Antigua Is Title Sponsor of the 9th Annual Antigua High School Invitational

PEORIA, AZ - The Antigua Group, Inc. - one of the nation's leading designers and marketers of lifestyle and golf apparel under the distinguished Antigua brand – will serve as title sponsor of the 9th Annual Antigua National High School Golf Invitational for 2018.   The tournament will be played August 30th through September 1st at the beautiful Whirlwind Golf Club.  Forty-one boys and girls teams from eight states and two nations will be competing.   
Antigua has been the title sponsor of the event since its inception, and it’s proved to be a worthwhile cause for the company. "Antigua is proud to support all aspects of golf, especially junior and high school golf," says Ron McPherson, president and CEO of the Antigua Group. "Coach Steve Kanner of Hamilton High School envisioned the event and has worked tirelessly to make it successful."

For more details on the event, visit www.anhsgi.org.  (READ MORE...)

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10 GOOD REASONS TO GOLF THE OUTER BANKS...THIS FALL

 

OUTER BANKS, NC – Golf around North Carolina’s storied Outer Banks represents an outstanding selection of fun and affordable yet quality golf courses — along with eclectic accommodations and a plethora of off-course activities that have transformed the Outer Banks into a mini-Mecca sportsman’s paradise.

 

Here are 10 “shore” things that make the OBX a perfect destination for a fall golf trip.

1. The Carolina Golf Club

   Autumn offers the best weather and course conditions of the year. Fall golfers face many enviable choices during their trips …  wearing shorts or pants, hitting 5- or 6-irons into ocean breezes, flopping or pitching off lush turf, deciding between links or parkland designs, among others.
    
2. A famous expression coined long ago at Cahoon’s Grocery and Variety Store in Nags Head goes, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” This OBX motto could easily be applied to its golf. From true barrier island links courses to modern parkland marvels located inland, the region is so chock full of variety, golfers truly don’t have to go anywhere else. The challenges at The Pointe, The Carolina Club, Nags Head Golf Links, Kilmarlic and The Currituck Club are as spectacular as the coastal views they possess. There may be no better location for an affordable and memorable fall golf getaway than the Outer Banks. (READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE...)

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GOLF'S NO. 1 APP ENHANCES PUTT BREAKS WITH 3D GREENS MAPS AND ONE-TOUCH PUTT READING 

 

GolfLogix introduces FREE 30-DAY TRIAL of Putt Breaks, a feature that shows golfers how their putts will break on 8,000+ courses.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - GolfLogix, the most downloaded app in golf, is introducing its innovative Putt Breaks feature, bringing an entirely new level of advanced 3D mapping that allows golfers to see exactly how their putts will break. With Putt Breaks, GolfLogix continues to change the way amateur golfers play golf. With one touch, Putt Breaks instantly provides a precise green read in full-color 3D, with detailed maps that auto-orient based on the golfer's position. (READ MORE...)

GOLF ADVISOR “GETAWAY” COMES  TO REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

Join Golf Channel Travel Guru Matt Ginella for 4-day, 3-night “Golftoberfest”

GREENSBORO, Ga. (July 12, 2018) – A golf buddy trip of a lifetime—hosted by travel guru Matt Ginella of Golf Channel—is set for is Oct. 21-24 at Reynolds Lake Oconee, the award-winning lakefront golf resort community between Atlanta and Augusta.

This festive fall “Golftoberfest” will feature a complete immersion into the luxury golf and sporting lifestyle at the world-class destination on Georgia’s sparkling Lake Oconee.  (READ MORE...)

The Symetra Tour’s Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout
presented by PepsiCo Announces Three-Year Extension

EL DORADO, AR, April 3, 2018 – Murphy USA is excited to announce an extended commitment to the Symetra Tour, adding the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout to the Tour schedule through 2020. Since hosting the first El Dorado Shootout Tournament in 2015, this event has become a favorite among both the female athletes on the Tour and those living in the South Arkansas community.

Bag Boy Launches Electronic Tech Accessories

Richmond, VA –  The Bag Boy Company is proud to announce a new line of five electronic tech accessories featuring the Mini Soundbar, Electronic Hand Warmer, 3-in-1 Fan, Bluetooth Speaker and Solar Charger. “Our goal was to transform our push cart into the ultimate walking machine,” said Pat Gallagher, Dynamic Brands Product Manager. “Then, we took it a step further and made universal attachments, so these accessories are portable and can be used in any setting.”  (READ MORE...)

2018 Dominican Republic
Golf Travel Exchange Dates Announced

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The fifth annual Dominican Republic Golf Travel Exchange will return Sept. 1 through Sept. 6 for the second year at SECRETS® Cap Cana Resort & Spa. The announcement follows the 2018 World Golf Awards where Dominican Republic was recently announced the Best Caribbean Golf Destination for the fourth consecutive year. (READ MORE...)

Wellington Travel/Golf Writer
Returns From Editorial Excursion to England

WELLINGTON, FLORIDA – June 22, 2018 – World-class golf and tourism opportunities abound in England’s county of Kent.  That’s the message from Wellington, Florida-based golf writer Mike May who has just returned from a recent trip to Kent – located immediately to the southeast of London.  While in England in mid June, May played eight rounds of golf, visited two castles, saw one cathedral, toured England’s oldest brewery, and dined in a pub that predates Christopher Columbus’ arrival in America.

During his stay in Kent, May played eight courses in six days.  Three of the rounds were on championship links courses, which have all hosted past (British) Open Championships – Royal St. George’s (the site of The Open in 2020); Royal Cinque Ports (hosted The Open in 1909 and 1920); and Prince’s Golf Club (hosted The Open in 1932).  A fourth course that he played – Littlestone Golf Club – is also a championship links course and has served as qualifier for the Open.  (READ MORE...)

According to Golf Digest:
Bay Harbor among Best Resorts in the Americas

Boyne Resorts flagship property recognized by Golf Digest editors

Petoskey, MI – The Inn at Bay Harbor, the flagship property for Boyne Resorts, one of largest golf and resort attractions in North America, has received an Editor’s Choice Award by Golf Digest as one of the Best Golf Resorts in the Americas.

The publication's annual review of "The Best Things in Golf" by its editors appears in the May 2018 issue and online at Golfdigest.com. The listing recognizes resorts throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Canada.

The scenic Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, located along a seven-mile stretch of Lake Michigan in Northern Michigan, was recognized by the editors as one of the best resorts in the Midwest region. Bay Harbor joined other elite destinations from the Midwest including The American Club, Erin Hills, Forest Dunes, French Lick Resort, Giants Ridge, and Sand Valley. (READ MORE...)

From Enrichment to Equipment
...TGA Launches New Junior Golf Club Line

Leading youth sports brand expands to become the only company in the golf industry to offer junior golf programming and equipment

TGA Premier Golf (TGA), one of the nation’s leading introductory and recreational golf programs, has expanded on its junior golf expertise with the launching of its own line of custom fit golf clubs for boys and girls.

 

“Since 2003 TGA has become a leading expert on introductory and recreational junior golf instruction,” said TGA’s founder and CEO, Joshua Jacobs. “By experiencing first hand how juniors learn, swing and react to equipment, we have developed junior clubs that kids will find esthetically pleasing and well performing, which will further expand our expertise and credibility among our golf consumers.”  (READ MORE...)

 

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True Spec Golf Opens Fitting Facility at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

 

CARLSBAD, CA - Custom club fitting leader True Spec Golf has officially opened a state-of-the-art shipping container fitting facility at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa's Golf Performance Institute in Carlsbad, Calif. Located just north of San Diego, within the iconic world-class resort, this is their first shipping container fitting studio stocked with a full studio fitting matrix, blueprint station, loft and lie machine, and Trackman. 

 

"We are thrilled to partner with Omni La Costa to open True Spec," says Tim Briand, Director of Fitting and Sales at True Spec Golf. "It's an amazing learning environment for golfers in one of the world's best golf settings. With two championship courses on site, it was an easy decision to bring True Spec to La Costa." (READ MORE..)

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MONTHLY SUSCRIPTION GOODIE BOX FOR GOLFERS

At GoGolfandTravel.com, we receive a lot of products for testing and reviewing. When the iGC package arrived, we were surprised at the quality of very useful golf items in the attractive gift box. So, we took each item out one-by-one and gave them the test of usefulness, quality and value. They all met the test with high marks. There’s something in the package that every golfer can use.

The iGC provided us with the following:

• Six (6) golf balls with urethane cover, three piece,
• One (1) cabretta leather golf with magnetic ball marker,
• Two (2) izzo “flatball” training aids,
• Ten (10) golf tees (high durability, star pattern), and
• One (1) ballmark/on course game sample from Vegas Golf the Game.

This is only a sample of the kinds of products a golfer receives with either a seasonal (March – September) or year-round subscription to the iGC package plan. The cost is the same for either subscription, $19 per month, plus $2.95 for shipping. (READ MORE TO ORDER...)

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New Leadership Drives Innovation at aboutGolf 

Maumee, Ohio -- aboutGolf, Limited, the world leader in golf simulator and golf performance technology, is pleased to announce that its shareholders have appointed a new board and management team to drive the business with an innovation- and people-focused strategy. As a result, leading the company's next chapter are Executive Chairman Brett Campbell and CEO/President Randall Henry.

Richmond, VA – The Bag Boy Company, a golf industry leader since 1946, is proud to announce their 2018 bag line featuring 2 new cart bags – the Defender and the Revolver FX, along with a new stand bag, the TL Stand Bag. New colorways are also introduced in the Chiller Hybrid and Chiller Cart Bags. “We are excited to announce our new bag line, all 5 models include our innovative attachment system, TOP-LOK™ Technology,” said Pat Gallagher, Bag Boy Product Manager.

“TOP-LOK™ Technology is a patented bag-to-cart attachment system designed to securely lock a Bag Boy bag onto a Bag Boy push cart preventing the bag from twisting or turning, eliminating the need for cart straps,” said Gallagher. “We created a secure attachment that was lacking in the traditional brackets and straps method.  The benefit with TOP-LOK™ is your bag will no longer twist and turn, requiring readjustment in the middle of your round.” (READ MORE...)

GULL LAKE VIEW GOLF CLUB & RESORT
ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW STOATIN BRAE GOLF CLUB

Renaissance Golf Design's Course is Attracting National Attention

AUGUSTA, MI – Golf designers are transitioning into a much-anticipated phase that puts the sheer enjoyment of the game – the fun of golf – at the forefront. Not long ago, the buzzword in new course construction was minimalist. Today, it’s maximizing the joy of the game. The new Stoatin Brae golf course at Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort in southwest Michigan takes this concept to heart. After a partial opening last fall, Stoatin Brae is ready to hit the ground running with 18 holes opening this spring. It’s charm and beauty is sure to resonate with golfers, and Stoatin Brae has everything a premier golf destination course needs – rolling topography, spectacular views and pure, uncompromising golf where the secret to a good round is hitting good golf shots. (READ MORE...)

Miura Golf Debuts Hayate Driver and Fairway Woods

Miura Golf has introduced its new Hayate driver and fairway woods. Pronounced "hi yaw tay", Hayate directly translates to "the sound of the wind", says Bill Holowaty, COO of Miura Golf.  "The Miura family has worked long and hard to create models that offer forged excellence to golfers who don't strike the ball consistently. The same can now be said with the Hayate line of woods. The patience and attention to detail of Shinei Miura - son of company founder and legendary clubmaker Katsuhiro Miura -- have resulted in a driver and fairway woods that are worthy of the Miura name." (READ MORE...)

SILVIES VALLEY RANCH IN OREGON OPENS NEW FRONTIER
RETREAT DEEP IN THE PURE WEST

The development and design of new golf courses and resorts in today’s market are becoming few and far between.  Silvies Valley Ranch is named for a French trapper, Antonine Sylvaille who discovered the valley in the early 1800's. The 140,000 acre working ranch is located in the central eastern section of Oregon. This new family resort offers two 18-hole reversible golf courses, a 9-hole par-3 course, a 7-hole “gauntlet” course and authentic experiences of the Old West.  You ask, “When you have 140,000 acres, why build reversible courses?  Why not two typical 18-hole courses?”  Well, that’s why this is a good story for both the golfer and the family looking for a unique vacation experience.

We caught up with Dan Hixson recently and he answered our questions. Hixson is the golf course architect from just outside of Portland and one of only two high-powered golf course designers from that state.  He grew up in the Cottage Grove area and attended Oregon State College. Dan is the son of a club professional, raised on the golf course and a former golf professional.  He decided to form his own design business in 1999. Dan designed a couple of notable courses in the Northwest such as Bandon Crossings in Bandon, Oregon and Wine Valley in Walla Walla, Washington.  The other Oregonian star golf course architect is David McKay Kidd who designed the Bandon Dunes Course and Tetherow Golf Course in Bend. (READ MORE...)

POIPU BAY GOLF COURSE LAUNCHES NEW "OCEAN ELEVEN" GOLF PROGRAM

Golfers play holes 8-18 with early morning tee times

POIPU, Kauai, Hawaii – With sun-soaked days on an island known for its wealth of activities, Kauai visitors have a lot to fit into their schedule. Poipu Bay Golf Course’s new “Ocean Eleven” program allows golfers to take in the island’s best holes while still leaving time for other experiences.

Providing an early start to the day, the “Ocean Eleven” golf program at Poipu Bay Golf Course includes just 11 holes with tee times between 7-8 a.m. Golfers play holes 8-18, with the green fee, cart fee, GPS and bottled water included in the program rate. Price is $115 per person. Special club rentals available at $35. Tee times can be booked at 800-858-6300 or 808-742-8711. (READ MORE...)
 

ON AND OFF THE COURSE RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AT SELECT
OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS GOLF DESTINATIONS

The Omni Homestead is enhancing its Cascades Course, regarded as the finest mountain course in the country, designed by architect William S. Flynn in the 1920s.

DALLAS, Texas  – Three courses and one clubhouse in the Omni Hotels & Resorts Golf Collection are undergoing improvements as part of Omni’s commitment to its premier golf destinations coast to coast, including two of Omni’s most historic properties — the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. and Omni Bedford Springs in Bedford, PA.

A new clubhouse will be unveiled at Omni Bedford Springs in summer 2017 which will feature an architectural design that reflects the integrity of the resort, a National Historic Landmark established in 1804. The 5,000-square-foot clubhouse will be home to a restaurant, golf shop, and both indoor and outdoor viewing areas overlooking the Old Course, an American classic designed by Spencer Oldham (1895), A.W. Tillinghast (1912), and Donald Ross (1923). (READ MORE...)

OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS HIT THE SWEET SPOT

DALLAS – Omni Hotels & Resorts have hit the sweet spot with its “Magic of Maple” promotion that features mouthwatering libations and menu items created from maple, being showcased this summer at its properties across the country. And at the 12 Omni Golf Resorts, golf professionals are sharing a sweet series of golf tips so golfers can handle “sticky situations” on their world-class golf courses.

Whether it’s dealing with a water hazard, handling a tricky lie around the green, or facing an impossible shot to save par – Omni’s professionals can help…before, during and after the round.

Omni golf professionals know what to do when things really get sticky (To see the full text for escaping these sticky situations on the golf course, visit https://www.omnihotels.com/blog/golf-sticky-situations:

“Playing out of a water hazard”
Simon Andres, Director of Golf at The Omni Grove Park Inn

If a shot winds up in a water hazard and you want to play it, you can. It all depends on the lie. … Pull on your rain pants, particularly if it’s one of the first holes of the day. You don’t want to spend all day in wet pants … Limit the damage – to your score and to your clothes. (READ MORE...)

Poipu Bay Golf Course Launches New “7-Hole Stretch” Golf Program for 2016

POIPU, Hawaii – Golfers have a new way to fit some green time into busy schedules on Kauai. Poipu Bay Golf Course has announced a new “7-Hole Stretch” program that focuses play on only the first seven holes.

In contrast to the common 9-hole specials offered by most courses, the Poipu Bay Golf Course “7-Hole Stretch” program aims to fill a need by golfers on an even tighter budget or schedule. With the 7th hole finishing at the Poipu Bay Clubhouse, golfers can swiftly check-out and be on their way.  (READ MORE...)

PRIVATE VILLA, SPECTACULAR GOLF, PERSONAL CHEF,
AND MORE AWAIT AT PUEBLO BONITO’S MONTECRISTO ESTATES
All-inclusive package features unlimited golf at spectacular Quivira Golf Club

Los Cabos, Mexico -  Avidgolfers who want to savor the luxury of a private villa with friends and family while teeing it up to their heart’s content at Quivira Golf Club, the dazzling world-class course at Land’s End, can take advantage of an exclusive new package.

Designed for sophisticated travelers who demand the best, the ‘Ultimate Golf Package’ is a four-night, five-day experience offering plush, spacious accommodations at a Montecristo Estates villa, each with a private infinity pool, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi, maid and butler service. The richly furnished, beautifully appointed villas, set within an exclusive gated resort community, are designed in a Spanish Colonial revival style and feature panoramic ocean views. The Montecristo Unlimited Golf Package includes food and beverage at on-property restaurants and convenient shuttle access and transfers to the restaurants, bars and facilities of all four Pueblo Bonito Oceanfront Resorts and Spas in Los Cabos.

For golfers, the cornerstone of the program is unlimited play at Quivira Golf Club, a spectacular Jack Nicklaus-designed layout opened to acclaim in 2014. The 7,139-yard, par-72 course commences at sea level, scales sheer cliffs high above the foaming surf, meanders through massive dunes, rambles through desert foothills, and returns players to the thatched-roof clubhouse on the beach at the finish. With a view of the sea from every hole, Quivira has more oceanfront exposure than any other course in Los Cabos. (READ MORE...)

NEWLY LAUNCHED AIR FORCE ONE - AFX PRO SERIES IRONS
PALM DESERT, CA - Air Force One introduces the AFX Pro Series.

The AFX Pro Series replaces the AFO Players Series' irons, featuring less offset and a thinner top line.  The AFX Pro Series features Nitrogen Charged technology in the 3- and 4-iron, and an undercut cavity in the 5-iron thru PW.  In addition, the AFX Pro Series has matching muscleback 52-, 56- and 60-degree wedges.  The irons are soft cast, which produces a soft impact feel and workability.

Nitrogen Charged Technology uses nitrogen gas inside a hollow-back iron supported by 50 pounds of pressure.  This allows Air Force One to create a super-thin face with no internal bracing -- creating an enormous sweet spot with no hot or dead spots.  It creates incredibly consistent ball flight and distance from club to club.  (READ MORE...)

Miura Debuts Left-Handed Models

Miura Golf is now offering a new Y Grind option in its popular left handed models while also introducing a LH putter model for the first time.

"With our operations based in Canada, where recent statistics indicate that some 30 percent of new golfers are lefties, we're always looking to better serve left-handers," says Bill Holowaty, Executive Vice President, Product Strategies of Miura Golf. "We are thrilled to offer some more options for those golfers -- first with our LH KM 006 putter in which Mr. Miura has delivered a LH Forged Putter that feels as good as it looks. Secondly, the Y Grind version of our LH Blade and Cavity Back models allows golfers to benefit from a refined leading edge and sole design that leads to better turf interaction and therefore produces more solid shots."  (READ MORE...)

SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT TO HOST SUN BELT GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Raven Course to Host Men’s Conference Titles Through 2018

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. – In an agreement between Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the Sun Belt Conference, the prestigious Raven Golf Club will be the league’s host site for the men’s golf championships for the next four years, resort and conference officials announced today. The four-year deal starts with the Sun Belt Conference men’s golf championships on April 17-21, 2015. The subsequent conference championships will be held each April through 2018.   (READ MORE...)

Kiva Dunes is proud of the guidance and leadership Rea has provided during his four years as Director of Golf at Kiva Dunes and we welcome you to continue to learn the great game of golf from him in his new instructional academy through Honours Golf.

"In the last several years, Rea has developed a reputation among his contemporaries as being one of the most well-respected teachers in the area. Rea has instructed golfers of all skill levels, along with many of the area's best amateur and junior players. Now that Rea has associated himself with Honours Golf, I would encourage anyone to give him a call and let him teach you the game he knows and loves so well," Jim Edgemon, Kiva Dunes Properties.  (READ MORE...)

Fitchburg, MA - Yves C. Ton-That, a rules official and best selling golf author, has written a new booklet called "Golf Etiquette Quick Reference. A Golfer's Guide to Correct Conduct".

This new pocket-sized guide supplements "Golf Rules Quick Reference", Ton-That's first guide that sold more than one million copies and is the best selling golf book in the U.S. It has been translated into more than twenty languages and according to Golf Digest is "the best effort yet to decipher the Rules of Golf." The new booklet covers everything golfers of all skill levels need to know, so that they can play any course in the world with confidence - from preparing for the round at home to enjoying a drink at the 19th hole to safety to courtesy to fixing divots, the code of conduct is explained in the usual concise and understandable way. The guide is also extensively illustrated in color and is the perfect complement to the Golf Rules Quick Reference.  (READ MORE...)

Because tourism leaves permanent 'footprints,' some harmful to the environment, some destroying the reasons for traveling, SATW in 1969 created this award to recognize conservation and preservation efforts of individuals and organizations. The travel journalism organization recognizes conservation, preservation, beautification and anti-pollution accomplishments as they relate to travel. (Read More...)