

The green is long and narrow and protected by bunkers front right and left. The round is completed by, of course, the eighteenth hole, which like the ninth, is a slight disappointment, but with the location of the clubhouse and the topography of the land is somewhat unavoidable without redesigning the entire course again. Once you have survived the walk up the severe hill from the final green to the clubhouse it is time to relax in the bar, restaurant or even those locker rooms again. The clubhouse offers a wide menu of snacks and meals, but for now it is just a quick drink, as you are off to Ham’s Hame for lunch. Owned by the Old Course Hotel, the Duke’s is open to the public and offers a variety of different membership options ranging from £754 for a single membership to corporate and overseas memberships. The Duke’s is home to the Scottish Golf Union and in 2014 hosted the International European Amateur Championship, and each October stages the Scottish Champion of Champions event.

Review by Matt Hooper, Tom Brockelsby and Reuben Brown

The Perfect EASTER SATURDAY in

ST ANDREWS+

©Destination 66

Your Table is reserved for Lunch at Ham’s Hame at 1pm

There’s nowhere quite like Hame St Andrews’ Grandest 19 By Matt Hooper

©Matt Hooper

hole

After your round at the Duke’s you will have built up quite an appetite, for food, drink and nostalgia, and there is nowhere better for a filling and refreshing lunch than Ham’s Hame.

speaking as someone who rarely has soup, was a thick, creamy soup that was pleasant and with the bread could satisfy those with a smaller appetite at lunchtime.

Situated in the basement of Hamilton Grand, this quaint and charming throw-back of a Pub is the perfect location for a post-round pint and meal to set you up for the rest of your day.

The Steamed West Coast Mussels were served in a tomato, chorizo, white wine and thyme sauce and are a delicious snack (£8.50). As a side the Marinated Mixed Olives were served with a delicious, thick Garlic vinaigrette (£2.50) that is a perfect complement to any lighter snack or starter.

You are literally a sand-wedge away from the 18th hole of the Old Course, and you can soak up the history of St Andrews when you dine here. You can sit either in the intimate side booths or for larger groups on the majestic tables with old, traditional wooden arm-chairs and chat about the triumphs and disasters of your round. When we visited Ham’s Hame it was a wintry Sunday, with wild wind and rain, yet it was still fairly busy, which illustrates its popularity with groups, families, couples and individuals. The busy and cosy nature of Ham’s Hame did not detract from our experience, unlike other pubs where you struggle to hear each other, it has a great ambience which is hard to find elsewhere in St Andrews. The menu is extensive and reasonably priced, and there is something for everyone but as we are here for lunch we won’t get carried away. Here are our selections for a snack (starters), larger lunch (mains) and something sweet (desserts). The Soup of the Day (Tomato and Lentil) costs £5.95 and is served with Crusty Bread. This,

Those with a bigger appetite will definitely want to go for the Black Isle Rib Eye, a 200g rib steak with a flat cap mushroom, roasted tomato and skinny fries. The steak was perfectly cooked to my well-done request, tender and juicy (£22.95).

honey compote, oat granola and a whisky cream. There are a wide range of drinks on offer, as with any good pub, including a selection of Liqueur coffee’s tea and Liqueurs to accompany your dessert. Ham’s Hame also has a sumptuous area for more formal dining, the Parlour Restaurant has a wonderful Scottish décor with tartan edges and moody lighting. This area is particularly popular with groups and is used frequently for student functions and private events. The Parlour Restaurant will be offering a special menu for dining over the Easter weekend, something you might want to take advantage of. Click below to check the menu.

The pan fried Sea Bream is a must for seafood lovers, and was cooked to perfection, delicately tender but firm, with a subtle sweet flavour on top of the crushed potatoes (£11.95). Now as we are here for lunch you may not wish to have a dessert and leave space for dinner, but if you just cannot resist then we highly recommend the Bread and Butter Pudding, which was served with vanilla ice cream. This gave it a slightly lighter feel on the stomach than if it had been served with custard as we would at home! (£5.50). For the lovers of all things Scottish there is the Cranachan, which is served with raspberry and

©Destination 66

Now, back to that history and nostalgia I opened the review by talking about. You are sitting in what was the very first club for golfers in St Andrews. The Union Parlour/Club was situated here in 1835 in the same cottage that housed Hugh Philp’s club making business, and in 1812 he made gooseneck clubs for the members of the Society of St Andrews Golfers, which would become the R&A. Thomas Hamilton was a Scottish architect, born in Glasgow and based in Edinburgh, and his works included the Martyrs Monument on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Another of his works is perhaps the most photographed building in world golf. In 1895 the Grand Hotel, designed by Thomas Hamilton, opened on the site of Hugh Philps cottage, to capitalize on the rapid expansion of St Andrews as a popular tourist destination for golf and sea bathing. Hamilton is said to have commissioned the construction immediately after his application for membership had been rejected by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. In an attempt to draw attention away from the Royal & Ancient, Hamilton constructed the much larger and more extravagant building adjacent to it. During World War II, the hotel was requisitioned by the armed forces and never reopened as a hotel. Shortly after the end of the War, the hotel was acquired by the University of St Andrews and was opened as a hall of residence in 1949 under the name Hamilton Hall. In 2005, the University announced that it had sold the Hall as the result of an unsolicited bid and consequently the university session 2005-06 would be the last year Hamilton Hall would be open as a hall of residence. In 2009 Kohler Co. acquired the building and it became a part of the Old Course Hotel and Spa, along with the Duke’s Course. Now the majority of the building serves as private residences of the highest quality. Relaunched as Hamilton Grand, a name to honour the past of this historic building and to embrace the future. Whilst the majority of the building is private, Ham’s Hame is open to all, and for you, the golfing visitor it has now become the ultimate 19th hole in the world of golf. So go on in, sit back, enjoy the ambience, have a drink and eat some of the best food you will find anywhere and a welcome to match. Whilst you’re in this part of town, why not do three things which make St Andrews famous across the world, to walk off your lunch and soak up the atmosphere of this incredible town.

©Matt Hooper

Just a pitching wedge away from Ham’s Hame is the British Golf Museum. The museum reopened last summer after an extensive renovation and extension, which includes a café with a stunning view of the first fairway on the Old Course, but you’ve had enough food and drink for now. It’s time to soak up more golfing history. The British Golf Museum has become of the most visited attractions in St Andrews, with over 1.5million visitors since opening 25 years ago. The museum has the most comprehensive collection of golf memorabilia and artefacts in Europe, and its 16,000 items are presented across six collections within the building. The collections include exhibitions on Club Life, Early Professional Golf, the role of clothing in golf, Great Open Champions, Leading Amateurs, Origins of Golf, the International Game, the Royal and Ancient Game, Tools of the Trade, Tom Morris and Winning in Style. Another collection in the British Golf Museum is Olympic Golf. The collection includes memorabilia from the 1900 and 1904 Olympic Golf competitions, and is sure to grow in the coming years as golf makes its return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. As sports go, none match the efforts of golf to preserve its history and honour the legends of the past, and the British Golf Museum is the best example in the world of doing this. Its stunning location, to the rear of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and next to the sea, helps to make it an attractive and accessible museum for golfers and thousands of tourists who pass it each year on their way to and from the beach. Speaking of the beach…….

©Matt Hooper

After a visit to the British Golf Museum, the only way is West, West Sands. Listen hard enough and you can hear the iconic theme tune to Chariots of Fire, OK maybe not, but a walk on this beach is a bucket list item for a trip to St Andrews. On a sunny day there aren’t many better places to be, with the Auld Toun in the distance and the vast links land of St Andrews Links nearby, but even if the weather is mean and moody this is great place to get away from it all. But don’t let the time wander away with you, how about popping across to one of the world’s most famous 19th holes for a quick drink before dinner?

The Jigger Inn is another thing you must have on your bucket list for a trip to St Andrews. Now under the ownership of the Old Course Hotel, the Jigger is the old stationmasters lodge, dating back to the time of the railway in St Andrews which closed in 1962. This place really does have an atmosphere all of its own, with much golfing memorabilia on the walls and a view of the Road Hole. During the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship members of the public mingle with stars of the game and stage & screen. Belhaven Brewery were charged with the task of producing a unique ale, Jigger Ale, which is sold only at the Jigger Inn and the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. It is the perfect place to sit and watch the sun go down over the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most iconic golfing land. Your Easter Saturday evening is about to begin, it is time to nip back to the hotel room and get changed for dinner and the evening entertainmentâ&#x20AC;Ś.

The Perfect EASTER SATURDAY in

ST ANDREWS+

Your Table is reserved for Dinner at The Adamson at 6pm

Award-winning Adamson an awesome Aperitif to your golfing visit

By Matt Hooper

ÂŠDestination 66

All of your day so far has revolved around golf, well you are here for the golf after all, but your destination for your evening meal is a departure from that scene. Say Cheese! The Adamson, located on South Street, is in a building, which for over 100 years, was at the heart of day-to-day life in St Andrews for many locals. The Post Office called this grand building home from 1907 to 2011, but its history is far greater than that for both St Andrews and Scotland. The building is the former home of the Adamson family, including Dr John Adamson, a physician, and pioneering Photographer Robert Adamson. John produced the first Calotype portrait in the early 1840’s and he taught his brother Robert about Calotype. Robert went on to produce over 2500 Calotype portraits and his work appeared at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. In 2012 the building came under the ownership of another family, the Daltons. Julie and Graham are directors and a great debate was had over what name should be given to their venture. Julie’s background is in hospitality and it was only ever going to be a restaurant, and in a lightbulb moment ‘The Adamson’ was decided upon. The Adamson restaurant opened its doors in April 2012. Behind the bar of the restaurant there are a selection of vintage cameras sourced from a local antiques and collectibles

shop on St Mary’s Place. On your arrival you will be given a warm welcome and shown to your table by the wonderful and attentive staff. They will attend to your every need and are never far away throughout the evening. The Adamson truly is an experience not to be rushed and you can start your meal with a few nibbles whilst deciding what to order. The nibbles in themselves are, like everything else here, first class. The Mini-Baked Loaf with an Olive Tapenade is absolutely delicious and enough to set you up for the meal. Likewise the Olives and Smoked Almonds give you a taster of what The Adamson is all about – world class food. The menu at The Adamson is extensive and wide-ranging, so the nibbles are perfect for whilst deciding upon what you want to eat. We can highly recommend the Shetland Mussels which are served with pancetta, mustard, garlic and parsley cream, and speaking as someone who has never tasted Wood Pigeon before, the Scottish Wood Pigeon. Wow! I will definitely be eating it again, it is a small starter served with Foie Gras, cherries and sweet Basil, and it really was a splendid combination of flavours and textures, just perfect to launch into the main. To accompany our meal we had a bottle of Long Beach, which is a South African Sauvignon Blanc and just perfect to complement our main dishes of a Blade of Beef and Atlantic Sole.

The Atlantic Sole was a perfect combination of mild flavour and firm texture, served with creamed Kale, brown shrimp and macadamia nuts. I had the Blade of Beef served with a bean cassoulet, salsify and sun blushed tomatoes, and it was phenomenal. The beef was so wellcooked it collapsed on my plate when I placed the knife on it, the taste and the size of the portion was perfect. A superb and succulent dish. Now, what can I say about the dessert? Amazing, incredible, delicious, delightful and downright fantastic. I had the Charry Parfait, as recommended by our waiter, my goodness it is the best dessert I have had anywhere, anytime. Served with chocolate ice cream and hazelnuts, this sweet was an explosion of different tastes, it truly was an experience worth waiting for. The Adamson source much of their produce locally including Dundee, Glenrothes and Carnoustie and the chefs are, it goes without saying really, highly skilled and passionate about what they do. The restaurant can cater for dinner for two or larger groups, which is perfect if you are having an Easter weekend as a golfing couple or a group of friends. Once you have finished your meal it is definitely time to head next door for a drink or two at The Adamson Bar before you continue your evening out in St Andrews.

©Destination 66

The Adamson Bar opened in April 2015 and is a brilliant complement to the restaurant for pre or post meal drinks. It is inspired by bars in London and is a trendy and contemporary space, unique in St Andrews. It is comfortable, with minimal furniture and has classy, contemporary décor. It is a bar that you can visit for a quiet tipple, or with a larger group of you and was incredibly popular during The Open last summer with the thousands of visitors to St Andrews. It is very popular with Students on a Thursday and the bar runs a different theme for many days throughout the week. The music fits perfectly with the style of the bar, as does the lighting and the staff, as with the restaurant, are attentive, welcoming and knowledgeable. We found the drinks priced competitively with other bars in St Andrews and had three Vodka (house vodka is Ketel One) and Lemonade, plus two glasses of Ochagavia Cabernet Sauvignon. This bar is definitely somewhere you could come and begin your evening experience in St Andrews, but for today don’t get too carried away as The Byre Theatre is calling. However, we wouldn’t blame you if you fancied staying here all night, we did.

©Destination 66

The Perfect EASTER SATURDAY in

ST ANDREWS+

ÂŠHotel California Music

Your Tickets are booked for Hotel California at The Byre The performance begins at 8pm

So you have reached the final activity of your day in St Andrews, and hopefully you’re not too tired from all the food and drink. It’s time for some nostalgia, music and entertainment. Hotel California, a six piece ensemble of musicians will perform their spectacular new critically acclaimed show that gives you a concert experience of 100 minutes of pure Eagles nostalgia. You’ll return to a dark desert highway, cool wind in your hair, or stand on that street corner in Winslow, Arizona when you join Hotel California as they faithfully re-create The Eagles and their Californian Sunshine Rock sound. Expect a set that includes tracks from the outstanding Long Road Out Of Eden album. The Eagles’ music is timeless, appealing to audiences of every age, bringing back memories and touching the hearts and souls of each new generation. This concert promises to be a fantastic night to remember for all Eagles fans, young and old, new or long-standing. Venue: Byre Theatre 25th and 26th March – 8pm tickets £18

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on in

St Andrews

Byre Theatre / Met Opera

Ongoing

27 February

6 March

ONE World Exhibition, Museum of the

St Andrews New Music Week: American Classics, Byre Theatre FREE ticketed event 3.30pm

London Laureates Showcase, Byre

2 March

16 March

Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4,

Perception Lab, MUSA, The Scores, 5-7pm,

University of St Andrews, MUSA, The Scores, and Tickets are Free 20 February

Photography Masterclass: Documenting St Andrews, The Gateway Galleries, Free but booking essential, 11.303.30pm 24 February

Lunchtime Jazz Concert – Jazz Band of St Mary’s School, Byre Theatre 1.10pm

Free no booking required

Younger Hall 7.30pm tickets from £6

18 March

3 March

Science Busking, MUSA, The Scores, 12-2pm

University Life in the Past, MUSA, The Scores,

25/26 March

1.15-1.45pm, Free but booking essential

Hotel California, Byre Theatre 8pm tickets from £18

2-6 March

Tickets cost £3

StAnza

25 February

5 March

National Live Theatre: As You Like It, Byre

Bird Spotting, Starts and Ends at MUSA, The

Theatre 7pm Tickets cost £13 for Children and Students, £15 for Adults

Theatre 1.30pm tickets from £3

Scores, Free but booking essential, 1.303.30pm

Our Town’s Super Bowl PART 6 THE OPEN BRINGS £140 MILLION BENEFIT TO SCOTLAND Independent assessment shows ‘St Andrews effect’ increased visitor numbers. BY MATT HOOPER SAN FRANCISCO AND BAY AREA SHOW HOW ST ANDREWS CAN MAKE THE NEXT OPEN EVEN BIGGER PREPARATION FOR ST ANDREWS’ NEXT OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SHOULD START NOW

The results are in and once again there cannot be any doubt that The Open is at its biggest when staged in St Andrews. The 2015 Open Championship in St Andrews delivered £140 million of economic benefit to Scotland - the largest amount ever achieved by a golf event in the United Kingdom or Ireland, according to an independent economic impact assessment. The study, commissioned by the R&A, shows spending by visitors to Scotland for the tournament generated £88 million – nearly double the £47.5 million in visitor impact achieved in 2010 when the event was last held at the Old Course. A further £52 million in marketing benefit was realised thanks to the exposure gained by St Andrews and Scotland being broadcast to more than 500 million households worldwide, according to separate research carried out by Kantar Media Sport Intelligence. The economic impact assessment, carried out by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre, estimates that Fife alone benefitted to the tune of around £52 million, and suggests there is a “St Andrew’s effect” that has seen visitor numbers to the Old Course exceed all previous years. Other key findings from the study include: 

Total spectator admissions over the course of the championship (including practice days and Championship days)



were 237,024, with 93,000 unique spectators. There were 26,400 spectators from overseas - 28 per cent of the total, compared to 20 per cent in 2010. More than three quarters of overseas spectators were attending the Open for the first time in 2015. The corresponding figures for the two previous events held at St Andrews in 2010 and 2005 were 65 per cent and 62 per cent respectively. More than two thirds of the total visitors and 80 per cent of visitors from the UK said they expect to return to Scotland within one year thanks to the positive experience they had.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We all know that golf and its origins are synonymous with Scotland but these excellent figures show that the connection between the game and its spiritual home is as strong and productive as ever. “It is always a special homecoming for players and spectators alike when The Open returns to the Old Course – they have the opportunity to experience not only one of the finest courses in the world, but also take in such a stunning setting on the Fife coast. “Hosting such events is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Scotland

internationally as the perfect stage for events as well as generating spend for local businesses, restaurants and hotels, and the wider Scottish economy.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “The R&A brings The Open to Scotland more often than to any other part of the United Kingdom and we are delighted that a long association with VisitScotland produces measurable and sustained benefits for the Scottish economy. For the millions who watched on television and the many thousands who attended in St Andrews, the 144TH Open was a wonderful celebration of golf. The Open is one of the world’s greatest sporting events and we look forward to staging another successful Championship in Scotland this year when The Open returns to Royal Troon.”

The 2015 Open was the most successful on record, and the Saturday in particular was a massive boom for the town’s businesses, but as we all know, we cannot rely on the weather to ensure the next Open here will be even more successful. Last summer’s championship was impacted severely by the weather and it was solely due to the high wind on the Saturday that the town was so packed for so long with spectators looking for something to do, eat and drink.

Several bars in the town, including the Blue Stane in Alexandra Place, said that they had sold as much Tennent’s Lager on that one day as they usually do in a seven-day week. But without this freak occurrence, it is doubtful that as many of our businesses would have benefitted so greatly from The Open being staged here. The title of our study is ‘Our Town’s Super Bowl’ for a reason, because The Open, like the Super Bowl, is staged in a different location each year, and it can be several years in between hosting The Open or the Super Bowl for each host venue. Earlier this month San Francisco staged its first Super Bowl in over 30 years, and the organising committee was determined to make the most of staging the event. Raising millions of dollars for charity, ensuring the whole city and area benefitted from Super Bowl 50, engaging with youth and minorities and leaving a lasting legacy were the main aims of the committee. A major part of this was the creation a free-tothe-public fan village, “Super Bowl City presented by Verizon.” With more than 35 free performances by Grammy-winning headliners, community performers and local Bay Area favorites, Super Bowl City will showcase two stages, The City Stage presented by the Levi’s® brand and the Fan Stage in the Fan Energy Zone powered by SAP.

©R&A

“Over the course of nine days, visitors to Super Bowl City were treated to free concerts by some of the world’s most notable artists and the Bay Area’s finest performers,” said Keith Bruce, CEO of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. “Whether it’s local groups like Loco Bloco or musicians like the Bay Area’s Chris Isaak, the culture and fabric of the region was well-represented.” In a break from tradition, Super Bowl City was open for an extra weekend this year, providing local residents the opportunity to experience the excitement of Super Bowl 50 before out-oftown guests arrive. Super Bowl City opened Saturday, January 30, with the day’s activities topped off with the Host Committee’s “Saturday Night Lights” celebration: the official re-lighting of the iconic Bay Lights on the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bay Bridge, followed by the Macy’s Fireworks Show and a performance by the Bay Area’s own Chris Isaak. The City Stage presented by Levi’s® next featured the CBS Radio Concert Series, with free headlining performances kicking off on February 3 with singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson, followed by country group The Band Perry on February 4, and pop rock band One Republic on February 5. In addition to One Republic, Friday night featured a second Macy’s Fireworks Show. Super Bowl Week was capped with a special, free performance by Levi’s® brand ambassador and fifteen-time Grammy Award winning superstar Alicia Keys and opening act

Goapele, the singer-songwriter from Oakland on Saturday, February 6. Located in the Sue Bierman Park area of Super Bowl City, The City Stage presented by Levi’s® was produced in conjunction with LiveNation, and was designed to showcase a wide variety of free live musical, cultural and performing arts entertainers throughout Super Bowl Week. Located in Justin Herman Plaza within Super Bowl City, the Fan Stage was produced in conjunction with e2k events and was the “live” area of the Fan Energy Zone, serving as a presentation space for community partners, celebrity appearances and photo opportunities, and the main space for the DJs and MCs. The Fan Energy Zone Powered by SAP was centered in the heart of Super Bowl City presented by Verizon in San Francisco, and celebrates the Bay Area’s leadership in technology and innovation, and showcased the latest in interactive gaming, social media and data visualizations. “The Bay Area is the epicentre for innovation, creativity and technology, so what better way to introduce fans to our region than by building the most interactive fan experience ever,” said Keith Bruce, CEO of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. “Our partnership with SAP allowed fans to step into the action on the gridiron and experience the game in new and sociallyconnected ways.”

The Fan Energy Zone included three different but interlinked areas: the Fan Dome, the Fan Wall and the Fan Stage. In the 40 foot tall Fan Dome, fans became players as they step into interactive games. Fans played as digital avatars on giant screens and their movements are replicated by motion sensors that light up the Fan Dome. The Fan Wall is a 50 foot wide video wall that captured the visual and virtual excitement of Super Bowl City. It displayed the leader boards and stats from the Fan Energy Zone games, user-generated content, social media visualizations and live video feeds from around Super Bowl City. The Fan Stage was the “live” area of the Fan Energy Zone, serving as a presentation space for community partners, celebrity appearances and autograph signings, and the main space for the DJs and MCs. These events and facilities can be replicated for an Open in St Andrews, but on a smaller scale. There are many open spaces within the town which could serve as excellent locations for music stages and activity centres, that would keep visitors in the town throughout the week and during the evening, attracting them to use shops, bars and restaurants rather than return to their hotel rooms or depart to a major city such as Dundee, Edinburgh or even Glasgow. Scotland and the UK have a plethora of performing stars and groups, emerging talents

©SuperBowl50

and iconic musical heroes, and The Open in St Andrews would be a perfect stage for them. With the University of St Andrews, Byre Theare, St Andrews Partnership and BID St Andrews on board, the next Open could be one of the greatest sporting and cultural events ever staged in the UK. And the efforts of the San Francisco Super Bowl 50 Host Committee look like they have already had a significant impact with RecordBreaking Numbers in Viewership, Streaming, Website, and Philanthropy. Between January 30 and February 7, 1.1 million people – both Bay Area residents and out-of-town fans – visited these San Franciscobased events: Super Bowl City presented by Verizon, the 50th Mile and the NFL Experience driven by Hyundai. "Everyone did an extraordinary job here to help stage a perfect celebration of Super Bowl 50,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “The leadership came together in a way we’ve never seen before and set a new bar for future host committees.” More than 200,000 fans joined in the celebration at Super Bowl City during the opening weekend that was designed specifically for local residents and featured a performance by San Francisco resident Chris Isaak. Three hundred thousand fans attended on the closing weekend, which featured free concerts by OneRepublic and fifteen-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys on The City Stage presented by Levi’s.

©SuperBowl50

“It’s been our goal from the beginning to redefine the Super Bowl, and I believe we’ve done just that,” said Keith Bruce, CEO of the Host Committee. “From the fan experience to use of technology to our unprecedented philanthropic focus, our region has redefined what it means to host a Super Bowl and set the tone for the Big Game’s next 50 years.” The free public Super Bowl City was designed to showcase the best the Bay Area has to offer, with interactive exhibits and activities that highlighted the region’s technological prowess, culinary excellence and cultural diversity, as well as celebrated the 50th Super Bowl and the Bay Area’s place in professional football history. "I'm thrilled that more than a million people from throughout the Bay Area and across the nation joined in the celebration of Super Bowl 50, and especially that so many families and local residents enjoyed the wonderful free concerts and activities at Super Bowl City," said Mayor Ed Lee. "Super Bowl 50 exceeded our expectations, showcasing the best of our City and the entire Bay Area to the world, bringing many millions of dollars in new revenue to our City from visitor spending and hotel and short-term rental stays, and supporting our local communities at the same time. Congratulations to the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee, to the Denver Broncos and to everyone who helped make Super Bowl 50 an unqualified success – raising the bar to be the best Super Bowl ever."

At the Handoff Ceremony to the Houston Host Committee on Monday, Bruce and Chairman Daniel Lurie thanked transportation partners, public and private organizations and city leaders from around the Bay Area including San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo for their strong collaboration as the host region for Super Bowl 50. “The flawless execution of Super Bowl 50 is a terrific example of what can be accomplished when the region comes together,” said recently retired Mayor Jamie Matthews of Santa Clara. “I believe this will be a real legacy for our region and extend well beyond Super Bowl 50.” “I’d like to thank the countless organizations, businesses and people who came together to make Super Bowl 50 a success, and particularly our dedicated police officers and firefighters who put in many extra hours leading up to and during the event,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “This event provided an opportunity for people from all around the world to experience the rich diversity, character and innovation that makes the Bay Area so unique, and I look forward to collaborating to bring even more major sporting events to our region in the years ahead.” Through the 50 Fund, the Host Committee's philanthropic arm, the Host Committee has already given $7.5 million back to 141 high-

performing local non-profits and impacted 537,209 children to date, and will give more than $13 million in total, the most ever raised by a Super Bowl Host Committee. “From day one, we wanted to make this about more than a game,” said Super Bowl 50 Chairman Host Committee Chairman Daniel Lurie. “Now that the final whistle has blown, we can say that Super Bowl 50 is the most giving Super Bowl to date, and that's something that every Bay Area resident should be proud of. Beyond the incredible festivities and memories, Super Bowl 50 will have a lasting, positive legacy on the Bay Area for decades to come, and I believe will be a model for major sporting events around the globe.” "Super Bowl 50 will have a lasting legacy in Oakland thanks to the generosity of the 50 Fund, which has provided 28 Oakland organizations with over $1.3 million to improve educational and life outcomes for our city's children and their families," said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. In addition to being the most philanthropic Super Bowl yet, records were also set for visits to a Super Bowl Host Committee website. The Super Bowl 50 Host Committee’s website saw 5.9 million total visitors, with 4.8 million unique visitors and 11.7 million page views, and its single busiest day was Super Bowl Sunday when 386,936 visited the site. The website was developed with technology partner Channel One.

This year’s Big Game was also the most watched. The CBS Television Network reported that it was watched by a record 167.0 million viewers, making it the most-watched single broadcast in television history. Streaming coverage of Super Bowl 50 on CBS and NFL digital properties also set viewership records in every category, with the game streamed across more platforms than ever. The live stream drew 3.96 million unique viewers across laptops, desktops, tablets, connected TV devices and mobile phones. “What a wonderful week for the Bay Area, the NFL, the 49ers and NFL fans everywhere,” said San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York. “The entire region came together these last few years in impressive fashion by locking arms and working hard to show the world all that is special about the Bay Area. We thank the NFL community for providing us the great privilege of hosting Super Bowl 50 and we look forward to sport’s greatest event returning very soon.” An independent report on the total economic impact of Super Bowl 50 will be released in early summer by Washington University’s Dr. Patrick Rishe and Sportsimpact. We believe the next Open in St Andrews will be in 2021, with confirmation from the R&A expected soon, but now is not too soon to start planning for an even bigger and more successful Open at the home of golf.

an even bigger success, and now is the time to put those ideas into actions, and inspire a generation of future golfers.

Future Open Championship hosts

2016

Troon

Royal Troon Golf Club

2017

Southport

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

2018

Carnoustie

Carnoustie Golf Links

2019

Portrush

Royal Portrush Golf Club

2020

To be confirmed

2021

To be confirmed

Many businesses had very good and different ideas of how to make an Open in St Andrews

©Matt Hooper

Growing The Game

Golf Club Scotland Two friends with a passion for golf and a vision for the future of the game in Slovakia

By Matt Hooper

Images supplied by Golf Club Scotland

They do say, that Love conquers everything. When Ladislav Smatana, a Veterinary surgeon from Bojnice, Slovakia, first came to Scotland it was to find an English Language school for his wife, Iveta. The best place for this was Edinburgh, and for a few years Ladislav and Iveta stayed in the area, and soon there was a new love in his life. Golf.

Playing the historic links of Musselburgh and the many public courses around the capital gave Ladislav the bug, and he has been addicted ever since. Much like someone we love, it can be up and down, but if we work at it something truly special can come of it. And Ladislav put his love for golf to very good use indeed. Ladislav is a very gregarious person, as you can tell when you are in his company, and he wanted to share his passion for golf with his

friends back home. So for many years he has brought groups of Slovakian and Czech people over to enjoy the Greatest Game Ever Played, in the home of golf. He soon introduced the game to his childhood friend, Slavomir Pavle, who is a journalist. Slavomir is also a keen Angler, and created an

Whilst in and around Edinburgh Ladislav became friends with several influential members of high profile clubs, including the then secretary of Musselburgh Golf Club, Robin McGregor. The idea for Golf Club Scotland developed, and soon the new club, to be built around Vodny Svet, would have a logo featuring that of Vodny Svet, and the words Golf Club Scotland, as seen below. The club was inaugurated on 14 March 2009, at an event launching the club logo. Those in attendance included the secretary of the Slovakian Golf Association, Juraj Spanik; secretary of Musselburgh Golf Club, Robin McGregor; Golf Course designer Tom MacKenzie and Ladislav & Slavomir. Within 12 months of the club being formed construction began at Vodny Svet on the ‘training centre’. This included a 16-bay driving range, chipping and putting greens, 18-hole High Tatra Putting Green and 6-hole par three academy course.

area designed specifically to enjoy his passion, fishing, called Vodny Svet. Soon the two friends would come up with an idea of a way to grow the game they so loved, in their homeland. The genesis for Golf Club Scotland took place.

Design and construction was undertaken by Mackenzie and Ebert. Tom Mackenzie is a renowned golf course architect who has worked on Turnberry, Royal St George’s, Royal Troon, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham and St Anne’s, as well as two course at St Andrews Links – The Strathtyrum and Balgove. The Golf Course Condition is also of the highest standard with the help of Golf Course

Agronomist, David Stansfield and Irrigation and drainage company, IRRIPLAN. The centre was complete by the summer of 2011 and the scene was set for the future. Golf Club Scotland is entirely funded by its members, which are limited to 70. Each contributed to the costs of design and construction, and the initial running costs of the club.

For Adult non-members one round of 9 holes between Monday and Thursday will cost €15 (€20 Friday to Sunday); 18 holes will cost an adult non-member €30 and €35 respectively. Juniors up to the age of 18 and students up to the age of 23 pay 50% of the listed adult prices.

The project received the Gold Albatross Award for its contribution to sustainable and affordable golf in Slovakia by Slovak Golf Magazine. The second phase of construction began in 2012 with the aim of building a 9-hole, par 35 golf course, inspired by the game in Scotland, within a Slovakian setting. The course has mix of four par fours, two par fives and three par threes, and measures 2513 metres (2748 yards) from the back tees. Each hole has three sets of tees. The aim of Golf Club Scotland is to help grow the game of golf in Slovakia, and pricing for use of its facilities has been set at an affordable level to help ensure this.

Members can pay €3 for a day ticket. Usage of the chipping and putting green is included in the price, and 20 balls at the driving range costs just €1. This pricing structure is designed to encourage families to play the game, and increase the number of juniors playing the game. As of 2016 there are just 22 golf courses in Slovakia (there are over 40 in Fife alone)

servicing 7,644 golfers, of which only 1,143 are juniors. Facilities such as Golf Club Scotland will help to drive participation in the sport, in addition to Golf’s Return to the Olympic Games. A second nine, to complete the facility, is planned for the future. But for now Golf Club Scotland is ready and willing to help grow the game across Slovakia, which is still very much in its infancy. The Slovak Golf Association was founded in 1991, after the split of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Ladislav Smatana, who has assumed the role of President of Golf Club Scotland, also represents the club at Slovak Golf Association meetings, and is passionate about growing the game he became so fond of in Scotland. Construction of the 9-hole course was completed in September 2014 and the club opened its course with a grand event on 2 September 2015.

In 2013 Ladislav was accepted as an overseas member of the New Golf Club in St Andrews, and in his time as a member has made several friends, and two of those were in attendance at the grand opening. 2013 New Golf Club captain John NewmanCarter and fellow member, Alec Ingram made the trip to Slovakia, with a Quaich as a gift from the New Golf Club to Golf Club Scotland to celebrate their establishment. The event also included a ceremonial dram from the Quaich for the significant Golf Club Scotland members and visitors, Auchentoshan was the whisky of choice. Golf Course designer Tom Mackenzie, Ladislav and Slavomir, John Newman-Carter and Alec Ingram all spoke at the grand opening to a large crowd of members on a gloriously sunny day.

On the following pages we bring you images of this historic day for Golf Club Scotland and golf in Slovakia.

Golf Course Designer Tom Mackenzie (Mackenzie & Ebert) chats with Alec Ingram and John Newman-Carter of the New Golf Club of St Andrews at the grand opening of Golf Club Scotland, September 2015

Golf Course Designer Tom Mackenzie (Mackenzie & Ebert) addresses the members of Golf Club Scotland at the grand opening, September 2015

Ladislav Smatana and Slavomir Pavle address the members of Golf Club Scotland at the grand opening, September 2015 (main image) Members attend the grand opening of Golf Club Scotland and celebrate the opening of their club (inset), September 2015

Golfers enjoying an autumnal round at Golf Club Scotland, October 2015 (main image) Slavomir Pavle and members test out the course at the Grand Opening of Golf Club Scotland, September 2015 (inset)

2015 also saw Slovakia stage its biggest ever golf event, the European Amateur Championship, at the prestigious Penati Golf Resort. The event showed the vast potential the country has for golf, but also showed just how far it has to come. Facilities like Golf Club Scotland can lead the way in accessibility and affordability across Slovakia and Europe. And it is down to the vision and passion of Ladislav Smatana and Slavomir Pavle that the club has become a reality in such a short period of time. But it shouldn’t be overlooked the inspirational role that St Andrews and golf in Scotland played in the creation of Golf Club Scotland, and the support from members of the golfing community here has enabled the dream of two friends to be fulfilled. Whatever the challenges, it has been proved once again, that love can indeed conquer everything.

©European Golf Association

“If you dream and work at it, it will happen.” Ladislav Smatana, 2015

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 27: Attendees at the Opening Ceremony during the PGA Merchandise Show held at Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/The PGA of America).

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (February 1, 2016) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The 63rd PGA Merchandise Show, the industry's annual "MAJOR of Golf Business," came to a close Jan. 29, in Orlando, after successfully marking the kickoff to the PGA of America's Centennial Celebration and welcoming more than 42,000 golf industry professionals from 91 countries around the world. PGA Professionals and buyers uncovered the newest products, trends and technology from more than 1,000 exhibiting golf companies and brands, including 284 companies new to the event, creating the world's largest business-tobusiness golf event within 1 million square feet of interactive exhibit, demonstration and meeting space of the Orange County Convention Center West Concourse Exhibit Hall. The 2016 PGA Merchandise Show attracted more than 7,000 PGA Professionals from around the world to drive a 3 percent increase in overall attendance, despite the early-week Winter Storm Jonas impacting the East Coast of the United States. The top five countries (outside of U.S.) represented in attendance were Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Mexico and Germany. The top five U.S. states represented in attendance were Florida, New York, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan. As the world's largest gathering of PGA Professionals, the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show was a perfect occasion to kick off the 100-day PGA Centennial Celebration and

commemorate the widespread impact of PGA Professionals on the game, the industry and grassroots enjoyment and growth of golf. The Centennial was celebrated with a special opening tee shot at the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day and opening ceremony at the PGA Merchandise Show. Also, the Centennial was marked with a history exhibit in the lobby of the convention center, a #ThxPGAPro Lounge on the PGA Show floor and during a special PGA Professional Reception on the opening night of the PGA Merchandise Show. "This was truly a special PGA Merchandise Show, where the golf community was able to mark the Centennial of the PGA of America and celebrate the impact PGA Professionals have had on the game," says PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Senior Vice President and General Manager Ed Several. "As is the tradition of the PGA Merchandise Show, the world of golf came together here in Orlando to drive forward the business of the game in a face-to-face environment. In addition to sourcing from a wide spectrum of the newest merchandise, attending PGA Professionals and golf buyers were able to personally experience the most advanced technologies in demo events, personal interaction with the game's leaders and product designers, a sharing of best practices among colleagues and a full calendar of professional resources to impact their businesses and careers."

The global golf gathering began on Tuesday, Jan. 26, with a special PGA of America Centennial Tee Shot to open the 14th Annual PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day. Covered live by Golf Channel on "Morning Drive," the opening ceremony featured PGA of America officers and representatives from the PGA's 41 Sections, along with 41 PGA Junior League Golf participants from Greater Orlando. Thousands of PGA Professionals and invited golf retailers then previewed and personally tested the newest equipment, training aids and accessories from more than 100 top golf companies at the 42-acre practice facility, to create the world's largest professional golf demo event. On Wednesday, Jan. 27, PGA of America Hall of Famer Lee Trevino was joined by his longtime mentor, instructor and friend, PGA Master Professional Bill Eschenbrenner, as they shined a spotlight on the century-long impact of PGA Professionals and helped open the PGA Merchandise Show, the world's largest gathering of PGA Professionals, live on Golf Channel's "Morning Drive." Trevino was among a long list of celebrities, renowned golf instructors and specials guests, such as Lexi Thompson, Bubba Watson, Jesper Parnevik, Lydia Ko, Blair O'Neal, Ian Poulter, Greg Norman, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Troy Merritt, Annika Sorenstam, Johnny Miller, Hal Sutton, Justin Thomas, Nancy Lopez, David Leadbetter, Hank Haney, Michael Breed, Mike Malaska, Cameron McCormick,

Jim McLean, Claude Harmon, Lynn Swann, Lou Holtz and many more who participated in the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show. In addition to the busy marketplace among nearly 10 miles of exhibit aisles, PGA Show days were full of professional learning opportunities during industry presentations. The PGA Forum Stage, presented by OMEGA, was a popular destination on the PGA Show floor, with a compelling schedule of focused programming on emerging technology, employment initiatives, and instruction best practices, plus multiple presentations with celebrities and industry leaders, which both enlightened and entertained the audience. Also, the comprehensive PGA Education Conference, PGA Youth & Family Golf Summit, Outdoor Instructional Workshops, the FIT to W.I.N. stage, sponsored by TPI, and the new Textile Sourcing Pavilion offered many educational programs on a diverse spectrum of golf, retailing, fitness and business topics. Attendees experienced a dynamic PGA Show floor, featuring PGA Centennial programs, interactive exhibits, hundreds of vendor show specials and promotions; plus some 47 testing bays at the indoor Equipment Test Center, a New Product Zone for a one-stop shopping of the newest golf merchandise; an Inventor's Spotlight Pavilion for patented products not yet available at retail; and numerous specialty exhibitor pavilions including a PGA Golf Travel Pavilion, PGA Partners Pavilion, Women's Accessories Pavilion, New Exhibitor Discovery

Zone, and several international exhibitor pavilions. More than 1,000 media from some 23 countries came to the PGA Merchandise Show to cover the newest golf products, trends, industry announcements and newsmakers of the game. Golf Channel delivered a record 25 hours of coverage from the PGA Show with "Morning Drive" and "Golf Central," giving viewers worldwide insider access to the "MAJOR of Golf Business," featuring interviews with industry leaders and insight on the latest products and trends for 2016. Additionally, Golf Channel instruction programs originated from the PGA Show with "School of Golf" at the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day and "The Golf Fix" from the PGA Merchandise Show floor. Also, complementing the many media outlets providing daily live digital coverage, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio Network broadcast 35 hours live during PGA Merchandise Show Week. Daily video and blog reports are available at www.PGA.com and the daily PGA Show News, the official daily publication of the PGA Merchandise Show, is available at www.PGAmagazine.com. A social media campaign promoted content at #PGAShow and #ThxPGAPro on multiple social media platforms and was widely successful, resulting in strong engagement.

COMING THIS JULY

The Pioneers

In celebration of the centenary of the PGA of America, we bring you a follow up to the popular feature on emigrating St Andrewsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; golf professionals and their role in taking the game to the United States, and establishing the PGA of America

TIGER WOODS IS THIS THE END? HIS LIFE IN GOLF, ACHIEVEMENTS, LEGACY AND FUTURE BY MATT HOOPER

©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

I think pretty much everything beyond this (14 major champions and 79 PGA Tour wins) will be gravy, If that’s all it entails then I’ve had a pretty good run." This was Tiger Woods speaking at his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas at the start of December last year. A dispirited man who seemed to have lost the belief that he will add to his incredible haul of titles, with no timetable for a return to competitive golf. In a career with so many ecstatic highs and so many agonizing lows, at the age of 40 Tiger Woods career is perhaps winding down far earlier than it should be. Injuries to his knee, leg and Achilles have seen him take several months away from the game, but the latest back injury could well be the one which brings golf’s most iconic career to a premature end. Woods has undergone two surgeries and the recovery time from the second one is unknown, with lengthy rest required to allow it to heal before rehabilitation can take place. This makes Tiger’s absence even more difficult to take for him, and there is no doubt that it is an extremely frustrating time for the former world number one. With the likes of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day all taking the limelight, and the major trophies, along with the rise of many young players from around the world, when Woods does eventually return to competitive golf, the landscape will be significantly different to when he left it. It is now over 2 and a half years since Tiger Woods’ last victory, the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, and his play since has been painful to watch. Woods hasn’t played since finishing in a tie for 10th at last August’s Wyndham Championship, and has fallen from World Number 1 to World Number 444 since March 2014. In his last 18 starts he has missed six cuts and withdrawn from three tournaments, making only one top-ten. The good thing for golf, but perhaps a worrying and sad thing for Tiger, is that this time golf isn’t missing him as much as it was in his times of absence due to injury or infidelity. Rory, Jordan, Jason, Rickie, Dustin and others are now moving the needle, maybe not quite in the way Woods did, but crowds are up and TV ratings are levelling out instead of falling. Of course, TV ratings may never reach the epic level Woods enabled them to reach. The 1997 Masters was and still is, by far, the most-watched golf event ever. Over 50 million Americans saw all or part of Woods’ victory at Augusta, his first professional major, including an estimated 44 million on Sunday (AP). Tiger set a bar that may never be reached by any golfer, ever again. It is a career that has transcended the game to a fan base it could never have dreamed of reaching 30 years ago, and has taken the sport to a place on the course that it has never been before and driven the industry to a place it could only have dreamed of being. Yes, the game at the grass roots level is declining in terms of memberships at private clubs, but in this ever-changing world golf is being played more on public courses than ever before and the demographic of golfers is far different to that of the 1970s and 80s. Tiger’s on course career may not quite be over yet, but clearly his best years are behind him and in this feature we look back at his iconic achievements, his run at Nicklaus’ record, his lasting legacy and his future within the game. ©ROLEX/Chris Turvey

THE CHASER AND THE CHASED TIGER HUNTED DOWN HISTORY, TORE UP THE RECORD BOOKS AND IS NOW THE MAN EVERYONE WANTS TO EMULATE

©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

Tiger was destined for stardom from the age of three when he appeared on the Mike Douglas Show hitting balls into a washing machine, and his talent grew as he grew. He swept the opposition away at every level of junior golf, winning six Junior World Championships and 3 US Junior Amateur Championships in a row, becoming arguably the greatest junior golfer to ever live. Then he continued his incredible achievement at the highest level in amateur golf, winning three successive US Amateur titles, the first to do so, and by winning the 1994 championship, the youngest to do so until Danny Lee and Byeong-Hun An. His third successive win in the US Amateur was broadcast on NBC opposite the NEC World Series of Golf, one of the premier PGA Tour events in 1996, and attracted a larger TV audience than its professional alternative which was broadcast on CBS. He turned professional later that month and his professional debut was the most anticipated in the history of the game. He turned pro with a huge Titleist contract worth a reputed $20million over 5 years in addition to Nike (5 years, $40m), General Motors (rolling, $10.9m per year), General Mills, Accenture and American Express (details not disclosed). There was quite a lot of scepticism and jealousy, but he soon silenced the doubters and critics by winning the Las Vegas Invitational and the National Car Rental Disney Classic to finish the year as rookie of the year in 24th on the Money List from just 8 events. His performances in the majors that year, with exception of The Open, were average with a missed cut in The Masters, a tie for 82nd in the US Open and a tie for 22nd at The Open. He wasn’t eligible for the 1996 PGA Championship. This gave little indication of what was to follow in the spring of 1997. He began his first full season as a professional with one of his iconic victories, in a playoff against Tom Lehman at La Costa in the Mercedes Championships. He then finished second at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am before tasting more success in the Asian Honda Classic in his mothers’ homeland, Thailand. In eight starts prior to the 1997 Masters he had won twice and moved from 33rd to 14th in the world, he was poised for a first crack at Augusta as a professional. After nine holes on Thursday it looked like another missed cut, posting 40 and he was out of contention, but he roard back in 30 and by the middle of Friday he was leading. He went on to set a low mark of 18-under-par and win by a record 12 shots. ©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

It was an earth-shattering victory which had stunned the world of golf and sport, and the Tiger Woods era was underway. It was the first major on a road towards becoming the most successful golfer in Major Championship history, or that was the goal. He then worked with coach Butch Harmon to remodel his swing to make him more consistent, and he went through a patch of indifferent results, but at the start of 1999 he labour began bearing fruits. He won the Buick Invitational and then finished in a tie for second place at the Los Angeles Open, then he had to wait for three months before he won again. His first victory on European soil came at the Deutsche Bank SAP Open TPC of Europe in Germany, and was quickly followed the next week with a stunning victory at the Memorial Tournament. At the US Open he came within a two shots of victory at Pinehurst at the end of an epic Sunday featuring Payne Stewart, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh. Another victory at the Motorola Western Open set him up as one of the favourites going to Carnoustie, but he would not be in serious contention, finishing in a tie for seventh place. The 1999 PGA Championship was the 11th major since his record-breaking victory at Augusta in 1997, and crucial to his confidence. With four wins behind him he was able to pull off arguably the most important major win of his career, defeating Sergio Garcia by a single shot.

ÂŠTim Hipps, FMWRC Public Affairs

His victory at Medinah would be the 5th of an incredible 9 wins around the world in 1999, and would launch arguably the greatest run by any golfer in the modern era. He started 2000 by eventually defeating Ernie Els in an epic duel at Kapalua to claim his second Mercedes Championships title, before producing an astonishing comeback from 7 shots behind on the back nine to overturn Matt Gogel and win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am. Then he headed east for the Florida swing where he won the Bay Hill Invitational, a victory which set him up for a crack at his first Players Championship win. He would dramatically finish second to Hal Sutton and head for Augusta as the clear favourite. A disappointing fifth place in The Masters didn’t linger long in the memory and in June he would defend The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. The 2000 US Open will go down in history as arguably the greatest sporting performance of all-time. On a course which got harder and harder throughout the week, Tiger got better and better. He led wireto-wire to win by a record-breaking fifteen shots, finishing the week at 12-under-par, whilst the next best was 3-over-par. His victory featured every facet of a great player at his peak, making birdies when required and scrambling when in trouble. His second shot at the par-five fifth hole is one of the most memorable shots from Tiger, smashing a sixiron from over 200 yards out of thick rough to the green. Then he came to St Andrews with the career grand slam firmly in his sights. Nobody else had a chance, he won by eight and became the youngest to ever complete the game’s greatest feat. Another historic landmark was in his sights, three majors in one season for just the second time in history, after Ben Hogan in 1953. This won was arguably the most dramatic major win of his career, duelling with little-known Bob May and winning after a three-hole playoff. Wins followed at the WGC-NEC Invitational, where he shot the lowest round of his career, 61 at Firestone en route to another huge win; the Bell Canadian Open, clinching glory with another iconic shot from a bunker 206 yards from the green, over water with a 6-iron; the Johnnie Walker Classic and EMC World Cup would complete another incredible haul of victories. The scene was set for 2001 and a crack at winning four consecutive majors.

©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

Tiger began his 2001 season with a run of no wins in 6 tournaments, including a second place finish behind Thomas Bjorn in the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, incredibly some in the media were calling it a drought! The ‘drought’ came to an end with a stunning birdie to defeat his great rival Phil Mickelson on the 72nd hole and win the Bay Hill Invitational. In a thrilling Sunday back and forth between the world number one and two, at the home of Arnold Palmer, it was Tiger who came out on top and claimed his first win of the season. In the following week he won again, and claimed a first Players Championship in a Monday finish, defeating Jerry Kelly. This week was memorable for the incredible ‘better than most’ putt on the island green 17th on Saturday. He headed for Augusta in tip-top condition and ready to make more history. It came down to the world’s three greatest golfers – Duval, Mickelson and Woods – in the final round, and despite putting the pressure on, there was only ever going to be one winner. A 15-foot putt at the 72nd hole put the cherry on the icing of the cake, sealing a second green jacket and the ‘Tiger Slam’. History and he was a true sporting icon of the first degree. Tiger would win the 2002 Masters and the 2002 US Open, played at Bethpage State Park, once again defeating Mickelson to claim a second US Open title in the first US Open staged on a truly public course. His calendar year grand slam hopes were dashed by the weather and a third round of 82 at Muirfield and he wouldn’t win another major until an epic afternoon in Augusta in 2005. Tiger Woods has hit some truly astonishing shots in his remarkable career, but none compare to the difficulty or importance of the one at the 16th on Sunday of the 2005 Masters. On Saturday he flirted with the cut in this weather-delayed Masters, but by Sunday evening he was in a two-way fight for the title with Chris DiMarco. On Sunday morning he completed a run of 7 birdies in a row around Amen Corner, and Woods held a three stroke lead on the first hole of the final round. It all came down to the final few holes and Tiger held a one shot lead on the 16th tee. His tee-shot flew the green and he had a delicate chip facing him, one which if he got wrong could effectively hand DiMarco the title there and then. His chip landed some 20 feet left of the hole and rolled back towards the hole, and seemingly clung to the edge of the hole before falling in for the mos remarkable of birdies. ©BMW AG

The crowd went wild and so did Tiger and his caddie Steve Williams, he led by two with two holes to play. But bogeys at the final two holes saw the pair tied at 12-under-par and a playoff ensued. Tiger made birdie on the first extra hole to end his run of 10 majors without a victory, the joint longest of his career at that point. He would win The Open for a second time that summer here in St Andrews, defeating the home favourite, Colin Montgomerie and he would go on to win the 2006 Open and PGA to reach 12 major titles in under a decade. In 2007 he won a fourth PGA Championship, holding off an unlikely challenge from Woody Austin to claim a thirteenth major title. 2008 was a year he was ravaged by injury and despite playing in The Masters, Tiger missed The Players Championship, and returned, against his doctor’s advice at the US Open at Torrey Pines. What followed was quite possibly the most extraordinary show of courage, determination and skill in the face of adversity we will ever see on a golf course. Every swing was seemingly met with a wince, he was clearly in agony and just walking was hard enough. The championship came down to a three-way battle between Woods, Lee Westwood and Rocco Mediate. Rocco posted a 72-hole score of 283, 1-under-par. Westwood missed out on a playoff by a shot and so it came down to Tiger to deny the journeyman an incredible againstthe-odds Major title. His final putt, for birdie on Torrey Pines finishing par 5 somehow found the bottom of the cup, and his celebration was one of pure ecstasy. On the Monday the 18-hole playoff was equally, if not more, dramatic. It was a back and forth battle and eventually it went into extra holes, where a par on the 10th was good enough for Woods to claim a third US Open title and a fourteenth Major win. He took the remainder of the year off and returned from injury at the 2009 WGC-Accenture Match Play in February. His first win back was the Arnold Palmer Invitational, in fading light with spectators’ lighters and mobile phones brightening the scene. Woods was to win another six times in 2009, but never came that close in the majors and YE Yang came from behind at the PGA to shockingly defeat him, and on the night of Thanksgiving his world turned upside down. He had a car crash near his home in Orlando, and his life unravelled before his and the world’s eyes. Revelations of infidelity and multiple ©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

affairs came to light and Woods divorced his wife Elin Nordegren, apologized to the world on live television and his return was one of the most highly anticipated sporting events ever broadcast. There was even a special broadcast for his first tee shot at the 2010 Masters. Since that turbulent time in his personal life Tiger has had more ups and downs, in fact mainly downs. The one year he had any great success in was 2013, winning five times on the PGA Tour and remarkably returning to world number one. But he has had no further success in the majors, and at times in 2015 his play in the majors was truly shocking and it was hard to watch. Following the PGA Championship he entered the Wyndham Championship in a desperate attempt to earn enough points to keep playing in the PGA Tour Playoffs, but he only finished 10th and that is the last time he has played golf, at all. It is now some 6 months since we have seen Tiger playing golf. His future on the course is unclear, but one thing is very clear, the game of golf is better for having had 20 years of Tiger Woods. His on course success has driven both the European and PGA Tours to great financial prosperity and the game is far bigger than it was in 1995. Every golfer playing today can be thankful for Tiger Woods. His legacy is enormous, his legacy is here and now.

ÂŠPGA of America/Montana Pritchard

TRANSCENDING THE GAME TIGER’S LEGACY IS HERE AND NOW

©BMW AG

Tiger Woods has made golf cool. Tiger Woods has made golf an athletic sport. Tiger Woods has made golf a TV spectacle. Tiger Woods was compelling. Tiger Woods has transcended the game to a whole new audience. From 1996 to 2009 Tiger Woods was the game of golf. Maybe he still is, but in a different way. Tiger’s legacy is Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. He inspired them and now they inspire millions. Rory McIlroy even replicated Tiger’s famous washing machine shot as a child, and now takes great satisfaction in working out as an athlete would do, and he isn’t the only one. The world of golf is now an athletic world, yes there are exceptions to the rule but look at the world’s top ten golfers – they are all athletes, and most of them are under 30. When Tiger Woods first became world number one in 1997 the average age of the world’s top ten was 36, as we begin the 2016 season the average age of the world’s top ten is 29. It is a remarkable drop in the age of the world’s best golfers, and that is down to the inspirational role Tiger Woods had for nearly 20 years. All of the top four, including Spieth, Day, McIlroy and Fowler are aged under 29, so you can imagine in a few years’ time that the average age will be even lower.

©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

From his first US Amateur to first Green Jacket, Tiger Woods has celebrated his victories with more passion, more charisma and more outward joy than any golfer before or since, he made it acceptable to pump your fist and roar with ecstasy at a big win. So many children across the world followed his example and golf, for so long, a quiet and ‘respectful’ sport has had a change of image, solely down to Tiger. Of course there are aspects of Woods behaviour on and off the course which nobody wants to see, but he is in many ways that imperfect genius, and with genius sometimes comes madness. You have to accept that, because without it he wouldn’t be the Tiger Woods who won 14 majors and nearly 100 tournaments around the world, and changed the face of the sport. So many of his iconic shots have been accompanied by an instantly memorable celebration, whether it was holing the putt at the 72nd hole in the 2008 US Open or the ‘better than most’ putt at Sawgrass, or the chip at Augusta in 2005. Then there are the moments like completing the Tiger Slam, with a simple raised arm and putter pointing to the sky, followed by shielding his eyes with his cap after realizing the magnitude of his achievement; or the tears after winning the 2006 Open following the loss of his father, Woods dramatic timing is renowned. It is why golf does miss him. He is so different and brings so much to every event he plays in, whether he wins or not.

©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

He also has brought a new audience to the game of golf. Crowds are much bigger and more vocal when he is in the field, there are events around the world which have overnight turned into significant tournaments and he has helped elevate events which have needed a major boost. He played in the first two editions of the HSBC Champions, and it is possible without his involvement that the tournament would not have been elevated to WGC status as quickly as it was. When he has made trips to play in the Australian Masters and Australian Open the crowds have come in record numbers, the media interest has been greater than ever before and the rest of the field has been stronger than ever before. Other players wanted to be part of an event Tiger played in. Then there is the prize money on the PGA Tour. When Tiger turned professional in 1996 the average prize fund for PGA Tour events was between $1m and $2m, with the largest prize funds being $3m at the Tour Championship and $3.5m at The Players Championship. Fast forward 20 years and the lowest prize fund on the PGA Tour is $3m for the alternate event, Puerto Rico Open, and the average purse is between $5m and $6m. The largest prize funds are now $10.5m at the Players Championship and PGA Championship. All four majors have prize funds of ÂŁ9.3m and higher. Tiger Woods role in this incredible rise in money on the PGA Tour cannot be understated. There was even a time when the two highest paid athletes in the world were golfers, Woods himself and Phil Mickelson. And now all of the top golfers could actually miss every cut on the tour and still take home millions of dollars every year.

ÂŠESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

Not since the early days of sports marketing and promotion, and the Big Three of Palmer, Player and Nicklaus has there been a single golfer so marketable and such a money-making machine. Of course before Woods there were golfers who carried animal head-covers on their clubs, but Tiger made it cool and popularized the sale of them all over the world. Tiger Woods has taken what Arnold Palmer did and made it even bigger, even better and made golfers marketable athletes, no matter what their level. ETW Corp. has multiple facets to it including golf course design and the Tiger Woods Foundation, and whereas it used to be only stellar icons of the game like Palmer, Player and Nicklaus who had their own brand, logo and businesses there are now many golfers across the world who have charitable foundations, brands, logos and companies off the back of their golfing success. Much of that is down to Tiger and his impact upon the sport. Tiger, like Arnold Palmer, promoted many different brands and companies at his peak from insurance to banking, from watches to energy drinks and much more. Tiger has hosted his own tournament since 1999 and before him it was only true legends of the game like Arnold Palmer (Arnold Palmer Invitational), Jack Nicklaus (The Memorial Tournament) and Byron Nelson (AT&T Byron Nelson) which hosted their own tour events. Now we have Rory McIlroy (Irish Open), Ernie Els (South African Open), Sergio Garcia (Spanish Open) and others hosting tournaments across the world.

Tiger led the way with his charitable foundation and others have followed, with Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Graeme McDowell among others operating their own charitable foundations, raising millions of dollars for different causes. Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charisma and popularity drove the development of the first major PGA Tour branded video game, Tiger Woods PGA Tour ran for 15 years until he was replaced by Rory McIlroy as the face of the EA Sports brand.

ÂŠESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

LIFE BEGINS AT 40 LOOKING INTO TIGER WOODS’ FUTURE IN THE GAME

©ESPN Images/Phil Ellsworth

We are now in an era of golf where 40 is not the end for top golfers, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Steve Stricker have had tremendous success in the forties. But with the number and severity of injuries suffered by Tiger it is fair to say his body is not that of a healthy forty-yearold. So there is no doubt that Tiger will be planning for the future, as evidenced by his growing golf course design portfolio. This is highlighted by his first US-based work at Bluejack National near Houston. With work underway on courses in Dubai, Mexico and China, Tiger Woods design is set to become one of the premier golf course design companies in the world.

©Tiger Woods Design

Woods also spent time in the NBC broadcast booth at December’s Hero World Challenge, and gave insightful commentary. Despite having a frosty relationship with the media over the years, it would not surprise me if one of the American broadcasters or Sky Sports employ Woods for their Major Championship coverage in the future. Even if Tiger isn’t playing in the tournament, I am sure broadcasters would see him as an attractive option in the commentary box to increase ratings.

Tiger has always moved in pretty lofty circles, with many of the world’s sports and film stars calling him a friend at one point or another, but he has also had a much wider focus than just the game of golf. At the 2003 Presidents Cup he held court with Nelson Mandela and he has been seen with various leaders throughout his career. Bill Clinton opened the Tiger Woods Learning Center in 2006. He has always been politically active, and has shown himself to be a good leader, taking an active role in the US Ryder Cup task force and will be a vice-captain at this year’s matches. It is surely only a matter of time before he becomes US Ryder Cup captain. Now whether he would be popular or not is up for debate, but you know he would leave nothing to chance and have a scientific plan to win the cup. Tim Finchem’s term as Comissioner of the PGA Tour will come to an end, and perhaps in the future it might be a role that would interest Tiger. With his name, charisma and knowledge I have no doubt he would be highly successful in the role and change the tour for the better.

©US Navy

Tiger spoke at the We Are One event to celebrate Barack Obama’s election as the first Black President of the United States of America in 2008. He gave the following speech: “I grew up in a military family — and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods. My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of service, and every rank. In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first-hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home. Each day — and particularly on this historic day — we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely. I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional life as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it. In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said: "I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country." Just as they have stood tall for our country — we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families. Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the U.S. Naval Glee Club.” Tiger has always been a superb public speaker, and his press conferences are always compelling to listen to, and I am sure that he would have been a future Presidential candidate with enormous backing, had the events of 2009 not transpired.

Barack Obama and Tiger Woods have played golf together ÂŠPete Souza

The biggest part of Tiger’s future though, will surely be the Tiger Woods Foundation. The foundation celebrates 20 years since it was founded by Tiger and his father Earl, in 1996. The foundation was established to create and support community-based programs that improve the health, education, and welfare of all children in America. Currently, the foundation has established several programs and events such as the Tiger Woods Learning Center, Hero World Challenge, Deutsche Bank Championship, Quicken Loans National, and Tiger Jam which all benefit and impact the lives of millions of children. The Tiger Woods Learning Center, in Anaheim, California, was established in 2006 by Tiger Woods to get students thinking about the role education plays in their futures. The learning center is used by several thousand students, with a day program for grades 4-6 and an after schools program for grades 7-12. There is also summer program, weekend and community outreach programs and online learning programs. The centre features extensive multi-media facilities and an outdoor golf teaching area. It offers courses that focuses on careers in maths, science, technology and language arts.

Earl Woods once said that Tiger has a ‘calling for something greater’, and of all the legacy he leaves within the game of golf, the Tiger Woods Foundation and TWLC could be the greatest of all. Whatever your thoughts on Tiger Woods, good or bad, nobody can question the contribution he has made to this wonderful game we call golf. He has transcended the sport to a new, wider audience and grown the game worldwide. He has helped to drive an enormous increase in prize funds for the best golfers in the world, and helped events regain a significant status in the world game. But most of all, Tiger has given us some of the most memorable images in the history of the game, and he has entertained us more than any other golfer in the history of the game. The last 20 years have been incredible, the next 20 years could be even more remarkable.

©Tim Hipps, FMWRC Public Affairs

Golf Returns to the Olympic Games By Matt Hooper

BBC & Discovery Communications Sign Long-Term Olympic Games Partnership The BBC will be the exclusive free-to-air Olympic broadcaster in the UK for the next five Games

Latest Olympic News

Discovery has committed to strike innovative partnerships across the continent to ensure that the Olympic Games remains accessible to as wide an audience as possible The BBC and Discovery Communications today announce a long-term Olympic Games agreement in the UK, building on a 30-year partnership between the two global media organizations. The innovative deal means that the BBC will sub-license (from Discovery) exclusive free-to-air audio-visual and nonexclusive radio rights to the 2022 and 2024 Olympic Games. In turn, Discovery will sublicense (from the BBC) exclusive pay-TV rights in the UK to the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games. The Olympic Games are highly valued and hugely popular with audiences. The London 2012 Olympic Games was watched on the BBC by more than 50 million people in the UK, 7 million people in the UK accessed the BBC

website every day, with 111 million requests for video throughout the Games and over 2 million people downloaded the app. It was truly the first digital Olympic Games and the BBC raised the bar in its coverage. Today’s announcement ensures that the BBC will continue to be the free-to-air home of the best action from the Olympic Games until 2024, bringing the moments that unite the nation on TV and radio. Additionally, the BBC’s package of rights is supplemented by digital rights to the content it broadcasts on TV. This agreement marks the first Olympic Games sub-licensing deal by Discovery and reinforces Eurosport as the home of the Olympic Games across Europe, ensuring that every event is available to fans across all screens. The news follows an agreement announced by Discovery Communications and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last June, which includes exclusive multimedia rights for 50 countries and territories in Europe for the 2018 through the 2024 Olympic Games. The rights for the UK were included for only 2022 and 2024, as these rights had already been secured by the BBC in the UK. Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, says, “The BBC prides itself on bringing the biggest sporting moments to the public. For many, the BBC has been their stadium for Olympic coverage. It is an event that unites the nation like no other. I’m delighted that through our new partnership with Discovery, the BBC will

continue to carry the torch for great sporting coverage right through to the 2024 Games.” “While the BBC has had to take some tough financial decisions, this partnership underlines our commitment to making world class sport available to all.” David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications, says, “Discovery is a passionate and committed partner of the Olympic Movement. Today’s agreement is a win for UK sports fans and marks an exciting new chapter in Discovery and the BBC’s partnership on major sporting events. For 30 years, our two organizations have chartered new frontiers with co-production partnerships in factual and natural history programming. Now we join together once again to bring the most compelling stories of human ambition, sacrifice and achievement to people across the UK.” Timo Lumme, Managing Director of IOC Television and Marketing Services, said, “We are delighted our partners Discovery / Eurosport and the BBC are collaborating on this long term agreement which is great news for viewers in the UK. By sharing the rights, viewers will benefit from the BBC’s rich Olympic heritage and Discovery’s innovative approach to storytelling. Together, they will make the Olympic Games as accessible and engaging as possible.” Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport says, “We are very pleased that the BBC will

continue to bring free-to-air Olympic Games coverage to audiences through to 2024, extending our relationship with the event which began in 1928 and reinforcing the BBC’s long term commitment to major sporting events. The Olympic Games is one of the nation’s most treasured sporting events and this is an extensive package of rights that ensures we can offer ‘the best of the Games’, across TV, radio, online and digital, maximizing the reach and impact of the BBC. This ground-breaking partnership also shows how the BBC can collaborate and work with others to continue to bring the very best in sport to licence fee payers.” JB Perrette, President of Discovery Networks International, says, “Since the announcement of our partnership with the IOC, it has been Discovery’s goal to engage and entertain local audiences in Europe with the ultimate Olympic Games experience across all screens. To realize this ambition, we will leverage our portfolio of pay-TV, free-to-air and digital services, and collaborate with the very best partners who share this vision – the BBC partnership embodies this perfectly.” Dominic Coles, COO, Discovery Networks Northern Europe, says, “We are proud and excited to be announcing this ground-breaking sports partnership with the BBC today. Not only will the BBC be able to continue to play its historic role of uniting the UK in celebrating the sporting achievements of its Olympic heroes, but also Discovery, through Eurosport, will bring additional expert and comprehensive

coverage to the 2018 and 2020 Olympic Games. Greater exposure for UK Olympians only can be good news for the development of sport and the promotion of Olympic values in this country. Watch this space.”

Zika Virus a growing worry as the Olympics come into focus for golfers After months of worries surrounding the construction of the Olympic Golf Course, including land ownership problems and protests over the use of environmentally sensitive land, a new problem is threatening the return of golf to the Olympics, and even the staging of the games themselves. Zika is a mosquito-borne disease and can also be transmitted via sexual activity. Lakes on the Olympic Golf Course can typically attract mosquitos, and the U.S. Olympic Committee has told U.S. sports federations that athletes and staff worried for their health should consider not going to the Games. However, with the Olympic Games being staged in Brazil’s winter, with typically cooler and drier conditions, it is thought the threat will not be as great.

Test event still uncertain as golf’s Olympic return still struggling for popularity The makeup of the field for the first Olympic Golf Test Event is still to be finalized. Tim Finchem says that several players have expressed interest in being a part of the event, which is expected to take place in March, but none have committed.

World Number One Jordan Spieth has, until now, been very enthusiastic about the Olympics, comparing winning a gold medal favourably to winning a second green jacket. But in Abu Dhabi he also cast aspersions on the significance of the tournament. Asked if he would rather win a gold medal in Rio or another major title, Spieth initially said "Both" before adding: "That's a question that really only would get me in trouble to actually answer. "To be honest, I don't know. It's unsure and it will be I think unsure for 10 to 20 years how significant a gold medal will be in golf.

And, if recent comments by Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are to be taken as read, then the world’s best golfers are apathetic at best towards the Greatest Show on Earth.

"For me, the way I look at it right now, I look at them equal. It's very early to tell how they will end up comparing to major championships in the future."

Prior to January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Rory McIlroy said: “"All I've dreamed of from a little kid is winning majors. I never dreamed of competing in the Olympics or winning an Olympic medal. So in my mind, a major will always be more important."

"If I had not won a major, I would probably still say a major (over a medal). At this point I would argue that a gold medal would be very, very special."

McIlroy’s participation for Ireland in Rio has been a prolonged, sometimes controversial and debatable decision, holding dual UK and Irish nationality. Last year he finally decided to represent Ireland, and is certain of teeing it up in the first Olympic Golf Tournament since 1904.

"If you won a gold medal for your country in the Olympics, some day you could go ahead and lie and say it was for triathlon or whatever and seem like a real athlete," Spieth joked. According to the Official Rio 2016 website, Golf’s Test Event will be staged on Tuesday March 8, two days after the completion of the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Heike Henkel, Lene Neuner, Steffi Graf and Sabine Spitz are some of Germany’s Greatest Female Olympians, and historically Graf added an Olympic Gold to her grand slam of Major Tennis titles in 1988, the year in which Tennis returned to the Olympic Games. For golf, the sport and its performers have always been on the outside looking in, and in a sports-mad nation like Germany that is even harder for a golfer. With the achievements of Michael Schumacher and Sebastien Vettel, Formula 1 emerged from the shadows in the 1990’s as a popular, mainstream sport, and with the immense popularity of Football and the incredible success Germany has had on the global stage, Golf is very much down the pecking order. Even the vast success had by Bernhard Langer in the 1980’s and Martin Kaymer in the 2010’s, both reached world number one and both have won 2 major championships, golf has struggled to fulfil its potential in this vast nation at the heart of Europe. So, with so many other inspirational sports stars and far more popular sports to choose from, why did a young, German girl take up the game? “My dad got us into playing golf, after he stopped skiing. It wasn’t a popular sport and still isn’t in Germany” said Sandra Gal. Sandra was born in Dusseldorf, in the Western region of Germany in the state of North RhineWestphalia, in 1985, just one month after

Bernhard Langer became the first ever Germany winner of a Major Golf Championship – The Masters. She grew up in the countryside, some 30 minutes from Dusseldorf, and as an only child her interest for golf flourished. “We are a very small family and I am an only child. That is probably one of the reasons I was able to do so many different hobbies - I did ballet, played the violin, wake-boarded, loved to paint and played golf growing up.” “My dad is definitely the one who inspired me to play golf. He was smart and let me drive the golf cart at a very young age and I loved it”, said Sandra, who took up the game at the age of 5, whilst on family holidays with her parents. Very quickly Gal showed promise at the game, and at age 17 she joined the German National Team and at 18 won the German National Girls Championship. It was clear that golf was her future, and from 2005 to 2007 she attended the University of Florida, on a golf scholarship, competing for the Florida Gators. In 2007 she won four NCAA individual titles, was named an All-American and she also showed talent academically, being named an NGCA Academic All-American from 2005 to 2008. She stopped competing in College golf during 2007 to focus on qualifying for the LPGA, and did so by finishing tied for 14 th at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament.

She turned professional immediately following the tournament, but completed her degree in 2008 alongside competing on the LPGA. “My first year on the LPGA tour was quite challenging, because I had to get used to the number of tournaments, the travel and the competition”, Gal said. She made 17 of 22 cuts in her rookie year, with a best finish of tied for 14th, finishing 68th on the LPGA money list and 124th on the Rolex Rankings. Her second year on tour was to see a slight improvement, as she got used to competing at the highest level, recording two top-ten finishes on her way to breaking into the top fifty of the LPGA money list for the first time. 2010 though, was a frustrating year in which she made just 15 cuts out of 22 events and slip back down the money list and Rolex Rankings. 2011 however, was to be the breakthrough year for the then 25-year-old German. At the season-opening Honda LPGA Thailand she finished in a tie for 26th, then at the RR Donnelley Founders Cup she produced a promising performance to finish in 10th place before heading to California for the KIA Classic. That year the KIA Classic was staged at Industry Hills Golf Club, at Pacific Palms in Los Angeles and the field featured the majority of the world’s best female players including Yani Tseng, Michelle Wie and Suzann Pettersen. Sandra made a blistering start, following up an

opening bogey with six birdies in seven holes to post an opening round of 67 to lie in second place behind Amanda Blumenhurst. A second round of 68 gave her the lead, and two steady rounds of 70 and 71 held off the challenge of Ji-Yai Shin in what turned into a duel between the pair, finishing 5 and 4 shots respectively ahead of the field. It seemed like that first win would be a springboard to greater success for the leading female German golfer, and she finished in the top 20 of the LPGA money list that season. However, in the five years since the 2011 KIA Classic Gal hasn’t won again. Something which is both a source of frustration and inspiration for the Orlando, Florida resident. “I have very vivid and beautiful memories of my first win in 2011. In a way I do think that I should have won more tournaments by now, but I also think that everything happens at the right time.” “I have made so much progress in the past few years, not only in my game, but also in my personal growth. Winning tournaments is rewarding and what we all play for, but learning about yourself and growing as a person is something that will last forever.” Despite enduring a long winless drought, 2015 saw one of the highlights of Gal’s career, playing in the Solheim Cup in her homeland, in front of passionate German golf fans. It is

something which she believes will stand her in good stead for the future. “It was one of the highlights of my career, and definitely the most intense and exciting experience I have ever had on the golf course.” “I loved playing on such a big stage in front of my home crowd and especially playing so well that week. I enjoyed every second of it.” “Hitting clutch shots and making putts under pressure is the best preparation you can have for any tournament, as well as the Olympics. I will surely keep those in my memory bank.” As the women’s game grows and the pool of talent gets ever deeper, the competition is ever more ferocious, and Gal’s two main career goals are to win a Major Championship and Olympic Gold. “The Olympics haven’t changed my practice motivation because I have always worked hard, but they have certainly put another goal in my mind” Gal says. “I am very excited to be a part of the German team. Finally after 112 years, golf is included in the Olympic Games again. As golfers, we will feel like rookies at the Olympics, but I am sure we will enjoy every second of it.” “Representing my country and meeting all the other amazing athletes will be an unforgettable experience.”

A major attraction for most of the golfers at Rio 2016 is the prospect of mixing with the other athletes in the Olympic Village. “As of now, I plan to stay at the Olympic village for about 10 days”, says Sandra, but due to golf’s hectic worldwide schedule she, like many, will not be attending the showpiece occasions of the Olympics.

“…I also love to keep my body and mind healthy with yoga, which I do on the road as well.”

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the Opening or Closing Ceremonies, since we play in the second week of the Olympics and I will be playing in the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in the week after the Games.”

“There is a chance that kids will be more motivated now to start playing golf, because they could one day represent their country at the Olympics.

The Tours have worked to move their major events away from the period of the Olympic Games, with the RICOH Women’s British Open and Men’s PGA Championship being played in the week ending 31st July. This gives Sandra nearly 10 days to prepare for the Olympics, which begin for the women on Wednesday 17 August. This will be her first visit to South America, in what is sure to be the most important event staged in the history of women’s golf. It will be a chance to prove that golfers are indeed athletes and dedicate many hours of their lives to their sport in the pursuit of excellence. “I work out almost every single day. Usually, it is a work- out geared towards strengthening the muscles that I need for golf and improving my cardio”, says the world number 48.

Much of the hyperbole around getting golf back into the Olympics was to increase participation, and Sandra believes that it will have an impact upon the children of Germany.

However, a few things still need to change in Germany to make golf more accessible to children”, Sandra believes. Golf in Germany may not have the popularity of other sports, but nevertheless Germany has the second highest number of golfers across Europe, after England. Nearly 640,000 Germans are registered golfers across the country, and of those some 47,000 are juniors. Germany’s license system, known as Platzreife, has its pros and cons; firstly it means golfers across the country have to achieve a certain level of proficiency at the game to play on the courses, as well as an understanding of the etiquette and rules of the game; but it deters youngsters from simply picking up a club and visiting the local course, and its cost is prohibitive to many across the country which may take up the sport. Sandra believes that young people across the world should play golf because “Golf is one of

the few sports that teaches so many values and life skills to a kid, such as honesty, discipline, creativity, concentration and many more, it can be played as a team or individual sport, the kids are outside all day and it is fun!” The Olympics can create heroes in the golfing world, and inspire young children and even lost teenagers, Ernie Els was an inspiration for Sandra growing up “I loved watching his swing”, she says. Golf also has great social benefits, and you can make friends for life from playing it with many different people, Sandra said “we had a great group of friends that played on the teams at the golf club.” Whilst this Olympic opportunity can bring glory to an individual golfer, it also has the chance to inspire the next generation and grow the game in countries not renowned for golf, or strengthen it in countries with a few stars, such as Germany. The women’s game is full of outstanding role models, just like Sandra Gal, who act with integrity and play with style and class. This summer is a chance to take the young German’s career to the next level and achieve one of her career goals.

Like most of the world’s golfers, Sandra Gal has an affection for St Andrews, the home of golf. The German Olympic hopeful played in the St Rule Trophy and was part of the victorious Continental Europe team in the 2007 Vagliano Trophy, played at the Fairmont St Andrews. That team featured Carlota Ciganda, Anna Nordqvist, Belen Mozo and Pernella Lindberg, all of whom could be representing their countries at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Then in 2013 she played in the RICOH Women’s British Open, on the Old Course, finishing in a tie for 25th. “The 2013 RICOH Women’s British Open was one of my favourite Opens that I have played. I have loved St. Andrews from the very first time that I got to play there as an amateur. I adore the atmosphere, the history, and the fans.” “I am a big fan of links golf, especially in Scotland. You need to use your imagination well and many times you can throw away the yardage books in those high winds.” Like many golfers she cites the 18th as her favourite hole on the Old Course, and the unique view of the Auld Grey Toun when you walk the hallowed fairway. There are many things for the visiting golfer to do when in St Andrews, but Sandra says “a visitor should just hang out at the beach in front of the Old Course and take in the views and atmosphere. That’s what I would do!” Perhaps she could sit on the beach and paint a picture of the most famous view in golf, because in her spare time Sandra still enjoys to paint, as she did when she was young. This summer the 30-year-old from Dusseldorf will have a blank canvas, the first official women’s Olympic Golf Tournament, to paint a masterpiece, and be awarded a gold medal for her efforts.

728 golf courses 165 nine-hole courses 430 18-hole courses 133 27-hole+ courses

Germany Golf in

639,137 golfers 369,378 male

222,581 female 47,178 juniors

ESTABLISHED IN 1907

ESTABLISHED IN 1927

CURRENT GERMAN OLYMPIC TEAM MARTIN KAYMER MARCEL SIEM

SINCE 1989

SANDRA GAL CAROLINE MASSON

Olympic Rankings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Men

Image: Simon Bruty/USGA

Jordan Spieth

USA

David Lingmerth

SWE

WC Liang

CHN

Rory McIlroy

IRL

Victor Dubuisson

FRA

Ryan Fox

NZL

Jason Day

AUS

Kiradech Aphibarnrat

THA

Brendon de Jonge

ZIM

Rickie Fowler

USA

Danny Lee

NZL

Miguel Tabuena

PHI

Bubba Watson

USA

Soren Kjeldsen

DEN

Mikko Ilonen

FIN

Henrik Stenson

SWE

Anirban Lahiri

IND

Wu Ashun

CHN

Justin Rose

GBR

Fabian Gomez

ARG

Camilo Villegas

COL

Dustin Johnson

USA

Thomas Pieters

BEL

SSP Chawrasia

IND

Branden Grace

RSA

Thorbjorn Olesen

DEN

Roope Kakko

FIN

Sergio Garcia

ESP

Shingo Katayama

JPN

Nicolas Colsaerts

BEL

Adam Scott

AUS

K.T. Kim

KOR

Angelo Que

PHI

Louis Oosthuizen

RSA

Francesco Molinari

ITA

Vijay Singh

FIJ

Hideki Matsuyama

JPN

Ricardo Gouveia

POR

Danny Chia

MAS

Danny Willett

GBR

Joost Luiten

NED

Jhonattan Vegas

VEN

Shane Lowry

IRL

Rafa Cabrera Bello

ESP

Carlos Ortiz

MEX

Byeong-Hun An

KOR

Alexander Levy

FRA

Cheng Tsung Pan

TPE

Thongchai Jaidee

THA

Fabrizio Zanotti

PAR

Wen-Tang Lin

TPE

Martin Kaymer

GER

Marcel Siem

GER

Siddikur Rahman

BAN

Emiliano Grillo

ARG

David Hearn

CAN

Adilson da Silva

BRA

Bernd Wiesberger

AUT

Graham DeLaet

CAN

Felipe Aguilar

CHI

Olympic Rankings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Women

Image Rolex SA

Lydia Ko

NZL

Yani Tseng

TPE

Klara Spilkova

CZE

Inbee Park

KOR

Sandra Gal

GER

Stephanie Meadow

IRL

Stacy Lewis

USA

Xiyu Lin

CHN

Kelly Tan

MAS

Lexi Thompson

USA

Carlota Ciganda

ESP

Dewi Claire Schreefel

NED

Sei Young Kim

KOR

Lee-Anne Pace

RSA

Christine Wolf

AUT

So Yeon Ryu

KOR

Karine Icher

FRA

Noora Tamminen

FIN

Hyo-Joo Kim

KOR

Julieta Granada

PAR

Maria Verchenova

RUS

Shanshan Feng

CHN

Ariya Jutanugarn

THA

Leona Maguire

IRL

Cristie Kerr

USA

Catriona Matthew

GBR

Giulia Sergas

ITA

Suzann Pettersen

NOR

Mariajo Uribe

COL

Fabienne In-Albon

SUI

Anna Nordqvist

SWE

Nicole Larsen

DEN

Laetitia Beck

ISR

Brooke M. Henderson CAN

Gwladys Nocera

FRA

Giulia Molinaro

ITA

Minjee Lee

AUS

Caroline Masson

GER

Alejandra Llaneza

MEX

Teresa Lu

TPE

Pernilla Lindberg

SWE

Michelle Koh

MAS

Azahara Munoz

ESP

Christel Boeljon

NED

Gaby Lopez

MEX

Karrie Webb

AUS

Emily Kristine Pedersen DEN

Chloe Leurquin

BEL

Mika Miyazato

JPN

Alena Sharp

CAN

Paz Echeverria

CHI

Shiho Oyama

JPN

Marianne Skarpnord

NOR

Cathryn Bristow

NZL

Pornanong Phatlum

THA

Paula Reto

RSA

Aditi Ashok

IND

Charley Hull

GBR

Ursula Wikstrom

FIN

Victoria Lovelady

BRA

On Tour

Middle East Swing review

Florida Swing Preview

LPGA News

When 3 became 4. Fabulous Fowler reigns supreme over Spieth and McIlroy at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

World Number One Jordan Spieth began 2016 with a stunning victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, signalling to the chasing pack that he was not going to let up in his quest to rule the game. Spieth joined Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler as the headline acts in the Abu Dhabi, and the scene was set for the first big-time event of a #Historic2016. Of course, most of the hype was about Jordan and Rory, but quickly Rickie showed that he shouldn’t be forgotten about when it comes to a discussion about who the best players in the world are. The 27-year-old from California established himself as the outright challenger to the apparent dominance of the Spieth-McIlroy-Day trifecta with an impressive victory on his first appearance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Beginning the final round with a two shot lead the visiting American got off to a flier, starting birdie-birdie to extend his lead to four. Two key moments in his success came at the par three seventh where he found the sand with his tee shot and bladed his second into deeper trouble through the back of the green. He played a sensible recovery and two-putted for a doublebogey, it could have been far worse. Then he immediately bounced back on the par five eighth hole, holing a bunker shot to make eagle and take control once again. Thomas Pieters was his closest challenger, made four birdies of his own between the 6th and 13th to move to within 1 shot of Fowler playing the 17th. But here was the third key moment of Fowler’s victory, he chipped in for birdie to take a two shot lead to the final hole. His flair for the magnificent at the moment it matters most make him a clear candidate to win major championships in the future, maybe this year. Rory McIlroy posted a final round of 68 to finish two shots back in a tie for third place with Middle East specialist, Henrik Stenson. Jordan Spieth finished a frustrating week five shots back on 11under-par in a tie for fifth place. The win was Fowler’s second European Tour title after last summer’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane. The win moved Fowler to world number four, above Bubba Watson.

Brilliant Branden and Wonderful Willett take the honours in Doha and Dubai “This was a big one. Last year having a multiple-win season, to come back and work on getting back in the winner's circle after a successful season and keep moving forward. This is a great start” said Fowler, who has now won The Players Championship, Scottish Open, Deutsche Bank Championship and Abu Dhabi since last May.

All of the hype is about the ‘Big 3’ or ‘Big 4’, but the chasing pack is full of talent, and experience. Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson, Justin Rose, Zach Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Brandt Snedeker, Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott are the ‘veterans’ with many tournament wins and form in the majors, but there are also a crop of youngsters threatening to gate crash the party hosted by Jordan, Rory, Jason and Rickie.

"It's a great field that HSBC has put together here. The course is in perfect shape.

Two of the bright shining lights of this group are Branden Grace and Danny Willett, and both tasted success in the European Tour’s Middle East Swing this season. Grace produced stunning golf over the final two rounds during a windy week in Doha, shooting 68 and 69 in the final two rounds to win by two shots from Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello. His scores may not sound low, but over the final two rounds he was the only player in the field to shoot both rounds in the 60’s, in testing conditions.

It was a lot of fun today. It was a bit stressful at times. Thomas is playing well. It's fun to kind of go head-to-head with him being in the same group. We had a good time. It's nice to come out on top this week."

It marks the first time that a player has successfully defended the Qatar Masters, and sets him up for another big season. "It's great," said the 27-year-old. "I'm pretty much at a loss for words. "It's a big thing to come to a week defending. You've got a lot more pressure and a lot more things going on that week.” "There's no better place to do it than Qatar. This was really one of my biggest wins to date last year, and I think this is just going to push it up even higher. "It's all a big learning curve as your career goes on. I've learned a lot this week, learned patience, and I've learned what it takes now to defend a title. "And not just that; to win a title again. It happened last year, but it feels long gone. So it's great to be in the winner's circle again." Like Grace, Danny Willett had a memorable 2015, narrowly losing out to Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai last season. And the Englishman got his 2016 off to the perfect start with a stunning win at the Emirates Golf Club in the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic. The 28-year-old from Sheffield birdied the 72nd hole to defeat Cabrera-Bello, who finished in second place for the second straight week. It was a back and forth final day, with another young English star in the making, Andy Sullivan, birdieing his final hole to tie the lead and force Willett to birdie to win.

After missing the fairway with his drive he had to lay up, and gave himself a tough 15-foot putt for victory, which he drained to end a thrilling afternoon and claim a fourth European Tour title, his third since the beginning of the 2015 season. The wins for Willett and Grace push them up to 13th and 11th respectively in the Official World Golf Ranking, and all but seal their qualification for the Olympic Games to represent Great Britain and South Africa. It promises to be an exciting season for these two, and who knows, a major could be headed their way in the very near future.

Branden Grace became the first player in the 19 editions of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to successfully defend the title. In doing so he claimed his 7th European Tour title since the start of 2012. Over the same period ONLY Rory McIlroy has won more on the European Tour, winning 9 tournaments. The victory in Doha lifted the 27-year-old, from Pretoria in South Africa, to a career high of 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

ÂŠCBQM Team

Valderrama returns to the European Tour Sergio Foundation to host the Open de Espana as the Players first policy of Keith Pelley continues to grow; Gary Player to host the Nedbank Golf Challenge The Real Club Valderrama, European Tour and the Sergio Foundation have announced that the 2016 Open de Espana will be played on the iconic course at Valderrama and hosted by Sergio Garcia from 14-17 April 2016. The championship will be known as the Real Club Valderrama Open de Espana hosted by the Sergio Foundation. The championship also has the full support of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation. Sergio Garcia, the leading Spanish golfer in the game, won the 2011 Andalucía Valderrama Masters and 2002 Open de Espana in his homeland, and has become the latest addition to the list of leading European Tour players to host events on the Race to Dubai. Rory McIlroy, through the Rory Foundation, hosts the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the second successive year, in May at The K Club; Paul Lawrie returns as host to the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play, this August at Murcar Golf Links; Ernie Els hosted the third consecutive BMW South African Open, at Glendower in January and Luke Donald will host the British Masters supported by Sky Sports in October. Garcia said: “I am delighted to have this involvement with the Real Club Valderrama Open de España hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation. This is a whole new way of working together with The European Tour and I am very proud to be a part of it. Part of that pride stems from the fact that the tournament is going to be played at Valderrama which is, without doubt, one of the best courses not just in Europe, but in the entire world, and one which has a rich history within the game. I personally have great memories of the golf course, having won the Andalucía Valderrama Masters there in 2011 and I am sure that all the players who tee up in April will enjoy testing their game against the fantastic layout.” This latest announcement means that Valderrama, The K Club and The Grove have returned to the European Tour, and are part of a schedule which is growing in prestige and prize money. The 2016 prize fund for the Spanish Open is €2million. The announcement comes on the back of unveiling Gary Player as host of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Player himself was largely responsible for the launch of the tournament in 1981 and as designer of the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, is indelibly linked to what is known as ‘Africa’s Major’. Garcia’s involvement with the Spanish Open follow’s Rory McIlroy becoming host of the Irish Open and Ernie Els supporting the South African Open, and is a welcome show of support from a nation’s star golfer to their national Open. Els said at this year’s South African Open that Rory is likely to play in a future SA Open, as a thanks for Ernie playing at Royal County Down last May. With player involvement the European Tour can, in the next few years, become that viable alternative to the PGA Tour which Keith Pelley is striving to create.

The Biggest Golf Event on the Planet Phoenix Open packs in over 200,000 fans on Sensational Saturday The Waste Management Phoenix Open has long been the best attended event in golf, regularly attracting crowds of over 500,000 fans per week, but this year it smashed a new barrier, set a new standard and showed the way for all events around the world. On Saturday February 6, an incredible 201,003 people attended the third round of this historic PGA Tour event. This makes it the second-largest attendance at a sporting event in American history. Saturday was just another record to tumble during an incredible week which saw the record for Friday smashed too, resulting in a record-breaking week-long total of 618,365 spectators visiting this remarkable PGA Tour event. What makes it all the more remarkable is the strength of the field. The Phoenix Open is an old event, first played in 1932, and has a sensational roll of honour including Palmer, Miller, Mickelson, Calcavecchia, Singh, Lehman, Janzen, Lyle, Azinger, Sutton, Wadkins, Graham, Venturi, Casper and many more illustrious names. But it is not a Major. Neither is it a WGC or PGA Tour Playoff event. The 2016 field included just 19 of the world’s top fifty golfers and less than half of the world’s top 100. Can you imagine how big the crowds would be if the tournament attracted the same strength of field as THE PLAYERS, or a Major or WGC? Notwithstanding this the field wasn’t weak, led by Rickie Fowler, the world number four. It just isn’t as strong as these fans deserve. There are some events in the game which don’t get the field they deserve; the Canadian Open, French Open, Australian Open and South African Open are of that ilk. Tournaments with a great history, all part of the fabric of the game, and I would definitely put the Phoenix Open in that category. Much of the focus by the general golf media is on the party element of the tournament, which is huge, and the iconic 16th hole but TPC Scottsdale and the tournament is much bigger than one hole. Only 15-20,000 people can fit into the sixteenth hole, and the course as a whole can handle well over 200,000 spectators, making it arguably the greatest venue for golf in the world. The Stadium course has a delightful mix of long and short holes, with water in play on three of the last four holes, which always makes for a dramatic finish on Sunday. And 2016 was no different. After a nip and tuck front nine in the final round, Rickie Fowler took control with birdies at the 10th, 13th and 15th to hold a two stroke lead with two holes to play. Following a birdie at the par three 16th hole, Hideki Matsuyama, playing with Fowler and overnight leader Danny Lee, became the world number four’s closest challenger. The drama of the 17th at TPC Scottsdale is somewhat overshadowed by its slightly noisier predecessor, but this risk-reward 332-yard par four played a critical and decisive part in the 2016 Phoenix Open. Instead of playing a percentage shot of finding the fairway and hitting a wedge to the green, Fowler continued to play on full power, flushing a driver which landed hard and scuttled through the green into the water. He took 3 more to get down and the resulting bogey was countered by Matsuyama’s birdie and the pair headed for the 72 nd hole tied at 13-under-par. They traded stunning birdies at the final hole to take the tournament into a playoff. But the drama didn’t end there. Playing the 18th hole for the second time in the day they both made pars, before returning to counter each other with birdies and take the playoff down the 10th. Both managed to navigate the 428-yard par four in par, before disaster struck for Fowler again at 17. His three-wood, a more conservative play, hooked to the left and found the water once more. A par was good enough to give the 23-yearold Japanese star a stunning victory, and hand Fowler a crushing defeat. It was a thrilling climax to a historic week in the Arizona desert, and you can now add Hideki Matsuyama to the global group of young, emerging stars threatening to gatecrash the Big 3/4 party.

After a stunning start to a year which we all had anticipated being one for the ages, the world’s best golfers gather in the Sunshine State for one of golf’s great series of tournaments. The Florida Swing will set the scene perfectly for the year’s first Major, The Masters, and its four, world-class courses, will ensure the world’s best are primed and ready to go at Augusta. The Honda Classic, at PGA National Resort and Spa, in Palm Beach Gardens will once again kick-off the Florida Swing, followed by the first World Golf Championship of the year, the WGC-Cadillac Championship, at Doral near Miami. Miami is followed by the Valspar Championship, at Innisbrook Resort in the Tampa Bay area and the swing is rounded off by a return to the home of the King, Arnold Palmer. The Arnold Palmer Invitational, at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, near Orlando assembles one of golf’s truly diverse fields. With the Big Four and many of the chasing pack playing for millions of dollars, on championship courses for the four of golf’s premier titles, we are set for a dramatic month on America’s eastern seaboard.

As has been tradition since 2007, the Florida Swing begins with The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa. The field is once again headlined by 2012 Champion Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irishman will be desperate to lift the trophy again after his playoff loss in 2014.

This is the tenth time that The Honda Classic will be played on the Champion Course at PGA National, after spells at Inverrary Country Club, TPC Eagle Trace, TPC Heron Bay, Weston Hills Country Club and the Country Club of Mirasol in the Palm Beach Gardens area.

Rickie Fowler has confirmed his place in the field at PGA National, after a strong start to the season featuring a win in Abu Dhabi and a runner-up finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It is a thrilling prospect to see two of the world’s top four golfers battle it out over this demanding championship course.

The tournament was first played in 1972 and has a roll of honour which includes Tom Weiskopf, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Larry Nelson, Tom Kite, Curtis Strange, Mark Calcavecchia, Hale Irwin, Corey Pavin, Fred Couples, Nick Price, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Todd Hamilton, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, YE Yang, Camilo Villegas and Rory McIlroy.

Irishman Padraig Harrington will return to defend his title on the Champion Course, and will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Branden Grace, Hideki Matsuyama, Kevin Kisner and Brooks Koepka in an international, star-studded field.

All four days of the tournament are live on

Thursday 7pm

Friday 7pm

Saturday 6pm

Sunday 6pm

The first World Golf Championship of a packed year featuring the Olympic Games and Ryder Cup tees off at Trump Doral, near Miami on March 3rd. This is the final year of Cadillac’s sponsorship of the WGC-Cadillac Championship, and all indications are that with Donald Trump’s involvement, it could be the final WGC at the iconic Blue Monster course. Unfortunately, with the US Presidential race reaching fever pitch, much of the focus during this week will not be on golf, but on the ‘host’ himself. Although Donald Trump isn’t actually the host of this World Golf Championship, even if his course is. Over the years this tournament, and course has been dominated by Tiger Woods. Dustin Johnson dramatically claimed his first WGC title last March, on his comeback from a selfimposed absence at the end of 2014. This course has always delivered in regard to a big-time champion, with Justin Rose winning in 2012, the year prior to his maiden Major title. He is joined by Patrick Reed, Geoff Ogilvy, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods as significant winners of the WGC-Cadillac Championship since it moved to Doral in 2007. Prior to 2007 the championship alternated between Europe and the United States, being played at Valderrama, Mount Juliet and The Grove in Europe, and The Capital City Club and Harding Park in the US. Doral is of course a storied venue for the PGA Tour, and it has been a fixture on the schedule

since the 1960’s. The likes of Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Steve Elkington, Jim Furyk, Raymond Floyd, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Lanny Wadkins, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Billy Casper have all won on this famous layout. This year, as with most WGC’s, the world’s leading fifty golfers will gather to contest the title, and in recent years Europeans have done quite well. Whilst Justin Rose is the lone European winner of this championship, and at Doral since Nick Faldo in 1995, several Europeans have come close to victory. 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Henrik Stenson T4 Jamie Donaldson T2 Sergio Garcia T3 JUSTIN ROSE CHAMPION Anders Hansen Francesco Molinari T3 Padraig Harrington Martin Kaymer T3 Oliver Wilson T5 Graeme Storm T6 Sergio Garcia T3

Doral will also be the first tournament of 2016 where all three of the world’s top three ranked golfers will play together. World Number One Jordan Spieth began the year with a victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, then travelled to Abu Dhabi before finishing in second place at the Singapore Open. His travels at the end of 2015 and beginning of

2016 seem to have taken their toll on the Texan, who was never in contention at the recent AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am. World Number Two Rory McIlroy posted two top ten finishes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai before making his US debut at the Northern Trust Open. World Number Three Jason Day has had a quiet start to 2016, finishing in a tie for 10th place at Kapalua and missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open. With Rickie Fowler’s sensational start to the year it certainly is a mouth-watering prospect to see the world’s top three and their closest challenger going toe-to-toe over the Blue Monster. It brings back memories of when Woods and Mickelson battled it out on Sunday for the Ford Championship title here, in 2005.

All four days of the tournament are live on

Thursday 6pm

Friday 6pm

Saturday 5pm

Sunday 5pm

For many years the Valspar Championship was an over-looked leg of the Florida Swing between a WGC and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but now it has become a big week on the calendar. Luke Donald won here in 2012 to return to World Number One, and last year Jordan Spieth won the first of his five titles in a stellar season in a dramatic playoff with Patrick Reed. The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort has matured into one of the toughest tests of the year, with the fearsome snake pit of 16, 17 and 18 always providing a dramatic finish to the tournament on Sunday. This year (at the time of publication) the field includes Jordan Spieth, Luke Donald, Patrick Reed, Graeme McDowell, Hunter Mahan and John Senden. Other high profile commitments are expected for a tournament which has grown in stature over the last decade. When The Players Championship moved to May it was replaced on the schedule in the Florida Swing by a tournament that had until 2007 been played in the autumn as part of the PGA Tour's Fall Finish in the lead-up to The Tour Championship. The Tampa Bay Classic was first played in 2000 opposite the WGC-American Express Championship and from 2003-2006 it was positioned as the final full-field tournament on the tour prior to The Tour Championship. The tournament was sponsored by Chrysler from

2003-2006 and known as the Chrysler Championship. From 2007 to 2008 the event was known as the PODS Championship and from 2009 to 2012 was sponsored by Transitions Optical Inc. Valspar, a brand of BB&T, assumed title sponsorship of the Valspar Championship in 2014. Spieth’s victory last year played a huge part in a historic year in which he won The Masters and US Open, along the way to winning the FedEx Cup and gaining the title of World Number One. Spieth said: “It was huge. It was the first time I had ever made a putt to win a professional tournament. Having to perform on the last couple holes and in a playoff was something that I hadn’t done before. Having to make those two par saves and then that putt in the playoff, it gave me a huge amount of confidence that what happened late in 2014 was something we could continue into 2015. And to get your second PGA TOUR win was very nice, especially after it had been almost two years space since the first. It led to an incredible run – and it all started on the 17th green with that playoff putt.” The 22-year-old is full of praise for the Copperhead Course: “It is a tremendous challenge. In the course of a season, there aren’t many courses that present the challenge the Copperhead course does… The layout is so challenging in itself. It’s fair, but you have to hit the ball both directions, you have to control

the ball in swirling winds and then you have to control your speed on the greens, they get sneaky quick. I really enjoy it because it is such a challenge, but a fair challenge.” In addition to the 72-hole PGA TOUR competition, Valspar Championship Week will again be highlighted by a number of fanfriendly, non-golf events. For the second year, Valspar LIVE! will feature one of the top acts in country music free of charge to that day’s patrons. On Thursday, March 10, Rascal Flatts, the best-selling country vocal group of the past decade with 15 No.1 singles, will perform on the Osprey Driving range after the conclusion of play. New to the Valspar Championship in 2016, is a kickoff event, the Par4Miler on Sunday, March 6 at 4 p.m. This timed run (with walkers welcome) across the Copperhead Course also includes a post-race party, a ticket to the tournament good for later in the week, a gallon of Valspar paint and a participant t-shirt.

All four days of the tournament are live on

Thursday 8pm

Friday 8pm

Saturday 6pm

Sunday 6pm

The final week of the 2016 Florida Swing sees the most diverse of the four tournament fields gather at Bay Hill for the 50th anniversary of the tournament (Florida Citrus Open) which became the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. For many years the Arnold Palmer Invitational played the role of the lead-in to The Players Championship, but since 2007 it has held the anchor leg of the Florida Swing. It is testament to the popularity of the event that the field strength has always been of a high standard, attracting many of the world’s leading golfers, despite not having WGC or Major status. This is in large part due to the regard the golfers of the PGA Tour hold Arnold Palmer in, and due to the respect they have for the outstanding golf course. Bay Hill is not a tricked-up test, it is as pure as a golf course gets and has a variety of hard, easy, long and short holes. Nowhere on the course is this proven more than in the final three holes. For many years it was an interesting comparison between the final three at Bay Hill and the final three at TPC Sawgrass, with each having a risk-reward par five 16th, a par three 17th and a hard par four 18th. By modern standards 511 yards is short for a par five, but the shape of the hole and the protection that the green has ensures that it is not an easy hole. A fade is required off the tee to give you the best view of and angle to the

green. There are two fairway bunkers at around 300 yards to catch errant drives, and the rough lining the fairway is thick, with a group of trees up the right side. A carry over water to a kidney shaped green, protected by a bunker in front and bunkers back left and right, is required. For a short time this was changed into a long par four, but proved very unpopular with the players, so was changed back to the par five it is today. After 16 you turn for home and the 221-yard par three 17th awaits you (Background image). The water isn’t really in play for the players at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but the bunkers help to make it a semi-blind green, and distance judgement is critical.

There will be a strong British presence at this year’s tournament, with Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Jamie Donaldson and Martin Laird among the challengers looking to stop Matt Every from making it three wins in a row at Bay Hill. World Number 3 Jason Day will be one of the favourites along with two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson. Kevin Kisner and Graeme McDowell have both made strong starts to the 2015-16 season and will be hoping for further success in Orlando. The final field will be confirmed on the Friday of the Valspar Championship.

The grand finale, and often the decisive hole in the tournament, is the 458-yard par four 18th. The tee shot is semi-blind once more, so having a good line off the tee is vital. The green is protected by bunkers to the left and behind, with water very much in play for the second shot. There are so many moments down the years which help to make this one of the iconic PGA Tour events, from Gamez holing out in 1990 to Tiger winning in the dark. Bay Hill was awarded the IAGTO North American Golf Resort of the Year award for 2016, and after a comprehensive re-grassing project last summer, the course is set to be in the best condition it has ever been in.

All four days of the tournament are live on

Thursday 7pm

Friday 7pm

Saturday 5.30pm

Sunday 5.30pm

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Trump? Move The Players Championship back to March

2016 is the final year of Cadillac’s sponsorship of the WGC-Cadillac Championship, played at Trump Doral and following Donald Trump’s highly controversial remarks about women, Mexicans and disabled people the PGA Tour moved quickly to distance themselves from the US Presidential hopeful. "We continue to stand by our earlier statement, and the statement of other golf organizations, that Mr. Trump's comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf," it read. "The PGA Tour has had a 53-year commitment to the Doral community, the greater Miami area and the charities that have benefited from the tournament. Given this commitment, we are moving forward with holding the 2016 event at the Blue Monster. Immediately after the completion of the 2016 tournament, we will explore all options regarding the event's future." Following his remarks the PGA of America cancelled the PGA Grand Slam, which was due to be held at Trump International near Los Angeles last autumn, and the R&A have distanced themselves from hosting a future Open Championship at Turnberry, which Trump now owns and has begun redevelopment of. So it seems likely, with a change of sponsor and the controversy surrounding the venue owner, that a change in the schedule is coming. Perhaps it is time for the PGA TOUR to go back to the future. The Players Championship used to be without question the best tournament in golf, better than any of the Majors and was in many respects the ultimate World championship of professional golf played on arguably the greatest course of the modern era in front of a raucous but respectful gallery in the first couple of weeks of spring. For many years media and PGA TOUR hyperbole labelled the championship as Golf's Fifth Major and there was an annual debate each March, several players said that they felt it was more of a major than either The Masters or the PGA Championship and the debate was great for the championship because it brought even more attention to it during the first few weeks of the season. In 2006 the PGA TOUR announced a major structural change to the schedule, concluding the season with the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup in September and moving The Players Championship to May, in an attempt to give the PGA Tour significant tournaments in February (WGC-Accenture Match Play), March (WGC-Cadillac Championship), April (The Masters), May (The Players Championship), June (The U.S. Open), July (The Open), August (WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship) and September (The Tour Championship). This, Tim Finchem believed would enhance the championships reputation, stature and bid to become the fifth Major in golf. Along with the structural changes to the season and moving The Players Championship to May three further changes were made. An elaborate new clubhouse was constructed, which to be fair is outstanding by all accounts and looks magnificent; major internal surgery was undertaken to the course, keeping the external look the same but changing the characteristics of the golf course by installing drainage that could withstand a “100-year storm”. The brand of the event was also given a major overhaul, with a new logo, new television deal and new broadcast structure designed to run in a similar way to the agreement between CBS and Augusta National to show less adverts and more golf. All of which the PGA TOUR obviously decided would help create the biggest championship in golf. The problem for the PGA TOUR is they already had it and they didn't realize. They got so wound up with the fifth major hype that they forgot to sit back and put into perspective what they actually already had. They had a championship which attracted every single one of the world's best golfers every year, something which virtually no other PGA TOUR event could do at that time outside of the Majors. They had a golf course which given the conditions could be brutal and punishing, resulting in a winning score of -3 in 1999 and given calm conditions a course where a player such as Greg Norman could shoot a record-low of -24. The Players Championship also had the richest purse in golf, and the most recognizable single hole in the entire world.

The Players Championship had absolutely everything and the PGA TOUR didn't realize it and made the biggest mistake they have ever made, they ruined golf's greatest championship. Another reason the PGA TOUR moved the event to May was the weather, because of two consecutive Monday finishes in 2000 and 2001, but rather confusingly they went ahead with major surgery and installed supposedly worldclass drainage. But why do that if you are moving the tournament to May to avoid the traditional March storms (which by the way have led to only 3 Monday finishes in 26 Florida Swing tournaments since 2007)? The course was supposedly designed to be firm and fast, but I have never read or seen the designer Pete Dye say that and he once remarked that it was a modern Pine Valley. The course, especially over the last three holes, has now become somewhat of a lottery, it is so firm and fast and there is so much water in play that there is as much luck required as skill. The Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass was once known as the ultimate in target golf and it was at its best like that, to trick it up and make the fairways and greens rock hard is detrimental to the course and tournament. The European Tour schedule in May used to feature (2000) the Spanish Open, Open de France, Benson and Hedges International Open, the Deutsche Bank SAP Open TPC of Europe and the Volvo PGA Championship, followed by the English Open in the first week of June. Fast forward to 2013 and the European Tour now has the Volvo China Open, Tournament to be Confirmed, Volvo World Match Play Championship, Madeira Islands Open and BMW PGA Championship. Many will say “this isn't the PGA Tour's problem”, but it is. If golf is weaker around the world it means the PGA TOUR has no competition and interest in the sport from sponsors around the world dies, eventually impacting upon the PGA TOUR in the USA.

Potential 2017 January-March PGA Tour schedule

The Players Championship position on the schedule in May has also led to a few leading players questioning whether they want to play in the championship with the Irish Open and Wentworth coming up in quick succession after Sawgrass and before The Memorial Tournament in the build-up to the US Open. Prior to 2007 all of the world's best players were in Florida anyway as they prepared to play in The Masters a couple of weeks later.

Tournament of Champions

5-8 Jan

Sony Open in Hawaii

12-15

CareerBuilder Challenge

19-22

The championship now stands alone, or sticks out like a sore thumb in between the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Colonial National Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas. It has also had a detrimental impact upon the European Tour's schedule, as have the other changes to the PGA TOUR schedule in September, all to achieve something which had already been achieved by Pete Dye and Deane Beaman – creating the World's best golf tournament.

Farmers Insurance Open

26-29

Waste Management Phoenix Open

2-5 Feb

World Golf Championship

9-12

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am

16-19

Los Angeles Open

23-26

The Honda Classic

2-5 Mar

Valspar Championship

9-12

Arnold Palmer Invitational

16-19

THE PLAYERS Championship

23-26

Shell Houston Open

30-2 April

The Masters

6-9

With the status of the event at Doral under scrutiny now is surely the time to act and move the WGC to somewhere else in the world, possibly Brazil from 2017 following the Olympic Games, move the WGC-Dell Match Play to May and move The Players Championship back to March. And as for Doral and Trump? He isn’t likely to sell what he calls “The Best site for golf in Florida”, so for the foreseeable future the PGA TOUR will not be staging an event there.

LPGA ready for a #Historic2016 By Cristina Panama

I Images Tristan Jones/LET

The LPGA Tour 2016 season is underway and Korea has already made its mark, with Hyo Joo Kim winning the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic. After a thrilling 2015 season and more than a month for an offseason the best players in the world are ready to compete again. The tour will begin its schedule with two events in North America and will then travel to Australia for the ISPS Handa Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Australian Open, and then into Asia for the Honda LPGA Thailand and HSBC Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Champions. The official calendar includes a total of 34 events, two more than the 2015 season. 23 of these events will take place in North America, while 11 of them will be played in different continents. During the 2016 season players will compete for more than $63 million in total official prize money, the most in Tour history and will also have a record of 410plus hours in TV coverage, however only six of the events will be on network TV during the weekend.

Players will have a tight schedule this year as a vast majority aims to represent their country at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and have organized their schedule around this historic week for the sport. The tour will have a busy summer stretch that features 11 consecutive events, which will start in May and finish until the end of July. The UL International Crown and the RICOH Women's British Open are set to be the last two events before the Olympics. This year the UL International Crown, the unique global match-play event, returns for its second edition. The biennial event is scheduled to take place July 21 thru 24 at the Merit Club in Gurnee, Illinois. The tournament will feature teams from Australia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States. The Spanish team who is current champion of the event, but under the highly competitive qualifying rules, are not yet qualified and will have to work hard throughout the season to earn a spot. The final field of 32 players will be determined via the Rolex World Rankings on June 13, 2016

Rookieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to watch in 2016

In Gee Chun: When it comes to introductions In Gee needs none. She is the 2015 U.S. Women's Open champion and tied the lowest 72-hole score of 8under. Chun is currently No. 9 in the world and won all five awards on the Korean LPGA last year which include Player of the Year, money leader, wins leader, lowest scoring average and best player, as voted by the writers. Megan Khang: Megan joined the tour after her outstanding performance in all three stages of Qualifying Tournament. She finished 2nd at Stage I, 3rd at Stage II and T6 at Final Stage. Khang was honored as the low amateur at the 2015 U.S. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open and was part of the victorious Team U.S. at the Junior Solheim Cup.

Annie Park: Annie grew up playing in Levittown, New York. She earned her way to the LPGA after finishing 1st on the Volvik Race for the card. She was the 2015 Symetra Player of the Year and the Gaelle Truet Rookie of the Year. She is the first player since Mina Harigae in 2009 to win both honors. Park also won the NCAA individual championship in 2013 and helped the University of Southern California to win the team title that same year. Annie was also named three-time All-American at USC. Gaby Lopez: Born and raised in Mexico City. Gaby Lopez made it to the tour in her first LPGA Qualifying Tournament where she finished T10 to accept the membership. Gaby played for the University of Arkansas where she won three times and finished runner-up at the 2015 NCAA national championships. She was a two-time All-American and two-time First-Team All-SEC selection. Lopez has played in the NW Arkansas Championship (2013-2015) and at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational (2014-2015).

Holly Clyburn: Clyburn earned the card in her second attempt after finishing T15 at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. The England native played Q-School during 2014 but was disqualified due to a scoring tent error. Clyburn is currently ranked 16th on the Ladies European Tour money list and is No. 90 in the world. As rookie on the LET (2013) she finished 7th on the money list.

Cristinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Major predictions ANA Inspiration: Anna Nordqvist Anna is one of the most consistent players on tour and was ranked 3rd for greens in regulation during the 2015 season. She now has 5 wins on the LPGA tour, which includes a major championship (McDonald's LPGA Championship 2009). Her stats playing in the ANA Inspiration stand out given that she finished within the top 10 in four of her six starts at the event. The west coast weather seems to fit her well considering that she won her the 2014 Kia Classic title in Carlsbad, California. During the 2015 edition of this major she finished tied for 4th and there is no doubt she will be a strong contender again this year.

2016 ANA Inspiration Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage California March 31 to April 3 Live on

KPMG Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGA Championship: Suzann Pettersen Pettersen has already two majors in her career and since winning the Evian Championship in 2013 has been repeatedly close to adding a third one. The RICOH Women's British Open and the PGA Championship have been her closest looks at another major title. Suzann has played in 13 Women's PGA Championships events and has finished within the top 10 in her last five appearances. It is said that 2016 could be the last year of her career as a professional, so she will certainly focus on retiring with another major in the bag and an Olympic medal in Rio.

2016 KPMG Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGA Sahalee Country Club, near Seattle, Washington June 9 to 12 Live on

U.S. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open: Stacy Lewis After going all last year without a win Stacy will aim to win a couple events this year clearly on of those being a major. Lewis has started in nine U.S. Women's Open and has finished inside the top 5 three times. During the 2014 edition of the event she finished runner-up just two shots behind her countrywomen, Michelle Wie. In spite of not having a victory during the last season Stacy finished on good numbers and ended the year in ranked 3rd in the Official Money List with $1,893,423.

2016 US Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open CordeValle Country Club, San Martin California July 7 to 10 Live on

RICOH Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Open: Lydia Ko Lydia Ko will not disappoint the fans expectations and will get to hoist her second career major. Just last year the youngster won her first major to set aside the doubts and comments about how long would it take her to win a major championship. In addition to this Ko managed to extend the battle for the Player of the Year and Race to the CME Globe honors with Inbee Park until the last tournament of the season. Lydia won for a second consecutive year the bonus of 1 million dollars.

2016 RICOH Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Open Woburn Country Club, Buckinghamshire England July 28 to 31, Live on

Evian Championship: Lexi Thompson Lexi had a great season after winning twice in 2015. She showed a consistent game and remained in the battle for the Race to CME Globe until the very last round of the season. Last year Thompson was close to winning her first major in three instances. The Evian Championship was closest opportunity where she finished runner-up six strokes behind Lydia Ko. The American player has only three appearances in Evian and has finished inside the top 10 every time (3, T10, 2).

2016 EVIAN Championship Evian Golf Club, Evian France September 15 to 18, Live on

Ladies European Tour set for biggest season ever in #Historic2016

European Tour and Mission Hills Group in 2012.

Words: LadiesEuropeanTour.com

For 2016, the championship will be sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour [LET], the China LPGA Tour and now the Korean LPGA as well. The championship will retain its unique three-in-one format, created by Mission Hills, China LPGA Tour, and LET with an eye on golf’s return to the Olympic Games this year in Rio de Janeiro.

Upgraded World Ladies Championship is at the heart of a tour on the up

The innovative World Ladies Championship is poised to cement its position as one of the game’s premier tournaments in 2016. As well as announcing a 33 per cent increase in the prize purse to US$800,000, (US$700,000 for the individual and US$100,000 for the team event), organisers have confirmed other notable developments that will elevate the status of the event that was launched by China LPGA Tour in partnership with Ladies

After four years at Mission Hills Haikou, the fifth edition of the championship will switch to the Mission Hills Dongguan site in close proximity to Hong Kong and will be held from March 10-13, 2016. In other exciting developments, the field will be upsized to 126 players from 108 entries while the Korean LPGA has given the championship its stamp of approval and will select its top-40 players to compete alongside 40 players from the Ladies European Tour and 40 players from the China LPGA Tour. Participants will be seeking to add their name to the illustrious list of past winners – Feng Shanshan of China, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and Koreans Park Inbee and Ryu So-yeon.

Following a 36-hole cut, the top-60 and ties will qualify for the final two rounds on the acclaimed Olazabal Course, a threetime venue for the World Cup of Golf and designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, the twotime Masters Champion is considered one of the best sand players in the history of golf. As well as a 72-hole individual stroke play competition there is a professional team championship run concurrently. The combined daily scores of both players in each team are counted. The gathering will also continue to include an individual amateur tournament, played over 72 holes of stroke play. Joining China’s top two female amateurs will be eight of the leading international amateurs. Ivan Khodabakhsh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ladies European Tour, said: “The Ladies European Tour has driven this initiative and we are proud to have delivered these innovations working closely with the China LPGA Tour and Mission Hills. Over the last four years, the World Ladies Championship has quickly become one of the standout tournaments staged across the globe and provides an excellent platform to showcase the strength of the women’s game. Our members always look forward to

competing in this tournament and with golf returning to the Olympic Games in August, it will be intriguing to watch the world’s best players at Mission Hills.” TK Pen, Vice President (Honorary) of the China Golf Association and Chairman of the China LPGA Tour, said: “This is the first time that 40 players from three sanctioning bodies – Korea, Europe and China – have come together in the same field. “On this the 5th anniversary of the World Ladies Championship, the event has moved to the Mission Hills Dongguan Olazabal course. In addition to a top international field, the tournament provides the opportunity for players to earn valuable world ranking points before this year’s Rio Olympics as one of high-level international ladies events before the Games.” Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group, said: “We are excited at the prospect of bringing the World Ladies Championship to Mission Hills Dongguan this year. For more than 20 years, Mission Hills has been at the forefront of promoting and developing golf in China and the World Ladies Championship is one of the jewels in the crown of our tournament portfolio.

“We see it as a window to showcase China to the world and, with the Olympics in mind, a chance to provide our mainland Chinese players with the opportunity to compete with the game’s finest players.” Kang Choon-ja, Senior Vice President of Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association, said: “It is our honour to join forces with the World Ladies Championship and to partner with Mission Hills, the LET and the China LPGA Tour. We are especially happy to create this opportunity for our leading Korean players to play top-level golf at such a well-known venue.” The long-term vision of the organisers is to have the World Ladies Championship recognised as the sixth Major event on the women’s international calendar and the first in Asia.

LACOSTE will continue as the Official Clothing Supplier of the Ladies European Tour in a new agreement running from 2016-2017. The French brand, known for its quality and elegance, will dress the Ladies European Tour and LET Access Series staff for the next two years, continuing a successful sponsorship which began in 2009. “We are delighted that LACOSTE will continue as the Ladies European Tour’s Official Clothing Supplier,” said LET CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh. “We are proud to wear the LACOSTE Crocodile, which is renowned worldwide for its sporting authenticity. Given LACOSTE’s strong golf heritage and global presence, having them as a sponsor enhances our brand.” “With a unique heritage in the sporting world based on both its origins and its founder, the famous tennis champion René Lacoste, nicknamed “the Crocodile”, whose wife Simone Thion de la Chaume and daughter Catherine Lacoste were both famous golf champions, Lacoste leads today an active sponsorship policy including the partnership with LET,” said Sandrine Conseiller, LACOSTE EVP Marketing and Branding Director.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced that it will become the Official Airline of the Ladies European Tour in 2016. The LET was originally formed as the WPGA in 1978 and over the last 36 years has developed into an internationally recognised sporting organisation. In 2015 it held more than 20 tournaments in 18 different countries for a membership base of more than 30 different nationalities. Etihad Airways is already an active participant in global sports and is aiming to lead by example through partnerships with female athletes, events, teams and tours, such as LET. Etihad Airways currently sponsors Manchester City Women’s Football Club, Melbourne City Women’s Football Club and the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Women are a major part of the Etihad Airways workforce and the airline is increasingly recognised as an employer of choice within the Middle East region. Over 8,000 females, of 144 nationalities, are already part of the airline’s 24,000 strong workforce.

Patrick Pierce, Vice President of Sponsorship for Etihad Airways, said: “The airline partners with a variety of sports properties around the world including football, cricket, Formula 1, basketball, hockey and cycling. Our support of the Ladies European Tour provides yet another opportunity for Etihad to increase our brand and business profile to an international audience passionate about golf.”

the alignment of our sports sponsorships with our business goals is an important part of driving our wider company strategy. Over 1000 female employees already take part in our sports clubs in the UAE, and we will continue to utilize our involvement in the world of sport to engage our current and future employees.”

Ivan Khodabakhsh, Chief Executive of the Ladies European Tour, said: “We are thrilled to enter a global partnership with Etihad Airways, one of the world’s truly great companies. The new relationship is testimony to the global appeal of the LET and the success of our players to connect with audiences in many markets around the world.”

The 2016 Ladies European Tour begins in New Zealand with the ISPS Handa NZ Women’s Open, and is headlined by the World Number One, Lydia Ko. Like the Men’s European Tour, the season ends in Dubai, with the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters at the Emirates Golf Club.

The partnership sees Etihad Airways become the second LET Global Partner, joining Omega, the Official Timekeeper of the LET. Etihad Airways and LET will collaborate on a series of marketing and in-flight media initiatives promoting the tour’s roster of world-class female golfers. Mona Walid, Vice President of Talent Acquisition for Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad Airways is committed to developing women in the workforce and

The schedule features 19 official events including the Evian Championship and RICOH Women’s British Open, and the tour is striving to increase prize money across the board for its members. The ANA Inspiration, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and US Women’s Open don’t count towards the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit. Shanshan Feng won the 2015 Order of Merit, playing in just six events, winning the season-ending Dubai Ladies Masters.

World Number One Lydia Ko got her 2016 off to the most perfect of starts with an emotional third victory in the ISPS Handa NZ Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Open. Her successful defence of her national Open came on the day a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch just minutes before she teed off in her final round. Once again Ko showed she has everything it takes to become the greatest female golfer in the history of the game, withstanding an incredible start by American youngster Amelia Lewis. 6-under-par through 11 holes Lewis actually held a 1-stroke lead over Ko, but a shocking finish saw her give away all of her hard work and finish in a tie for sixth place. Ko stayed strong and a round of 70, which included 3 birdies and 1 bogey, was enough for her to hold on for her 15th professional victory, strengthening her grip on the world number one ranking. Image ÂŠNZ Golf