After much speculation about their arrival after pictures of Japanese release product were floating around the Internet, Callaway Golf has formally revealed that the X Forged and Apex MB irons will be sold in North America starting later this Fall. We have yet to test these irons but have gleaned some information about the products from the company and a key staff member.

X Forged

The X Forged irons should appeal to slightly wider audience range. While they are a one-piece forging, they offer a longer blade and cavity back to enhance their stability and forgiveness.

Luke Williams, Senior Director of Product and Brand Management shares, “its overall size is a little bit larger so it’s not quite as intimidating as the muscleback (Apex MB). This would be an iron for players that like the feel and performance they get from a single-piece forging. It’s actually quite easy to use for this type of iron.”

Notable features include a centre of gravity progression from lower to higher in the long to short irons for easier trajectory control, a smooth look at address, and “20V” grooves that the company claims will help with fliers from the rough.

Apex MB

Traditionalists and precise ball strikers will appreciate the look and performance of the new Apex MB.

“These are products that are really deigned for the best players in the world,” says Williams. “These set of irons we designed with a lot of feedback from tour. We took a lot of feedback on the irons that players have played in the past, have liked in the past.”

The feedback has provided input on areas of the clubhead including the shape of the sole, the blade length, and the centre of gravity location.

“These are all things we are trying to dial in to get the ball flight, the feel, the overall performance, that they’re looking for,” explains Williams.

The classically shaped iron is highlighted by a thin top line, a sleek chrome finish; all in a package that is the smallest iron head the company has to offer.

The forging was completed using a 1025 carbon steel for a soft feel and, like the X Forged iron, they also feature 20V grooves to improve spin control in less than perfect lies.

Both irons will be available on November 3rd, 2017.

The post Preview: Callaway Debuts X Forged Irons and Apex Musclebacks appeared first on Flagstick.com.

They are coming in droves. With more direct flights than ever from Toronto and Montreal, the country of Panama is becoming one of the hottest tourism destinations for Canadians. In less than six hours they can be enjoying all the fine weather that comes with being near the equator in a place where everything they desire is close at hand.

That includes welcoming golf courses in settings that will awe you with their beauty.

But of course, this is a place that flows well beyond the fairways. There are iconic landmarks, some of the best beaches in Central America, and all manners of hospitality to enjoy in the form of resorts, restaurants, night clubs, and more.

The golf options in Panama continue to grow but already you can enjoy urban retreats, fairways set among the mountains, or seaside delights. All with enviable views that will leave a lasting impression.

What Panama lacks in volume when it comes to golf courses, it makes up in variety. There is no better place to start than a foursome of layouts not far from Panama City  .

The urban courses  – Club de Golf de Panama, Santa Maria, Summit and Tucan, are all within the city or just minutes from it.

The most senior of the group in Club de Golf de Panama, Founded in 1922 it is the annual host to the Web.com Tour, a testament to its quality. Santa Maria is a modern Jack Nicklaus design while Tucan offers elevated views of the city and the Panama Canal. Summit is located near the Canal and features a jungle-like setting. It is also closer to the Beach area where you can transition into play at four more golf courses.

The jewel in the Beach courses is Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, with its Jack Nicklaus design and resort featuring Spanish architecture, a lush lagoon setting, and a highly regarded spa.

You can also enjoy the exquisite settings of the Coronado Golf Club, the Mantarraya Golf Club affiliated with the all-inclusive Decameron Resort, and the eight-year-old Vista Mar Golf Club that sports stunning ocean views.

Just when you think you’ve head enough golf, head to the cool retreat of the mountains where J. Michael Poelet (designer of Vista Mar) laid out a course in the mountains of Boquete in 2009. Poelet claims the elevated setting for the Lucero development (owned by Canadians, I might add) is the most spectacular one he has ever worked in and one look from any green site and you’ll likely agree. Add that to the fact you can live out a childhood fantasy here with tree-house accommodations and you have one unique destination.

While previously not on the radar for many, the growing golf, flight, accommodation, and entertainment options (plus, as always that modern wonder of the world – the Panama Canal) is making Panama a stronger choice as preferred golf destination.

It’s worth a look as you plan your next golf getaway.

To find out more visit www.panamagolfdestination.com

The post Panama – Home Of An Emerging Golf Scene…and Much, Much More appeared first on Flagstick.com.

The Team Canada golf program has laid out their next steps, including rosters and program changes for 2018.

The development program will have a major structural change while some fresh faces have been added to the teams.

In total 18 players have been announced as part of the National and Development teams. Some are returnees while others are part of the program for the very first team. The Young Pro Squad members were not revealed today; Golf Canada says that selection is expected in December.

The National Amateur team will be made up of eight athletes (four females, four males) while ten athletes will take part of the Development Team program which has been expanded to include a centralized training program.

“Based on their outstanding performances this year, we are pleased to announce the young men and women chosen to represent Canada as part of the national team program,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. These talented athletes are a product of a circle of support that includes personal coaches, parents and provincial high-performance programs and will proudly represent Canada on the global golf stage.”

Team Members

The 2018 Women’s National Team will be made up of Maddie Szeryk, Allen, Tex., Ontario Public Player (21), Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C., Olympic View Golf Club (20), Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, Alta., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (20), and Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont., Camelot Golf & Country Club (19)

The 2018 Men’s National team will consist of Hugo Bernard, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., Laval sur-le-Lac Club (22), Josh Whalen, Napanee, Ont., Napanee Golf & Country Club (22), Joey Savoie, La Prairie, Que., Pinegrove Country Club (23), and Chris Crisologo, Richmond, B.C., Marine Drive Golf Club (21).

On the Development side of the program there are the most dramatic changes which will see ten young athletes be based out of the Team Canada Official Training Centre at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, British Columbia from February until June.

Those who will be immersed in the program, that will allow training days to grow from approximately 30 to 120, will be the following golfers: Céleste Dao, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (16), Monet Chun, Richmond Hill, Ont., Summit Golf & Country Club (16), Ellie Szeryk, Allen, Tex., Ontario Public Player (16), Alyssa DiMarcantonio, Maple, Ont., Station Creek Golf Club (14), Euna Han, Coquitlam, B.C., Morgan Creek Golf Course (15), Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (16), Johnny Travale, Stoney Creek, Ont., Hamilton Golf & Country Club (16), Nolan Thoroughgood, Victoria, B.C., Royal Colwood Golf Club (17), Peyton Callens, Langton, Ont., Delhi Golf & Country Club (17), and Thomas Critch, Cedar Park, Tex., Ontario Public Player (17).

“We felt that this change was necessary to deliver a significant impact to targeted athletes aged 18 and under in this crucial stage of their development,” said Thompson. “An increased number of contact days with our expert high-performance coaches and sport science staff will provide our next generation athletes with a true world-class training environment.”

Bear Mountain

At Bear Mountain, Golf Canada says the Development Team athletes will have access to “world-class technical coaching staff and experts in the areas of mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition.”

The athletes will also have easy access to the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.

They will be billeted with local families and be enrolled in at Belmont Secondary School in Langford, B.C., where they will attend classes in the morning, followed by training in the afternoon.

Coaching

There are some slight changes on the coaching side of the program but many will be happy to see Tristan Mullally return as the Women’s Amateur Squad Head Coach.

Matt Wilson will take over the Women’s Development Squad. The Director of Golf Canada’s Next Generation program was recently the coach of Team Canada 2 at the World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship in Ottawa. He will replace Ann Carroll who is moving on to another phase of her coaching career.

On the male side, things remain consistent with Derek Ingram returning as Men’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Robert Ratcliffe of Comox, B.C. will be leading the Men’s Development Squad.

“Derek and Tristan have had tremendous success with Team Canada athletes and the evolution of our national team program will see Robert and Matt play a more significant role through the centralized training environment at Bear Mountain,” added Thompson. “We also want to express our sincere thanks to Ann Carroll on her tremendous contributions to our Women’s Development Squad over the past six years.”

Mullally, Ingram, Ratcliffe and Wilson are all class “A” professionals with the PGA of Canada.

“Not only am I excited to see these young athletes represent Team Canada in 2018, but I’m also thrilled for their PGA of Canada coaches as well,” PGA of Canada President Steve Wood. “The commitment Golf Canada has shown in collaborating with the PGA of Canada in our world-class teaching and coaching certification programs is exemplary.”

-with files from Golf Canada 

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PGA TOUR golf will finally return to the state of Kentucky. The world’s top golf tour last visited in 1957-1959 when the Kentucky Derby Open was contested in Louisville. Today it was announced that the 2018 Barbasol Championship will be held in Nicholasville, just outside Lexington.

The announcement was made at the Keen Trace Golf Club which will play host to the tournament that has called Alabama home for the last three years. The first edition of the Kentucky version will take place on July 16-22, 2018.

“We are excited to bring the PGA TOUR and our players to Lexington in 2018,” said Andy Pazder, the TOUR’s Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer. “We have been looking for the right opportunity to return to the area as it has been 20 years since we last held a PGA TOUR Champions tournament in Lexington. With the Bluegrass Sports Commission as the tournament’s host organization and bd Global as the tournament operator, having a great facility in Champions and, of course, Barbasol as the title sponsor, we have a strong partnership in place that will make the 2018 Barbasol Championship a tremendous success.”

“Being selected as the latest PGA TOUR stop is a significant development, and we are excited to showcase the greatness of Kentucky to golf fans from around the world,” said Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin.

The tournament will carry a purse of $3.5 million and award 300 FedExCup points to the champion. Officials are looking to make the 2018 Barbasol Championship a regional celebration that showcases the Bluegrass State and area attractions, including its famous horse farms and distilleries.

Last July, Grayson Murray emerged from a Barbasol Championship field that included seven major championship winners to claim his first PGA TOUR victory.

with files from the PGA TOUR

The post PGA Tour Returns To Kentucky – Barbasol Championship On The Move appeared first on Flagstick.com.

When you peel back the commercial appeal of golf clubs, you find the essence of them, the science. While not always front of mind for consumers, it is the work of great minds behind the scenes that make new golf technology effective and applicable for the every day golfer.

One of these brilliant people is Dr. Erik Henrikson of PING.  A trained Aerospace engineer, we recently sat down with Henrikson to discuss some of his work in the laboratories of PING, projects with other key industry people, and how this all might be important in helping golfers enjoy the game more, and enhancing their score.

Enjoy the conversation which took place at PING Canada in September. Thanks to Dave Wilson and the staff there for the opportunity.

Dr. Erik Henrikson, PING, Innovation and Fitting Science Manager at PING

The post Flagstick.com Podcast – Dr. Erik Henrikson of PING on Club Fitting Advancements appeared first on Flagstick.com.

Randy at Fried Eggs Golf has a brain that works in mysterious ways. That’s fortunate for the rest of us as the result can be some pretty entertaining videos from a golf angle.

His latest creation follows the trend. It’s our Friday funny and no matter what day you see this, we think you’ll enjoy it.

Be sure to catch more of his work on their YouTube Channel at this link.

The post Friday Funny (Video) – Fried Eggs Golf Has A Take On “SpeedFoam” appeared first on Flagstick.com.

One of the golf courses that is a regular on the diet of Las Vegas travellers has re-opened after months of renovation work.

Original golf course architect Rees Jones led the way for a (USD) $2.1 million re-work of Rio Secco, a course that first opened in 1997 in the foothills of the Black Mountain Range, approximately 20km southeast of the Las Vegas Strip.

The extensive work included new green complexes and bunkers, forward tees, plus an expanded and enhanced practice facility.

The intention of the work, according to the ownership from VICI Properties, was to increase playability and sustainability. The course re-opened officially on October 13th.

“I have really enjoyed working at Rio Secco again,” said Jones. “When I originally saw the site over 20 years ago, I knew it was one of the most unique pieces of land in Las Vegas. It’s more rugged than most in the area. This helped us create the original big, bold layout long considered one of the world’s best. During the renovation, we focused on enhancing and optimizing this ever-changing landscape, including the already notable finish holes – 16, 17, and 18.”

Jone, well-known for his extensive work on renovating host courses for the United States Open, had the average golfer in mind for his return to Rio Secco.

“The course has matured substantially in 20 years,” Jones added. “This renovation project gave us the opportunity to reclaim and enhance the features and shot options that made Rio Secco so special in the first place. We expanded the playability of the golf course, while increasing the nuances to challenge the best players in the game. Golfers will find Rio Secco to be an even more memorable experience that presents a different test with every round. It’s a great place to play on a daily basis.”

The six month project also saw input from General Manager, Kenneth Wright, and golf instructor Butch Harmon, who calls the facility his home.

“These courses should be designed for the everyday player, not the tour pros,” Harmon said. “Making it easier and designed so golfers can play more quickly is exactly what golf needs.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the way the renovation turned out,” said Wright. “After 20 great years, we felt it was time to refresh the golf experience. Rees hit the mark by dramatically improving key design elements as well as addressing routine updates every golf course encounters after two decades of play.”

Renovation Details Include:

Greens:  All putting surfaces were re-grassed with new Dominant X-treme bentgrass, and several of the green complexes were re-contoured to enhance playability and enjoyment.

Bunkers:  All greenside bunkers underwent a major overhaul including new sand throughout. Select bunkers on more than 10 holes also were reconfigured and modernized.

Practice Facility:  The practice range was lengthened, widened and original artificial turf on the practice tee was replaced with natural turf and expanded to 27,000 square feet. A new 4,500 square-foot putting green was built, and a practice bunker was added to the re-contoured chipping green.

Tees:  Five new forward tees were installed on select holes dropping the yardage by approximately 340 yards to 5,419 yards total. This provides a more appropriate challenge for novice golfers as well as moderates difficult forced carries.

Other Minor Renovations:  Other renovations include the sodding of approaches and green complexes to inhibit poa annua encroachment; cart path repair and replacement; as well as general maintenance to enhance the desert landscape such as trimming overgrown trees and bushes.

One thing that did not change? Rio Secco’s exceptional views. The vistas from the course most famously include the Las Vegas Strip skyline in the valley below. Just one more reason to check the course out the next time you drop into Nevada with your golf clubs in tow.

The post Rio Reborn – Las Vegas Favourite Rio Secco Emerges From 6 Month Renovation appeared first on Flagstick.com.

(Via CCAA) OSHAWA, ON – For just the fourth time in 17 years, the same school won both the men’s and women’s team titles at the PING Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) Golf National Championships as the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades won double gold at Royal Ashburn Golf Club on Friday afternoon.

The 2013 Cascades were the last team to accomplish this feat to join the ranks of the Humber Hawks in 2007 and 2003.

The Cascades also took home the men’s individual title as CCAA All-Canadian Daniel Campbell led wire-to-wire, beating out silver medalist James Casorso of University of British Columbia – Okanagan (UBC-O) by eight strokes.

“It’s pretty exciting (having the team win gold alongside him),” said Campbell. “It’s a good group of guys. They’re fun to play with on and off the golf course. They keep it light and it’s always fun playing with them.”

Charles-Eric Bélanger of Champlain St. Lawrence rounded out the podium ending up one stroke behind Casorso. Bélanger edged out Thomas Code of Fanshawe and Zach Olson of UFV who were named championship all-stars.

For the first time in CCAA history, the women’s individual title came down to a playoff as Sarah-Eve Rheaume of the Champlain St. Lawrence Lions and Madison Kapchinsky of UFV were tied at 23-over after four rounds. On the playoff hole, Rheaume’s downhill putt from about 30 yards out would set her up for a short putt for par to win the title as Kapchinsky would record a bogey after having her drive go into the sand.

Addison Wallwin of the Georgian Grizzlies, the defending CCAA individual champion, won the bronze medal, finishing 14 strokes back of the leaders and three strokes ahead of Shaye Leidenius of Red Deer.

For both UFV teams, it was their second team title in program history with the other two coming in 2013.

The women’s team ran away with the title finishing at 59-over, 21 strokes better than Georgian and Champlain St. Lawrence who ended up in a tie. Champlain St. Lawrence would end up winning silver after the tie-breaker with Georgian claiming bronze. Humber would place fourth, 11 strokes back of a podium finish.

On the men’s side, UFV had the low round of the day at seven-over to win gold by 16 strokes. UBC-O would win silver, their first team medal on the men’s side in program history. Humber edged out Champlain St. Lawrence by three strokes to earn bronze, picking up their first medal on the men’s side since 2013.

Winning the team gold and an individual silver medal, Kapchinsky will overjoyed with her championship experience.

“Our team performance was everything we could ever ask for,” said Kapchinsky. “It’s my first national championship. I think we all played great and am proud of all three of us.”

The host Durham Lords moved up one spot and finished in sixth place overall in the team standings. Josh Taylor would crack the top 20, shooting four-over on Friday and ending up at 23-over for the tournament.

As part of the championship the host committee at Durham College and Conroy’s No Frills in Whitby partnered to have one pound of food donated to the Salvation Army for every birdie made throughout the tournament.

Through the championship the field recorded 450 birdies, or 450 pounds of food that will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Final Leaderboards

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LPGA Tour

They started the final round well apart but ultimately both Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp shared 23rd place at the end of the week at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship presented by CTBC.

Henderson boosted her status with a final round 68 (-4) to complete the week in Taiwan with rounds of 75, 75, 71, 68 and finish at even par.

Sharp achieved the same total with rounds of 75, 68, 71, and 74.

For their finishes both earned (USD) $18,819.

Eun Hee-Ji of South Korea earned her third LPGA win with a -17 total. It was her first win on the LPGA TOUR since her triumph at the 2009 United States Women’s Open Championship.

Final Leaderboard

“I’m so happy and excited because I haven’t won in 8 years, I’ve been waiting for this moment.” Eun-Hee Ji interview at #SwingingSkirts pic.twitter.com/wNGRLJDtqF

— #CMEFinalStretch (@LPGA) October 22, 2017

PGA TOUR

The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges provided yet another dramatic finish for a PGA TOUR event as Justin Thomas prevailed in a two-hole playoff over Marc Leishman for his 7th career title.

The first PGA TOUR event to be held in South Korea saw three Canadians in the field although Saskatchewan’s Graham DeLaet withdrew after opening rounds of 70, 80 in this no-cut event. His back troubles flared up, prompting the withdrawal.

So disappointed to come halfway across the world to have my back act up. Been a tough few months of injuries. Look forward to being at home.

— Graham DeLaet (@GrahamDeLaet) October 20, 2017

In the meantime B.C. boys Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin went on to finish tied for 23rd and 47th, respectively.

It’s been a strong start to the 2017/2018 campaign for Taylor who has ties for 9th, 13th, and now 23rd on his record for the season.

Final Leaderboard

A sudden-death playoff and a @JustinThomas34 win.

The inaugural CJ CUP had quite the Sunday showdown.

Roll the highlights pic.twitter.com/UubAyYNxsX

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 22, 2017

European Tour

It was a scruffy week for dual (USA/Canada) citizen Austin Connelly who was introduced to the difficulties of the Real Club Valderrama at the Andalucia Valderamma Masters. It’s tight fairways were more than a match for a few players.

Rounds of 73, 69, 76, 74 put Connelly at +8 for the week in the south of Spain and earned him a share of 54th place.

Sergio Garcia took the title at the event he hosts. His -12 total was one better than Joost Luiten.

Final Leaderboard

Congratulations @TheSergioGarcia – the #AVM2017 Champion! pic.twitter.com/fVEtbJm7cT

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 22, 2017

PGA TOUR LatinoAmerica 

Three Canadians made the cut at the LatinoAmerica Lexus Peru Open which was shortened to 54 holes due to a census taking place on Sunday that prompted a mandatory immovability order issued by the government.

American Charlie Saxon was -16 to win the title while a trio of Canadians picked up a cheque.

The best among them was Toronto’s Russell Budd who tied for 32nd place at -5.

Following him on the leaderboard was two Nova Scotia products – Ally Tidcome in a tie for 42nd and Peter Campbell in a share of 51st.

Full Leaderboard

PGA TOUR Champions

Bernhard Langer sank an eagle putt on the final hole to beat Scott Verplank by one shot and win the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Virginia.

It was Langer’s 6th PGA TOUR Champions win of the year and the 35th of his career.

Canadians Rod Spittle (t-32) and Stephen Ames (t-39) will both advance to the next event in the Playoffs, the QQQ Powershares Championship in California.

Ames is is 12th in the Charles Schwab Cup Points Race while Spittle sits in 51st.

Full Leaderboard 

The post Tour Wrap, Canadian Edition – LPGA Tour, PGA TOUR, European Tour & More appeared first on Flagstick.com.

Is this just the start? We’ll see as GolfNorth, the management company based out of Conestogo, Ontario has added another club into their fold.

The latest, making it 31 under their helm, is the historic Uplands Golf & Ski Club in Vaughan, Ontario. They have reached an agreement for a long-term lease to maintain operations at the club.

Located not far from Highway 407, and adjoining the Thornhill Club, the club offers a shallow angle (100 foot + vertical) ski facility with runs averaging more than a 1,000 feet in length.

Prior to 1989, Uplands was an 18 hole Stanley Thompson designed golf course that was favourite among the golfing core of Ontario. Each year it was the home of the Eager Beaver Golf Tournament that kicked off the amateur season in the province. Back in the day it was not uncommon to see greats Gary Cowan, Nick Weslock, or even Moe Norman (before he was a pro) playing in it.

While the 1922 design is half of what it was at 9 holes, it is still revered by golf architecture fans and Thompson aficionados for its distinctive designs.

GolfNorth will begin operating the club on November 1st.

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Already punching above its weight for a province of its size, Prince Edward Island is ready to make its next step in golf with the appointment of Sean Joyce as the Executive Director of their provincial sports organization.

Joyce had been serving as the Provincial Coach for the Prince Edward Island Golf Association, in concert with his duties as the Business Operations Manager at the Eagles Glenn Golf Club in Cavendish. In his new dual role, he will leave behind the job at Eagles Glenn for the one with the PEIGA, which he assumed on October 18th. He will now be able to put his full capabilities into a task that he adores, the development golf in the province.

Joyce, a PGA of Canada Class A member, is no stranger to the province, he cut his teeth in the golf industry there as a student at in the Holland College Golf Management Program and as a teaching professional at the Canadian Golf Academy through 2009.

In 2010 he moved to Ontario where he gained further coaching and industry experience at The Marshes Golf Club and GolfTec. He returned to Canada’s smallest province in 2016 for the positions at The Eagles Glenn and as the Provincial Team Coach.

Joyce will be taking the place of Rod MacNeil who served as the Executive Director of the Prince Edward Island Golf Association for the past decade.

In a recent release, Brenda McIlwaine, President of The Prince Edward Island Golf Association, thanked MacNeil on behalf of their board for his years of dedication to the Association and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Great Timing

“The timing of it all; it’s nice that it is sorted out now, I wrapped up Eagles Glenn, actually Tuesday of last week and started the next day with the Association full-time,” Sean Joyce shared with Flagstick.com by phone on Monday.

Discussions about the possibility of Joyce taking on both positions started earlier this year and he says one of his biggest assets to the job, as a pro, will be the ability to personally take on the grass-roots golf programming. In fact, on Tuesday, he will be headed to the far east end of the island to run a Golf In The Schools program for children in Souris.

That’s important to him as their association now serves 19 member clubs and 2,000+ golfers but the hope is to continue to develop the next generation of golfers in the province; the next Lorie Kane, if you will.

“I just wasn’t able to do that last year in the winter with my 9 to 5 position at Eagles Glenn,” conveys Joyce. “It’s nice to be able to take that part-time sport development role and tie it into the ED (Executive Director) responsibilities and make it a full-time role. Wherever we need help, whatever needs attention, we can now do it.”

“The timing for me as a golf professional, to end up with the opportunity to move into something like this was kind of the right place, right time. I’ll miss being at a golf course but as a golf professional I like teaching and coaching the most and be able to help golf grow and develop in this province is an honour.”

Working With Golf Canada

In his new position Sean will work with Golf Canada, delivering sport development programs along with administering membership and amateur events.

“Golf Canada has created some great programs that I have been working with for years but we need to have more of them implemented in the province,” said Joyce. “I’m looking forward to focusing on Future Links and Golf in Schools in 2018. Both programs target younger players and will help build a golfing population for the Island for years to come. ”

Fresh to the job, Joyce says there are a lot of things for him to absorb and much planning to do but he is diving in right away to both pursue and initiate programs – to continue what MacNeil and the board at the PEI GA have been doing. He’s knows he has a strong base to work with.”

“Overall, golf is in a good spot on the island,” he asserts. “It’s been a record tourism year and we have had some really positive things happening in our golf community. We have a lot of things going for us.”

The post Prince Edward Island Golf Association Names Sean Joyce As Executive Director appeared first on Flagstick.com.

FAR HILLS, N.J. (October 24, 2017) – The USGA today announced Pebble Beach Golf Links as the site for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open and 2027 U.S. Open Championships, the 14th and 15th USGA championships in the course’s storied history.

Pebble Beach, which is already scheduled to host the 2018 U.S. Amateur and 2019 U.S. Open Championships, will host the 78th U.S. Women’s Open – and its first – from June 1-4, 2023. The 127th U.S. Open – the seventh at Pebble Beach – will be contested June 17-20, 2027.

The legendary course on the Monterey Peninsula, designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant and opened in 1919, has produced several of the game’s memorable moments in its previous five U.S. Opens. Jack Nicklaus’s 1-iron tee shot that struck the flagstick in 1972, Tom Watson’s chip-in to thwart Nicklaus in 1982, Tom Kite’s pitch-in en route to victory in 1992 and Tiger Woods’ record 15-stroke victory in 2000 are all stamped in the game’s lore.

“We are incredibly proud to bring the U.S. Women’s Open to Pebble Beach for the first time,” said Diana Murphy, president of the USGA. “The USGA is committed to bringing our championships to golf’s greatest venues and the opportunity to have the best players in the world, female and male, compete at this iconic course will provide a fantastic showcase of the game. Our friends at the Pebble Beach Company have always been wonderful partners and we are excited for all of our upcoming championships with them.”

During the course’s 98-year history, it has hosted five U.S. Opens, four U.S. Amateurs, two U.S. Women’s Amateurs and one PGA Championship. These will be the 14th and 15th USGA championships contested on the course, moving it to fourth all-time among host sites.

The 1972 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach was the first to be played on a course that is open to the public. It is one of six public-access courses to host a U.S. Open.

“The USGA’s relationship with Pebble Beach dates to the 1929 U.S. Amateur and it has proven itself time and again during the 11 previous championships,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Pebble Beach Golf Links is a national golf treasure and our partners at the Pebble Beach Company have committed to hosting four USGA championships in the next 10 years, including the 2018 U.S. Amateur and 2019 U.S. Open. The commitment from their hardworking and dedicated staff and the support of the Monterey Peninsula region, as well as our faith that Pebble Beach will consistently challenge the best players in the game, make it an ideal venue to host USGA championships for years to come.”

“We take great pride in our special, longstanding partnership with the USGA,” said Bill Perocchi, CEO of Pebble Beach Company. “This announcement is a milestone in the history of Pebble Beach and one we are thrilled about, especially as we prepare to host the U.S. Amateur in 2018 and U.S. Open in 2019 during our centennial celebration. To be entrusted with hosting our seventh U.S. Open, and to be given the honor of hosting our first U.S. Women’s Open, is truly special and exciting for all of us here at Pebble Beach.”

Other future U.S. Women’s Open sites are: May 31-June 3, 2018 at Shoal Creek in Shoal Creek, Ala.; May 30-June 2, 2019 at the Country Club of Charleston (S.C.); June 4-7, 2020 at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas; and June 3-6, 2021 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.

Other future U.S. Open sites are: June 14-17, 2018 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.; June 13-16, 2019 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links; June 18-21, 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.; June 17-20, 2021 at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, Calif.; June 16-19, 2022 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.; June 15-18, 2023 at The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club; June 13-16, 2024at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.; June 12-15, 2025at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club; and June 18-21, 2026 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.

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HARRIS, Mich. – Sage Run at Island Resort & Casino will be the third new golf course to open in Michigan in the last three years when it comes online next June 2018. The construction, shaping, and seeding have all been completed and now it’s just eagerly waiting and watching it transform into Michigan’s next great modern classic.

It might not sound like a lot of openings when compared to the mid-1980s to mid-1990s golf course construction boom, but it is a lot in the current era and indicates the golf economy is rebounding and that Michigan remains one of the leading golf destinations in America, and in the case the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a fast-growing golf destination.

“When we first built the Sweetgrass course, we wanted to have golf as an amenity for our resort guests,” said Tony Mancilla, the resorts general manager. “But over the years we have had more and more golfers coming to the resort and have evolved into a top golf destination. Adding a second golf course was a natural move for us and something that our golfing guests were demanding.”

The Sage Run course at Island Resort is part of an $8 million renovation aimed at enticing visitors to stay for a few days. It also includes the creation of a full-service spa, renovation of the bingo hall and a new sports bar.

Contrasts With Sweetgrass

Sage Run joins the celebrated Sweetgrass course at the resort for the Hannahville Indian Community, and offers a contrasting style and design by Paul Albanese, the architect of each course.

“Sweetgrass has been everything we hoped it would be and it has been very good to us,” Mancilla said. “Paul Albanese is an architect who lets the land dictate what the course will be, and at Sage Run the land is 180 degrees in contrast to the land where Sweetgrass was created.”

Sweetgrass, a flowing prairie links style course with gentle rolling hills, fun and challenging greens and beautiful fescue grasses has been a big hit since opening in 2008.

“Sage Run is 75 percent through great trees, very dramatic up and down through the hills with some great long holes going down the hills and some great short holes going up the hills; It’s a lot different,” Mancilla said.

Albanese said his company’s design philosophy is to never try to force a design.

“The property is much different than the property where Sweetgrass is located even though it’s a short few miles away by shuttle,” he said. “The only thing that will be similar is that it fits well with the land it is on like Sweetgrass, but it just so happens this property is very different.”

A natural drumlin, or elongated hill or ridge formed by glacial ice long ago, is the primary feature on Sage Run. Golf hole’s meander off of and around the hill offering a scenic variety of shots creating a fun thrill ride for golfers.

“It is a pretty prominent land form that is featured on the site,” Albanese said. “The holes go around, over and through the drumlin. Golfers will experience great holes through the trees, some in open areas and just a lot of variety in terms of landscape and feel.”

Natural long grasses edge the bunkers, and some of the short par 4s have blind shots to the greens.  Albanese said Royal County Down in Northern Ireland, rated among the world’s top courses, served as inspiration.

“Sage Run has that same rough and tumble look with earth tones natural to that landscape,” he said.

The Sage Run name pays homage for the Hannahville Indian Community to the Potawatomi tribal traditions.

“We selected sage because we wanted to highlight another of our four traditional tribal medicines – along with cedar, tobacco and sweet grass,” Mancilla said.

Be sure to check  www.islandresortandcasino.com for further announcements about the exact opening day.

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Like all objects, the clubhead of a putter is subject to twisting around a central axis. This means that if you strike your putts away from that axis (normally the centre of a putter face if it is balanced) then the face can open or close, causing the golf ball to start on the wrong line and dooming you to another missed putt.

On top of that, when the face twists it transmits less energy to the golf ball and changes the loft of the head at impact – creating even more inconsistencies in your results, especially when it comes to distance control.

Improving your contact with the ball during putting does take practice and getting some feedback will help you measure your level of success while you are working on it.

An easy way to find out where you are striking your putts is to make use of foot spray. This can be purchased at any pharmacy. Apply a light layer of it to your putter face before you putt. When you strike the ball, it will leave an impression on the face and indicate how successful you have been in hitting it near the centre.

If you are striking the ball in the centre of the face but still missing your putts, you then know there are other issues taking place that you may need to work on.

Spraying the face is a simple solution and at just $10 or less for a can of foot spray, one that is not that costly.

Invest a little bit of time and not a lot of money and you should see your putting improve.

/ Scott MacLeod, PGA of Canada, Candidate For Membership

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The 11th ranked player in the world, Canada’s Brooke Henderson, is off to a comfortable start at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

Henderson toured the TPC Kuala Lumpur in 70 shots in round one, making two birdies and one bogey on her card to accompany fifteen pars.

The -1 score puts her in a share of 20th place after the opening loop, with Lydia Ko leading the field at -7.

Canada’s Alena Sharp turned in even par round to share 32nd.

Last year the Canadians ultimately did not fare well at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Maude-Aimee Leblanc tied for 43rd while Sharp earned a share 55th and Henderson was further back in a split of 63rd.

They are hoping to change that this year.

—

Ko is riding a bit of momentum after closing with a 65 last week in Taiwan. She alluded to it after her 64 in Kuala Lumpur.

“I think golf is such a confidence and mental game, I’m struggling a little bit during the middle of my season this year. I played great in Indianapolis. Obviously didn’t end up winning, but actually my second place finish gave me confidence going forward.

You know, with golf, and all the players out here, everybody’s super talented. Week-in, week-out, the talent level doesn’t change that much. But the person that’s more confident and more comfortable and positive, they are the players that are going to keep consistently playing well. I think the more I see the putts go in, or the more under par rounds I have, the more confident I get going into the next round or the next tournament.

It’s just about confidence. So hopefully I’m going to play with confidence the next few days.”

Full Leaderboard

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They know it will be a battle against their PGA Tour Latinoamérica counterparts in the annual Aruba Cup, so the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR is bringing a quite the team to avenge their 2016 loss.

Leading the way will be their very best option, Texan Kramer Hickok, who won twice on the TOUR in 2017 and was the Player of The Year.

Hickok will lead the ten-man squad as they compete in a Presidents Cup-style event at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf in Aruba, December 11-16, 2017

The three competition days will consist of four-ball, foursome and singles matches on December 14, 15 and 16, respectively. The PGA TOUR Latinoamerica team will be announced following the season-ending Shell Championship in Miami, Florida, from November 30-December 3.

“I’m so excited to tee it up with the guys and compete for the Aruba Cup this year. We had so many strong players compete on the Mackenzie Tour this year and I can’t wait to play alongside these guys.” said Hickok. “It’s going to be a great way to celebrate the end of an awesome year, and I’m really looking forward to spending some time with the team in Aruba.”

Joining Hickok (Dallas, Texas) on the team are Robby Shelton (Wilmer, Alabama), Johnny Ruiz (Camarillo, California), Patrick Newcomb (Benton, Kentucky), Rico Hoey (Rancho Cucamonga, California), Lee McCoy (Tampa, Florida), Max Rottluff (Dusseldorf, Germany), Chase Wright (Muncie, Indiana), Jordan Niebrugge (Mequon, Wisconsin), and T.J. Vogel (Jacksonville Beach, Florida).

Shelton, McCoy and Niebrugge have International match-play experience as former U.S. Walker Cup team members, while Hoey, Rottluff, McCoy and Shelton all played in the Arnold Palmer Cup.

“These players have proven themselves as great players this year and throughout their young careers so far. I’ve already gotten to know the guys a little bit and I’m so excited to lead them into competition this year at the Aruba Cup,” said Mackenzie Tour Team Captain Ben Silverman. “We know the team from PGA TOUR Latinoamérica will be tough to beat, and I’m looking forward to some great matches in Aruba.”

The post Here Comes The 10 – Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Names Aruba Cup Squad appeared first on Flagstick.com.

Three times a Canadian has won in the history of the PGA TOUR’s Sanderson Farms Championship, and players from the north are in contention again.

Ontario-raised pros David Hearn and Ben Silverman are part of an eight-way tie for 10th place after round one in Jackson, Mississippi.

The pair both turned in scores of -4, 68 on Thursday and are just two strokes off the lead pace set by the foursome of Ryan Armour, J.J. Spaun, Andrew Landry, and Conrad Shindler.

Another Ontario-based pro, Corey Conners of Listowel, is even par (72) after eighteen holes. He shares 69th place.

While the Canadians are each at different points in their careers, Hearn joined the PGA TOUR in 2005 while Conners and Silverman are rookies, they are all seeking a common thing – their first PGA TOUR victory.

They’re trying to follow the footsteps of Dan Halldorson (1986) Richard Zokol (1992) and Nick Taylor (2015) who each won this event.

To follow their progress this week you can link the leaderboard here.

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At one time it took the addition of  a 50 gallon drum and maybe an old car as targets to make a driving range fun. Technology is taking that a whole lot further.

Range and practice centre operators will tell you that novelty of just hitting a bucket of balls into the field tends to wear off pretty quickly for many customers. Sure, there are those grinding on changes in their golf swing, or grooving it for their next tournament, but that hardly makes up the majority of customers.

Thus, the barrels and targets over the years. A favourite of mine back in the day was a range that dropped an old school bus in at the 200-yard mark. You can imagine the clamouring to be the first to knock out a window before they were all gone!

The massive success of facilities like TopGolf are proving there is a future market for golf-based entertainment facilities, so current establishments have to keep adding more features to appeal to the user, to keep them engaged.

Additions like PowerTee, which automates the golf ball setup have helped, but the need for something more comprehensive to assist the already established facility (without having to spend $15-25 million to build a TopGolf) has been an opportunity waiting for a saviour.

TrackMan, the company that makes Doppler Radar based tracking devices (for both golf and other sports) thinks they have the solution. The first practical installation of it will debut October 30th in Michigan.

At Carl’s Golfland, already a very successful practice and golf retail centre in Bloomington Hills, suburban Detroit golfers will soon have access to the first TrackMan Range system in North America.

Using a single radar system with an array that covers the entire 52-tee year-round setup, golfers can connect through an app and receive eight data points on each ball they hit. In season the data will also be available from the grass tee decks.

Data points include Ball Speed, Launch Angle, Launch Direction, Height, Carry, Total, Side and Distance From Pin.

“Imagine having your own personal TrackMan whenever you practice on the range at Carl’s Golfland. Starting Monday that will be possible. We are extremely happy that TrackMan choose Carl’s Golfland as the first range in America to offer this cutting-edge technology to our customers”, comments owner Carl Rose.

The Future

For now users of the system can use them app to compare and contrast their results with their friends that join them on the range, but TrackMan executives have hinted at future app features that include games, and much more. More engagement, more fun.

This first step seems to be just that, but it looks like it is laying the groundwork for something even better. And that leaves you wondering what the potential for technology might be in transforming current golf practice facilities into something more appealing for the future generation.

Will it change the game forever and brings millions of new golfers to the sport? That might be far-reaching but any progress towards that, is just that – progress. It’s all we can hope for those who want to see the game thrive.

In the meantime I’ll be awaiting for my notification that they have added a school bus target to the app…

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(Golf Ontario) UXBRIDGE — Six players are returning to Team Ontario (U19) in 2018 and will be joined by eight new faces as Golf Ontario is pleased to announce the newest instalment of the squad. The 2018 team will see an even split of seven boys and seven girls.

Leading the returning players for 2018 is Markham’s Victoria Zheng who captured the 2017 Ontario Juvenile Girls’ title at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort in Camlachie. Zheng will be joined by fellow returnees: Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj, who represented Ontario at the Canada Summer Games, Mississauga’s Matthew Anderson, Mississauga’s Robbie Latter, Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin, and Tillbury’s Hailey Katona.

The new members of the squad bring some impressive credentials from this past season. Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud won the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship, Fonthill’s Freddy D’Angelo was the Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Champion, Aurora’s Vanessa Chychrun captured the Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play title, and Caledon’s Raesa Sheikh was the Ontario Bantam Girls’ Champion. Also new to the team are: Waterloo’s Dylan Henderson, Windsor’s Shawn Sehra, Waterloo’s Bennett Ruby, and Windsor’s Jasmine Ly.

Entering his fifth season as the Head Provincial Coach is Milton resident Reggie Millage. Millage is joined by Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Martichenko and Mental Skills Coach Charles Fitzsimmons. Delaney Howson will act as the Team Coordinator.

“The start of a new season is always exciting but this year even more so,” said Millage. “This group is filled with talented, young athletes that are striving to be better and willing to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. I expect one of the hardest working teams this year and I have no doubt that they will show their off-season work next spring.”

The team will train throughout the winter at Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan. They will have a pair of local camps, followed by three winter warm weather camps including the Can/Am Matches, during March Break with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

2018 Team Ontario

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She struggled with the heat all week in Kuala Lumpur, but her score indicated Brooke Henderson had it figured out by the final round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

The 20 year-old Canadian had the round of the day on Sunday, closing out the 72-hole LPGA event with a 64 (-7). That pushed her up 14 spots and into a tie for 5th at the conclusion of play. It was nearly even better as she finished at -13 (70-69-68-64), just two strokes back of Cristie Kerr, who secured her 20th LPGA victory.

“I finally got used to the heat,” quipped Henderson after her bogey-free Sunday. “It was super hot all week but it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed being here.”

Not only was Henderson blemish-free in her closing round, but in earning her 8th top ten of the season, she turned in clean cards down the stretch.

She commented, “Yeah, the last three rounds I was bogey-free, which is exciting, especially on this golf course. I feel like when you’re hitting it well, you can definitely make birdies and shoot under par. But when you’re not hitting it quite as well, that’s when bogeys come into play and a lot of things can happen down the stretch.

I was really confident in how I was playing and I was just excited to be out there today. To see putts going in was really awesome, and I’m just trying to use this as momentum going into my last event (s) in Asia this year.”

The LPGA is on to Japan this week for the Toto Japan Classic. It will be followed by the Blue Bay LPGA in China before the season concludes in Florida at the CME Group Tour Championship. Henderson will play in all three tournaments and she is feeling strong as she faces the final stanza of the season. She currently resides in 4th place in the RACE to CME Globe.

“Yeah, I feel like this stretch has been really good to me. I’m kind of including New Zealand into it, and starting off with a win was awesome for me. It gave me a lot of confidence, and to get my second win of the season really meant a lot to me.

Now I’m just trying to climb leaderboards and get some Top-10 finishes, which hopefully that will happen today. I had another one in Korea. So far, so good and hopefully finish strong next week.”

Final Leaderboard 

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