Donald Trump to buy the Doral Golf Resort for $170 million

by Annie Latham on October 14, 2011 in News with 1 Comment

Developer and reality TV personality Donald Trump has agreed to buy the Doral Golf Resort & Spa for $170 million. The sale includes four of the resort’s five championship golf courses:

  • The TPC Blue Monster at Doral
  • The Gold Course
  • The Red Course
  • The McLean Course

The Great White course is not part of the deal.

The Blue Monster is the most well-known of the resort’s courses. It played host to the Doral Open on the PGA Tour from 1962 to 2006. Since 2007 the WGC-Cadillac Championship has made its home at the Blue Monster after having previously been played at various courses around the world. In 2009, the Blue Monster joined the PGA Tour’s Tournament Players Club network of courses and rebranded as the TPC Blue Monster at Doral.

A source with knowledge of the plans said the Trump Organization will invest at least $150 million in upgrades to the nearly 50-year-old hotel, which went into bankruptcy protection earlier this year.

Hedge fund Paulson & Co. and Winthrop Realty Trust foreclosed on five resorts, including Doral, in January, and put them into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February.

The agreement with Trump will be filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York next week and there still will be an auction for the Doral resort to seek better offers. There aren’t any other bidders so far, according to Winthrop CEO Michael Ashner.

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Source: The Palm Beach Post

 

Sun Mountain Chosen to Outfit the U.S. Presidents Cup Team

by Annie Latham on October 6, 2011 in News, Style & Fashion with No comments

Sun Mountain just announced that for the second consecutive time the company has been chosen as the “Official Outerwear Provider for The Presidents Cup United States Team.” The 2011 U.S. Team will be outfitted in custom-designed rain jackets and pants based upon a new line of Sun Mountain rain gear incorporating a breakthrough stretchable woven fabric.

Sun Mountain worked with the U.S Team to design custom outerwear that offers protection from wind and rain while remaining breathable, and stretching enough to allow a free golf swing. The resulting Sun Mountain rain gear is constructed from an advanced, new four-way stretch woven fabric with a fully waterproof/breathable laminate and durable water repellent finish.

Current outerwear offering

Their spokesperson said pictures of The Presidents Cup outfits aren’t available at this time.

The players’ outerwear for The Presidents Cup 2011 will include: a full-zip rain jacket, long sleeve rain pullover, short sleeve rain pullover, rain pants, long sleeve wind pullover, short sleeve wind pullover and bucket hat. Caddies’ outerwear will include: long sleeve rain pullover, short sleeve rain pullover, long sleeve wind pullover and bucket hat. Players’ significant others will have options to include: full-zip rain jacket, rain pants, fleece jacket, thermal vest and bucket hat.

he Presidents Cup 2011 will be held November 15-20 at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, pitting the U.S. Team, led by Fred Couples, against the International Team, captained by Greg Norman.

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Urban Golf Challenge Features Ryder Cup Captains

by Annie Latham on October 3, 2011 in News, Urban Golf with No comments

To celebrate the “year out” mark for the 2012 Ryder Cup which is taking place at the Medinah Country Club, team captains Davis Love III and José María Olazábal took part in a one-of-a-kind event, the ‘Ryder Cup Captains’ Charity Golf Shot’ in downtown Chicago.

Both captains attempted three 220 yard shots over Michigan Avenue, from the 16th floor terrace of the Trump International Hotel & Tower onto a green floating on the Chicago River.

The City of Chicago raised the bascule-style bridge during the event, allowing the Captains a clear line of sight to the green. Olazábal described the day as a “whirlwind”, after finding success hitting the green in the typically windy Chicago conditions.

You can watch it here.

And there’s more. Apparently both captains had an opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a White Sox game (They were playing the Toronto Blue Jays). Jose Maria had never played or thrown a baseball in his life.

Davis Love III describes the experience here in his Captain’s blog.

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Crowne Plaza Unveils “Get a Better Game” Promo…

by Annie Latham on September 26, 2011 in News, Manufacturers, Nike Golf with 1 Comment

Guests at IHG’s Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts can earn Nike golf equipment and a chance to perfect their swing with PGA golfer Stewart Cink ) via the “Get a Better Game” stay-and-earn promotion.

Through Dec. 31, guests who register for the promotion and stay at Crowne Plaza Hotels in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America can earn gear. In addition, the first registered guest who stays 50 nights during the promotional period will play in the Pro Am at the 2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas with Cink.

To register for the Crowne Plaza “Get a Better Game” promotion, visit www.crowneplaza.com/getgame.  You can also find more about this on Crown Plaza’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/crowneplaza) which will some exclusive content from Golf Digest and provide a place where fans can share their own tips for getting a better game.

Nike Golf equipment  – How to Earn:

  • Stay 2 nights, and get a sleeve of Nike 20XI golf balls
  • Stay 5 nights, and get a dozen Nike 20XI golf balls
  • Stay 10 nights, and get Nike V Rev Wedge
  • Stay 15 nights, and get Nike Mach Speed FW
  • Stay 20 nights, and get Nike Mach Speed Black Driver
  • Stay 30+ nights, and get Nike Mach Speed Irons

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Titleist Introduces Next Generation AP1 And AP2 Irons

by Annie Latham on September 16, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Irons, Titleist with No comments

Titleist just introduced the next generation of its groundbreaking Advanced Performance irons: The 712 Series of their Titleist AP1 and AP2 irons.   Both models are multi-material, dual cavity irons that provide modern ball flight and forgiveness with the traditional looks, feel and sound that serious golfers have come to expect from Titleist irons.

NEW ADVANCES IN THE 712 AP IRONS: The improvements incorporated into the new AP irons came about as the result of continued research that indicated that serious golfers were looking for improvements in three main areas.

  • First, most players wanted even greater refinements to the clubhead’s profile. Both the new AP1 and AP2 models feature sleeker contours that result in a better address position.
  • Players also expressed a desire for more forgiveness, to get more out of their miss-hits, or said another way, better distance control.  Both the new AP1 and AP2 have been improved with internal weighting that utilizes higher density tungsten in order to distribute mass more efficiently which increases the moment-of-inertia (MOI) without changing the CG location or the blade length. The higher MOI provides more consistent ballspeed across the clubface and better distance control. Better distance control leads to more scoring opportunities and is the key to good iron play.
  • The third wish-list item that research uncovered was that players wanted more forgiveness without any loss of workability or shot control. Traditionally it has been thought that forgiveness and workability were mutually exclusive. The new AP irons prove that they are not.

Available beginning November 18, the 712 AP1 irons will  have a suggested retail price of $112 per club/steel, and $135 per club/graphite. The 712 AP2 irons  will have a suggested retail price of $154 per club/steel and $175 per club/graphite.  You can learn more about Titleist irons here.

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Mizuno Launches MP-59 Irons With Ti Muscle

by Annie Latham on September 9, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Irons, Manufacturers, Mizuno with No comments

Mizuno has just launched Grain Flow Forged MP-59 irons with the next generation of their award winning forged Ti Muscle technology. The MP-59s feature a titanium insert forged into the center of the muscle, which provides cavity like forgiveness in a player’s half cavity design.

The MP-59 irons have a traditional MP sized head shape, thus enhancing workability for the accomplished player. With a Tour confirmed sole, and overall compact head shape, the MP-59 irons allow varied shot-making delivery and control for consistent ball striking from the widest variety of lies.

During the elaborate Grain Flow Forging process, the pure Titanium material is forged into the muscle of the MP-59 to deliver a 5% larger Sweet Area compared to the MP-58, the iron that debuted Ti Muscle Technology while taking home “Editor’s Choice” in Golf digest’s 2010 Hot List.

The lightweight characteristics of the pure titanium allow for the ideal amount of thickness behind the impact area to deliver consistent solid feel while simultaneously providing a dramatic increase in perimeter weighting for enhanced playability.

According to their website, the MP-59 irons are ideal for golfers with a handicap of  +2 TO 13.

The SRP for a set of MP-59 irons,  which includes #3 thru PW (46°), is $999.99.

For more information, go to: www.mizunousa.com.

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Inspired by Cigars, Never Compromise Unveils Limited Line of Putters…

by Annie Latham on September 6, 2011 in Golf Equipment, Cleveland, Manufacturers, Putters with No comments

Never Compromise recently announced the launch of the new Connoisseur™ Limited line of putters.

The Connoisseur™ series is inspired by the world’s best cigars, made from the finest ingredients, embodying premium taste. Similar to the Dinero™ and Gambler™ Limited putter lines, the Connoisseur™ line features four classic designs named and individually machined with artwork reminiscent of traditional cigars. All models are forged from 303 Stainless Steel, and the combination of the soft material and the forged grain structure provides unprecedented feel at impact. Machined to perfection, these putters have some of the tightest manufacturing tolerances in the industry to inspire confidence over every putt. Classic design and modern construction give these putters a unique look that’s appreciated by the world’s most demanding and refined customers. Each product is truly a masterpiece.

Never Compromise® offers a unique customization feature with their Connoisseur™, Dinero™ and Gambler™ Limited putter lines. The “MY CUSTOM PUTTER” Web site gives consumers unprecedented customization and personalization options, allowing them the opportunity to transform any of the Connoisseur™, Dinero™ or Gambler™ Limited putter models into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Custom options consist of multiple paint fills, length, lie, grip, a text inscription and more.

The limited edition putter will be marked with a unique serial number and include a certificate of authenticity. The MAP pricing on all Connoisseur models is $299.99 for stock models and $349.99 for custom models. Custom models require a processing period of up to 3 weeks for delivery.

For more details on “MY CUSTOM PUTTER” visit: www.nevercompromise.com/my-custom-putter.

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Golden Bear Aims to Speed up the Game…

by Annie Latham on September 3, 2011 in News, Courses with No comments

This Labor Day weekend, the Golden Bear (Jack Nicklaus) is experimenting with fun and innovative options in golf at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs, Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Specifically, Muirfield Village will be hosting two separate 12-hole tournaments, during which golfers will be encouraged to play one tee up from where they normally play, the hole will be almost doubled in size (8-inch diameter versus the standard 4.25-inches), and participants will be penalized for slow play.

Imagine a Super-Sized hole

“I love the game of golf and believe we have a unique opportunity right now to grow our sport,” Nicklaus said. “But we all have to recognize that the game in our country has been stagnant for a number of years, and actually has lost a significant number of golfers—close to four million in the last five years, according to the National Golf Foundation. The numbers of female and junior golfers—two segments that once represented a large percentage of the new people coming into the game—have dropped 23 and 35 percent, respectively, over the last five years. Many say the game is too hard and others say the game takes too long.

“I think the game is a great game and in no way am I trying to change it. There are few bigger traditionalists than me, but I realize we need to start thinking out of the box. So I ask all the traditionalists to be tolerant while we try something new, something fun to hopefully help us grow the game. It’s too important for us not to try. With so many sports and activities fighting for the time and attention of families, we need to think of ways to make our game more attractive and thus more inviting, especially to children and young adults. Perhaps what Muirfield Village is trying over Labor Day can help open a few eyes and a few minds.”

The makeup of the 12-hole course comprises holes 1, 2, 5 through 13 and 14 on the familiar track.

For his Labor Day experiment, the Sunday round with be a 12-hole better-ball tournament and Monday will feature another 12-hole event, this time it will be stroke play. Both rounds will feature the 8-inch holes instead of the standard 4.25 inch that is the standard. In an effort to keep the pace as fast as possible, all groups must finish in two-and-a-half hours or they will be penalized a stroke for every five minutes over the 2:30.

The entry fee was not disclosed.

Source: Nicklaus Design Golf

From Red Sox Nation to Pinstripes? Phil Loses Bet…

by Annie Latham on September 3, 2011 in News, Players, Putters with No comments

On Thursday, Phil Mickelson was seen at Fenway Park taking batting practice before the Yankees-Red Sox game. He also threw out the first pitch.

Photo:Darren McCollester/Getty Images

Strange as that may seem to those who don’t know Phil’s interest in baseball, on on Friday, at the Deutsche Bank Championship that is taking place in Norton, Mass., Phil was seen wearing pinstripes.

Photo: Stew Milne/AP

He explained, “Lost a wager with a friend and had to wear these today.”

Yeah, a three-run rally in the seventh inning by the Yankees did Phil in.
The Sox lost 4-2.

Perhaps the pinstripes maneuver was merely a means for deflecting attention from the real news — Phil has a belly putter!

You’ve probably noticed that longer putters are getting more attention this year. This is perhaps a case where the rookie teaches his elder a trick or two. Phil has been a mentor to 25-year old Keegan Bradley who just so happens to be the first player to win a major (PGA Championship) with a belly putter.

After grilling Bradley during The Barclays tournament, Phil decided to order himself a similar one which he received on Monday.

And so it goes in the world of golf: Expect the unexpected.

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Fowler’s Urban Golf Shootout

by Annie Latham on August 12, 2011 in News, Urban Golf with No comments

Rickie Fowler challenged fellow pro, roommate and three-time All-American from Georgia Tech, Cameron Tringale to a game of Red Bull P.A.R, an urban golf shootout consisting of three holes, to find out who has the better repertoire of inventive shots. On the line, besides the bragging rights, was the loser having to do the winner’s laundry and dishes at their house for a month.

On Monday in Atlanta, the duo hit a chip shot out of STRIP Steak & Sushi in Atlantic Station then headed over to the Millennium Gate where 17th Street traffic came to a halt as they hit a blind shot over the 100 foot monument and capped off the game with a shot over the pond to putt on the “green” median of the busy street.

Looks like they used real golf balls too (!?).
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