Golf News 10 February 2023

Golf News 12 February 2023

In golf news this week are items from Puma, Myrtle Beach’s World Amateur, the USGA and PGA TOUR Champions. For past issues of GolfBlogger golf news, follow the link.

Puma Golf X Arnold Palmer Collection Allows Modern Players To Enjoy The Style of Golf’s Best Dressed Icon

CARLSBAD, Calif. (February 10, 2023) – Golfers far and wide are familiar with the multi-colored umbrella logo and the world-famous sports icon it represents. Fittingly, on National Umbrella Day, PUMA GOLF is introducing its latest collaboration with Arnold Palmer Enterprises. Comprised of apparel, footwear, and accessories, all of which were designed by drawing inspiration from Arnold Palmer’s legacy both on and off the course, the newest PUMA Golf x Arnold Palmer Collection embodies the essence of what golf’s greatest style icon would be wearing today.

Designed as a celebration of “the man,” himself, the 2023 AP Collection utilizes imagery from three key themes in Mr. Palmer’s life – The Pilot, The Star, and The Icon. Things like Cactus and Palm trees from his love of Palm Springs and the desert, lemons and tea bags representing his namesake drink, and various golf-related items like tees, clubs, and flagsticks, all call to mind different parts of The King’s life. Details like imagery appearing not only outside but also inside shirt and sweater collars, high-end fabrics, and quality stitching, set the AP Collection apart from standard golf apparel. To fully honor Mr. Palmer, a pallet of bold colors including Tropical Aqua, Pale Pink, and Lake Blue, are applied in a tasteful but eye-catching way, as is a two-tone version of his iconic umbrella logo. 

The 2023 Spring/Summer PUMA Golf x Arnold Palmer collection is comprised of six polos, one tee shirt, two layering pieces, two pairs of shorts, one pair of shoes, and three cap options. The apparel and accessories will be available online and at retail starting today, 2/10. The footwear will be launching on February 27 in conjunction with the PGA Tour’s stop at Bay Hill for the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

For more information on the 2023 PUMA GOLF x Arnold Palmer Collection, visit http://www.pumagolf.com

Mark Your Calendar: 40th Annual World Amateur Handicap Championship to Begin Accepting Entries February 15

Golf’s Largest Single-Site Tournament Expected to Attract 3,200+ Players

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 40th annual PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship will begin accepting entries for the milestone event February 15. A 72-hole, net stroke play tournament, the World Am will be played Aug. 28 – Sept. 1 and more than 3,200 players from across the world are again expected to participate. 

Early entry into the tournament, which includes at least four rounds of golf, nightly admission to the World’s Largest 19th Hole and a gift bag, is $599 through March 23, a $100 savings off the regular cost. Players that register by March 23 will also be eligible to win one of 67 random drawing prizes valued at more than $10,000 from brands such as TaylorMade, REVO and more.

“The World Am is the game’s premier recreational tournament, and the fact we have arrived at Year 40 and continue to attract a robust field is a testament to the event’s enduring appeal,” said tournament director Scott Tomasello. “We can’t wait to welcome golfers back to Myrtle Beach and provide them the opportunity to compete like a pro over the course of 72 holes and earn the title of World Champion. With everything we have planned for this year’s tournament, especially at the World’s Largest 19th Hole, 2023 will be a great for our players.”

The World Am, which will be played on more than 50 Myrtle Beach area golf courses, flights players based on age, gender and handicap and is open to all golfers 17 years of age and older with a verifiable USGA handicap.

The World Am flights players into 12 divisions – men 49 and under, senior men (50-59), mid-senior men (60-69), super senior men (70-79), seasoned seniors (80+), women (59 and under), senior women (60+), the gross division, senior (50+) gross division, mid-senior (60+) gross division and women’s gross division. There is also a “Just For Fun” flight, created for players who want to enjoy the World Am experience without the pressure of competition.

After four days of tournament play, all flight winners and ties advance to the World Championship Playoff, an 18-hole shootout that crowns the event’s winner.

While the competition is initially what lures players to the tournament, it’s only part of what keeps them coming back. At the heart of the World Am’s appeal is the camaraderie among its participants and much of that kinship is fostered at the World’s Largest 19th Hole. 

Each night of the event, the 19th Hole overtakes all 120,000-square feet of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, providing participants with free food and drinks, live entertainment, celebrity guest appearances, a golf expo and more. Among the big names that have appeared at the 19th Hole in recent years are David Feherty, Brandel Chamblee, Charlie Rymer and John Daly.

Players also receive a gift bag that includes a polo, pullover, golf towel, logo’d hat, PGA Tour Superstore gift card and an assortment of other goodies valued cumulatively at $250.

For more information, please visit www.MyrtleBeachWorldAmateur.com.

USGA Launches GS3 – An Innovative Technology Tool Designed to Streamline Putting Green Performance Measurement

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Feb. 7, 2023) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the launch of GS3, a state-of-the-art golf technology tool that calculates putting green speed, firmness, smoothness and trueness – all with one device. 

A rechargeable smart ball that is the same size and weight as a standard golf ball, GS3 creates accurate, measurable, first-of-their-kind agronomic benchmarks that superintendents can use to facilitate change more effectively on their course. The tool has sensors that collect over 15,000 data points, empowering analytics-driven decisions.

Fully integrated with, and operating on, the USGA’s DEACON™ course management platform via a Bluetooth connection, GS3 employs data to help superintendents manage their facility, including weather, mowing practices, resource applications and course setup, all in one place. The mapping technology in DEACON displays the facility, and GPS stores exactly where a greenkeeper last took measurements. All data is also calculated locally in case of internet issues and synchronized to the cloud at a later time.

For golf course administrators to use GS3, a USGA Stimpmeter is required. From there, the user activates the GS3 ball, selects their position via GPS on the DEACON app, and performs six roll tests – three each in opposite directions. 

The initial rollout of GS3 included an advance look at the tool for select courses, with the intent of gathering feedback and refining areas of opportunity. 

Launched in 2021, the DEACON app is an online data tool designed to help operators improve the golfer experience while conserving resources and optimizing labor hours. DEACON creates pace-of-play reports, tracks surface management, integrates with soil-moisture sensors, offers hole location options for championship-quality hole location sheets, and provides weather insights. 

Having assessed the technology through pilot testing during the 2022 USGA championship season, the organization’s goal is to use GS3 at every championship in 2023 and beyond. 

Stephen Curry To Be Named 2023 Ambassador of Golf

AKRON, Ohio – Today the Kaulig Companies Championship, PGA TOUR Champions and Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation announced that NBA champion Stephen Curry will be named the 2023 recipient of the Ambassador of Golf Award. Curry will be recognized the evening of Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the Ambassador of Golf event, presented by the FirstEnergy Foundation, at Firestone Country Club. The award – which benefits the Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation – honors a person who has fostered the ideals of the game on an international level and whose concerns for others extends beyond the golf course.

In addition to Curry being named the 2023 Ambassador of Golf, PGA TOUR Champions has partnered with UNDERRATED Golf to host an event at Firestone Country Club featuring 96 junior golfers that includes 48 boys and 48 girls ages 12 to 18 from across the country. This event will be hosted from on Thursday, July 6 through Saturday, July 8, 2023 on the South Course at Firestone Country Club – the same course where the Kaulig Companies Championship will be contested the following week.

“While golf has always been a passion of mine, I can’t turn a blind eye to the major inequities that exist in the sport amongst underrepresented individuals,” said Stephen Curry. “With UNDERRATED Golf, we want to provide unparalleled opportunities and learnings to individuals who may not normally have access to the sport. I believe that golf, unlike any other sport, offers a very powerful vehicle to positively shape and impact an individual’s social and professional career across their lifetime. It is my hope that through this exciting endeavor, we can create a brighter and sustainable future for these young prospects.”

Golf News 10 February 2023 first appeared on GolfBlogger.Com