The part two Galvin Green collection. (Photo: Galvin Green)
Women golfers seeking the most vibrant outfits for this Autumn can count on the latest collection from premium hi-tech golf apparel brand Galvin Green, with a striking pallete of colours and patterns on offer in every apparel category throughout the extensive line-up. Featuring more than 30 distinctively bold styles, including seven new garments, the 2023 Part Two range has been designed to ensure women golfers can light up the fairways over the cooler months wearing ultra-modern styles that deliver top performance. “Women golfers can expect a superior level of style and sophistication from the incredibly vibrant colourways and patterns on offer in our latest performance-driven collection,” said Product Manager Sofia Ask Klason. “We expect the new designs to be especially popular with those golfers seeking some of the most sustainable, long-lasting garments on the market without compromising on the incredible attention to detail that we take great pride in at Galvin Green,” she added.
The use of responsibly sourced bluesign® approved fabrics confirms the brand’s commitment to minimizing its social and environmental impact, while providing golfers with incredible warmth and comfort whatever the weather.
The new Part Two Fall Collection from Galvin Green
The latest addition to the 100% waterproof jacket range is the AIDA style in GORE TEX fabric with a lightweight mesh lining for added warmth and breathability. The chic design features a two-way front zipper in White to deliver an eye-catching appearance; shaped sleeves and adjustable cuffs for easy movement; plus, an elasticated drawstring at the hem to deliver the perfect fit. The bright Coral/White/Cool Grey option is sure to draw attention for all the right reasons. Available in two other colour combinations, the fully waterproof and windproof jacket can be matched with the lined ANNA pants in a wide range of sizes. Other standout waterproof jackets include the mesh-lined ANYA in a refreshing Blue option; the dashing ALLY style in GORE-TEX Paclite® Stretch fabric in as many as four stylish colourways; plus the ALICE GORE-TEX Paclite® in a vibrant Sugar Coral colour. The versatile LEORA full-zip jacket is the latest addition to the water resistant and windproof INTERFACE™ range. Made from stretch fabric and Thermore® padding to deliver a high warming effect, the jacket features a soft quilted pattern across the front and back of the garment for all-day comfort and an exceptional look. The style is available in three classy colours to ensure it can be worn with several outfits both on and off the golf course. It is joined in the latest outerwear range by the padded LENE gilet constructed from partial stretch bluesign® approved fabric and LARISSA full-zip jacket in four colourways. The three garments are designed to be paired up with the LEVANA INTERFACE-1™ trousers, now available in a new Navy option, to form the ideal outfit for golf in demanding conditions. The eco-generation INSULA™ range of warm mid-layers crafted using recycled polyester from PET plastic bottles is strengthened by the addition of the DARLENA – the brand’s first ever padded Women’s sweater. The soft and stylish garment provides an extremely warm and breathable option for chilly days, while offering a supremely sophisticated look. It is complemented by the introduction of the trendy DAGMAR hoodie with a subtle ‘GG’ logo and slits at the hip to deliver a sporty appearance, while the DONYA V-neck sweater rounds out the new warm options on offer in the INSULA™ range. A marine-inspired combination of the MALENA shirt and matching MABEL skort in the Navy/White/Blue Bell colourway spearheads the VENTIL8™ PLUS range offering top breathability and thermal regulation during the round. Designed using soft and comfortable stretch fabric, the stylish pairing delivers an individual look that will be sure to catch the eye of playing partners. Other top pairings include the popular MELANIE short-sleeve shirt style and smart NICOLE trousers in four matching colour combinations, plus the MEG sleeveless shirt and vivid NESSA skort for warmer days. The highly breathable NICCI leggings are a great option for those seeking a versatile piece that can be worn both on and off the course. The base layer range is comprised of the patterned ELLA shirt in SKINTIGHT™ fresh fabric offering UV 50+ protection for golf in sunny conditions, while the ELAINE shirt and EBBA leggings have been specifically designed to deliver incredible warmth in colder weather.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to the famous Claret Jug, the winner of the 2023 British Open can also In addition to the famous Claret Jug, the winner of the British Open 2023 can also look forward to three million dollars in prize money. (Source: Getty)
The Champion Golfer of the Year will receive the highest amount in The Open’s history as it returns to the renowned Hoylake links for the 13th time.
The R&A announced that the total prize fund for The Open, played from 16-23 July 2023, will be USD16.5 million, an 18% increase on 2022.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said, “Our aim is to ensure The Open remains at the pinnacle of world golf and we have almost doubled the prize fund since 2016. While we are seeing substantial increases in prize money across the men’s professional game, we are fulfilling our wider obligation to the sport by elevating the AIG Women’s Open, strengthening pathways in the elite amateur game and encouraging more people around the world to play golf. We believe that getting this balance right is vital to the long-term future of the sport.”
Place
USD
1
$3,000,000
2
$1,708,000
3
$1,095,000
4
$851,000
5
$684,500
6
$593,000
7
$509,500
8
$429,700
9
$377,000
10
$340,500
11
$310,000
12
$274,700
13
$258,300
14
$241,800
15
$224,800
16
$206,600
17
$196,600
18
$187,500
19
$179,600
20
$171,100
21
$163,100
22
$155,000
23
$146,700
24
$138,500
25
$133,800
26
$128,000
27
$123,300
28
$119,100
29
$113,900
30
$108,000
31
$104,500
32
$99,200
33
$95,700
34
$93,000
35
$89,800
36
$86,200
37
$82,200
38
$78,000
39
$75,200
40
$72,800
41
$69,800
42
$66,400
43
$63,400
44
$59,800
45
$56,400
46
$53,400
47
$51,300
48
$49,300
49
$47,000
50
$45,900
51
$44,900
52
$44,100
53
$43,400
54
$42,800
55
$42,100
56
$41,500
57
$41,100
58
$40,800
59
$40,500
60
$40,200
61
$40,000
62
$39,800
63
$39,600
64
$39,400
65
$39,200
66
$38,900
67
$38,600
68
$38,300
69
$38,000
70
$37,800
Prize Money shall be allocated only to professional golfers.
If more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds, additional prize money will be added. Prize money will decrease by USD125 per qualifying place above 70 to a minimum of USD36,550.
Non-qualifiers after two rounds: Leading 10 professional golfers and ties USD12,000; next 20 professional golfers and ties USD10,000; remainder of professional golfers and ties USD8,500.
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)
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!
The Treasure House in Petra and Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger/Ayla Golf Club)
Every day a new highlight
Originally, golf was not on our agenda when preparing our trip. For I had not known that golf was played in the country, whose Arab tribe of Hashemites goes back to the great-grandfather of the Prophet Mohammed.
I only became aware of this through the huge urban future project ‘Ayla’ in the city of Aqaba on the Gulf of the same name. In 2008, construction began on a super-modern holiday destination, including the Ayla Golf Club. It is located in the pulsating Ayla Oasis, the great impressions of which we will review at the end of our round trip.
But before that, we will visit Amman, Jerash, Bethany, Mount Nebo and Madaba, whose visits would be worth a separate report. From there we continue to the thousand-year-old rock city of Petra.
The early morning walk through The Siq, a narrow path surrounded by rock walls up to 90 m high and leading to Al-Khazneh/The Treasure House of the Nebateans, is a top highlight of our visit. Close behind ranks Ad Deir /The Monastery which requires further climbing up the valley almost 900 steps through Petra and rising up 200 m in altitude, offering breathtaking views.
Way to the Treasure House through the Siq and view of Ad Deir/The Monastery. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Those who do not dare to make the walk through the gorge or the ascent alone can enlist the help of experienced four-legged professionals.
Four-legged taxis in Petra. (Photo: Juegen Linnenbuerger)
The overnight stay in a tented camp in the middle of the desert and the balloon ride over Wadi Rum are equally unforgettable.
Overnight stay in comfortable tents iand early morning balloon flight over Wadi Rum. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
We feel transported to the great scenes of the films ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’, ‘The Martian’ and ‘Dunes’ which were filmed here, and still feel the desert sand on our skin and the bumpy tours on the back of the Bedouin pickup trucks.
Relaxation on the Gulf of Aqaba
After pillars, temples, rocks and sand, the sea calls. The coastal city of Aqaba is located in Jordan’s extreme south on the Red Sea, close to the border crossing with Israel. Its seaport is the only one in the country and the gateway to the rest of the world.
Aqaba is a free trade zone and has more than 150,000 inhabitants. It is located at the northernmost tip of the Gulf of the same name, a branch of the Red Sea, and is bordered on its western side by Israel and the Sinai Peninsula and on the eastern side by Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Surrounded by turquoise sea
We spend a few relaxing days at the five-star Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort, which is located just over four kilometres from the centre of the port city. It is surrounded by bright blue lagoons with water from the Red Sea and has 286 modern rooms and 43 suites.
All have a balcony or private terrace with a great view of the marina or the imposing, majestic mountains. Our Standard Bedroom on the 4th floor has purpose-built furnishings and offers beautiful views down to the golf course.
View of the lagoon and the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Hotel amenities include the La Plage Beach Club on the lagoon, a large relaxation area with infinity pool set amidst the perfectly maintained gardens, a luxurious Aqua Spa with Hammam, a gym and tennis courts.
Guests can choose between international and regional dishes in five restaurants and bars; we recommend them all! (alcohol is served to foreign guests in all of them).
Wi-Fi is free of charge and works well in the public areas, at the pool and in the beach club, and in our room most of the time.
The service of the staff is attentive and unobtrusive and fortunately we can communicate very well in English.
The resort has been awarded global Green Key Eco status in the hotel category, recognising its efforts and commitment to public health and sustainable environmental standards in tourism. These are felt throughout the resort, which is exceptionally clean and well maintained.
Staying at the pools and the hotel’s own stretch of beach on the lagoon in our customary swimwear is fine in this country, which is dominated by Islam. Local women wear a black suit that covers the entire body, including the head with only a small section left free for the face, hands and feet.
No fear of the great white shark
Just a few kilometres outside the resort are fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities, where you can gaze at a variety of fish in the crystal clear waters. Sharks, such as the harmless giant whale shark, are also said to occur here.
We also encounter one of these species at Ayla Golf Club, as its designer is none other than Greg Norman, known as the ‘Great White Shark’. He designed the 18-hole par 72 championship course in 2016, which spreads over an area of 800,000 square metres and is harmoniously integrated into the original desert landscape.
Final hole (left) and holes 9 and 18 of Ayla Golf Club. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
A par 3 9-hole floodlit course and a Golf Academy with PGA-qualified pros and excellent practice facilities complete this comprehensive golf offering.
In harmony with nature
Specific requirements were given to the world-renowned company, Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD), to ensure the design interfered as little as possible with the environment and to comply with ecological aspects. The Ayla Oasis area, contaminated with over 60,000 mines from the Six-Day War in 1967, was first completely cleared and the golf course was built with excavated soil from the huge lagoon landscape.
Attractive holes in front of an impressive backdrop. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Several artificial lakes and wadis were created that are fed by rainwater from the surrounding mountains mixed with lagoon water and serve as reservoirs for irrigation and act as stopovers for migratory birds, complementing the natural ecosystem. Most of the electricity is provided by solar panels.
Plenty of water at Ayla Golf Club. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Early bird tee time
The hotel shuttle takes us to the nearby clubhouse in five minutes. We start early in the morning, as in May, it is already 25 degrees at 7.00 a.m., though the heat is easily bearable due to the low humidity.
The wind that comes up during the round does not interfere with the game, but we find it blissfully cooling as the temperature rises.
Offering up fantastic views of the mountain scenery beyond, the open, mildly undulating course measures 7,152 yards from the back black tees. The fairways are gently curved but if you don’t find them, huge sandy waste areas await though in most cases you can play out of these quite easily. Water hazards come into play on half of the holes. Both fairways and greens are seeded with Paspalum grass, which is ideal for high temperatures.
Sandy waste areas surround the fairways. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Five different tee boxes offer on all 18 holes makes it amenable for all HCP classes.
Good conditioning in all areas
Its layout is most appealing, the conditioning well maintained. The grass of the fairways has some yellow patches at the moment as it is still in partial hibernation. We hit the countless, fairly deep bunkers more often than we would like, but since most of them are under renovation during our visit and marked as GUR, we continue playing without a penalty stroke. Those completed are boast gleaming fine, white sand.
Renovation of the huge bunkers. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
There is nothing to criticise about the quality of the partly large, fast greens. They are true to track and a pleasure to play. Not only the course, but the entire facility is very well maintained, thanks to a team of 50 greenkeepers who do an excellent job. All the paths are paved and easy to negotiate with a buggy.
We are almost alone on the course and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the club, which currently has 120 members of the 400 players that exist in Jordan. As we learn from the friendly, South African Head Pro, Jason, about 5,000 green fees are currently sold per year. They would like to increase this moderately through targeted marketing measures and contribute to the Ayla Oasis developing more and more into an attractive, internationally recognised sporting and golf destination.
The Mena Tour, for example, has already made a stop here. In 2019, the Jordan Mixed Open was held for the first time, a tournament format in which players from the European Challenge Tour, the Staysure Tour and the Ladies European Tour took part under the motto ‘We share the same drive’.
In 2022, the idea was taken up of hosting the Jordan Open Golf Championship, in which men, women and juniors from 14 countries compete for victory.
We enjoy the fair course with its varied holes and undisturbed play.
An award-winning clubhouse
Just as impressive as the course and its practice facilities is the clubhouse with its extraordinary design. Paying homage to the Bedouin architectural heritage. Renowned architectural firm, Oppenheim Architecture & Design, designed the structure from undulating concrete in an organic, contemporary style.
Clubhouse and Comfort Station in same style. (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Ahlan wa sahlan
We feel extremely welcome and safe at all times throughout our journey. Everywhere we are warmly welcomed and well looked after. The decision to take a trip organised by a tour operator with an experienced guide was spot on. Our guide studied in Germany and with his extensive knowledge gave us deep insights into the Arabic religion, culture and history, which we would never have been able to discover on our own in such a short time. If necessary, I will be happy to establish the relevant contacts.
In spring and autumn, Jordan is a great travel destination that now also offers golfers a new, attractive alternative, but coming here just to play golf would not do justice to the Arab country with its extensive range of offers. We were thrilled by the combination of culture, unique landscapes, well-appointed hotels, gastronomic delights and getting to know the Ayla Oasis with its superb golf course.
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.
New Strategic Alliance formalised: DP World Tour and KPGA. (Photo: KPGA)
The DP World Tour and Korea Professional Golfers’ Association have formalised their partnership with the signing of a Strategic Alliance, which expands the pathway for KPGA Korean Tour players on to the DP World Tour and will see co-sanctioned tournaments held in Korea through to 2025.
DP World Tour Chief Tournament Business Officer Ben Cowen and KPGA Chairman Koo Ja-cheol confirmed the enhanced relationship following the inaugural Korea Championship Presented by Genesis, which marked the DP World Tour’s return to Korea for the first time in more than a decade.
Currently the KPGA’s Genesis Point Award winner secures a one-year DP World Tour exemption in Category 16 for the following season. From next season, the opportunities will increase, with the next two leading players on the Genesis Point Award also receiving exemptions in Category 17.
New co-sanctioned tournament announced
In addition, as part of the DP World Tour’s commitment to supporting professional golf in Korea, the two organisations will co-sanction a tournament in Korea for the next two seasons, as well as continuing to collaborate in key business areas including strategic development and commercial growth.
Ben Cowen, DP World Tour Chief Tournament Business Officer said: “Following on from the inaugural Korean Championship Presented by Genesis, we are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with the KPGA.
“With the leading player in the Genesis Points Award already securing a DP World Tour exemption for the following season, this new pathway will allow more access for Korean players from the 2024 season onwards. We also look forward to co-sanctioning events in Korea with the KPGA each season through to 2025.”
Koo Ja-cheol, KPGA Chairman, said: “We are pleased that this agreement will give KPGA Korean Tour players the opportunity to compete on the international stage. The KPGA will strive to strengthen its global competitiveness through this agreement.
“This agreement will be an important step for the KPGA and DP World Tour to grow together.”
Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal lifted the inaugural Korea Championship Presented by Genesis trophy at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea on Sunday, in the first DP World Tour event on Korean soil since the 2013 Ballantine’s Championship.
Arccos partners up with EA Sports for their new game. Buyers will be offered access to a set of free Smart Sensors and trial to Caddie app (Source: Arccos)
How would you like to take your love for video gaming out onto the golf course and track your own performance? Well, now you can thanks to our ground-breaking tech partnership with global leader in video gaming EA Sports.
Buyers of the new EA Sports PGA Tour, the exclusive home of all four majors in a video game, launched worldwide on April 7. EA Sports PGA Tour players will access golf’s #1 on-course shot tracking system with Arccos, realistically enhancing their performance both in-game and the real-world.
Darren Feeney, Vice President of Marketing at Arccos Golf, commented: “We’re delighted to expand our member opportunities to the EA Sports community with this attractive offer, which we believe to be a first of its kind in the golf industry. EA is the true leader in the digital interactive entertainment space and involvement with the new EA Sports PGA Tour golf game acts as a perfect way to bridge the virtual gaming world with the on-course performance tracking of Arccos.”
As part of an exciting partnership, EA players will receive an in-game offer taking them to a co-branded webpage where they can redeem a free set of Arccos Smart Sensors and trial the award-winning Arccos Caddie app. The EA Sports collaboration enhances the interactive golf experience and connects players to the sport they love through interactive entertainment.
“We’ve gone above and beyond to bring the premier PGA Tour experience to players, with real-world golf data powering amazingly realistic gameplay,” said Ben Ramsour, Producer at EA Sports. “At the same time, we’re excited to encourage players of EA Sports PGA Tour to take their passion for golf out onto real-world courses. With Arccos, they can experience the same type of automatic shot tracking and strokes gained analytics that’s trusted by the world’s best players.”
Arccos has the largest on-course data set in golf with more than 670 million shots recorded during 14 million rounds in 162 countries worldwide. Over 700 billion separate data points power the most accurate Strokes Gained insights, providing golfers with personalized analysis for every scenario down to each club in the bag. Arccos helps golfer’s shoot lower scores and improve their handicap by an average of 5.71 strokes in their first year of membership.
The game incorporates new features like Pure Strike giving players all the tools required to attack each hole the same way PGA Tour stars do, plus a Road to the Masters career mode bringing tradition and unmatched stakes featuring Augusta National, challenges, tournaments and gear tied to The Masters.
It’s no secret that our Arccos team of Data Analysts and Engineers are very excited to play EA Sports PGA Tour and take on some of the best courses in the world from the comfort of their living rooms! (Text: Arccos)
The Club at Carlton Woods will host the first major of the year (Source: LPGA Women's Network)
The enthusiasm of the title sponsor and the local community is bringing the Chevron Championship to a brand-new venue, The Club Carlton Woods, in The Woodlands, Texas. Just a few weeks before the start of this first major of the year, the excitement of Chevron and its employees, the members and staff of Carlton Woods, and the residents of The Woodlands is setting the stage for a memorable LPGA event.
The Chevron Championship and the Woodlands seek to raise the bar for women’s golf
“It was really a natural fit as we looked at our portfolio of external engagements in the sports area. This is a real opportunity for us to raise the bar with women’s tournaments,” said Josetta Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Chevron, which became the new title sponsor of the former ANA Inspiration through a six-year relationship with the LPGA that began in 2022.
Jones, born and raised in the Houston area –and moving back to Texas after a period in California– will join a large Chevron employee base in the area, eager to volunteer and attend the tournament with their families and children.
“As a large Fortune 500 company we support women; we supportwomen athletics.Given the gravitas of this event and what it has done for women’s golf, we want to show that we are equally as committed to being the next chapter for this major,” added Jones about the history of a tournament with 14 champions inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Hosting a major tournament is an extreme honor for the Club at Carlton Woods and the Woodlands
According to Stacy Lewis, another Houston native and winner of the Chevron Championship in 2011 (then Kraft Nabisco), “the members and the club management at Carlton Woods are thrilled to have been chosen to host a Major Championship. Having the support of both the club and The Woodlands community will be crucial to establishing this as a wonderful major venue for the new era ahead.”
For Lewis, captain of the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Solheim Cup Teams, who will be participating in her sixteenth Chevron Championship from April 20-23, “being able to compete in a major in front of my friends, family and community is pretty special.”
Hosting a major championship is no small feat, but The Club at Carlton Woods seems to be the perfect stage for the next chapter of the LPGA’s first major of the season.
“We are just excited to hopefully bring more women out to watch the tournament and kind of grow their interest in the game. Since we heard that the tournament was coming officially here, we have been bragging because we are proud to have it at this location,” said Marissa Brandsburg, a LPGA Class A Professional at Carlton Woods.
Dr. Ann K. Snyder, The Woodlands Township Chairman, echoes the pride and anticipation among the community.
“We appreciate the confidence in The Woodlands with this world-renowned tournament and the highly supportive activities of women’s and girl’s golf associated with the tournament. Our residents and businesses are looking forward to making our township the most favorite place on tour,” said Dr. Snyder.
Cindy Bryson, Coordinator for Volunteers and Player Housing for IMG, one of the three tournament organizers –along with the LPGA and Chevron— celebrates how the residents are putting that excitement into action.
“The enthusiasm from the community to get involved and support The Chevron Championship has made my work a wonderful experience.As a 37-year resident, I am so proud to see the huge appetite to embrace this women’s major,” said Bryson.
“The Woodlands is a great location for all types of sporting events, and it is really exciting for us to have something of this caliber,” said Elizabeth Eddins, Executive Director of Visit The Woodlands, highlighting some of the main local attractions: 220 miles of pathways, Market Street high-end shopping, and dining along the waterway.
“We have a lot of women in leadership in The Woodlands and I think it is just kind of the right time to have this type of event,” added Eddins about The Chevron Championship, which will coincide with the Ironman Americas Championship on April 22 nd.
If there’s one thing that can be said about this new major championship location, it’s that The Woodlands will fully embrace and celebrate the best women golfers in the world with its streets and trails full of sports fans, visitors and athletes golfing, cycling, running, walking the trails, and riding the free trolley to their favorite store and restaurant along the waterways. (text: LPGA Women’s Network)
Hayden Buckley with a hole in one on hole 17 of The Players Championship. (Photo: Getty)
There were ten holes-in-one on the 17 hole before the Players Championship 2023 and number 11 was not long in coming. Hayden Buckley, who started on hole 10 in the second flight, sets the bar high and holes the ball in one shot. The ball lands some distance to the right of the flag and then picks up speed toward the hole. In the process, Buckley hit the perfect line for the main prize. After two birdies and a bogey on his round up to that point, the ace puts him near the top in what is still very early in the tournament.
Hole in One at Hole 17 at the Players Championship 2023
