Wednesday, December 23, 2009

William Powell Honored by Ohio Golf Course Owners Association

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) - PGA Life Member William Powell of East Canton, Ohio, the only African American to build, own and operate a golf course in the United States, was presented the 2009 Person of the Year Award by the Ohio Golf Course Owners Association.

Powell, 93, who was named the 2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award recipient last August at the 91st PGA Championship, was presented his latest honor Nov. 16, at the OGCOA Annual Meeting in Newark, Ohio.

Powell built Clearview Golf Club in 1946 after first being turned down for a loan due to the color of his skin. Clearview opened for play in 1948 and is today on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Dr. Powell has by his achievements throughout his lifetime, merited his receiving this award," said OGCOA Executive Director Ken Guenther. "This award is presented to those who had significant impact on the Ohio Golf Course Owners Association and or the golf industry in Ohio."

Powell, his daughter, Renee, the 2003 PGA First Lady of Golf and PGA head professional at Clearview, were present for the ceremony.

"I think all awards are special, but when it comes from the state golf course owners, it is truly special," said Renee. "My dad was very touched by the association's award. Most of the golf course owners and association members of my dad's generation have passed on. Now, I represent the second generation, and I join others who believe what he has achieved is pretty significant."

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Friday, December 18, 2009

Hireko Golf Introduces High MOI Acer CB7 Putter

(CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.) - Hireko Golf announced the introduction of the newest member of the Acer CB Putter series; CB7.

The CB series is renowned for having some of the highest moment of inertia (MOI) putters in the entire industry today which accomplishes two important benefits. The extreme perimeter weighting creates an ultra-high MOI keeping the ball traveling on its intended line without losing energy. Secondly, moving the weight rearward helps reduce the skidding of the ball and helps the ball start rolling quicker for better distance control.

The new CB7 putter is engineered no differently except it offers a unique appearance and hosel configuration within the series..

"The beautifully sculpted angular arms of the new Acer CB7 Putter constitute a high percentage of the club's mass allowing increased perimeter weighting and a high moment of inertia," states Technical Director Jeff Summitt. "In addition, the lightweight stainless steel body frees more weight to be distributed to the perimeter wings for a truer roll."

The Acer CB7 Putter series putter was designed for a traditional putter at standard or even shorter assembly lengths, but with the center-shafted design would make and excellent choice for belly putter lengths. The Acer CB7 head is precision cast from stainless steel and features a soft, black milled aluminum insert and vivid multiple alignment guides.

Every Acer CB7 Putter is made to order and is available as a right hand model for $44.95 each online at www.HirekoGolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolfBlog@gmail.com

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Sweetgrass Golf Club Honored by Golf Digest as "Best-New" Course

Amenity of the Island Resort & Casino Continues to Garner Top Awards from Leading Publications

(HARRIS, MI) - Sweetgrass Golf Club - the rising-star amenity of the Island Resort & Casino -- today announces it earned Golf Digest magazine's esteemed "America's Best New Courses 2009" honor, adding to the impressive roster of awards garnered from high-profile, national publications.

Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, Sweetgrass is an 18-hole, par-72 masterpiece which stretches 7,300 yards from the tips. Offering five sets of tees, the layout subtly pays homage to Native American lore. Historic bridges rescued from the region, intricate rockwork and a liberal sprinkling of the namesake sweetgrass add to the course's unique look and feel.

Defining new courses as ones opened from May 2008 -- April 2009, Golf Digest raters judged each course for shot values, design variety, memorability, resistance to scoring and aesthetics. Averages, from each category, were combined and totaled to determine the winners. Golf Digest's rating system is unique as its nearly 1,000 low-handicap raters play and evaluate nominated courses at their own expense.

Golfweek previously honored Sweetgrass - designed by Paul Albanese and opened in 2008 - with "Best New" and "Best in State" list distinction.

"Sweetgrass, Island Resort & Casino and the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation are extremely gratified to receive this award," said Island Resort & Casino General Manager Tom McChesney. "We will continue to enhance the course as we strive to provide our guests and visitors with an exceptional experience."

Boasting more than 1,400 slot machines and 24/7 gaming, the Island Resort & Casino offers Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Poker and more. The Island Showroom hosts top musical acts from a variety of musical genres. Dining options include the Firekeeper's Restaurant, Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar, Coral Reef Grille and Bingo Snack Bar. Live music in the lounge, the Club Four One nightclub, a swimming pool and conference center are other popular resort offerings.

Located in the unspoiled beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Island Resort & Casino and Sweetgrass Golf Club are easily accessible via a pair of regional Michigan airports in Escanaba and Marquette as well as Green Bay, Wisconsin.

For more information on the Island Showroom, the casino or Sweetgrass Golf Club, please visit www.islandresortandcasino.com, www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2252.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Lake of Isles Ranked in Golfweek's Best Casino Courses

(NORTH STONINGTON, Conn.) - Lake of Isles' North Course, a Rees Jones design, was ranked No. 12 in Golfweek's 2009 Best Casino Course List. This is Lake of Isles fourth appearance on the list.

"It is an honor to once again be named one of the top casino courses in the country," said Archie Cart, Lake of Isles General Manager. "The Mashantucket Pequot Nation's commitment to quality and excellence has paved the way for Lake of Isles to be one of the premier golf facilities in the country. To be recognized by the national golf media means a lot to the tribe, Foxwoods as well as the entire Troon Golf team at Lake of Isles."

Golfweek's Best Casino Courses appeared in the magazine's Dec 12, 2009 issue.

The North Course is a par-72 layout that stretches more than 7,300 yards from the championship tees. The course features rolling fairways, island tees and greens and extraordinary views, which blend nicely with the incredible natural landscape. The North is open to guests of Foxwoods Resort Casino and daily-fee golfers. Green fees range from $145 to $195.
Lake of Isles North Course is scheduled to open for the 2010 season April 1. Lake of Isles offers golf packages with lodging at one of four fine hotels at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Lake of Isles, a 36-hole Rees Jones-designed golf club located in North Stonington, Connecticut, opened in May 2005. Owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and located across the street from Foxwoods Resort Casino, the two courses wind their way through 900 acres of wooded Connecticut countryside and around a 90-acre lake.

For information on Lake of Isles call 888.475.3746 or visit www.lakeofisles.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Territory Named 'Top Residential Golf Course’ in America

Latest ‘Best-of’ Acclaim Garnered by Southwest Oklahoma Golf and Residential Community for Third Consecutive Year
(Southwest Oklahoma) – The Territory Golf & Country Club, an award-winning course and residential community near the quaint, progressive town of Duncan, today announces it has been named to Golfweek’s “Top 100 Residential Golf Courses” in America list.

Honored by the publication for the third consecutive year, The Territory joins renowned properties such as Kiawah Island, Pronghorn and Isleworth – Tiger Woods’ home course. This continued recognition further enhances The Territory’s reputation as a top-of-the-bell-curve course and community.

Working side-by-side with noted architect Randy Heckenkemper, owners Rick and Barbara Braught developed The Territory to introduce a casual, yet elegant golf residential community with a family friendly focus to the unspoiled beauty of the region.

“Our vision from Day 1 was to ensure The Territory would be a place for our children’s children to call home – this is golf and community as it should be,” says Rick Braught. “While the accolades are very rewarding, our greatest feeling is knowing our members, guests and friends who’ve laid down roots here are enjoying all there is to experience at The Territory.”

A modified target-style design that unfolds over rolling hills and through fields of native vegetation, The Territory stretches to 7,100 yards from the tips and features five sets of tees to accommodate all levels of play. A state-of-the-art training facility and a three-hole short course add to the golf-related amenities, while fine culinary dishes by Chef Keith Zinke are the norm at the Prairie House. The swimming pool and activity courts are often venues for planned events or a break from the day-to-day grind.

An unmatched golf experience remains the focus at The Territory from the first tee shot to the final putt. Setting this property apart from a vast majority of residential courses across the country – many of which also are honored with Top 100 praise – the Heckenkemper design feels like a golf course first, and a residential development second.

Golfweek Magazine sends hundreds of course rating panelists around the country annually to identify the best courses in their respective categories.

For more information on The Territory, call 580-475-0075 or visit www.territorygolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Omni Bedford Springs Resort Receives High Honors from Golfweek

(BEDFORD SPRINGS, Pa.) - The Old Course at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa has earned distinction as one of Golfweek's top 100 resort courses in America. The "American Classic" course ranked No. 45 on the magazine's annual list of the "Best Resort Courses" for 2010, out-shooting the only other Pennsylvania address to make the cut. Renovated in 2007, the Old Course provides an interesting history, with some holes thought to be among the first installed in America.

"We're delighted to see the Old Course included among the top American resort courses," said Head Golf Professional Ron Leporati, Jr. "The course offers all the modern accoutrements professional golfers require, featuring the perfect blend of historical significance and state-of-the-art amenities."

The Old Course is the work of three Grand Masters of American golf course design, as well as one notable contemporary:
• Spencer Oldham, who laid out the original 18-hole course in 1895 with select holes that are believed among the first on U.S. soil.
• A.W. Tillinghast, who reduced the number of holes on the course to 9 as part of his 1912 redesign.
• Donald Ross, who added the back 9 holes and completed his redesign during the 1920s.
• And Ron Forse of Forse Design, Inc., who led a restoration of the Old Course for the reopening of the Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa in 2007.

The Old Course has also been recognized by discerning observers of the game with several other accolades including #1 "Playable Classic Course" (50 years-plus) in Pennsylvania by Golfweek; "Renovation of the Year" by Golf Inc.; "Best of the Best" in the 20th anniversary edition of The Robb Report; and One of the Top Golf Courses in the United States 2009/2010 by Zagat.

The Old Course has also earned recognition and praise on a local level. The resort hosted the Western Pennsylvania Amateur Championship in 2008, as well as the Tri-State PGA's "Omni Bedford Springs Open" in 2008 and 2009.

Seasonal rates for an overnight stay at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort start at $179 per night on weekdays, $229 per night on weekends. For more information, visit www.omnibedfordsprings.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Monday, December 7, 2009

Golf Digest's "Best New Course" Honors go to French Lick Course

New Pete Dye course earns top public course honor

(French Lick, IN) - French Lick Resort, the award winning resort destination located in southern Indiana, has earned its most accomplished golf honor to date. The new Pete Dye course has been selected "Best New Public Course" in the country by Golf Digest.

The leading golf publication's annual review of America's Best New Courses appears in the January 2010 issue and covers the best new courses in the public, private, Canadian, and remodeled categories. A panel of 950 male and female golfers conducts the annual best new survey by rating the courses based on a shot values, design variety, resistance to scoring, memorability, and aesthetics.

The Pete Dye course edged out some of America's best new golf courses including, Palouse Ridge at Washington State University; Tetherow Golf Club, Bend, Ore.; Pound Ridge Golf Club, New York; and Blue Top Ridge Golf Club in Iowa; which rounded out the top five.

"As we began the journey some four and a half years ago, we never imagined that golf at French Lick would become so highly acclaimed, and recognized both regionally and nationally, in such a short timeframe," said Dave Harner, French Lick Resort's director of golf. "Great things happen when you combine the efforts of three visionaries ─ Bill Cook, Steve Ferguson, and Pete Dye."
Ron Whitten, the magazine's senior editor of architecture, described the Dye course as, "a stark, treeless, wind-swept concoction by octogenarian Pete Dye, the Gandolf wizard of course design."

The course, regarded as one of the most breathtaking and exciting 18 holes of golf in the country, was carefully carved on a dramatic hilltop offering a variety of elevation changes, rugged and dramatic terrain, narrow fairways and vintage Pete Dye characteristics. There are spectacular views from every hole, some that stretch for over 40 miles.

Dye said he was tickled to hear of the award; the fifth time one of his designs to win that prestigious honor. He said designing the course on such a severe, hilly landscape was challenging but a lot of fun.

"I made more than 140 trips there and I walked that course 40 to 50 times," he said. "As I built the golf course I tried to get the tees, the fairways, and the greens in position that they have these long views over the valleys and hills. A lot of southern Indiana is natural forest, a lot of it is state owned, so you can see for miles. The ambience of the course is the look, the vistas from all the different tees, greens, and fairways."

Complementing the Dye design is the property's historic Taggart mansion, dramatically restored, to serve as the clubhouse offering sweeping views of the course from its hilltop location. From the mansion the course spreads out 50 feet below, "routed like a four-pointed star, with squiggly fairways dotted by typical Pete Dye bunkers," Whitten said in his review.

Although the course stretches out to a whopping 8,102 yards from the championship tees, it is designed for all levels of play with the forward tees set at 5,100 yards. Whitten said he was also impressed by how easy it was to walk the layout, especially from the regular tees at 6,115 yards. Each tee is located next to the preceding green.

The course is already on the national golf radar. In 2010 it will be the site of the PGA of America's Professional National Championship. The resort predicts this will be the first of several high-profile professional events it will host on the Dye layout in the future.

For more information or to book a stay, visit http://www.frenchlick.com/ or call our reservation specialists at (888) 936-9360.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Friday, December 4, 2009

Monsoon Protects Against Changing Weather

(Missoula, Montana) - When the winds of change bring rain into your game, look no further than Sun Mountain's 2010 Monsoon Jacket and Pant. Monsoon offers guaranteed waterproof protection in comfortable, lined, microfiber for only $85 for the full-zip jacket and $65 for the pants. For the retailer nearest you, visit http://www.sunmountain.com/ or call 800-227-9224.

The Monsoon Jacket is constructed with a windproof and waterproof microfiber shell with taped seams and Teflon coating for guaranteed waterproof protection and taffeta lining for comfort. Additional features include shoulder gussets for ease of movement, adjustable cuffs, zippered side pockets, an external chest pocket, shock-cord waist, and locking zipper pulls that stay securely out of the way. Monsoon Jacket is in golf shops now with a full-suggested retail price of $85. Monsoon Jacket is available in sizes M - XXL in Black, Red/Black, Sport Navy/Black, White/Black and Port/Black and in size Small in Black, only.

Monsoon Pants are fully lined, coated microfiber offering guaranteed protection from wind and rain. Monsoon Pants come with a zippered fly with snap closure, elastic waist, zippered side pockets and lower legs, and a unique leg snap system that allows the pants to be shortened by 2-½ inches. Monsoon Pants are available now with a full-suggested retail of $65 in sizes M - XXL in Black only.

Sun Mountain President, Ed Kowachek said, "With Sun Mountain's top-of-the-line stretchable, breathable, waterproof RainFlex at one end, and our emergency packable Provisional rainsuit at the other - the Monsoon fills a nice spot right in the middle."

In addition to outerwear, for over 25 years, Sun Mountain has been designing and manufacturing functional, high-quality, lightweight golf bags for the serious golfer. Sun Mountain is responsible for many industry firsts, including being the first to use backpacking technology to produce a lightweight nylon golf bag, and being the first to develop a stand bag with integral legs. The Sun Mountain Speed Cart and the new ClubGlider travel bag are leaders in their respective categories.

Sun Mountain is dedicated to finding the most innovative fabrics, the latest manufacturing processes, and the best designs to create a line of performance outerwear that includes rainsuits, windshirts, fleece and the RainFlex collection. Sun Mountain is an officially licensed supplier of outerwear to the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, Duramed Futures Tour, Nationwide Tour and was the official outerwear of the winning 2009 USA Presidents Cup Team.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Island Resort & Casino (Upper Peninsula) Unveils 2010 Entertainment

Resort Boasts Major Musical Acts; Home to World-Class Amenities Including Acclaimed Sweetgrass Golf Club

(HARRIS, Michigan) – The Island Resort & Casino today announces its 2010 entertainment schedule showcasing a variety of musical sensations including Rick Springfield, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Loretta Lynn, Darius Rucker and other chart-toppers.
Acts perform in the recently constructed Island Showroom – situated immediately off the gaming floor – seating 1,300 people with unobstructed stage views, for an intimate atmosphere. Ticket prices are $32 unless otherwise noted.

The Island Showroom reverts back to the 70’s as Grand Funk Railroad and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder each take the stage for performances January 15 and 16. Felder, one of the five original Eagles members, wrote the Grammy-winning “Hotel California.” Fellow 70’s group REO Speedwagon visits January 29 and 30, hits include “Keep on Loving You,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Roll with the Changes.”

Darius Rucker – former lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish – comes to the Island Showroom February 12 and 13. Winner of this year's Country Music Awards’ New Artist of the Year, his album produced three No. 1 songs. Tickets $37.

Foreigner – revered for “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and “I Want to Know What Love is” – heats up the Island Showroom on February 26 and 27. Rick Springfield – famous for the smash hit “Jessie’s Girl” – visits on March 26 and 27.

Closing out the spring season, country music icon Loretta Lynn celebrates 50 years of wowing audiences with appearances April 9 and 10. Dating back to the 1960’s, Lynn’s chart-toppers include like “Coal Miner’s Daugther,” "Don't Come Home A'Drinkin (With Lovin' on Your Mind)," "Fist City," and "Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone)." Tickets $27.

Shows start at 8 p.m. EST, tickets can be purchased by calling 877-ISL-SHOW or 906-466-2941, ext. 5001, or online at http://www.islandresortandcasino.com/. All major credit cards accepted.

“The Island Showroom’s repertoire shows we are listening to our guests by providing the best talent possible from a variety of genres,” says General Manager Tom McChesney. “Between our musical acts, enhanced gaming floor and award-winning Sweetgrass Golf Club, the Island Resort & Casino is truly an entertainment destination appealing to all ages.”

The expanded gaming floor features table games, a poker room and more than 1,400 slot machines. Meanwhile, Sweetgrass Golf Club – designed by Paul Albanese – was named to Golfweek’s “Top 20 in Michigan” list, besting nearly 700 other courses and was also honored as one of “America’s Best New Courses.”

For more information on the Island Showroom, the casino or Sweetgrass Golf Club, please visit http://www.islandresortandcasino.com/ or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2125.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

Golfsmith Recommends Best Holiday Golf Gifts

(AUSTIN, Texas) - Golfsmith is making it easy to find the best gifts for golfers this holiday season. Starting today all Golfsmith stores will feature "18 Holes of Christmas" - 18 stations around the store with holiday gifts hand-picked by Golfsmith's product team.

Golfsmith.com has also launched an entire holiday gift center at www.golfsmith.com/gifts featuring golf gifts organized by price, gender and "top rated" items as ranked by customers, and items specifically recommended by category including new clubs, personalized golf balls, the best GPS devices and rangefinders and much more.

"We've organized our stores and our web site to make it very easy to find the perfect golf gifts for any type of golfer," said Martin Hanaka, president and CEO of Golfsmith. "We've got gifts under $30, $50 and $100 for the value seeker. We've got the latest new product launches from the best brands in golf and tennis. And we've personally selected gift ideas to make shopping for the best golf and tennis gifts easy and fun, only at Golfsmith."

Some of the top gift ideas include:
* Callaway uPro and uPro GO GPS Devices - two full color GPS devices pre-loaded with thousands of golf courses. The uPro adds aerial and satellite photography of the golf course, including a "fly over" feature from the tee box to the green. The uPro is $399.99 and comes with up to $125 in free gifts from Callaway. The uPro GO is $299.99.
* Personalized Golf Balls - put your golfer's name on a wide variety of the best brands including Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway and more.
* New Odyssey White Ice Putters - Odyssey's newest line of putters with their best ever, multi-layer insert technology and a rich dark finish. $129.99 - $179.99.
* New TaylorMade R9 Irons - the latest introduction in TaylorMade's highly successful R9 family combining optimal distance and control in a classic shape. $799.99 - $999.99.
* New Cleveland CG 15 Wedges - optimized grooves and laser-milled faces are key features in Cleveland's latest in wedge innovation. $119.99.
* Ping Men's Shirts - a variety of long-sleeve mocks, polos and fleece tops ranging from $29.99 to $39.99.
* Women's Maggie Lane Tops - variety of long-sleeve turtlenecks and sweaters on sale - buy one get the second at 50% off.
* Lynx Junior Golf Sets - the perfect starter sets for boys and girls ages 3 to 12 ranging from $59.98 to $199.99.
* Wilson Tennis Bundle - The perfect gift to introduce a new player to tennis. It includes a racquet, your choice of bag (backpack or triple), two cans of championship extra duty tennis balls, and a vibration dampener. $79.99 (save 25%, originally $108).

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Prepares for Opening

(MARANA, Ariz.) - The new Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain will open on December 18, 2009, debuting amid the scenic, high desert landscape northwest of Tucson.

Surrounded by thousands of majestic Saguaro cacti and diverse wildlife, guests can begin to explore an invigorating playground, while absorbing the many pleasures of a relaxed resort atmosphere.

Reflecting a "Spirit of Adventure," The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is ideal for those seeking private time, or play time - whether it's hiking, horseback riding, a cookout under the stars, mountain biking, cooling off in one of the three resort swimming pools, skimming down a 235-foot waterslide, or indulging in a passion for food at one of the resort's four dining venues.

"This is a place that will engage the adventurous, yet provide gracious hospitality, all within our 850 acres," said Stephen Deucker, director of sales and marketing of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, the 72nd Ritz-Carlton property to be opened. "We have a championship Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, cuisine prepared by world-class chefs and a destination spa that is remarkable."

Nestled in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, the resort offers 250 guest rooms and a cluster of secluded, multi-bedroom casitas ideally suited for families and friends.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain embodies the authentic Arizona experience. Just outside the doors of the resort, there are more than 20 miles of charted hiking and biking trails - specially commissioned by The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain ownership and clearly mapped by National Geographic - that that wind through dramatic mountain terrain. Bordering the resort, the Tortolita Mountain Park offers 3,000 undisturbed acres and some of the most soothing desert landscape in the Southwest.

For a vacation that has the best of both worlds, the resort's Sonoran Golf and Spa Adventure Package is being featured at opening. The package combines rounds on the course that challenges the golf world's legends during the Accenture Match Play Championship and soothing, signature spa treatments that reflects the enchanting high desert habitat.

The Sonoran Golf and Spa Adventure Package starts at $529 per night and includes:
* Overnight Deluxe Guest Room accommodations for two evenings
* Two 18-hole rounds of golf on our Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course
* Two 50-minute signature body treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa
* Overnight valet parking for two nights* American Breakfast for two each morning in Core Kitchen or through In-Room Dining

For reservation information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain or call 520-572-3000.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Monday, November 23, 2009

Cape Fear National joins Carolinas' Brunswick Isles Golf Trail

(NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. ) - The Brunswick Isles Golf Trail, which stretches out along the coast of southern North Carolina and northern South Carolina, now offers 450 memorable holes of championship golf with the addition of Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest located just outside of Wilmington, N.C., north of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Managed by KemperSports, Cape Fear National will offer outstanding playing conditions. It is set to open in late November as a premium daily fee facility.

This 18 hole championship course by up-and-coming architect Tim Cate stretches out 7217 yards and features tees, fairways and primary rough grassed with Tifway 419 Bermuda. In addition to three giant waste bunkers that run tee to green, the course has more than 50 sculpted bunker complexes, and the bunkers are filled with brilliant white SP 55 sand, the same premium blend used by Augusta National. Heat tolerant A-1/A-4 bent grass covers the greens which average 8500 square feet.

Cate moved more than 1.5 million cubic yards of dirt to sculpt the coastal Carolinas' newest course. He created impressive elevated tee boxes, dramatic berms and meandering fairways among the trees.

"We're excited to have Cape Fear National join The Brunswick Isles Golf Trail," said Jack Himmelsbach of The Glens Golf Group which manages Trail courses Heather Glen and Glen Dornoch, as well as accommodations partner Village at the Glens. "With the addition of Cape Fear National, we continue to lead golfers along a Trail that offers the best of the coastal courses. We offer the best in the coastal Carolinas and golfers appreciate both our quality and affordability."

Stretching approximately 80 miles from Leland, N.C. to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Trail winds through the unspoiled coastal area known as the Brunswick Islands.

Trail courses have been honored with everything from "Best New Course in America" to four-star ratings in Golf Digest's "Places To Play" to rankings on the list of "America's Top 100 Greatest Public Courses."

Official Trail accommodations are available at Brunswick Plantation, Village at the Glens and Coastal Golfaway.

More information about the Trail and each of its courses is available at www.brunswickislesgolftrail.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Mizuno Introduces MP T-10 Wedges

Wedges Feature High-Spin Quad Cut Grooves

(Norcross, GA)Mizuno, maker of the world’s finest forged wedges, introduces the new MP T-10 Series of wedges featuring patented Quad Cut Groove Technology. These new wedges combine Mizuno’s patented Grain Flow Forged feel, a revolutionary groove design, and a Tour confirmed head shape and sole to provide unmatched spin and precision in the short game. The MP T-10 wedges are Grain Flow Forged from 1025E “Pure Select” mild carbon steel to provide the most soft, solid and consistent feel where you need it most, around the greens. Furthermore, an innovative 360-degree sole grind and thinner top line deliver maximum shot making versatility and control.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the MP T-10 wedges, outside of Mizuno’s unmatched solid feel, are their high-spin Quad Cut Grooves. Mizuno has patented a manufacturing process which allows for the precise control of the width, depth, draft angle and shoulder radius of each and every groove. The result is an extremely aggressive and consistent groove that provides maximum spin control and ball stopping power in all playing conditions.

“Like any good player knows, nowhere is feel and control more important than in your wedge game,” said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager of Mizuno USA, Golf Division. “Every golfer is looking for superior touch, feel, and consistency on their chip, pitch, and sand shots which is why a forged wedge is far superior to an investment cast model. For years many of the best players in the game have relied on the legendary feel of Mizuno’s MP line of wedges, and now with the addition of these high spin Quad Cut Grooves, players of all levels will be able to make the ball spin, and stop in ways they never have before.”

The MP T-10 wedges feature a classic teardrop headshape and are available in both a durable Plated White Satin finish and a Raw Black Satin. Specifications for the MP T-10 Series wedges include a length of 35¼ inches (50°- white satin only, 52°, 54°, 56º, 58°) and 35 inches (60°, 64º- Black Satin only), and are available in a variety of bounce configurations. Standard shaft is the True Temper Dynamic Gold “Wedge” flex, and standard grip is the exclusive Mizuno/Golf Pride® M-21 58 Round. Other shafts and grips, as well as loft and lie adjustments are available through Mizuno’s industry leading
Custom Club department.

Suggested retail price for the MP T-10 Series in both the Plated White Satin and Raw Black Satin finishes is $120.


For more information on the new MP T-10 wedges please visit www.mizunousa.com. The new MP T-10 Quad Cut grooves are designed to conform through 2024. However, beginning January 1, 2010 the MP T-10 wedges are non-conforming for professional tournaments with the Condition of Competition, and beginning 1/1/2014, they are non-conforming for elite amateur tournaments with the Condition of Competition.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Firekeeper Golf Course Completes Six-Month Construction Phase

(ARLINGTON, Texas) - Despite an ongoing battle with Mother Nature, Firekeeper Golf Course has been completed in a six-month construction schedule by Landscapes Unlimited, Inc. The course should be ready for play in late summer 2010.

The 240-acre course is under development by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, KS as an additional amenity to their Prairie Band Casino & Resort. Already one of the premier destination resorts in the Midwest, the new golf course across the street from the hotel will enhance the resort.

This is the first signature course of four-time PGA TOUR winner Notah Begay III, the only full-blooded Native American on the PGA TOUR. He has designed it in partnership with Jeffrey D. Brauer, ASGCA. It is one of the few golf courses under construction in the continental United States.

Firekeeper will be a very traditional golf course in both a playability and aesthetics. There is no surrounding housing, and there reasonable walks from green to tees and a low profile design that looks like it has been there for years, not months. The course will withstand technology with the back tees playing at more than 7,400 yards. There are five tee sets altogether, with the shortest tees playing only 4,500 yards - shorter than most resort courses. The designers believe the shorter yardage will encourage more play from women and local youth.

Before work began, the design team went through numerous routings to find the best possible 18-hole layout with minimal disturbance. "Keeping with Potawatomi traditions, we worked above and beyond to retain all of the land's natural elements with minimal disruption," said Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation tribal council chairman Steve Ortiz.

"We put a lot of time in walking the land, which is so important in golf course architecture and particularly in the Native American community," Brauer said. The process started from the moment the potential project was announced. "Chairman Ortiz said, 'You are the only ones who really knew our land. Everybody else talked about the best courses they had ever done. You spoke to how you would use our land."

The hard work in routing paid off. "We moved very little earth," Brauer said. "We also used the surrounding land forms as guides when we formed our own shaping, trying to match the rolling hills of Kansas.

"Modern architects as a group have gotten away from working with the land," Brauer added. "[Renowned course designer] Donald Ross couldn't move much earth 100 years ago, and this is just a great opportunity to build an old-fashioned golf course. The course looks great and respects the land and tribal traditions of environmental sensitivity."

The land has three distinctive zones of prairie, heavy woods and scattered trees. The early holes at Firekeeper are mostly on the prairie. The back nine offers more elevation changes and a wide variety of trees.

While all holes fit the topography snugly, the designers occasionally communicated in "shorthand" by referencing famous holes they were both familiar with. Both thought the ninth should be modeled after No. 18 at Augusta National. The fourth hole allowed creation of a very deep fairway bunker not dissimilar to the famous bunker at the fourth at Royal St. Georges off the tee and a green similar to the putting surface as No. 11 at Los Angeles Country Club.

While Notah Begay III is relatively new on the design scene, with Brauer on the team, Kansas golfers know they will get a quality course. Brauer already has designed three of the top courses in Kansas - Sand Creek Station in Newton, Eagle Bend in Lawrence and Colbert Hills in Manhattan. Brauer says golfers can expect some twists unique to Notah Begay III, but the overall quality will match or exceed the others.

The first shovel hit the ground for construction of the Firekeeper Golf Course on May 20 with shaping completed in the late summer, despite rains totaling 35 percent more than normal for the area. "The early catch is good, but Mother Nature will be in charge now," Brauer said. During the winter months, work will continue on the clubhouse and other structures, and workers will continue to clear brush, detail the course, and get ready for spring.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Etonic Offers Perfect Fit Golf Glove When Buying Etonic Footwear

(WESTBOROUGH, Mass.) - If you are looking for a perfect fit, Etonic has the answer with its new footwear and glove promotion. Etonic will offer golfers an opportunity to try the new Perfect Fit golf glove free with a purchase of a pair of the new 2010 Etonic golf shoes.

Golfers who purchase a pair of Etonic shoes from its recently introduced line of footwear will receive a Perfect Fit golf glove. The glove features premium leather on the palm and index finger. Combined with a proprietary Dri-Lite™ microfiber back along with a patent-pending Stabilizer Island Thumb™, the glove provides an exceptional fit and precise grip. The suggested retail is $18.

"We receive outstanding feedback on our gloves from daily-fee golfers to tour players," said Tom Elwell, CEO Etonic Worldwide. "The glove has a unique island thumb technology that ensures the same fit as the first time it is worn. This promotion allows us to sample the glove among avid golfers. Once golfers try the glove, they are hooked."

Etonic footwear that qualifies under this promotion is Stablizer, Sof-Tech, Dri-Tech and Sport-Tech for men and Dri-Tech and Sport Tech for women. To receive the Perfect Fit glove, consumers simply complete an information card and send it in along with sales receipt and UPC label.

The Perfect Fit Glove and Shoe promotion runs through 2010.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Monday, November 16, 2009

Mystic Dunes Hosting Holiday Invitational to Benefit Toys for Tots

(CELEBRATION, FL) - Mystic Dunes would like to invite golfers to swing in to the holiday season at the Third Annual Holiday Invitational Dec. 6. In the spirit of holiday giving, the four-man team scramble golf tournament is again collecting unwrapped gifts for the Toys for Tots program.

Registration for the event will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a noon shotgun start. The tournament will be followed by an awards banquet and dinner. The cost is $60 per player, (if paying individually) or $210 per foursome (if one joint payment) plus tax. A $5 per player discount is being given to every player who brings an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program. The deadline for entry is Nov. 26.

For more information, or to register for the tournament, contact Keith Bielski at 407-787-5639 or visit the Mystic Dunes Web site at www.mysticdunesgolf.com/pdf/holiday_invitational_09.pdf.

About Toys for Tots
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The primary goal is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The objectives are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Wilson Golf Announces Innovative D-FY Iron and Hybrid Combo Set

(CHICAGO) - Wilson Golf announced its new D-FY iron combo set, a technology-driven iron and hybrid combination option for low- to mid-swing speed players looking to improve distance while maintaining performance and precision. The revolutionary new design features a patent-pending shaft technology, a propriety co-cured half steel and half graphite shaft. This unique combination is the first of its kind and combines the benefits of graphite and steel shafts into one powerful and precise iron.

The D-FY technology is a marriage between the distance iron technology at the heart of Wilson Staff's iron legacy and Wilson's successful FYbrid technology of precise distance gapping. The fully integrated eight-piece set is made up of a 19.5 degree FYbrid utility club and 4 hybrid, 5- and 6- super-wide sole mid irons with hollow core designs to hit the ball higher and longer, and 7i-PW perimeter-weighted cavity-back short irons which allow maximum forgiveness in scoring club range.

"The fastest growing style of golfer is a player who benefits from a combo/hybrid set in the super-game improvement category," said Bob Thurman, global director of R&D. "To meet the needs of this player style, the D-FY combo set marries our distance iron technology to our FYbrid technology. This was accomplished by combining it with an extremely durable Half-and-Half shaft that allows players to get the best of both worlds while maximizing performance."

As a division of Wilson Sporting Goods Co., one of the world's leading sporting equipment manufacturers, Wilson Golf is able to take advantage of resources outside of the golf world. Wilson Golf's Half-and-Half technology is a perfect example of this synergy, inspired by the DemariniTM baseball bat, a high-performance two-piece composite bat made of two fused materials to make the bat both lightweight and responsive.

The proprietary, co-cured Half-and-Half shaft design fuses the exceptionally low torque and response of steel with the light weight and vibration-dampening effects of graphite weighing in at only 76 grams.

The steel tip section provides bending stability and low torque at the hosel to deliver straighter shots on off-center hits. More than 30 grams are removed from the steel shaft and replaced by a high modulus graphite shaft. A strong and durable joint section also provides maximum vibration dampening at the junction of the two materials.

The suggested list price for the Wilson Staff D-FY iron set is $999.99 and includes a 19.5 degree FYbrid, 4H, 5-PW. D-FY irons will be available in fall 2009. Contact

All new Wilson Staff equipment introduced in 2010 will meet with the USGA and R&A's new groove standards which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010 for Conditions of Competition for Elite (Tour) Play.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

TaylorMade's Burner Iron Reaches No. 1 in U.S. Sales

Already No. 1 Driver, TaylorMade Golf Company Produces an Iron Model that Tops the Sales Charts in the U.S. for the First Time in Company History

(Carlsbad, Calif.) – For the first time ever, a TaylorMade iron ranks No. 1 in sales in the United States, as the TaylorMade Burner became the top-selling iron model in June, according to Golf Datatech.

Launched last January, Burner irons were developed differently than previous TaylorMade irons, with the long-irons, middle-irons and short-irons each created separately. The goal was to create easy-to-launch irons that deliver "meaningful distance," defined as longer distance that's consistent from club to club, so that every club is consistently longer than the club before it, and that the spaces in between each club are significant, even and predictable.

"The way we design, produce and manufacture irons today is very different from how we did it in the past because what was impossible five years ago is now possible," said Dr. Benoit Vincent, TaylorMade's chief technical officer. "What we've learned through years of golf club innovation has helped us to understand how to design an iron that delivers a new level of performance versus what we could imagine five years ago."

"The Burner's success in the marketplace confirms that this is no ordinary iron," said Harry Arnett, TaylorMade's senior category director of clubs and balls. "It's proof that we're much more than a metalwood company, and that we know how to make great irons, too. And more and more players are discovering that we also make the best wedges, putters and balls. Through the bag, nobody makes better-performing products than TaylorMade."

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Glove It Announces Hounds Tooth and Giraffe Collections

(TEMPE, Ariz.) - Two of Glove It's new prints for 2010 have received rave reviews from buyers. The Hounds Tooth and Giraffe collections, introduced in the fall, are bringing chic to the fairways.

The Hounds Tooth collection features dramatic black and white jagged checks and the Giraffe collection combines bronze metallic trims with various size brown spots on a sand background. Both prints are popular this year on the fashion runways and soon to turn heads on the fairways.

"The fashion world is showing a lot of animal prints for spring 2010," said Karen Lovcik, CEO of Glove IT. "Spots and stripes are always a fun item to have in your closet and for Glove It, our accessory line is a nice complement to an outfit, giving it a little more spark. The feedback from retailers has been very positive; they are excited to bring these patterns in their shop this year."

The Hounds Tooth and Giraffe collections consist of a glove with valuable pouch, visor, cap, accessory bag, tote bag, golf towel, golf bag and headcovers. The collections will be available next month in golf shops or online at www.gloveit.com. Nicole Miller Studio by Glove It will also offer a Tiger Paradise collection for 2010 that is brown and sand with red accent.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Sweetgrass Golf Club Honored in Golfweek’s “Best-New” Issue

Heralded Amenity of the Island Resort & Casino Recognized for Strength of Routing, Memorability of Holes, Overall High Quality

(HARRIS, MI) – Sweetgrass Golf Club – one of many sparkling amenities of the Island Resort & Casino – today announces the course earned Golfweek’s prestigious “America’s Best New Courses” honor.

Sweetgrass – which enjoyed its first full season this year – was designed by Paul Albanese. The course is an 18-hole, par-72 masterpiece which stretches 7,300 yards from the tips. Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, it offers five sets of tees and the layout subtly pays homage to tribal and Native American lore. Historic bridges rescued from the region, intricate rockwork and a liberal sprinkling of the namesake Sweetgrass add to the course’s unique look and feel.

Golfweek’s rankings take into account overall strength of routing, feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety and memorability of holes, conditioning, maintenance, landscape management and other criteria. Golfweek sends approximately 400 "America's Best" raters in search of the country's finest golf courses. Those raters submit ballots grading on a 10-point scale and the scores for each course are averaged to get the overall rating.

“Sweetgrass has been recognized with several major awards from influential publications lauding our design, creativity and landscape,” says Island Resort & Casino General Manager Tom McChesney. “We greatly value these honors as we’re committed to providing our guests with top-notch experiences.”

Sweetgrass was previously named an ”America’s Best Courses You Can Play” by Golfweek in its state-by-state rankings. Michigan boasts more than 800 courses and Sweetgrass debuted in the Top 20.

Boasting more than 1,400 slot machines and 24/7 Vegas-style gaming, the Island Resort & Casino offers Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Poker and more. The Island Showroom – another recent addition – hosts top musical acts from a variety of musical genres. Dining options include the Firekeeper’s Restaurant, Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar, Coral Reef Grille and Bingo Snack Bar. Live music in the lounge, the Club Four One nightclub, a swimming pool and conference center are other popular resort offerings.

Located in the unspoiled beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Island Resort & Casino and Sweetgrass Golf Club are easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette.

For more information on the Island Showroom, the casino or Sweetgrass Golf Club, please visit www.islandresortandcasino.com or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2252.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Mississippi Gulf Coast to Host Champions TOUR Event in Biloxi next April;Enhances State’s Ascent as Rising Golf-and-Casino-Resort Destination

Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic will Benefit Habitat for Humanity; Likely Draw Players Such asFred Couples, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The Mississippi Development Authority today announces that a Champions TOUR event will be played on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at Biloxi’s Fallen Oak Golf Club, a Tom Fazio design and amenity of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, rated one of the world’s greatest courses. The event, named the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, will primarily benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and will be played April 26-May 2, 2010.

The tournament would bring 78 senior players, possibly including Fred Couples, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller and other greats.

“The Gulf Coast Business Council has a vision of seeing the Mississippi Gulf Coast become a Tier One tourism destination. Achievement of such an ambitious goal requires that we have nationally recognized events and attractions,” explained Anthony Topazi, Chairman of the Gulf Coast Business Council. “The PGA Champions Tour is a signature event for any region of this country and is a significant step in becoming a Tier One destination. This Tournament will showcase the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s premier golf, fishing, and resort amenities on a national and world-wide basis.”

A coalition of area businesses spearheaded by the Gulf Coast Business Council secured the TOUR event by pledging the $2.5 million commitment required by the PGA TOUR, which operates the Champions and Nationwide tours under its umbrella. The Business Council estimates an economic impact of $22 million.

“Hosting the Champions TOUR event on the Gulf Coast – in addition to the PGA TOUR’s Viking Classic which is held in Madison each fall – underscores the high-quality of golf courses offered throughout our great state,” said D. Craig Ray, Mississippi Development Authority Division of Tourism Director. “Mississippi is the nation’s third-largest gaming destination after Vegas and Atlantic City. We have the hotels, resorts, condos, restaurants and other high-quality attractions and visitor infrastructure which make us an ideal venue to showcase the area and the game’s great players.”

The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic will be broadcast on the Golf Channel, which reports reaching more than 160 million estimated households globally.

Mississippi has established itself as the world’s best golf-and-gaming destination thanks to an abundance of highly decorated courses authored by some of the game’s greatest architects and an array of top-rated casino resorts.

In addition to great courses and casino resorts, visitors to Mississippi are enticed by the state’s many off-course attractions including the Blues Trail, five distinct regions ranging from the Delta to the Gulf Coast, its world-famous southern hospitality, and its chefs and gastronomic delights.

For more information about Mississippi call toll-free 866-801-8551, or go to http://www.visitmississippi.org/ and receive a free Golf Travel Guide, suggested play-and-stay itineraries and other attractions.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Palm Harbor Golf Club Re-Opens After Two-Year Renovation Project

City of Palm Coast Partners with KemperSports to Re-open and Manage Historic Facility

(PALM COAST, Fla.) - Palm Harbor Golf Club, an 18-hole championship layout located 35 miles north of Daytona Beach, Fla., has announced its grand re-opening plans after undergoing a two-year, $4.5 million renovation project. Purchased by the city of Palm Coast, Fla., in 2007, the public golf course will be operated by Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports, a premier golf facility management company, which joined the management team in May of this year.

Grand opening activities, which kick-off on Nov. 7, will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by the striking of the first ball in a 21-ball salute. Lunch and golf for invited guests and media will follow.

Visitors to the golf course will see numerous changes to the historic layout including upgraded drainage and irrigation systems, reconstructed tees and greens, new bunker configurations, two new ponds, redistributed native trees, redesigned driving range with improved features and new cart paths along the entire course.

"The major difference golfers will notice is the movement through the fairways," said George Clifton from Clifton, Ezell and Clifton Golf Design, who was in charge of the renovation. "We raised the features more into view and lowered some areas in the fairway for basins, which accents these features. Visually, this offers a nice rolling appearance and adds some drama off the tee. The golf course is similar in length as before but should play a little more difficult with the addition of 20 bunkers."

Built in 1973 by William W. Amick, the golf course has enjoyed more than 30 years as the centerpiece for a master planned housing community. The course gained national recognition in 1979 as it hosted the Palm Coast Mixed Team Championships, which saw LPGA legend and Palm Coast resident, Nancy Lopez, team up with Lee Trevino, to win the pro-am tournament against ten other LPGA/PGA teams.

"We hope that local golfers are able to experience the golf course improvements that have been made and that they will return to enjoy this wonderful community amenity," said Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon. "KemperSports is the right partner to work with Palm Harbor Golf Club as they have developed a positive relationship with our local golfers based on the management of their golf course in Port Orange, Fla. (The Golf Club at Cypress Head)."

The Palm Harbor Golf Club will officially re-open for public play on Sunday, Nov. 8. Fees will start at $36.50 for Palm Coast residents with an introductory rate of $27 during the first month of operation.

"We look forward to the re-introduction of Palm Harbor Golf Club," said Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperSports. "The golf course has enjoyed a long and rich history and we are anxious to bring a great golf experience back to the local community."

To book a tee time or for more information on the golf club, visit www.palmharborgolfclub.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Effects of Vitamin D on Your Golf Game and Your Overall Health & Wellness

(Los Angeles, Calif.) - We've all learned that we need to apply sunscreen or sunblock to protect ourselves from the harmful UV rays of the sun when we hit the course or spend time outdoors. But along with shielding our body from harmful rays, we may also be blocking out a very important element that the human body needs to perform at maximum strength in the process; Vitamin D.

According to recent studies cited in US News and World Report, AOL, and other sources, millions of Americans have chosen to protect themselves from the sun's potential harm and the result is a Vitamin D deficiency because blocking the sun with SPF sunscreens also prevents us from absorbing the necessary amount of sunlight the body needs. A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine revealed that three out of every four Americans now have vitamin D levels below what is necessary for optimal health. So what can golfers and everyday outdoor enthusiasts do to get additional Vitamin D?

Sport Specific Performance supplements have a number of different vitamins and minerals that increase stamina, strength, and focus as well as improve your overall well-being. One of the key ingredients in Sport Specific Performance's GOLF STRENGTH product, that has been the subject of much research and study over the past few years, is Vitamin D.

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements a Vitamin D deficiency is usually the result of dietary inadequacy, impaired absorption and use, increased requirement, or increased excretion. A Vitamin D deficiency can occur when; usual intake is lower than recommended levels over time, exposure to sunlight is limited, the kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form, or absorption of vitamin D from the digestive tract is inadequate.

Vitamin D can affect many things and it is important to have the sufficient daily amount. The best-known benefit of vitamin D is its role in helping calcium build strong bones. But that's far from the whole story. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and the neuromuscular system. Vitamin D also plays major roles in the life cycle of human cells.

A number of recent studies have also shown that, for athletes who train outside year-round, maximal oxygen intake tends to be at its highest in late summer. The athletes, in other words, are fittest in August, when ultraviolet radiation from the sun is near its zenith. They often then experience an abrupt drop in maximal oxygen intake, beginning as early as September, even though they continue to train just as hard. This decline coincides with the autumnal lengthening of the angle of sunlight. Less ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth and, apparently, sports performance suffers, which is a direct result of a lack of sunlight because certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light prompt our bodies to synthesize Vitamin D, eventually making a hormone called calcitriol that, among other things, controls how the body uses calcium and mineralizes bone.

Based on these results, there is no question that the correct amount of daily Vitamin D can increase an athlete's or a golfer's performance as well as improve their overall well being. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin of health. And Vitamin D is an essential part of Sport Specific Performance's GOLF STRENGTH so the solution is simple, use sunscreen and take Sport Specific Performance.

Sport Specific Performance, is a leader in all natural vitamin supplements. With a unique line of nutritional supplements that target the player's mind and body, Sport Specific Performance has created a product that will enable users to achieve better overall health, evolve their game further, and increase frequency of rounds played as a result of a better physical state.

ESPN Radio claims Sport Specific Performance is "the perfect supplement" and KABC states, "it's the first of its kind."

With more than 50 Tour Players and caddies on the PGA, Nationwide, LPGA and Champions Tour using GOLF FOCUS and GOLF STRENGTH every day, it's obvious that Sport Specific Performance is the brand of choice for both serious and casual golfers.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Monday, November 2, 2009

Canadian Rockies Golf-and-Resort Destination Caps Banner Debut with Panache

(ALBERTA, Calgary) – The Canadian Rockies golf-and-resort-lifestyle consortium – a collection of six world-class properties boasting 135 holes of scenic mountain golf – is celebrating the close of its debut season with ongoing achievements and acclaim.

In addition to member courses and resorts garnering many awards from celebrated publications, the CRG is establishing a global social networking presence and successfully launched an opt-in e-newsletter which is received by thousands.

CRG destination partners – The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Kananaskis County Golf Course, Silvertip Golf Resort, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and Canmore Golf & Curling Club – won honors from Golf Digest, SCORE Golf and Wine Spectator “best-of” lists, indicative of the high quality of the destination.

The Fairmont Banff Springs – with its iconic Stanley Thompson, 18-hole layout and castle-like hotel with regal ambiance – earned a top five ranking in Golf Digest’s “Top 75 Resorts in North America” list and was included in the publication’s “Best 25 International Golf Hotels.”

Joining The Fairmont Banff Springs on Digest’s “Best 100 Courses Outside the USA” list, is its sister property, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – also boasting a classic Stanley Thompson design – and Kananaskis Country Golf Course. All three were named to Digest’s “Best 20 Canadian Courses.”

Those courses – along with Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club – were named the first, second, fourth and fifth “Best Public Courses To Play” by SCORE Golf in 2009. Both of Kananaskis's Robert Trent Jones Sr. designs -- the Mt. Kidd and Mt. Lorette courses -- were noted. The Alberta PGA selected Kananaskis's golf professional Bob Paley as its Professional of the Year and the course as the section's Merchandiser of the Year.

Meanwhile, Silvertip Golf Resort – the home course of PGA Tour Professional Stephen Ames –received a Wine Spectator “List of Excellence” honor for its Rustica Steakhouse offerings. Golf Digest also acknowledged the breathtaking and challenging course – with 600 feet of elevation changes – for its environmental stewardship with the GCSAA / Golf Digest Environmental Leader Award, just one of four given worldwide.

“The awards earned this year are very gratifying and humbling,” says Gordon Schultz, spokesman for the consortium. “Our properties work hard to offer unique, high-end golf-and-resort-lifestyle experiences. We’re proud of our collective efforts and assets and we hope these honors inspire visitors to learn why our slogan is ‘Canadian Rockies Golf: Historic. Dramatic. Untamed.’”

Creating the CRG Web site (www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca) led to the monthly e-newsletter, alerting followers to packages, events and options offered through the consortium. Subscribers were entered to win a 6-day, 5-night trip to the CRG with accommodations, rental cars, and 135 holes of golf.

Furthermore, the CRG has embraced social networking and created a Twitter site (www.twitter.com/CanRockies) which keeps followers apprised of CRG news and value-laden opportunities.

The Canadian Rockies is an ideal destination for outdoor lovers and those looking for unspoiled nature and tranquility amidst abundant natural beauty. Attractions and amenities include award- winning spas, helicopter tours, hiking, fishing, rafting, gourmet restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding and many children’s programs.

To view the stunning topography, vacation options and learn more about the area visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca. Website visitors can view stay-and-play packages or request custom quotes for trips and packages or they may call 877.323.3633 for more information.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

The Territory Embraces Social Media for Members, Prospects

Oklahoma’s Premier Golf and Residential Community Utilizes Facebook, Twitter to Keep Followers Abreast of Daily Activities, Offers

(Southwest Oklahoma) – The Territory Golf and Country Club, an award-winning residential community near the town of Duncan, has embraced social media in an ongoing initiative to provide the latest news and information to current and prospective members.

Named a “Best New” and “Top 50 Residential Course” by Golfweek and designated as one of Oklahoma’s best courses by Golf Digest, The Territory is also a leader in the two-way communications sphere, using both Twitter and Facebook to engage and strengthen relationships with followers.

“Usage of outlets such as Twitter and Facebook has grown substantially over the last year and our members and guests enjoy the ‘instant’ information available via this forum,” says Rick Braught, who along with his wife Barbara, owns the club. “We’re constantly looking for ways to better serve our members and social media is the best way to supply everyone with up-to-the-minute updates.”

Via Twitter and Facebook, The Territory is able to promote a variety of initiatives and create an even greater sense of community by providing real-time details about upcoming events, tournament results, sales and much more.

To follow The Territory on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/territorygolf. To become a fan of The Territory on Facebook, log onto www.facebook.com/territorygolf.com.

The Territory is a modified target-style layout, which features multiple tees to accommodate any skill level. A state-of-the-art practice facility and three-hole short course where the teaching professionals conduct instruction for those looking to improve their game, also set The Territory apart.

In just its first five years of play, the Randy Heckenkemper design has hosted the Oklahoma State Amateur twice, Oklahoma Senior State Amateur, an NCAA Div. II Super Regional and a stop on the Adams Pro Golf Tour Series.

A private club with top-of-the-bell-curve amenities, The Territory has opened its fairways to all via popular stay-and-play packages. Guests can enjoy country club living while staying in the luxurious, graciously appointed homes that feature two-to-four spacious bedrooms, a living room, full kitchen and baths. Package pricing per person is:
* Single: $275 per night
* Double: $225 per night
* Triple: $195 per night
* Foursome: $175 per night

For more information on The Territory, call 580.475.0075 or visit www.territorygolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Friday, October 30, 2009

Yes! Golf Kicks off the Holiday Season with Putter Promotion

(DENVER) - Yes! Golf announced a promotion to kick off the holiday season. Yes! Golf is offering consumers who purchase a C-Groove putter a free Yes! Golf embroidered towel.

All 24 models of the C-Groove Yes! Golf putters are part of this holiday promotion. The towel is 16" X 24" and is available in black or pink with the signature Yes! Golf logo embroidered on it. The promotion runs through Dec. 31, 2009 in the U.S. only. The promotion is being handled directly by Yes! Golf. To learn more about the promotion or to get the towel request form, go to www.yesgolf.com.

Yes! C-Groove putters continue to gain popularity on the professional tours and in the golf shops. Yes! putters are currently used by more than 200 tour professionals worldwide and have won on all the professional tours in 2009.

Yes! Golf introduced eight new C-Groove models in 2009. The models include three blades, Robin, Jennie and Dawn; three new mallets, Madison, Ashley and Athena; and two models with interchangeable hosels, Tracy III Plus and Lizzy Plus. The entire product line of putters can be viewed at www.yesgolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Utopia Golf Products Initiates Corporate Program

(UTOPIA, Texas) - Utopia Golf Products, maker of finely-milled performance-based putters, has initiated a corporate program in which putters can be milled with a company logo or name.

The logoed putters can be ordered in large- or small-quantity batches and can be used as corporate gifts, awards or promotional items.

"We believe our new corporate division will be well received," says Scott Saunders, president of Utopia Golf Products. "Companies appreciate the chance to give something useful and of value to their employees or clients, and we are glad to provide this service."

Utopia Golf Products made its official début at the PGA Fall Expo in September in Las Vegas with welcome fanfare and highly successful results. Winner of a "Best New Product" award at the Expo, Utopia Golf Products is attracting the attention of golf instructors, equipment buyers, shop owners and players who appreciate the appealing putter designs with built-in performance features, in addition to the accomplished workmanship and high quality of the clubs.

Each Utopia club is designed, milled, hand-assembled, painted and polished to exact standards at the company's manufacturing facility in Utopia, Texas, under the watchful eyes of putter designers Scott Saunders and Michael Hillis.

The Utopia TXR I cavity-back blade putter and TXR II heel-shafted cavity-back mallet putter feature a ridge that acts as the face, creating a thin leading line the company refers to as "The Edge." The purpose of "The Edge" is to give "true roll" to the ball, allowing it to move smoothly along the intended line to the hole and reducing the probability of a mis-hit. Utopia putters are designed to strike the ball just above its equator to provide instant forward roll without skidding, hopping, skipping, side- or backspin.

Utopia Golf Products was founded this year by Bill Deichler, Mike Hillis and Scott Saunders, all residents of Utopia, Texas, a town of under 300 residents located about 80 miles west of San Antonio in Texas Hill Country. Inspired by their own putting woes and their love of the game, they set out to create putters that would offer the pleasure of improved performance to golfers of all skill levels. With the twin goals of striving to perfect their own play and providing opportunities to others to improve their games, the founders decided to name their company "Utopia Golf Products," both in honor of their beloved little hometown and to reflect the unlimited potential of their creations.

Utopia putters will be available at pro shops, green-grass retailers, sporting goods retailers and other golf retail outlets across the U.S, as well as on the company Web site. The putters can be imprinted with club, corporate or organization logos. They make perfect tee and tournament prizes or great gifts any time of year.

For more information, see http://www.utopiagolfproducts.com/.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Pocono Mountains Home to “Best New” Course in United States

Jack Frost National Earns Prestigious Golfweek Honor

(POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pennsylvania) – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, which has overseen tourism in the four-county region for 75 years, announces that Jack Frost National (JFN) has garnered a spot in Golfweek's triennial rankings of the “Best New Courses in the United States.”

Opened in 2007, the Terry Lagree-design is an 18-hole, par-72 layout that stretches to 7,256 yards from the tips and plays to a beginner-friendly distance of 5,129 from the forward tees. Jack Frost National – managed by Billy Casper Golf – offers various elevation changes throughout the 200-acre plus course and dazzling views of the Pocono Mountains.

“The Pocono Mountains has a golf-laden history with designs by top architects of the Golden Age like A.W. Tillinghast, Robert Trent Jones and Donald Ross,” says Carl Wilgus, President and CEO of the PMVB. “With its modern layout and captivating views, Jack Frost National provides all the features golfers desire in a mountain course.”

Jack Frost National, like many Pocono Mountains courses, has placed an importance on conserving Mother Nature’s majesty. JFN is enrolled in Audubon International's Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses to ensure that it helps protect the environment, preserves natural resources and provides wildlife habitats.

Defining new courses as ones opened from 2007 – 2009, Golfweek’s rankings take into account overall strength of routing, feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety and memorability of holes, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management and other criteria. Golfweek sends approximately 400 "America's Best" raters in search of the country's finest golf courses. Those raters submit ballots grading on a 10-point scale and the scores for each course are averaged to get the overall rating.

For more information on the Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret, visit http://www.poconosgolf.com/ or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Friday, October 23, 2009

Mississippi Continues Ascent as a Leading Golf-and-Casino-Resort Destination

PGA TOUR’s Viking Classic Scheduled for Play; National Best-of Awards Garnered this Year Showcase the Magnolia State’s Rising Star

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The Magnolia State first comes to many people’s awareness through grade-school spelling exercises – M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I. Now, however, when people think of the state, particularly discerning travelers, G-O-L-F is often at the forefront.

Mississippi has established itself as the world’s best golf-and-gaming destination thanks to an abundance of highly decorated courses authored by some of the game’s greatest architects and an array of top-rated casino resorts.

While these assets entice visitors from around the globe, another great demonstration of Mississippi’s special golf-and-resort destination offerings comes from the PGA TOUR.

Many of the world’s best golfers will visit Mississippi next week to play in the PGA TOUR’s Viking Classic held at Jack Nicklaus-designed Annandale Country Club in Madison (Oct. 26-Nov. 1). Will MacKenzie is the defending champion and many other stars will also participate including David Toms, Rocco Mediate, Tim Clark, John Daly, Charles Howell III, Rich Beem, David Duval, Nick O’Hern, Vaughn Taylor, Alex Cjeka, and Mississippi native and 2009 FedEx Cup event winner Heath Slocum.

“This PGA TOUR event is, pardon the pun, ‘TaylorMade’ for Mississippi,” said D. Craig Ray, Mississippi Development Authority Division of Tourism Director. “The courses in our great state are consistently honored with ‘best-of’ awards including Annandale Country Club. The Viking Classic is an excellent way for us to showcase Mississippi through our courses and the game’s great players.”

Tournament coverage will be broadcast on the Golf Channel Thursday through Sunday (Oct. 29-Nov. 1).

In addition to great courses, Mississippi is home to an array of fine casino resorts, many with award-winning golf course amenities. So much so that the state is considered by discerning critics as the nation’s best golf resort-and-gaming destination in the world. Visitors are also enticed by the state’s many off-course attractions including the Blues Trail, five distinct regions ranging from the Delta to the Gulf Coast, its world-famous southern hospitality, its chefs and their gastronomic delights.

For more information about Mississippi call toll-free 866-801-8551, or go to http://www.visitmississippi.org/ and receive a free Golf Travel Guide, suggested play-and-stay itineraries and other attractions.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Hamlet Country Club Completes Green Technology Renovations

(DELRAY BEACH, Fla.) - The Hamlet Country Club has completed a $10 million renovation to prepare the facility for its current members and a whole new generation of baby boomers. The modern restoration includes the exterior and interior of the 38,000 square foot Clubhouse.

The charm of the clubhouse and the Hamlet's location has long made it a popular choice for events, but inquiries have increased based on the luxurious facelift. The remodel created a variety of impressive banquet rooms to meet the catering needs of members, corporate clients and party planners. The ballroom seats up to 300 for events. The contemporary Balinese interior fuses elegance with innovative "Green" aspects like bamboo cabinetry, sisal and cypress wood ceilings, cork wall treatments to bamboo tiles and a lighted recycled coca-cola bottle glass bar all created by Sam Rosenberg Design of Palm Beach.

Repairs and replacement to all aspects of the private club spanned a twelve-month period. The Hamlet has a reputation for excellence in its food and beverage service, its Tennis and Fitness Centers and its well-manicured golf course, considered among the finest in South Florida.

Along with the extensive renovations to the Clubhouse, the Hamlet also renovated its golf course to bring it into the 21st Century with "Green" attributes as well. After researching several varieties of grass, the Club elected to convert the tee areas to Celebration Bermuda. Celebration is a very heat tolerant grass and allows for lower mowing heights. An earth friendly grass, Celebration requires less fertilization and fewer chemicals, which also equates to less water. So the course will always be in the green, the Hamlet converted to a reclaimed water system two years ago.

Architect Ian Scott-Taylor conducted an in-depth study on the restoration of the golf course, one of the flagship courses designed and built by American golf architect great, "Gentleman Joe Lee." Mr. Lee designed and renovated more than 250 courses throughout the U.S. during his career. Noted for considering all levels of players, Mr. Lee designed the 18-hole regulation golf course at the Hamlet Country Club in 1972 and it opened for play in 1973.

Over the years, renovations and the impact of repeated hurricanes have resulted in many holes taking a different shape than Mr. Lee's original vision. The Hamlet's Green Committee contracted with Mr. Scott-Taylor to study each of the 18 holes and the course as a whole. Chair Carol Novarro said, "We knew we had a match with Ian Scott-Taylor when he walked the course and gave us feedback on each hole, which was a match to Joe Lee's suggestions that he gave us before his death in 2002."

According to Mr. Scott-Taylor, "I was delighted to be working on a course designed by Joe Lee. His trademark design elements - undulating greens, strategically located visible hazards and unique bunkering - were all there. We just needed to update them."

Mr. Scott-Taylor continued, "I'm restoring 'the Hamlet' to his vision. Next to Cog Hill, the Hamlet embodies all of Joe's little tricks and philosophies, every visit is a historian's dream, I just feel Joe's keeping an eye to make sure I get it right."

Alan Goldstein, Club President, concludes, "It has been very rewarding to see the transformation of the property from what it was to now. The members are very complimentary of the changes, and they take pride in what The Hamlet has become."

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