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Panorama

Augusta After Hurricane Helene: Masters is Safe, Five Million for Those Affected

All clear for the 2024 Masters Tournament in Augusta.(Photo: Getty)
All clear for the 2024 Masters Tournament in Augusta. (Photo: Getty)

All-clear: Augusta National Golf Club has taken stock after Hurricane Helene and announced that the 2025 Masters (10 to 13 April) is not at risk and will go ahead as usual. ‘The course was really hit, as was the rest of the community, and there was severe damage,’ explained club boss Fred Ridley. But we have a lot of people working hard to get us back up and running. The Masters will go ahead – on the planned date.’ The famous Magnolia Lane in particular has been affected, with several of the mighty old trees bent or having lost part of their crowns.

However, the grandees in green are not only thinking about their refuge and their tournament, but also about the affected communities in the surrounding area, as Ridley repeatedly emphasises in his statements. Augusta National has therefore donated five million dollars to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, which has been set up to help those affected.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von The Masters (@themasters)

Helene was a category 4 hurricane and the most violent storm to hit the USA in 19 years. The hurricane’s rage on the south-east coast claimed over 200 lives and rescuers are still searching for survivors in the rubble.

Hurricane Helene also destroys John Daly’s house

Homeless: Another member of the golfing world has become a victim of Hurricane Helene. As John Daly announced recently, his house in Clearwater/Florida was completely destroyed: ‘It’s devastating. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Besides the damage, it’s the memories that are lost with such devastation.’ Speaking on the sidelines of Constellation Furyk & Friends on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, the 58-year-old said that parts of his family and close friends were also affected by the hurricane. ‘I hope everyone is safe. We will have to rebuild three or four houses,’ said Daly, who lives mainly in Arkansas.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Golf Digest (@golfdigest)

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Panorama

Martin Kaymer: Wedding Celebration with Irene Scholz in the Alps

Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz were able to catch up on their wedding celebrations in an idyllic Bavarian setting. (Photo: Instagram@patriciakaymer)
Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz were able to catch up on their wedding celebrations in an idyllic Bavarian setting. (Photo: Instagram@patriciakaymer)

Martin Kaymer celebrated his wedding to Irene Scholz in style at the weekend. The couple had already married in a small civil ceremony in October 2022, but this was followed by a lavish celebration. The couple, who became parents to little Sam for the first time at the beginning of 2022, spent the special day with family, friends and some of Kaymer’s golfing colleagues.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Irène Kaymer (@_irenescholz_)

Martin Kaymer’s Wedding Celebration

Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz celebrated their civil wedding in Wiesbaden in October 2022 two years later. Back then, the former world number one and the sports scientist tied the knot in a very intimate setting. Both had already planned to make up for their big celebration with the most important people who had accompanied them on their journey so far. Last weekend provided the perfect opportunity to realise these plans.

The celebration took place in a breathtaking mountain setting at the exclusive Schloss Elmau. The German golf pro and his wife invited friends and family to a special weekend in the stunning Bavarian Alps to celebrate their love for each other.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Irène Kaymer (@_irenescholz_)

Her little son Sam, who was born in January 2022, was also there and was included in the celebrations. Irene Scholz shared her joy on social media that her son was able to take on this special role and humorously wrote that Sam was allowed to ‘bring the rings’ this time. In the posts, the couple were visibly moved and grateful for the celebrations and the people who took part.

Celebrity guests and team colleagues at the ceremony

In addition to close friends and the couple’s family, some familiar faces from the world of golf were also in attendance. Kaymer’s LIV Golf team-mate Adrian Meronk was among the guests and shared impressions of the celebration on his social media. Other personalities such as Leanne Hainsby and Benjamin Alldis were also present at the event. The celebration was accompanied by congratulations and warm comments from the golf world.

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Fun Panorama

Filming for Happy Gilmore 2: Adam Sandler in a Bathrobe and With a Golf Bag

Filming has begun on Happy Gilmore 2. (Source: X @DailyLoud)
Filming has begun on Happy Gilmore 2. (Source: X @DailyLoud)

Insight: A few weeks ago, production began on the long-awaited sequel to the golfing comedy Happy Gilmore; filming is mainly taking place in New York. And so it can happen that you open your front door in the morning and witness lead actor Adam Sandler shuffling around in his bathrobe, lugging a golf bag with him. This is exactly what happened to ‘TikTok’ user Ariana Hailand, who of course immediately shared this very special sighting with the world:

@arianahailand The nicest guy in Hollywood is now the nicest guy in Jersey #AdamSandler #HappyGilmore2 #HappyMadison #Netflix #fyp #NewJersey ♬ Good Day – Nappy Roots

Happy Gilmore 2 Will Be Distributed by Netflix

Some time ago, Christopher McDonald aka Shooter McGavin revealed that Sandler was working on part 2 of Happy Gilmore, and Netflix confirmed this a little later. It is still not known when the film will be finished and aired. But all fans waiting for the continuation of the duel between Gilmore and McGavin can rejoice: it continues just as weirdly.

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Panorama

Jon Rahm Announces Birth of Third Child

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

Professional golfer Jon Rahm’s third child has been born. Rahm was therefore able to compete in his first DP World Tour tournament of the season.

Birth causes a slight change in plans

After Jon Rahm was unable to take part in the LIV Golf Team Championship last week due to ‘severe flu symptoms’, according to LIV Golf, his participation in this week’s acciona Open de España was uncertain as well. In fact, Rahm’s arrival was delayed by one day: instead of arriving at the Club de Campo Villa in Madrid on Tuesday as planned, he arrived on Wednesday and thus missed the Pro-Am tournament. However, the reason for his delay appears to be a happy one: The Spanish newspaper ‘Marca’ reports that his wife Kelley Cahill gave birth to their third child a day earlier, on Tuesday.

The couple announced the pregnancy on Instagram in March 2024. The post shows Rahm and his wife Kelley holding their two sons, Kepa (3) and Eneko (2), in their arms. Rahm wrote ‘Officially moving to zone defense, baby Rahm #3 coming soon!’.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@jonrahm)

At an Open Championship 2024 press conference in July, Rahm hinted at complications with the pregnancy, but did not elaborate.

Now the new baby is born and Rahm is competing at the Open de España with the aim of reclaiming his title. The 2018, 2019 and 2022 winner has the chance to win the trophy in his home country for the fourth time this week.

Jon Rahm’s participation relevant for Ryder Cup eligibility

Rahm’s participation in the DP World Tour tournament is also important for his potential Ryder Cup participation in 2025: only European players who are members of the DP World Tour can represent Europe in the Ryder Cup. The prerequisite for membership is playing at least four DP World Tour tournaments.

After Rahm switched to the LIV Tour in December 2023, he no longer took part in any DP World Tour tournaments. As the Olympic golf tournament also counts, the Open de España is Rahm’s second of four necessary tournaments. Next week he is on the list of participants at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland and in October he would like to play the Andalucía Masters in Spain.

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Panorama

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

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

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

Golf Professionals in Miniature – A Duel of the Highest Class

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

Precision and Strategy on the Mini Golf Course

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

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

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Panorama

R&A: Golf Participation Continues to Enjoy Growth

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

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

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

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

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

R&A: Global Surge in On-Course Golfers

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

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

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

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

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

Women’s Participation on the Rise

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

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

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

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

(Text: The R&A)

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Uncategorized

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rotate the signature events on the PGA Tour

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

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

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

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

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

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Fun

DP World Tour Crazy Hole in One Challenge With Tom Holland

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

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

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

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Panorama

Andy Murray: From Tennis Star to Golfer

Andy Murray is now a golfer. (Image: Getty)
Andy Murray is now a golfer. (Image: Getty)

New golfer: Andy Murray has won three Grand Slam tournaments, two of them in the tennis mecca of Wimbledon (2013, 2016). The Brit was ranked number one in the world tennis rankings for 41 weeks from November 2016 and is a two-time Olympic gold medal winner in singles (2012, 2016). After his quarter-final exit in the Olympic doubles at the Paris Games, Murray finally ended his great career a few weeks ago. And what does someone like him do now in sport? The question is answered when you take a look at his CV, where his place of birth is Glasgow. So it’s no wonder that the Scot is now turning to the traditional sport of his homeland. Murray announced it on his social media pages. “I played tennis. I now play golf,” he wrote under his profile photo. And the goal of Murray is also clear: scratch.

Andy Murray is not the only tennis star, who is an avid golfer

Andy Murrays former rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are also known to be avid golfers. Djokovic, who won a gold medal in Paris this year, competed in the All-Star match at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

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Panorama

Separate Paths: Callaway and Topgolf Become Independent Companies

Callaway and Topgolf are parting ways again after their merger. (Photo: Getty)
Callaway and Topgolf are parting ways again after their merger. (Photo: Getty)

Topgolf Callaway Brands has made a surprising decision: The company plans to split into two independent companies. This strategic realignment comes at a time when the company’s share price has fallen by more than 24 percent since the beginning of the year.

Callaway and Topgolf: separation as “best position for success”

Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Topgolf Callaway Brands, explained the rationale for this move: “Over the last decade plus, we have transformed Callaway into the No. 1 brand in golf equipment, while building a successful and complementary apparel and accessory business. We believe this business, on a stand-alone basis, will be well understood and valued by the market.”

Highlighting the successes since the merger with Topgolf, he added: “Topgolf is transforming the game of golf and is expected to deliver substantial financial returns over time. At the same time, Topgolf has a different operating model, capital structure and investment thesis than Callaway, and as a result, the Board has determined that separating Topgolf will best position Topgolf and Callaway for success and maximize shareholder value.”

180-degree turnaround in corporate management

The planned split marks a clear departure from the strategy that led to the merger in March 2021. At the time, Brewer had emphasized the synergies between the two companies: “Callaway and Topgolf are just better together. […] This transformational merger has already created and will continue to create meaningful shareholder value.”

Following the separation, Callaway will retain its leadership position in the golf equipment market, with the #1 club and #2 ball brands in the US. The portfolio also includes brands such as Odyssey, Ogio, Travis Mathew and Jack Wolfskin. Topgolf, on the other hand, has revolutionized the traditional driving range business with its innovative concept that combines golf with entertainment and gastronomy. With over 100 locations in the USA and internationally, Topgolf has established itself as an independent brand.

The announcement of this split shows how the company management’s view has changed since the merger. It remains to be seen how the market will react to this strategic realignment.