Month: September 2024

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Live

Knott End Golf Club: Precision Course with Unique Views and Flexible Memberships

Image: Knott End Golf Club
Image: Knott End Golf Club

Knott End Golf Club is located in Poulton, Lancashire, England. Situated in the north-western region of the country, this golf club offers players a chance to engage with the game while enjoying views of notable landmarks such as Blackpool Tower and the Lake District. The club’s location provides a unique environment that appeals to golfers of all levels.

Responses from players indicate that while the course at Knott End may be short, precision is essential for success. Players must strategize carefully to navigate the course effectively. The emphasis on precision adds a challenging element to the game, making it intriguing for seasoned golfers and beginners alike.

Knott End Golf Club: Accessible to All Players

Membership and fee flexibility is a notable aspect of Knott End Golf Club. The club provides multiple options throughout the year regarding membership and green fee rates. This makes it accommodating for a wide range of players, whether they are looking for short-term play options or long-term commitments.

The surrounding beauty and the welcoming atmosphere are frequently mentioned attributes. Golfers appreciate the club’s environment, which blends natural landscapes with a friendly community spirit. This ensures that members and guests feel at ease during their visit, enhancing the overall golfing experience at Knott End Golf Club.

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Panorama

Mini Golf Showdown: Justin Rose vs. Billy Horschel in an Epic Duell

Justin Rose and Billy Horschel at the first DP World Mini Golf Invitational. (Source: YouTube/DP World Tour)
Justin Rose and Billy Horschel at the first DP World Mini Golf Invitational. (Source: YouTube/DP World Tour)

Justin Rose and Billy Horschel, two of the biggest names in golf, met at the first DP World Mini Golf Invitational. But instead of the big golf courses, a completely different terrain awaited them: the 8-hole jungle course at Bear Mountain Adventure Golf in London. This unique event promised not only fun, but also exciting challenges for the two professionals.

Golf Professionals in Miniature – A Duel of the Highest Class

Although the tournament looked like a casual game of fun at first glance, the ambition of the two professionals seemed unbroken. “There’s nothing mini about my game” joked Rose before the duel, while Horschel emphasized: “To win big, you have to think mini”. These humorous remarks made it clear that both players were prepared to give their all to win their first mini golf title. The event was not only an opportunity to put their skills to the test, but also a chance to celebrate their sporting rivalry in an unusual setting.

Precision and Strategy on the Mini Golf Course

The course put the golf stars to a completely new test. Winding fairways, tricky obstacles and heated discussions with their caddies ensured a mixture of laughter and concentration. The jungle course not only demanded precise putting, but also strategic thinking to find the best solutions to each challenge. Horschel, who jokingly referred to the tournament as “the fifth major”, took the competition with a good dose of humor, but also with ambition.

In the end, Billy Horschel triumphed and not only secured victory in mini golf, but also crowned a historic week. After his victory at the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, he added another extraordinary title to his collection. The battle for the mini golf crown was fierce, but Horschel eventually prevailed and won the inaugural DP World Mini Golf Invitational.

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Panorama

R&A: Golf Participation Continues to Enjoy Growth

Golf Participation Report 2023 shows growth. (Photo: The R&A)
Golf Participation Report 2023 shows growth. (Photo: The R&A)

The R&A today announced new participation figures that show an increase of more than three million adult golfers playing the sport.

According to new research undertaken for the governing body, there are now 42.7 million on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole) in R&A affiliated markets (outside the USA and Mexico).

The research figures for 2023 indicate a growth of 3.1 million on-course golfers since 2022. The growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and is now accelerating faster than the 2020-2022 pandemic period when there was an average of 2.5 million new on-course golfers per annum. The sport continues to increase in popularity, now up 44% from 29.6 million on-course players in 2016.

The new data is provided by national federations in The R&A’s affiliated markets in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.

R&A: Global Surge in On-Course Golfers

The research also shows that 62.3 million adults (outside the USA and Mexico) consume the sport in some format, an increase of 1.1 million since 2022. It is just the second time an estimate has been made beyond on-course activity to include alternative-only formats, such as pitch & putt, indoor simulator golf and driving range use.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “Golf’s popularity continues to grow with a significant increase in the number of people playing the sport both on and off the course.

“There are now 13 million more golfers playing on the course since 2016 in R&A affiliated markets, while there are also millions of others enjoying alternative formats of golf, such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, which are vital to the growth of the sport.

“New golfer participation programmes with appealing propositions, promotion and imagery are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. This is why we continue to work collaboratively with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders to build on this momentum and ensure golf continues to thrive.”

The top five on-course adult golfer markets overall reported are in: Japan (11.4 million), Republic of Korea (8.7 million), Canada (6.3 million), England (4.2 million) and Germany (2.4 million).

Women’s Participation on the Rise

Asia is the leading region for people engaging with golf among R&A affiliated regions, with total adult engagement in golf of 26.2 million. Europe is next highest with 19.7 million adults having some form of golf engagement.

The number of adult registered golfers (those members of a golf club within their national association or affiliated through a direct subscription) increased from 8 million in 2022 to 8.2 million in 2023, with an overall growth of 10% since 2020. Registered women golfers have grown from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2023.

There was a decrease in those adults who only played formats other than 9 or 18-hole golf  – 21.6 million in 2022 to 19.6 million in 2023 – but this is likely to positively reflect on those moving instead to full-length on-course golf. The percentage of golfers only using alternative formats that are women did grow from 47% in 2022 to 52% in 2023, specifically in key golfing markets.

The R&A is continuing its commitment to invest £200 million over ten years (2017-2026) in developing golf, including sustained work to encourage participation through various initiatives.

(Text: The R&A)

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Uncategorized

Opinion: These are the Things the PGA Tour Should Improve on its Schedule

The PGA Tour is missing a few opportunities, for example there is no tournament in New York. (Photo: Getty)

The schedule for the 2025 season has been finalised and a closer look reveals that the PGA Tour is currently missing out on a number of opportunities. For example, there will once again be no PGA Tour tournaments in New York, the largest media market in the USA. As in 2024, there will also be no match play tournament next year. It’s a shame, as this form of play is firmly rooted in the history of this wonderful sport. Finally, there is the issue of the signature events: the eight highly lucrative tournaments on the tour will be the same in 2025 – with the exception of one tournament. A missed opportunity to promote other great competitions in the calendar.

Bethpage Black, Liberty National, Westchester CC – New York would have a lot to offer

Of course, the tour is bound by contracts, but something needs to be changed as soon as possible. There is always a lot of talk about ‘growing the game’ and the fans. So why are there no events in New York, the sports-fanatic city in the north-east of the USA? There is certainly no shortage of fantastic venues. Liberty National on the outskirts of New York and with a view of the Statue of Liberty is probably the first thing that springs to mind when you think of New York and golf, along with Bethpage Black. So golf and New York are no strangers. Bethpage Black has already hosted majors and will be the venue for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Last but not least, there is the Westchester Country Club, which hosted an event on the tour from 1967 to 2007.

Tournaments in sports-crazy markets would be an opportunity to realise ‘growing the game’. Especially if the events are placed appropriately in the calendar. The two weeks before the Opens in Scotland and Great Britain and the two weeks after would be the perfect time for tournaments in New York. The weather is right and the NFL, NBA and NHL are all on break. The perfect opportunity to organise one or more golf tournaments in this insatiable sports city and attract new fans. Events in ‘NY’ not only attract fanatical local fans, but also international TV viewers – especially when played in front of backdrops such as the Statue of Liberty.

Tiger Woods at Liberty National in 2009 (Photo: Getty)
Tiger Woods at Liberty National in 2009 (Photo: Getty)

And why not kill two birds with one stone and organise a match play tournament? Liberty National has experience with the format, having hosted the Presidents Cup in 2017. There is definitely interest in the PGA Tour on the part of the club. In 2021, President Dan Fireman said: ‘We are exploring different events with the PGA Tour. Everything from more playoff events to new events that they have in development to events that we could host ourselves – obviously with the Tour. So we have a bright future and our relationship with the Tour is great.’ In 2023, it was announced that Liberty National would be allowed to host at least one tournament on the PGA Tour: the 2027 BMW Championship (currently a FedEx Cup playoff event)

Rotate the signature events on the PGA Tour

The Signature Events have existed in their current form since this year. Eight tournaments with high prize money, lots of FedExCup points and in some cases no cut. The eight tournaments include the three ‘player hosted events’, i.e. the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Tiger Woods‘ Genesis Invitational and Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament. These tournaments should be seeded, but there are also tournaments such as the RBC Heritage. The event on Hilton Head Island traditionally takes place the week after the Masters. This means that Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and co. head straight to a signature event after the most important competition of the year, i.e. the highest tournament category apart from the majors, the Players Championship and the play-offs.

After the exhausting Masters, it can happen that players who have not had a good week, such as Viktor Hovland 2024 or Rory McIlroy 2023, withdraw from the RBC Heritage. A damper on one of the goals of the Signature Series, namely to gather the best PGA Tour players in one place and at one tournament. Incidentally, the same thing happened at the 2024 Travelers Championship when McIlroy withdrew from the tournament due to his US Open drama. The scheduling of signature events after major tournaments is therefore questionable, especially as the tournament organisers invest a lot of money in such a tournament. It would therefore make sense to rotate the signature events. Other tournaments would also benefit from this. Events such as the World Championship Phoenix Open or the RBC Canadian Open provide a spectacle and attract large crowds of golf fans every year. The following pictures should speak for themselves:

Waste Management Phoenix Open 2022 (Foto: Getty)
Waste Management Phoenix Open 2022 (Foto: Getty)

Robert MacIntyre celebrates his triumph at the RBC Canadian Open 2024 with the fans. (Photo: Getty)
Robert MacIntyre celebrates his triumph at the RBC Canadian Open 2024 with the fans. (Photo: Getty)

So there is still a lot of room for improvement for the PGA Tour in terms of the tournament schedule and therefore a fundamental part of the product. A positive change in this area will also help to win back fans who have been lost due to the ongoing conflict with the LIV Golf League. Spectacular backdrops such as the one in front of the Statue of Liberty in New York will certainly also attract non-golfers to the sport.

Categories
Fun

DP World Tour Crazy Hole in One Challenge With Tom Holland

Tom Holland and his brothers try to make an ace. (Screenshot: DP World Tour)
Tom Holland and his brothers try to make an ace. (Screenshot: DP World Tour)

Actor Tom Holland and his brothers can almost be considered regulars at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am. Last year, they took part in the first celebrity version of the DP World Tour’s ‘Chase The Ace’ challenge and want to give it another go this year.

Tom Holland and his brothers face “Chace the Ace” again

Categories
Travel

Mitchelstown Golf Club: A Hidden Gem with Challenges for All Skill Levels

Image: Mitchelstown Golf Club
Image: Mitchelstown Golf Club

Mitchelstown Golf Club, located in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland, is often referred to as one of the best-kept secrets in Irish golf. The club offers a serious challenge for scratch golfers, while remaining accessible to less experienced players using forward markers. Yardage knowledge is emphasized for a successful round at this course.

Open Competitions on One of Ireland Top Golf Courses

The fourth hole at Mitchelstown Golf Club is particularly noteworthy. It is rated among the top 100 best holes in Irish golf, highlighting the course’s complexity and distinctive design. Golfers can expect to be tested by its strategic demands.

Mitchelstown Golf Club actively caters to a broad range of players through its open competitions held every week. These events are designed to welcome both visitors and family friends, promoting a communal and inclusive atmosphere. New golfers are supported through special classes organized yearly, making it a welcoming environment for beginners.

The scenic beauty of the club’s location adds to the golfing experience. The course features views of the Galtee Mountains and includes holes that run along and across the Funcheon River. The natural surroundings provide a picturesque setting for players as they navigate the course.

In summary, Mitchelstown Golf Club combines a challenging layout with inclusive community events and beginner support. Its notable fourth hole, weekly competitions, and stunning natural scenery make it a unique destination for golfers in Ireland.Probably the best kept secret in Irish GolfSerious challenge for the scratch golfer but still suitable for the day tripper off the forward markersOur 4th hole is rated in the top 100 best holes in Irish golfKnow your yardageOpen competitions every week to facilitate the visitor and family friends. Special classes every year to facilitate beginners.Breath taking views of the Galtee mountains in the background and stunning holes along and across the Funsion river.

Categories
PGA Tour

Michael Kim: “It’s Honestly a Bit of a Dog Eat Dog World”

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Professional golfer Michael Kim is known for sharing insider information from the world of professional golf with his followers on social media. This time, the 31-year-old writes about contact with player agents, experiences, rumors and the different types of agencies. “When you’re first out of college and a really good player, agents will reach out to you directly to you or your head coach showing interest. […] It’s tricky, they’re really good salesman and unless you’ve known them thru someone else, you’re not sure who to trust. You can find MANY examples of agents stealing from the player and/or many shady deals”, wrote Michael Kim.

Offers made to players already under contract

Kim went on to tweet: “It’s honestly a bit of a dog eat dog world. I’ve heard rumors where players were going to sign with an agent and all of a sudden a different agent shows up with a really good deal with a company and the player ended up signing with the new agent for the deal. Some of the shadier ones will come up to a player even though he’s under contract promising a better deal or throw in a line or two to try and create doubt.”

Big or small agency?

In another tweet, Michael Kim describes the decision from a player’s perspective: “As a player, you have to decide what size of agency you want to sign with. Bigger agency with lots of names like Wasserman, or a smaller agency. Bigger agencies already have established connections and thru their bigger players, can even get certain deals or even exemptions into events. But the downside is, because of their big crop of players, in a way you’re all competing for the same pie within the agency. If I know the same level of player within the agency gets a new deal, you can be left wondering, why didn’t I get that deal? A smaller agency, you don’t have to worry about that kind of stuff but also know that in general, the agent isn’t going to have the same amount of power or sway within the industry. You can be the big fish and know that all the big deals might come thru you.”

In his last two tweets on this topic, Kim writes about his personal preferences and experiences.

Note: This is of course one player’s opinion and therefore not an immediate general conclusion, as well as possibly not 100 percent reality. When it comes to contact with agents right after the end of a college career, Kim is certainly a good example. Michael Kim was honored with the Jack Nicklaus Award and the Haskins Award during his amateur career – both famous awards for the player of the year in American college golf. This is likely to have aroused the interest of some player agencies.

Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Patrick Reed and American Players at acciona Open de España

DP World Tour Tee Times: US players (Image: Getty)
DP World Tour Tee Times: US players (Image: Getty)

The DP World Tour Tee Times for the upcoming acciona Open de España held at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in Spain have been announced. Part of the DP World Tour, this prestigious event boasts a par-71 course and a prize purse of $3,250,000. Last year’s title was claimed by Matthieu Pavon. Here, we delve into the tee times and partners for all American players in the tournament.

DP World Tour Tee Times for American Players

Patrick Reed will tee off for his first round on Thursday at 13:40 from Tee 1. His playing partners are Adrian Otaegui from Spain and Rikuyo Hoshino from Japan. On Friday, their second round begins at 08:50 from Tee 10.

Jimmy Walker starts his first round on Thursday at 13:30 from Tee 1 alongside Alfredo Garcia-Heredia from Spain and David Ravetto from France. Their second round begins on Friday at 08:40 from Tee 10.

Johannes Veerman is scheduled to tee off on Thursday at 13:30 from Tee 10. He will be joined by Gavin Green from Malaysia and Nick Bachem from Germany. Their second round will start on Friday from Tee 1 at 08:40.

Chase Hanna will play his first round at 14:10 on Thursday from Tee 10. His partners for the day include Alexander Knappe from Germany and Jack Davidson from Wales. The second round for this group starts at 09:20 on Friday from Tee 1.

Jordan Gumberg tees off on Thursday at 09:30 from Tee 1. Playing alongside him will be Jens Dantorp from Sweden and Julien Guerrier from France. Their second round is set to begin on Friday at 14:20 from Tee 10. Gumberg’s inclusion in the DP World Tour Tee Times highlights his pivotal role.

Round Time Player Partner 1 Partner 2
Round 1 08:50 James Nicholas Oliver Bekker (RSA) Josh Berry
Round 1 09:20 Sean Crocker George Coetzee (RSA) Matthew Southgate (ENG)
Round 1 09:30 Jordan Gumberg Jens Dantorp (SWE) Julien Guerrier (FRA)
Round 1 14:10 Chase Hanna Alexander Knappe (GER) Jack Davidson (WAL)
Round 1 13:30 Jimmy Walker Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (ESP) David Ravetto (FRA)
Round 1 13:30 Johannes Veerman Gavin Green (MAS) Nick Bachem (GER)
Round 1 13:40 Patrick Reed Adrian Otaegui (ESP) Rikuyo Hoshino (JPN)
Round 2 08:40 Jimmy Walker Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (ESP) David Ravetto (FRA)
Round 2 08:50 Patrick Reed Adrian Otaegui (ESP) Rikuyo Hoshino (JPN)
Round 2 09:20 Chase Hanna Alexander Knappe (GER) Jack Davidson (WAL)
Round 2 14:20 Jordan Gumberg Jens Dantorp (SWE) Julien Guerrier (FRA)
Round 2 14:10 Sean Crocker George Coetzee (RSA) Matthew Southgate (ENG)
DP World Tour Tee Times
Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and More at the acciona Open de España

DP World Tour Tee Times: Tyrrell Hatton and other players. (Image: Getty)
DP World Tour Tee Times: Tyrrell Hatton and other players. (Image: Getty)

The DP World Tour Tee Times for the upcoming acciona Open de España presented by Madrid have been announced. The tournament takes place at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in Madrid, Spain. The course has a par of 71. It is part of the DP World Tour, with a prize fund of $3,250,000 and the current defending champion being Matthieu Pavon.

DP World Tour Tee Times

England’s Tyrrell Hatton is in a group with Italian Matteo Manassero and Spaniard Jorge Campillo. They will start their first round at 09:00 and their second round at 13:50.

English golfer Tommy Fleetwood will start his first round at 09:10, paired with Shane Lowry from Ireland and Nacho Elvira from Spain. Their second round will start at 14:00

Scottish golfer Stephen Gallacher will begin his first round at 08:40, paired with South Korean Sung-hoon Kang and Austrian Matthias Schwab. Their second round will start at 13:30.

Richie Ramsay, another Scottish player, will tee off at 08:40 in the first round with German Yannik Paul and Spanish Jose Luis Ballester. The group will start their second round at 13:30.

Ewen Ferguson from Scotland will join Spaniard Adri Arnaus and English Alex Fitzpatrick, beginning their first round at 09:20 and their second round at 14:10.

Marc Warren from Scotland will tee off at 10:20 alongside Norwegian Kristian Krogh Johannessen and Carlos Sanchez Molina from Spain. Their second round is scheduled for 15:10.

Player Nationality Round 1 Time Round 2 Time Playing Partners Nationalities
Stephen Gallacher SCO 08:40 13:30 Sung-hoon Kang, Matthias Schwab KOR, AUT
Richie Ramsay SCO 08:40 13:30 Yannik Paul, Jose Luis Ballester GER, ESP
Tyrrell Hatton ENG 09:00 13:50 Matteo Manassero, Jorge Campillo ITA, ESP
Ewen Ferguson SCO 09:20 14:10 Adri Arnaus, Alex Fitzpatrick ESP, ENG
Marc Warren SCO 10:20 15:10 Kristian Krogh Johannessen, Carlos Sanchez Molina NOR, ESP
Tommy Fleetwood ENG 09:10 14:00 Shane Lowry, Nacho Elvira IRL, ESP
DP World Tour Tee Times
Categories
Travel

Explore Datchet Golf Club: Nine-Hole Course with Windsor Castle Views

Image: Datchet Golf Club
Image: Datchet Golf Club

Datchet Golf Club is located in Datchet, England, within the county of Berkshire. The club is known for its nine-hole course providing scenic views of Windsor Castle. This unique setting offers an interesting experience for golfers of all standards.

9-Holes with a Royal View at Datchet GC

One of the most notable aspects of Datchet Golf Club is its emphasis on accuracy. The nine-hole course requires players to focus on precision, making it a challenging experience. This focus on accuracy can be appealing to golfers who are looking to improve their skill set. The smaller course size can also make it a more approachable option for those new to the sport.

The club offers a full lesson service aimed at providing comprehensive training to golfers. These services are beneficial for golfers looking to hone their skills. Additionally, there are intermediate memberships available for individuals under 34 years old. These memberships provide financial incentives for younger players who are still exploring their interest in the game.

Prominent in its community, Datchet Golf Club contributes to the local culture and sports scene. The scenic views and the historical backdrop of Windsor Castle add an interesting dimension to the sporting experience. The combination of a focused course and available lessons make it a suitable option for a diverse range of golfers.