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Atlanta Braves Rookie First to Win Callaway Golf Clubs

By swatting a 476-foot home run on opening day, Atlanta Braves rookie, Jason Heyward has won himself a a full set of Callaway Golf’s new Diablo Edge golf clubs, the longest of their kind that Callaway has ever developed

At the beginning of the 2010 MLB season, Callaway Golf made an announcement about the promotion: Callaway will provide the  full set clubs to any big league player who hits a home run that travels a distance of at least 470 feet.

The write-up about this in the Wall Street Journal mentioned that according to hittrackeronline.com, which collects data on every long ball, there were 10 such home runs in 2009. An additional 27 home runs traveled between 460 and 469 feet.

It’ll be interesting to see who else will win this year.  And the real question is, will Heyward be asked to join the famous golfers affiliated withe the Atlanta Braves (John Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine).

To read more about golf and baseball, check out this story from Golf.com.

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Mojo 6 featuring top LPGA Tour Players to Air on CBS this Weekend

Want to see what Raceway Golf™ is all about?

Then head on over to CBS at 2PM EDT this weekend and check out the Mojo 6 broadcast (www.themojo6.com).

The hotly debated new format, which tests the limits of the world’s best athletes through a faster, shorter, more cutthroat type of competition, proved to be everything it set out to be, and more, as 16 elite players battled for their share of the $1 million purse.

Taped in April and airing as two one-hour programs on Saturday and Sunday (May 1 and 2), the new format pitted 16 of the top LPGA players against each other in a series of six-hole matches.   The head-to-head match-ups proved successful as friendships were laid to rest and the intense competitors took the gloves off to call out their opponents, an unusual spin, that added extra heat to the tournament.

“I love this format, it’s really challenging, fun and you just never know what’s coming,” said Christina Kim, who made it to the second day.  “I think this is the best entertainment women’s golf has seen in a while.  The format changes everything, the buzz among players and fans alike is high, and the head-to-head competition is even higher. ”

“The Mojo 6 was suspenseful, intense and really captivating for the fans,” noted LPGA star and Mojo 6 and CBS commentator, Paula Creamer.  “The action was non-stop.  If player and fan endorsements are any indicator, Raceway Golf is here to stay.  I am already looking forward to the next one.”

Day One of the two-day tournament was highlighted by LPGA-ranked veterans trying to prey on rookies and amateurs in the hopes of racking up points to secure their spot in the final group of eight that advanced to round two.

You can learn more in this promotional video.

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Golf Course Flyovers Available on Quail Hollow Website

Anyone who has played Tiger Woods Golf knows how cool flyovers are.  You get a bird’s eye view from tee to green, which is helpful for knowing what to expect and to decide which club to use.

When watching a tournament, flyovers provide more depth to the coverage as you get a better feel for what the Pros are up against. This week, Best Approach has created hole-by-hole course flyovers for the Quail Hollow Championship which you can find on the Quail Hollow website.  This is the first PGA TOUR event this year to feature CourseFlight™ 3D flyovers.

The feature is very cool.  For example, you may have read that Tiger Woods struggled on the par-3, 17th where he ended up double-bogeying.  He hit his tee shot into the water.

Using the Best Approach 3D flyover, you can really gain perspective.  To see for yourself, click here and then scroll down.

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Marriott Golf & BagBoy Kick Off Walk For Health Program

Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, has just announced a first-of-its-kind alliance with The Bag Boy Company, to create Walk For Health, a program designed to promote the health benefits associated with walking the golf course.

Starting immediately, the Walk For Health program will be launched at leading Marriott Golf resort destinations in the U.S., whereby each participating property will be outfitted with Bag Boy’s lightweight, eco-friendly Express Auto, three-wheel walking carts.  Equipped with an assortment of features, the cart provides resort golfers with a fun and healthy way to navigate the course, as well as support environmental consciousness.

Participating resort destinations include: Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, Calif.; JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Ariz.; JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, Ariz.; Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, Fla.; Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort, Orlando, Fla.; Grande Pines Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Naples, Fla.; Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort, Oak Brook, Ill and The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Tucson, Ariz.

Each of these properties holds the distinction of being a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which indicates that Marriott Golf has gone to the greatest lengths possible to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats.

No details were released about whether guests would be offered a BagBoy discount to continue their healthy course walking habit when they get home.

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Ochoa’s Farewell Event Sold Out

Golfweek is reporting that Lorena Ochoa’s farewell event, the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico has sold out — 40,000 tickets (15,000 more than last year!).  She is scheduled to tee off Thursday at 9:20 a.m. CST with good friends Ai Miyazato and Natalie Gulbis.

Six of the top ten players in the Rolex Rankings, including defending champion and Rolex Rankings No. 1 Ochoa, will compete for a purse of 1.3 million and a first place check of $195,000. Ochoa will attempt to win her fourth Tres Marias Championship in six years.

For the 40,000 spectators, getting around the mountainous Tres Marias, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, will be a challenge.  According to Golfweek’s Beth Ann Baldry, “Three holes are closed to spectators on the back nine: Nos. 13, 14 and 17. On many holes, fans can line only one side of the fairway, which means getting a glimpse of Ochoa over the weekend will be difficult.”

A glimpse may be more than most people will get.  It appears that the Tres Marias Championship will not be televised.

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Precept Lady IQ Plus Golf Ball/Sundog Paula Creamer Eyewear Promo Kicks Off May 1

Precept is teaming up with Sundog Eyewear to create an attractive offer for lady golfers:  Buy any 3 dozen of the Precept Lady iQ PLUS golf balls, and receive a complimentary pair of Paula Creamer Collection sunglasses by Sundog – a $90 value. The glasses will be available in a choice of the same stunning mahogany or black colors that Creamer wears so stylishly on and off the course.

The LADY iQ PLUS  golf balls (MSRP $30/Street priced $19.99) boast Bridgestone’s popular 330-dimple design cover with patented Seamless Cover Technology that provides a consistently higher trajectory and more carry, for female players. The ball continues Precept’s tradition of performance with style offering balls in Traditional White, Clear White and Bright Pink; the same signature pink color that Precept and Sundog brand ambassador Paula Creamer has made so popular through her use on the LPGA TOUR.


The Paula Creamer Collection sunglasses feature Sundog Eyewear’s Mela-Lens for a new level of stylish, comfortable eye protection. The breakthrough Mela-Lens technology filters 98% of dangerous “Blue Light” effectively reducing veiled glare. Since the light is not blocked, but filtered, color balance is maintained. Not only is Mela-LensTM the ultimate lens for golf, it is the ideal lens for any outdoor activity.

The promotion kicks off on May 1st, 2010 and will run through June 30th, 2010.

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Golf4Her Now Open: Webtique Emphasizes Fashion that’s Functional and Fun

Lady golfers have a fresh new alternative for purchasing golf apparel that’s hip, fashionable AND can be proudly worn on and off-course now that the Golf4Her webtique is open for business.  The online boutique, located at www.golf4her.com, is a one stop shop for basic golf essentials (tops, bottoms, outerwear, accessories) and exclusive trendy items that turn over often.

Owner Christina Thompson, an avid golfer, told GolfCrunch the idea for Golf4Her came as frustrations mounted trying to find fitted clothes that were fun, modern and made for the athletic lady golfer.

Taking a “golf as a lifestyle” approach, she spent five years doing research before setting up shop.  In that time, she built relationships with nearly two dozen American and international designers — many that were either too small for big box retailers or too edgy.

Ms. Thompson pointed out some of her favorite discoveries:

  • She likes Lija because of the fabrics, the color palette and the fact that the cut is phenomenal.
  • Abacus outfitted the 2009 European Solheim Cup Team.  She pointed out the Abacus Fortrose Skort-Navy as one of her favorites.  It features two pockets to carry extra tees or the occasional provisional ball.

The also site features some interesting looking bags and gear.  For example, there are all kinds of designer golf ball holders from Ame & Lulu.  That same designer has a collection of signature shoe bags.

One feature that’s helpful is the “Fashion Caddy” that removes the guesswork out of pairing up tops and bottoms for the perfect look.

Taking a holistic approach to golf, Ms. Thompson has added a Fitness section to the site which features a number of nutrition and exercise-related items. One product she pointed out was the  G2 Fitness Golf Stretch Fitness Mat.  Endorsed by top-ranked LPGA player Natalie Gulbis, the emphasis is on stretches that help maximize swing speed and stability, improve range of motion and flexibility, and reduce risk of injury.

Final Thoughts: The Golf4Her webtique is what lady golfers have been seeking for years.  Fashion forward and functional, it will also find fans among those on the fringe of the game, for daily wear.

It is nice to know that Ms. Thompson plans on carrying a steady stream of refreshing new designs and that she is emphasizing customer service — making it a sort of Nordstom for lady golfers.  Adding it all up, Golf4Her is a “must visit” early and often.

Note: As part of the grand opening, Golf4Her has a promo for a discount on the first purchase (Use code:  Launch10).

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Sears & Edwin Watts Golf Join Forces

Sears, one of the nation’s largest retailers known for its Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances, just announced  the first U.S. based “store-within-a-store” retail model for the golf industry.  As a result,  Edwin Watts will open 12 new service-oriented golf shops inside of existing Sears stores in key locations nationwide.

The first Edwin Watts Golf Shop is scheduled to open in the Murray, UT Sears location by May 31, 2010, and will be followed by openings at Sears store locations in Hicksville, NY; Falls Church, VA and Friendswood, TX. Following the initial openings, eight additional Edwin Watts Golf Shops are slated to open at Sears store locations in Maryland, Illinois, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

In a prepared statement, John Watson, the CEO of Edwin Watts Golf Shops said, “This first-of-its-kind partnership with Sears is a significant development in the golf industry as it expands the access of service-oriented golf retail to all levels of golfers, while helping to drive new players to the game.”

Strategically positioned near other major Sears departments (electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods), each of these shops will be staffed by Edwin Watts Golf sales associates.  Customers will be offered an interactive golf experience that includes in-store putting green and hitting bay, game improvement clinics, expert golf club and golf ball performance fitting, and the latest equipment technology.

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Deal Watch – Callaway Golf Pre-Owned Wedges

Have you checked out the online store for Callaway Certified Pre-Owned clubs?
There are deals to be had.  In fact, you should sign up for their newsletter so you can get pushes for their special offers.  For example, on Friday, April 23, they are running a deal on wedges where you can get an additional 10% off using the coupon code: WEDGES10.

Just go to this link and shop away.  Types of products include the X-Forged Chrome Wedges, X-Forged vintage Wedges, Forged Vintage Wedges and the Odyssey Divine Line Marxman X-Act Putting Wedges.

The pre-owned clubs come with the same 1-year limited warranty against defects you get with any new Callaway Golf club.   Plus you get a certificate of authenticity.

See for  yourself!

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Heritage Classic Seeks Title Sponsor

The recently concluded Heritage Classic was the last one with Verizon as the title sponsor.  The company decided not to renew its contract.  No immediate worries though.  The show will go on in 2011.

The Heritage Classic Foundation has will cover the roughly $8 million it will take to put on the tournament in 2011.  They have some backup too — in the form of a $10 million loan that was approved by South Carolina’s Legislature.  According to statistics, 48 percent of spectators attend for four or more days, so it is understandable why they got involved.  The money would come out of the state’s insurance reserve fund.

Five-time Heritage winner Davis Love III, along with several PGA Tour pros with ties to South Carolina and the Heritage, have stepped forward to help.

Charles Warren, a former Clemson golfer and Columbia native who received a sponsor’s exemption to play in this year’s tournament told John Boyette of The Augusta Chronicle:

“A great purse, one of the best golf courses, a great field and you’ve got a great date the week after the Masters. If you were to tell any other tournament they could have that, it’s the perfect storm for a great event. I just think someone’s going to see the value in that and the future’s got to look great for this tournament. It’s got so much to offer.”

Many Tour Pros and spectators would agree.

[Via: The Augusta Chronicle]