Hootie Johnson, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, announces he will step down from his position on May 21. He will be succeeded by William Porter (Billy) Payne, who has served as chairman of the Masters Media Committee since 2000. Johnson will assume the title of chairman emeritus.
Stan Utley To Conduct Short-game Schools At The Greentotee Golf Academy
Former PGA Tour player Stan Utley, now a putting instructor, will appear at the GreenToTee Golf Academy in Glencoe, Ill., later this month to conduct a series of in-depth, hands-on short-game schools that will be limited to nine players per session.
First-ever PGA Championship Youth Skills Challenge To Begin Drive, Chip And Putt Competitions Next Week
Local qualifying competitions for the first-ever PGA Championship Youth Skills Challenge will begin next week as 28 public and private courses in the Chicago, Ill., area begin to host drive, chip and putt events from May 13-June 15. The finals will be Sunday, Aug. 13, at Medinah Country Club on the eve of PGA Championship week.
Golf Is One Of 12 Sports At First Ever Special Olympics USA National Games
Golf will be one of 12 competitive sports in the first-ever Special Olympics USA National Games in Ames, Iowa, July 1-8, and has the support of the PGA of America, U.S. Golf Association, PGA Tour, LPGA and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
BRIEFLY
eGolfScore, a provider of wireless scoring for corporate and charity golf events, establishes a new U.S.-based corporate office in Flemington, N.J. … Dunlop Sports Group Americas purchases Focus Golf Systems Inc., a distributor of Dunlop-branded golf clubs and accessories in the United States. … Doubleday announces the publishing of David Leadbetter‘s "Leadbetter’s Quick Tips" and Rick Reilly‘s "Shanks." … The Pac-10’s men’s golf coaches select Arizona State’s Alejandro Canizares and Stanford‘s Rob Grube as 2006 Pac-10 Co-Golfer of the Year. … Sea Trail Golf Resort and Conference Center, located in Sunset Beach, N.C., debuts its full-service Sea Trail Custom Club Store on Wednesday, May 10.
Star-Studded Celebrity Field in Place For Divine 9 Open at White Manor CC
The celebrity field is set for the third Divine 9 Open Celebrity Pro-Am, set for May 19 at White Manor Country Club in Malvern, Pa.
Callaway Golf’s Niclas Fasth Uses FT-3 Driver, New HX Tour Golf Ball in Spanish Open Victory; FT-3 Is #1 Driver Model, Callaway Golf Drivers Are #1 Brand in Play at Event
Callaway Golf staff professional Niclas Fasth won the Andalucia Open de Espana using a bag full of Callaway Golf clubs, including the Big Bertha Fusion FT-3 driver, X Tour 3-wood, X-Tour irons, Fusion FT-Hybrid, the new HX Tour golf ball and an Odyssey
Ashworth Europe Signs First Country-wide PGA Partner Agreement
Ashworth Europe becomes the official apparel partner of the PGA of Portugal.
Power Performance Rankings
Jay Haas won the FedEx Kinko’s Classic and moved up two spots to 11th in the Power Performance Rankings for the Champions Tour. Loren Roberts retains the No. 1 spot.
Grand Valley State University Hosts NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship at The Meadows, May 10-13
The Meadows Golf Club at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., will host its fifth NCAA golf championship when the Division II Women’s Golf Championship tees off on May 10.
Accu-Length’s Expandable Technology Impresses Consumers At Haggin Oaks Golf Expo
Accu-Length reports on its appearance at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo in Sacramento, Calif.
U.S. Women’s Open Entries Close; 59 Golfers Currently Exempt
The U.S. Golf Association accepts 1,097 entries for the U.S. Women’s Open, which will be played June 29-July 2 at Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I. It is the third consecutive year the number of entries for the championship has surpassed 1,000.
Huxley All-weather Practice Green Helps Woosie’s Preparations For 2006 Ryder Cup
Huxley Golf reports on its all-weather practice green being used by European Ryder Cup team captain Ian Woosnam.
PGA TOUR Sunday 5/7
PGA Tour Sunday looks back at Tiger Woods‘ father, Earl Woods, who passed away on Wednesday at age 74. PGA Tour Sunday airs Sunday at 11 a.m. ET/ 9 a.m. PT on USA.
SMT Golf’s 455 Deep Bore Sets Two New Distance Records in New Zealand
Baden Waiwai and Kate Chadwick recently broke two New Zealand Long Drive records using SMT Golf‘s 455 Deep Bore driver. Waiwai captured the Men’s Open Division with a drive of 383.44 meters, while Chadwick won the Junior Girls Division with a drive of 241.15 meters.
Copley Apparel
Copley Apparel hires Danny Brosius to represent the company in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Harrison Shafts Grab Fourth-Place at Zurich Classic
Harrison reports on the performance at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Here a Pro Club, there a Pro Club, every where a Pro Club Cleaner Machine
Pro Club Cleaner adds Meadow Brook Golf Club in Reading, Mass., to its client list.
Seaview and House of Blues Host Two Day Event
The Howie Long Classic will be held at the Marriott Seaview Resort in Galloway Township, N.J., on June 16.
Evolve Golf Confirms Victory At The Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open
Evolve Golf reports that the winner of the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open played its epoch tees.
