Phil Mickelson's costly comments
+ Tom Fazio is known worldwide, but he's content right at home.
Callaway Golf puts Phil Mickelson on ‘pause’
Equipment manufacturer 'does not condone' six-time major champion's controversial comments about Saudi Arabians, a proposed Saudi-backed league and the PGA Tour.
> Related: KPMG, Heineken split in immediate aftermath of comments
Q&A: Why Tom Fazio is right at home
The 77-year-old golf course architect has built a world-renowned career, yet he has no problem staying close to home. Fazio sits down with The First Call’s David Droschak
Puma pushes through challenges for record 2021
Sustained brand momentum, product launches help fuel positive tone of company’s Q4 report
Greg Norman's career receives '30 for 30' treatment
Latest installment of ESPN’s documentary series to focus on former world No. 1’s fateful final round at 1996 Masters
Justin Thomas dips toe into course design
28-year-old PGA champion collaborating with Jack Nicklaus on Panther National, the first course that will feature Thomas’ name
WORTH A LISTEN
Breaking down barriers by engaging the unengaged
‘The ModGolf Podcast’ celebrates Black History Month with a series about Black innovators. Charles Dillahunt, a creative business strategist for the PGA of America, joins host Colin Weston.
Andy Walker eyes a 'Wakanda for golf'
‘The ModGolf Podcast’ celebrates Black History Month with a series about Black innovators. Walker, director of the UGA Academy and Player Development, joins host Colin Weston
Jim Beatty taking 'next steps' for game's trailblazers
‘The ModGolf Podcast’ celebrates Black History Month with a series about Black innovators. Beatty, executive editor of African American Golfer’s Digest, joins host Colin Weston
DESIGN NOTES
A look at what is happening in golf course architecture.
> Canada’s only Alister MacKenzie design, St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg, will be restored in 2022, courtesy of Jim Urbina, with an assist from Riley Johns. MacKenzie created nine holes for the club in 1929, which paired with a Donald Ross nine from 1920. Urbina will tackle the Ross nine in 2023.
> Restoration specialist Andrew Green recently inked two additional Ross designs to his ever-growing portfolio. In January, venerable East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta enlisted Green to take its hallowed grounds, where Bobby Jones learned the game, back to its Ross version. In 1913, Ross completely redesigned Tom Bendelow’s 1908 original. It lasted until the late 1950s, when George Cobb modernized features ahead of the 1963 Ryder Cup. Rees Jones undertook subsequent renovations beginning in 1995. Work is scheduled to commence following the 2023 Tour Championship, which has been played at East Lake every year since 2004.
> In February, Green signed on to restore the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale in Philadelphia. Formed in 1921 by the merger of two nine hole courses, Torresdale Country Club and Frankford Country Club, the course was redesigned by Ross in 1921. Thereafter, it was known as Torresdale-Frankford Country Club, until its purchase and renaming by the Union League of Philadelphia in 2014.
> Just across the river from Augusta, Ga., Aiken, S.C. has its own acclaimed golf courses, with more on the way. Old Barnwell broke ground in early 2022 with the first of two planned courses, a private championship layout designed by Brian Schneider and Blake Conant. Schneider is the former a longtime associate of Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design Group, while Conant often associated with constructing Renaissance’s designs. According to the club’s membership prospectus, “Old Barnwell’s 575 acres of sandy loam stretch across valleys and ridges, through prairies, secluded timber forests and spacious corridors winding in and out of native vegetation.” The course is expected to open in 2023.
NAMES | NEWS | NUMBERS
BUSINESS
> Troon to add associates, resources and office space to its Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., office. … Edison Golf Co. launches its redesigned website (EdisonWedges.com), which features information about wedges, a streamlined purchasing process and the company’s WedgeFit scoring range analysis. … NewEngland.golf creates a U.S. Open portal that will provide news and information on the 122nd U.S. Open, scheduled for June 16-19 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. … Bombers Des Moines, which will feature a 50,000-square-foot golf entertainment venue, a 100-room hotel, plus 3 commercial outlets for retail, restaurants and office space, is planned for Johnston, Iowa. The scheduled to open in summer 2023. … Junior Golf Hub launches College Match feature that pairs junior golfer with a list of 10 closest college matches based on the player and college data. … The First Tee will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2022 with a series of events and an anniversary storytelling hub on firsttee.org. Since launching on Nov. 13, 1997, First Tee has grown to a network of nearly 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations.
COMPETITION
> The Presidents Cup announces the Charlie Sifford Centennial Cup, which will be played on Aug. 29 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. The event will feature six of the country’s top men’s golf programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, competing in an exhibition match under the Presidents Cup format.
COURSES | DESTINATIONS
> Circling Raven Golf Club opens for play on April 8 and is offering preseason special packages and rates. … The Conservation Fund purchases the 202-acre former Vistoso Golf Course property in Oro Valley, Ariz. The acquisition allows for the preservation of the property as a wildlife sanctuary and public recreation destination. More than 600 individuals contributed to the over $1.8 million raised to help purchase the land. … Visit Carlsbad promotes California destination, which includes Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, Park Hyatt Aviara and The Crossings at Carlsbad.
GEAR
> PrideSports reports that its Pins Thintech EXP replaceable spikes were worn on the Adidas Z-21 shoes of the Genesis Invitational winner. … Motocaddy introduces its M7 Remote electric caddy that has a 50-meter range and is powered by two 230-watt motors. It retails for $1,549. … Wilson unveils its Launch Pad irons, woods, hybrids. Key improvements include an optimized wide sole that resists digging and a lower center of gravity for higher ball launch. … Big Max introduces the IQ 360 push cart, which combines a 360-degree rotating front wheel with its longtime IQ+ design for maximum maneuverability. … Tour Edge tour staffers Bernhard Langer and Tim Petrovic finished first and second, respectively, at the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubb Classic. … Cleveland Golf unveils its Smart Sole 4 Black Satin wedges, which will be available on March 4.
PEOPLE
> Bay Creek names Robert Ewing as general manager of the Cape Charles, Va., golf community. Ewing will oversee golf, club and fitness center operations. … The USGA names Juli Inkster, a five-time USGA champion, as the recipient of the 2022 Bob Jones Award, which recognizes character, respect and sportsmanship in the game of golf. Inkster, a seven-time major champion, won three successive U.S. Women’s Amateur titles (1980-82) and two U.S. Women’s Opens. … At the USGA Annual Meeting on Feb. 19, the association announced that the Executive Committee will again be led by Stu Francis and by Fred Perpall, who will serve as president-elect. Also, Sinclair Eaddy Jr. and Kevin Hammer have been elected to three-year terms on the USGA’s 15-member committee. … Torreon Golf Club hires Rolland Vaughn as general manager and promotes James Hildebrand to assistant general manager for the Show Low, Ariz., golf community. … Tetherow Resort hires Mary Jacobs as director of golf instruction. Jacobs brings her One, Two, Follow Through Golf Academy to the Bend, Ore., resort.
THE GOOD LIFE
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