Golf News

SuperStroke Congratulates Ben Griffin on First Career Win at The Zurich Classic

Marc Hall May 7, 2025

Golf News

North Carolina native secures maiden victory with SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT Putter Grip

Wixom, MI – SuperStroke, the No. 1 Putter Grip in golf and the leader in innovative Tour-proven golf grip technology, congratulates Ben Griffin on a one-stroke victory with his playing partner at the Zurich Classic to record his first career win on the PGA TOUR. The duo combined to go 28-under-par over four rounds to each claim their maiden win on the PGA TOUR.

Griffin, using a SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT putter grip, had the defining putt of the week when he holed a 34-footer from off the green on the 71^st hole of the competition. That 17^th hole had been the toughest hole to score on all week, so the long-range birdie not only put the duo safely ahead of the pursuing field but also added a dramatic flair to the team’s late charge.

This was Griffin’s fourth top 10 finish of the season and moved him up to 21^st in the FedExCup Standings by securing 400 FedExCup points and $1,329,400 in winnings. The victory also earned him and his playing partner exemptions into the PGA Championship, all three remaining 2025 PGA TOUR Signature Events, and spots in the 2026 editions of The Sentry and THE PLAYERS Championship.

The last six Zurich Classic championship winners have included a professional with a SuperStroke putter grip in play. Nine of the top 10 finishers at this event were using SuperStroke putter grips.

“Like his playing partner at The Zurich Classic, Ben Griffin has been a player on the brink of a breakthrough on the PGA TOUR, so it’s a joy to congratulate him on his very first win,” said SuperStroke CEO Dean Dingman. “Ben with that amazing putting on 17, using a Zenergy 1.0PT putter grip, now has an iconic winning moment he can cherish throughout his very promising career.”

SuperStroke’s Zenergy 1.0PT series is today’s twist on a classic design used by tour players for decades. A smaller overall profile features a pistol-style with a more pronounced arc under the top hand extending into the butt area of the grip. Combine this player design with SuperStroke’s advanced materials to maintain even grip pressure and boost the consistency in starting the ball on-line.

Part of SuperStroke’s groundbreaking Zenergy line, the Pistol 1.0PT features:

Enhanced SPYNE® Technology – The new SPYNE ® Technology has an improved, embossed ridge along the underside of the grip, engineered to make it easier to square the face at impact.

New Multi-Zone Texturing – Strategically placed textured in high-sensory areas designed to optimize feedback and comfort from the incredibly soft polyurethane outer layer.

No Taper Technology – Our patented No Taper minimizes grip pressure with an advanced parallel design that enables golfers to quiet their hands and add consistency to their stroke.

Pistol 1.0PT Size Specs:

Width: 0.99”
Length: 10.50”
Weight: 58g
Core: 0.58”

SuperStroke grips are trusted by hundreds of top professional golfers. In 2024, SuperStroke users won 71 tournaments on golf’s major professional tours, totaling more than $58 million in first-place prize money in those events.

SuperStroke’s putter grip line is a product of relentless innovation, fueled by feedback from more than 600 tour pros. From signature shapes and sizes to cutting-edge materials, SuperStroke delivers unprecedented features into every putter grip while connecting golfer and putter like no other product on the market.

For more details on SuperStroke’s range of innovative golf grips and to keep up with the latest news from the company, visit https://superstrokeusa.com.

About SuperStroke
Since launching the first line of oversized putter grips in 2009, SuperStroke’s mission has been to help golfers make every swing and every stroke the best it can be. This commitment to offering high-performing, innovative products has helped SuperStroke users earn more than $500 million on major professional tours around the world, as well as propelling amateurs to shoot their career-low rounds.

In addition to custom grips, SuperStroke offers a full range of officially licensed products to help golfers show their team spirit on the course. This includes both putter and club grips from college, NFL, and NHL teams.

One of the most trusted brands on all major tours around the world, SuperStroke’s team of ambassadors includes three-time major champion Jordan Spieth, eight-time winner on the PGA TOUR Patrick Cantlay, 2019 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im, and world-renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon. In addition to the company’s beloved putter grips, SuperStroke offers a full lineup of club grips allowing golfers to experience the benefits of SuperStroke technology in every shot.

More information: https://superstrokeusa.com/.  

Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR

Quail Hollow: McIlroy’s Dream Venue for Grand Slam Repeat

Joanne Miller May 7, 2025

Golf News

Fresh off of Major success and a Players Championship win at TPC Sawgrass, Rory McIlroy returns to one of his many ‘happy hunting grounds’ as Grand Slam speculation intensifies.

With the second men’s Major of the year, the PGA Championship, less a week away at the ever-popular Quail Hollow, could we soon see the in-form Rory McIlroy raising the Wanamaker Trophy?

Having won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am, The Players, and now, after nearly an 11-year drought at the Majors, the Masters, McIlroy is poised for a record breaking season. The metaphorical monkey is off his back and it has been replaced with a Green Jacket.

In doing so, the media and golf fans alike are speculating that Rory could complete the Grand Slam this year. Ridiculous? Perhaps. But if form and past success is anything to go by, a second Major victory at the PGA Championship is not as far-fetched as it may seem on the surface.

McIlroy’s form and scoring around Quail Hollow is second to none, and he has proven this on several occasions. His maiden PGA Tour victory was at the venue where he carded a final round 62 for the then course record winning by 7 strokes in 2010.

Five years later, the Northern Irishman would go on to blow away the field with a final score of -21, winning by 7 strokes again, and breaking the course record again with a 61 (-11) in the third round.

A decade later, and with two subsequent wins at Quail Hollow under his belt, there can be no doubt that the course simply suits McIlroy’s eye. Being one of the best drivers of the ball the game has seen allows Rory to take lines off the tee that many on tour simply cannot even consider.

Last season, McIlroy was 4th in Strokes Gained off-the-tee, gaining 0.73 strokes against the field and averaging 320yds total driving distance – 20yds longer than the tour average. According to Shot Scope data, the average amateur golfer has a Performance-Average distance off the tee of 234yds – almost 90yds behind McIlroy.

With his current form, speculation around another Major this year may not be misplaced. However, McIlroy won’t have an easy path to victory, with a field full of the world’s top players and one with past Major success at Quail Hollow: Justin Thomas.

Thomas made a dramatic return to the winners circle in April pouring in a 21ft putt to win in a playoff against Andrew Novak at the RBC Heritage. The likelihood of the average amateur golfer making this putt? Just under 9% according to Shot Scope’s ever-growing database of on course performance data.

In recent years, Thomas has suffered at points with a drop in form but this win signifies that he is well and truly back to his best and it could not come at a better time. McIlroy may have history at Quail Hollow, but so too does Thomas with his PGA Championship victory at the venue in 2017.

Again, recent form and past success. Thomas is a gritty competitor, and what better place to win your second Major than the place where you won your first?

There is no recipe for guaranteed success, but if there were, form and past success would likely be mixed in there somewhere. Equally important is the ability to handle pressure when it matters most — a theme echoed by the 2002 PGA Championship winner and Shot Scope Ambassador Rich Beem in this mini-documentary. Beem reminds us that champions must be “comfortable being uncomfortable.” Having donned the Green Jacket after such heartbreak in 2011, McIlroy has proven he can handle discomfort on the course.

Could his win at the Masters be the start of a second career Grand Slam after taking over a decade to complete it the first time? Is the golfing community getting ahead of itself by asking the question? Or will Justin Thomas give us all a sense of déjà vu?

The answers to these questions, and the golfing world’s speculation, will be confirmed at the close of play on May 18th.

North Carolina’s Acclaimed Woodlake Country Club Making the Most of Its Rebirth

Marc Hall May 7, 2025

Golf News

If there’s one thing more potent than imagination, it might just be reimagination.

In an area rich with some of the world’s most treasured golf courses and traditions, Woodlake Country Club in Vass, N.C., is emerging as an attractive destination for both golfing tourists and locals who have discovered a rare golf gem that offers pure value and doesn’t take forever to play.

Woodlake Country Club, nestled in the sandhills of North Carolina not far from such legendary golf locales as Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles, and Tobacco Road, was named the 16th best course you can play in North Carolina by GOLF.com. When you consider that Pinehurst alone has 10 18-hole courses and all of them are good to great, it puts into perspective how far Woodlake Country Club has come.

And, all things considered, it happened in a short amount of time.

The club’s half-century history met unexpected challenging times in 2016 when Hurricane Matthew raged through the area. Heavy rainfall forced the Army Corps of Engineers to compromise the dam and drain the gated community’s once-thriving 1,200-acre recreational lake. The result was that not only did club members and locals lose their beloved boating and gathering haven, the golf course also lost irrigation and the course and lake club – the heart of the community – eventually closed.

Fortunately, the club was bought out of foreclosure in 2021 by Atlantic National Capital. The new owners – the Allison family who owns and runs North Carolina-based Systel Business Equipment – partnered with Bobby Jones Links to not only bring the course and club back, but to raise it to heights it never reached before. An ambitious plan and a hopeful beginning, fortuitously aided by golf’s newfound post-pandemic popularity.

Since that time, Woodlake has been operating to a grateful clientele from a new 3,500-square-foot clubhouse with amenities like pickleball, swimming, a new fitness facility, and most importantly, a golf course that is better than ever. The original Ellis Maples design first opened in 1971, with many holes built close to the lake, but it was never as good as it is now, or will be in the near future.

The Allison Family brought in architect Kris Spence, a renowned Donald Ross and Ellis Maples expert, to lead a full restoration and rebuild of the course, including a newly designed 18th hole. The work on the par-72 course, which can stretch to more than 7,200 yards, included new Tif Eagle greens, a new irrigation system, and exacting standards for pristine turf conditions.

General Manager Jeff Crabbe, who came to Woodlake in August of 2023 shortly after the course reopened, said being ranked 16th is amazing, but they aren’t done yet.

“I think when the lake comes back, with the aesthetics of that, we could be top 10 in the state,” said Crabbe, whose career includes a decade-long stint at Pinehurst Resort. “We opened at a time when this area needed another golf course for people to join or just play. Many of the area courses have become so busy that you are seeing five- or six-hour rounds of golf. We’re still building our membership, so even when it’s a beautiful day, we’re in that temporary phase where they just show up and go to the tee.”

The long-anticipated construction on the dam has begun. When that happens, everything will have come full circle. And even though the course is receiving impressive reviews at present – while it features a bit of a South Carolina Lowcountry look, with marshes and wetlands bordering many holes – when the 1,200-acre lake returns on holes 1,2,3,4,17 and the newly designed 18th, the course will really be spectacular.

There’s never been a better time to play or become a member, and Woodlake is presently open for daily-fee and resort play. Guests can book stay-and-play packages at Woodlake’s six luxurious one-bedroom condominiums. The Woodlake experience is a worthy addition to any Sandhills golf trip itinerary. To add this unique course to a visit to the Pinehurst Resort courses, Talamore, Tobacco Road, Pine Needles, and Mid Pines brings a fresh new dimension for golf aficionados visiting the region for prime golf.

Dues and initiation fees are surprisingly attractive currently, especially for a club that has added nearly 200 members in less than two years. Crabbe expects membership will increase as more amenities open but will still be of tremendous value in this coveted golf market. For locals, there’s never been a better time to consider membership at one of the most dynamic and growing clubs in the golf-rich region.

The club continues to improve under new ownership and expertise of Alpharetta, Ga.-based Bobby Jones Links, a premier golf management company that operates more than three dozen courses in 11 states.

Crabbe, a graduate of the PGA Professional Golf Management program at nearby Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., said having Bobby Jones Links’ expertise and experience at their disposal is invaluable.

“They have other clubs that are similar to ours, so we can always share ideas and best practices,” Crabbe said. “Their relationships with vendors is certainly helpful. I would say more than anything, just the support of the professionals that they have on staff picking the phone up and having someone to call is extremely helpful.”

When Crabbe started at Woodlake, the course had already been open for a couple of months, so he didn’t see it at its worst. But he did see the pictures.

“I’ve been in the golf business a long time – 22 or 23 years – and I can’t believe the quality of the golf course and the club amenities that we have compared to the old pictures,” said Crabbe who gives much of the credit to superintendent Chris Dwiggins and his crew. “There were trees in the bunkers, there was grown-up brush that was eight to 10 feet tall. It’s amazing what has been done to bring this course into a position to become one of the best golf experiences in a state full of legendary places to play. To see the conditioning of the golf course that we have now, it’s hard to believe that it’s only been a brief period of time.”

Not to be overlooked is the brand-new clubhouse with its patio dining and excellent cuisine at Maples Grille, led by award-winning Executive Chef James Regan. Crabbe said the membership is learning just how good the dining experience is at Woodlake. Most recently, a group of members were able to go back into the kitchen with Regan and learn how to prepare a multi-course meal of stuffed mushrooms, marinated beet salad, Steak au Poivre, and Chocolate Mousse.

“I can’t believe it’s been only 16 months.” Crabbe said of rebuilding the member experience. “I love every second of this chapter in Woodlake’s history.”

Chances are, as many more golfers discover the new Woodlake, they will grow to love it, too.

Article provided by: Kevin Frisch PR

Jim Dent, Pro Golfer and Pioneer to Black Golfers Dies at 85

Ted Odorico May 3, 2025

Golf News

Jim Dent, known as one of the best Black golfers of his era died May 2, he was 85.

Born on May 9, 1939, in Augusta, Ga., Dent grew up caddying at both storied Augusta National, home of the Masters, and nearby Augusta Country Club. At the 1956 Masters, Dent caddied for Bob Rosburg, who went on to win the 1959 PGA Championship and become best known as a TV commentator after his playing days. “We shot 41 on the back nine or we might have won,” Dent recalled. As a child, Den’ts father, Tom, drove a pulpwood truck and owned wooded farmland not far from Augusta Country Club. The fourth of six children, Dent’s job on the farm was to make the fire in the morning.

“I was big enough to do that,” Dent told the USGA. “I was still real young when my parents died, but there was my aunt. Her name was Mary Benton, a great lady in my life.”

Dent’s mother, Carrie, died when he was six. His father died when Jim was 12. Benton, a housekeeper at one of Augusta’s big houses, raised Jim and three of his siblings with a firm hand.

“The first time I caddied, I got a whuppin’,” Dent told USA Today in 1990. “My (Aunt) had told me not to. She said if I hung around with caddies, I’d learn how to gamble and drink. You know, a lot of those guys had those brown paper bags in their back pockets.

“But you know how it is. If your mother tells you not to cross the street, not to go to a certain place, if you’re an adventurous kid, sooner or later, you’ll go there.’

In another retelling of this story, he added, “Second thing I learned how to do when I learned how to caddie was shoot dice and play cards. She was dead right.”

For Dent, every loop was an opportunity to closely study elite players and apply their techniques to his own swing. By the time he was 15, Dent started to excel at the sport. He and his buddies would sneak on the back nine of Augusta Country Club late in the afternoon and play until dark. Later, he would be allowed to play there on Friday morning in exchange for cutting crabgrass out of the greens.

“There was also Augusta Municipal Golf Course, where we could play,”Dent recalled. “And I had a friend of mine who would take me to Fort Gordon, an Army base with a good course.”Dent 6-3, 225 pounds, was a talented tight end. He attended Paine College, a small, Methodist school in Augusta, on a football scholarship, although he didn’t stay long. A year later, his urge to play golf led him to Atlantic City, where he made ends meet caddying at local clubs and as a waiter

“I played every day until 3 or 3:30, because I didn’t have to be to work until 4:30 (p.m.),” Dent said. “I was young then, I never got tired.”

He did get tired of that life, however. “I felt like I was in jail, working inside and looking out the window,” he says. “I wanted to work outside. I was lucky. I met a guy, Mo Stevens, who offered me a job in Los Angeles. Every morning, we’d go to Compton College’s football field and hit balls until school started.”

Dent cut his teeth playing in events hosted by the United Golfers Association, a tour that attracted the top Black golfers from across the country before the Tour integrated. He turned pro in 1966. Dent won three times on mini tours, including the $100,000 Queen Mary event. He failed qualifying school four times before making it in 1970 at age 31. Only once ($55,095 in 1982) did he win more than $50,000 or finish among the top 60 money-winners.

“In his career on the PGA Tour, Dent was known for one thing, and one thing alone: driving the golf ball,” wrote Jeff Williams in Newsday. “No one came to see Jim Dent putt. No one came to see Jim Dent chip. You came to see Jim Dent hit it a mile and see if the ball was in one piece.”

Dent hung around for more than 16 years without a victory while earning more than $560,000. “To have caddied and now be out playing with these guys, you don’t think that’s a big thrill?” he once said. Despite facing racial barriers that limited opportunities for Black golfers during his early career, Dent said he faced little discrimination on the Tour. “You know, I never had any problems because Charlie Sifford, Pete Brown and Lee Elder, those guys just kind of paved the way,” he said. It was Brown, the first Black golfer to win a PGA-sanctioned event at the 1964 Waco Turner Open, who took Dent under his wing.

“Pete kind of took me around the first six weeks when I was on Tour, you know,” Dent told The Augusta Chronicle. “That was a blessing. Here was a man already established and he can let me hang around and learn some of the ropes there.”

Dent was reborn at age 50 when he became eligible for the Champions Tour, winning 12 tournaments between 1989 and 1998. He finished in the top 10 on the season-long money list seven times on the senior circuit, winning more than $9 million.

“I didn’t work on what it took to beat ’em back then,” said Dent, explaining his senior success. “Chipping, putting, patience. Those are the greatest things.”

In 2020, the road leading to Augusta Municipal Golf Course, AKA “The Patch,” was renamed Jim Dent Way in his honor. Dent also was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2022 as well as the African-American Golfers Hall of Fame. His journey in the game was a testament to what’s possible when passion meets persistence.

Article written by: Adam Schupak, GolfWeek

Karen Palacios-Jansen Named 2025 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award Winner

Ted Odorico May 2, 2025

Golf News

LPGA Professionals member recognized for embodying the spirit of Nancy Lopez

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 2, 2025) The LPGA Professionals proudly announce Karen Palacios-Jansen, LPGA Master Teaching Professional, as the 2025 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award recipient.

Established in 2007, the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award recognizes an LPGA Professional who exemplifies leadership, passion, generosity, and approachability; values that define the legacy of Nancy Lopez, a 48-time LPGA Tour winner, 9-time major champion, and World Golf Hall of Fame member.

“Nancy has always inspired me, and her ability to make everyone feel valued and included is something I admire and strive to embody in my career,” expressed Palacios-Jansen. “I am honored to be recognized for doing what I love – helping others through golf and fitness. I will keep working to grow the game and support our LPGA community.”

Palacios-Jansen found her first role model in Lopez, whose Latina heritage and infectious smile resonated deeply. “Watching Nancy dominate the LPGA Tour made me believe I belonged in golf,” she stated. This connection fuels her mission to make golf inclusive, especially for underrepresented communities.

“Congratulations to Karen Jansen-Palacios, an inspiring leader whose passion for golf and fitness shines through her innovative Cardio Golf program,” expressed Nancy Lopez, LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member. “I am thrilled to see her honored for her remarkable contributions to the LPGA and her dedication to empowering her students.”

Over three decades, Palacios-Jansen has blended her passion for teaching, fitness, and mentorship to inspire golfers of all levels as Director of Instruction at CardioGolf, a golf-specific fitness system she developed to enhance swing mechanics, flexibility, and endurance. At her CardioGolf Groove Indoor Golf Studio in North Carolina, she leads 15 weekly group classes and 30 hours of individual lessons while engaging over 900 global members through her online platform.

A lifelong learner, Palacios-Jansen has earned certifications across numerous disciplines, complementing her Master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia College. This expertise underpins CardioGolf and her transformative teaching, honed at prestigious institutions like the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Jim McLean Golf School, and Nick Faldo Golf Institute.

Palacios-Jansen champions young girls as a Site Director for LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, an instructor for LPGA Leadership Academies, and a member of the Girls Golf Growth Committee. Her 2014 “Teaching Her” curriculum revolutionized women’s golf instruction, boosting participation and retention. She also co-developed a senior-specific fitness program to enhance mobility and well-being for older players.

Since becoming an LPGA Professionals member in 1994 and earning Master Professional status in 2016, Palacios-Jansen has earned accolades, including the 2008 LPGA Professionals National Teacher of the Year and Southeast Section Teacher of the Year. She was consistently named among Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Teachers” and “America’s 50 Best Women Teachers” from 1997 to 2013. In 2025, Golf Digest recognized her as the only LPGA Professional among America’s Top 50 Golf-Fitness Professionals.

A prolific writer, Palacios-Jansen has authored over 1,200 blog posts on CardioGolf.com, sold over 100,000 copies of her Golf Fitness book, and built a social media following exceeding 50,000 with 500,000+ video views. Her appearances on The Golf Channel and contributions to Golf Digest’s “Fitness Friday” column have cemented her industry influence.

Mirroring Lopez’s generosity, Palacios-Jansen has held leadership roles, including LPGA Professional National Vice President and LPGA Foundation Board Member (2016–2019), and is currently President of the LPGA Southeast Section. She has certified over 25 professionals in CardioGolf, offered free certifications to LPGA instructors during the pandemic, and is training to become a Lead Instructor for Level 1 Certification on the LPGA Global Education Team to help shape the next generation of LPGA Professionals.

Her approachable demeanor, echoing Lopez’s warmth, fosters connection. Whether teaching, mentoring, or speaking at conferences, she makes everyone feel valued and included.

Palacios-Jansen’s joins an elite group of women who have shaped golf’s future. Past recipients of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award include Debbie O’Connell (2007), Troy Beck (2008), Patti Benson (2009), Lynn Stellman (2010), Malia Folquet (2011), Suzy Whaley (2012), Marvol Barnard (2013), Angela Aulenti (2014), Teresa Zamboni (2015), Donna White (2016), Sandy LaBauve (2017), Lynn Marriott (2018), Louise Ball (2019), Dana Rader (2020), Cindy Miller (2021), Tina Tombs (2022), Deb Vangellow (2023), and Sue Powers (2024).

The LPGA Professionals will honor Palacios-Jansen at a ceremony in Orlando during the 2026 PGA Show, celebrating her contributions and embodiment of Nancy Lopez’s enduring legacy. For more information about Karen Palacios-Jansen and CardioGolf, visit CardioGolf.com.

About the LPGA Professionals

The LPGA Professionals, the largest membership of women golf professionals in the world, are certified through a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the dynamic needs of the golfing public and go on to serve as educators, business leaders, and game changers dedicated to growing the game of golf for everyone. Rising to nearly 1,900 members since its founding in 1959, LPGA Professionals are dedicated to the advancement of golf and serve throughout the industry in a variety of roles, such as supporting the LPGA’s various grassroots programs aimed at increasing women and youth engagement in golf. For more information, visit www.lpga.com/professionals.

MGI Golf Announces Partnerships with Epson Tour Players for the 2025 season

Ted Odorico April 30, 2025

Golf News

Four Epson Tour athletes have teamed up with MGI Golf, which continues to strengthen its support for the women’s professional game

Las Vegas, Nev. (April 30, 2025) – MGI Golf, global leader in technology for the walking golfer and maker of America’s No. 1 electric golf caddy, is proud to announce partnerships with Savannah Carlson, Hailee Cooper, Jillian Hollis, and Su Oh for the 2025 Epson Tour season.

MGI’s partnership with the Epson Tour initiated a pivotal rule change earlier this year for the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, allowing the use of electric caddies in competition, which creates competitive equity and opens the door to new performance possibilities. The sponsorships underscore MGI’s growing investment in competitive golf and ongoing commitment to empowering players through innovation, performance and access.

“We are so proud to support and partner with Savannah, Hailee, Jillian, and Su as they compete on the Epson Tour and pursue their dreams,” said Miranda Turner, CEO of MGI Golf Inc. “These four women represent the passion, dedication, and talent that define the future of professional golf, and this partnership goes far beyond providing a product. It’s a reflection of our belief in their journeys and in the power of walking golf to elevate performance at every level of the game.”

This marks MGI’s first official partnership of competitive golfers in the U.S., expanding upon its long-standing relationships with PGA professionals and golf clubs around the world. In addition to sponsoring four ambassadors, MGI will offer exclusive pricing on its electric caddies to all Epson Tour athletes throughout the season. The partnership with the Epson Tour is designed to increase access to electric caddy technology and empower more players to walk the course with confidence and ease.

“The caddy has made my life easier. It allows me to focus on my golf game and not stress about getting my heavy clubs to the next shot,” said Hailee Cooper.

As the 2025 Epson Tour season continues, MGI Golf remains committed to championing its ambassadors on the leaderboard and in broader conversations around innovation and opportunity in golf. This partnership is a testament to MGI’s belief in the walking game as a pathway to both peak performance and meaningful progress in the sport.

About MGI Golf

MGI Golf is the premier global authority in electric golf caddies, integrating cutting-edge technology with ergonomic design. Since its inception in 1993, the Australian owned and operated company has a formidable reputation built on experience, innovation, and quality of design. MGI Golf revolutionized the electric caddy industry through patented Gyroscope Straight Tracker technology, automatic downhill speed control, and durable lithium-ion batteries. MGI Golf successfully expanded into the North American market, beginning with the U.S. in 2018 and followed by Canada in 2023, and was named America’s No. 1 electric caddy by independent research. For more information, visit mgigolf.com.

About the Epson Tour

The Epson Tour is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour and enters its 45th competitive season in 2025. With the support of entitlement partner Seiko Epson Corporation, the Tour’s mission is to prepare the world’s best female professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. In the last decade, the Epson Tour has grown from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money to $5 million awarded across 20 events in 2025. In all, 402 LPGA Tour titles have been won by Epson Tour alumni, including 49 major championships. Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Press Release by: Olivia Nastala, Manager Buffalo Groupe

Visit: buffalogroupe.com

NEWTON GOLF Launches Fast Motion Shaft

Ted Odorico April 29, 2025

Golf News

A New Lightweight Shaft Designed for Distance and Control

Made in the USA and now available, the shaft expands Newton’s US manufacturing footprint and club fitter adoption

CAMARILLO, Calif., April 29, 2025 — NEWTON GOLF Company (Nasdaq: NWTG) (“NEWTON GOLF” or the “Company”), a technology-forward golf company with a growing portfolio of golf products—including putters, golf shafts, golf grips, and other golf-related accessories—announces the launch of its newest shaft family, Newton Fast Motion, now available for purchase at a suggested retail price of $325. The Newton Fast Motion is a lighter, Tour-proven shaft engineered to deliver exceptional precision and enhanced swing speed for golfers seeking top-tier performance.

The debut builds on Newton Golf’s momentum, following 887% revenue growth in FY2024 driven by strong adoption of its advanced shaft lineup.

Building on the four key innovations of the Newton Motion shaft—including Elongated Bend Profile, Kinetic Energy Storage, Symmetry 360 Construction, and Variable Bend Profile—the Newton Fast Motion series caters specifically to players who demand lighter shafts without compromising stability, straightness, or control.

The Fast Motion shaft has already proven itself on Tour, with eight professionals – who have a combined nine major championships in their careers – putting it into play across the PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA Tour. Overall, more than 30 professionals on these tours are gaming Newton Motion shafts, with Newton Golf trusted by many of the game’s top players.

“My first impression of the Newton Fast Motion shaft is that the color looks great, and it’s definitely lighter. You can really swing it and get it out there a lot farther. It doesn’t feel like you lose control—you can swing at it harder and faster,” said PGA TOUR Champions player, Ken Duke.

Light Yet Stable: High-Modulus Toray Carbon Fibers

The Newton Fast Motion shafts are constructed with advanced high-modulus Toray carbon fibers, known for their superior strength-to- weight ratio. This design reduces shaft weight by approximately 10 grams compared to the Motion series, enabling faster swing speeds while maintaining tight dispersion, exceptional straightness, and stability. Players can feel the shaft load naturally during the swing, making it easier to time and sequence the motion for more consistent strikes.

“Roughly 30–40% of driver shafts in Regular and Stiff flexes fall under the 55-gram weight category, serving golfers who seek added swing speed without losing control,” added Dr. Greg Campbell, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Newton Golf. “This new line reflects our commitment to supporting the growing market segment of golfers seeking additional swing speed by utilizing lighter driver shafts.”

Distinctive Design: Red-to-Gold Finish That Changes Under Sunlight

The Newton Fast Motion series features a striking red-to-gold finish that shifts color under sunlight. Every shaft is proudly Made in the U.S.A. at Newton Golf’s St. Joseph, Missouri facility, enabling tight quality control and supporting growing demand from club fitters, retailers, and international distributors.

A Lighter Shaft Powered by Newton’s Four Core Technologies

Elongated Bend Profile – Optimized for fairway wood lengths, the Fast Motion shaft flexes across its full length—from grip to tip— delivering improved clubhead speed.
Kinetic Energy Storage Optimization – Proprietary construction enables efficient energy storage during the swing and controlled release at impact for a significant boost in exit velocity.
Symmetry 360™ Construction – This design eliminates shaft spine, providing consistent flex regardless of clocking position— critical for adjustable drivers and fairway woods.
Variable Bend Profile – Each flex is tuned based on swing speed rather than age or gender. Slower swings benefit from greater flex and torque, while faster swings require the opposite.

Additionally, the Newton Fast Motion shaft replaces traditional flex labels (Ladies, Senior, Stiff, etc.) with Newton’s proprietary DOT system. Ranging from one to seven dots, the system enables precise matching of shaft performance to individual swing profiles—allowing fitters to fine-tune performance more intuitively than legacy flex categories.

With demand for lightweight performance shafts growing—particularly among club fitters and moderate swing speed players—Newton Golf believes the Fast Motion series is well-positioned to drive continued growth and brand momentum throughout 2025 and beyond.

Product Access & Media

Order Newton Fast Motion shaft, Click Here.

To watch the product promo video, Click Here

For more information, visit https://newtongolfco.com

About NEWTON GOLF

At Newton Golf, we harness the power of physics to revolutionize golf equipment design. Formerly known as Sacks Parente, our rebranding reflects our commitment to innovation inspired by Sir Isaac Newton, the father of physics. By applying Newtonian principles to every aspect of our design process, we create precision-engineered golf equipment—including Newton Motion shafts and Gravity putters—that delivers unmatched stability, control, and performance. Our mission is to empower golfers with scientifically advanced tools that maximize consistency and accuracy, ensuring every swing is backed by the laws of physics.

Release provided by: Beth Gast – BG Public Relations

Rory McIlroy completes career Grand Slam with win at 89th Masters Tournament

Ted Odorico April 14, 2025

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Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his triumph at the 89th Masters Tournament!!! It was a grueling contest for Rory, who led the event, then briefly lost his advantage.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland has etched his name in history by securing the career Grand Slam with a thrilling victory at the 89th Masters Tournament, defeating England’s Justin Rose in a playoff.

It was a dramatic day for McIlroy, who started the final round with a three-shot lead, extending it to five shots on the back nine. However, his momentum stumbled after a challenging stretch on holes 13 and 14, where he played +3. Yet, with what commentator Jim Nantz called the “shot of a lifetime” on No. 15, McIlroy sunk a crucial birdie to climb back into the lead.

Sunday at Augusta National was nothing short of chaotic, as McIlroy made Masters history by becoming the first champion to register four double bogeys during the competition—two in the opening round that left him seven shots adrift, and two more in the final round, turning the tournament into a nail-biter.

Heading to the 18th hole with a one-shot lead, McIlroy faced a bogey that led to a playoff with Rose. On the initial playoff hole, Rose set the stage with a ten-foot approach, but McIlroy surpassed him, sinking the birdie putt for the win.

As cheers of “Rory! Rory!” resonated through the Georgia pines, an emotional McIlroy fell to his knees on the green, overwhelmed before rising up to celebrate.

“My dreams have been made today,” he expressed during the trophy presentation.

With this victory, McIlroy became the sixth golfer ever to achieve a career Grand Slam, and his win at Augusta National sparked celebrations across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

“He has given us one of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting achievements,” shared Emma Little-Pengelly, the country’s deputy first minister, on X. “He will undoubtedly receive a hero’s welcome when he returns home. The reception at Royal Portrush in July is sure to be incredible, and we hope he gives the home fans plenty to cheer for as he aims for a second Open Championship.”

Tip O’ the Golf Hat to Magellan Jets

Ted Odorico April 6, 2025

Magellan Jets -- Will Zalatoris Photo No. 3

Golf News

Golfers are among the most obsessed people on the planet when it comes to their passion of hitting a little white ball in a little white hole.

They want to play as many holes as possible without unnecessary distractions and interruptions.

Will Zalatoris, the 28-year-old PGA TOUR star, is no different. How he gets from point A to point B efficiently sans hassles is important to saving time and, therefore, making time to focus on his game and livelihood.

That’s why he became a Magellan Jets’ Jet Card holder with the company turning around to authentically make Zalatoris a member of the Magellan Jets professional Tour staff. He joins the 4Aces Golf Club captained by two-time major champion Dustin Johnson on the LIV Golf League and legendary instructor Claude Harmon III as ambassadors. Many professional golfers on major Tours worldwide have purchased Magellan Jets’ Jet Cards and fly Charter with the company.

Magellan Jets flies Zalatoris privately from tournament to tournament and elsewhere in “luxe solitude.”

“I live in Dallas where flying commercially is especially harried,” said Zalatoris. “Tour players rave about Magellan Jets extraordinary service, luxury aircraft and safety record, so I purchased a Magellan Jets’ Jet Card. Now I don’t get anxious when it comes to travel and can focus even more on my game and life away from the course.”

“Will Zalatoris is an exceptional young man who possesses the morals and values of Magellan Jets,” said Joshua Marc Hebert, Founder and CEO of Magellan Jets. “Like other professional athletes, he counts on us managing his travel and getting him efficiently, safely and on time to his next tournament and other commitments globally.”

Expected to enjoy a breakthrough 2025 season, Zalatoris finished second in the 2021 Masters Tournament, 2022 PGA Championship and 2022 U.S. Open, and won the 2022 Fe-Ex St. Jude Classic. Eight top 10 finishes in 2021 earned Zalatoris PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. Other achievements include a U.S. Junior Amateur victory, Walker Cup play and ACC Player of the Year award at Wake Forest.

BOYNE Golf and The Highlands Awarded USA Today 10BEST

Ted Odorico April 2, 2025

Golf News

BOYNE Golf and The Highlands Awarded USA Today 10BEST

One of North America’s most prominent golf destinations earns high praise from golfers.

Petoskey, MI – BOYNE Golf, one of North America’s largest golf resort destinations, has been recognized by USA Today as No. 1 among the 10BEST Golf Destinations in the U.S. for a golf getaway. In addition, The Highlands was ranked No. 2 in the 10BEST Golf Resort category.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by USA Today 10BEST, alongside some of the best golf destinations in the country,” said Josh Richter, PGA, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations for BOYNE Golf. “To be ranked No. 1 among these great destinations is a testament to our BOYNE Golf teams from golf professionals, agronomy, lodging, and food and beverage who ensure that our guests have the best golf experience when visiting BOYNE Golf.”

For almost 60 years, BOYNE Golf has been a leader in destination golf – now encompassing 11 courses and three resort properties. Complementing the award-winning golf product are its premier lodging, the Inn at Bay Harbor, located along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, the beautiful Mountain Grand Lodge and Chalet Edelweiss at Boyne Mountain, and the Main Lodge at The Highlands, which has been transformed into a high-end boutique hotel reminiscent of an English country estate with Scottish Highlands charm.

“Having The Highlands ranked No.2 among all the great golf resorts in the survey is a credit to the combination of luxury lodging, great championship golf, and service,” said Mike Chumbler, President and General Manager at The Highlands. “The resort’s significant investment into the Main Lodge renovations, combined with our ongoing golf course renovations, has elevated the guest experience, which contributed greatly to the overall No.1 ranking for BOYNE Golf.”

Now with five courses, The Highlands offers a perfect golf experience. Groups can check into the lodge and never return to their cars during their stay. Coming this summer is a new short course, Doon Brae, that’s located on the backside of The Highlands Main Lodge. The name Doon Brae, where Doon means going down into a valley, and Brae means steep bank or hillside in Scottish, is fitting as the course routing is set along the hillside that doubles as a ski slope during the winter months. Other courses at The Highlands include The Heather course, Arthur Hills course, The Moor, and the Donald Ross Memorial, which is also undergoing course renovations.

BOYNE Golf’s flagship property, situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, is the nationally recognized Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, a high-end luxury property located on an old limestone quarry and cement factory site. The Bay Harbor Golf Club, designed by Arthur Hills, offers 27 holes with the award-winning Links/Quarry and Preserve courses. It features a unique combination of open links along the Lake Michigan bluffs, holes flowing in and out of a rock quarry, and through the area’s hardwoods. Nearby Crooked Tree Golf Club is carved through stands of centuries-old hardwoods perched on bluffs overlooking Little Traverse Bay.

The third BOYNE Golf property, Boyne Mountain, is located 30 minutes south of The Highlands. The Mountain features a variety of lodging options, including the Mountain Grand Lodge, condos, and the cool new Chalet Edelweiss located right on the hillside. The two fantastic 18-hole layouts – the Monument and Alpine courses offer outstanding mountainside golf and some of the most spectacular panoramas in the state.

Everett Kircher, who founded Boyne Resorts in 1947 by acquiring 40 acres of land with a modest ski hill for $1, has since become North America’s largest family-owned golf and ski company. A former Michigan state senator said as he accepted $1 from Kircher for the land – “Anybody damn fool enough to want to build a ski hill, well … I’ll give you this property.”

The USA Today 10BEST Golf Destinations and Resorts were carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY 10 Best editors before being voted on by the public.

According to USA Today: “Golfers are always ready, if not eager, to check their bags and hop aboard a plane for a round in a beautiful place. And the U.S. is filled with course-rich destinations that beckon golfers to enjoy the sport while surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, such as these 20 spots that have been nominated by an expert panel as the best golf destinations in the country, Beyond the greens, these locales are brimming with luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining spots, and other outdoor recreation opportunities, making them well-rounded getaway spots.”

USA Today also said about the top resorts: “Golf resorts provide the perfect blend of luxury, relaxation, and sport — all wrapped up in one stunning and convenient spot. These 10 resorts — nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — have at least one standout 18-hole course, provide top-notch accommodations and amenities, and offer delicious dining options. They also offer a range of other activities so that the non-golfers along for the getaway have plenty to enjoy as well.”

About BOYNE Golf

BOYNE Golf has been recognized as one of North America’s “Premier Resorts” (Gold) by GOLF Magazine. The Highlands at Harbor Springs, rated the No. 1 Golf Resort for Value by Golf.com, features four championship courses, a new par three-course Doon Brae, and a 27-hole putting course, The Back Yaird. The Heather, the 2019 NGCOA Course of the Year, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., while Arthur Hills crafted the Hills Course. In addition, the resort features The Donald Ross Memorial, a rendition of the legendary architect’s great holes from around the country, and the always fun Moor course. The Highlands is the perfect buddy trip destination for golfers who like to play as many holes as they can during the long summer daylight hours that northern Michigan features.

The Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, the premier golf destination’s flagship properties, feature 45 holes, including three golf course combinations designed by Arthur Hills (Links/Quarry, Quarry/Preserve, and Preserve/Links), and the scenic Crooked Tree Golf Club, with one of the most beautiful and iconic hotels in America, all set along a scenic five-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Boyne Mountain not only features two picturesque 18-hole courses (The Monument and The Alpine), along with the charming Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa, it is also the leading family-friendly golf destination in the region with the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, junior golf camps, and various kid golf programs. Golf Digest named Boyne Mountain one of its “Top 10 Destinations for Family Golf Trips.”

For more information, visit BOYNEGolf.com.

Press Release provided by Kevin Frisch PR