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.