Categories
Apparel

Galvin Green equips golfers for most unpredictable weather

The Armstrong jacket is part of the new collection by Galvin Green. (Photo: Galvin Green)
The Armstrong jacket is part of the new collection by Galvin Green. (Photo: Galvin Green)

Leading high-performance golf apparel brand Galvin Green offers golfers its most all-encompassing rain wear line-up yet to help overcome the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns faced during a round of golf.

The latest fully waterproof range offers a first-class jacket and pant pairing in the uncompromising GORE-TEX stretch with C-KNITTM backer fabric; ten designs crafted using the lightweight GORE-TEX Paclite® technology; and five styles with mesh lining for added warmth. A total of eight functional models incorporate stretch fabric for added flexibility during the golf swing.

Galvin Green: Garments for demanding conditions

“Utilising the best-performing waterproof membrane on the market in the most fit-for-purpose rain wear pieces is testament to our never compromise approach to product design,” said Product Manager Sofia Ask Klason. “With our extensive offering using a number of different fabric technologies, serious golfers have a stellar choice of responsibly sourced designs that meet the requirements faced when playing in increasingly unpredictable and demanding conditions out on the golf course,” she added.

A decade ago, in 2013, the first Galvin Green GORE-TEX jackets and pants using bluesign® approved eco-friendly fabric were added to the range. All waterproof garments in the latest line continue to use these sustainable materials that maximise a golfer’s performance; while, at the same time seek to minimise social and environmental impact.

New flagship jacket

Leading the range is the striking new ALISTER jacket – offering the most premium performance-enhancing and reliable waterproof features on the market. The full-zip model is crafted using GORE-TEX stretch with C-KNITTM backer fabric and features a smooth ‘slide and glide’ interior and Superstretch inserts across the back and elbows for unrivalled freedom of movement in the swing.

The new Allister jacket from Galvin Green (Photo: Galvin Green)

The addition of reinforced TechsteelTM material at the shoulders delivers greater durability without compromising movement during the swing. It also features water repellent zippers, front pockets and a chest and collar width for extra comfort and protection in adverse weather conditions.

The matching ALPHA superstretch waterproof trousers with C-KNITTM backer are available in as many as 15 different size options across waist and leg lengths. The pant includes an elasticated waist and drawstring for the perfect fit; adjustable leg width; front pockets with fleece lining; a zipper fly opening and water-repellent zippers; plus an abrasion-resistant fabric on the leg hem.

Packable options

Suited to golfers with limited space in their golf bag, the award-winning ARMSTRONG men’s jacket in GORE-TEX Paclite® fabric with enhanced stretch capabilities offers great flexibility during a round of golf. The tri-blend design weighs in at just 300 grams (in size medium) and features shaped sleeves to allow for a full range of movement in the golf swing; an adjustable chest width and front pockets for increased comfort. It is available in as many as seven striking colourways and is designed to paired with the matching ARTHUR Paclite® pants.

A new addition to the women’s GORE-TEX Paclite® range is the sleek ALLY jacket with contrast detailing on the zipper and sides. It features shaped sleeves to deliver seamless movement in the swing; welcome details like front pockets and a two-way front zipper; as well as a repositioned side seam for optimum comfort. It comes in three stylish colours and is best paired with the ALINA pants also featuring GORE-TEX Paclite® stretch fabric in a number of sizes for the perfect fit.

Lined waterproofs for added warmth

The sporty ALBERT men’s jacket is a great option for those golfers seeking a fully waterproof style that stands up to the test on cold wet days. The lightweight mesh lining delivers an added warming effect by trapping warm air between the body and clothing pieces, while the use of stretch fabric in the design ensures golfers can continue to swing comfortably regardless of the weather. New colourways include White/Navy/Orange and Navy/White/Blue combinations.

The Albert jacket for men (Photo: Galvin Green)

Another popular model is the ARLIE jacket that can be paired up with layers underneath to ensure optimal performance in rain, wind and cold. It is available in three colours and up to 5XL in size.
Complimenting the two men’s lined jackets are the breathable ANDY pants with an elasticated waist and drawstring ensuring an optimal fit, plus strategically positioned abrasion resistant fabric at the leg hem.

For women golfers, the sophisticated ANYA jacket with mesh lining delivers a clean look when paired with the matching ANNA pants. The functional jacket incorporates useful features like an inner chest pocket and convenient two-way front zipper and is offered in four stylish colours including a new Blue/Reflex option.

New collection for women (Photo: Galvin Green)

Last year, the brand marked three decades of innovation using GORE-TEX fabric across its full range of waterproof garments. From the very first Galvin Green rain jacket to the full-featured ALISTER jacket of today, the brand has sold almost 1.3 million GORE-TEX garments. For details of the latest rain wear line-up, visit www.galvingreen.com.

(Text: Press release Galvin Green)

Categories
Panorama

Great Britain and Ireland: Golf participation continues to grow

Golf in the UK continues to grow. (Photo: Getty)
Golf in the UK continues to grow. (Photo: Getty)

“Sporting Insights” examines golf participation in the British Isles at regular intervals. For the year 2022, the second highest value of adult golfers since records began over 30 years ago is given. Golf in the UK continues to grow, according to the data.

Specifically, the data shows that 5.6 million adult golfers were on the courses of Great Britain and Ireland. The study, in cooperation with the R&A and the national associations of Great Britain and Ireland, only counted full-length courses of 9 or 18 holes.

Golf in the UK: 50 per cent growth

Golf participation in 2022 increased by 265,000 golfers, according to Sporting Insights, well above the 2021 figures (5.3 million) and only just below the record set in the 2020 pandemic year (5.7 million golfers). At the beginning of the corona pandemic, golf had experienced enormous growth.

The current figures also show a significant increase in the number of golfers compared to before the pandemic. In 2019, 3.7 million golfers were on the courses of Great Britain and Ireland. This represents a growth of more than 50 per cent in three years. This has included an increase in the proportion of female golfers: 20 per cent were female in 2022, up from 15 per cent in 2019.

“It is very positive to see the number of on-course adult golfers grow in Great Britain and Ireland last year,” Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer of The R&A, was pleased to say. “The sport remains very popular on full-length courses as large numbers of lapsed or non-golfers who took up the sport during the pandemic continue to enjoy playing.”

Participation initiatives highlight health aspects

Additionally, the number of rounds played has also increased slightly. Compared to the previous year, six percent more rounds were played in 2022 and even almost a quarter more than in 2019 (24 percent). This was also helped by various campaigns, for example the “Golf is Good” participatory initiative in Wales. The R&A’s campaign, featuring ambassador Gareth Bale, successfully highlighted the health and wellbeing benefits of golf.

“The growth has been aided by the important work of golf bodies to drive participation initiatives and increase awareness of the benefits of the sport for physical and mental health, including our pilot health campaign in Wales last year,” Anderton said. “There remains significant interest in golf and while we recognise that there are economic challenges due to cost of living pressures, it is important for everyone involved to do their best to keep existing golfers in the sport.”

Categories
European Tour

BMW International Open 2023 with star-studded field

Luke Donald will tee up at the BMW International Open 2023. (Photo: BMW)
Luke Donald will tee up at the BMW International Open 2023. (Photo: BMW)

The BMW International Open will be held for the 34th time this year. Once again a very interesting field will gather at BMW Group’s headquarters for Germany’s most prestigious and most tradition-steeped pro golfing event. The tournament loved by spectators and athletes alike, thanks to its special atmosphere, will be held at Golfclub München Eichenried from 21st to 25th June 2023. This year, the Ryder Cup, taking place in Rome (ITA) in autumn with Worldwide Partner BMW, will also play an important role.

With only a few months to go until the unique duel between the best golfers in Europe and those of the defending champions, the USA, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the Ryder Cup teams will slowly take shape, and the captains will become clearer on who they want as wild card picks. Europe’s captain Luke Donald will have the opportunity to take a look at a wide range of aspriants in Munich. The former world number one and two-time winner of the BMW PGA Championship will also be reaching for his clubs himself. The tournament’s huge significance for the Ryder Cup’s Team Europe is highlighted by the fact that all three vice captains – Thomas Bjørn (DEN, two-time BMW International Open champion), Edoardo Molinari (ITA) and Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) – will be teeing off.

No doubt the quartet will be keeping a close eye on the many German players who have been attracting attention with excellent results on the two major world tours in recent months. Yannik Paul in third place on the “European Points List” would even qualify for the European team immediately as it stands. Paul won his first title on the DP World Tour (DPWT) last year, as did Max Kieffer, and both golfers will be in action in Munich. Matti Schmid, who made a splash on the PGA Tour when he finished in tied sixth place at “The American Express” in January, will also be teeing off in his home state of Bavaria.

In Marcel Siem, the player of the hour is returning to the golf club in which he grew up as the child of the then club restaurateurs. The 42-year-old not only recently reached the impressive milestone of 500 DPWT tournaments, he also won the Hero Indian Open last weekend, which saw him celebrate a title win once again, more than eight years after his last victory (BMW Masters). Alex Cejka, who has been enjoying success on the Champions Tour since 2020, has won two majors there, and is currently ranked seventh in the season standings, will return to Germany and the DPTW for the BMW International Open.

A range of younger European players who have increasingly attracted attention and will also be part of the field at Golfclub München Eichenried have good reason to hope for a spot on the Ryder Cup team. These include 21-year-old Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, who with two and three DPWT wins to their name respectively have already proved they have what it takes on several occasions. In Abu Dhabi, France’s Victor Perez won the first Rolex Series tournament of the year, and his third title on the DPWT. The interesting quartet is rounded off by Robert MacIntyre of Scotland, who so far on the DPWT has won the “Rookie of the Year 2019” award and two tournaments.

Last year’s winner Li Haotong (CHN), whose emotional reaction to winning the play-off will be remembered for many years to come, will be looking to defend his title in June. Last year’s third-placed golfer, Ryan Fox, will also be teeing off again. The New Zealanders was presented with the Seve Ballesteros Award for the best DPWT player of the year after an incredible 2022 season – beating majors winners Rory McIlroy (NIR) and Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) to win the award. Spectators can also look forward to seeing three players who are as successful as they are likeable and popular: the two Spaniards Rafa Cabrera Bello and Pablo Larrazábal (two-time BMW International Open champion) and Andrew “Beef” Johnston (ENG), who are also eager not to miss out on the BMW International Open.

Entry to the BMW International Open Pro-Am tournament is free on Wednesday 21st June 2023. Entry is free for children and young people up to the age of 16 on all days.

Day tickets and tournament tickets, as well as VIP tickets for the Fairway Club, are available to purchase online: www.bmw-golfsport.com/tickets

See the online ticket shop for further information on all ticket categories – and on concessions for young people over the age of 16, pupils, students, and people with disabilities.

(Text: BMW Golfsport)

Categories
LIV Tour

US Open and British Open will not exclude LIV Golf players

LIV Golfers allowed to participate in major tournaments. (Photo: Getty)
LIV Golfers allowed to participate in major tournaments. (Photo: Getty)

Quietly, the US Open and the 2023 Open Championship are allowing LIV golfers to participate. Back in December, Augusta National announced that it would not exclude LIV players from the Masters, and now the US Open at LA Country Club and the British Open at Royal Liverpool are following suit. The major tournaments announced their qualifying criteria in February and the lists of players who have already qualified include LIV players.

The qualified LIV players get their eligibility mostly through past major victories, for example Martin Kaymer is still qualified for the US Open after his victory in 2014. However, due to the lack of world ranking points and the exclusion from the PGA Tour, it will be harder and harder for LIV players to qualify for the majors as long as there is no separate LIV criterion. However, the way is open for them, especially for US Open and British Open, via the qualifying tournaments.

LIV players at the US Open

Prior to last year’s edition, a statement from the USGA said, “We are proud to be the most open championship in the world, and those players who have earned the right to participate in this year’s championship, both by exemption and qualification, will have the opportunity to do so.” The same is true for 2023. The following LIV players are currently qualified for the US Open: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer (former U.S. Open winners for the past decade), Phil Mickelson (because of his 2021 PGA Championship victory), Cameron Smith (2022 Open Championship) and Joaquin Niemann (qualified for the 2022 Tour Championship).

In addition to major victories and the world rankings, there is the possibility of securing a place in the tournament via tournament victories, FedExCup and Race to Dubai, and for amateurs via various amateur competitions. In addition, the qualifying tournaments are open to all.

LIV players at the Open Championship

Also at the R&A and the Open Championship the motto of open competition is still valid. 13 current or former LIV players are qualified for the tournament in Royal Liverpool according to the current status:
Louis Oosthuizen, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Cameron Smith (former winners under 60), Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau (top 10 at the 150th Open), Thomas Pieters, Adrian Otaegui, Adri Arnau, Richard Bland (top 30 in the final Race to Dubai 2022), Brooks Koepka (US Open win), Patrick Reed (Masters win), Joaquin Niemann, Talor Gooch (top 30 in the FedExCup 2022).

In addition to the qualifying criteria, there will be the Qualifying Series. There will be 16 spots across a series of Regional and Final Qualifying, as well as a total of 34 spots at tournaments on the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. Provided they are eligible to play on the tours, these tournaments are also open to LIV golfers in an attempt to gain a Major entry.

Categories
LIV Tour

405 Million Dollar – LIV Golf prize money reaches new heights

LIV Golf prize money reaches new heights. (Photo: Getty)
LIV Golf prize money reaches new heights. (Photo: Getty)

The sums involved can make your head spin. In its second season, the LIV Golf Invitational Series is handing out a whopping 405 million US dollars in prize money to individual players and teams. Even the last-place finisher in the individual rankings receives more for a tournament than the “average consumer” earns in a year. Four million dollars await the winners of the respective events.

25 million dollars LIV Golf prize money per event

The first of 14 events in the LIV Golf Invitational Series will start in Mexico on February 24, 2023. The Saudi circuit had already made no secret last year that the prize money would be lavish. If you add up all the prize money for the second year of the LIV Golf Tour, the total comes to 405 million US dollars. That this is significantly more than last year is due to the fact that there will now be 14 events instead of eight.

As is well known, the LIV Golf Events are played in individual and team format. Each of the 14 events will be endowed with 25 million dollars, 80 percent of which will go to the individual competition. A prize purse of $4 million awaits the winners of each individual format. By comparison, Scottie Scheffler received about $2.7 million for his victory at the 2022 Masters, perhaps the greatest of all golf tournaments. In the LIV Golf Invitational Series, there’s almost 1.5 times that for each “trade” tournament. Even 48th place, the last-place finisher in the individual standings, will receive a prize purse of $120,000 for every single LIV Golf event in 2023. In the team standings, the winning team will receive $3 million per event – so each player will get an additional $750,000 in hand money.

Bonus payments crown LIV Golf prize money

A team championship is also played out over the entire LIV Golf season. Whoever comes out on top at the end of the year will receive, who would have thought, another bonus: $16 million in prize money for the winning team – so that’s an additional $4 million for each of the four team members.

If you’re still not dizzy from all the money, you can take a look at the bonus payouts for the best individual players. Here, too, those responsible are making another 30 million dollars loose. The best player of the whole season will receive 18 million, the second best eight and the third best four. For Martin Kaymer, Dustin Johnson & Co., the new LIV season will bring a lot of money into the coffers.

LIV Golf Prize Money 2023

RankingPrize money in US-Dollar
1.4.000.000
2.2.125.000
3.1.500.000
4.1.050.000
5.975.000
6.800.000
7.675.000
8.625.000
9.580.000
10.560.000
11.540.000
12.450.000
13.360.000
14.270.000
15.250.000
16.240.000
17.232.000
18.226.000
19.220.000
20.200.000
21.180.000
22.172.000
23.170.000
24.168.000
25.166.000
26.164.000
27.162.000
28.160.000
29.158.000
30.156.000
31.154.000
32.152.000
33.150.000
34.148.000
35.146.000
36.144.000
37.142.000
38.140.000
39.138.000
40.136.000
41.134.000
42.132.000
43.130.000
44.128.000
45.126.000
46.124.000
47.122.000
48.120.000
Categories
LIV Tour

Fireballs, Crushers, Rippers or Torque: LIV Golf goes global

Have already recognized the global potential of LIV Golf: Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Cameron Smith and Joaquin Nieman. (Photos: Getty)
Have already recognized the global potential of LIV Golf: Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Cameron Smith and Joaquin Nieman. (Photos: Getty)

Munich in November 2022: Bavaria’s capital is in football fever. Seven-time Super Bowl winner and GOAT Tom Brady will be playing with his Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Allianz Arena against the Seattle Seahawks, who are enormously popular here in Germany. The hype is gigantic. For days, egg reigns on the streets and in the pubs. Three million tickets could have been sold; in the end, 69,811 spectators watch the first National Football League (NFL) game in Germany.

Four NFL teams share Germany

This year, the spectacle is to be repeated twice: again in Munich and in Frankfurt. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by wonder playmaker Patrick Mahomes, will be the reigning champions, along with the New England Patriots. Their opponents have not yet been determined, but these two names are already set. Because they are “designated teams”, they own Germany.

And now? The keyword is IHMA, which stands for International Home Marketing Area. The background to this is the complex franchise system under which the major U.S. team sports operate. The NFL holds the rights to the league, and issues licenses to operate and market a team. So far, all marketing has been limited to a radius of 75 miles around the location of the respective team, which guarantees a unique position on one’s own doorstep.

Kansas City, Patriots, Tampa Bay, Carolina

On January 1, 2022, the existing Home Area Marketing (HMA) rule was expanded to include an international component: The 32 NFL teams were allowed to apply to expand their activities to the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico and Germany. Kansas City, New England, Tampa Bay and the Carolina Panthers developed corresponding concepts and received exclusive permission to conduct marketing in this country.

“When we talk about international markets, Germany has always had the most passionate American football fans,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said at the time, pleased with the win. “The IHMA initiative creates many more opportunities to reach out and engage our international fan base,” said “Bucs” owner Joel Glazer in turn. “Now we can build long-term relationships with these international markets that will play a big role in the continued growth and expansion of our sport in the years to come.”

And what does that have to do with golf? A lot. Because those responsible for the LIV Golf League have looked beyond the game and copied a lot from the successful American football model. No wonder, since CEO Greg Norman’s team included two top managers with proven NFL DNA, Atul Khosla and Matt Goodman, who have since retired.

 
 
 
 
 
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Both are likely to have been important figures for the LIV business model and played a significant role in the development of the envisaged franchise system. The head office issues licenses and takes care of the big picture, the teams find their own owners, investors, sponsors, market themselves, even build their own venues and become self-sufficient in the medium term. Money is paid for participation in the LIV Golf product and for participation in the games organized by the league.

With that, the Saudis will eventually get their return on investment and a prospect of profit, after providing $2 billion in start-up funding and having “zero revenue” at least by 2022, according to LIV lawyers. So much for the plan to open a new, unprecedented chapter of commercialization for golf with this construct.

Market fixation instead of mother tongue coincidence

And when the twelve teams for the second season of the LIV League, which begins next week in Mayakoba, Mexico, and their protagonists are presented in tidbits, there are striking constellations that only superficially have something to do with friendships or compatriots and other ethnic similarities.

 
 
 
 
 
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Teams such as Fireballs, Crushers, Rippers, Stingers or Torque could be arranged on the world map in a similar way to the football franchises on the NFL chart shown earlier. This is by no means a native coincidence, but a clear market fixation. In their composition, they focus quite clearly on a specific geographic mode of operation; the captains specifically tailor the personnel constellation in the team to their own continent of origin or a desired target market.

LIV Golf: DeChambeau first to recognize potential

Bryson DeChambeau, for all his quirkiness undoubtedly a bright mind, was the first to recognize this and brought the Indian Anirban Lahiri into his Crushers crew as early as 2022 to join Paul Casey and Charles Howell III. For BDC is eyeing the golf potential of the subcontinent: “You don’t just bring in players as sporting reinforcements, but also to use their notoriety for commercial purposes,” the “Mad Scentist” pontificated months ago. “Anirban is a real force in India. With him, we want to help grow golf there by building driving ranges and maybe even courses.” With DeChambeau, the token narrative of “Growing the Game” at least takes on substance.

South Africa, South America, Australia, Latin America

The personnel portfolio can be declined at will with this factor. Louis Oosthuizen has currently secured the services of compatriot Dean Burmester and, with his all-South African stinger GC, naturally has his sights set on home. Chilean Joaquín Niemann is also clearly targeting South America with Torque and LIV newcomers Mito Pereira (Chile) and Sebastián Muñoz (Colombia), while Spain’s David Puig is back in fourth place. Cam Smith and his Aussie ripper combo with Marc Leishman and Matt Jones are looking to shake things up Down Under. The Fireballs around Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz (both Mexico) as well as Garcia’s Iberian compatriot Eugenio Chacarra, appeal – even in the literal sense – to Latin America.

Wiesberger at Kaymer’s Cleeks

Where Martin Kaymer with the Cleeks and Graeme McDowell, Richard Bland as well as recently Bernd Wiesberger and the three-captain team Majesticks of Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood (with Sam Horsfield) tend, need not be mentioned explicitly. The rest mainly divides the US market among themselves, first and foremost defending champion 4Aces GC with individual dominator Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez and Peter Uihlein, who replaces the sorted out Talor Gooch. When Phil Mickelson, Kevin Na and Bubba Watson are the last to announce their tableau for HyFlyers, Iron Heads and the renamed RangeGoats today, the pattern is likely to continue.

Rumors about LIV-weary Brooks Koepka

That leaves Smash GC, where Matthew Wolff replaces the departing Uihlein, and the rumors surrounding team boss Brooks Koepka. The four-time major winner has never made a secret of the fact that he prefers the money of the LIV League to the merits of the PGA Tour merely because of injury-related sporting uncertainty, but he is now enjoying good health again and having corresponding fun with the game.

Categories
Equipment

Quiet please… OGIO launches All Elements Silencer Cart Bags

One of the new OGIO bags. (photo: OGIO)
One of the new OGIO bags. (photo: OGIO)

OGIO Europe has released its exciting new range of stand and cart bags in a selection of eclectic colourways, with the All Elements Silencer Cart Bag ensuring your choice of design will be the only aspect of your bag making a noise in 2023.OGIO’s patented Silencer Club Protection System returns to the 2023 All Elements Silencer Cart Bags range due to consumer demand, the unique technology having proven hugely popular among golf fans in previous ranges.

Fully waterproof fabric on the new bags


The premium 15-way moulded top – modified to work on oversized grips – delivers a more efficient way to organise your set by easily locking each club into place, preventing noisy rattling and damage.
The new cart bag also features fully waterproof fabric and seam-sealed pockets – protecting your valuables even in the harshest of weather – with lock-down trolley straps, an umbrella sleeve and cooler pocket.
Adopting OGIO’s ‘mild-to-wild’ approach, the bags will be released in seven patterns, including the blue and yellow ‘Bananarama’ design and bright orange and red ‘Day of the Dead’ inspired Sugar Skulls design, both of which have proven hugely popular on the recently-released Travel Cover range.

The 2023 All Elements Stand Bag – also released in seven patterns – is being produced in a fully waterproof and geometric rip-stop fabric, with full-seam seals to insure the contents of your bag remain dry all year round. 
Further features include an eight-way WOODĒ organisation top to ensure your clubs are easily accessible, lockdown cart straps, double-strap fit disc system, umbrella holder, valuables pocket and a ball silo.

The new OGIO golf bags (photo: OGIO)

OGIO’s golf bags are the latest new product to be launched by the company in 2023. In January, OGIO released a new range of vibrant, pioneering golf travel cover designs to make travel easier than ever for golfers in 2023. In total, seven eye-catching colour schemes are available across the three golf travel cover sizes – standard, mid and max – with colourways ranging from the ‘Bananarama’ design, the striking pink ‘Donuts’ cover and the bold ‘Navy Flower Party’ design.
OGIO has also brought its funky, stand-out, colour-option golf umbrellas to the European market, another ingeniously-designed and expertly-constructed product on the table for golf fans.

OGIO – a premium active lifestyle

Peter Finch, of the golf’s most popular YouTube and media influencers, has also recently joined OGIO as an official Global Golf Brand Ambassador, with the Manchester-based PGA professional now a central figure in the marketing and promotion of OGIO golf and travel product across the year.
Owned by Callaway Golf Company, OGIO is a premium active lifestyle title alongside a portfolio of global brands, including Callaway Golf, Odyssey, TravisMathew, Jack Wolfskin and Top Golf.
OGIO’s expertise extends into a vast range of expertly constructed luggage, backpacks, bags and accessories, which ensures it can cope with even the most testing of environments.
Founded in 1987, OGIO has become well established with its designs and technologically advanced personal storage products – making them a vital cog in the wheel across a wide variety of sports.
To shop the full range of OGIO products, please visit: www.eu.ogio.com. 

(text: OGIO)

Categories
LIV Tour

LIV Golf launches “12 Teams. You Choose” campaign ahead of LIV Golf Season

LIV Golf "12 Teams. You Choose." (Photo: Youtube/ LIV Golf)
LIV Golf "12 Teams. You Choose." (Photo: Youtube/ LIV Golf)

LIV Golf is launching a new fan-focused campaign and will unveil team rosters this week in the lead-up to the first truly global golf league that the CW Network will deliver to more than 120 million households across the U.S.

LIV Golf: “12 Teams. You Choose.”

The “12 Teams. You Choose.” campaign asks fans to pick their team ahead of the landmark season for the LIV Golf League that features 48 of the world’s best players competing in a 14-tournament schedule around the world. Set rosters for the 2023 season will be revealed this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with four teams announced each day. League play begins February 24-26 at Mayakoba’s El Camaleón Golf Course in Mexico as many of the sport’s biggest names begin pursuit of the LIV Golf League Individual Championship and Team Championship.

“12 Teams. You Choose.” is LIV Golf’s first global campaign featuring teams made up of international stars from the U.S., Europe, Latin America, South Africa, Asia and Australia.

At the heart of the multi-channel campaign is a TV spot featuring a young golf fan who asks the 12 team captains which team she should support. The players respond in turn with their own unique pitch and style in a game of one-upmanship to persuade the girl and fans across the world why they should choose their team.

“Anticipation for our league launch grows by the day as our global campaign engages fans ahead of a groundbreaking year for LIV Golf,” said LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman. “The fans have spoken: There is excitement for team golf and for the league’s innovations that are challenging the norm in the sport. Our diversity in teams that feature elite skillsets and unique personalities will help build new rivalries and fresh ways to watch professional golf as the sport enters a new era.”

The campaign features an array of global stars who are leading their respected teams this season for the league launch, including: Phil Mickelson (HyFlyers GC), Dustin Johnson (4Aces GC), Cameron Smith (Ripper GC), Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC), Brooks Koepka (Smash GC), Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC), Louis Oosthuizen (Stinger GC), Bubba Watson (RangeGoats GC), Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), Kevin Na (Iron Heads GC), Martin Kaymer (Cleeks GC), and Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson (Majesticks GC).

The LIV Golf League will showcase its innovative format featuring shotgun starts, simultaneous team and individual play, and energetic tournament experiences that include live music and fan activities for all ages. Information for tickets, hospitality packages and Pro-Am opportunities are available at LIVGolf.com.

In addition, the CW Network announced today the upcoming 2023 LIV Golf League season will air in 100% of its markets across the United States, as part of the network’s previously announced multi-year exclusive broadcast agreement with the league. The first official full season of LIV Golf will air on CW affiliates, as well as Nexstar owned and operated stations in key markets including Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia.

Beginning with the first tournament in Mexico, all 14 global LIV Golf League events will air exclusively from 1:00-6:00 pm ET on Saturdays and Sundays on The CW Network’s linear and digital platforms, with Friday rounds carried on The CW App. All eight U.S.-based tournaments and six international events will be delivered to more than 120 million households across the U.S. and streamed live to The CW App, which has been downloaded over 90 million times and is available on all major platforms. Details on LIV Golf’s event broadcasts in regions outside the U.S. will be announced soon.

LIV Golf is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments whose vision and mission are centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.

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Highlights Tours LPGA Tour

Stacy Lewis Named Captain for 2024 U.S. Solheim Cup Team

Stacey Lewis will captain Team USA at the Solheim Cup two years in a row. (Photo: Getty)
Stacey Lewis will captain Team USA at the Solheim Cup two years in a row. (Photo: Getty)

Two-time major champion Stacy Lewis has been named captain of the 2024 U.S. Solheim Cup Team. Lewis is already hard at work as captain for the 2023 Team and will now also lead the top 12 American female golfers as they represent their country at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., on Sept. 10-15, 2024.

Stacy Lewis: back-to-back Solheim Cup Captain

“This is such an amazing honor, to be asked to again captain the U.S. Solheim Cup Team. Receiving the first call was one of the highest points of my career, and I am truly grateful to add this second opportunity,” said Lewis. “I’ve said it many times – representing the United States and wearing our colors are experiences that stand out in any player’s career. To have the chance to lead our country’s best players twice, and especially in 2024 outside our nation’s capital, is a true privilege.”

“Stacy has already proven to be an outstanding captain as she prepares for the 2023 Solheim Cup,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “She has embraced the role in every way and has implemented several innovative ways to help her team reach peak performance, including the use of advanced data and analytics. Her Solheim Cup experience, proven leadership and passion coupled with the many benefits of consistency in 2023 and 2024 led the selection committee to enthusiastically invite Stacy to captain the team in 2024.”

Successful career

Lewis is a 13-time LPGA Tour winner, earning major titles at the 2011 Chevron Championship and the 2013 AIG Women’s Open. She spent 264 consecutive weeks from 2011-16 ranked in the top 10 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, including 25 weeks at No. 1, and was the 2012 and 2014 Rolex LPGA Player of the Year. In 2016, Lewis was a member of Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Brazil, finishing tied for fourth.

Lewis represented the U.S. on the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 Solheim Cup Teams. In 2019, Lewis served as an unofficial assistant captain under Juli Inkster after withdrawing from competition due to injury, and she worked in that role in an official capacity under Pat Hurst in 2021.

In February 2022, Lewis was named captain for the 2023 U.S. Solheim Cup team, which will take on Team Europe at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain. At 38 years, 7 months and 6 days old on the first day of competition in 2023 and 39 years, 5 months and 28 days old in 2024, she will be the youngest American captain in Solheim Cup history. She will also join World Golf Hall of Fame members Juli Inkster (2015, 2017, 2019), Judy Rankin (1996, 1998), Patty Sheehan (2002, 2003) and Kathy Whitworth (1990, 1992) as the fifth person to captain the U.S. Team at least twice.

Dedication to equal opportunities

Prior to joining the LPGA Tour, Lewis enjoyed a standout amateur career as a four-time All-American at the University of Arkansas, taking the NCAA Division I national title in 2007 as one of her 12 titles. She graduated in 2008 with a degree in finance and accounting, the same year she became the first player in Curtis Cup history to go 5-0 during a 13-7 USA victory over Great Britain and Ireland on the Old Course at St Andrews.

Lewis currently serves as a Player Director on the LPGA Board of Directors and is also an ambassador for LPGA-USGA Girls Golf. She is a vocal proponent for pay and sponsorship equity in sports and has advocated for improved maternity clauses in the women’s game.  

Solheim Cup 2024 in the USA

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, the 2024 host venue located just outside Washington D.C., was founded and designed by famed golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., who considered the layout to be one of his finest designs. The course and its designer have long worked to join the game of golf with the American presidential lineage, with Jones first installing a putting green at the White House in 1954 for President Dwight Eisenhower. The club was the host venue for the 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2005 Presidents Cups, with four presidents serving as honorary chairmen, as well as the PGA Tour’s 2015 Quicken Loans National.

(Text: Press release LPGA)

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1-2-3 FINISH FOR PARADYM DRIVERS AT THE SINGAPORE CLASSIC

Ockie Strydom wins with the new Callaway Driver. (Photo: Getty)
Ockie Strydom wins with the new Callaway Driver. (Photo: Getty)

Staffer Ockie Strydom’s brilliant victory at the Singapore Classic has made it six global Tour wins in nine starts for Callaway’s revolutionary new Paradym Driver.

Paradym Drivers were in play for the top three players in this latest Far Eastern event, and it was Ockie who powered through the pack on the final day to secure his second win in six starts on the DP World Tour.

The South African, using a full bag of Callaway and Odyssey products, including the new Odyssey Tri Hot 5K One Putter, shot a blemish-free final round 63 at Laguna National Golf Resort Club, including nine birdies, for a memorable victory.

Ockie, who also won the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December, commented after his latest victory: “It’s a mindset that’s changing at the moment. When you’ve been in that winning situation before, and you know you can go and do it again.”

The 38-year-old was using the Paradym Triple Diamond Driver. 

It’s a compact, 450cc shape designed for better players who want to work the ball. It’s the lowest spinning and lowest launching of three Paradym models, with a neutral ball flight. A 14g back weight can be positioned in the front for lower spin and maximum workability.

A 360° Carbon Chassis promotes unprecedented weight redistribution for maximised distance. The Triaxial Carbon Crown and Forged Carbon sole is 45% lighter than a titanium chassis. The massive weight saving is then repositioned for higher MOI and increased forgiveness.

Neil Howie, President and Managing Director of Callaway EMEA, added: “We welcomed Ockie to #TeamCallaway this season and he is clearly loving his new equipment! To be a double-winner on the DP World Tour just three months into the new schedule is truly spectacular, and to see the top three players at the Singapore Classic also using Paradym Drivers underlines how even the best players in the world are embracing this revolutionary technology.”

What’s in the Bag – Ockie Strydom
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond Driver 10.5°, w/Ventus TR Blue 6-X shaft
Fairways: Callaway Rogue ST LS 16.5°; Callaway Rogue ST TD 18°
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB ’21 4-6-iron; Callaway Apex MB ’21 7-PW
Wedges: Callaway JAWS Raw 52°, 56°, 60°, Project X 6.5 Shafts
Putter: Odyssey Tri Hot 5K One Putter

(Text: Callaway)