1. December 2011 by admin.

(TRAVERSE CITY, MI) – Dancin’ Dogg Golf – maker of the OptiShot Infrared Simulator, the ultimate in-home virtual golf system – has expanded its premium course library to include Melbourne Golf Club, a hyper-accurate replication of an Alister Mackenzie design that consistently ranks as Australia’s No. 1 layout.

A two-time host of the biennial competition between American and International squads, Melbourne Golf Club is well-known for its reachable par 5s and spectacular yet well-guarded par 3 holes. With signature large, undulating greens it has repeatedly been rated among the “Top 100 Courses in the World” (GOLF Magazine) and “Top 100 Best Golf Courses Outside the United States” (Golf Digest).

It’s thanks to our in-house design and development teams that we’re able to deliver this kind of truly unparalleled experience in time for the upcoming competition,” says Brandon Theophilus, CEO of Dancin’ Dogg Golf. “This means that OptiShot users can test their skills on the same pressure shots their countrymen are about to face Down Under.”

Available by download at www.dancindogg.com, Melbourne Golf Club ($49.95) is joined in the OptiShot premium library by replicas of other world-famous courses and major championship host sites, including Atlanta Highlands, Capitol Club, Cogs Corner, Jones Lake, Monterey Classic, Old Scot, Ponte Vedra, Royal St. Marks and Whispering Dunes.

OptiShot (MSRP: $399.95) connects with Windows computers via a plug-and-play interface and requires only 8-½ feet of swing space. With their own clubs, up to four players per round can compete by hitting real balls, foam balls (provided) or no ball at all. Infrared sensors on a durable swing pad precisely record club-head speed, face angle, swing path, distance, tempo, face contact and ball flight. In addition to Core courses that come with the system, OptiShot users can practice and compete on the par-3 option or a realistic driving range.

Dancin’ Dogg Golf was recently ranked one of America’s fast-growing entrepreneurial companies by Inc. Magazine, placing No. 358 on the prestigious Inc. 500 list for 2011. This honor was based on the company’s 951.2% revenue growth from 2007 through 2010. That increase was fueled by exceptional demand for OptiShot, a fun, accurate, affordable and easy-to-use golf simulator that allows players to improve their games from the comfort of home.

About Dancin’ Dogg Golf

Based in Traverse City, MI, Dancin’ Dogg Golf was founded in 2005 and specializes in developing innovative technologies. The company was recently named to the prestigious Inc. 500 list as one of America’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial companies. Other distinctions include winning SoreGolf’s 2010 Research & Development Award. Dancin’ Dogg’s product range is highlighted by the OptiShot Infrared Golf Simulator and its expanding library of world class courses that golfers play anytime, anywhere. Durable and built to last, OptiShot comes with a 180-day warranty and has been heralded by leading authorities nationwide, including GOLF Magazine, Golfweek, Sports Illustrated, Wired and Golf Channel.

For more information: www.dancindogg.com, www.facebook.com/dancindogg, 866.941.3644.

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1. December 2011 by admin.

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) – Boccieri Golf – maker of award-wining equipment such as the Tour-proven Heavy Putter – announces the shift of its corporate headquarters and operations to Scottsdale, AZ, as well as plans for a state-of-the-art Research and Performance Center opening in early 2012.

Coinciding with significant growth in demand for the entire portfolio of innovative Boccieri Golf products, the new 9,000square-foot facility is located at 15816 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop. It will enhance customer interaction, specifically through company’s proprietary performance fitting programs. During the relocation process, all business will be conducted as normal with company principals handling day-to-day operations from the Scottsdale facility.

“We really feel like we’ve got our finger on the pulse of the industry in this vibrant golf community, which will continue to inspire us to produce pioneering golf clubs and accessories that make better golfers,” says Stephen Boccieri, President and CEO of Boccieri Golf. “This is an incredible metamorphosis for a company that started in my basement and has grown into a true force due to some real persistence coupled with a revolutionary approach.”

The forthcoming Research and Performance Center will incorporate the latest TrackMan, Foresight and Vector Pro launch monitors and accessories, allowing Boccieri Golf representatives to precisely analyze golfers’ swing characteristics and prescribe equipment for optimal performance. Also available will be Science and Motion (SAM) Puttlab analysis. This training system based on accurate ultrasound measurements provides invaluable data on the putting stroke, helping determine which models are best for players. All custom swing clubs and putter building will take place on-site, with a variety of after-market components available.

Operating under the direction of Stephen Boccieri, the new R&D laboratory will focus on conceiving and testing groundbreaking concepts. Products which meet the company’s exceptionally high standards for commercialization may be added to the Boccieri Golf portfolio or become part of licensing partnerships with other original equipment manufacturers and retailers.

Boccieri Golf’s relocation follows six successful years in Ridgefield, CT, where the company established itself as one of the golf industry’s most forward thinking brands. Its popular Heavy Putter collection and “Control Series” line of full-swing products were the first to integrate counterweight principals.

For more information please visit www.boccierigolf.com or call 888.788.8374.

About Boccieri Golf 

The TOUR-proven Heavy Putter was launched in 2005 and has played a key role in victories on the PGA, European, Champions, Nationwide, Asian, Canadian and European Challenge Tours. Boccieri Golf products have expanded to include the Control Series, consisting of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons featuring the latest advances in counter-weighted technology. All are unique due to back weighting in the butt-end of the shaft which produces a higher balance point to promote a smoother swing. Boccieri Golf products are now carried by the finest off-course shops and most prestigious golf courses, country clubs and resorts in all 50 states and more than 35 overseas markets.  

Earlier this year, the company’s full-swing line of “Control Series” clubs was unveiled to critical acclaim. This included being honored as the “Most Surprising New Clubs” from the 2011 PGA Show by GOLF Magazine.

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16. August 2011 by admin.

2011 WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX Open
and THE Thunderbirds Raise $4,041,287 For LOCAL Charities

PHOENIX,Ariz. – Waste Management Phoenix Open hosts, The Thunderbirds, will distribute $4,041,287 to local charities through proceeds raised from the 2011 tournament, Thunderbirds Big Chief Mike McQuaid announced today.    Since October 2003 when the tournament first brought on a title sponsor, The Thunderbirds and the Open have raised more than $46.4 million for charities ($46,400,023). In its history, dating back to 1932, the Phoenix Open has raised more than $74.4 million for charities inArizona. 

“Given the cold weather challenges we had during the 2011 tournament, which held our total attendance numbers down, we are ecstatic to contribute more than $4 million to local charities through proceeds raised from the Waste Management Phoenix Open,” said McQuaid. “We can’t thank the community and our sponsors enough for their outstanding support of this tournament. The Thunderbirds offer special thanks to Waste Management, Xerox, i/o, Avnet and hundreds of other companies for their unwavering support of the Open and our community.”   

“Our commitment as title sponsor of the Phoenix Open solidifies our dedication to this partnership and further elevates our environmental efforts for the PGA TOUR as well as our employees and customers in the state of Arizona,” said Waste Management Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Aardsma.    

The 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, known as “The Greatest Show on Grass,” will be held at the TPC Scottsdale from January 30th to February 5th, 2012. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is the best-attended golf tournament in the world and has gained legendary status for being the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. The 2012 edition will mark the 77th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the third as the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports.  The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, call the Thunderbirds office at (602) 870-0163 or visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.

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16. August 2011 by admin.

Boccieri Golf Unveils Limited Edition White Heavy DriverInnovative Counterweighted Design Increases Distance, Accuracy and Consistency(

– Boccieri Golf announces its widely acclaimed “Control Series” Heavy Driver – named GOLF Magazine’s “Most Surprising New Club” at the 2011 PGA Show – is now available in a limited edition white finish.Retailing for $399, the 460cc Heavy Driver is strategically engineered with a 50-gram backweight in the butt-end of the shaft. This has been shown to significantly improve tempo and stability by consistently delivering the club’s sweet spot to the ball, thus ensuring optimal distance and accuracy. “Research and consumer testing has proven the Heavy Driver is simply a better product – one that provides superior results to any other brand regardless of a player’s skill level,” says Stephen Boccieri, President and CEO of Boccieri Golf. “White drivers offer an optical option that some golfers prefer, so we’re combining this with our unique technology to create the game’s most attractive high-performance driver.”Incorporating revolutionary “Dimple Face Technology,” the Heavy Driver was developed to maximize the coefficient of restitution (COR) without decreasing durability. This allows better weight distribution throughout the head, which has slightly more mass than traditional offerings, and makes it one of the highest MOI drivers available. The benefit of additional mass is greater force at impact, which results in superior distance. The driver is available in 9°, 10° and HL or “High Launch” (12.5°) lofts with a variety of flexes in a premium Aldila NVS shaft.Additional offerings in the “Control Series” line include:

• Heavy Wood and Heavy Hybrid: Constructed of 17-4 stainless steel with a special face insert made of 455 steel, the Heavy Woods will be available in 15 and 19 degree options, and the Heavy Hybrid in 20, 23 and 26 degrees.

• Heavy Irons: Designed to improve overall consistency, the Heavy Irons have a head weight of approximately eight grams more than conventional irons. This combines with the counter-weight to raise the balance point for unparalleled control. The new collection is one quarter inch shorter than irons from other leading manufacturers, promoting smoother transition and consistent contact for superior accuracy and lower scores.

• Heavy Wedge: Added weight (65 grams) is positioned in the butt of the shaft, raising the club’s balance point nearly 40 percent to promote improved distance and directional control. Available in a variety of loft and bounce options with grooves conforming to new USGA regulations.

In addition to the company’s “full swing” products, its new Heavy Putter Bronze and Tour Series collections are also available. Each new offering is part of the popular MID-WEIGHT family, which independent testing indicates is preferred by 7 out of 10 golfers over the putters currently in their bags. Each incorporates Boccieri Golf’s unprecedented application of a heavier mass head and counter-balanced weight in the grip end of the shaft. This automatically engages the body’s larger, more stable muscles to promote greater stability, consistency and control.        About Boccieri GolfThe TOUR-proven Heavy Putter was launched in 2005 and has played a key role in victories on the PGA, European, Champions, Nationwide, Asian, Canadian and European Challenge Tours. Boccieri Golf products have expanded to include the Control Series, consisting of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons featuring the latest advances in counter-weighted technology. All are unique due to back weighting in the butt-end of the shaft which produces a higher balance point to promote a smoother swing. Boccieri Golf products are now carried by the finest off-course shops and most prestigious golf courses, country clubs and resorts in all 50 states and more than 35 overseas markets. For more information please visit www.boccierigolf.com or call 888.788.8374.

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14. July 2011 by admin.

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA) – Club Glove® – the world’s leading maker of Made-in-the-USA luggage, travel bags, accessories, golf bags, club covers – confirms availability of its TRS Ballistic line of ultra-premium luggage specifically crafted to redefine the first-class travel experience.

Inspired by the needs of discerning globetrotters and golfers seeking the most durable and stylish luggage, the TRS Ballistic line consists of a carry-on ($699), check-in ($750) and XL check-in ($799) bags and is also available as a set ($2,248).

Amazing functional capabilities of this unique collection include:

• Train Reaction System – Club Glove’s patent-pending method for drastically reducing the effort needed to pull or push gear by creating a perfect center of gravity to make bags feel weightless
  

• Patented, Ultra-Durbale Wheel Base and Retractable Handle – engineered to provide ideal balance and convenience
  

• Intelligent Design – premium zippers, easy-to-open flap, internal webbing with superior tensile strength
  

• Packing Modules – perfect compartmentalization of clothing, toiletries, shoes and other items
  

“I looked for the very best of everything to create a luxury luggage set with a classic look, extreme durability and mind-blowing performance,” says company founder Jeff Herold. “This is simply a better way to pack and that’s proven by its rapid adoption on the PGA Tour.”

Each piece in the TRS Ballistic line is constructed from U.S. woven 1050d CORDURA® Ballistic nylon fabric. The world’s most ideal material for high-end luggage, it offers double the abrasion resistance and four times the tear resistance of other premium fabrics, yet is rarely used by competing brands due to the high cost.

Among the dozens of Tour stars who have already “Gone Ballistic” are world No. 1 Luke Donald, Hunter Mahan, Mark Wilson, Justin Leonard, Chris DiMarco, Bill Haas, Angel Cabrera, Ricky Barnes, Tommy Armour III, Rich Beem, Trevor Immelman, Charles Howell III, David Duval, Chad Campbell, Josh Teater, Peter Tomasulo, Marc Turnesa, Greg Chalmers, Matt Bettencourt, Kris Blanks, Peter Hansen, David Hearn, Robert Karlsson, John Senden, Joe Durant, Billy Mayfair, Chris Stroud, Omar Uresti, Tom Pernice, Jr., Andres Romero, Brandt Jobe, John Rollins and Carl Pettersson.

Built with a lifetime of use in mind, Club Glove’s American-made products include the Last Bag, which was honored by Golf World magazine as one of the game’s “10 Best Innovations.” This signature golf travel bag was recognized for its extreme durability, extra thick foam padding and patented high-impact plastic wheel base that cradles and shields the bottom of the bag.

Club Glove is the No. 1 golf travel bag brand at all PGA and Champions Tour events. The Darrell Survey confirmed that the brand is preferred by 90 percent of PGA Tour Players. Selected by six U.S. Ryder Cup teams, Club Glove’s golf bags have been a fixture at green grass and off course shops for nearly a decade and are available in stand, cart and Sunday versions.

More information: www.clubglove.com or 800.736.4568.

About West Coast Trends, Inc.

Based in Huntington Beach, CA, West Coast Trends Inc. was founded in 1990. A worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of premium luggage, golf travel bags, stand bags, club covers and accessories, its products have been tested and approved by the world’s most demanding travelers, including pilots at all of the major airlines. The overwhelming choice of serious golfers, the company’s Club Glove® products are used by more than 90 percent of PGA and Champions Tour players. 

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13. July 2011 by admin.

There is no doubt that Rancho Manana Golf Club in Cave Creek, AZ, is one of the most popular courses in the Phoenix, AZ, region. Since opening in the late 1980s, the course has become known as one of the most scenic in all of the southwestern USA.

The bunkers, however, had become a major problem. Poor drainage had led to inconsistent lies throughout the golf course.

“Our bunkers had never been redone since we opened in late eighties,” said General Manager Dale Samar. “The sand had gotten pretty hard, and rocks were coming up from bottom and sides as they caved in from drainage problems. Lucky enough, the owners decided to let us have them redone.”

Just as important as the decision to refurbish the bunkers was the decision on which company to do it. And Rancho Manana chose BunkersPlus™, a division of Pro-Turf International, Inc. in Casa Grande, Arizona.

“We took bids from three different companies, and we were very happy with our choice,” said Samar. “I was familiar with work they had done at other courses, and they priced the job reasonably.”

BunkersPlus™ utilizes Linebacker™ bunker liner, and Samar sang the praises of that material.

“Their Linebacker™ was new and different than liners I had seen,” he said. “It wasn’t like fabric…more like a material that formed with the bunkers. They covered most of sides and left the bottoms of the bunkers open so we could install new drainage. The newly installed liner will help keep rocks from collapsing in from sides of the bunkers.“

There was one major challenge relating to the time of the year when the work was done – right in the heart of the golf season at Rancho Manana. But BunkersPlus™ overcame that.

“They actually did the project during our peak season, and they were able to work around golfers,” said Samar. “We never had any complaints about the ongoing construction. They did a very nice job of working around the golfers.”

BunkerPlus™ officials were thrilled to secure the job at Rancho Manana.

Kip Wolfe, Director of Operations for Pro-Turf International said “We have been in the golf construction and renovation business for over 20 years.  We have used all the different bunker liners available from glue to fabric.  We decided to formulate our own liner that would provide the golf course bunkers solid protection from dust, rocks and soil erosion at a price that is affordable.  We are proud of our accomplishments that we were able to give to Rancho Manana and to fulfill the high expectations of General Manager Dale Samar.”

The regular players are just as thrilled with BunkersPlus™ effort.

“We are definitely happy with the work,” said Samar. “Our golfers have commented on a daily basis on how much better the bunkers are now.”

ABOUT BUNKERSPLUS™

BunkersPlus™ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pro-Turf International, Inc., a Nevada corporation specializing in the golf industry for over 20 years. The company offers construction, renovation and maintenance programs, and is a member of the Golf Course Builders Association of America.

For more information, visit www.bunkersplus.com

For more information about Rancho Manana Golf Club visit www.ranchomanana.com .

Posted in Golf Course Information | 1 Comment »

12. July 2011 by admin.

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) – Hot Stix Golf – the leading custom club fitter for Tour professionals and recreational players serious about improving their games – has opened a state-of-the-art, outdoor fitting center at the renowned Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Conveniently located just north of Atlanta, this latest Hot Stix facility was added to meet thriving demand for the custom swing analysis and golf club fitting that has gained the company worldwide acclaim. Of golfers undergoing a “premium” fitting, 92 percent reported seeing an immediate benefit from their new equipment, according to a recent study by Golfsmith and the Sports Illustrated Golf Group.

“With more than 4.5 million golfers in the Southeast, bringing our industry-leading club fitting technology to Atlanta will boost enjoyment for many passionate golfers,” says Mark Flynn, CEO of Hot Stix. “Our scientific approach and elite custom fitters perfectly tune equipment to a golfer’s unique swing. The result is notable improvement and lower scores.”

The fitting center is overseen by Hot Stix Certified Fitter Bill Johnstone, former Head Golf Professional at Atlanta Country Club and PGA Tour player. One of a select few PGA of America members to earn Master Professional status, he has been named among the “Best Teachers in State” by both Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Johnstone draws on his extensive personal knowledge and Hot Stix’s proprietary fitting software to help players optimize on-course performance.

“Partnering with Hot Stix provides our members and all golfers in the Atlanta area the best custom club fitting experience to improve their game,” says Jeff Paton, Director of Golf/Co-General Manager at The Golf Club of Georgia. “Their services are invaluable to players of all skill levels and our club is proud to have the best in the industry on site.”

A team of highly-experienced fitters helps players through a sophisticated process analyzing how specific components – head, shaft, ball and grip – affect individual performance. By precisely measuring loft, lie, shaft frequency, swing and ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, smash factor and other variables, Hot Stix helps to maximize distance, accuracy and consistency.

A variety of packages are available for golfers and gift-givers, including full-bag evaluations, or ala carte driver, fairway wood, hybrid, iron and wedge fittings. The company also offers a gap analysis program, measuring the average carry and rollout for each club in the bag, ensuring players no longer have to guess when it comes to yardages. For more information on specific fitting packages, please visit here

Additional Hot Stix Performance Centers are located in California (three locations), Scottsdale (two locations), New York, Minneapolis, Dallas and Orlando, with several more opening in the next 12 months.

Appointments for Hot Stix Performance Centers can be scheduled online at Hot Stix Golf or by calling 877.513.1333.

About Hot Stix Golf

For nearly 10 years, Hot Stix Golf has fit Tour and club professionals, as well as avid and recreation golfers, at its expansive state-of-the-art fitting centers in Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, New York and Texas. With more than 35,000 satisfied golfers, the company’s golfer-equipment matchmaking technology and its club-building craftsmen maximize golfers’ performances. Hot Stix is the official golf equipment research partner of GOLF Magazine.

For more information: Hot Stix Golf, 877-513-1333.  

About The Golf Club of Georgia

Since 1990, The Golf Club of Georgia has stood for unmatched service, camaraderie and hospitality and an unrelenting devotion to daily turf quality and performance. Established for the enthusiastic golfer or executive who desires to use an elite club for business entertaining, The Golf Club of Georgia enjoys championship course conditions every day, offering incredible golf experiences to its members and their guests. The two Arthur Hills-designed courses, Lakeside and Creekside, are distinctly different from each other, offering enormous architectural, aesthetic and strategic variety.

For more information: www.golfclubofgeorgia.com , 770-664-8644

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29. May 2011 by admin.

Posted in National Golf News | 1 Comment »

4. April 2011 by admin.

31. January 2011 by admin.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Former Arizona Diamondbacks Mark Grace and Luis Gonzalez along with former Phoenix Suns star Tom Chambers will participate the CBS Outdoor Special Olympics Open at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1 at the 2011 Waste Management Phoenix Open. PGA TOUR stars Hunter Mahan, Ricky Barnes and Jeff Quinney will also take part in the event.  Other participating celebrities/sports stars include Arizona Diamondbacks television play-by-play voice Daron Sutton and Dbacks General Manager Kevin Towers. Other celebrities to be announced on Tuesday.

Held on TPC Scottsdale’s Putting Green, the Special Olympics Open features 10 Special Olympians, 10 celebrities/sports stars, 10 business leaders and PGA TOUR professionals all competing in a putting challenge. This pre-tournament event is open to all ticket holders and media and usually lasts about an hour.

Participating Business Leaders Include:

The Waste Management Phoenix Open will be played January 31 – February 6, 2011, at the TPC Scottsdale. The tournament host Thunderbirds have raised more than $70 million for charities, with more than $41 million generated since 2004. The 2011 edition will mark the 76^th playing of the event, making it one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR (not including the major championships).  For more information on the Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit wmphoenixopen.com.

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