In the News

Perhaps they're considered a dying breed, relics of what used to exist for golfers out there. The local golf shop, the one where everyone knows your name, and, sometimes, your handicap. They used to be more bountiful, many found at driving ranges or near your favorite course.

But with the downward economy and subsequent decline of golf due to economic times, many local golf stores and businesses have been forced to close their doors, unable to turn a profit or compete with a chain golf store.

Influential PGA Professionals and golf retailers from around the globe will come to the world's largest professional golf equipment testing events during the 57th PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 28-30, in Orlando, Fla. The Outdoor and Indoor Demo Days annually provide retail decision-makers with an exclusive preview and personal hands-on testing opportunity to determine the hottest equipment and accessories that will help drive golf retail sales in the upcoming season.

Market leaders such as Callaway Golf, Titleist, Cobra, PING, Cleveland Golf/Srixon, Nike Golf, Bridgestone, Mizuno, Adams, Wilson Golf and more count on the product testing Outdoor & Indoor Demo Days of the PGA Merchandise Show to showcase the attributes of their newest equipment lines.

Orlando has been voted “North American Golf Destination of the Year 2010” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). The announcement was made in Malaga, Spain at the annual international awards ceremony for the golf tourism industry.

“This is outstanding recognition for an aspect of the Orlando experience that is outside of its world-renowned theme parks," said IAGTO CEO Peter Walton. "This award acknowledges not only the quality of the golf offerings in Orlando but the service provided to golfers and tour operators worldwide. With this award, our members recognize that Orlando has achieved a winning combination for golfers worldwide.”

Shaft Skinz, maker of a series of flashy and rebellioius shaft coverings, has announced that their products will be made available at all 10 PGA Tour Superstores locations in the coming weeks.

Staff in each location will be undergoing training on the fitting of the decorative and protective shaft sleeves in time to offer customers the option of a bit more color this holiday season.

Michelle Wie’s first victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational garnered one of the year’s best LPGA Tour ratings for Golf Channel.

Sunday’s 0.72 final-round rating represents the second-highest-rated LPGA Tour round on Golf Channel and second-most-watched LPGA Tour telecast on any cable network this year. Day 3 of the 2009 Solheim Cup owns the top spot.

2010 marks another milestone in golf history as The Open Championship celebrates its 150th Anniversary in July.

Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club (MOCGC), the club at the world's oldest golf course, is hosting the official Scottish Golf Heritage Festival, a golf tournament and festival celebration on July 9-12, 2010. The tournament, open to golfers worldwide, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Open Champion Willie Park Senior.

Leading golf architect Tom Doak will speak at the European Golf Course Owners' Association conference in Amsterdam this December.

Doak's firm Renaissance Golf Design has created some of the most iconic courses of the last 20 years, such as Pacific Dunes, Ballyneal and Barnbougle Dunes. He opened his first European course, the Renaissance Club at Archerfield, next door to Muirfield in Scotland, two years ago.

BRYAN, Tx. - Bret Nutt, head golf professional at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, closed out Gilbert Freeman, head golf professional at Dallas’ Lakewood Country Club, with a par on the 16th hole to win their singles match 3&2 and give the Southern Texas PGA a 13-11 victory in the 2009 Texas Joe Black Cup Matches at Bryan’s Miramont Country Club.

“It was a great week of fun and competition,” said Nutt after the victory. “Marc DeWall, our president, asked me if there was any additional pressure being the Captain’s Pick, and there was. I didn’t want to let Jeff Strong or our Section down."

Chris DiMarco and friends had another successful year at the Norma DiMarco Tee Up For Life event. The charity tournament held at the Country Club at Heathrow on Monday, Nov. 2 raised more than $330,000, bringing the event's nine-year total to more than $4 million.

The annual outing, named for Chris DiMarco's mother who died in 2006, included a celebrity pairing party on Nov. 1 followed by a golf clinic and 18-hole shotgun tournament at the PGA Tour star's home course on Nov. 2.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - As curious little boys evolve into men who know everything, they gleam much of their worldly knowledge from their fathers, absorbing behaviors, vocabulary, values, work ethic and a sense of who they will be - like freshly unwrapped sponges. Of course all of that information and understanding doesn’t pass from parent to child through osmosis. As is often the case, father and son will discover a shared passion or common ground ideal for cultivating the closest of bonds.

Whether it’s Little League baseball, Pop Warner football or a Saturday morning soccer league, sports often serve as the vehicle for forming that special friendship. But is there any better way for a father and son to learn about life and each other than by playing a round of golf together?