Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour: MacIntyre And Murray Team Up At BMW PGA Championship

Scottish sporting stars Robert MacIntyre and Andy Murray are set to team up in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am, as the worlds of sport and entertainment come together at Wentworth Club.

Three-time Grand Slam winner and former tennis World Number One Murray, who called time on his stellar tennis career following this summer’s Paris Olympics, will make his debut in the star-studded BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am of the DP World Tour on the Wednesday of tournament week, alongside famous names including football icon Gareth Bale and Hollywood actor Tom Holland, who returns for a third appearance alongside his twin siblings Harry and Sam.

Scottish Duo at DP World Tour

Murray will have the perfect partner at the famous Surrey venue in Rolex Series winner MacIntyre, who is looking forward to partnering with his fellow Scot. He said: “Andy is a hero to so many people in Scotland – and across the world – and it’s pretty exciting to be playing alongside him in his BMW PGA Championship debut.

“He’s been absolutely dedicated to tennis during his incredible career, but it looks like he’s been playing plenty of golf since his retirement, so I’m looking forward to seeing if all that practice has paid off!”

MacIntyre will be part of a world-class field when the BMW PGA Championship gets under way on Thursday, including fellow 2023 Ryder Cup stars Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Matt Fitzpatrick, Nicolai Højgaard, Justin Rose, and Sepp Straka.

Ryan Fox returns to defend his title at the third Rolex Series event of the season, alongside a host of former winners including European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, Billy Horschel, Byeong Hun An, Matteo Manassero, Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren and Danny Willett.

Most recent winner Matt Wallace, who claimed his fifth DP World Tour title in Crans Montana on Sunday, and Major winner Adam Scott, currently fourth in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, also return to Wentworth Club. Meanwhile, PGA TOUR winners Will Zalatoris, Si Woo Kim and Peter Malnati will make their BMW PGA Championship debuts.

Festival of Sort

The BMW PGA Championship Festival of Golf takes place just outside central London, attracting more than 100,000 spectators each year, with the world class action inside the ropes set to be complemented by live entertainment on the Showstage from Groove Armada (Saturday) and Sigala (Sunday) and an unrivalled atmosphere in the vibrant Spectator Village.

The week starts with the G4D TOUR @ BMW PGA Championship, with some of the best golfers with a disability competing for the penultimate G4D Tour title on the iconic West Course on Monday and Tuesday.

That is followed by the star-studded Celebrity Pro-Am, which will see global celebrities and some of golf’s most famous names take to the fairways side-by-side. Further famous faces taking part this year include footballers Troy Deeney and Jordan Pickford, Rugby player Jamie George, TV stars Anton Du Beke and Michael McIntyre, cricketers James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ollie Pope and Olympic swimming medallist James Guy, with more celebrities to be announced.

The Rolex Series tournament assumes a key position on the DP World Tour’s 2024 Global Schedule as part of the ‘Back 9’, encompassing nine of the Tour’s most historic tournaments and national opens, running from August to October. It gives members their final opportunities to secure their playing rights for 2025 and also advance to the season-ending ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’.

BMW group owners will once again receive preferred parking benefits, while park & ride and shuttle services from local train stations will be available free of charge to all spectators.

(Text provided by DP World Tour Communications)

Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Chase Hanna and Co at Amgen Irish Open

The tee times for the DP World Tour’s Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, have been officially announced. Competitors will vie for a lucrative $6 million prize fund. The tournament, a key stop on the DP World Tour, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports: Thursday from 14:00, Friday from 09:00, Saturday from 16:00, and Sunday from 13:30. Vincent Norrman is the defending champion, with this year’s event taking place on the renowned par-71 course.

DP World Tour Tee Times: US-Players in Northern Ireland

Chase Hanna, one of the American golfers in the field, is set to tee off at 07:50 for his first round, alongside Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult and Gunner Wiebe from the USA. Their second round begins at 12:50 with the same group.

John Catlin’s tee times see him starting his first round at 08:30, paired with England’s Ross Fisher and Søren Kjeldsen from Denmark. They will begin their second round at 13:30.

Jordan Gumberg will tee off for his first round at 09:10, alongside Matthew Baldwin from England and Simon Forsström from Sweden. Their second round is scheduled to start at 14:10.

Jimmy Walker’s first-round tee time is set for 13:20, with playing partners Edoardo Molinari from Italy and Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. Their second round will begin at 08:20.

Sean Crocker’s group will start their first round at 13:50. He will be joined by England’s Daniel Gavins and Ockie Strydom from South Africa. Their second round will tee off at 08:50.

Below is a complete overview of the American players, their tee times, and their respective playing partners for the Amgen Irish Open.

Round Time Player 1 (USA) Player 2 Player 3
1 07:50 Chase Hanna Marcus Kinhult (SWE) Gunner Wiebe (USA)
1 08:30 John Catlin Ross Fisher (ENG) Søren Kjeldsen (DEN)
1 09:10 Jordan Gumberg Matthew Baldwin (ENG) Simon Forsström (SWE)
1 13:20 Jimmy Walker Edoardo Molinari (ITA) Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (DEN)
1 13:50 Sean Crocker Daniel Gavins (ENG) Ockie Strydom (RSA)
2 08:20 Jimmy Walker Edoardo Molinari (ITA) Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (DEN)
2 08:30 John Catlin Ross Fisher (ENG) Søren Kjeldsen (DEN)
2 08:50 Sean Crocker Daniel Gavins (ENG) Ockie Strydom (RSA)
2 12:50 Chase Hanna Marcus Kinhult (SWE) Gunner Wiebe (USA)
2 14:10 Jordan Gumberg Matthew Baldwin (ENG) Simon Forsström (SWE)
Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Robert MacIntyre and Others at Amgen Irish Open

The stage is set for the Amgen Irish Open, part of the prestigious DP World Tour, at the iconic Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. With a prize fund of $6 million, the tournament promises top-tier competition, as players from around the globe tee off this Thursday. Defending champion Vincent Norrman is looking to maintain his crown on the par-71 course. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage starting at 14:00 on Thursday, followed by 09:00 on Friday, 16:00 on Saturday, and 13:30 on Sunday.

DP World Tour Tee Times: UK Players to Watch

Alex Fitzpatrick will commence his first round at 07:30 from the 1st tee, alongside Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen and Japan’s Rikuyo Hoshino. He will tee off for his second round at 12:30 from the 10th tee.

James Morrison starts his first round at 07:40 from the 1st tee. His playing partners are Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura and France’s Clément Sordet. Morrison’s second round begins at 12:40 from the 10th tee.

Luke Donald, a veteran in the field, tees off at 07:40 with Frederic Lacroix of France and Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark. Donald will start his second round at 12:40 from the 10th tee.

Connor Syme begins at 08:00 from the 1st tee, paired with Denmark’s Jeff Winther and Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia. His second round kicks off at 13:00 from the 10th tee.

David Law is set to tee off at 08:50, with France’s Adrien Saddier and South Africa’s Jayden Trey Schaper as his partners. Law’s second round will begin at 13:50 from the 10th tee.

Richie Ramsay also starts at 08:50 from the 1st tee, alongside South Africa’s Jacques Kruyswijk and Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa. His second round starts at 13:50 from the 10th tee.

Scott Jamieson hits the course at 09:00 from the 1st tee with Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Scotland’s Grant Forrest. His second round starts at 14:00 from the 10th tee.

Grant Forrest, sharing his first-round time and playing partners with Jamieson, tees off at 09:00. His second round will also start at 14:00 from the 10th tee.

Stephen Gallacher begins his first round at 13:00 from the 1st tee, joined by Antoine Rozner of France and Sami Valimaki of Finland. His second round starts at 08:00 from the 10th tee.

Robert MacIntyre, one of the UK’s standout players, tees off at 12:40 from the 1st tee alongside Ireland’s Shane Lowry and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox. MacIntyre’s second round begins at 07:40 from the 10th tee.

Calum Hill rounds out the UK field, starting his first round at 12:30 from the 1st tee, with Italy’s Renato Paratore and Germany’s Yannik Paul as his playing partners. Hill’s second round will begin at 07:30 from the 10th tee.

PlayerRound 1 Tee TimeRound 2 Tee TimePlaying Partners (Nationality)
Alex Fitzpatrick07:3012:30Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN), Rikuyo Hoshino (JPN)
James Morrison07:4012:40Masahiro Kawamura (JPN), Clément Sordet (FRA)
Luke Donald07:4012:40Frederic Lacroix (FRA), Rasmus Højgaard (DEN)
Connor Syme08:0013:00Jeff Winther (DEN), Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (ESP)
David Law08:5013:50Adrien Saddier (FRA), Jayden Trey Schaper (RSA)
Richie Ramsay08:5013:50Jacques Kruyswijk (RSA), Yuto Katsuragawa (JPN)
Scott Jamieson09:0014:00Jorge Campillo (ESP), Grant Forrest (SCO)
Grant Forrest09:0014:00Scott Jamieson (SCO), Jorge Campillo (ESP)
Stephen Gallacher13:0008:00Antoine Rozner (FRA), Sami Valimaki (FIN)
Robert MacIntyre12:4007:40Shane Lowry (IRL), Ryan Fox (NZL)
Calum Hill12:3007:30Renato Paratore (ITA), Yannik Paul (GER)
Categories
Panorama

Full Swing: Netflix Confirms Third Season for 2025

The successful golf documentary “Full Swing” will return to Netflix in 2025 for its third season. After two gripping seasons offering insights behind the scenes of professional golf, fans can once again look forward to dramatic twists and thrilling moments in the upcoming season.

What the third season of “Full Swing” might bring 

Although the themes of the new season have not yet been officially confirmed, speculation is already rife about which major storylines from the 2024 season might make their way into the series. Among the potential highlights are Bryson DeChambeau’s triumphant victory over Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open and Rickie Fowler’s remarkable comeback. Xander Schauffele, who clinched two major championships in 2024, is also expected to play a central role.

The series will likely cover stories beyond the tournaments as well—such as the much-discussed arrest of Scottie Scheffler during the PGA Championship or Nick Dunlap’s sensational victory as an amateur. Netflix’s camera crews are known for delving deeply into the private lives of golfers, so viewers can expect to see both the personal highs and lows of the sport’s biggest stars.

Looking back: The dramas of the first two seasons 

Since its debut in February 2023, “Full Swing” has offered viewers exclusive glimpses into the lives of the biggest names in golf. The first season followed stars like Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka through a year marked by the rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The cameras captured the drama as well-known players such as Ian Poulter and Brooks Koepka made the controversial switch to the Saudi-backed LIV Tour, while others, like McIlroy, stood firm in defending the traditional PGA Tour.

The second season, which premiered in March 2024, focused heavily on the historic merger between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the uncertainties that this alliance brought with it. The 2023 Ryder Cup, held in Rome, was also documented closely as the world’s top players vied for a spot on their respective teams.

Netflix hits the mark with “Full Swing”

 Since the launch of “Full Swing” in 2023, the series has not only captivated golf fans but has also boosted the PGA Tour’s viewership. According to a Nielsen Media Research analysis, interest in golf spiked significantly after the release of the first season. Notably, newcomers who had previously never followed golf broadcasts began tuning in to live tournaments after watching the series.

Categories
PGA Tour

FedExCup Fall Explained – Excitement and Opportunities on the PGA Tour

The FedExCup Fall Series on the PGA Tour promises more drama and tension than ever, as players compete in top-tier events to secure their PGA Tour status. The fall tournaments offer winners the same benefits as regular-season events – including a two-year PGA Tour exemption, 500 FedExCup points, and entry into prestigious tournaments like The Players, The Sentry, and the Majors that invite PGA Tour winners.

FedExCup Fall: Fight for PGA Tour Status and Signature Events

The FedExCup Fall is also the time when the 125 spots for full-field events are up for grabs, along with a coveted place in The Players tournament for the following season. After the conclusion of the FedExCup Playoffs, players who are ranked 51st and below in the FedExCup standings continue to compete for points in the fall. They begin this stretch with all the points they’ve accumulated during the regular season and the first FedExCup Playoffs event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Additionally, the top 10 players on the FedExCup points list at the end of the fall, who have not yet qualified for the Signature Events, will have a chance to participate in the two Signature Events following the season opener. This allows rising stars to test themselves against the best players.

Those ranked 51st to 70th in the FedExCup standings at the start of the fall have already secured their Top 125 eligibility for the following year but are competing for spots in the first two Signature Events. Players ranked 71st and above can earn one of 10 available spots in these Signature Events, while also fighting to remain in the Top 125 of the FedExCup standings by the end of the fall season. Players who finish between 126th and 150th on the final points list will gain conditional status for the 2024 PGA Tour season. Any player outside the Top 125 will have the opportunity to improve or regain their Tour status through PGA Tour Q-School.

FedExCup Fall Schedule Overview

DateTournamentGolf CourseLocationPurse
Sept. 12-15Procore ChampionshipSilverado Resort (North Course)Napa, CA, USA$6,000,000
Sept. 26-29Presidents CupRoyal Montreal GC (Blue)Montreal, Quebec, CAN
Oct. 3-6Sanderson Farms ChampionshipThe Country Club of JacksonJackson, MS, USA$7,600,000
Oct. 10-13Black Desert ChampionshipBlack Desert Resort Golf CourseIvins, UT, USA$7,500,000
Oct. 17-20Shriners Children’s OpenTPC SummerlinLas Vegas, NV, USA$7,000,000
Oct. 24-27ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPAccordia GolfChiba, JPN$8,500,000
Nov. 7-10World Wide Technology ChampionshipEl Cardonal at DiamanteLos Cabos, MEX$7,200,000
Nov. 14-17Butterfield Bermuda ChampionshipPort Royal Golf CourseSouthampton, BER$6,900,000
Nov. 21-24The RSM ClassicSea Island Golf Club (Seaside)St. Simons Island, GA, USA$8,000,000
Categories
Travel

Golf at Dizzying Heights And Jazz at its Finest in Glamorous St. Moritz

Immerse Yourself in an Exclusive World

After an impressive journey on the Rhaetian Railway, I reach the town in Graubünden, which stands for exclusivity and luxury like no other, in glorious sunshine. Its image as one of the world’s most glamorous winter sports destinations stems in part from the jet-set events held on the frozen
Lake St. Moritz, where polo and cricket tournaments as well as horse races are held.

It has already hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Probably the best knownof all its claims to fame is the Cresta Run ice track, which has hosted the annual ‘Grand National’ since 1885. This is a race with a 35kg sledge called a ’Toboggan’ on which riders plunge headfirst down an ice chute, reaching a top speed of up to 140 kilometres per hour.

Cresta Rider statue and start of the Olympic Bob Run (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

Perhaps equally famous is the Olympic Bob Run, which is the oldest bobsleigh run in the world and the last remaining championship track made of natural ice, which is prepared anew every winter.

Tradition and Style

The Kulm Hotel in the centre of St. Moritz is an icon of the Swiss luxury hotel industry. It is characterised by class, style and elegance. It was founded in 1856 by the visionary hotelier Johannes Badrutt, who brought tourism and winter sports to the town with its opening.

Entrance of Kulm Hotel and view from its terrace (Photos Juergen Linnenbuerger)

It impresses with its extraordinary location high above the lake, its fantastic views and its extravagant and stylish interior.

Extravagant hotel lobby (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

My recently renovated room, of which there are 150 in different categories, is elegant and modern. It features local Suisse Pine elements, as does the inviting bathroom. Upon entering, the cosy smell of fresh wood immediately fills my nose.

Superieur Room with Sea View (Photos Juergen Linnenbuerger)

Five restaurants offer national and international cuisine at the highest level. The Pizzeria offers far more than just delicious round Italian dishes. Peruvian-inspired street food dishes are combined by Lima-born chef Claudia Canessa with modern fusion cuisine in the Amaru restaurant.

Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco inspires in the Kulm Country Club (KCC) just a few metres away. I am spoilt with local dishes on the inviting terrace of the Chesa al Parc golf clubhouse opposite. From here, I have a marvellous view of two church towers, one of which comes very close to the inclination of the tower in Pisa. It is the town’s landmark.

View of the KCC and the leaning church tower (right) (Photos Juergen Linnenbuerger)

Wellness dreams come true in the 2,000 square metre Kulm-Spa St. Moritz. In the 10 x 20 metre indoor pool, I enjoy the magnificent views of the lake and mountains as well as the underwater music. In the spa area, I relax with a signature sports massage, in the steam bath, in various saunas and both in the indoor and outdoor whirlpools.

In summer, most of the hotel’s guests come from Switzerland, the United States, Italy and Germany. In winter, this group is traditionally expanded to include guests from Great Britain, who make up the largest foreign group. Guests from Asia are still in the minority, but visitors from India have already discovered the appeal of the hotel for themselves.

Spectacular Par 3 Course

Golf also has a long tradition in this typical winter sport. The hotel’s own Kulm golf course was founded in 1891 by British travellers, making it the oldest course in Switzerland. It was redesigned by the hotel in 2001. The nine-hole par 3 course, integrated into the marvellous landscape, is just
a shot with the driver away from the hotel.

The nine varied holes, some of which are steeply uphill and downhill, are between 80 and 135 metres long. They offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain scenery and Lake St. Moritz. The downhill shots into the greens, which lie deep below the tees, are particularly attractive.

Kulm Golf Course and Lake St. Moritz (Photo Azalea – jhogg-kulmgolf)

This also applies to hole #5, which has to be played almost vertically 120 metres downhill. The green is protected by a small lake on the right and a bunker on the left. It is the most remarkable hole on a par 3 course that I know (see photo on the top of the article).

The Olympic bobsleigh run comes into play on hole #8. But only in the imagination, as it does not exist in summer. In winter, it runs directly in front of the green bunker across the hole and disappears into the depths on its right-hand side.

A very special golf hole (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

Hole #9 is my personal highlight. It is the most difficult one, where the tee shot has to be played 120 metres steeply uphill into the invisible green. Not much was missing for my hole in one and the perfect finish to my round of golf.

Almost a hole in one (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

Use of the practice facilities and playing on the course is free of charge for guests of the Kulm Hotel.

No One is Older

The Samedan golf course of the Engadine Golf Club in the village was founded in 1893. It is the oldest 18-hole course in Switzerland and one of the oldest on Continental Europe. It can be reached from the hotel in St. Moritz in 20 minutes by car.

The first amateur golf tournament was held here in the year it was founded and is still organised annually as the ‘Engadine Amateur Championship’. In 1988, the course was converted into a ‘New Course’ by golf course architect Mario Verdieri from St. Moritz, who also designed the Kulm golf
course there. The view from the terrace of the clubhouse across the plain of the Flaz stream to the mountain panorama is impressive.

Imposing view (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

The information boards on the path from the clubhouse to the driving range are interesting. The history of golf in the Engadin is presented on the WALK OF HISTORY. Caddies were common for a long time; boys and girls earned ‘pocket money’ by carrying the bags from a young age at the club.

Information board at the WALK OF HISTORY (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

700 Year Old Larches

In the middle of it all are centuries-old larch trees, their tops battered by storms and lightning. To mark the 125th anniversary in 2018, 125 new trees were planted.

Bridge over the Flaz stream and ancient trees (Photos Juergen Linnenbuerger)

From the yellow tees, the course has a length of 5,919 metres, with a slope rating of 133 and a course rating of 71.7. The corresponding values for the red tees are 5,118 metres, 130 and 72.8. The damp water is not only available as a lateral or frontal obstacle, but in several places ice-cold
spring water invites you to fill up your drinks bottles.

It couldn’t be fresher (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

In the early afternoon, the dreaded Maloja wind regularly sets in from the south, which can have a considerable impact on the game. We start early and are lucky to be spared.

After nine holes, we stop off at the ‘Buvette’, a small wooden halfway house on the edge of the forest. Here we fortify ourselves with delicious sausage and cheese specialities and a bottled glacier beer.

I am pleased with the unusual length of my shots, as they fly about 10 % further than usual due to the altitude. The Samedan golf course is situated at an altitude of 1,700 metres, making it the second highest 18-hole course in Switzerland. Only the one in Arosa is higher.

The fairways run level and wide through the flat terrain. The lush green fairways, the bunkers with their white sand and the partly undulating greens are very well maintained.

You can play on the Samedan course from the beginning of May to the end of October whilst the Kulm course opens a month later. If you stay at least two days in certain hotels, you can play unlimited golf on these two courses as well as on the Zuoz-Madulain course, the second course of the Engadine Golf Club, for CHF 255 per person during your entire stay.

The Best Jazz in a Legendary Club

For 17 years now, St. Moritz has been all about jazz in July. Jazz at its finest is offered at twelve different venues over the course of three weeks. It all started in the private Dracula Club, founded by jetsetter Gunter Sachs, which is located right next to the start building of the town’s famous bobsleigh run. Today, the club is run by his son Rolf. The members-only club only opens its doors to the public once a year for this music series. It is the main stage, the heart and soul of the festival.

Entrance to the legendary Dracula Club (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

I am lucky enough to be able to attend one of its few events with only 150 other guests. The jazz fans sit or stand close together in the rustic ambience. The atmosphere in the intimate, relaxed setting is unique. The music of the American artist Dana Winters and her trio, who are so close
you can’t help but touch them, is met with thunderous applause from the knowledgeable audience.

Great atmosphere at the Dracula Club (Photo Juergen Linnenbuerger)

After the session, the jazz continues in the Sunny Bar of the Kulm Hotel, which is one of the two organisers and main sponsors of the festival and hosts many of the artists.

Not Only the Altitude is Top

Be it in the hotel, in the restaurants or in the golf clubs: I encounter the highest standards and professional, friendly service everywhere I go. It is often the attention to detail or small touches that particularly impress me. One example is the golfer-specific ‚Bett-Mümpfeli‘ at the Kulm Hotel.

Sweet goodnight greeting at the Kulm Hotel (Photo Juergen Linnenbueger)

Juergen Linnenbuerger,
September 2024

Categories
LIV Tour

LIV Golf: These Stars Face Potential Relegation from the Tour

With just one event remaining in the 2024 LIV Golf season, the battle intensifies for players teetering near the bottom of the individual rankings. Players who finish 49th or lower are placed in the “Drop Zone,” meaning they’ll have to compete in the LIV Golf Promotions to secure a spot for the next season. While captains and contracted players are safe from relegation, many others are fighting to stay on the tour.

Team Captains in Safe Territory

Captains like Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer are immune to relegation due to their leadership roles, but for some of their teammates, the situation is far more precarious. Watson currently sits in 52nd place, but his captain status shields him from any consequences. Similarly, Kaymer, who leads Cleeks GC, is safe despite finishing last season in the “Drop Zone.” For other players, however, the final event could decide their future on the tour.

Varner and Perez: On the Edge

Harold Varner III (47th) and Pat Perez (48th) are two notable names hovering near the relegation line. Both players need strong showings in the final event, LIV Golf Chicago, to avoid falling into the “Drop Zone.” Varner, who finished 7th in last year’s standings, is particularly feeling the pressure after an unexpectedly poor 2024 season.

Vincent, Grace, and Canter: Last-Ditch Effort

Scott Vincent (49th) has managed to stay just above the relegation line, with top-25 finishes in the last four tournaments, but he needs another solid performance to secure his place. Meanwhile, Branden Grace (50th) and Laurie Canter (51st) are in similarly precarious positions. Grace has had an inconsistent season, mixing high points with disappointing results, while Canter’s limited schedule — just two events — has left him little opportunity to climb higher in the rankings.

Players at the Bottom

At the lower end of the rankings, Kalle Samooja (53rd) and Kieran Vincent (54th) are in serious jeopardy. Both players entered the league via the 2023 Promotions but have struggled this season. Samooja is firmly in the “Drop Zone,” while Vincent, with only 2.47 points and just one top-20 finish this season, has also been unable to escape the bottom of the leaderboard.

Categories
Travel

Kilrush Golf Club: 90 Years of Community, Challenging Course, and Inclusivity

Kilrush Golf Club, located in Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland, stands along the picturesque Wild Atlantic Way. Over its 90 years of history, the club has become an integral part of the local community, offering a golfing experience for players of all ages and abilities. The course has evolved from a nine-hole layout into a mature, gently undulating 18-hole course through the efforts of volunteer members over the past 30 years.

Kilrush Golf Club: €35 Green Fee Year-Round

Kilrush Golf Club proudly offers a challenging round of golf with distinct holes that require careful play. One notable hole is the 168-yard, Par 3, 9th hole, which features a tee shot from an elevated position over water to a green set into a hillside, surrounded by sand and a stream. This hole demands precision with varying club choices depending on wind conditions. Players must keep their balls on the fairway to navigate the course successfully.

The club’s green fee is €35 year-round, including public holidays, and covers entry into weekend competitions for eligible golfers. New members benefit from a discounted rate, receiving a 60% reduction in their first year and a 30% reduction in their second year before paying the full subscription in their third year. Distance membership is also an option for golfers residing more than 60 km from Kilrush. Training courses are available during the summer months for junior golfers and beginner lady golfers, complemented by active senior sections meeting weekly.

Kilrush Golf Club extends a warm welcome to visitors and societies throughout the year, with further details accessible on their website. The club also features an on-site restaurant, managed by Martina Burke and her team, providing a comprehensive menu to ensure guests can enjoy a full day out.

A Short Interview with Kilrush Golf Club

Q: In one sentence: What are you particularly proud of at your golf club?

A: Careful nurturing, planning and planting by our volunteer members over the past 30 years has ensured that the original nine hole course has matured into a gently undulating course with eighteen very distinct holes.

Q: Our golf course is particularly suitable for…

A: …a pleasant but challenging round of golf in beautiful surroundings along the Wild Atlantic Way. The club has been an integral part of the town for over 90 years and has embraced golfers of all ages and abilities. Visitors and Societies are always welcome.

Q: What makes your signature hole special?

A: The 168 yard, Par 3, 9th hole. The tee shot is played from an elevated tee over water to an amphitheater green cut into a hillside. The green which is surrounded by sand and a stream requires an accurate tee shot which can vary from a short iron to a driver depending on the wind conditions.

Q: The quick insider tip for your golf course is?

A: Keep your ball on the fairway.

Q: What special offers (green fee bargains, discounted memberships, etc.) or training classes does your golf club offer?

A: Our green fee of €35 applies on all days, including public holidays. All of our weekend competitions are open to eligible golfers. For visitors, the open competition entry is included in the green fee. New members are offered their first year membership at 60% discount and their second year at 30% discount before paying the full subscription on their third year.
Distance membership is available to golfers resident more than 60 km from Kilrush. During the summer months we offer training courses for junior golfers and beginner lady golfers. There is a vibrant Senior section of the club with ladies meeting on Tuesdays and men on Wednesdays.
Further details can be found on the club website:
www.kilrushgolfclub.com

Q: Anything you would like to add?

A: On all days of the year, we can accommodate visitors. Our restaurant is managed by Martina Burke and Staff and offers a full menu.

Categories
Equipment

WITB: Matt Wallace Triumphs with Four Different Brands

Matt Wallace wins the European Masters in Switzerland with clubs from Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist and Callaway. It is the Englishman’s fifth victory on the DP World Tour.

WITB: Four brands for the win

The Englishman currently uses the Ping G430 LST driver (10.5˚). With the Ping model, he finished twelfth in the “Strokes Gained: Off the Tee” statistics at the European Masters and eighth in driving accuracy. With the Qi10 Tour (16.5˚), he also has a TaylorMade club in his bag as a fairway wood. For the hybrid, Wallace currently relies on the TSR2 (18˚) from Titleist. The fourth brand in the 34-year-old’s bag is Callaway. From the 4-iron to the 9-iron, he relies on the Callaway X Forged CB model. The rest of the golf bag is filled with Titleist clubs. Wallace plays the Titleist Vokey SM10’s wedges with 46, 50 and 54 degrees of loft and the SM10-WW Proto model with 60 degrees of loft. The Titleist Scotty Cameron Tour Only T-9 putter and Titleist Pro V1 X-balls (2023) complete the set.

Matt Wallace WITB

Image: Ping

Driver: Ping G430 LST

Image: TaylorMade

Fairway wood: TaylorMade Qi10

Image: Titleist

Hybrid: Titleist TSR2

Image: Callaway

Irons: Callaway X Forged

Image: Titleist

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Wallace moves up the Race to Dubai Rankings

Matt Wallace, currently in 73rd place in the world rankings, improved to 22nd place in the Race to Dubai with his victory at the traditional tournament in Crans Montana. He is therefore currently safely in the top 50 of the season rankings. The top 50 players are allowed to compete at the DP World Tour Championship in November.

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World Golf Ranking: Matt Wallace Climbs Up Almost 20 Spots

The World Golf Ranking has seen some notable shifts this week. Rory McIlroy continues to be the highest-ranked British golfer. McIlroy holds the 3rd position, unchanged from last week. Tommy Fleetwood is the next best British player, holding the 11th spot without any change from the previous week. Fleetwood’s stability in rankings showcases his continued presence among the top golfers globally.

A Look at the Changes in the Ranking

Aaron Rai has seen a slight improvement, moving from 24th to 22nd place, reflecting an upward trend in his performance. Matt Fitzpatrick, however, has dropped from 27th to 28th, indicating a slight decline. Robert MacIntyre stands firm at the 16th position, maintaining his steady performance week over week.

The biggest change among the British players can be seen in Matt Wallace. The 34-year-old won the Omega European Masters on the DP World Tour this week and climbed from 91st to 73rd in the World Golf Ranking as a result.

World Golf Ranking Top-10

In the Top-10 of the World Golf Ranking, Scottie Scheffler continues to lead, maintaining the 1st position. There have been no changes in the Top-10 ranks this week. The other notable golfers include Xander Schauffele at 2nd, Collin Morikawa at 4th, and Ludvig Aberg at 5th. Viktor Hovland remains at 8th place. The stability at the top of the rankings indicates a period of consistency among the world’s elite golfers.

RankingLast Week RankingNationalityPlayer Name
33NIRRory McIlroy
1111ENGTommy Fleetwood
1616SCORobert MacIntyre
2224ENGAaron Rai
2827ENGMatt Fitzpatrick