The new headquarters will anchor a 600-acre, mixed-use development with an initial investment worth more than $500B that will include the building of two championship golf courses and an Omni resort. Under the agreement with the city of Frisco and other partners, two PGA Championships and a potential Ryder Cup will be brought to the…
PGA of America Holds Inclusion Event for 2019 Championship
To help “local and diverse” suppliers participate in one of golf’s major championships within the $84.1 billion golf industry, the PGA invited businesses owned by minorities, veterans and other groups to learn how they could partner with larger prime, or “tier one,” suppliers that will be engaged in the 2019 Championship when it’s held on…
France’s “Compact Urban Courses” Attract New Golfers
The French versions of pitch-and-putt courses are being developed on small parcels of land in residential and commercial zones near major population centers, to attract more younger players and higher handicappers. The concept, credited with creating nearly 50,000 new golfers, gained further momentum from the country’s hosting of the Ryder Cup and a drive to…
Ryder Cup Mishap Reopens Debate on Recourse for Errant Golf Shots
After a spectator at the recent competition in Paris was struck by a Brooks Koepka drive, causing “an explosion of the eyeball” and leading to reports that she is considering legal action against the event’s organizers, legal experts reiterated that winning judgments in such cases is difficult, especially in the U.S. “The law is pretty…
Congressional CC Lands Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, Six Other Events
The Bethesda, Md. club will host the new schedule of championships for the PGA of America on its Blue Course over the next two decades, to add to its storied history that has already included a trio of U.S. Opens, the 1976 PGA Championship, and many other Tour events. The Blue Course will receive a…
Detroit GC Gets PGA Tour Stop
The club will host an event sponsored by Quicken Loans in June 2019, with the parties signing a four-year deal to bring professional golf to the Motor City as the PGA released its 2018-2019 schedule. The Detroit Golf Club will be the host for the first PGA Tour tournament to be played inside the Motor…
Hazeltine National GC to Host Ryder Cup in 2028
The Chaska, Minn., property was the site of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team’s 17-11 victory in 2016, and will become the first American venue to host a second Ryder Cup. The PGA of America employed the U.S. men’s Olympic curling team to make the announcement in a 30-second spot deployed online. The PGA of America…
Hazeltine National GC Continues Post-Ryder Cup Restoration
The Chaska, Minn., property hosted the Ryder Cup last fall and crews are still working to get the golf course back to championship form. Some areas are getting new sod, and seeding is taking place along walking paths where an estimated 300,000 people toured the course.
Shadow Wood CC Selects Rees Jones for Golf Course Renovations
Upgrades of the Bonita Springs, Fla. property’s North and South courses are planned for the summer months of 2017 and 2018. Jones was selected for the projects based largely on a recommendation from the courses’ original designer, Bob Cupp, before Cupp died last year.
‘Tiger Woods of West Africa’ Now Caddies at Congressional CC
The Washington Post featured the story of James Lebbie, who grew up in Sierra Leone and became the first African to win the Nigerian Open. Lebbie’s future as a pro golfer was bright until his career was disrupted by Sierra Leone’s civil war. Now 58, he has caddied at Congressional CC for the past three years and routinely shows his skills when playing on off-days, as he tries to stay sharp to pursue his hope of someday returning to tournament competition.
Friday Filmfest: Hazeltine Heckler Turns Up the Hype for Ryder Cup
After David Johnson, a spectator at Thursday’s final practice round for the European team, yelled out to Rory McElroy and Andy Sullivan that he could make the putts they were missing, Henrik Stenson pulled him out of the crowd for a “truth or dare” moment (heightened by Justin Rose adding $100 to the challenge) that soon went viral and added even more excitement to the competition that starts today at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
“Major Series of Putting” to Debut in March 2017
Billed as the largest putting tournament in history, the event will be held in Las Vegas with multiple championship events offering prize money expected to exceed $10 million. PGA pros at properties throughout North America are being invited to hold qualifying events.
Valhalla GC Founder Dwight Gahm Dies at 96
In 1981, the businessman began to pursue his goal to build a world-class facility that would bring major championships to the Louisville, Ky. region. The club has hosted three PGA championships, two Senior PGAs and the 2008 Ryder Cup on its Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Valhalla GC was sold in 2000 to the PGA of America.
PGA National Resort & Spa Opens Renovated Sports & Racquet Club
The 33,000-sq. ft. facility underwent a $4 million facelift and now includes indoor racquetball and volleyball courts, two lighted pickleball/paddle ball courts and a five-lane saltwater lap pool. It will offer 75 weekly classes and activities, including belly dancing, kickboxing and rowing. An “iZone” will be provided for kids.
Herb Kohler to Receive 2016 Old Tom Morris Award
The former CEO of Kohler Co. took the home-products and design company into the golf business during his 43 years with the company, building four courses at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits and buying resort hotel properties in St Andrews, Scotland. He will receive the award named after St Andrews’ long-time superintendent at the Golf Industry Show in San Diego next February.