Category: Panorama

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Panorama

The starting signal for the Junior Ryder Cup 2023 falls on Tuesday

The European Junior Ryder Cup Team of 2023 is in the starting blocks. (Photo: Junior Ryder Cup)
The European Junior Ryder Cup Team of 2023 is in the starting blocks. (Photo: Junior Ryder Cup)

The 2023 Junior Ryder Cup takes place this week in Rome from Tuesday September 26 – Thursday September 28 at Golf Nazionale and Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

In a change to the previous format, the Junior Ryder Cup will now take place over three days instead of two with Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the Ryder Cup venue, hosting the decisive singles matches for the first time, which will also be broadcast live on television.

Junior Ryder Cup 2023: When and where will the matches take place?

Golf Nazionale, which hosted the Italian Challenge Open earlier this year, will be the venue for the first two days of foursomes and fourballs between male and female juniors from Europe and the United States, on Tuesday September 26 and Wednesday September 27. The competition will then move to Marco Simone Golf & Country Club on Thursday September 28, the day before the venue hosts the Ryder Cup itself, providing an exciting curtain-raiser to golf’s greatest team contest.

The 2023 European Junior Ryder Cup Team, captained by 2014 Ryder Cup player Stephen Gallacher, consists of six boys and six girls. The six automatic qualifiers included three boys – Englishman Kris Kim, Ireland’s Sean Keeling and Germany’s Peer Wernicke – and three girls – Spain’s Rocio Tejedo, Swede Meja Örtengren and Germany’s Helen Briem.

Six players were then selected by Gallacher: Scotland’s Connor Graham, Ukraine’s Lev Grinberg and Italian Giovanni Binaghi for the boys, while Sweden’s Nora Sundberg, Spain’s Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea and Italian Francesca Fiorellini were selected for the girls.

European captain Gallacher expects “magical experience”

“It is a tremendous honour to be Captain of the European Junior Ryder Cup side and I am looking forward to working with and showcasing the most exciting future talent in Europe,” said Gallacher. “My uncle has captained the Ryder Cup team three times and I was lucky enough to play in 2014 so the Ryder Cup has always been a big part of my life.

“I’ve got a front row seat to watch the best players in the world at their level and golf’s future World Number Ones.

“We’ve got a very strong team and we’re looking forward to a robust but fair competition against the U.S played in the spirit of the game.

“Playing the final day at Marco Simone will be a magical experience for the teams who get the opportunity to compete in front of Ryder Cup crowds on the Ryder Cup course for the first time.

“Walking on to the first tee yesterday during our practice round and getting to meet Captain Luke Donald was an amazing experience for our team.”

The U.S. Team, captained by PGA Past President Paul Levy, is seeking its seventh straight victory and owns a 7-3-1 all-time record in the biennial competition. The team features six boys and six girls who are U.S. citizens and members of the high school graduating class of 2024 or younger.

The American Junior Ryder Cup Team. (Photo: Junior Ryder Cup)

The 2023 U.S. Team includes Junior PGA Championship winner Gianna Clemente, Leigh Chien, Kylie Chong, Anna Davis, Ryleigh Knaub, Yana Wilson for the girls. The selected boys comprises Junior PGA Championship winner Miles Russell, Jackson Byrd, Billy Davis, Nicholas Gross, Will Hartman, Jay Leng Jr.

“These are the greatest young players in America and they are ready to flourish on the biggest of stages this week. It’s going to be a special tournament for everyone involved. This is not just about wanting to win for your continent but it’s also about the fellowship, the friendship and the memories that the players will create.

“This is a very special experience to be in Rome. For a Ryder Cup, I don’t think we’ve ever had a better venue. It’s a special match play golf course.

“To be the U.S. Team Captain is an absolute honour and it is by far the proudest moment in my career.”

(Text: European Tour Group)

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Fun Uncategorized

Tom Holland: Spider-Man swings not only between buildings but also driver

Spider-Man star Tom Holland can also swing a driver. (Photo: Getty)
Spider-Man star Tom Holland can also swing a driver. (Photo: Getty)

Spider-Man can not only place nets unerringly, but also a golf ball in the hole – or at least Spider-Man actor Tom Holland can. The 27-year-old Briton is quite respectable with his 6 handicap and is a regular guest at celebrity tournaments. It is unforgettable how he almost played his way onto the European Ryder Cup team in 2021 with a single stroke. On the 18th hole at the Pro-Am before the BMW PGA Championship, then Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington promised, “If you hit the green, I’ll take you on the team.” And he almost had to keep his word – but only almost. “For a moment I thought maybe I could become a golfer,” Holland joked after the moment.

Yet golf is more than just a casual pastime for the actor. “I’m addicted to golf,” he told People magazine in an interview a few years ago. “It’s a nice way to disconnect from what’s going on around you. I turn my phone off and I just enjoy being outdoors with my friends, my brothers and my dad.” Along with his brothers, he again competed in the 2023 Pro-Am at Wentworth.

Tom Holland: “Golf is incredibly humbling”

Golf has another effect on him. “Golf is also incredibly humbling,” Holland said. “Over the last few years, I’ve been very lucky that my career has taken twists and turns, but all the kind of twists and turns that I could only have dreamed of. And very often, I’ll go out and play golf to celebrate, and it will very, very quickly humble me by destroying me.” “So,” he added, “that’s why golf is valuable.”

Whether athletes or actors, many public figures who can’t risk getting injured find a secure future in playing golf. That’s just as true for DFB soccer players as it is for Hollywood stars. For example, the first thing Holland wished for after the end of the Spider-Man trology with “No Way Home” was to go skiing. “That’s something I’ve not really been allowed to do because it’s obviously a dangerous sport. I’ve been very careful over the years, which is why I’ve become obsessed with golf because it’s the only sport I can play without getting injured.”

All the more reason for Holland to introduce the sport to his one friend and fellow actress Zendaya, The Hollywood Reporter knows. “I gave her a few lessons. She’s very talented by nature, a real athlete, so she picked it up very quickly.”

Superheroes on the golf course

But Holland may not be the best superhero on the golf course. Ant-Man Quantum Mania star Kathryn Newton also swings a club regularly and also plays with a 6 handicap. Both competed in the Pro-Am of the BMW PGA Championship 2023 in Wentworth, although not in a direct duel. That challenge is still open.

@imdb We’re going to need this match-up to happen STAT. #tomholland #kathrynnewton #TheCrowdedRoom #MCU #imdb ♬ original sound – IMDb

Instead, Holland played a round with Jon Rahm, whom he greatly admires. Face to face, he told the Masters winner how Holland, together with his family, had followed his great Major triumph.

And even when he met Padraig Harrington again two years later, it was clear that the former Ryder Cup captain had not yet forgotten the moment they shared on the 18th green.

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Panorama Uncategorized

Harry Kane replaces Thomas Müller as FC Bayern’s best golfer

Harry Kane is not only the most expensive player ever to play in the Bundesliga, but also arguably the best golfer. (Credit. Getty)

Thomas Müller in particular should be extremely pleased about the spectacular transfer of English superstar Harry Kane to FC Bayern. Müller, who is known for his passion for golf, will probably not only provide the perfect templates for the new star striker on the football field in the near future, but will probably also enjoy one or two rounds of golf together with him. With the signing of Harry Kane, FC Bayern has not only gained one of the most outstanding goal scorers of the last ten years, but also brought a virtuoso golfer into the team. With a handicap of 0, Kane even puts the experienced golfer Müller in the shade.

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Harry Kane (@harrykane)

Harry Kane: Golfer by Passion

Kane first ventured onto the golf course at the age of six or seven, but his involvement at that time remained rather modest. The true passion for golf only ignited in Kane at the age of 17 or 18. During one summer, he deliberately refrained from travelling and instead devoted himself to golf every day for five weeks. During this period, his handicap dropped from 18 to about 10, and from then on, his enthusiasm for the sport grew inexorably year by year. He began to follow golf on television, with Tiger Woods in particular inspiring him.

Nowadays, Harry Kane presents himself with an impressive handicap of zero. As a member of Wentworth Golf Club as well as Beaverbrook Golf Club in Surrey, he has made two renowned golf courses his sporting home. During his time at Tottenham Hotspurs, he often played with teammate Eric Dier. Now in Munich, he has probably already found a new playing partner in Thomas Müller, who will keep him company on the golf course. Since Müller is also a regular guest at the Pro-Am of the BMW International Open, fans may soon be able to admire Harry Kane’s golf game at the Munich-Eichenried Golf Club.

Golfing with Tiger Woods not a dream for Harry Kane

Harry Kane has already experienced several things in his golf career that remain a lifelong dream for most golfers. In 2017, the Englishman had the honour of playing four holes with golf legend Tiger Woods in the Bahamas, an experience he still looks back on with great pleasure. The list of golf courses on which the striker has already played reads like a poem: Augusta National, St. Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns, Loch Lomond and many more. So it’s no wonder that golf has become a real passion for Kane.

 

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Kane is well aware of his strengths on the golf course. The 1.88 metre tall attacker cites long tee shots as his greatest weapon and estimates that he can keep up with many professionals in this respect. But power is not his only expertise – his precise short game, especially when chipping, is testament to his remarkable talent. Striving for consistent performance on the golf course is a major driving force for Kane. But unlike on the football pitch, performance and perfection are not the only things that count for the 30-year-old when it comes to golf. For him, it is a way to enjoy the moment, switch off and leave the stress of everyday life behind. While he is on the golf course, he can focus on having a good time without the pressure he might feel on the football field.

In a golf challenge, Harry Kane has even taken on Tommy Fleetwood. A good opportunity to watch the new Bavarian play golf.

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Panorama

Golf Participation continues to surge worldwide

The R&A today announced new global golf participation (foto: r&a)
The R&A today announced new global golf participation (foto: r&a)

According to new research undertaken by the governing body, there are now 39.6 million on-course golfers (9 and 18 hole) in R&A affiliated markets. The research figures indicate that the growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and continued during the pandemic – up 34% from 29.6 million on-course golfers in 2016. The sport has since continued to increase in popularity post-pandemic, up 15% from 34.5 million on-course players in 2020.

Global Golf Participation Report

The data is provided in a new Global Golf Participation Report, which, for the first time, collectively measures The R&A’s affiliated markets in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.

The report also highlights that 61.2 million adults (outside the USA and Mexico) engage with the sport in some format, which is the first time an estimate has been made beyond on-course activity to include alternative-only formats, such as par-3 golf, indoor simulator golf and driving range use. 

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “Golf’s popularity has surged in recent years, which is reflected in a notable increase in the number of people playing the sport in both traditional on-course and alternative formats.

“It is significant that ten million more golfers are playing on the course since 2016, but it is also important that millions of others are engaged in golf through many other alternative formats, such as driving ranges, which are so vital to the growth of the sport.”

“It also underlines why effective and impactful participation programmes are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. We are working closely with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders within golf to sustain this momentum. We thank them for their efforts as we aim to ensure that golf is thriving for years to come.”

The top five on-course adult golfer markets

The top five on-course adult golfer markets overall in 2023 are in Japan (8.1 million), Canada (5.6 million), Republic of Korea (5.4 million), England (3.4 million) and Germany (2.1 million).

Asia is the leading region for people engaging with golf among R&A affiliated regions, with total adult engagement of 22.5 million. Europe is next highest with 21.1 million adult engagement. 

Women make up almost a quarter of adult registered golfers in R&A affiliated markets worldwide, demonstrating the positive impact of initiatives focused on promoting greater diversity and inclusivity in golf. 

The R&A is continuing its commitment to invest £200 million over ten years in developing golf, including sustained work to encourage participation by promoting the health benefits of the sport through a global campaign.

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DACH Panorama Uncategorized

WINSTONgolf: Everyday life off. Passion on.

WINSTONgolf: Everyday life off. Passion on. (Source: Tobias Kuberski)

What do you do when things at work get stressful? I have my own method: There’s always a golf ball in my blazer pocket. If the stress level rises, I put my hand in my pocket, turn the ball between my fingers, close my eyes for a moment and stand on the golf course. That’s the in-between method. The real knockout against deadline pressure and heart palpitations comes after the working day ends. That’s when I get into the car and drive out to WINSTONgolf. At least once a week, and preferably every day. I park the car and switch off daily life when I stop the engine. Time for my passion; golf. I’ve been playing since childhood and I know a few courses. But nowhere is like here. Let’s visit it together. Then I’ll show you why.

WINSTONgolf ambassador Bernhard Langer (Source: Tobias Kuberski)

The Driving Range: How I begin the game

At work I need to be forward-looking. On the driving range, I just look at my ball and am pleased with how well and far it flies. Most of the time, anyway. Here I always experience this wonderful mixture of sporting ambition when teeing off, and contemplation amidst the peace and vastness of the landscape all around me.

Overview golf house, holes 6,9 and 18 and the driving range (Source: Stefan von Stengel)

Today the sun is shining, but I really like to be here in any weather. And now imagine the “clack” of your ball as it takes a wonderful trajectory, and a second ball flies alongside behind it, hit much further and more professionally. You look to see who it was. And suddenly there he is – Bernhard Langer. That’s more or less how I experienced it during the WINSTONgolf Senior Open, where golf legends from all over the world tee off together. But there’s also an opportunity to meet Bernhard Langer here. He has been a WINSTONgolf brand ambassador for many years. And by the way, so has Johannes Veerman. You know him, the likeable player of the DP World Tour. Although I haven’t met him yet.

WINSTONlinks: My “outgrowing myself” course

Phenomenal WINSTONlinks (Source: Stefan von Stengel)

Are you fit for the next round? Then up onto WINSTONlinks and into a real challenge. I must admit it: I failed miserably when I played the course for the first time. Driving into the wind, missing the fairway on the first tee shot, and off into a bunker. But I still felt like a winner. Because this course is also an experience for the eye: Wind-whipped dunes with gorse and sea buckthorn curve up to ten metres high into the distance. Deep sand traps in between, as if from volcanoes. And a buzzard soars in the skies above me. Cranes have also been watching. Maybe they would applaud me if they could. Because by now I’m really good and have mastered this course designed for professionals. No wonder champions love it, and they’ll be spending time on it during the Legends Tour in September. If you’re here for the first time or the next time – go ahead and take its challenge. You’ll find it worthwhile.

Do you love a change as much I do? Then the WINSTONopen course will inspire just as much as WINSTONlinks. Classic, challenging, with well-guarded greens and putting characteristics at their very best. A real championship course. And the view across a masterpiece of nature is included free of charge.

Playing hole 6 of WINSTONopen (Source: Stefan von Stengel)

The quality of the courses is also a masterpiece. As if the greens were pure velvet. It feels great and plays that way too. This carries on through to the WINSTONkranich par 3 course, where I like to hone my short game. It’s a great place to warm up in before playing some really serious golf. Like on the WINSTONlinks, which I’m playing right now – in a happy mood to send the ball straight into the 18th hole.

We made it! And only 5 over par. I really must congratulate myself. Of course, it’s nicer when praise comes from someone else. From my friends, for example, who sometimes accompany me. Or from people I meet by chance on the course, and who love golf as much as I do. They come here from all over, and have a wide variety of tastes. But they are all the same in one respect: they are all relaxed. Especially after a successful round. Or after a good meal. Speaking of which: are you hungry? Then follow me to the clubhouse.

The golfing clubhouse: Open Sesame

Greetings from WINSTONgolf at the clubhouse (Source: Stefan von Stengel)

Off the green and into enjoyment. Although in fact everything here is green. The people here are highly environmentally conscious. Exactly my wavelength. My car, for example, recharges at the e-charging station in front, I scarcely see any plastic, and my mouth waters when I think of my burger with organic meat from Jersey beef directly from the region.

Hello golf clubhouse! Did you ever see such an entrance door? So red and so big, but without making me feel small. And the automatic Open Sesame. The only thing missing is a red carpet. They wave at me from reception and I wave back. We know each other, and I feel at home. Slow down. The hustle and bustle are far away. I’m not surprised that WINSTONgolf has already carried off so many prizes. Certificate here, certificate there. “Golf Post Community Award 2023 – Number 1 in the ‘Course Condition’ category”, and alongside them various first places in different rankings. I feel it’s all in very good taste. Incidentally, also in the choice of my favourite restaurant – the RESTAURANTkranichhaus in the clubhouse.

A relaxed community

Sunset at WINSTONgolf (Source: Stefan von Stengel)

The sun patio is especially popular again today. At least one seat is still free, although there are already three guests sitting at the table. Maybe they were waiting for someone just like me. And lo and behold, I win a triple smile. The trio is from Cologne. A man around 40, well-tanned, chin beard; a woman, similar age, freckled and sympathetic; the woman’s sister, blond plait that wiggles amusingly when she talks. Cheerful Rhineland folk who are up here for the first time, and rave about the romantic wilderness of the north every bit as much as about the WINSTONgolf courses. The husband says they’ve already played them all several times, you can’t tear yourself away from the course, and there’s still so much to discover in Mecklenburg. His wife adds that this is true, and fortunately she, who doesn’t play golf at all, has plenty of time to explore. Her sister, like me, loves variety. The tension of the game during the day and relaxation in the evening.

They have two rooms at Kaarz Castle. Each room has its own style there, and the sister would love to move into a different one every day. And the park with redwood trees – a dream.

Partner hotel Castle Kaarz with Sauna (Source: Stefan von Stengel)
Book your golf holiday at WINSTONgolf here

I tell the trio that I often forget time there at weekends, and that there’s a similarly beautiful place right next to the golf course: VORBECK MANOR, WINSTONgolf’s golfing hotel. With a fireplace in the foyer, the rippling river Warnow outside the window and a charming little café called HerzensGUT, which has the most delicious cakes just like my grandmother used to bake.

Golf hotel of WINSTONgolf (Source: Stefan von Stengel)

The woman with the freckles says she knows right away where she’s going tomorrow. Meanwhile, the man lets his gaze wander over the WINSTONopen course in the evening light, watching the last flights coming down the eighteenth hole, and seems to be working up an appetite for tomorrow.

The RESTAURANTkranichhaus: Meets my taste entirely

Dinner at WINSTONgolf at hole 18 of WINSTONopen (Source: Stefan von Stengel)

But for a moment, the delicious evening meal satisfies our appetite. Our table turns into a burger paradise: pulled beef with smoked bacon twice here, ground beef with bacon jam there, and black bean patty with cashew sauce over there. Simply delicious! The 3 Rhinelanders are also delightful, with their well-balanced holiday spirits. Talking about golf or putting the world to rights, we chat a while longer. I often meet people like that here. They simply make time stand still here, enjoy the moment and forget about tomorrow. Just like me. My everyday life seems far away, as if on another planet. Back to work the next day? Never mind. WINSTONgolf is not far away. And just in case, I always have my golf ball in my blazer.

Want to enjoy some time off at WINSTONgolf? Book now!

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Panorama

Project Ukraine Returns For Second Camp To Support Young Golfers

Veronika Rastvortseva with Project Ukraine participants at Peebles Golf Club (Image: Project Ukraine)

Project Ukraine, an initiative created by nine women from The R&A’s Women in Golf Leadership Programme, is thrilled to announce the return of its second coaching camp. Building upon the success of last year’s camp, Project Ukraine aims to support young Ukrainian golfers affected by the continuing war in Ukraine.

After witnessing the devastating impact of the war on her homeland, Veronika Rastvortseva, a participant from last year’s cohort, was inspired to rally a group of eight determined women from the Women in Golf Leadership Programme to do something to help young Ukrainian golfers. Together, they organised a highly successful coaching camp at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf & Spa in Scotland, hosting seven talented golfers from the Ukrainian Golf Federation.

Project Ukraine: Camp for 13 young golfers

This year’s camp will welcome 13 young golfers from the Ukrainian Golf Federation who will come from across the world, having fled the war, as well as from Ukraine itself.

The camp will take place from 26th June to 1st July and will be hosted by MacDonald Portal Golf and Spa Resort. The coaching camp will deliver an engaging programme designed to enhance the skills of the young golfers and provide them with memorable experiences. The activities will include:

A trip to the Betfred British Masters: The young golfers will have the opportunity to witness top-level golf at the British Masters tournament, gaining inspiration from the world’s best players.

Coaching by top quality coaches: Golf coaches will provide expert guidance and training, helping the young golfers refine their techniques and improve their games.

An event with local juniors: A special golf event will bring together members from Portal Golf and Spa Resort and junior players from Hill Valley Golf Club. This event will provide a competitive and fun opportunity for participants to showcase their skills and enjoy the camaraderie of the golfing community. In the evening, a raffle will be held to raise further funds for the project.

Ample practice opportunities: The camp will offer plenty of practice time for the young golfers to refine their skills and showcase their talent.

PING are supporting the project by providing golf equipment and clothing.

Project Ukraine brings hope

Veronika, from Project Ukraine, shared her thoughts on the impact of Project Ukraine, “As someone who has witnessed the devastating effects of the war in my homeland, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to support young Ukrainian golfers through Project Ukraine. This initiative has the power to bring hope and change lives.”

Jackie Davidson, Director of Golf Development at  The R&A, said, “We are pleased to support Project Ukraine for a second year. This initiative is important in so many ways and aligns perfectly with our mission to develop and enhance the game of golf globally. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on these talented young golfers.”

Since last year’s camp, Project Ukraine has been able to support young Ukrainian golfers by providing them with training, coaching, golf club membership and access to competitions to help them continue to grow their talent.

Some of the inspiring girls and boys who have received support include:

Artem Sokolov, a 17-year-old golf prodigy from Kyiv, Ukraine, has undergone an incredible journey of overcoming adversity amidst war. Despite facing numerous challenges, including being displaced from his home and golf club, Artem remains determined to pursue his passion for golf. He credits Project Ukraine, an initiative aimed at supporting Ukrainian junior golfers, for giving him hope and support during these trying times. “Five days in Scotland was a start of some good changes in my life, bringing me some hope. I had some great time there, saw my friends from the national team, it was like in our ‘old times’ – ‘before the war times’. I felt like I am a kid again,” says Artem.

Artem’s goals have evolved, and he now aspires to become a professional golf coach, with the intention of returning to Ukraine after the war to train children in the sport. Artem’s resilience and determination are a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Yeva Kolobova, a 15-year-old member of the Ukrainian National Golf Team, has faced unimaginable challenges and upheaval due to the war in Ukraine. Despite the destruction of her local golf club and the need to evacuate her home, Yeva has found hope and support in Project Ukraine, to help young Ukrainian golfers continue pursuing their dreams. Yeva shares her gratitude for the assistance she has received, stating, “I am very grateful to all of you for such impressive assistance and support! Project Ukraine has given me hope for the future and the realisation that Ukrainians are not alone in their hardship.”

Now living near Reading, England, under the Homes for Ukraine programme, Yeva has been able to regain her form and continue her golf journey with the support of Project Ukraine. With her handicap significantly reduced and regular practice at The Caversham Club, Yeva is working towards her goal of enrolling in an English college with a golf team. Despite the adversity she has faced, Yeva remains determined to ensure her golf story has a bright and successful future.

Ivan Malovychko, a 22-year-old golfer from Kharkiv, Ukraine, has gone from living under the constant threat of war to studying at Edge Golf College in Portugal. A four-time champion of Ukraine, Ivan began his golf career at the Junior Golf Academy at the Superior Golf Club in Kharkiv. “Golf is a special game, it taught me a lot. It’s not just a game, when you hit the ball once your life will never be the same again… I love this game with all my heart” says Ivan.

After living through weeks of bombings and moving to western Ukraine, Ivan received a life-changing call that led him to study at Edge Golf College. There, he found a supportive community and honed his skills, despite the challenges of being away from his family and having to renew his permit every month. Ivan dreams of returning to Ukraine and using golf to help people recover psychologically from the ongoing conflict. Currently, he is preparing to compete in the Team Shields championship and looks forward to reuniting with his friends and teammates.

“Studying at Edge Golf College has had a tremendous impact on my life. The support and encouragement I’ve received here have not only helped me grow as a golfer but also as a person. I am grateful for the opportunity to develop my skills and pursue my passion in such a nurturing environment”.

15-year-old Grynenko Oleksandr, a talented golfer from Kharkiv, Ukraine, shares his harrowing experience of how COVID-19 brought him back to his country just in time to witness the invasion. “It’s a strange feeling when you realise that if the war had started a few hours later, I would have been in a safe place in Turkey,” says Grynenko. Despite the challenges, he continued to pursue his passion for golf, participating in competitions across Europe and focusing on rebuilding his physical fitness amidst the ongoing conflict.

Grynenko’s biggest dream is to return to his hometown, but with schools closed and his home golf club partially destroyed, it is not possible at the moment. His main goal in golf is to achieve a “0” handicap, and he is currently preparing to take part in the European Young Masters and Team Shields championships this summer. For the first time, Grynenko will be attending the Project Ukraine camp, he hopes that the camp will help him gain new experiences, improve his golf skills, and reunite with friends from the national team.

How to contribute

You can contribute to the Project Ukraine scholarship fund cause by making a donation via this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/project-ukraine-scholarship-fund

For individuals or companies interested in making a donation of more than £5,000, please contact Jennifer Hedge, Philanthropy Manager at The R&A directly. For further questions, visit the R&A Philanthropy Support website.

The funds raised will assist these young individuals in pursuing post-secondary education in a golf-related management programme, pursuing a career in golf, or continuing to play golf competitively.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of young Ukrainian golfers. Your support will have a lasting impact and contribute to the growth of the game in Ukraine.

If you would like to find it more or how you can get involved and support Project Ukraine, please get in touch via [email protected]

(Written by R&A, 12 June 2023, St Andrews, Scotland)

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Panorama

Toptracer Revolutionizes Golf Instruction with the Launch of Toptracer Coach

The brand new Toptracer Coach. (Photo: Toptracer)
The brand new Toptracer Coach. (Photo: Toptracer)

Toptracer Coach is a web-enabled platform that allows PGA Professionals to create assignments, access data from Toptracer Range sessions, and optimize their coaching sessions by providing objective instruction to their students.

“The best golf experience for everyone”

As an official range technology partner of the PGA of America, Toptracer consulted with certified PGA Professionals throughout the development of its coaching platform. As a result of this collaboration, Toptracer Coach addresses two of the biggest pain points in coaching: creating benchmark assessments that are easy for players to complete and assigning practice sessions in between lessons for accountability. The data collection and management tool relies on the expertise of coaches to create unique lesson plans tailored to each student. Both coaches and students will have access to objective assessments of current skill level, monitor their progress in real-time, and follow a dedicated lesson plan to practice more effectively.


“Toptracer is committed to providing the best golf experience for everyone,” Ben Sharpe, President of Toptracer, said. “We believe when golfers are having fun and playing better, they play more golf, and Toptracer Coach was built on that philosophy. The tool was designed by our talented team, made up of PGA Professionals and former Tour Pros, as well as a vast network of veteran PGA Pros.”

Darren May, PGA tour coach and head of instruction at GroveXXIII in Hobe Sound, Florida, believes Toptracer coach will be a game-changer for golf instruction. “Toptracer Coach crystallizes how a player improves through practice and training,” May said. “The platform links steps in player development, beginning with a standardized assessment and then instructor-crafted assignments in between lessons that keeps students accountable. Toptracer Coach allows for self-discovery on a student’s own time. There’s an appropriate mental load applied to each player’s learning sweet spot, a crucial piece for skill acquisition and execution.”

Industry leaders also believe Toptracer Coach will help instructors grow and scale their business. Don Rea, VP of PGA of America and owner of Augusta Ranch Golf Club, a public golf course in Mesa, Arizona, said: “Toptracer Range provides a funnel for new golfers and there’s an opportunity for PGA Professionals to create their own funnels using Toptracer Coach. Instructors can review practice sessions remotely and keep players accountable through engaging training assignments. Rather than selling time, the platform helps PGA Professionals sell results.”

Stronger connections between coaches and members

Don Meadows, Director of Golf at Quail Valley Golf Club, a private club in Vero Beach, Florida, says Toptracer Coach will also provide a deeper connection with his club’s members. “Toptracer Coach gives our instructors greater visibility into members’ practice sessions than ever before. Those insights, paired with all the incredible data points, and the experience of our teaching staff will forge a more meaningful connection between our coaches and members.”

Alongside the introduction of Toptracer Coach, Toptracer launched two assessment modes: Toptracer12 and Toptracer30. The new game modes will be valuable tools for PGA Professionals using Toptracer Coach, providing a snapshot assessment of their students’ golf game in real-time, without consuming large portions of their coaching sessions.

Toptracer Coach is available to both coaches and students who play and teach at Toptracer Range mobile facilities, the brand’s uncovered grass tee experience. It will be available to all Toptracer Range users on the Monitor product in the fall of 2023.

To find out more about the revolutionary platform, click here.

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Equipment Panorama

Jon Rahm hoping to follow in footsteps of greatness with custom TRAVISMATHEW Cuater shoes at PGA Championship

Jon Rahm will be wearing the TRAVISMATHEW Cuater shoe at the PGA Championship 2023. (Photo: TRAVISMATHEW)
Jon Rahm will be wearing the TRAVISMATHEW Cuater shoe at the PGA Championship 2023. (Photo: TRAVISMATHEW)

Heading to Oak Hill Country Club in good form following four PGA Tour wins in 2023, including The Masters at Augusta National in April, the Spaniard will once again be wearing a custom-painted pair of The Ringer golf shoes.

Vamos Rhambo

The shoe will be in a different colourway to the bespoke custom design white and green pair he wore at Augusta, with this week’s white design detailed with a blue and gold colour combination that pays homage to the PGA Championship logo and the word ‘Vamos’ along the outside of shoe, in reference to his “Vamos Rahmbo” tagline.

As part of his partnership with TRAVISMATHEW, Rahm will be wearing the custom Ringer shoes at Oak Hill this week as he looks to join an illustrious group of players to have won three major championships – with his first two arriving since partnering with TRAVISMATHEW in 2021, which has coincided with his rise to world number one.

Rahm sees the shoes as a gamechanger

Rahm said: “I think the game changer is the shoes I am wearing. They are a lot more comfortable. I have done some great work with the Cuater and TRAVISMATHEW team and I think it has allowed me to be a little bit more stable and up my ball speed and swing speed without being concerned. I can keep that speed up from the first tee shot on Thursday to the last one on Sunday a little bit more consistently.”

TRAVISMATHEW’s premium Cuater performance golf shoe, The Ringer delivers ultimate comfort with lightweight support, breathability, and moisture management in an attractive, waterproof style. The shoes come with layers of moulded foam for ultimate comfort to give golfers the most secure and responsive fit on the market.

Several other top professional golfers also wear Cuater footwear, including Ryder Cup hopeful Sam Burns. The five-time PGA Tour winner will be hoping to continue US dominance at the PGA Championship this week by becoming his country’s eighth consecutive winner of the tournament.
In celebration of the PGA Championship, TRAVISMATHEW is running a Cuater promotion, with anyone purchasing a pair of Cuater shoes gifted a free pair of Cuater socks.

For more information on Cuater click here.

(Text: TRAVISMATHEW)

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Panorama

Brendan Lawlor makes history with inaugural G4D Open victory at Woburn

Brendan Lawlor wins the G4D Open. (photo: Getty)
Brendan Lawlor wins the G4D Open. (photo: Getty)

The two leading players in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) could hardly be separated in an engrossing final round, before world number two Lawlor claimed victory by two shots over the renowned Duchess Course. The Irishman, 26, finished on a three-over-par winning gross total of 219 after a closing final round of three-over 75, with Popert two strokes further back after his last-day 76.

Head-to-head race between the world’s top two

The championship, held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association), was one of the most inclusive ever staged, featuring nine sport classes across multiple impairment groups, with players represented from 17 countries.

Lawlor, who has played in a number of DP World Tour events, has a rare condition called Ellis–van Creveld syndrome, characterised by a shorter stature and shorter limbs. With a one-shot lead ahead of Popert overnight, his final day began in disappointing fashion after bogeying the first three holes in the cold conditions. Popert also dropped a shot at the 1st, but his birdie at the par-5 6th gave him a two-shot advantage.

Popert’s bogey at the 8th and Lawlor’s birdie at the 10th saw the pair go level, before two further bogeys from Popert at the 13th and 15th gave Lawlor a two-stroke cushion in a match play-style contest. Lawlor – managed by Niall Horan’s Modest! Golf stable – bogeyed the 16th to give Popert hope but the Englishman found a bush at the last to end his bid.

World number one Popert, 24, who was born with a form of Cerebral Palsy called Spastic Diplegia, has won five times on the G4D Tour in 2022/23 but had to settle for the runner-up spot.

Eight countries in the top ten spots

Spain’s Juan Postigo Arce, the world number four who was born with one leg, put himself into contention with birdies at the 4th and 6th but he had to settle for third place after a closing 74 for eight-over-par. Irishman Conor Stone and Tommaso Perrino from Italy shared fourth place on 14-over-par.

Players from eight countries or territories were represented in the top-ten places to illustrate the international flavour at Woburn.

A field of 80 male and female amateur and professional golfers competed over 54 holes at Woburn across sport classes which cover various categories in Standing, Intellectual, Visual and Sitting.

American Kim Moore – who triumphed in the US Adaptive Open at Pinehurst last year – was the leading female at Woburn, finishing four shots ahead of Ireland’s Fiona Gray. A gross prize was also awarded in each category with the winners as follows:

  • Intellectual 1: Felix Norrman, Sweden
  • Intellectual 2: Casper Holst-Christensen, Denmark
  • Standing 1: Kipp Popert, England
  • Standing 2: Juan Postigo Arce, Spain
  • Standing 3: Brendan Lawlor, Ireland
  • Sitting 1: Terry Kirby, England
  • Sitting 2: Graham Freeman, Belgium
  • Visual 1: Stefano Palmieri, Italy
  • Visual 2: Joseph McCarron, USA

Final scores from the sport classes can be viewed here.

The men’s and women’s gross winners also receive invitations to play in the G4D Tour at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at The Belfry next month.

Highlights from the championship will be aired on Sky Sports Golf on Tuesday 16 May, at 5pm and 10pm.

The inaugural G4D Open trophy represents the inclusive nature of the championship. This year’s winner will engage with a design team on a permanent trophy to reflect the multiple threads woven among the players on their journeys to compete in The G4D Open.

Woburn continued its rich history of hosting amateur and professional championships with Final Qualifying for The Open from 2014 to 2017 and most recently the AIG Women’s Open in 2019, both played on the Marquess Course.

Key quotes

Brendan Lawlor, Ireland

“It’s just an unbelievable feeling. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’ve put so much hard work into my game the last few months and it’s been trending really well. I just couldn’t get it over the line last year, so it’s been a while since I’ve been in the winner’s circle. I’m proud of myself just to get it done, really happy. I didn’t hit it well all day but I made a lot of clutch putts on the front nine.

“Niall (Horan) has supported me from day one. I’ve been with the guys for four years at Modest Golf!. For a disability golfer, they never treat me differently than anyone else. I’m proud to be a part of that team and hopefully we can get more wins.

“It’s been an incredible week. The volunteers, The R&A, DP World Tour, EDGA, everybody involved has put in so much work to get this championship done. Every player here, we felt like royalty this week. Hopefully this is the start and we’re going to have many more of these major events. Disability golf is definitely on the way up.”

Kipp Popert, England

“It was great fun. I mean this is the first-ever G4D Open and to be in contention I played really well. Brendan deserves it and I couldn’t be happier for him. I holed a lot of good putts and my short game was good this week. Basically it was just one of those days where Brendan beat me. I’m still very happy.”

Kim Moore, USA

“It’s an honour to be the leading female. It was definitely my goal coming in. Although I didn’t play the greatest this whole week, I played good enough. Sometimes in golf that’s what it takes. Fiona played very well and we were battling back and forth.

“The more awareness we have with these championships, the more participation we are going to get. I have no doubt that it’s going to bring more players, more participants, more people into the game – and hopefully more females.”

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Panorama Uncategorized

Golfers with disabilities set to shine at inaugural G4D Open

Kris Aves, who uses a ParaGolfer, and Ellie Perks. Ready to shine at the inaugural G4D Open. (credit: EDGA)

Kris Aves and Ellie Perks are among leading golfers with disabilities from across the world keen to shine at the inaugural G4D Open next week.

The tournament is staged in partnership with the R&A and the DP World Tour. It is golf’s most inclusive event according to the World Ranking for Golfers with disabilities and has players of all ages, males and females, amateurs and professionals, with handicaps ranging from +4.7 to 35.9.

Aves and Perks have both shown great determination in their lives to thrive in the sport and are relishing the chance to play at Woburn from 10.-12. May.

Kris Aves: “I didn’t think I’d ever play golf again”

Aves from North London is a 41-year-old former Met Police officer who was injured in the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge in March 2017. Struck by the attacker’s car, he received severe spinal injuries that left him paralysed from the waist down.

A keen golfer before the attack, Aves spent a week in induced coma and went on to spend ten months at Stoke Mandeville Hospital after three weeks at King’s College Hospital for surgery. His legs and spine sufferd compound fractures which needed corrective surgery.

“Going through my rehab in hospital, there were three things I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to do properly again,” he says. “One was that I didn’t think I’d ever play golf again.”

Through a mutual contact, he met Cai Menai-Davis of The Shire London who runs a charity called The Golf Trust, which focuses on getting individuals with disabilities and older people out on the golf course. Aves has been able to play with the aid of a ParaGolfer – a special mobility device that lifts people from a sitting to a standing position.

“I got inside and was able to make a swing,” he said. “That first hit brought tears to my eyes. Even though I knew I’d never get back to the standard I had been, I was able to play again.”

Kris realised he needed to get his own ParaGolfer, costing upwards of £20,000.“I was extremely lucky,” he added. “At a pub I drink in called The Railway Tavern in Barnet, the landlord Kieran Guthrie is a big golfer and he put on a golf day for me, they did a raffle, an auction, and they raised £17,000 in one day and I was able to buy a ParaGolfer. It was phenomenal that so many people came out to raise money for me.”

Now Aves is looking forward to appearing in The G4D Open and said, “I was over the moon to get a place. I’m looking forward to meeting people from across Europe and around the world and seeing how well I perform against the seated golfers. But, really, I’m looking forward to simply taking part.”

Perks: “I can’t recommend golf highly enough for anyone”

Perks, from Hagley in the West Midlands, has been playing golf since she was seven-years-old. Now aged 18, she is an accomplished golfer with a handicap of 11 and plays an active role in encouraging other young people with disabilities to start playing.

“I can’t recommend golf highly enough for anyone, whether they have a disability or not,” she said. “To be able to get out, to play, to meet new people. It’s a special sport.”

Perks was introduced to a group called Golf for Disabled Children by the Hagley head pro Gareth Snelgrove, who has been Ellie’s coach since she began playing, and she now does volunteer coaching for the organisation. In addition, Perks has also been working with Dwarf Sports, running a golfing taster session.

“I wanted to be able to get other people with dwarfism involved as there are not many people who have dwarfism and play golf,” she added. “I didn’t think I’d have many people turn up to the session, but in the end, I had about 30. It was quite exciting to see that people were coming to give golf a try, and so I’ve been doing them every month since then.”

Perks, who has also been active in promoting EDGA and participated in a number of events including the Rose Series, has rightly been recognised for her endeavours. In 2019, when she was just 14, she became the first girl to be presented with England Golf’s Hero’s Handshake Award, which celebrates what young people are achieving in golf outside of just competition.

Ahead of The G4D Open, she said, “I’m very much looking forward to it. It is a new championship and hopefully the first of many. I’m excited to get to see old friends and meet new people and to just have fun – that it is the most important thing. Hopefully I will be able to walk away from the championship knowing that I have enjoyed myself no matter what the result is.”

A field of 80 male and female players will assemble to compete over the Duchess Course at Woburn, representing 19 countries. Fourteen of the top-20 players from the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) are in the field, which can be viewed on The R&A website. Spectators are welcome to attend next week’s G4D Open free of charge and enjoy watching the championship.