Veteran PGA Tour manufacturer rep and tour manager (MacGregor, Callaway, Royal Precision) Michael Biviano has another great gig on his hands.
ACCRA golf shafts recently announced that Biviano will be joining their rapidly expanding team. Biviano will represent both ACCRA and KBS Tour steel shafts on the PGA Tour. They represent the hottest golf shaft lines on the PGA Tour with a TON of wins in recent years.
"We are extremely excited to add Michael (Biv), to the ACCRA Team," said Gawain Robertson, Partner, ACCRA. " His experience and success on the PGA Tour is second to none. Biv adds a whole new dimension to our representation. We look forward to growing our Tour presence, targeting top PGA Tour professionals." continued Mr. Robertson.
Biviano will operate out of the Scotty Garrison (Golf on the Run) Professional Tour Services Van.
With over 25 years of sports marketing, R&D, equipment testing, and custom building experience, Michael has dedicated his career to improving equipment performance and education, while working with the market’s leading OEMs and the best and most accomplished players in the world.
"Combining both ACCRA and KBS Tour enables Biv to concentrate on top PGA Tour players using a Tour proven steel and graphite product," said Dave Makarucha (Partner - ACCRA) "Our relationship with KBS and FST has been extremely close since the introduction of KBS Tour. The partnership that we have created on Tour is just an extension of the overall business relationship."
The end of 2009 is drawing near but we felt we could not leave you without one last golf equipment report. Here is our latest video post from our YouTube Channel talking about the new Slotline SSi-600 Series Putters.
Expect to see a lot more equipment reports as we draw closer to the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show at the end of January.
Also - soon after the new year we hope to have our brand new Blog format ready.
Following up on Commissioner Tin Finchem's year-end press conference of yesterday, the PGA Tour released their 2010 Schedule this afternoon.
The schedule features 46 events starting with the SBS Champsionships in early January and running through the Children's Miracle Network Classic in November.
January 4-10 SBS Championship 11-17 Sony Open in Hawaii 18-24 Bob Hope Classic 25-31 San Diego Open
February 1-7 Northern Trust Open 8-14 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am 15-21 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun 22-28 Waste Management Phoenix Open
March 1-7 The Honda Classic 8-14 World Golf Championships-CA Championship Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular 15-21 Transitions Championship 22-28 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard
April 29-4 Shell Houston Open 5-11 The Masters # 12-18 Verizon Heritage 19-25 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
May 26-2 Quail Hollow Championship 3-9 THE PLAYERS Championship 10-16 Valero Texas Open 17-23 HP Byron Nelson Championship 24-30 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
June 31-6 the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley 7-13 St. Jude Classic 14-20 U.S. Open # 21-27 Travelers Championship
July 28-4 AT&T National 5-11 John Deere Classic 12-18 The Open Championship # Reno-Tahoe Open 19-25 RBC Canadian Open
August 26-1 The Greenbrier Classic 2-8 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational Turning Stone Resort Championship 9-15 PGA Championship # 16-22 Wyndham Championship 23-29 The Barclays
September 30-6 Deutsche Bank Championship (Labor Day Finish) 6-12 BMW Championship 13-19 (OFF) 20-26 THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola
October 27-3 Ryder Cup Viking Classic 4-10 TBA 11-17 Frys.com Open 18-24 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open 25-31 (OFF)
November 1-7 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions 8-14 Children’s Miracle Network Classic
Before he got to addressing the inevitable Tiger Woods questions (and there were plenty of them, as always) yesterday at his annual year-end media press conference, Tim Finchem had a few surprises of his own to reveal.
The PGA Tour commissioner outlined a very rosy business profile of the tour as it heads into 2010. Among the new agreements he referred to was an exploratory partnership with the Sony Corporation to bring golf to another dimension, a third one at that.
Sony, already a 12 year partner with the PGA Tour, we'll be exploring the broadcast of tournament golf in 3-D. The company revealed their commitment to 3-D television back in September and also recently stated that they would be filming up to 25 matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa in 3-D. They predict that 30 to 50% of the televisions they sell in the year 2012 will have 3-D capability.
For the PGA Tour Project will begin work next month at the 2010 Sony Open in Hawaii. There they will film various events, possibly the Pro-Am, practice rounds, and some tournament footage, as a test. They will continue to gather footage throughout the 2010 PGA Tour season. The goal will be to have a full broadcast of the 2011 Sony Open in Hawaii in 3-D. The program would still be viewable in regular 2-D format.
The partners say they will also explore the development of 3-D golf for other potential applications.Sir Howard Stringer, chairman, CEO, and President of Sony Corp. says that Sony is driving the transition to 3-D television. "Just as video of sports and nature were key to the adoption of high definition television, we expect the same to be true for 3-D The sport of golf and the natural beauty of Hawaii are an ideal combination to showcase a distinct advantages of 3-D and bring the full, 3-D experience to life for consumers."
Commissioner Finchem reiterated Stringer's stand on golf's role with television. "High definition television is already driving increased golf viewing. We are excited about working with Sony to showcase the potential of 3-D technology at the 2011 Sony open in Hawaii. We believe that 3-D has the potential to put a fan right in the center of the action and make our telecasts even more exciting and engaging. The beauty of the Sony Open in Hawaii makes this the perfect setting to debut this technology."
The Sony Open in Hawaii certainly makes sense as a worldwide showcase for this technology. The tournament is already broadcast in 200 countries and reaches more than 450 million all homes.
The big question will be just how many of those homes, in the golf viewers within them, will be ready for 3-D television by 2011.
Obviously this is an emerging technology, just as high definition television was before it, but just how useful it will be for golf broadcasts is a question that has yet to be answered. But it certainly shows some potential.
(Just received a nice piece from friends over at Hunter-PR who do work for Robert Trent Jones II. Some good insight into what one architect is thinking these days in a rapidly changing marketplace.)
PALO ALTO, California, Dec. 17, 2009 -- For many in the golf business, in the wake of one of the most challenging years on record, the new year can’t come soon enough. Despite the difficult state of the industry, the staff at Robert Trent Jones II (RTJ II) golf course architects recognize some stars in the darkness of 2009 and are looking ahead to new highlights in 2010.
Both Master Architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and Chief Design Officer Bruce Charlton point to a number of 2009 accomplishments, including additions to the firm’s legacy of awards. Golf World rated eight RTJ II courses in the Top 100 in Europe, and two recent courses in Denmark were ranked No. 1 (Lubker Golf Resort) and No. 3 (Skjoldenæsholm Golf Center) by Danish Golf Magazine.
In the U.S., highlights included Chambers Bay (University Place, Washington), which will host the U.S. Amateur in 2010, being ranked by GOLF Magazine among the Top 100 courses in the U.S., the Top 100 Courses Worldwide, and the Top 50 Courses of the last 50 years. Golfweek also chose a number of RTJ II courses among its Top Residential Courses (The Bridges, Rancho Santa Fe, California; and Miramont, Bryan, Texas), Top Municipal Courses (ThunderHawk, Beach Park, Illinois), and Top Resort Courses (Osprey Meadows, Donnelly, Idaho). The firm also was proud to debut its Sequoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee, North Carolina, designed in collaboration with PGA Tour player Notah Begay. The course was recently cited by GOLF Magazine as a Top New Course You Can Play. Other awards included Golf Digest ranking RTJ II’s Rainmakers Golf Club among the Best New Private Courses in 2009. In addition to debuting great new courses, RTJ II completed fresh course renovations in Indonesia, Australia, and Hawaii.
Also, in keeping with the firm’s Green Proclamation, which attracted industry and media attention worldwide in 2009, the firm currently boasts 22 Audubon International Sanctuary Courses.
In a year that saw Charlton successfully complete his term as president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Jones, Jr., was recognized for his contributions to the game by Golf Inc., which awarded him its lifetime achievement award. Jones also was recognized by GOLF Magazine as an Innovator, and “Game Changer” in 2009.“For many, 2009 was tough from a business perspective, but we also learned great lessons,” Charlton said. “In the downturn we found opportunity and modified our business practices to offer different services (such as an increase in renovation work) and participate in projects more collaboratively. We have noticed a sense of urgency in clients’ voices recently—they want to move ahead, plan, prepare drawings and approvals, and ramp up again. I’m cautiously optimistic about next year.”
In 2010, RTJ II expects to open several highly anticipated courses, including Hickory Stick (Lewiston, New York), The Patriot (Owasso, Oklahoma), Bro Hof Slott’s Castle Course (near Stockholm, Sweden), The Scandinavian Golf Club (near Copenhagen, Denmark), Bahia Principe Golf Resort (Riviera Maya, Mexico), and Palmeres Golf Club (Lagos, Portugal). The firm will also complete significant renovations to Pondok Indah in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Princeville Makai in Kauai, Hawaii. Work will continue on new projects in Greece, Mexico, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Egypt, Scandinavia and Vanuatu, as will renovations proceed in Puerto Rico, Canada and England.
RTJ II will also begin work on new projects in China and Russia, which, according to Charlton, “were dark in terms of development not very long ago, but have emerged into significant lands of opportunity.”
In addition, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. expects the announcement that golf will reappear in the Olympic Games in 2016 to have a significant impact by bringing new players to the game and increasing the need for training grounds. Demand will rise for full-length courses and also modern practice venues, such as the innovative six-hole facility RTJ II recently designed at Stanford University, Jones suggests.
You Are A Contender Author: John Haime, 133 Pages, (USD) $14.95 Published by Morgan James
There is no shortage of self-help books on the market. And when it comes to golf those that offer advice are the most popular you can find. Too often though, those that suggest new ways to approach the game from a non-golf swing perspective have plenty of analysis but do not provide a lot of practical tools to help you overcome your weaknesses. That is exactly what the strength of rookie author John Haime’s first literary effort.
This is not a golf book, per se, but a golf theme permeates the advice that is applicable across a wide spectrum of life including sports, business, and general personal improvement. This is a result of Haime’s unique background as a standout amateur and professional golfer and his subsequent career in corporate coaching around the world.
Haime extracts the best of this pedigree in You Are A Contender by offering up a book of very practical advice with great examples from his own experience as a person competing at a world class level – in his case, as a golfer. His personal tales about the ability and inability to perform shows that he knows his material far beyond simple theory. This lends a lot of interest and credibility to the book.
My only beef is that there are a lot of quotes pulled from reference material but that is only an irritation as it became clear that Haime has a lot of useful things to say and I would have rather heard more material directly from him.
That said, as far as this being a useful text for golfer, there are far many more tools provided here than you will find in most golf books covering psychological help. You can think of this as less of an advice book and more as a workbook to help you get the most out of life – golf included.
It is an admirable first effort for Haime and we look forward to any subsequent work.
As has become our tradition each season, we wanted to help out those shopping for the golfers in their life this time of year with a list of popular items that are sure to get a great reception. I assure you, ANY golf-related item is appreciated; on top of being a great present is assures the recipient that you might even approve of their sporting obsession...(or at least disguises your distaste for it temporarily!)
These items are in random order:
-Gift Certificate for Regripping Whether they know it or not most golfers need new grips on their golf clubs once a year, depending how often they play and how they take care of their clubs. Visit their favorite golf shop and ask about getting a gift cecertificate for new grips. It is something golfers tend to put off so your thoughtful gift will get them on track.
-Adams Idea a7OS Irons Have a golfer in your life who struggles with their iron play? If so this set of Adams irons might be the best addition ever to their golf game. Hybrids replace long irons and there is plenty of effective hitting area in the shorter irons. Plus...they look sharp!
-Bag Boy Mini GT Push Cart Do you have limited space in your trunk but your golfing spouse insists on storing their golf push cart there? If so then the Mini GT is the solution. This full-featured cart folds down easily in a compact profile. The G-Force wheels make it roll smoothly across any terrain.
-Callaway X-Series Jaws Wedge Just released into the marketplace the Jaws wedge is the latest design from Master Club Designer Roger Cleveland. Not only does it look impressive it will help your golfer stop their wedge shots close to the hole due to Mack Daddy grooves that provide plenty of bite.
-Personalized Golf Balls Golfers always need balls and having ones with their name on them gives them something they can proudly show their buddies at that next outing. Titleist and Callaway Golf both offer holiday personalization programs. You'll have to hurry on this one though, order too late and you won't get them in time for gift giving on the big day!
-PING G15 Driver Among the hottest new drivers on the market today, the PING G15 combines a traditional shape with explosive power. You can choose one of these drivers for your recipient but be sure that they can return to the pro or retailer that you bought it from so they can be fit properly for loft, model, shaft type and flex, etc.
-TaylorMade Stand Bag As fashionable as it is functional the TaylorMade Corza stand bag was created expressly for lady golfers. With an integrated stand and very comfortable dual shoulder straps it is the ultimate solution for the walking female golfer in your life.
-Slotline SSI600 Putter One the most popular putter brands in the world was reborn last year and the new crop of Slotline putters promises to push them back on to the scene in a big way. The 600ssi series feature 3 very traditionally shaped putters. These may be harder to find as they were just released but they will be worth the effort; any golfer will appreciate the feel they provide.
-FootJoy ICON Shoes If you have a "traditionalist" in the house then run, do not walk, to your nearest FootJoy dealer. The ICON is quickly becoming the new standard for top grade golf shoes. Available in a variety of looks, there is sure to be one that matches the tastes of your golfer.
-LESSONS!!! Last, but certainly no least, all golfers could use a little help with their golf games whether they think they need it or not. Many golfers are hesitant to go out and get help so arranging for a series of lessons might just be the best gift they ever receive. Phone the golf club where they regularly play to see what they offer. You can also talk to the people that golf with the gift recipient to find out what golf teacher they might recommend. Most golf professionals will offer some type of gift certificate or voucher.
When I first started to take up golf - it was all about the challenge for me. The hope that the next shot would be a great one; the possibility of a best score. In time, when I realized that the riches of the PGA Tour were much further away than I ever thought, I truly found out what golf is all about.
I was ignorant to it at first, but by the time I was 20 and had played golf for a decade, I began to comprehend that it was the people I met through golf that was the biggest gift the game had provided me.
It was just a couple years prior that I first crossed paths with one of the people who made me realize that - little did I know our lives would stay intertwhined for 20 years to follow.
I joined up with Rick one day at a municipal golf course near my home. I was about 18 at the time and he would have been about 28. He was friendly, willing to gab about any subject, talked about golf with a genuine joy, and basically made for a great golf partner. His ability to play the game was more than passable and each time he struck a shot you could sense that he got the most out of the moment - be it a good result or otherwise.
We played a few times that summer. Our age difference put us in different social circles away from the course but when we spotted each other near the first tee or putting green, there was never any hesitation about setting up a game. We had complete faith that each round would leave us smiling and content, no matter the score -simply for the company.
After that summer we went our different ways. I knew litttle of Rick outside of the golf course. What he did for work; where he lived. It didn't matter. Everytime we ran into each other in the small city we both lived (it was never more than 2 or 3 times a year) there was always a quick chat about our shared passion - golf.
A few years later I got involved in a retail golf operation and to no surprise Rick would often stop by to talk about the latest equipment, what was happening on the PGA Tour, or just to say hello.
Eventually there was a gap of many years when I did not see him. I had assumed that he had moved on to another town, maybe even given up golf.
Then one day, after I too had moved on - for me to the world of the golf media, my wife came home from her job as a grade school teacher and said that her school custodian knew me. He told her that he would read my articles whenever he could. 2+2 told me it was Rick. My wife remarked about how nice he was; how thoughtful he was in doing job - but I was not surprised. That was the way I remembered him.
Volunteering as a volleyball coach put me in a lot of school gyms and along the way I would run into Rick, doing his work. He always seemed content. I can't imagine everybody would be when cleaning up after somebody else but he was - genuinely. A smile was ready at a moments notice and kind words were always part of our exchanges. Even when he had a strong opinion on a subject he could get that across without offending anyone. Little did he know how much I admired that ability he possessed.
Rick had stopped playing golf for a while he had told me. I never knew the circumstances and he would never take pity for the situation. It was what it was - he said he would get back to it someday. He seemed to know that there were worse fates in this word than just not being able to golf every day.
It was a happy day just a few years ago when I saw him wandering the fairways at the golf club where I was a member and where he had joined as well. After a very errant drive into my fairway he came over for an unexpected visit. Despite the poor situation (from a golfer's perspective) there was no hint of anger. He still took a quick minute to chat and share his positive perspective on the situation. "It's a better angle from here," he told me with a smile as I eyed his journey to the green that would require some heroic shotmaking. Somehow, I believed him - just because it was Rick.
In the ensuing years we would golf a few times - rekindling memories of our games traversing that ratty muni where we played for pure joy.
When we saw each other we would talk about the latest in golf as we always had. He wanted to know about the latest gear and details of any golf trips I might have been on. No matter the subject we both always left the conversation with a smile.
He liked to play in the early mornings of the weekend. I would often be on the putting green preparing for a mid-morning tee time as he finished his first round of the day. You could never tell what score he had posted - every day on the golf course seemed like a good day to him. I marvelled at his ability to measure his game but other things besides the strokes he took.
And then the news came just over a month ago.
Through mutual friends my wife and I were learned that Rick had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. We were stunned. We were saddened to hear that he was not given a very good progonosis.
Even so, when we were told of his passing this past Saturday it still came as a surprise. Within two months an unassuming man who asked very little of the world had lost his place in it. Death is never fair but for Rick to have such a cruel fate seemed unspeakable.
Over the last couple days I thought about Rick a lot. I even dropped by our golf club to hit a few putts as I did so. By this time of year most Canadian golf courses are under snow but surprisingly on Sunday the weather was warm and golfers filled the course. As I stood on the putting green I kept expecting Rick to go past, to say hello, to share a laugh. Of course, it was not to be and never will be again.
Still though, I will always cherish the memories Rick and I shared and the gift he gave to me, even if he did not realize it, the valuable lesson about why we play golf. Not for the score or the glory, but simply for the chance to be with friends, to make new friends, and to share their lives - even for a few passing moments.
He was a humble man, who asked only the best of himself but nothing from others
I haven't been able to verify it yet but I did hear the other day that their was a possibility that Rick had donated his organs so others could have chance at leading a normal life. That would not suprise me.
As generous as he was in life, even in his death he just keeps on giving...
Canadian golf retail giant Golf Town is stepping up on the Social Media front this Holiday Season. The operator of 46 golf stores across Canada will be launching their "12 Tweets of Christmas" Campaign tomorrow, December 4th.
For 12 consecutive days Golf Town will pony up daily, limited-quantity specials via their Twitter and their Facebook Page. The specials will link to their webpage where they can take advantage of the offers, including free UPS ground shipping.
"This unique social media campaign rewards some of Golf Town's most dedicated shoppers with promotions only available via Twitter and Facebook this season," says Stephen Bebis, Golf Town President and CEO.
This just came in this morning - good news for PING...
Dec 1, 2009; Phoenix, Arizona: Lee Westwood, Europe’s No. 1 player and the 4th ranked golfer in the world, signed a multi-year contract to continue playing PING golf equipment, PING Chairman & CEO John Solheim announced today.
Westwood, who received his first set of PING clubs as a teenager in the mid-1980s, signed the new agreement on the eve of the Chevron World Challenge in Los Angeles where he’ll compete with 17 of the game’s top players.
“It’s been an amazing year all the way around,” said Westwood, whose recent victory at the Dubai World Championship clinched the year-long Race to Dubai title which crowned the European Tour’s leading money winner. “My two wins and the consistency I showed to become Europe’s No. 1 player again clearly make this my best year to date. To extend my agreement with PING at the same time brings me great comfort going forward as I look to continue my momentum into 2010.”
Westwood owes his six-shot victory in Dubai to a flawless final round in which he hit every fairway and every green in regulation en route to a course-record 64. In carding a four-round total of 23-under-par, he relied on 14 PING clubs, including a G10 driver, i15 3-wood, Rapture V2 5-wood, i10 irons, two Tour-W wedges and a Redwood Anser putter.
As part of the new agreement beginning January 1, 2010, Westwood’s headwear will prominently display the PING brand on the front and back and he’ll continue to carry a PING bag.
“I’ve been with PING since my junior golf days,” added Westwood, a six-time Ryder Cup participant. “They’ve been a leader in innovation for more than 50 years. The confidence I have in their technology makes my job a lot easier. I can focus on winning tournaments knowing my product will perform at the highest level. Whether I’m in Europe, America or another part of the world, they look after my equipment needs on a daily basis. Their service is unmatched.”
In addition to his two wins this year, Westwood posted 11 top 10 finishes, including ties for third in the Open Championship and PGA Championship. Since turning professional in 1993, the 36-year-old Englishman has won 31 times worldwide.
“We’ve been fortunate to be a part of every one of Lee’s wins as a professional,” said Solheim. “His loyalty to PING has helped elevate our brand worldwide as he’s won in every corner of the world. His performance this year has been exciting to watch and to see it culminate with his win in Dubai brings everyone at PING great joy knowing he’ll continue to represent us in the years ahead.”
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