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Driver Equipment

TaylorMade Stealth: A new era begins for golf equipment

The TaylorMade Stealth Series will turn heads. Guaranteed. (Photo: TaylorMade)

The Stone Age, Bronze Age and Titanium Age are over – long live the Carbon Age. At least if TaylorMade has its way. Much of the new TaylorMade Stealth series revolves around the material, which is simultaneously strong but also feather-light. Dive into the new age of golf equipment.

TaylorMade Stealth stands out.

TaylorMade is quite familiar to our company, as we work closely with their latest product launches. First, both parties formally agree that no information will leak out before the official release date. Afterwards, they present the technologies, advantages and details of the new products. There is some spare time to ask questions to the engineers on site before it is over. Finally, it’s off to a driving range or golf course to see the new toy in action and take first pictures and videos.

This year things were a little different at TaylorMade. Our colleague from Golf Post, Johannes Gärtner lived the entire TaylorMade experience, and he knew that something extraordinary was coming. Walking through a specially constructed “disco tunnel” at the European headquarters, a show room was waiting. The theme was the great changes in humanity. Starting with the invention of the wheel, followed by the automobile and the moon landing. TaylorMade is really coming on strong.

TaylorMade masters the “Carbonwood” equipment

During the presentation, Gärtner was handed a driver head that had been disassembled into all its individual parts. The clubface of the new TaylorMade Stealth Drivers is made of carbon, not titanium as usual. This is also the reason for the new term “Carbonwood”, which TaylorMade immediately had protected as a trade mark.

The new face of the TaylorMade Stealth Driver is not only made of carbon, but also in deep red. (Photo: TaylorMade)

English-speaking golfers coined the term “metalwood” after the first major material innovation. Now it is to be the carbon woods that change the game of golf forever, just as the first “metalwoods” once did. Admittedly, this technology is not entirely new. TaylorMade has been working on carbon club faces for about 20 years now.

However, this technological possibilities have not always existed. Back in 2013, there was a strictly limited special promotion that was only available to the Japanese market. TaylorMade Gloire used a carbon face for the first time back then. Moreover, it is a question of cost and use ratio. What it started as a dream became true, TaylorMade has now succeeded, but the new drivers cost more than in previous years.

The first impression

Besides this big surprise, they also presented fairway woods, rescues and an iron set, which belong to the new TaylorMade Stealth family as well. In contrast to the drivers, they are (still) equipped with a traditional titanium face. However, the topic of carbon still plays a big role, as more and more parts in the club head are being replaced with this wonder material. It is extremely stable, holds the driver together and weighs significantly less.

The next day Johannes Gärtner gave it a try at the North Hants Golf Club driving range. There, Justin Rose grew up and was immortalised everywhere in the clubhouse. It is customary to have a small tee box of one’s own to prevent passers-by from seeing the new clubs. To keep them secret while testing them on the course becomes more difficult. Therefore, a huge TaylorMade tent isolated us from the rest and we were not allowed to take photos or videos of the clubs. The new clubs should remain a secret at all costs. At the end, the Americans proved to be exceptionally fond of the clubs.

TaylorMade makes it unforgettable

The feel and sound of the shot with a TaylorMade Stealth Driver are completely contrary to what you have experienced so far. It also feels like the ball sticks to the clubface at first. This is actually due to the fact that the ball has longer contact with the driver because of the carbon construction. After that, it whizzes away. Equipped with a Trackman and new TP5, the statistics validated the first feeling. With the same club head speed, the TaylorMade Stealth drivers deliver more ball speed.

More carbon in the wood and hybrid

The woods also cut a fine figure. The red colour theme is reminiscent of the M5 and M6 generation. The differences to the predecessor models are not that drastic in comparison with the Drivers. Nevertheless, the trained eye perceives small nuances. In particular, a small aiming aid at the top of the clubface and a visible edge at the end of the club. Both help to orientate better.

In addition, the shaping and weighting also experience minor changes that optimise the desired parameters. More forgiveness, a little larger clubface and a come more speed – true to the motto: “A little better every year.”

As with the woods, there is more carbon in the crown of the hybrids – or as TaylorMade calls them, rescues. The same game as always. Weight is saved at one corner in the club, redistributed so that in the end stability, centre of gravity and speed can be improved.

The two fairway woods appeal to different target groups. (Photo: TaylorMade)

TaylorMade Stealth – hot irons

The look of the TaylorMade Stealth irons is extremely close to that of the popular P7 family. Surely, a big step in the right direction. Game Improvement irons have always been thick, chunky, round, big and/or fat. This optical problem has been taken up again and again in recent years in order to improve it. The predecessor models, on the other hand, look much more backward.

In the Game Improvement category, the new TaylorMade Stealth iron is definitely an eye-catcher. (Photo: TaylorMade)

One particular change concerns the tip of the head. With the toe-wrap technology, weight is strategically redistributed within the club. In addition, there is only one set of irons, not two different ones as usual.

Separate variant for the ladies

In recent years, TaylorMade has not had an extra colour option for women golfers. Luckly, this changed. Small adjustments in head weight, angles, shaft and grip tailor these clubs specifically to the preferences of most ladies so they can play to their full potential. However, the core technologies are all the same as for the men.

Text from Johannes Gärtner

Categories
Panorama

Portrait: Sepp Straka – first Austrian-born winner on PGA Tour

Sepp Straka 2016 in his first year as a professional (l.) and after his historic victory on the PGA Tour 2022. (Photo: Getty)
Sepp Straka 2016 in his first year as a professional (l.) and after his historic victory on the PGA Tour 2022. (Photo: Getty)

Sepp Straka is one of the few Austrian professional golfers currently playing on the world’s major tours. At the Honda Classic he achieved something that no Austrian had ever done before: he left the rest of the field behind him at a PGA Tour tournament and climbed to the top of the leaderboard. In the world rankings, he thus moved into the top 100. What is behind the sympathetic Austrian and his path to becoming a professional golfer?

Sepp Straka crossed the Atlantic at an early age

Sepp Straka was practically born to play golf. His American mother and his Austrian father met while buying golf gloves in Salzburg, Austria. On 1 May 1993, Josef “Sepp” Straka was born – two minutes after his older twin brother Sam. The two boys initially spent their childhood in Austria mainly on the football pitch, with Sepp beeing the goalkeeper. When the two took part in a one-week golf camp at the age of eleven, no one imagined that this would be the start of an impressive career. Big brother Sam decided for himself and Sepp that they would play a bit of golf from then on. But it soon turned out that the Straka boys had talent. At the Fontana Golf Club in Oberwaltersdorf, they evolved into hard-working golfers who played their way into the junior national team of Austria.

When the sons were 14, the family decided to move to America. Here the basis for Straka’s career on the PGA Tour was laid. Besides finishing school and studying business administration in the US state of Georgia, Sepp and Sam continued to swing their golf clubs eagerly. Sepp initially remained in his brother’s shadow for years. While Sam Straka was then unable to gain a professional career, Sepp applied to the Q-School of the Korn Ferry Tour and European Challenge Tour, which offered him a suitable platform for the switch to the PGA Tour.

On PGA Tour since 2019

In 2019, Straka became the first Austrian to qualify for the PGA Tour. Since then, he has been trying to compete against the best golfers in the world. His biggest successes here so far have included a third-place finish at the 2019 Barbasol Championship and several other top-10 finishes. In 2021, Sepp Straka represented the country of his birth, Austria, at the Olympic Games. His brother Sam supported him as a caddie at his side. With a record round on day 1, Straka initially took the lead in Tokyo, but then finished the tournament in tenth place.

February 2022: Straka makes history on PGA Tour

For Sepp Straka, a long-cherished dream came true at the Honda Classic in February 2022: It is not only the first victory on the PGA Tour for him personally, but also the first victory ever by an Austrian on the PGA Tour. In Florida, he not only received fame and honour, but also 1.44 million US dollars in prize money, a place in the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time and an invitation to The Masters 2022. In the winner’s interview, Straka described his appearance at the Major tournament in Augusta as a “lifelong dream”.

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Panorama

Ryder Cup 2023: Zach Johnson named captain of the USA

Zach Johnson is captain of the USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Zach Johnson is captain of the USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

It’s been an open secret for a long time, but now it’s official: Zach Johnson was named captain of the USA for the 2023 Ryder Cup on Monday at the PGA of American headquarters in Palm Beach Garden, where the PGA Tour hosted the Honda Classic. At the continental competition of the world’s best golfers, the new team captain will be aiming to defend the title and win for the first time on European soil at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy.

Zach Johnson captains USA

“Taking over as captain and leading the United States Ryder Cup team overseas – after what we accomplished at Whistling Straits last year – is simply the greatest honour of my professional career,” said Zach Johnson, who won the 2007 Masters and 2015 Open Championship, and has been a member of the USA team at the Ryder Cup five times. However, the 46-year-old has a big task ahead of him, as the last time the American team flew home victorious was in 1993. Back then, the USA won 15-13 against Europe in The Belfry. “As exciting as this is for my family and myself, it’s also sobering to understand the magnitude of our challenge in Rome because we haven’t won away from home in three decades,” Johnson knows of his task. “I’m just looking forward to leading these guys.”

Ryder Cup 2023 in Italy

Johnson takes over from Steve Stricker, who led his team to a record victory on home soil last year. Like his predecessor, the new captain will have six captain’s picks at his disposal next year, while the other half of the team will qualify via the points list. Who will take over the captaincy of the Europeans has not yet been decided. Lee Westwood, Luke Donald or Henrik Stenson are considered favourites. The Ryder Cup 2023, the 44th edition of the team competition, will be played from 29 September to 1 October at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy.

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European Challenge Tour

Challenge Tour: Ritchie makes it back-to-back wins in Durban

JC Ritchie wins back-to-back on Challenge Tour. (Photo: Sunhine Tour)
JC Ritchie wins back-to-back on Challenge Tour. (Photo: Sunhine Tour)

The ten-time Sunshine Tour winner posted a one under par final round of 71 at Durban Country Club to reach 26 under par and claim his second victory in as many weeks after successfully defending his Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open title last week.

Ritchie admitted he found it much tougher today but remained resilient to record two closing birdies and finish six shots clear of Belgium’s Christopher Mivis, who at one stage came within touching distance of the lead, reducing Ritchie’s advantage to two after an eagle at the 14th hole.

“It was tough out there today,” he said. “I’ve never played this golf course with this much wind before so I knew it was going to be different and the golf course showed its teeth today. I found it tough early on but luckily towards the end of the round I was able to figure it out and get the job done.

Challenge Tour: Birdie-birdie-finish for the win

“My girlfriend came up to me after the 14th hole and asked me if I wanted to know the scores,” he added. “She told me Mivis was 22 under and that surprised me. I had a game plan for the last three holes for the week and that was to make par at 16 and run, I felt like I could create a birdie opportunity at 17 and then 18 owed me one. I wanted to birdie it yesterday but found a bad lie in the bunker. Getting two birdies on the way home made it extra special.”

The 28-year-old was delighted to record back-to-back Challenge Tour victories and after finishing 24th on the 2021 Road to Mallorca Rankings, he understands the importance of getting an early advantage over his competitors.

“It feels special to win back-to-back on the Challenge Tour,” he said. “Playing the whole of last year on the Challenge Tour, I know how tough it is and you could rock up thinking that five under par will be enough to win and someone will shoot 20 under par. To beat these guys means everything to me and shows how far I’ve come.

“This gives me a lot of confidence for the season. I have always felt my game was good enough to win in Europe and take the next step.”

Mivis back-to-back runner-up

Mivis posted a six under par round of 66 to claim second place for the second consecutive week, one shot ahead of Iceland’s Haraldur Magnus who claimed third place on 19 under par. Englishman Ross McGowan and South African duo Jaco Prinsloo and Keenan Davidse shared fourth place on 16 under par.

Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin shared seventh place with Frenchman David Ravetto on 15 under, while England’s Steven Tiley, Swede Mikael Lindberg and South African Hennie Otto finished in a tie for ninth place on 14 under par.

Ritchie on top of the Road to Mallorca

Ritchie moves to the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings following back-to-back victories, while Alexander Knappe occupies second position following his victory at the season-opening Dimension Data Pro-Am. Mivis moves into third on the Rankings, while Daniel Hillier and McKibbin complete the top five.

The Road to Mallorca now heads to Bloemfontein for the Mangaung Open, taking place at Bloemfontein Golf Club and Schoeman Park Golf Club from March 3-6, 2022.

(Text: Press release Challenge Tour)

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Phil Mickelson no longer hosts the American Express

The PGA Tour is ending its partnership with Phil Mickelson to host the American Express. (Photo: Getty)
The PGA Tour is ending its partnership with Phil Mickelson to host the American Express. (Photo: Getty)

After his controversial and insulting statements about the PGA Tour and a possible Saudi Golf League, Phil Mickelson is facing severe consequences. Although the 51-year-old had apologised and announced a break from professional golf, several long-time partners of the six-time major winner ended their partnership. Now the PGA Tour has also announced that it will end its cooperation as host of the American Express.

PGA Tour: Phil Mickelson no longer host

As the “Desert Sun” reports, the PGA Tour has confirmed that Phil Mickelson will no longer return to La Quinta, California, as host in 2023. In addition, the Mickelson Foundation, which was established in 2019 specifically for the American Express, will no longer be part of the tournament. This is the PGA Tour’s way of responding to “Lefty’s” statements, with which he had taken a tough stand against the American professional tour. Mickelson and his foundation had been the official host of the American Express since 2020 and were originally supposed to hold that role until (at least) 2024. Who will take over this role from next year has not yet been decided.

Sponsors cut ties

Previously, personal sponsors had also cut the ties and ended or paused their cooperation with Mickelson. Callaway, the equipment manufacturer of the 45-time PGA Tour winner declared to pause the partnership. “Callaway does not condone Phil Mickelson’s comments and we were very disappointed in his choice of words — they in no way reflect our values or what we stand for as a company,” it said in a statement to golf.com. “Phil has apologized and we know he regrets how he handled recent events. We recognize his desire to take time away from the game and respect that decision. We recognise his desire to take time out from the game and respect that decision.” After this unspecified time off, the partnership will be re-evaluated, the statement added.

However, other sponsors of the superstar came up with even harder consequences. KMPG, Workday and Amstel Light (Heineken) have all ended their cooperation with the World Golf Hall of Famer. “At this time, Workday and Phil Mickelson have mutually and amicably agreed to not renew our brand sponsorship that ends this March,” a Workday spokesperson told Golf Digest on Friday. KPMG had also “mutually agreed” to part ways with Mickelson, he added. Similarly, Heineken, the parent company of Amstel Light, announced that it was going “separate ways”.

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European Tour

DP World Tour: Bland back for Betfred British Masters defence

Bland became the oldest first-time winner in European Tour (now DP World Tour) history at The Belfry last year. (Photo: Getty)
Bland became the oldest first-time winner in European Tour (now DP World Tour) history at The Belfry last year. (Photo: Getty)

Richard Bland can’t wait to return to the scene of his maiden DP World Tour (former European Tour) win when he defends his Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett title at The Belfry from May 5-8.

The Englishman ended a 22-year wait for his first win as he defeated Italy’s Guido Migliozzi in a play-off at the former Ryder Cup venue on his 478th start, with Bland carding a six under par round of 66 to force extra holes after starting the final round three strokes off the lead.

DP World Tour: Oldest first-time winner

He became the oldest first-time winner in the Tour’s history at the age of 48 years and 101 days and was also given the honour of striking the first tee shot at The 149th Open Championship at Royal St George’s just two months later. Bland is soon set to become the 44th player in the Tour’s history to reach the milestone of 500 appearances, making 496 to date.

With the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett being played at The Belfry for the second consecutive year, Bland is looking forward to returning to the site of his famous first victory.

“The last few months since the win have been such a whirlwind, but I’m very excited to return to The Belfry to defend my title,” said Bland. “It’s still difficult to put into words how much getting that first win means to me. The main feeling I still have is one of satisfaction.”

“I had a text from my coach Tim Barter on the Sunday morning saying that I had to shoot a 66 if I was going to win, so to actually go out and shoot that number and then get it done in the play-off is something that I’ll never forget. To do it at a venue like The Belfry is something that makes it even more special.”

“It’s such a significant venue in the history of European golf. There have been some great moments and some great champions there. I’m very proud to have added my name to that list and I can’t wait to get back there in May. It’ll be great to have spectators with us this time round, I think that’s something we’re all looking forward to.”

Career-high on the DP World Tour Rankings

Since his victory, Bland has shown no signs of slowing down as he achieved five further top five finishes and two top tens during the 2021 season, finishing a career-high 11th on the DP World Tour Rankings.

Last month he came within a whisker of a second DP World Tour title as he finished runner-up at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, the second Rolex Series event of the season, losing to rising-star Viktor Hovland in a play-off at Emirates Golf Club. He is currently third on the DP World Tour Rankings after four appearances this season.

The Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett is the first of a four-tournament mini-series, with the top ten aggregate points earners, not otherwise exempt, from the British Masters, Soudal Open, Dutch Open and Porsche European Open earning a place at the U.S. Open at The Country Club, Brookline. Last year’s British Masters runner-up Guido Migliozzi earned a place at Torrey Pines after his performance in the 2021 mini-series and would go on to finish in a share of fourth in just his second Major Championship appearance.

(Text: Press release DP World Tour)

Categories
European Tour

Ten U.S. Open spots available via European Qualifying Series

The DP World Tour gives ten US Open tickets to players via the European Qualifying Series. (Photo: Getty)
The DP World Tour gives ten US Open tickets to players via the European Qualifying Series. (Photo: Getty)

The USGA has confirmed the spots in the field at The Country Club, Brookline, will be allocated to the top ten aggregate points earners, not otherwise exempt, at the conclusion of the mini-series consisting of: the Betfred British Masters Hosted by Danny Willett (May 5-8), the Soudal Open (May 12-15), Dutch Open (May 26-29) and the Porsche European Open (June 2-5).

It is the third consecutive year the European Qualifying Series has taken place in this format having previously been a 36-hole European Final Qualifying event. Local Qualifying will also take place at 109 sites in the United States and Canada from April 25-May 23, followed by Final Qualifying on Monday May 23 and Monday June 6.

The third edition of the European Qualifying Series

Keith Waters, the DP World Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The European Qualifying Series has been a big success since it was introduced in 2020, so we are pleased to continue our collaboration with the USGA again this year.

“The series adds further excitement and focus on our events, which take place in four different European countries in England, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. We therefore look forward to offering our players the chance to secure one of the coveted ten spots in the field at The Country Club, Brookline, in June.”

Last year, Marcus Armitage, Richard Bland, Dave Coupland, Thomas Detry, Adrian Meronk, Guido Migliozzi, Edoardo Molinari, Jordan Smith and Matthew Southgate earned their places in the field at Torrey Pines via the European Qualifying Series.

Italian Migliozzi went on to finish in a share of fourth position in just his second Major Championship appearance, four shots behind winner Jon Rahm of Spain.

Categories
Europe Travel

Golf courses in Gran Canaria – where tourists fully get their money’s worth

Golf in Gran Canaria is a mix of parkland golf inland and spectacular panoramas on the coast. (Photo: Golf Post)

Gran Canaria is not a privileged place, neither for “tourists on foot” nor for golfers. But although visitors to the Canary Islands flock to the beaches and bars, the third of the seven islets off the African coast guarantees a relaxing time. Gran Canaria seven golf courses have a lot to do with this great experience and are not to be missed, reason enough for an island getaway.

South Vs North environment

There are four golf courses in the south of the island, and three in the northeast. In the west of the island, which is sparsely populated and has so far seen little tourist traffic, golf courses are sought after in vain. In the south, Gran Canaria offers golf courses for party-goers (Playa del Inglés) as well as for visitors seeking tranquillity (Meloneras). Only a few kilometres of dunes separate both golf courses. These are mostly green oases in an arid landscape.

In the north, on the other hand, the land is much greener, which is due to the mountains in the middle of the island, which stop the rain when there is a constant wind from the north. At the same time, this makes the weather in the southern half more stable than in almost any other holiday destination, with pleasant temperatures.

Golf in the south of Gran Canaria

Lopesan Meloneras Golf

The 18-hole Lopesan Meloneras Golf course is not far from the tourist strongholds around Maspalomas. It offers peace and relaxation. While the first nine are inland and offer a view of the mountains in the centre of the island, the last nine take you directly along the sea for the most part.

The course condition is excellent, great to play in summer. Although the course is ready for the main season during the winter, the great care allows play at any time of the year. Large greens and wide fairways make the holiday round a pleasurable experience. Keeping your concentration on the second nine is the real difficulty due to the beautiful landscape and picturesque views.

From begining of October to end of April, Gran Canaria golf courses set their high season, and the 18-hole green fee costs 137 euros. In the low season (1 May – 30 September), the price drops to 80 euros. A cart costs 20 euros, but also has a GPS system on board that measures distances and explains the holes. The field is a leg-breaker due to the up and down hills all thoughout. Therefore, renting a cart is always a good choice.

Anfi Tauro Golf

Another highlight on Gran Canaria is Anfi Tauro Golf a little further west than Lopesan Meloneras Golf. Only opened in 2007, the par-72 course is the youngest on the island. It was designed by Hagge, Smelek and Baril, who were also responsible for the layout at Doral Country Club in Florida.

The maintenance in the hilly terrain matches the the spectacularity of the views of the sea. The holes have been integrated into the landscape. The green fee is between 80 (summer) and 120 euros (winter). However, you have to add the fees for a cart, because you don’t want to walk around this area – especially not on holiday.

Anfi Tauro Golf in Gran Canaria. (Photo: Twitter.com/@ZanardelliGolf)

Salobre Golf & Resort

Salobre Golf & Resort is home to two courses, the Old Course, which opened in 2000, and the New Course, added eight years later. The 36-hole course is the only one of its kind in Gran Canaria.

The Old Course is a par-71 that plays a little longer than the New Course as par-72, with a 400m difference. Like everywhere in the south of the island, the terrain is hilly and interspersed with ravines. This also makes Salobre Golf & Resort a holiday experience with lasting memories. The green fee ranges from 100 to 120 euros in winter, and in low season you have to shell out 56 to 67 euros.

The Salobre Golf&Resort at a glance. (Photo: Twitter.com/@SalobreGolfGC)

Maspalomas Golf

Maspalomas Golf is directly behind the aforementioned dune landscape that separates party people from those seeking relaxation. The surprisingly flat par-73 holes stretch over almost 6,400 metres. The layout is not particularly imaginative, the holes are wide and straight through the landscape, which is rather unspectacular here compared to other courses. For an 18-hole round, 109 to 118 euros are charged in the winter months, 65 euros in the low season.

Golf in the north of Gran Canaria

Real Club de Golf Las Palmas (Bandama Golf)

The Real Club de Golf Las Palmas is the oldest golf club in Spain and was founded in 1891. Unfortunately, you can feel this here and there in the rooms of the clubhouse, which are in need of an overhaul. The course is in a fantastic location – on a high plateau in front of Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. At the same time, the location explains the lenght of the short par-71 course, less than 6,000 metres from the back tees. Guests are welcome from Monday to Friday, on weekends the course is reserved for members.

Real Club de Golf on Gran Canaria seen from Pico de Bandama. (Photo: Golf Post)

Las Palmeras Golf Club

The northernmost club on Gran Canaria is Las Palmeras Golf Club. Opened in 2006, the par-3 course is very short, with only two holes longer than 100 metres, but the course is definitely a challenge. Sloping fairways, deep bunkers and some water hazards make missed greens a real challenge. The fun, which is definitely conducive to iron play, costs 25 euros green fee per person, guaranteeing the sea view in some spots.

Las Palmeras Golf, the par-3 course in the north of Gran Canaria. (Photo: Twitter.com/@LP_GOLF)

The Golf Post recommendation

Basically, you can’t go wrong with the courses in the south. The favourites here are Lopesan Meloneras Golf, Anfi Tauro Golf and Salobre Golf & Resort. Although you have to dig deep into your pockets during the high season, many hotels offer packages with discounts on green fees. The courses in the north are a bit outdated, but they also offer what makes golf in Gran Canaria a highlight. That is of course picturesque panoramas and impressive nature.

Attractions and excursions on Gran Canaria
Along the coast

In addition to golfing, Gran Canaria offers many other activities. In the summer you can even witness dolphin species a few kilometres off the coast. During winter, the whales take over and also pass by the island. These can be observed excellently from large and small excursion boats.

The wild interior

The interior of the island is also a must. Whether on foot on hikes or in a rented convertible on lonely mountain roads, many picturesque mountain villages can be discovered in the mountains in the middle of Gran Canaria. The highest point on the island, the Pico da las Nieves, also offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole island.

The south coast

Along the south coast, there are numerous villages directly by the sea. Despite numerous bed castles in the foothills of the mountain ranges, they have for the most part retained their own identity.

You can explore all or several of them along the coastal road GC-500. There, you can still find family-owned orchards with sun-drenched mangoes and other delicacies.

A must-see, of course, is the island’s capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Whether in the old town with its grand cathedral, on the beach or in the newer quarters. Here you will find something for everyone, from the art museum to the street food festival.

There is still one “insider tip”

The caves of Barranco de Guayadeque. In spectacular mountain scenery, you will find numerous caves here that were actually inhabited in the past. Today, some of them have been converted into restaurants and offer excellent food for little money away from the tourist crowds.

The Guayadeque Museum also provides information about the original way of life of the valley inhabitants. At the end of the valley, a fantastic view to the south awaits you.

Categories
LPGA Tour

LPGA announces: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club to host Solheim Cup 2024

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club to host 2024 Solheim Cup (Photo: getty)
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club to host 2024 Solheim Cup (Photo: getty)

The LPGA announced that Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, will host the 19th Solheim Cup in September 2024. Located on Lake Manassas, just 35 miles west of Washington D.C., this will be the first major women’s competition held at the club, which served as host for the first four Presidents Cups held in the United States.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club is proud to host the prestigious event

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to host this prestigious event and believe our club is an ideal venue for this competition,” said George Cantrell, president of Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. “Under the leadership of Tournament Chair Penny Lee, our club and membership look forward to welcoming the top U.S. and European women golfers and fans from across the globe.”

“The terrain is aesthetically perfect”

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, which opened in 1991, 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 terrain is aesthetically perfect,” he said. “I don’t think we could have done anything better anywhere.” Anchored by a stately Georgian-style clubhouse, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club plays to a par 72. 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, won by Troy Merritt.

“We are honored and excited to bring the 2024 Solheim Cup to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. RTJ has a strong tradition of hosting world-class international competitions, and we can’t wait to add the Solheim Cup, one of the flagship events in women’s golf, to the list,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “Playing the Solheim Cup on this magnificent golf course near our nation’s capital will provide the perfect backdrop for these elite athletes to battle for the Cup. I have no doubt that the club and its members will serve as wonderful hosts, and that fans from around the world will enjoy an experience of a lifetime.”

Schedule for the 2024 Solheim Cup

Dates for the 2024 Solheim Cup will be announced as the LPGA Tour and the LET finalize their 2024 playing schedules. 2024 will mark the competition’s return to an even-year rotation, opposite the Ryder Cup, and just the second time in history it will be held in consecutive years, along with 2002 and 2003. The 2023 Solheim Cup will be held at Finca Cortesin in Spain on Sept. 22-24, with Stacy Lewis serving as captain for Team USA and Suzann Pettersen serving as captain for Team Europe.

Information on tickets and sales packages will be available later this summer.

Text: LPGA

Categories
Panorama

Phil Mickelson apologizes and announces time out

Phil Mickelson has earned a lot of criticism lately. (Photo: Getty)
Phil Mickelson has earned a lot of criticism lately. (Photo: Getty)

In recent weeks and months, there have been repeated rumours that players like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau would switch to the aspired Saudi League. Mickelson, in particular, continued to fuel the discussion about a move from the PGA Tour by regularly publicly criticising the American professional tour. Now, the multiple major winner posted a lengthy statement apologising for his choice of words in the interview with Alan Shipnuck and announcing a hiatus from professional golf.


Mickelson’s Saudi Support Caused Much Criticism

For a long time it was rumoured that the Saudi League wanted to lure the big names of the PGA Tour with surreal sums of money. Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson in particular were to be the focus of the tour. DeChambeau and Johnson, however, denied a move from the PGA Tour last week. The duo announced that they would continue to compete with the world’s best on the PGA Tour. American Mickelson has already been firing against the PGA Tour in recent weeks. At Saudi International, Mickelson attributed ‘vile greed’ to PGA Tour

Recently, golf author Alan Shipnuck published an interview with Phil Mickelson, in which Mickelson allowed himself a daring choice of words. According to Shipnuck, Mickelson called the people who finance the Super Golf League “scary motherfuckers to get involved with”. Furthermore, Mickelson added that he would not be involved at all with people from a country with such a poor human rights record, but that he saw it as an opportunity to improve the PGA Tour. Big names in golf criticised Mickelson for these words. For example, Rory McIlroy calling Mickelson’s statements a “selfish statement”.


Phil Mickelson regrets choice of words

Even the long-time partner KPMG declared their partnership to be over after Phil Mickelson’s statements. Following this severe criticism, Mickelson released a lengthy statement on Tuesday afternoon. “Although it doesn’t look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans.,” the 51-year-old wrote on Twitter. In addition, Mickelson said he deeply regretted his reckless and offensive choice of words and was deeply disappointed in himself.


However, Mickelson also stressed that the alleged interview with Alan Shipnuck were “off record comments”. These had been taken out of context and published without his consent. Golf writer Alan Shipnuck reacted angrily to Mickelson’s accusation. He said that Mickelson knew he was working on a biography about him. Moreover, asked Mickelson himself for the interview to discuss media rights and his complaints about the PGA Tour. “Not once in our texts or when we got on the phone did Mickelson request to go off-the-record”, Shipnuck elaborated on TheFirePitCollective. Moreover, he said, Mickelson texted him immediately after the publication denying any of this. Shipnuck called his actions “false and duplicitous”.

Mickelson: “Desperately need some time away”

Phil Mickelson also announced in his statement that he would retire from professional golf for a while. One of the reasons for this was that he had been letting himself down lately. Furthermore, he felt the pressure and stress affecting him, especially in the last ten years. In doing so, he added that he “desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.” Mickelson did not mention the PGA Tour in his statement.