Flagstick Editor's Desk

We Are On The Move Where To Find Us

2010-02-01T11:04:00.002-05:00

You can investigate our archives here for now but for fresh content see us at www.flagstick.com/editorsdesk

The Final Countdown

2010-01-19T08:50:00.006-05:00

And yes, queue the cheesy music that you still hear in rinks across this country.

In less than a week I'll be in the air on an eight-day golf equipment Odyssey. A couple days in Texas at Nike golf's research and development facility "The Oven" will be followed up by the balance of the week spent at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida. With all that to look forward to I'm scrambling this week to prepare myself.

The golf equipment landscape is much different these days versus the crazy days of the 1990s. At that time the PGA show reached its frenzied peak of more than 1500 exhibitors. The reality of both the size of the golf market and the current state of the US economy has reigned this back now to about a thousand but it still makes it the golf event of the year for anyone in the industry.

I don't expect to see a lot of unfamiliar items at this year's show; many have already been revealed by the major manufacturers in an attempt to draw early attention to their 2010 product lines. Oh, there will be more than a few reveals, but the show is becoming less about a product showcase and more of a central exchange of information as the industry prepares for the season ahead.

I will attempt to get a few posts up here during my travels but it is such a crazy time that the balance of stories may not appear until after my return. Do watch for some updates at flagstick.com and for a live play-by-play you can always follow our Twitter.

If there is anything exciting I will be sure to share, after all I am an equipment geek and the PGA Show week is like my adult Christmas.

Being able to add in a couple days at "The Oven", Nike's secret club creating lair, just makes it extra fun. I even get to play a round with a full line-up of Nike's new gear; I'll be sure to provide a review on that.

Talk to you soon from golf equipment heaven.

Daily Notes:

Ryan Palmer won the Sony Open in Hawaii playing a mix of TaylorMade, Titleist, and Odyssey Equipment. The 33-year-old has had his Odyssey Rossie II putter since college. He has tried others but this one has brought him three PGA Tour wins. Not a bad return for a club that cost him just over $100.

NHL to PGA Tour - Quinn Toting For Els for 2010

2010-01-15T11:09:00.003-05:00

He spent what probably seemed like a lifetime on the ice, but now Ottawa native and former NHL player Dan Quinn is enjoying his days in much sunny climates. And most recently, doing a job where there is little chance of getting your teeth knocked out on a daily basis.

Quinn, who spent parts of fourteen seasons in the NHL, was at at the Sony Open in Hawaii yesterday as the part-time PGA Tour caddie for 3-time major champion Ernie Els . Quinn, now 44 but still in game shape, will share the duties this year with Els’ long-time bag toter, Ricci Roberts. Quinn filled in for Roberts last fall when Els played in Asia for a few weeks.

It’s not Quinn’s first pro caddie gig, he also partnered up with John Daly for the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Nike Unveils New Fairway Woods

2010-01-13T13:41:00.003-05:00

In just over a week I will get to hit these clubs myself in Ft. Worth, Texas, right at Nike Golf's R&D facility and I am truly looking forward to it. I have enjoyed the Str8-Fit technology in my driver for just over a half season and when I got one of these fairways in my hands back in October the look appealed to me.

Here is the latest release from Nike Golf:

Nike Golf Introduces New Adjustable Fairway Woods in the VR Line

BEAVERTON, Ore. (January 12, 2010)– Nike Golf has been closely working with its stable of Tour athletes to optimize shape, adjustability and face thickness to deliver the ultimate performance fairway metal – the new VR STR8-FIT Tour fairway woods. This introduction follows in the footsteps of Nike Golf’s recently announced new premium drivers, the VR STR8-FIT Tour and the VR Tour.

The VR STR8-FIT Tour fairway woods, available on January 28, 2010, are designed for golfers who are refining their game and demand Tour quality performance. Nike Golf athlete and 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover used the VR STR8-FIT Tour 15 degree 3-wood at the SBS Championship where he led the field for three rounds.

The premium VR STR8-FIT Tour fairway woods include the award-winning STR8-FIT face-angle technology that has 32 face options to shape any shot and tame any course. As with the VR STR8-FIT Tour drivers, the VR STR8-FIT Tour fairway woods feature Nike’s distinctive red Compression Channel on the sole. The split compression channel optimizes a 455 ultra thin steel face that delivers a hotter response and longer shots.

“Our athletes prefer a smooth sole design for optimized playability on tight fairway lies,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf. “In order to achieve that, we split the compression channel on the sole to provide improved performance from every lie.”

The VR STR8-Fit Tour fairway woods include a thin Nike Powerbow design that places the center of gravity low and forward for faster swing speeds. With a Tour-inspired round shape head, the VR STR8-Fit Tour fairway woods feature a mid shallow head design. The VR STR8-FIT Tour fairway woods come with an Aldila Voodoo shaft that delivers score technology that strengthens the shaft and creates a more consistent performance.

VR STR8-FIT Tour Fairway Woods

Men’s: Loft Options: 3+ (RH) 3; (RH/LH); 4 (RH); 5 (RH/LH); All available in: A,R,S,X

Canadian Golf Journalists Announce Awards

2010-01-04T12:19:00.002-05:00

As a member of The Golf Journalists of Canada I am proud to pass on the results from our 2009 Player of the Year Awards. The winners were announced earlier today.

January 4, 2010 – The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Player of the Year Awards as selected by golf journalists from across Canada.

During the month of December GJAC members voted on a slate of nominees from amongst Canada’s best golfers based on their performance over the preceding year. The annual GJAC Awards are named in recognition of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members who excelled throughout their lifetime in amateur and professional golf.

Following are the winners of the 2009 GJAC Awards:

George Knudson Award for Best Male Professional of the Year:

Graham DeLaet,

Weyburn, Saskatchewan

DeLaet split his time in 2009 between the South African Sunshine Tour and the Canadian Tour. He won the BMG Cup on the Sunshine Tour and also recorded a pair of runner-up finishes. On the Canadian Tour Graham had two victories (ATB Financial Classic and The Players Cup) to go along with a handful of Top 10 finishes that led to him winning the Canadian Tour Order of Merit. DeLaet capped off his excellent season by representing Canada at The World Cup in China, then played his way onto the PGA Tour for 2010 with an 8^th place finish at the third and final stage of PGA Tour qualifying school.

Runner-up: Stephen Ames, Calgary, Alberta

Sandra Post Award for Best Female Professional of the Year:

Lisa Meldrum

Montreal, Quebec

Lisa Meldrum of Montreal is awarded the Sandra Post Award for 2009 based on her best year yet in professional golf. With a victory at the iMPACT Classic on the Duramed FUTURES Tour as well as two other Top 10 finishes, Meldrum finished 15^th on the Tour’s Order of Merit. The former three-time Canadian Amateur Champion then finished fifth at the LPGA Tour qualifying school earning her full exempt status on the Tour in 2010.

Runner-up: Samantha Richdale, Kelowna, BC

Gary Cowan Award for Best Male Amateur of the Year:

Matt Hill,

Forest, Ontario

Matt Hill gets the nod for the Gary Cowan Award by virtue of his record breaking NCAA national championship season. Playing at North Carolina State, the young gun from Forest, Ontario tallied eight college wins this year, including six in a row, shattering a record previously held by Tiger Woods. Hill also won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the NCAA’s top golfer and during the season was ranked as the #2 Amateur in the world. Matt was a member of Canada’s championship Four Nations Cup squad, claimed the Ontario Amateur Championship and placed third at the Canadian Amateur Championship.

Runner-up: Nick Taylor, Abbotsford, BC

Marlene Streit Award for Best Female Amateur of the Year:

Jennifer Kirby

Paris, Ontario

Not since 1951 has a Canadian Junior golfer had the kind of year that Jennifer Kirby had in 2009. With victories at the Ontario Junior, Canadian Junior, Ontario Amateur and Canadian Amateur Championships, Kirby dominated golf at the highest level for both women and junior girls in Canada this past year. Adding to her impressive accomplishments, Kirby also won the prestigious Toronto Star Women’s Amateur and the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. Jennifer’s victories mirrored the accomplishments of Canadian and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit who won the Ontario Junior, Ontario Amateur, Canadian Ladies Open Amateur and Canadian Ladies Close Amateur Championships as a 17-year old in 1951.

Runner-up: Sue Kim, Langley, BC

ACCRA Hires Biviano As Tour Rep

2009-12-22T10:18:00.005-05:00

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."

New Slotline Putters - Video

2009-12-21T16:05:00.007-05:00

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.

Enjoy the latest from Slotline Golf:

2010 PGA Tour Schedule

2009-12-18T15:06:00.002-05:00

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

PGA Tour Golf in 3-D?

2009-12-18T10:51:00.001-05:00

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.

Robert Trent Jones II Looking Ahead

2009-12-17T10:18:00.005-05:00

(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.

First Look: You Are A Contender

2009-12-11T10:57:00.005-05:00

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.

Ten Holiday Gift Ideas

2009-12-07T09:08:00.015-05:00

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.

Why We Golf...

2009-12-04T09:17:00.001-05:00

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...

Richard "Rick" Thompson, 1960-2009

That's A "Tweet" Deal

2009-12-03T10:03:00.006-05:00

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.

PING Extends Agreement with Westwood

2009-12-02T11:40:00.005-05:00

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.”

Weir "The Range Rat" Returns Home For Special Ceremony

2009-11-25T12:41:00.005-05:00

It's been awhile since he was home to the golf course where he honed his game but this Saturday the self-admitted Huron Oaks range rat will make a most celebratory visit.

Mike Weir, Canada's top PGA Tour player, will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at a private ceremony this weekend in his hometown of Bright's Grove, Ontario.

He spoke with the Canadian golf media earlier today in a teleconference to reflect on the honour.

"It was the right thing to do," said Weir about having the ceremony at the home course where he not only played but worked in the back shop and the pro shop. "There were so many friends, family, and people from there that supported me."

"It was such a fun place to be, such a great environment; my parents never had to worry about me there."

As for the hour Weir said he feels it is simply a testament to a lot of hard work but that he is far from finished with his career. Karen Hewson, Director of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, says the plaques are quite flexible if Mike's record happens to grow. "You're going to have to keep room on that for sure," said Weir.

Although the actual ceremony on Saturday will be private, on Sunday the Huron Oaks Golf Club will be open to the public from 11a.m.-2p.m. so fans can view Mike Weir's PGA Tour winning trophies, including his Masters Trophy.

Tuesday Updates - The Big Mix

2009-11-24T14:24:00.006-05:00

It's been a busy day. I woke up not feeling the best yesterday but after a chance to get in some recovery time I am making up for the lost day today.

I've spent most of the morning working on a Myrtle Beach travel story based on my recent trip there. It is but one of the many diverse travel features you will find in the pages of Flagstick Golf Magazine for 2010.

Because we only publish our print edition during the traditional Canadian Golf season many people often ask what we do to fill our winter days. I assure you that they might be busier than the spring and summer as we prepare for the next season! We have a lot of new initiatives for delivering content in 2010 and we are always busy tweaking those we already have. Flagstick publisher Jeff Bauder is hard at work on the changes to our main web page. I can't reveal any details but I am a big fan of the advances, employee or otherwise.

Just a couple quick notes for you today.

The adidas Wear in the World Campaign continues to thrive. You can catch all their very interesting updates (Bolivia today!) here.

Also on the web we want to thank all the viewers who have checked out our early foray into the world of YouTube. Our few videos now have over 5,000 views in just a month - there is great potential there and expect more fun and informative content in the season ahead. We have a PGA Show to attend in coming months and I will also be making a visit to Nike Golf's R&D facility, the Oven, in Texas, so we hope to put together some videos from those locales.

On another equipment note I just wanted to add to the news from Fourteen Golf. Yesterday we told you about their new utility club but they also have a new set of wedges and boy, do they look sharp!

The dual sole design is designed to be very versatile and the looks...well they speak for themselves. They have a new conforming trapezoidal groove and come as a three club set with only 2,000 sets available.

That's about all for today. There is a press conference scheduled tomorrow with Mike Weir that we will be covering. Weir will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame this weekend. He will be the 64th inductee. We'll bring you some of his thoughts on the honour.

New Utility Club For Fourteen

2009-11-23T15:08:00.007-05:00

FOURTEEN GOLF announced that the company continues to introduce their new 2010 products, including their newly developed UT-409 Utility Wood.

This easy to play utility wood was created for golfers of all skill levels, but particularly for those who have difficulty with their long irons. The steel body of the UT-409 is designed with a high launch angle and a deep center-of-gravity for maximum stability throughout the shot and increased distance. In addition, this noteworthy combination provides playability from a variety of lies.

According to FOURTEEN GOLF COO Marcy Kamoda, “Typically we design FOURTEEN GOLF products specifically for the professional but this utility wood performs for the average golfer as well as the professional.”

This highly accurate hybrid not only is easy to get the ball airborne from any lie but maintains optimal spin. The head is also carefully offset according to the loft and is easy to align. Its sole has been engineered to be highly functional from any lie. This club is the perfect replacement for long and middle irons. It provides exceptional distance control and forgiveness.

A proprietary FOURTEEN GOLF graphite shaft with a mid launch kicks point and stiff butt helps this game improvement club keep a mid to high trajectory for increased carry and distance.

The UT-409 Utility Wood will start shipping into retail in January.

Review: 2010 Titleist CB Irons

2009-11-20T09:00:00.007-05:00

You have to think that the 2010 Titleist CB irons are going to be popular. During a week I recently spent testing the 1025 carbon steel forged irons that make up a ¼ of the company’s new iron line; I was inundated with people asking to have a closer look. It may have been the sleek chrome finish or the old-world styling but whatever the case, they drew attention from a wide spectrum of golfers.

Before hitting the irons, like those many admirers, I had a strong appreciation for the look of these sticks. With a compact head shape, slight cavity enhanced with a solid weight pad, and slender soles they draw easy comparison to the classic Titleist blade irons of the past.

On closer look, at address (the money shot for many golfers) they reflected back exactly what I wanted to see for this category of club. Not excessively long from heel to toe (shorter than the 2010 AP2) they might provide a test for poorer ball strikers but they seem to exude power for those who prefer this appearance. They got two other check marks for me in the reduced amount of offset they possess (it ranges from .15” in the 2 iron down to .075” in the PW) and the top line in the long irons which have a soft and thin appearance.

With the looks already on their side the real test came when I got to tee it up. My test session consisted of one range outing in dry, warm conditions followed by 41 holes played over four courses in varied stages of wet, windy, and somewhat cool weather.

The first impact had me sold on their feel. They are not as “buttery soft” as some irons but they strike a nice balance between solid and smooth with a pleasant sound at impact. There is no jarring feel on impact towards the heel and toe with the latter providing the most negative vibration – if you can even call it that. They were softer in feel than the 2010 AP2 iron that I tested them against with a more muted sound than that game improvement iron provided.

Striking balls out of fairway, rough, and even divots was not really an issue in dry conditions but I had some concerns about how the narrow sole might perform in wet conditions. I am more of a sweeper but with minimal roll on the leading edge I imagined there might be some digging going on when pressed into service on moist turf. That turned out not to be the case during my on-course time where I faced golf courses absolutely saturated by inches of rainfall.

With the irons possessing grooves that conform to the 2010 Rules I did experience a couple shots from wet lies that flew further than expected. I adjusted quickly having grown up with V grooves. There was plenty of spin to stop the ball out of most conditions, although I will say that the greens were soft enough to accept most shots. I will need further testing on dry, firm greens to judge their true stopping power.

The stock clubs were fitted with Dynamic Golf S300 shafts, one of several options (see link to custom options below). The trajectory was comfortable for all clubs, not excessively high, even in the short irons. Long irons seem to have enough low mass to help me hit them as high as needed with ease. Playing knockdown shots in winds up to 30mph also resulted in very favourable results. Working the ball in either direction was also accomplished easily.

I will say that these irons are best suited to better than average to expert ball strikers. The new AP2 is definitely more forgiving and helps the player to achieve a high trajectory even out of the worst situations.

There is not much negative to say about these irons other than they have tough competition in the Titleist family with the new AP2. The better player will certainly appreciate them and they deliver perfectly in a number of areas. Average ball strikers would struggle with them and likely rate them a 7-8 at best but for the player looking for a refined iron that still provides some room for a miss-strike or two they are close to a 10.

Golfers will find that these irons are softer in shape that the Titleist 695CB with a shorter blade and less progression in blade height from the heel to the toe. The toe is more rounded and the reduced offset in the new CB’s is very noticeable over the 695CB’s.

Titleist got it right with these. It is possibly the best forged cavity back they have ever offered.

All images Copyright 2009 - Flagstick Golf Magazine/Flagstick Golf Photography

http://www.titleist.com/images/products/pdfs/Custom_20090901.pdf

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adidas "Wear In The World? Adventure" Kicks Off

2009-11-19T12:55:00.007-05:00

When I ran into accomplished amateur golfer Lindsay Knowlton (left) a couple years ago, just after she had been hired at TaylorMade-adidas Canada (she is now a Product Manager), she absolutely gushed about the gig and the opportunities it provided. Little did she know EXACTLY what kind of adventure the company had in store for her. The Ohio State alum will certainly find out over the next month or so.

Today kicks off the Wear In The World Campaign for the company. This globe-spanning adventure will have Knowlton and fellow employee Josh Sullivan (of the US) touring all sorts of climates to test adidas apparel featuring ClimaCool, powered by CoolMax Extreme, ClimaLite and ClimaProof. The pair were chosen after an extensive search process the company did internally.

Over the next five weeks the pair will play golf in Death Valley, United States, Bolivia, Argentina, South Africa, and Australia.

During their visits to each region they will play with a number of golfers including those who are part of the TaylorMade-adidas professional staff. This includes Andres Romero and 2009 RBC Canadian Open winner Nathan Green.

The pair will be videotaped during the trip and will provide updates via a Blog, Tweets, and Facebook Updates.

"Our intent with this program is to prove that adidas Golf apparel powered by COOLMAX Extreme performance fabric stands up against the world's most extreme golf conditions and allows golfers to perform at their best regardless of what Mother Nature throws at them," said John Kawaja, Executive Vice-President of adidas Golf. "The Tour players who wear our product have long-said they believe adidas Golf apparel provides a competitive advantage. Our mission here is to demonstrate that advantage in a really compelling way."

Compelling is right. Media swarmed the company headquarters November 19th for the kick-off ceremony. The pair's online updates will likely get equally enormous attention from consumers.

Stops for Knowlton and Sullivan will include: Furnace Creek, California / LaPaz Golf Club, Bolivia/Ushauia, Argentina/Walker Bay Golf Resort, South Africa and Alice Springs, Australia.

http://twitter.com/adidasGolfUS
http://www.facebook.com/adidasGolfUS
http://wearintheworld.adidasgolf.com/

Callaway Debuts Solaire Equipment For Women

2009-11-19T12:24:00.004-05:00

Press Release

CALLAWAY GOLF PRESENTS SOLAIRE SETS AND GOLF BALLS FOR WOMEN

Go Straight from the Shop to the Course with 14-piece and 9-piece Set Configurations Featuring Energy Efficient Design

CARLSBAD, CA, November 19, 2009 – Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced the retail availability of their new Solaire™ sets of women’s golf equipment, as well as the new Solaire golf ball for women. In designing this collection of equipment for emerging golfers, Callaway’s Research & Development team conducted extensive research into the swing characteristics of a wide range of women golfers. As a result, Solaire offers a technologically advanced selection of clubs and balls that are ideally suited to increase distance, accuracy and forgiveness.

Available in 14-piece and 9-piece set configurations, Solaire provides women with everything they need to play in style and take their game to the next level. The preconfigured Solaire sets feature an Energy Efficient Design that optimizes every element of the golf club to maximize performance. New lightweight clubheads featuring draw configurations and higher lofts, as well as lighter grips and shafts, allow women to efficiently swing the club with power and generate increased distance throughout the set.

“We’ve spent countless hours researching the way women swing and play golf in an effort to design equipment that promotes shots that fly farther, higher and straighter,” said Alan Hocknell, Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Callaway Golf. “Women were heavily involved in the design process of these sets, both from a performance standpoint and on the aesthetic side. Solaire represents the latest example of our commitment to the women’s game, and we’re confident this equipment will help many reach new heights on the course.”

Callaway engineers designed the Solaire women’s sets to maximize the efficiency of the swing, the energy transfer during impact and the flight of the ball. Data was collected on the golf course and at the Ely Callaway Performance Center, where engineers and biometric experts studied the way women swing and play golf. In addition to focusing on performance, Callaway engineers were equally dedicated to attaining a desirable feel, premium looks and a contemporary design.

The new 14-piece Solaire Set is engineered specifically for emerging golfers to achieve ideal distance separation between clubs, so they have confidence playing from anywhere on the course. The set consists of an all-titanium driver, three stainless steel fairway woods, three hybrids, two irons, three wedges, a mallet putter and a versatile cart bag.

The new 9-piece Solaire Set is designed to allow beginning golfers to go straight from the shop to the course with everything they need to get the ball up in the air and down the fairway. The set consists of an all-titanium driver, a stainless steel fairway wood, two hybrids, an iron, two wedges, a mallet putter and a versatile cart bag.

The Solaire golf ball is designed to perform ideally at slower swing speeds, delivering shots that fly farther down the fairway. It features a soft, resilient core that has been specifically formulated to provide increased carry and distance. The low compression core also produces soft feel off the clubface. The Solaire golf ball also features patented HEX Aerodynamics, which promotes lift at slower swing speeds and reduces drag to maximize distance.

Guelph Turf Management Students Doing Their Part

2009-11-17T09:22:00.006-05:00

I have always been impressed with the Turfgrass Management Program at the University of Guelph. Their graduates are among the finest in the business. Over the years I have befriended a number of them and a few have even written a few stories for us at Flagstick Golf Magazine.

This year they have really been stepping up their game. Just last month we heard about their Blogging project where the students each started their own space to talk about the industry and provide their perspective to the world as a communications exercise. Now we hear they have developed a Symposium that is very timely in subject matter.

Knowing they need to support the industry they plan to work in, the students in the Guelph Turfgrass Program have created a free seminar for Turf Businesses. It is designed to help them deal with the challenges of competing and surviving in the current working climate - one not only impacted by a tough economy but increasingly strict environmental barriers as well.

Run by 30 first year students, the Symposium is scheduled for November 27th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cutten Club in Guelph, Ontario. It is titled "Doing More with Less: Turf in Tough Times." A full line-up of speakers will tackle the issues that their industry currently faces and speak to how to secure a strong bottom line, even with limited resources.

Student Brad Moyer comments, "The knowledge gained and industry connections made at the symposium will be valuable to class members and industry professionals alike."

The three keynote speakers come from a variety of industry backgrounds and sectors, creating a program suitable for golf course superintendents or just about any turfgrass professional. They include Ron Schiedel, co-owner of Green Horizon Group of Farms Ltd, Keith Bartlett, Superintendent of St. George's Golf & Country Club (Host of the 2010 RBC Canadian Open), and Dr. Tom Hsiang, pathology researcher at the University of Guelph.

The students will also have a hand in the presentations by each providing two-minute tips based on the knowledge they have gained from their educational and practical experience.

If you would like more information about the Symposium or want to sign up for one of the limited spots you can contact Rae Urwin at 1-226-979-3955 or via email at rurwin@uoguelph.ca.

More information of the Symposium can be found here: http://turfintoughtimes.weebly.com/

It looks to be an educational line-up and in tight economic times, the price is certainly right!

Feeling Groovy

2009-11-16T12:14:00.006-05:00

Those who follow this Blog will know that I was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last week and golfing in less than ideal weather conditions.

What I did not tell many people was that I had a new set of irons in the bag last week, the 2010 Titleist CB irons (left). I will have a full review of them posted in the near future but on another note, this was my first round with a set of irons made to conform to the new USGA imposed Groove Rules.

It was a homecoming of sort as I played a lot of golf with irons that had the old-style V-grooves. It did, however, have some effect on my game. Most of the greens we played were drenched from many inches of rain so stopping the ball on them was not a problem. Where I did notice a difference a few times was on shots out of the rough and from wet fairway lies. I experienced a few flier lies where the ball shot over the green, much further than I anticipated.

After some adjustment to playing these lies like I used too I had a bit more success in predicting the distances of my shots. I also found that I became more conscious of the need to have the ball properly positioned off the tee.

What I did like about the new grooves was the ease at which I was able to play lower spinning half shots that took off through the wind. This was a shot that became much harder to play with the higher groove volume, higher-spinning irons of the last few years.

This amounted to to no more than a 47-hole experiment so I will be interested to see what the effect will be on my game over an entire season. At this point I think players who have been playing the game for some time will adjust quickly - reverting back to the shots of old. For younger players who have grown up on U and Square Grooves there will likely be a longer adjustment period.

Updates From The Beach

2009-11-13T19:51:00.003-05:00

I've finally made it back to sun-drenched Canada (a real change from the less-than-normal Myrtle Beach weather of this week) and I'm hoping to remain closer to home for the next couple months.

Despite experiencing the after-effects of Hurricane Ida this week, I still have to say that "the beach" still delivered a top-notch golf getaway. I'll have more thoughts on that once I dry out (it may take a day or two!) but having the chance to play Glen Dornoch (18 - rain), Heritage (9 holes - heavy rain), Moorland (18 - sideways rain and wind), and True Blue Plantation (12 holes - ran out of wet and cold descriptions) was a treat.

Our home base of the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes eased the blow that the inclement conditions caused. Throw in a very smooth and efficient flight via Direct Air and the formula produced a creditable result.

Thanks to the fabulous Tim O'Connor for leading the press trip and the contributions by Heath Carter and all the staff at Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. They truly know what the needs of golfers are and continue to work at remaining the #1 golf destination in the world. See their new Quick Quote system on their website for example. Put in all your specifications for your trip and before you know it you get back quotes from a variety of vacation packagers. They have managed to retain all the things that made beach what it was for generations past while blending in modern conveniences.

On a related travel note we brought you news the other day regarding Porter Air and their brand new direct flights from Canada. Unfortunately the company only announced new direct routes between Toronto and Myrtle Beach yesterday. Investigation showed they had also registered routes directly to "the beach" from Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City but there was no word about them in yesterday's press release.

A spokesperson for the company was kind enough to ensure we received ample updates on the Toronto routes and we have requested an official position on the Ottawa/Montreal/Quebec situation. We'll let you know when or if they have something say about that topic. Our best guess based on the limited time frame (Feb 28. - May 31st, 2010) of the Toronto flights is that it will prove to be a test situation that will determine how much interest there is for expanded service.

Porter Air & Myrtle Beach?

2009-11-09T23:37:00.005-05:00

As I sit here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina tonight there are strong rumours in the air that might be very attractive for Canadian Golfers.

Officials will neither confirm or deny it but it looks as if there might be a new airline route heading in this direction from Canada. And all indications are that it will be via low-cost carrier Porter Air. It looks as if a press conference may be imminent with the official announcement - and it may take place as early as this Thursday.

The internet air database, which monitors flight plans and filing for airlines shows that as of November 2, 2009 Porter will be restarting routes directly between Toronto and Ottawa to Myrtle Beach. Those routes were intially opened in the Spring of 2008 but were quickly cancelled after just a few weeks. They also look to be kicking off two new routes - Montreal to Myrtle Beach and Quebec City to Myrtle Beach.

If this is the case it will create a huge rival for Direct Air in capturing the Ontario/Quebec crowd - the two largest markets for golfers to this region. Direct Air currently offers low cost direct fights to Myrtle Beach from Niagara Falls International Airport (NY) and Plattsburgh, New York. The combination of two airports has allowed them to garner a strong following from the Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto/Hamilton markets.

With a strong Canadian dollar and a continual flow of Canadian golfers looking to find cheap and direct flights to the Grand Strand there is certainly some clientele available for Porter. The local chamber of commerce in Myrtle Beach says they have been after the carrier for more than a year to consider regular flights to their airport and they are excited about the possibility. According to 2007 numbers from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism nearly 850,000 Canadians visit the state each year.

All indications are that the routes would commence as early as the end of February 2010, just prior to the busy Spring golf season. Tickets would be available in the next few weeks.

Porter Airlines was founded in 2006 and serves eight Canadian cities. They also serve Chicago, Boston, and New York.

We'll update the story as soon as we have official confirmation and details.

Wrapping It Up

2009-11-06T14:02:00.004-05:00

Another work week is drawing to a close so I though I might leave the Blog for the weekend with a few random thoughts and bits of information. My next Blog entry will most likely come from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I am off to there on Monday to develop content for a 2010 travel article for Flagstick Golf Magazine.

I'll play three rounds and I am also testing the new Titleist Forged MB irons while there so I should have a lot to write about. As always you can catch me on Twitter (twitter.com/flagstick) for many daily updates.

There was a lot of action of the golf equipment front this past week, especially following the Ontario PGA Show.

As you may have seen on this Blog Callaway pretty much revealed their entire 2010 lineup. It's been getting a lot of buzz especially for their new drivers, the FT-Tour and Diablo Edge. They have a very traditonal shape.

On another driver front expect to see a TaylorMade 460 driver soon with 3 (as opposed to 1) adjustable weight. I have seen photos and talked with a friend who has hit it and it looks like it could be a winner. Expect official word from them shortly - they are still busy quarrelling with the USGA over the new interchangeable face wedges and what they can and cannot sell for face inserts. Hopefully that issue is resolved soon.

Paul Casey put the new Nike VR driver into play in China at the HSBC Championship. He's using the Str-8 Fit model and wanted to hide the silver adapter a bit so he coloured it black with a Sharpie! Nike Golf also sold out their limited run of 100 Method putters this week in 2 hours and 47 minutes. 10 were sold in canada exclusively through GolfTown.

On a more regional, non-equipment, front there should be some news of local junior golfers offically signing to NCAA schools next week as the early signing period starts on Wednesday. For starters Kyle Benford (above) of Kingston will join his clubmate from Cataraqui, Simon Reyers, on the Detroit Mercy squad next Fall. He had revealed his verbal committment to his local paper a week or so ago but expect a formal signing next week. Benford is off to Spain in a week or so to caddie for Kingston-based pro Matt McQuillan at the 2nd stage of European Tour Qualifying.

Catch you all from South Carolina next week.

Callaway Golf 2010 - The Rundown

2009-11-04T11:08:00.009-05:00

On the the heels of their 2009 3rd quarter results that show the company is tightening their belt and in fine position for the 2010 season Callaway Golf recently displayed their new wares at the Ontario PGA Show in Toronto, Ontario.

I must say I was particularly smitten with their new FT-Tour and Diablo Edge drivers - they should garner a lot of attention for the company.

Here is a rundown of their 2010 product line provided by them just this morning: (For further insight and images you can see their 2010 US Catalog online here.

There are also some great threads about the topic to be found at our Forum partner, GolfWRX.

CALLAWAY GOLF PRESENTS 2010 PRODUCT LINEUP

The 2010 line up includes the technologically-advanced FT-iZ Driver and matching FT-iZ Fairway Woods; the bold Diablo Edge drivers, irons, fairway woods and hybrids; new high-performance Tour golf balls and the White Ice putter range from Odyssey. Callaway’s commitment to women’s golf continues with the launch of the Solaire Set and Golf Ball.

“Callaway’s 2010 line up really has something for everyone, and the technology behind these new products has been developed to help a golfer’s game at any level,” said Scott Reid, Managing Director of Callaway Golf Canada. “Our expertise in Fusion Technology has been further extended across club categories, while the new Diablo Edge Woods and Irons all benefit from Callaway Golf’s superior design, technology and performance.”

The 2010 product line-up from Callaway Golf includes:

FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Callaway Golf® FT-iZ™ Driver – Taking design and playability to a new level by leveraging the most advanced materials in the world, the FT-iZ is performance engineered with new Polar Weighting - positioning over 70 per cent of the head weight in the face and extreme rear section of the club. With its new aerodynamic shape profile, FT-iZ is the longest, straightest driver Callaway Golf has ever designed. Available: Feb. 15, 2010

Callaway Golf® FT Tour™ Driver – Features all the benefits of Fusion Technology applied to a Tour performance driver with a traditional pear-shape, chemically-milled Hyperbolic Cup Face, open face angles and a full hosel. FT-Tour delivers tremendous ball speed with a flat, penetrating Tour-trajectory, meeting all the needs of the accomplished golfer. Available: Feb. 15, 2010

Callaway Golf® FT-iZ™ Fairway Woods – Using the same performance benefits that Polar Weighting delivers in the Driver, the new FT-iZ Fairway Woods feature an ultralight composite crown, a new generation of VFT Face Technology and strategically placed internal weighting to produce unparalleled ball speed and forgiveness for longer straighter shots. Available: Feb. 15, 2010

Callaway Golf® FT-iZ™ Hybrids – The new FT-iZ Hybrid features high density Metal Injection Moulded (MIM) weights which concentrate large amounts of head weight low and around the perimeter for a lower centre of gravity and increased MOI (resistance to twisting). A Trajectory Driven Design produces the optimum launch for all levels of player. Available: Feb. 15, 2010

DIABLO EDGE FAMILY

Callaway Golf® Diablo Edge™ Drivers – Boldly styled, but traditionally shaped, the Diablo Edge drivers are the longest, most accurate all-titanium drivers Callaway Golf has ever made. The Standard Driver has Draw Bias weighting whereas the neutrally-weighted Tour version includes a hosel and delivers a more powerful, boring trajectory preferred by better players. Both sport Chemically-Milled Hyperbolic Cup Face technology for consistently high ball speed and distance. Available: Mar. 15, 2010

Callaway Golf® Diablo Edge™ Fairway Woods – Ultra-thin Variable Face Thickness Technology (VFT) and improvements in the casting process have allowed Callaway designers to develop this range of woods which increase ball speed off the face for significantly improved distance. The new Diablo Edge Fairway Woods are the longest, straightest steel fairway woods we’ve ever made, with distance gains of 10-12 yards over Big Bertha Diablo®. Tour and Standard models give performance and trajectory options – the Tour delivering a more powerful, workable ball flight and possess the lowest, shallowest centre of gravity of any steel fairway wood we’ve ever made, providing skilled players with a club that will perform more to their liking. The Standard gives maximum forgiveness and higher trajectories. Available: Mar. 15, 2010

Callaway Golf® Diablo Edge™ Hybrids – A thin crown and VFT Technology are used to reposition mass to the perimeter of these larger footprint Hybrids. This delivers incredible accuracy, making these hybrids ideal for long iron replacement. A low, deep centre of gravity in the Standard model provides a high launching trajectory and maximum forgiveness. An even lower, forward centre of gravity in the Tour model provides a more penetrating ball flight for higher swing speed players and enables more workability. Available: Mar. 15, 2010

Callaway Golf® Diablo Edge™ Irons – A lower, more accessible sweet spot, combined with the Solid Impact Sole powers cleaner hits, longer distances and pin-point accuracy for golfers seeking a performance “Edge” for their iron game. Available: Jan. 15, 2010

Callaway Golf® Diablo Forged™ Irons – Callaway Golf has reached a new level of performance in a forged iron design. This iron provides a wide range of golfers the best distance they have ever seen in a Callaway forged iron with unprecedented feel, accuracy and forgiveness. The forged steel perimeter-weighted body and precision welded face provide incredibly soft, responsive feedback at impact in a sleek and compact head styled with classic lines. Available: Feb. 15, 2010

WEDGES

Callaway® X Series Jaws™ Wedges – The most versatile specialist wedges Callaway has ever made, the X-Series Jaws wedges been launched to take advantage of enhanced groove technology before new rules limiting future developments are implemented in 2010. Inspired by its Tour Authentic X-Prototype Irons, they were crafted by legendary designer Roger Cleveland using an advanced triple-net forging process with 1020 carbon steel, to provide precision quality and soft feel. The new X-Series Jaws wedges feature aggressively-sized Mack Daddy® Grooves designed at the maximum conforming depth and width for shot-stopping spin and control that allows golfers to take aim at the hole. Tour-inspired ‘C-Grind’ sole plus a tighter heel-toe radius and proper bounce, improves turf interaction and enables golfers to lay the face open while keeping the leading edge down for the ultimate in shot-making versatility. Available: Nov. 15, 2009

ODYSSEY PUTTERS

Odyssey® White Ice™ Putters – The new White Ice putters from Odyssey combine tour-trusted shape with a new look and better feel. The White Ice insert is our best feeling, multi-layer insert to date and was developed with extensive feedback from pros on tour. Callaway engineers have enhanced the sound, responsiveness and consistency of the insert. Phil Mickelson has been playing with a White Ice insert since the Masters and was using the insert when he won the Tour Championship in 2009. The new insert’s inner core is 19.6 per cent firmer to enhance feel, and 92 per cent stiffer for better resiliency, leading to consistent distance and control. The roughened face surface also helps increase friction between the ball and the putter to promote forward roll. Coupled with a new dark nickel finish, the new White Ice putter combines tour-proven looks with tour-inspired feel.

Odyssey 2-Ball Putters – The Odyssey 2-Ball Alignment System features more accurate alignment and adjustable weighting for customized feel options.

Available: Feb. 15, 2010

Odyssey Progressive Putters – Odyssey’s Progressive Models, feature radical shapes and a high MOI for better stability and forgiveness.

Available Nov. 15 2009: Sabertooth putter

Available Feb. 15 2010: Sabertooth 2, Teron, and Mini T putters

Core Odyssey Putters – The core line of Odyssey putters features Tour-proven looks and a Tour-inspired feel for Tour-level confidence. Core model putters maximize headweight for optimum feel.

Available: Nov. 15, 2009: #1, #7, #9, and Rossie putters

Available: Feb. 15, 2010: #2, #5 and 330 Mallet putters

Odyssey® Black Series® Tour Designs Putters - Extensive work between the Odyssey design team and Tour players like Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els has led to the introduction of precision-crafted milled putters featuring a new look with updated shapes and more head options. A.R.T. (Advanced Roll Technology) is achieved through multi-material construction using tungsten weighting, creating a quicker, more favorable roll by moving the centre of gravity back and lower in the putterhead. The TD Milled Face has a precise, deep milling pattern that generates consistent impact performance across the face, resulting in better feel, distance control and smooth roll. Each putter is finished with a Deep Black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), producing a durable, glare-free look that was added specifically based on feedback received from Tour pros. Available: Feb.15, 2010

GOLF BALLS

Callaway Golf® Tour i(z)™ Golf Ball - The most technologically advanced golf ball on tour. Through 2nd generation Dual Core Construction, Callaway engineers have designed a tour ball that delivers faster ball speeds. The refined HEX Aerodynamics pattern has been improved to add even more distance. This patented design breakthrough reduces drag and adds flight stability through every kind of wind condition, minimizing the wind’s effect on ball trajectory. The new urethane cover uses a proprietary blend to provide tour-level feel and control around the green with significantly improved durability. It’s also available in higher player numbers. The Tour i(z) ensures you’ll never be left twisting in the wind. Available: Jan.15, 2010

Callaway Golf® Tour i(s)™ Golf Ball - It’s no secret that the new groove rules instituted by the USGA are designed to reduce spin off wedges and short irons, placing more of a premium on shot-making. The new Tour i(s) leverages 2nd Generation Dual Core inertia technology, making it easier for golfers of all abilities to generate maximum short-game spin. The softest Callaway tour ball ever features refined HEX Aerodynamics for a stronger ball flight and more distance by reducing drag and promoting efficient ball flight in all wind conditions. Available: Jan.15, 2010

Callaway Golf® HX Bite™ Golf Ball - The new 3-piece performance golf ball provides tour-level spin around green with more distance off the tee. The combination of a soft, high-energy core and advanced inner cover dramatically lowers spin off the driver, increasing distance and accuracy, while HEX aerodynamics reduce drag for penetrating ball flight. The soft outer cover generates tour-level spin on short-game shots for precision control with soft feel off the clubface. Available: Jan.15, 2010

WOMEN’S GOLF

Callaway Golf® Solaire™ 14-Piece and 9-Piece Complete Sets - The new Solaire 14-piece set is designed to allow women to go straight from the shop to the course with everything they need to play in style. The set consists of an all-titanium driver, 3 stainless steel fairway woods, 3 hybrids, 2 irons, 3 wedges, a centre-shafted mallet putter and a stylish versatile cart bag. The 9-Piece set is designed more as starter set for women and consists of a reduced number clubs, chosen for the all-round purposes of a more novice golfer: The all-titanium driver, 1 stainless steel fairway wood, 2 hybrids, an iron, 2 wedges, a mallet putter and the same stylish cart bag, offers the same high playability features as the 14-Piece set. Years of extensive research with women golfers have led us to develop an Energy Efficient Design approach that optimizes every element of a golf club to maximize the performance of a woman’s swing. The end result is the most forgiving set of clubs for women with longer, straighter distance with higher ball flights and better accuracy from every point on the course. Available: Dec.10, 2009

Callaway Golf® Solaire™ Golf Ball - A new women’s golf ball designed to perform ideally at slower swing speeds. The soft, resilient core has been specifically formulated to provide increased carry and distance, helping shots fly farther than ever. The low compression core produces soft feel off the clubface and patented HEX Aerodynamics produces long, efficient ball flight. Two stylish colours are available: 100% Pure Callaway White or High Visibility Pink. Both utilize a luminous finish that will add a distinctive flair to any woman’s game. Available: Nov.15, 2009

GPS DEVICES

UPro Go - The latest edition to the UPro family is the UPro Go. With the UPro Go, hit the course straight from the gift shop with a cutting edge, full colour GPS device pre-loaded with thousands of courses across Canada and the U.S. The virtual green view feature in Go Mode shows the green and the surrounding area in vivid detail with precise distances. Anypoint technology is another Go Mode feature that allows you to measure to any point on or around the green, and at half the size and weight of other golf GPS devices, it fits easily into a pocket. For more information on Callaway’s uPro and UPro Go visit www.uprogps.ca. Available: Nov.11, 2009

Oh, Bubba!

2009-11-02T21:27:00.007-05:00

There is a lot to like about PGA Tour player Bubba Watson and after what I saw today I like him even more.

Not only is he a long-hitting, talented golfer who is as genuine as it comes, he married to a Canadian girl, and the dude can just flat out play. And he is not just the long, high, straight bomber type - this man plays shots and moves the ball around the golf course at will. He is just plain fun to watch!

That is just as true for his online presence. Not only does Bubba respond to his fans via Twitter (@bubbawatson) he is not afraid to be himself and put it out there in public on video.

You want to know what I am talking about? Go watch this and then sort through all the other videos Bubba has posted there.

If you are not a Bubba fan after that I don't know what will ever convince you to be.

Long live Wooden Stick!

Need A Nike Method Putter NOW?

2009-11-01T21:00:00.005-05:00

If you answered a quick yes to that question then 1) You are a gearhead and 2) You know exactly what I am talking about.

The Nike Method putters were used very successfully in 2009, helping Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink to their first major victories but most golfers will likely wait until Spring, 2010 to buy one when they become available at retail on February 1st.

For those golfers who have crashed the golf Internet boards drooling at the images of these new sticks their 1st chance to snap one up comes soon. A Limited Edition of the putter will be made available through various outlets on November 2nd. Worldwide readers will have to track one down at the online NikeStore while my fellow Canadians have a couple ways to go about getting a METHOD into their hands.

Starting at 12:01pm EST, November 2nd, consumers can make an order exclusively through GolfTown's website at www.golftown.com. This can be done until November 30th or until quantities last. You can likely count on the latter as I am guessing that they will all be gone in days, if not hours.

For those who would like to acquire one of these putters but are less than inclined to pay the full tariff they might be in luck. Nike Golf Canada is running a contest at www.nikegolf.ca from November 2-16, 2009 for a chance to win one of the limited edition METHOD putters.

The winner of that contest along with those who successfully register to buy one will be eligible to receive a METHOD putter that is fully customized for fit, along with a bevy of other personal touches.

The putters will be crafted at THE OVEN, Nike Golf's R&D facility in Ft. Worth, Texas. Each LE model will be personally stamped with 2 numerals or letters, come in a special edition box, and come with a certificate of Authenticity signed by Tom Stites, Nike Golf's Director of Club Creation along with the builder who actually completes the putter.

There will be five versions of the putter available at the time of the retail release in February, 2010. The model available in the limited edition release will be the METHOD 001 blade. The MSRP will be $549 (CDN).

The images of the Limited Edition METHOD putter and packaging included here were published by Nike Golf on their Facebook Fan Page.

10th Anniversary Wedges for Whitlam

2009-11-01T08:24:00.009-05:00

Edmonton native David Whitlam, who makes some fine clubs through his company, Gauge Design, announced via Facebook last night that in a few weeks they will have new 10th Anniversary Wedges Available.

The Forged wedges have a CNC Milled face and milled grooves. They will be available in lofts of 52, 56, 58, and 60 degrees.

They look fantastic.

North Carolina Images

2009-10-29T14:33:00.003-04:00

Just thought I would provide a chance for the readers to see some of the images from our recent trip to North Carolina. We were on the trip to gather information for a travel feature that will be appear in early 2010 in the pages of Flagstick Golf Magazine.

Enjoy...I know we did!

The Week

2009-10-26T23:01:00.006-04:00

I beg your pardon for my Blog absence over the last few days. After returning from ten days on the road the family (and laundry, sleep, etc) takes first priority but I am steadily working my way through photos and images from the trip to North Carolina.

I will post a couple images today for your entertainment. Lots more to come as well as video between now and when the print story about the trip rolls out in the spring.

Hopefully it tides you all over for a few days as I will be joining the Flagstick staff for a trip to Toronto in the middle of this week to attend the 2009 Ontario PGA Merchandise Show. This show has been steadily getting smaller but there are still a few key manufacturers who attend. Among them is Callaway Golf, Nike Golf, Fletcher (Adams, Sunice, etc), and Mizuno. Because of that we hope to have some new information to share about their 2010 product lines about our return.

For other regular updates (many times daily) be sure to follow our micro-blog on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flagstick

I'll Tweet as much as possible from the golf show and will follow up with any pressing news, images, and other information we gather from it.

Canuck Only Deals at Pinehurst Resort

2009-10-26T12:53:00.003-04:00

I hate to be totally Pinehurst-centric on here but after our trip there last week I had to pass on word of these deals for my fellow Canucks. Happy Monday!

PINEHURST OFFERS EXCLUSIVE CANADIAN RATES THROUGH MARCH

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. (October 22, 2009) – World-Renowned Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina is offering Canadian golfers and travelers exclusive packages through the winter season, where mild temperatures and sunny days make for a great day of golf.

For as low as $176 (American) per person, guests visiting the resort between November 8, 2009 and February 28, 2009 will enjoy a round of golf on any of 5 resort courses, overnight accommodations and breakfast at Pinehurst. Upgrading to the famed Pinehurst No. 2 golf course, site of the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships, starts at $222 per person/night, with room and breakfast.

Visitors traveling in March can enjoy Pinehurst starting at $251 per person/night, including a round of resort golf on any of five courses, room and breakfast.

All rates include unlimited practice facility usage and cart fees. Caddies and rental sets are available upon request for an additional charge. Children 12 and under stay and eat free with a paying parent. All rates are quoted in American dollars. Spa rates are also available.

Reservations can be made by calling Pinehurst at 800-487-4653 or via email at info@pinehurst.com. Stays on these packages require proof of Canadian mailing address at time of booking and/or upon arrival.

UNC 1, NC State 0

2009-10-21T16:17:00.006-04:00

Collegiate loyalties run deep here in the Triangle of North Carolina. Wake Forest, Duke, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State all have their dedicated fans. Just have a look around and see all those people wearing red, baby blue, navy blue, and black and gold.

When it comes to golf, the rivalries might only come second to the one centred on roundball.

In the last couple days Jeff and I had a chance to visit the campus at both North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina and play their respective golf courses.

The NC State course, the Lonnie Poole Golf Course, opened just this past summer and will need some time to grow in to see it's full potential. It is a brawny Arnold Palmer design stretching to nearly 7,400 yard but it left us a little perplexed. They had a wandering, rolling piece of land that they threw $14 million dollars at and came up with a less than satisfying result.

It features some rough looking bunkering in a "Pine Valley" styling but it seems to have missed its mark if it planned to be considered a top design. A great example is a 550-yard par four,yes, par four that plays uphill from tee to green. At a shorter yardage it would be considered a decent hole but at that absurd length it seems like nothing but a yardage grab. Pop it 320 off the tee and you still have 230 elevated yards to traverse!

Over at the University of North Carolina the UNC-Finley Golf Course has a longer history - it started as a George Cobb design built in the 1940's. In 1999 Tom Fazio rebuilt the place and did an exceptional job. Within the mature landscape marked by numerous types of trees he created a solid grouping of holes that move nicely around the property. The green complexes are well bunkered and the putting surfaces run fast and true.

In this battle UNC's golf course comes out on top, even if their actual golf teams don't always do the same.

2014 Should Be Tremendous

2009-10-19T21:04:00.004-04:00

After 11 hours of much needed sleep last night I am finally coherent enough to tap the keyboard a little.

It's been quite the last few days. On Saturday Jeff and I reacquainted ourselves with Pinehurst #8. It truly is a Fazio beauty. We were joined by a couple enthusiastic lads from Boston who proved to be a lot of fun to play with. Seeing them get a glance at the course for the 1st time was fun and we got to exchange thoughts about #2; it's always interesting to hear other golfers opinions.

Immediately after the round we headed for Concord, just north of Charlotte. We arrived early for the NASCAR Bank of America 500 but it was necessary as the crowds were thick and wild. Thanks to some last minute contacts we had a comfortable place to watch the entire race. The race that yes, finished at about midnight. It then took us more than an hour to get out of the parking lot (it can take up to 3 hours sometimes we were told by John Mills of the local CVB).

The late finish added to a lengthy drive ensured that we did not get back to Pinehurst Resort until 2:30 a.m. and to bed by 3. The 6 a.m. wake up call was a startling one but when you know you are getting to play one of the best courses in the world, Pinehurst #2, you get moving in a hurry.

I treated Jeff to a caddy for his upcoming birthday and Jack proved to be invaluable, especially in reading the Ross greens.

All I can really say about #2 is that it was even a greater pleasure to play it a second time and start to see even more nuances than I did the first time. And playing it on a Sunday with the "Payne Stewart pin" cut on hole #18 made it rather emotional. Each of us in our group (we were joined by Mark and David - a father and son) were quite aware that is was just a week short of the 10th anniversary of Payne's untimely death.

I'll have lots more to say about #2 in our full travel feature but one thing I will declare is that the back-to-back US Men's and Women's Open Championships on #2 will be nothing but exceptional. There are some great plans already in place for those weeks.

We vacated the Pinehurst Resort and resettled just up the road at Little River Resort yesterday. This Dan Maples course sports quite the back nine and the on-site villas and perfect for the foursome looking to do a big golf getaway.

We have two courses to face tomorrow before heading for Chapel Hill for the next 2 nights. Anderson Creek and Lonnie Poole are the tests for us tomorrow.

That should be a lot of swings...I hope I'll have a little energy left to share some more about our trip after the last putt drops.

Tired

2009-10-18T16:15:00.002-04:00

Tired, just plain tired. That's about all that describes Jeff and myself as we work our way through our 2009 Fall Road Trip. North Carolina is treating us well but 9 hours sleep through three days is just not enough.

I'll write more later when I have had some rest. I just wanted to check in and say we were still alive for anyone following the road trip. Much thanks again to Janeen Driscoll at Pinehurst Resort for all her efforts in making the first part of our trip as good as it was.

Beyond Golf

2009-10-16T22:49:00.011-04:00

St. Andrew's, Pinehurst; what's are these places really about? As impactful as their golf courses have been it is not until you really dig deep that you learn what sets them apart.

After you visit destinations like these it quickly becomes clear that there is something that makes them far more significant than the turf that has been hewn into places for people to play a game.

There is a beauty, a majesty, a presence, that goes beyond golf.

It seems cliche to put them in a spiritual realm but even golfers can say that they feel emotions bubble to the surface at places like the Pinehurst Resort where I currently sit. Just steps away the Ryder Cup lounge is littered with photos of great golfers that have played here but just around the corner, in a majestic hallway, are row upon row of images that depict more than a hundred years of history. In those pictures you don't just see golfers, you see people that for some reason have found a connection with this place. It might simply be the physical beauty of the land that brought them here, or a sporting activity of some kind - either way they were drawn here for some reason.

It is hard to explain and I won't be so flippant as to think I have the words to do it justice. It is not something to be told, it is something to be felt, to see, to be immersed in.

Yes, eight golf courses are clearly the major attraction here at Pinehurst but there is so much more than that that puts it into a league that has a limited membership.

It is a place where everything just seems to fit.

In just a day and a half I have been reminded why Pinehurst Resort will always have a place in my heart. The people,the setting, the golf, the history - they possess an intoxicating mix that would be impossible to manufacture.

Fortunately they recognize that fact and simply nurture it's existence, keeping true to it's original essence.

But don't take my word for it - golfer or otherwise you owe it to yourself to put it on your travel checklist.

Highlights of the Day:
Breakfast in the Carolina Dining Room - Mouthwatering!
Course #4, 13th and 14th holes - Stunning!
Triple Chocolate Souffle (with Godiva white chocolate creme anglais) at the 1895 Grille in the Holly Inn - Pure Heaven!

Pinehurst Resort

2009-10-15T22:28:00.002-04:00

We (Flagstick Publisher Jeff Bauder and myself) finally made it back to Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina today. Eight years ago we visited here just days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 so it made for a tense time to even think about playing golf.

This time we have a shorter stay planned than our 2001 stopover but we hope to get the most out of every minute. We are already off to a great start with an evening round on Course #1 followed by dinner at the Ryder Cup Lounge.

This place simply oozes golf history and even though we have only been here a few hours we have already spent a good portion of that browsing the memorabilia in the clubhouse and Carolina Hotel.

I'd share more but I have to reserve something for the Road Trip feature travel story that will appear in 2010.

We have a date with Course #8 in the morning but I will be sure to pass on a few notes later in the day.

It was a little dreary for photos today but I hope to snap more than a few tomorrow. We are also collecting some video for our YouTube channel so expect to have access to some of that in the coming days or weeks.

It may be 10:39 at night but I am off to wander around this magnificient hotel a little more. There is just so much to take in at Pinehurst Resort.

Check it out yourself at www.pinehurst.com

Nike VR Driver, Fairways, and Hybrid In The Pipeline

2009-10-13T23:44:00.003-04:00

Nike staffer Paul Casey may have broke the photos of the Nike VR driver from the Nike Golf sales meeting just a few weeks back but now we have the have the official details on the club that has been making the internet golf forums go wild for months.

With the Ontario PGA Show happening at the end of this month we expected that it might be the place where the new VR products are finally unveiled and it looks like we might be right as Nike Golf Canada passed on information today about these products.

Calling them a "New Tour-Inspired Innovation", Nike Golf finally reveals the full details on the Victory Red Premium Drivers that will respectively carry price tags of $499.99 and $549.99 here in Canada when they are introduced on February 1st, 2010.

In addition to these two new drivers this week the company will also introduce a couple other new clubs: The premium Victory Red STR8-FIT Tour fairway woods that also include STR8-FIT face-angle technology and the distinctive red Split Compression Channel on the sole and the VR Hybrids that feature a 455 Ultra Thin Face with Nike's distinctive Split Compression Channel.

Starting on February 1, 2010, two versions of Victory Red drivers, The Nike VR STR8-FIT Tour and the VR Tour will be available.

According to the company, "The new VR drivers were designed for avid golfers who are refining and optimizing distance in their game, desire a more traditional look and demand tailored performance with pin-point accuracy. This premium line provides golfers all the benefits, adjustability, looks and performance that the Nike Athletes receive week in and week out on Tour."

They added, "The VR STR8-FIT Tour driver expands upon Nike's award-winning STR8-FIT Face Angle Technology, giving players both the ability to select their shot shape as well as the flexibility to dial in the look of their driver like never before. The VR STR8-FIT Tour Drivers offer 32 face angle positions for the ultimate in workability and confidence at address. For the golfers who prefer a more traditional look, Nike has developed the VR Tour driver that is distinguished by a smaller "pear-shaped" head size and no adjustability trait."

The company says the clubhead of both versions of the VR drivers has a design that should appeal to the avid golfer seeking lower spin rates and a more penetrating ball flight. This, in a package with a refined shape and look.

Each driver features the distinctive red Compression Channel that is located on the sole and is lined from the toe to the heel paralleling the face. Nike says the Compression Channel "increases the overall compression of the body, which produces increased, uniform ball speeds across the entire face."

"The Compression Channel technology takes the rigidity out of the sole and provides more flex in the heel," said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf. "By adding this technology, we have made the VR drivers more forgiving for the better players when they miss it in the lower zone of the heel."

The VR Tour driver has a smaller, more traditional head design for more workability than the VR STR8-FIT TOUR. The VR Tour also has a longer hosel than that of the VR STR8-FIT Tour and has one glued head position without adjustability.

Availability: February, 1, 2010 at golf shops and specialty stores across Canada.

VR STR8-FIT Tour Driver

Men's: Loft Options: 8.5 (RH); 9.5 (RH/LH); 10.5 (RH/LH); 11.5 (RH/LH); All available in: R,S,X
Cdn MSRP: $499.99

VR Tour Driver

Men's: Loft Options: 8.5 (RH); 9.5 (RH); 10.5 (RH); All available in R,S,X
Cdn $549.99

Golfers Can Once Again Chase Olympic Glory

2009-10-09T15:41:00.002-04:00

When Canadian George S. Lyon defeated Chandler Harper to win the gold medal at the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, few would have imagined it would be more than a century before another golfer would have that opportunity.

Lyon, then 46, would eventually win eight Canadian Amateur titles but clearly the defining mark of his life was his Olympic moment.

As of October 9th, with approval by the International Olympic Committee, golfers of the world can now dream of achieving Olympic glory, just like Lyon.

During the 121st session of the IOC committee golf was approved for inclusion in the 2016 and 2020 Olympiads.

The process to have golf included in the Olympics was a long one that was aided by the support of many athletes and administrators. Among those speaking to the IOC committee on the final day were LPGA players Suzann Pettersen and Michelle Wie, 2009 British Amateur Champion Matteo Manassero, and 3-time major champion Padraig Harrington. Each gave a short but impassioned speech about why they felt golf should be an Olympic sport while Wie also introduced short video clips from Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, both playing at the Presidents Cup.

While the players were excited at the outcome of the day's events nobody felt more relief than Ty Votaw. "We are elated that the IOC has accepted golf as an Olympic sport, and look forward to seeing the world's best golfers compete for gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro," said Votaw, Exectuive Director of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee.

Based on player feedback the International Golf Federation (IGF) has proposed a 72-hole individual stroke play format for both men's and women's competitions. A three-hole playoff was recommended as a tie breaker to determine medal winners.

Further recommendations include a 60 player field for each of the competitions using the Official World Golf Rankings to determine eligibility. The top-15 players in the world would be eligible to compete, regardless of their national origin. Outside of the top 15, players would qualify based on the world golf rankings with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15.

Based on the current world rankings that would qualify players from as many as 30 countries. That's a big improvement from the 1904 field in St. Louis when some 70 Americans were joined by a sprinkling of just three Canadians.

Of course there is still a lot of work left for the return of Olympic Golf in 2016 in Rio, within the hosting bid that included a $14Billion dollar spending pledge there was no apparent provision for a new golf facility which they will most likely need.

There is a lot of time to sort that out of course, the important thing is that the first major hurdle has been crossed and for at least the the next six years there will be another reason for the world to talk about golf.

Through Fresh Eyes and a Couple Gear Notes

2009-10-08T10:12:00.002-04:00

Often when we see something spectacular over and over again we lose the sense of how it made us feel that very first time we were exposed to it. That is true when it comes to golf courses as well.

I had the opportunity yesterday to tour media colleague Rick Young of Score Golf Magazine around the Smuggler's Glen Golf Course near Gananoque, Ontario. Watching Rick see the stunning property for the first time reminded me of the excitement I had when I first made a visit. The course has quickly grown to a favorite in the region having won the 2009 Flagstick Reader's Choice Awards for Best Public Golf Course with a green fee over $40. Observing Rick's face as we moved from hole to hole reaffirmed why it is so worthy of the award.

Hopefully Rick, as the current President of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada, will share his delight and help make more people aware of how many great golf experiences are available in Eastern Ontario.

On an equipment note major golf shaft manufacturer True Temper has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection according to wire reports. Just over a year ago an insider in the golf shaft industry pointed me towards True Temper's financial statements and their mounting debts. The possibility of this filing has been looming for quite some time and it looks like a huge decline in sales has prompted it. We'll see how and if they are able to restructure and the impact it might have on supply for the golf industry. Will it be a boon to other shaft manufacturers looking for stability in their supply chain? Only time will tell.

And for TaylorMade fans out there you just might see another new driver on it's way to add to the R9 family. I was privy to some images the other day of a R9 460 driver with Flight Control Technology AND 2 weight posts - an advancement of the current R9 460 model. I expect official confirmation of this club will come sooner rather than later.

Presidents Cup Nostalgia

2009-10-07T09:59:00.005-04:00

I must confess that the 2009 Presidents Cup is guaranteed to be a disappointment for me. Two years ago, when it was played in Montréal, I spent the entire week on the grounds-in the heart of the action.

I won't say it was the most exciting golf event I have ever covered but it certainly was a highlight week. How could it not be? I started out by being one of the very first media to register on the Monday and was able to make my initial reports from a very empty media room. With a few of my peers on site and certainly no spectators it made for a great start to the week. When you are part of just a three-person party that are the only followers of Mike Weir (photo) and Retief Goosen (and their caddies) as they hit their very first practice holes it certainly makes for an intimate setting to watch these players prepare.

Just as enjoyable was my chance that afternoon to walk with the five American rookies (photo), their caddies and the official team photographer. That's it, just the 12 of us for nine holes, getting a perspective like few others will have an opportunity to have.
Although writing about golf is my job, I will never stop simply being a fan.

That part was so much fun that the actual matches were almost a letdown, save for the Weir/Woods showdown of course. I have to show my Canadian bias there.

While I am not in San Francisco this week as I watch I will certainly recall the week that was at Royal Montréal just two years ago. As serious as some people take these matches ultimately they provide an opportunity for professionals that play individually most of the year to have teammates for a week. Behind the scenes the camaraderie is unbelievable and you get to see players as they really are, just people who enjoy playing the game of golf. Just like you and I.

Watching golfers smile, grind, and chuckle as they play in formats that we all play on the weekend at our own clubs just makes them a little more human. I like that and is is what will always attract me to watching the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and certainly, the Presidents Cup as well.

Even if, this time, I can't be there in person.

Scribble & Dash

2009-10-05T22:23:00.004-04:00

Just a quick few notes tonight as I am just home from a long day in Toronto and have to be up early to finish up a course photo shoot in Ottawa.

Flagstick Publisher Jeff Bauder and I spent almost the entire day with representatives from more than 30 destinations from the United States all focused on outbound Canadian travel. We were more than happy to run into plenty of friends at this DiscoverAmerica event.

We also learned a lot today. It's no secret that Canadians are the number 1 guests by volume to America but what was surprising to learn was that 45% of the visitors originate from Ontario. Better yet the 3rd most popular activity for these travelers is actually golf!

That said, with the U.S. economy working towards a rebound, as one official said, "the country is still on sale." Throw in a 92 cent dollar and golf travel to the states is looking pretty good right now.

Next week Jeff and I are heading out to North Carolina to the Sandhills Region and the Raleigh/Durham area. You can expect lots of updates as we travel to gather information for a 2010 Flagstick Golf Magazine feature. Check for updates here and more frequently, at twitter.com/flagstick. We'll see what we can do about adding some content to our You Tube Channel as well while we are on the road.

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Equipment News - TaylorMade, Nike, and more

2009-10-02T09:41:00.007-04:00

I simply love the Fall. Many of the golf products we have been speculating about for months finally get officially introduced .

The equipment introductions have been piling up in the last few weeks so I thought I would throw out a simple recap this morning on a few items.

TaylorMade Golf -
Earlier today TaylorMade Golf introduced their R9 (photo) and R9 TP Irons. The R9 irons are touted as providing and control enhancing technologies in a classic shape. "Whereas our burner irons deliver extraordinary distance in a modern design, the R9 irons are aimed at the technician, and so are rendered in a player's shape with a clean and conventional look," said Harry Arnett, Taylormade's senior category director of metal woods, irons and balls.

Additional features of the R9 irons include a deep undercut cavity, low center of gravity sole, and new and conforming groups for 2010. The stock shafts are KBS 90g steel shafts.

Similarly the R9 TP irons make use of KBS shafts, their KBS Tour model. These irons are targeted at the player looking for high performance in a even more classic shape. The compact head is characterized by a semi-straight leading edge, semi-square toe, thin top-line and a thin, cambered, and beveled sole.

Both sets irons make use of a "Velocity Control Chamber" to enhance the longer clubs (the middle irons in the R9's as well) with a clubface that is ultra-thin for maximum flex at impact, much like a thin-faced driver.

Nike Golf -
After being outed on Twitter by PGA Tour staffer Paul Casey just a couple weeks ago the new driver lineup from Nike Golf is no longer a secret. The company released official details on their new square model this past week, the MachSpeed, in anticipation of Justin Leonard putting it into play at the upcoming Presidents Cup. Even with the early look the driver is currently slated for March 2010 retail delivery.

The new driver combines Nike's Str8-Fit technology with square technology and what they are calling "Total Swing Aerodynamic Design."

The last term applies to work the company did to allow the golf club head and shaft to move faster throughout the entire golf swing. The driver will be available in multiple loft options for both men and women.

KBS Shafts -
As mentioned earlier FST's KBS Shafts are being featured in the new TaylorMade R9 irons. That is not the only news for the company that just celebrated his 60th anniversary of their parent company, FEMCO. It was recently announced that KBS Tour Steel shafts had been added to the custom programs for Callaway Golf and Mizuno. That means that after just two years of being a production KBS is now offered in custom programs of 11 of the top original equipment manufacturers.

I am told you can expect more shaft innovations from the company to be announced in the coming months.

More Fun at Turning Stone

2009-10-01T16:15:00.006-04:00

Although the PGA Tour will not officially confirm their 2010 PGA Schedule until critical meetings in November I am going to make a little suggestion. They need to ensure that the Turning Stone Championship is not really going to be played two weeks LATER in 2010 as I hear the plan currently is.

That is unless they want to be the first PGA Tour event to be plagued by snow since that last occurred at the 2005 BellSouth Classic. I guarantee that any of the white stuff that falls here (and it seemed imminent today) will not melt in minutes as it did that week in Georgia.

It's fortunate that their is $6 million dollars and a first prize of $1,080,000 this week or a few golfers would probably have not even made the trip. Rich Beem might wish he hadn't. The 2002 PGA Championship blurted a quick, "crappy weather, crappy golf," post first round today. He reaffirmed the same sentiment a little later is a Twitter post that said pretty much the same. Shooting 80 and freezing while you do it will do that for just about any pro golfer, past major champion or not.

Players today had to deal with temperatures that were optimistically measured in the mid-40's with rain and wind as a constant companion. It didn't stop a few of them from posting good scores but that was likely aided by their opportunity to get their hand on the ball "through the green" - ironically for the 1st time on tour since the aforementioned 2005 BellSouth Classic. Good caddies are worth their weight in gold on days like today.

The people of Central New York have put on a world-class event since they first bailed out the tour when they played substitute host for the 2006 B.C. Open. And bringing $6 million and a world-class facility to the plate should not be ignored in a time when Commissioner Finchem himself says they expect to lose some events and sponsors in coming years.

The Turning Stone Championship and the gracious Oneida Nation that host the PGA Tour event deserve better treatment. The players love the place and I am sure they will come back year after year.

They just need a tournament date just slightly further away from Christmas.

Be a dear Tim Finchem and give it to them. Play the part of Santa, not the Grinch!

A Soggy Day On The PGA Tour

2009-09-30T13:08:00.008-04:00

It was wet, cold and not a lot of fun, that is if you are trying to hit a golf ball. Thankfully I left that to the PGA Tour players yesterday as I dropped in to the PGA Tour's Turning Stone championship just east of Syracuse, New York.

At just over 2 1/2 hours drive from Eastern Ontario it will be the closest that the best players in the world get to our region this year so it made sense to me to try to get down and see the action. Cold rain and high winds made me think otherwise very quickly. Fortunately, with no spectator access yesterday the relaxed atmosphere allowed media people like me (and there was less than a handful of media people on-site from what I could tell) some extensive access to both the players, golf equipment manufacturer representatives, the tour equipment trailers, and even the clubhouse and locker room.

My main purpose of the trip was to gather information for a feature that will appear in 2010 in Flagstick Golf Magazine about life of golf equipment manufacturers on tour. Because of that I won't get into that aspect of things too much and leave it for the future story but I did gather a few nuggets yesterday while mingling with players in the PGA Tour "circus".

Trailing Gawain Robertson of ACCRA Golf and Shawn Mullin of TaylorMade Golf around as they did their jobs made for an insightful day. Of course plenty of it was off the record but I am happy to share what I can.

On the equipment front the day started with a little talk with Jason Bohn and his caddy, mostly about the new grooves on clubs over 25 degrees. (The USGA was on site giving players information so it was a popular subject)). Jason said that he and other players will have to visualize their short game shots differently now but he is impressed with the consistency that the new grooves provide around the green so in that aspect it is a good thing. Overall he and other players know it will change the game especially at events like the majors where the green conditions can be extreme.

There were just four equipment manufactured trailers on site this week, Cleveland Golf, Titleist, Callaway Golf, and PING.

PING had their new trailer, the replacement for the trailer that got totaled in an accident earlier this year. The new model is about 18 inches taller, has double pullout walls and gives the technicians more room to get their work done. Several of their staff players, such as Jeff Maggert and Chris DiMarco were doing a few tweaks with their gear yesterday. Maggert was specifically testing a new hybrid.

In the Callaway golf trailer the heaviest demand was for a new hybrid that they have been testing on tour. The new look club has been popular among even non-staff players and looks like it might be a hit for the company. They were also putting together a lot of irons and wedges yesterday propelled by the new groove rules and increased player testing.

Easily the busiest trailer was the Cleveland/Srixon workshop where their team of techs were hopping with reshafting fairway woods for Robert Allenby (he is close to changing out of his beloved Sabre shafts that he has had in play for 6 years) and while I was there Kevin Stadler was keeping warm and having some club work done.

Usually Tuesday is the big day for equipment changes and tweaks on tour but the weather did not allow for a lot of testing so it was actually quite quiet. How bad was it? When one player joked that he came in because he was tired of hitting 137 yard 6-iron's the immediate response by another player was that he wished he was able to hit it that far.

In other equipment notes, the new TaylorMade Penta ball looks to be making some inroads on tour while Titleist is already sampling their staffers with new models that have been created to couple nicely with the new grooves. TaylorMade's interchangeable face technology wedges are also getting the thumbs up from tour players who like the ability to get a fresh set of grooves while maintaining all other specs of their wedges, especially their particular sole grinds.

I'll share a few more things in the coming days but one of the funniest things I heard yesterday was that soon the small TV screen that Michael Allen has embedded in the front panel of his golf bag to show rotating ads might have the capability of streaming television. The possibility is that it would allow the guys to watch NFL games on it on Sunday causing one caddy to point out to Allen that Phil Mickelson will want to play with them every Sunday from now on. Mickelson is a HUGE football fan.

I can't really comment much on what I saw in the locker room but let's just say that with such poor weather the guys were really happy to have multiple TV screens available in front of large couches and chairs. It was a popular congregation point.

Even though there is not a lot of top 10 names at the tournament I would encourage anyone within a decent driving distance to make the trip to Turning Stone. Appleby, Allenby, Adam Scott, Rory Sabbatini, Charles Howell III, Baddeley and Calcavecchia are just a few of the headliners so the cost of $25 for a daily ticket (any day) including parking is a pretty good deal to see some PGA Tour action.

Check out www.turningstonechampionship.com for more information.

Notes:

TaylorMade Tour Manager Paul "Lego" Loegering will be caddying for friend and TM Staffer Corey Pavin this week. He has had previous on-bag appearances with players like Robert Allenby. I'll be rooting for them to play well.

Good Guy Award: Michael Allen, after winning the Senior PGA Championship earlier this year, made good on a long forgotten promise by gifting his caddy with a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Acushnet Products 2010

2009-09-24T15:04:00.006-04:00

As promised yesterday we have a few video for you to enjoy. Thanks to Gavin Corbeil of Acushnet Canada for providing products and commentary for our readers. Their 2010 is being well-received by accounts and the consumer response is expected to be just as strong.

Here it Comes

2009-09-23T16:27:00.005-04:00

Our Fall issue of Flagstick Golf Magazine will start showing up at distribution locations later this week and that means another great year of print publishing has concluded. We've served up seven issues of Flagstick along with the Flagstick For Women Annual throughout 2009 and you can expect the same for 2010.

That does not mean we are going to hibernate for the winter though - we have a lot of work ahead of us. We just wrapped up our annual team brainstorming sessions and, as always, we have some great new stuff in store for Flagstick readers. Watch online at Flagstick.com as well as here for updates as we reveal even more ways to deliver exciting golf news and content.

In the meantime, the Fall means "Equipment Time" as manufacturers get set to reveal their latest creations. Expect to see a lot of equipment news right here on the Blog.

In the coming week or so you can expect a full update on the Acushnet family of products including Titleist, Cobra, FootJoy and even Pinnacle updates. (Maybe even a video or two!) I will also lay out the 2010 line-up from Cleveland Golf (new CG7 Tour Black Pearl iron above, left).

And next week I am off to gather information for a 2010 feature story at the PGA Tour's Turning Stone Championship. I'll be happy to reveal what I can about the products I might wander across during my time in the Manufacturers' Tour Trailers.

Hang in there and make sure to return for lots of updates. If you want to know when items are posted I'll send out notices via Twitter at www.twitter.com/flagstick

Miura: A Voice of Reason In A Fast Moving Golf Equipment Market

2009-09-16T11:40:00.033-04:00

Driven to capture the imagination of the average golfer many a golf manufacturer has taken the approach of introducing new club models at a very rapid pace. To some degree this has created problems for both retailers and consumers whose selling and buying cycle might not quite match what the manufacturer hopes them to be.

Then along comes Miura Golf. Long known for their purist approach to the creation of forged irons and wedges, it has taken some time for the company to even consider moving into the wood and utility market. And this is not a bad thing. That painstaking and methodical approach may not produce mass instant success but it adheres to the principals of the company and their founder, Katsuhiro Miura. Quality come first and sales, well, they follow as players discover clubs that fit them and perfom as they are supposed to.

For more than 40 years Miura has crafted clubs, all created in a process that is totally in contrast with the mass manufacturing process that many companies employ.

Today, commercial sucess has come upon the company, driven by their Vancouver-based operation (incorporated in 1994) that has enlightened North American golfers (the largest golf market in the world) to the quality that Miura can provide.

I recently caught up with Bill Holowaty, V.P. of General Operations, to talk about their latest market entries.

First on the agenda was understanding why Miura would even delve into woods and utility clubs.

"Our company wants to, and will, maintain our focus on what Mr. Miura does best and that is irons," responded Holowaty. "The question continually came up 'Do you, will you offer, have you got, woods?' . I think it really came about with an epiphany by people hitting Miura irons for the first time and knowing that there was something different there, then wanting that for the rest of their bag.'"

Holowaty says the positive way people have responded to the new products is no surprise. "Those who are familiar with Mr. Miura and the way he runs his business - putting performance first over everything - they seem to have an inherent confidence in anything that the Miura name is on. They know it will be something special."

The result is products that in some way go against the grain of the current market, especially in the terms of driver size and even into the design of the utility clubs. "We've been able to build up the brand so that when people see the Miura name they know they might see something different, something exceptional, so when it came to the manufacture of utilities, fairway woods, and drivers Mr. Miura was really leery for a long time."

Miura's main concern was that he would not be in complete control of the manufacturing process from start to finish. The reality of the current industry is that the club heads for these products could not be fully manufactured in the Miura factories, unlike all the other Miura products. As a result it took some time to pin down exactly how the process would play out. "He wanted to make sure he was getting something that he would be willing to put his name on," explains Holowaty.

Luckily manufacturers familiar with Mr. Miura's reputation were willing to work with him to ensure the utmost in quality products as they knew working with the man known as having "The Hands of God" would be great for their reputation as well. The product had to be the best they could make, created to the highest standards.

Of course that didn't mean that Mr. Miura took in the outside work readily. Holowaty says early on Miura would meticulously check the products searching for any sign of imperfection. "It took a while and he would check a lot of things. The paint, the weights - it all had to be to a standard he was happy with and that took some time. The term 'tour-quality' is thrown about pretty loosely but these were tour quality, not designed to be mass produced and not designed to be replaced. Like all Miura products they needed to have a shelf life attached to them."

Part of that shelf-life formula was coming up with the right products not just the flavor of the day.

"These were all stepping stones to getting to where we are today," Bill remarks. "What you buy today is what you would have gotten six months ago and it's what you will get six months from now." "There is not an urgency to launch products as opposed to meld them into our line because they are going to be there going forward.

In the driver category that meant a 390cc driver (the Precious Edition) in a market crowded by 460cc club heads. "There wasn't going to be a driver introduced unless it fit into the philosophy of Mr. Miura in regards to performance. That was optimum in allowing the club to get back to square at impact." Bill says that often he will play golf and let others try his driver. He told me that pretty soon they forget about how big a driver is "supposed" to be and recognize that they like it for the feel, the sound and the performance.

And then there is the most recent introduction, the Precious Utility Club. Like the driver that has now been out for almost two years the intent of the Miura Utility Club was well defined from the very beginning.

Designed to provide a high trajectory with a slight draw bias, the Miura utility proved it could provide just that in testing by our Flagstick Magazine staff. Curious about why the company chose to make a club with those characteristics we pointed the question to our friend at Miura. "That's a question not only from you but our dealers and from the end users," Bill states. "Again it comes back to what Mr. Miura thinks will work best with his philosophy," he explains further. "He wanted to have something that would blend in with Miura irons, especially for the player who plans to take the 3 and 4 iron out and replace them with a utility. We want to give them a club that will perform in concert with the irons. He wanted to provide them with clubs that would confirm with a consistency of trajectory and yardage that would fall in with the set."

Holowaty says Mr. Miura wanted to give golfers a utility club that would go a precise yardage not an "about a" yardage. He also heard concerns from golfers that the light shaft and head weight of some utility clubs was of concern. Some golfers felt this combination resulted in poor performance (in distance control and ball flight) when the golfer was under pressure, such as what they feel in playing tournament golf.

In response Miura wanted to provide a club that could be relied on, resulting in the current design. "Mr. Miura recognizes it may not be the club design that is for everyone but for the player looking for the precison of an iron with the ease of use of a hybrid this will fit nicely." "We're not trying to re-invent the hybrid market, it's simply a niche product that fits with a sound philiosophy centred on performance and quality. That just fits with who we are," Bill concludes.

"We want to make the right clubs, not just any clubs. Mr. Miura has a strong philosophy and it will continue to be the foundation for us."

Notes:
- Miura had their first pro player success with J.L. Lewis and Ray Floyd.
- 2009 Futures Tour winner and gradute to the 2010 LPGA Tour member Samantha Richdale actually bought her set of Miura Irons on her own.
- Miura does not solicit club use by tour players but more and more calls from them keep coming in for requesting access to their equipment.
- With diminishing numbers of complete equipment contracts the number of pro tour golfers playing 1 or 2 Miura clubs is growing.
- The Yoshitaka (Mr. Miura's #1 son, age-wise) Miura wedge line (60 degree currently) will be expanded this Fall with 49, 51, and 53 degree models.
- The R&A has already approved new Miura clubs for 2010 under the new Groove Rule.
- Yoshitaka Miura was responsible for the Miura work with TaylorMade until 2004.
- Yoshitaka continues to be the one who works directly with many of the pros.
- C Grind Wedges, with more heel and toe relief, with lofts of 55, 57, and 59, will be introduced shortly
- For 2010 Katsuhiro Miura is working on a new iron model that conforms to the new Groove Standards with traditonal Miura feel and perfomance.
- All current Miura models will be made available with conforming grooves starting later this year.

September Issue..Did You Miss It?

2009-09-16T08:39:00.001-04:00

Did you miss our September print issue somehow? If so you can always catch our issues online!

We're sorry, your browser doesn't support IFrames. You can still &amp;lt;a href="http://www.yudu.com/item/details/81397/Flagstick-Golf-Magazine---September-2009?refid=7578"&amp;gt;visit this item.&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, however.

New Nike VR Driver

2009-09-15T15:32:00.004-04:00

Not sure how Nike's Marketing department will take this but just minutes ago Paul Casey posted a photo of the new Nike VR driver and sent it out via Twitter.

The Compression Channel is supposed to enhance the effective hitting area of the clubface.

It looks to make use of Str8-Fit technology in the hosel area.

Casey is hanging out at "The Oven" today testing golf equipment. When I visited this Nike R&D facility in Texas a couple years ago they told me that Casey is one of the biggest gearheads on the Nike staff and loves to spend hours there.

We should have more details on this driver in the coming weeks.

MOUCHARAFIEH LIVING A "JUNIOR GOLFER DREAM"

2009-09-14T16:32:00.001-04:00

I'm a sucker for Junior Golf so when this story ambled across my desk a few minutes ago I knew I had to pass it on.

Golf is truly a worldwide game that presents many opportunities.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — For Matthew Moucharafieh, a sophomore at the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, the year 2009 has been unforgettable – and it’s only September. Moucharafieh, a native of Lebanon, has had the opportunity in only 9 short months to receive golf instruction from Hank Haney, instructor to the #1 player in the world, and play with PGA Tour golfer Retief Goosen.

In January of this year, Moucharafieh was invited to play in the Qatar Master’s Rolex Pro-Am at Doha Golf Club. He would soon realize his playing partner would be 2-time U.S. Open winner and 7-time PGA Tour winner, Retief Goosen.

"I was very excited to be invited to play in the Qatar Master’s and even more thrilled to have the opportunity to play with Retief. Most kids my age would probably be nervous but I was enthusiastic about the tournament and wanted to win," Moucharafieh said.

Moucharafieh and Goosen, along with two other players, did exactly that. Playing a best ball format, Moucharafieh’s team finished at 16 under par to win by 3 strokes. The win included beating teams comprised of PGA Tour players Adam Scott, Ernie Els, and Paul Lawrie.

"It was an unbelievable experience. I played the round of my life including an eagle and birdie on the first 2 holes", he said. "Retief and his caddie were impressed with my play. They gave me tips and helped me with yardage throughout the round. I don’t think Retief was expecting to take as many of my scores as we did."

Winning the Qatar Master’s Rolex Pro-Am didn’t stop Moucharafieh’s streak of success. In April, he finished in 2nd place at the 9th Pan Arab Junior Championship at Yasmine Golf Club in Hammamet, Tunisia. Realizing his opportunities to improve as a junior golfer were limited in Lebanon, Moucharafieh

decided to apply for the Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA) located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"Shortly after applying, I was notified I had been accepted. I knew immediately having the opportunity to work with Hank Haney would take my game to the next level."

Over the summer, Moucharafieh played in multiple junior golf tournaments including a 1st place finish at the Junior Club Championship at the Golf Club of Lebanon in Beirut.

Moucharafieh arrived in mid-August at the Hank Haney IJGA and has been steadily working on his game. As part of the Hank Haney IJGA program, Moucharafieh spends half of his day on golf training and the other half taking academics courses at the Heritage Academy, also located in Hilton Head Island. In addition to golf and academics, he also receives instruction in mental training, course management, and fitness training.

"I have worked with Hank Haney several times since I arrived in Hilton Head. He is an incredible instructor and takes so much interest in each student’s game at the Hank Haney IJGA. An injury has set back my full swing progress but this has given me time to focus on my short game," Moucharafieh said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Hank Haney IJGA, Blaik Shew, knows Moucharafieh will bounce back from the injury and be stronger than before.

"Matt has exceptional ability as a junior golfer. We are extremely pleased he chose the Hank Haney IJGA and confident Matt will be one of our premier players in the near future," said Shew.

Moucharafieh plans to begin competition play in November as he is scheduled to participate in events on the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT). But for Moucharafieh, it’s not all about the competition – it’s about the experience and learning from the best.

"The experience of playing with Retief Goosen and the golf instruction from Hank Haney has certainly helped to shape and develop my game. I look forward to working with Hank over the course of the school year here at the Hank Haney IJGA."

To follow Matt’s progress and obtain more information about the Hank Haney IJGA, you can visit www.ijga.com.

How Far Will Jaws (The Wedge) Swim?

2009-09-11T23:32:00.003-04:00

I had word in late August that a "Jaws" wedge was on the radar from Callaway Golf. Finally a few photos are leaking their way on to the internet. You can have a look at the two finishes ot the left. No official word yet that they will make their way to North American shores but several sources confirm at least a Japanese release.

As manufacturers can still crank out wedges under the current groove rules apparently they have the aggressive MD "Mack Daddy" marlings to provide their spinning action.

From the looks they appear to have a high centre of gravity base on the upper weight pad at the back of the face.

I hope to be able to get a closer look when I drop by some of the Tour Vans at the Turning Stone Championship in a few weeks near Syracuse.

Word is that the USGA will be doing some testing that week so a few more tour vans than normal will be set up at Turning Stone to get feedback on designs they are working on to conform with the 2010 Groove amendments.

Nike Golf Introduces the Ultimate Wet Weather Shoe – Nike Zoom Bandon

2009-09-10T14:18:00.006-04:00

It's almost Fall; the wet weather will come - you might need some new kicks...

BEAVERTON, Ore. (September 10, 2009) – Nike Golf has introduced the newest and most advanced shoe to date to combat wet weather conditions on the golf course. Designed for the avid golfer who won’t be kept away on a rainy day, the Nike Zoom Bandon features a seam-sealed synthetic upper as well as a waterproof lining that provides an unmatched level of waterproof protection as well as a breathable barrier to moisture. More flexible and durable than leather, the unique seam-sealed synthetic technology won’t stretch out or break down over time, resulting in a more flexible and durable shoe that offers comfort, fit and performance round after round.

Other essential features include a zipper shroud closure that keeps water out and laces dry, while the unique mid-cut height blocks water from entering at the ankle line for the ultimate in weatherproof protection. Ultimately, this shoe allows golfers to play with “zero distractions” – spend more time thinking about your game and less time worrying about your feet staying dry.

In addition to wet weather protection, the Nike Zoom Bandon offers golfers comfort and stability through responsive, low profile cushioning provided by Nike’s Zoom Air unit in the heel of the shoe. Also featured is the Nike Power Platform, which provides golfers with better balance, smoother weight transfer and more power through impact.

Designed to be waterproof but also low maintenance, the secondary traction elements on the Nike Zoom Bandon have been designed to decrease clogging around the spikes, making these shoes easier to clean after a wet and muddy round of golf.

The Nike Zoom Bandon offers every advantage for every weather condition to coordinate with Nike Golf’s all-weather products, including the Storm-Fit Elite Jacket and Pants, All Weather gloves and Cold Weather mitts.

In addition to the features noted above, the Nike Zoom Bandon offers the following technical benefits:

-Full-length Phylon midsole

-2-Year Limited Waterproof Warranty

-Scorpion Stinger Spikes and Tri-LOK system

-External Heel Stabilizer

Yummy...new gear!

2009-09-03T15:33:00.007-04:00

The influx of new golf gear is at full roar so I thought I would leave the gear heads with a little treat before the weekend arrives.

As mentioned here and on our Twitter stream we knew that an extended crop of Slotline putters was set to debut this fall and thanks to Chad Lehr, the intrepid designer and product manager we have a little preview and some details.

Last week on the Champions Tour the 692 model debuted and the 691 and 693 putters should be out there for consideration by the world's best on September 14th.

The new models are cast from 304 stainless steel and then milled for 45 minutes to bring them to the final shape, according to Lehr who dropped the details to Flagstick via email earlier today.

Each head is fitted with a 6061 aluminum face insert that has been triple milled. Needless to say, the feel should be exceptional.

Extra stability will be provided by 15 gram heel and toe weights (30 grams total) with a total headweight at 360 grams (a lovely detail for guys like me who like to feel the clubhead).

As always the putters will feature the SLOT and LINE alignment. Standard loft will be three degrees with a 71 degree lie angle.

All this and you get a very attractive non-glare Tin-Nickel plated finish.

We're looking forward to some live testing to give these beauties our final verdict.

Some sample pics. More at http://twitpic.com/photos/slotline

These putters will be available at retail on November 1st.

Canadian Getaway: Pristine Bay Resort

2009-08-25T11:34:00.007-04:00

Honduras does not come immediately to mind when you think of golf resorts but more Canadians than you can imagine are finding the Central American country to be the perfect winter oasis. And 50 kilometres off the Honduran coast, on the island of Roatan, there will soon be plenty more reasons for golfers to make the journey. Here, on an island enhanced by the world’s second largest barrier reef, a spectacular new destination, Pristine Bay Resort, is coming to life.

Stephen Reynolds of Buffalo Communications , the company the represents the resort, says that even in light of the recent economic woes in other parts of the world the massive 400+ acre project is right on target with their golf course expected to debut at the end of this year.

The golf course will clearly be the main attraction among the housing properties. The “Black Pearl at Pristine Bay” features a co-design between Pete Dye and his son Perry. Dye, an iconic designer, is best known for projects like the TPC Sawgrass Stadium course and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and his immense talents are in full force at Pristine Bay. The eighteen hole layout has no less than 14 holes with ocean and barrier reef views – a simply stunning backdrop for the 7157 yard layout (click on layout image or a larger view). The course plays from ocean level property, into the foothills and back to the water side clubhouse.

Like the Ocean Course at Kiawah the Black Pearl course will use salt-water tolerant Paspalum turf – grass that provides a brilliant hue to contrast the beauty of the nearby ocean.

Supplementing the golf course will be a first-class practice facility that includes a short game area and multiple putting and chipping greens.

The Pristine Bay resort community will eventually feature a 120 room luxury hotel, deepwater marina, and beach club.

Those looking for a more permanent housing solution will be able to choose between bay and golf course condominiums, 2,3, and 4 bedroom villas and custom lots on which they can build their dream retirement or second home.

www.pristinebayresort.com

Getting Life and Golf In Tune With NeurOptimal

2009-08-18T11:14:00.018-04:00

I'll admit it right now, it's been a tough summer. There is no doubt that it was one of the busiest on record for me in my role as Flagstick Editorial Director. Between print magazine work, Blogging, Tweeting, Facebook updates, newsletters, and Flagstick Golf Photography clients it has been a real juggle of time and physical resources.

And somehow within all that I have been trying to do some volunteer work with the Golf Association of Ontario, maintain a normal family life and even try to golf at a reasonable level.

The last part might have been the toughest. I once had big aspirations as a player but some time ago my golf game went into a bit of a limbo. To try and maintain a plus index and play strongly at competitive golf events is just too tough to do without dedication to practice and the time to do so. And playing enough "real" golf to keep my scoring abilities sharp? It's just not in the cards. Throw in a hand injury that just won't seem to go away and you have a scenario none too conducive to decent golf results.

With that said I was very pleasantly surprised about how my golf game turned out this year..so far. I still have a couple of events left to play and I am hopeful that things will stay on pace.

With the physical part of the game: practice, play, and physical conditioning (more the hand injury that anything else - I feel very fit otherwise) being less than optimal I have leaned on another pillar this season and I give it a lot of credit for helping me along.

Before I get to that I want to make a few things very clear. In a year I get to test a lot of golf products - some good, some bad, but rarely do I find something so unique that it revitalizes my focus on the game that I became so passionate about almost three decades ago. Lots of things hold a fleeting promise in golf but more sporadically something comes along that really gets me excited. So when I actually gush about a product you can be assured that my enthusiasm is genuine.

After many years of playing to a scratch index or better in the last few years that began to hover in the 2-3 range. That was just fine by me; me expectations lowered in relation to the time and effort I had to give.

And then this year came. I know I would actually have LESS time to practice but still set out some lofty golf goals for myself. So how did I expect to reach them without the benefit of more extensive practice and play? I used my head instead.

The brain is a wonderful thing and while poor thoughts have dismantled more than one golf score (many of them my own!) , being calm, focused, and thinking well can yield surprising results.

As an ally in this process I enlisted Neuroptimal Golf.

After being introduced to the innovative and simple to use Neurofeedback System, www.neuroptimalgolf.com, back in January at the PGA Merchandise show I saw a huge upside to it's use. Offered a system for a 6-week trial period in the Spring, I doubled that session so that it would coincide with my busiest golf and work season. What better way to test the effects of this system than by "fire" when my stress levels were high and my work and golf expectations were just as much so.

So, once or twice a week I "hooked up" to the Neuroptimal system that monitored by brain activity and provided feedback that would help to get that activity more organized. As much as my wife thought it was unusual to see me with wires running from my head to a computer - she saw how the effort was bearing results.

I would often hook up to the system while writing or researching on the Internet, sounds flowing through a headset into my ears. It was pretty easy to do once I got into the habit.

So how did it play out for me? Very positively in fact.

While my golf swing has not returned to what I would say is peak form, in most cases I have been able to manage myself better - resulting in a much more rewarding golf experience.

Instead of being frustrating by poor shots I am more accepting of them (that from an admitted former hothead in his youth). And this carried through into tournament rounds - a place where I have always needed extreme confidence in my game in order to trust myself enough to play well. Instead, even without that assertiveness, I have been able to "work" my way through each shot and each round to get what I feel is the maximum result. I was calmer, seem to think more clearly and was able to keep the adrenaline under check when necessary - all key tasks in tournament play. A little less anxiety was also obvious.

While no trophies came my way except a few garnered during team events I did work my way into the final group on the last day of my club championship this year, eventually earning a top 5 finish and a spot on the club's Intersectional Team. My index is also now back under one for the 1st time in several years - and that is playing and practicing about half as much!

Physically I have had some knee and thumb issues but I have somehow not let them nag me enough to bother me as I play. I am not saying Neurofeedback made pain go away, I just seem not to focus on it as much.

Off the course, the Neurofeedback has been paying dividends as well. Feeling calmer (hard for me to do sometimes) I have been able to keep a strong focus and get myself much more organized. That is important when you write the equivalent of 2 novels throughout the golf season.

My sessions with the NeuroOptimal System are over now but I feel the time spent allowed me to tap into my potential - from both a mental and physical aspect.

Neurofeedback is a growing realm and I believe that Neuroptimal Golf is slightly ahead of the curve, especially in the golf specific neurofeedback business, with their easy to use system.. Unlike decades ago, people now appreciate the importance of the brain in optimizing sport performance and Neuroptimal should continue to grow as their network of trainers expands.

Thanks to Samantha Diavatis, CEO of the Zengar Institute and Tim O'Connor for the opportunity to change the way I looked at the world while allowing me to have better control of my life and golf without a lot of extra effort.

For more information see www.zengar.com, www.neuroptimalgolf.com or search out Neuroptimal on YouTube to see what a session is all about.

The New Nike Method Putter Promises To Deliver

2009-08-18T07:46:00.006-04:00

With a strong stamp of approval by their playing staff (major championship wins never hurt!) the new Nike Method putters promise to bring the company strongly into the premium putter market.

You can expect that like many Nike products they will grab their share of the marketplace. The putter laboratory and milling facilities at "The Oven" in Ft. Worth are second to none and having witnessed the operation first hand I can tell you that people like David Franklin and Tom Stites of Nike live and breathe every club design.

Here is a little taste of what the Method is all about.

Broome Looking To Sweep Dual Championships

2009-08-10T20:44:00.005-04:00

Like many other burgeoning young golfers Matthew Broome of Barrington, Rhode Island, has his eye on winning the United States Amateur Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma in a few weeks but in the meantime he has another trophy to chase.

The winner of the the 2008 New England Amateur and standout player for Furman University (school photo to left) is competing in Canada this week, trying to win the Canadian Amateur Golf Championship. While it seems like an unlikely warm up for the U.S. Amateur, his family roots makes it a lot more relevant.

You see, Matthew, who was a standout amateur at Barrington High School playing out of the Rhode Island Country Club, is the son of Peter (and Sandy) Broome, the Vice President of Business Partnerships for Acushnet. Yes, that Acushnet - the makers of Titleist & Cobra products, and dear old dad happens to hail from Canada.

On top of that, Peter used to be an assistant golf professional at the Beaconsfield Golf Club, a course not far from Le Blainvillier Golf Club, where the Canadian Amateur is being played this week.

"He really has a busy schedule...it's good to be young," said the proud papa via email earlier today.

Just last week Matthew got to explore his Canadian roots a bit by spending some time with family in Brockville, Ontario - the small city where his dad grew up playing golf at the Brockville Country Club. Matthew's grandfather John Broome is a former mayor of the city and a prominent member at the club.

They all took a few laps together over the venerable Brockville layout that dates back almost 100 years and was designed by famed Canadian architect, Stanley Thompson. Playing alongside them for nine holes was regional Acushnet Rep, Gawain Corbeil, who was impressed by what he saw in 20 year old Matthew. "You could just tell that he is a really, really solid player," said Corbeil who has seen a few in his time in the industry.

What many people don't know is that Matthew was actually born in Canada as well, right in Montreal.

So don't be surprised if you see Broome win this week at the Canadian Amateur. He has the heritage and pedigree that should actually make him a local favourite - even if they don't know it. And what a story that would be if a young man born in Canada but raised in the United States could manage to win both country's amateur golf championships!

With an opening round of 68 and sitting in a tie for 3rd place, Matthew Broome is on his way to making that a possibility. He'll just have to deal with chasing NC State golfer and Canadian Matt Hill - who just recorded one of the greatest seasons in NCAA history.

Hill shot -7 on day one and leads the way but Broome looks like he is ready for the battle on his "home" turf.

Ohhh...summer!!

2009-08-01T21:40:00.003-04:00

The wettest July in Ottawa history is finally over and hopefully that means summer temperatures have finally arrived.

Just to help the cause I am off to find summer - I figure it might take a week and may even involve a trip to as far south as Florida. As soon as I find it I promise to bring it back for the rest of you to enjoy!

Cheers for now...

And while I am gone be sure to sign up to our VIP Club Getaway Contest here. It's free to enter and on top of the chance to win a free trip you get early access to the digital edition of the magazine, a free informative newsletter with unique content, as well as VIP-only specials and offers.

There might be a few Tweets this week from my secret summer-seeking locale so be sure to follow our Twitter www.twitter.com/flagstick

3rd Annual GolfTown Invitational Returns

2009-07-29T09:56:00.007-04:00

The 2009 GolfTown Invitational is all set. In a teleconference today with Ryan Brown, Director of Marketing, GolfTown and Scott Reid, Managing Director of Callaway Canada, they announced that the headliners for the event will be PGA Tour pros J.J. Henry and Ernie Els (left). Henry (photo below, left) also joined in on the call.

The special event will again play out at the prestigious Magna GC, north of Toronto - for this season on August 31st. the day will kick-off with a breakfast where participants (it is limited to 20 teams) will get to interact with the pros. That will be followed by a clinic and 9-hole exhibition with Henry and Els. The 18-hole competitive tournament will then take place where players will get to hit a shot with the PGA Tour stars.

Scott Reid says, "Callaway Golf is very excited about this opportunity." "We are excited to help GolfTown continue its tradition of bringing top level tour professionals to Canada for great charitable causes."

Reid also referenced Callaway founder Ely Callaway's commitment to social causes and that this event fits right in with that philosophy. "Both Ernie and J.J. are not just elite-level golfers, but elite-level people as well. Ernie's work with Autistic Youth has been well-documented while J.J.'s Henry House Foundation provides health care and well-being for families in Texas and southern New England."

The charitable beneficiary of this years event will be the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine and their efforts in research into treatments and a cure for Diabetes.

Through their various charities events in their ten years of existence GolfTown has donated more than $2 million to various groups to aid people in the community.

For more information on how you can participate visit www.golftown.com/gti

Monday Mixture

2009-07-20T09:00:00.005-04:00

Let's call it a Watson hangover. After the incredible events this past weekend at the Open Championship it is hard to imagine that any story will top Watson's unlikely run at the Championship. In any case, it was incredibly appropriate that Watson was able to challenge like he did at Turnberry.

Following on the heels of that we have a very busy tournament week coming up in our region. While the pros will be battling it at up in Oakville at Glen Abbey for the RBC Canadian Open I am afraid my credentials may go unused due to the wealth of tournament action back here in Eastern Ontario.

Today we have the CPGA Ottawa Zone Summer Open taking place at Eagle Creek. The rest of the week will be filled with the GAO Ontario Junior Girls' Championship at Barcovan, the GAO Ontario Junior Boys' Match Play Championship at Cataraqui, and the week concludes with the finale of the Ottawa Citizen Amateur Championships. And in between we also have the OVGA Ladies' City & District Championship.

On another front I just got word about some equipment news the other day. You don't hear much about new gear at this time of year but I thought this might be interesting to some. There was a story last week on USAToday.com about Lee Trevino (pictured) finding a Bridgestone 330-RX Ball while out playing with friends. He played the ball that is designed to play like a premium ball but works best for less than maxium swing speeds and liked it so much he has signed on to endorse it.

Trevino will star in a new ad for Bridgestone with Fred Couples ; the ad will show up later this week. In other notes from Bridgestone the company will debut a long-awaited new driver this fall along two new sets of irons and some fairway clubs.

Inspiration

2009-07-09T13:24:00.002-04:00

I am sure a lot of you have seen this video by now but I thought I would share it with those who have not. If you have ever needed a little inspiration or wanted to know how golf can change a life - this is it.

Simply amazing!

Tournament Time

2009-07-08T09:32:00.003-04:00

Yep, it's THAT month. I would love to say that I get to play a lot of golf this month but save for a scramble or two and my club championships (for which I will be woefully under prepared) July always shapes up to be a heavy coverage month. And I am not complaining - golf news and event coverage is the heart of our business at Flagstick and just to be able to see all the great on-course stories play out, often in person, is a real privilege. I just wish more people would come out to witness some of these fine events.

Among this month's schedule there has been a Quebec Major Amateur event, the Alexander of Tunis which is followed up today with the conclusion of the Ottawa Valley Golf Association Junior and Juvenile Championships. Rounding out the week will be the CPGA Ottawa Seniors Championship at Brookstreet Resort and their Marshes course with Sunday bringing the OVGA Men's Intersectionals of which we are now the title sponsor. For next week we roll into the OVGA Ladies Intersectionals, on to the RCGA Future Links Quebec Championship, a couple field days and various local events. The week after that will bring the Ontario Junior Girls Championship at Barcovan, the Ontario Junior Boys' Match Play Championship at Cataraqui and to top it off that week, the RBC Canadian Open up at Glen Abbey.

So forgive me now if the Blog updates are a little spotty this month. You're best to follow me on Twitter; those 140 character updates might just be a little easier to make.

Let's hope your are playing in some of these tournaments - even if I can't be I'll be glad to be talking about the stories you are making.

And Another Week Begins

2009-06-29T11:56:00.003-04:00

I must admit that it has been a little hard to get back on my feet and in work mode today. My sleep patterns suffered some damage at the end of last week. I spent about 29 hours straight awake on Thursday and Friday as I participated in the incredible strokesforehopes.ca 24 hour golf marathon.

Between caddying, forecaddying, and just about any other task, we all got through the night. I can't begin to thank everyone who took part and those who did the organization. Cathy and Krista were incredible along with Dave, Garth, Jim, Tim and so many more. A massive kudos to Edward Goodfellow and Andrew Fazackerley (Photo left - after 24 hours of golf!) who golfed and WALKED all 24 hours. Blisters and fatigue did not deter them and the reward looks like more than $300,000 that will go towards redevelopment of the Southeastern Ontario Cancer Clinic. Simply stunning what two young men and a community can do when they work together.

Golf has proven to be a great vehicle for raising money for charity and tomorrow that will continue with the Microsoft Golf Classic For Autism. This will be the 6th year of the event that has given back more than $200,000 for the community. I am happy to be taking part at The Marshes at Boorkstreet Resort in Kanata. Check out www.sensfoundation.com and see their events section for more details.

And lastly, on a more competitive golf note. A big congratulations to the staff and members of the Loyalist Country Club in Bath, Ontario for their successful hosting of the Ontario Men's Mid-Amateur last week. There was tremendous volunteer support from the members and the competitors all had plenty of kind words for how the week turned out.