The Original Golf Blogger

26th ANNUAL GREAT SPORTS LEGENDS DINNER

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26th ANNUAL GREAT SPORTS LEGENDS DINNER TO HONOR PHILANTHROPIC HEROES DON SHULA AND JERRY RICE AND THE 2011 SPORTS LEGENDS ERNIE ELS, CHRIS MULLIN, ANDRE DAWSON, HARRY CARSON, CLARK GILLIES, JOHN FORCE AND NANCY KERRIGAN

Bob Costas Returns as Emcee for New York Fundraiser on Monday, September 26 to Benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis

MIAMI, FL, August 3—The 26th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner will be held at New York’s Waldorf=Astoria Hotel on Monday, September 26. The event will honor philanthropic heroes and sports legends while bringing together celebrities and corporate leaders to support the fundraising efforts of Nick and Marc Buoniconti and numerous longtime Buoniconti Fund supporters who continue to stand up for those who can’t.

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis is a nonprofit, which serves as the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine founded by Dr. Barth Green whose mission is to help millions worldwide walk again.

Last year, the Great Sports Legends Dinner drew a crowd of 1,400 raising an unprecedented $17 million during the evening. Since it was created in 1985, the event has honored more than 275 sports legends and honorees and raised more than $65 million for The Miami Project’s spinal cord injury research programs.

This year, The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis will pay tribute to two of the greatest philanthropic heroes and legendary sports figures of all time. Don Shula, the former Miami Dolphins coach who holds the NFL record for most career wins, leading the team to two Superbowl victories and the only perfect season in the National Football League, will receive The 2011 Buoniconti Fund Award. Jerry Rice, considered the greatest wide receiver to ever play professional football, with three Superbowl victory rings, will be honored with the Humanitarian Award.

Bob Costas returns as the Master of Ceremonies for the fourth year in a row to honor the 2011 Great Sports Legends:

•  Ernie Els, one of the top professional golfers in the world and recently elected to the 2011 class of the World Golf Hall of Fame

•  Chris Mullin, a Class of 2011 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, named Big East Player of the Year an unprecedented three times and winner of two Olympic gold medals

•  Andre Dawson “The Hawk,” one of the three Major League baseball players in history with over 400 home runs and over 300 stolen bases, inducted into the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010

•  Harry Carson, one of the greatest inside linebackers in NFL history and inducted as the 231st member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

•  Clark Gillies, a Hockey legend and Hall of Fame member since 2002, who led Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cups, thanks in large part to scoring 94 points in 164 playoff games

•  John Force, the greatest champion in the history of straight-line racing with a record 15 NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car Championships and a 2008 inductee into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Detroit

•  Nancy Kerrigan, U.S. figure skating champion, and two-time Olympic and two-time World Championship medalist

Expected once again to sell out and raise millions of dollars for spinal cord injury research, the event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the famed Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria.  The star-studded evening will begin with cocktails, the Tiffany & Co.’s Mystery Blue Box Wall and a Buy It Now Store where attendees can purchase one of a kind sports memorabilia, amazing jewelry, unique kids toys and stuffed animals and other exclusive items. The dinner program with entertainment from legendary musicians and a live auction boasting jewelry, travel and entertainment experiences and sports and music memorabilia and the evening’s honorees will follow. United Airlines is the exclusive airline of the Great Sports Legends Dinner.

“The Miami Project’s spinal cord injury research programs have become the driving force to help save and improve the lives of paralyzed people. In the past year, tremendous gains have been made and we are confident that we are on the cusp of a cure thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our researchers and the unending encouragement and financial backing of our supporters,” said Nicholas A. Buoniconti, Co-Founder of The Buoniconti Fund and The Miami Project. “Over the last 26 years, we have assembled Great Sports Legends, Honorees, and Dinner attendees in New York to help us raise funds to support our research. It is an honor and a pleasure to have such a wonderful line-up of sports legends and supporters this year, as we get closer than ever to finding the cure to paralysis.”

Our “Legend Alumni” and Honorees include: Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Andre Agassi, Jack Nicklaus, Tony Hawk, Cal Ripken, Jr., Gloria Estefan, Magic Johnson, Dr. Maya Angelou, Mia Hamm, Tommy Lee Jones, Wayne Gretzky, Charles Barkley, George Foreman, Dara Torres, Julio Iglesias, Helio Castroneves, Troy Aikman, Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Joe Namath, Dan Marino, Mike Piazza, Julius Erving, Walter Cronkite, Gabrielle Reece, Pat Riley, Kelly Slater, Willie Mays, Bill Russell, Michael Irvin, Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, Dan Marino, Tom Brokaw, Christine E. Lynn,  and many other athletes and heroes who recognize that paralyzing injuries can and do occur in the pursuit of athletic careers and everyday lives.

Tickets start at $850 per person.  Sponsorships and opportunities to sit with legends are available.  Tables and tickets can be purchased by phone at (305) 243-4656 or at http://www.thebuonicontifund.com/gsld. Tickets and tables purchased between today and August 15th will be entered into a drawing to win a 7-day cruise for two, in a balcony cabin on board Carnival Cruise Lines. Entries for paid tables and tickets must be received by Monday, August 15th at 5pm to be eligible to win. Payments are valid via credit card, online registration or checks received. Restrictions apply, please see below for details.

Contest Regulations and Restrictions
Airfare, Government Fees/Taxes, International Departure Taxes, Fuel charges, Gratuities and Incidentals are for your own account. This cruise is non-transferable, has no cash value and is valid for one year from the date awarded. Therefore, you must take this cruise before September 1, 2012 and under no circumstances will we grant extensions. A $50 service charge will be assessed within 60 days of departure for any cruise or vacation package changes (per guest, per change). Cruise travel is subject to the terms and conditions contained in the “Cruise Ticket Contract Terms” section of Carnival’s website and passenger ticket contract. 

UST Mamiya Shafts Used by Winner of PGA European Tour’s KLM Open

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UST Mamiya Shafts Used by Winner of PGA European Tour’s KLM Open
Premium ATTAS Models Key to Second European Tour Victory in Six Weeks

(FORT WORTH, TX) – UST Mamiya – maker of the world’s finest carbon fiber golf shafts – reports the winner of the PGA European Tour’s KLM Open relied on its ATTAS shafts in his driver, three-wood and five-wood (all 69 gram, x-flex) to earn a top 30 World Ranking for the first time in his career.

Continuing the trend of strong showings for UST Mamiya users, the champion carded a final round 66 while picking up his third KLM title in the last six years. The win adds to the company’s list of titles this season, which includes eight on the PGA Tour.

“UST Mamiya’s Tour-proven shaft portfolio – including the widely-celebrated ATTAS – continues to produce champions of those who rely on our industry-leading technology to maximize performance,” says Robb Schikner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of UST Mamiya. “Our engineers create unique shafts designed to work harmoniously with any player’s distinct swing DNA, resulting in gains in distance, accuracy and consistency.”

The ATTAS model used in the winner’s driver featured custom white graphics, a design specifically built for him by the company’s TourSPX Custom Shop in Fort Worth, TX. Launched earlier this year, the TourSPX program features the Technology Generation Laboratory, a one-of-a-kind research facility and golf equipment “think tank” where new products come to life daily and are tested by some of the best players in the world.

Consumers can gain access to unique TourSPX offerings through the company’s Dealer Network, which is comprised of a group of highly-acclaimed club fitters nationwide. To find a fitter, please visit http://hosted.where2getit.com/ust/attas_tbl.html.

Among the latest offerings available through TourSPX is the new Proforce VTS line, which earned its inaugural PGA Tour victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship last week. It is the only shaft collection to include torque as a variable in the fitting process. Each Proforce VTS weight/flex profile includes three torque options, allowing players to match the set-up that best suits their swing. Shafts are color-coded to indicate torque rating, with Black featuring the lowest torque, Silver in the middle and Red offering the highest.

Knowing that every golfer who installs a new shaft will also need a grip, UST Mamiya offers a line of premium offerings, with groundbreaking new models being introduced in 2011. They include the Pro DV, Comp DV and ST1 putter grips.

About UST Mamiya

Since 1991, UST Mamiya graphite shafts are favored by recreational and competitive golfers worldwide. In 2009, UST (U.S.) and its parent company, Mamiya-OP (Japan), combined operations, including research, development, production and materials-sourcing talents.  Distributed in 30-plus countries, UST Mamiya provides shafts to consumers, retailers, club-fitters and original equipment manufacturers Adams, Bridgestone, Callaway, Cleveland, Cobra, Mizuno, Nike, PING, Taylor Made, Titleist, Wilson and more. Company R&D and manufacturing facilities are in the U.S., Japan, China and Bangladesh. UST Mamiya advisory staff includes renowned instructors among GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100” and at Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”

For more information:  http://www.ustmamiya.com, 817.267.2219.
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Nike Golf Athlete Simon Dyson Makes the Switch to a Nike Method Prototype Putter

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Nike Golf Athlete Simon Dyson Makes the Switch to a Nike Method Prototype Putter and Gains his Sixth European Tour Title

Beaverton, OR (September 12, 2011) – Nike Golf athlete Simon Dyson continued his love affair with Holland this past weekend by capturing his third KLM Open title, which he also won in 2006 and 2009. This is his second win of 2011 having clinched the Irish Open title in July, and his sixth career European Tour title.  With this victory, Dyson jumped to 28th place in the World Rankings.

Dyson’s win also racks up another success for Nike’s Method Putter.  Playing a prototype version of the award-winning putter, Simon birdied four of his last seven holes and ranked third in putts per greens and 11th in putts per round after four rounds.

The Nike Method features the distinctively visible Nike polymetal groove technology, which reduces skid and provides a truer roll, keeping the ball on line. The Nike Method, which became available in February 2010, already has accumulated 28 wins on the professional tours worldwide, including three major championships. In April, Nike athlete Charl Schwartzel won The Masters with the Nike Method 004 prototype putter.

While Dyson was en route to his win, fellow Nike Tour staff athlete Tommy Fleetwood captured his debut title in thrilling fashion at the Kazakhstan Open. He is the youngest winner on this year’s Challenge Tour and now heads the Tour rankings.

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Dyson’s Nike Arsenal

Driver:  Nike SQ Sumo2
Fairway Woods:  Nike Sumo ll 15-degree; Nike VR STR8-FIT 19-degree
Irons:  Nike VR Pro Combo Irons 3-PW
Wedges:  Nike VR Pro Wedges 52-degree, 60-degree
Putter:  Nike Method prototype putter
Ball:  Nike One Tour D ball
Apparel:  Nike Golf Tour Collection (Border & Tech range)
Footwear:  Nike Lunar Control

Fleetwood’s Nike Arsenal

Driver:  Nike VR Pro STR8-FIT 9.5 degree
Fairway Woods: Nike Dymo 13-degree (3-wood)
Hybrid:  Nike VR Pro Hybrid 18-degree
Irons:  Nike VR Pro Blade (5-PW)
Wedges: Nike VR Pro Wedges 52-degree, 58-degree
Ball:  Nike ONE Tour
Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Collection
Footwear: Nike Zoom TW 11

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Nike Golf’s 2011 PGA Tour Victories

*  Lucas Glover – Wells Fargo Championship
*  Charl Schwartzel – The Masters Tournament
*  Jhonattan Vegas – Bob Hope Classic

Nike Golf’s 2011 International Victories

*  Simon Dyson – KLM Open
*  Suzann Pettersen – Ladies Irish Open (Ladies European Tour)
*  Simon Dyson – Irish Open (PGA European Tour)
*  Paul Casey – Volvo Golf Champions (PGA European Tour)
*  Charl Schwartzel – Joburg Open (PGA European Tour)
*  Pablo Martin – Alfred Dunhill Championship (PGA European Tour)

Nike Golf’s 2011 LPGA Tour Victories

*  Suzann Pettersen – Safeway Classic
*  Suzann Pettersen – Sybase Match Play Championship

Nike Golf’s 2011 Champions Tour Victories

*  John Cook – Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am
*  John Cook – Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
*  John Cook – Montreal Championship

Nike Golf’s 2011 Japan LPGA Tour Victories

Kumiko Kaneda – Fuji-Sankei Classic

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Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to ushering in the future of this great game by developing ground-breaking innovations that enable athletes to perform at their physical and mental peak.  For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at http://www.nikegolf.com <http://www.nikegolf.com > .  To follow Nike Golf on Twitter visit http://www.twitter.com/nikegolf <http://www.twitter.com/nikegolf > and to become a fan on facebook go to http://www.facebook.com/nikegolf <http://www.facebook.com/nikegolf > .  Editors and journalists in the U.S. seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit http://www.nikegolf.com/presscenter <http://www.nikegolf.com/presscenter > .  For international journalists, please contact Nike Golf’s public relations representative in respective countries for information.
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STRONG MORROCAN FLAVOUR TO MENA GOLF TOUR

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DUBAI, Sept 13 – The forthcoming MENA Golf Tour will have a distinct Moroccan flavour to it with as many as 10 golfers from the North African country signing for the brand new Tour that gets under way later this month.
Six professionals and four amateurs from Morocco, which is fast emerging as a premier golf destination, have registered for the Abu Dhabi Golf Citizen Open, the first event on the MENA Golf Tour, hoping to break into the big league and walk tall by letting their performances do the talking.

Moroccan golfers are no neophytes when it comes to playing the game at this level, having regularly competed at the King Hassan II Trophy, now a European Tour event played in a pro-am format in the first two days. At times, they have featured in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on a sponsor’s invitation.

Exposure to the MENA Golf Tour, which comprises four tournaments, will further hone their competitive edge and, hopefully, take their game to a next level. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the rising standards of the game in Morocco,” said Younes El Hassani, a leading professional.

“It’s definitely important for people from other countries to see us and know we are playing golf,” said El Hassani, who earlier this year joined a strong Omega Dubai Desert Classic field led by Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods, the three ranked players in the world at the time.

“We are more mentally tougher now and ready for any challenge,” said El Hassani, who will join fellow professionals Abdelhak Sabi, Ahmed-Reda Rhazali, Faycal Serghini, Tarik Benslimane and Abdelkader El Hani in a strong field while Mustapha El-Maouas, Mehdi Saissi, Ahmed Marjan and Karim El Hali will spearhead the Moroccan challenge in the amateur division.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, commented: “There is no dearth of talent in Morocco which boasts over 20 courses of international standards, showcasing years of investment in golf from the Moroccan Royal Family.
“What they need is regular exposure at the highest level, and this MENA Golf Tour aims to create that competitive environment, which I hope, will motivate them to work even harder. The fact that as many as 10 golfers have registered for the Tour amply reflects on their enthusiasm for the game. I wish them the very best and hope they have wonderful stay in Dubai.”

The first event at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, starting on September 25 to 28, will be followed by the Ras Al Khaimah Classic to held at the Tower Links Golf Club from October 2 to 5 while the Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open will be played Al Badia Golf Club from October 9 to 12 before the tour reaches its climax with the ‘Tour Championship’ to be held at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf from October 16 to 19.

The top three professionals and the leading amateur from the Order of Merit will receive special invitations to compete in the 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic and, possibly, other European Tour events in the region.
Interested players may visit the tour website – http://www.menagolftour.com – for more details and registration.

Lofty new ranking complements eco honors at Cape Kidnappers

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Lofty new ranking complements
eco honors at Cape Kidnappers

NAPIER, New Zealand (14 September 2011) — In the space of three weeks this summer (winter Down Under), Cape Kidnappers Golf Course was honored as the most environmentally sensitive golf course in New Zealand, and by GOLF Magazine as the 33rd ranked golf course in the world. These two plaudits neatly sum up two primary goals of this North Island retreat: to offer discriminating golfers the finest golf experience in the most beautiful, organic setting possible.

“I think the most important conclusion to be drawn from both of these awards has very little to do with Cape Kidnappers in particular,” said Director of Golf Ryan Brandeburg. “That a single golf course can be so highly ranked, and also be so environmentally responsible, shows that quality and sustainability go together. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive — which is something that professionals inside the golf business have long understood, but people outside of golf are beginning to realize more fully every day.

“We congratulate our course superintendent at Cape Kidnappers, Steve Marsden, for both awards. I suppose in all our minds, they go together.”

The PGG Wrightson Turf New Zealand Golf Course Superintendents Association Environment Award, presented for the first time in 2011, recognizes the country’s leading course in terms of its environmental management practices. Marsden and Cape Kidnappers GC were formally presented the plaudit during this year’s New Zealand Turf Conference and Trade Show in Hamilton.

“It is staggering to hear of the release of kiwi and pateke, the rare native brown teal, on the golf course,” said one judge, Bill Walmsley of PGG Wrightson. “The initiatives taken by Cape Kidnappers Golf Course to release these iconic species was made possible by the collaboration of owner Julian Robertson with adjoining land owners in constructing a predator-proof fence and establishing what is New Zealand’s largest mainland Sanctuary for some of New Zealand’s most endangered native wildlife.”

[Listen here to a podcast with Steve Marsden, on the subject of environmental stewardship at Cape Kidnappers.]

Cape Kidnappers is an actual landform unto itself, a triangular headland whose white cliffs jut 8 kilometers out into the Pacific from the North Island community of Napier. The golf course maintenance staff works alongside Sanctuary staff to ensure the on-course environment complements work carried out across the wider property. This means, among other things, carrying out pest control, monitoring water quality in old farm dams, maintaining the integrity of that predator-proof fence (which is 7 miles long), restoring habitat for native species, and removing invasive species like blackberry, pink ragwort, boxthorn. A large part of the 5000-acre property not used for golf — meaning the vast majority — is being returned to native habitat.

The environmental credentials at Cape Kidnappers GC are rivaled by those of its sister property, Kauri Cliffs Golf Club, in the sub-tropical Bay of Islands on the North Island. Here is another sprawling property, 2630 hectares, where wildlife sanctuaries predominate, while existing side by side with Top 100 golf and 5-star lodging.

“The reality is, there is a great deal of knowledge-sharing, not just between my staffers at Kidnappers and the staff at Kauri Cliffs, but between all course superintendents in New Zealand,” said Marsden, who directs a staff of 16. “The golf course has created its own environmental charter that guides our maintenance policies. To verify that our environmental policy is up to scratch, we became the first golf course in New Zealand to gain certification with Audubon International as a designated Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

“All the programs and certifications we undertake at Cape Kidnappers are voluntary. Our waste is all recycled; wood from on-site is split for firewood and used for heating where possible; the pesticide filling and wash-down pad is fully contained and the waste is taken away for processing. We’re proud to receive awards like this and share what we’ve learned. Part of the Audubon certification is an obligation to communicate the work we’ve done through course signage, local newspapers and interactive school visits.”

Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs are part of a family of celebrated golf and resort properties owned and operated by American hedge fund legend Julian Robertson, who first visited New Zealand in 1979, and has since adopted it as a second home.

Robertson opened Kauri Cliffs (http://www.kauricliffs.com) in 1999. This David Harman design today ranks among the World’s Top 100 courses, according to both Golf Digest and GOLF magazines. Kauri Cliffs was soon joined on its sprawling 2630-hectare parcel by The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, whose veranda-wrapped plantation house and adjoining guest cottages were named, in July 2011, the No. 1 Lodge/Resort in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific as part of Travel+Leisure magazine’s 2011 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey. It ranks as the 3rd Best Hotel in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, according to the magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards.

In 2004, course architect Tom Doak unveiled Cape Kidnappers GC (http://www.capekidnappers.com), which has come to be ranked even higher. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers opened in 2006; it was named to Travel+Leisure’s “World’s Top 50 Hotels” in 2010. Last summer the Robertson family oversaw grand opening of Matakauri Lodge in the ski and adventure sports Mecca of Queenstown, in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Matakauri would subsequently make Condé Nast Traveller’s “2011 Hot List”.

“We honestly believe that Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs are offering more than the two highest-ranked resort courses in Asia-Pacific,” said Brandeburg. “The natural environments Steve Marsden and all of our staff work so hard to foster are integral to the equation. They are as important, in our view, as the luxury accommodations, which are obviously admired but also adhere to the same high environmental standards.

“It’s our view that New Zealand itself represents, to visitors, exactly this sort of natural experience. I don’t want to get all post-modern, but it’s part of the New Zealand ‘brand’. And so we feel our efforts are entirely consistent with, if only a small part of, the country’s commitment to placing beauty and sustainability directly beside luxury.”

In this vein, Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers GC have issued their first-ever golf package in 2011, arguably the most scenic, luxurious and pricey golf package currently on offer in Asia-Pacific. The Ultimate New Zealand Golf Package includes nine nights across three lodges, four courses, and the country’s two islands. Per-person pricing ranges from $8,197 NZD in the low season (May through August) to $12,742 NZD in the high season, which runs November through March.

Rosie Jones Chooses AB Golf Designs USA Boxing Glove Head Covers as Gift To Team USA Players

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Rosie Jones Chooses AB Golf Designs USA Boxing Glove Head Covers
as Captain’s Gift to Team USA Players

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) – AB Golf Designs – the market leader for attention-grabbing specialty head covers and accessories – confirms that Rosie Jones provided its USA Boxing Glove head cover as a captain’s gift to Team USA players and coaches in advance of the international competition taking place September 23-25 at Ireland’s Killeen Castle.
Part of AB’s exceptionally popular Patriotic collection, the USA Boxing Glove head covers were presented by Jones to the top 16 ranked US players during a practice session shortly before the final roster was set. This included some LPGA Tour stars already using the head cover in competition.

“I’m a huge fan of the look, feel and quality of AB head covers and just knew the USA Boxing Glove would be a big hit with the girls,” says Jones. “It’s a motivator to play hard and truly get in the spirit of ‘Go Team USA!’ as we prepare to compete in Ireland.”

Jones plans to amp up American pride in Ireland by also giving the head covers as gifts to her assistant captains, family, friends and past captains.

“All of the players loved the head covers and couldn’t wait to start using them,” says AB Golf Designs co-owner D.J. Langer. “Since our Patriotic collection was launched, there’s been tremendous demand from consumers, retailers and Tour stars who take real pride in being from such an amazing country.”

In support of the recent Patriot Golf Day, AB Golf Designs will donate a portion of proceeds on all Patriotic head covers sold in the month of September to the Folds of Honor Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the families of fallen and disabled service members.

Well established as the No. 1 provider of custom solutions for leading corporations nationwide, AB makes head covers that are used in competition by scores of top professionals, including Steve Pate, Christina Kim, Yani Tseng, Maria Hjorth and Paige McKenzie. Additional Patriotic Boxing Glove models are available for Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan and the U.K.

Recent custom designs include a rock hopper penguin for Allianz Insurance, a gecko for Geico Insurance, a bottoms-up peacock for NBC, a “blizzard” for Dairy Queen and a French fry box for McDonalds. The company has also produced a “Sparky” mascot for Arizona State University and Sooner mascot for the University of Oklahoma.

AB Golf Designs products can also be found at better golf retailers throughout North America, online at amazon.com and through distributor agreements in the U.K., EU and Asia-Pacific regions.
For more information, please visit http://www.abgolfdesigns.com or call 888.439.8379.

About AB Golf Designs

The market leader for attention-grabbing specialty head covers and accessories, AB Golf Designs offers a wide selection of premium-quality products at affordable prices, including high-quality collections in the novelty, animal, bling, charity and throwback categories.

Excelling in attractive pricing for the corporate, tournament and collegiate markets, the company provides low minimums, prompt turn-around and superb customer service for custom orders.
Originally founded in 2004 as Butthead Covers and focused exclusively on the namesake product line, the company changed ownership in 2009, expanded its collections and chose the AB moniker.

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Nike Golf Introduces the VR Pro Limited Edition Forged Driver Utilizing Nike’s New NexCOR Technolo

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Nike Golf Introduces the VR Pro Limited Edition Forged Driver Utilizing Nike’s New NexCOR Technology with Traditional Flare

-The 430cc pear-shaped driver is already in the bag of PGA Tour Nike Golf Athletes Paul Casey and Anthony Kim-

BEAVERTON, Ore. (September 14, 2011) – From the concept to the course, the new VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver was made with and for the sports’ very best.  Utilizing unique player insights and demanding standards has helped produce a club that delivers Tour-level distance with maximum workability and performance.  The Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver is the latest addition to the premium VR franchise.

Already in the bag of Nike Golf athletes Paul Casey and Anthony Kim, the Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver will be available at retail on November 1, 2011.  The Tour-driven pear shaped head design is 430cc and made of a forged construction that addresses the tour athlete’s need for great feel, ultimate control and maximum workability.

A leader in introducing ground-breaking golf products through the power of advanced innovation, Nike Golf has taken full advantage in the premium driver category.  The Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver utilizes a new Nike innovation, NexCOR face technology.  NexCOR face technology maximizes distance for the widest range of players through a new speed-expanding multi face thickness design.  The NexCOR infinity design creates a bridge for an ultra-thin, ultra-hot face and unmatched ball speed.

The sole of the Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver features Nike’s recognizable variable Compression Channel technology.  The Compression Channel extends the entire length of the sole and helps to increase speed at impact at more spots on the club face, delivering greater distance on all the go-to shots that athletes use to work the ball.  The full-length Compression Channel combined with the variation in the thickness in specific locations, allows the consumer to generate more ball speed which translates to greater distance.

Built through a true four-piece forging process, the face, crown, sole and hosel are combined to maximize the NexCOR face and center of gravity location for optimal distance and control.  The New MRC Diamana ‘Ahina shaft incorporates Mitsubishi Rayon’s signature Multi-Dimensional Interlay technology (MDI) to deliver a stiffer mid and tip section than its predecessor.

The Nike VR Pro Limited Edition driver was designed for golfers who prefer a more traditional 430cc pear-shape head, and who demand Tour-level performance.

VR Pro Limited Edition Forged Driver
Availability:  November 1, 2011
Loft Options:  8.5 (RH); 9.5 (RH/LH); 10.5 (RH/LH); All available in: X, S, and R
MSRP:  $419.99

GOLF Magazine’s 2nd Annual No.1 Issue Unveils The Fab Foursome As Voted On By The Fans

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GOLF Magazine’s 2nd Annual No.1 Issue Unveils
The Fab Foursome As Voted On By The Fans

After More Than 300,000 Votes:
Nicklaus, Clinton, Jordan, Murray

GOLF Magazine’s No.1’s Issues Features The Best of Everything in Golf; Interviews With Michael Douglas, Rickie Fowler and More

New York, NY (September 8, 2011) – The October 2011 issue of Golf Magazine, on newsstands September 9, celebrates the publications 2nd annual No.1’s Issue—a cover-to-cover celebration of golf excellence, including the first reveal of Golf Magazine’s Fab Foursome Bracket Challenge, a March Madness style showdown featuring 64 of the biggest names who love golf, including everyone from US Open winners to Oscar winners. After receiving over 300,000 votes from fans far and wide, the foursome people would love to play with the most included legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, former United States President Bill Clinton, 6-time NBA champion Michael Jordan and actor/comedian Bill Murray.

“I’m honored to be part of this group,” said Nicklaus. “What would our round be like? Murray would have us all laughing so hard that President Clinton would have time to take as many mulligan’s as he wants. Jordan, being the competitor he is, would work hard to beat me, which means he’d have a lot of fun.”

THE NO.1 ISSUE PEOPLE PORTFOLIO – INTERVIEWS BY CONNELL BARRETT
Golf Magazine No. 1 Issue includes 19-pages of candid one-on-one interviews with an eclectic collection of high-profile celebrities. Michael Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson, Rickie Fowler and Ivanka Trump, are joined by musicians, athletes, actors, comedians and journalists in sharing stories of their shared passion for the game.

·      Michael Douglas (No.1 Comeback Player) recounted a day on the course with his dad: “My father got divorced when I was young, so I would go visit him. He took me out on the course. One day something happened that put a crimp in my game and his. I was about15. I hit an iron, and I him right in the nuts. I mean, direct hit! He dropped to his knees trying to shake it off. All I could say was, ‘There lies Spartacus.’”

·      Rickie Fowler (Future No.1) on high expectations: “It’s a good warm-up for where I want to be: the best player in the world. Obviously, if I was No.1, I’d have to deal with hype or pressure every week. I want to be in a position where I’m dealing with pressure and expectation all the time.”

·      Mike Dikta (No.1 Swing Coach) describing a great day on the course: “It’s about laughing, having a few beers, and betting a little. I’ll probably need a shoulder replaced, but as long as I can play golf, I’m OK.”

·      Ivanka Trump (No.1 Heiress Apparent) on playing her father Donald: “Beating my father in a match? I’m on that. I figured I’ve got age on my side.”

·      Sugar Ray Leonard (No.1 Hard Hitter) on facing fears: “Golf makes you face fears. Marvin Hagler wasn’t scary. A downhill 3-footer? That’s scary.”

·      Robert Duvall (No.1 Stroke Shaver) on advice Tom Hagen (The Godfather) would give Tiger Woods: “Keep your legs crossed.”

·      Steve Kroft (No.1 Inquisitor) on his first days at 60 Minutes: “When I first got here, Mike Wallace, EP Dan Hewitt and Morley Safer all played tennis. They out I played golf and said, ‘Maybe we made a big mistake. Who let the golfer on the floor?’”

PGA TOUR NO.1 OF EVERYING IN GOLF
Golf Magazine spoke with dozens of golf experts including Rickie Fowler, Tom Doak and Billy Casper to compile a comprehensive listing of the Best of Everything in Golf.

When asked which United States city provided the best golf atmosphere, GOLF Magazine’s senior editor Joe Passov, aka “Travelin’ Joe”, gave the nod to Austin, Texas. Passov said, “The Lone Star state’s capital has the best combination of weather, quality courses and affordable golf.”

On the political front, Condoleeza Rice was named the No.1 choice for “Augusta National’s First Female Member” while Dwight Eisenhower was named the No.1 “Presidential Golfer” of all-time.

“This is a correlation of random, interesting and most of all, entertaining tidbits about the game of golf,” said David Clarke, Editor of GOLF Magazine. “Too many times, we get caught up in the game itself and don’t look at the big picture this game has to offer.”

Others receiving accolades include:
§  No.1 Most Unheralded Golfer: Larry Nelson – A great Ryder Cup player—he won five matched on the 1979 team.
§  No.1 Golf Feud: Ian Poulter vs. Johnny Miller – Golf’s unstoppable force vs. its immovable ego.
§  No.1 Best 19th Hole: Nefyn & District – The Ty Coch Inn at Wales’s glorious golf course is a few paces off the 12th green, with killer views of the Irish Sea.
§  No.1 Wise-Beyond-Their-Years Showings: Rory McIlroy – After his collapse at the 2011 Masters, McIlroy decided to participate in a UNICEF mission to Haiti.
§  No.1 Underrated Golf Movie: Pat and Mike – “It’s well-written,” Tin Cup director Ron Shelton says of the 1952 comedy starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

For more from this poll, please check the October issue of Golf Magazine or visit http://www.golf.com

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About the SI Golf Group
Golf Magazine is at the core of the most powerful media company in the game, the SI Golf Group. The magazine, which delivers a circulation of 1.4 million golf enthusiasts with a readership of 6.1 Million, us golf’s most widely read publication and provides the best instruction, equipment reviews and travel coverage in the category. With the combined resources of Golf, SI Golf Plus (the No. 1 golf weekly publication) and Golf.com (the highest trafficked golf website). The SI Golf Group delivers a monthly audience of 12.6 million avid golfers and fans.

SkyCaddie® SGX™ Scores Industry’s Only GOLD Rating In 2011 Golf Digest Hot List

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SkyCaddie® SGX™ Scores Industry’s Only GOLD Rating Among
Distance Measuring Devices In Prestigious 2011 Golf Digest “Hot List”
SkyCaddie’s® SGX™ Stands Alone With Highest Rating Among Distance Measuring Devices By “Hot List;” Panel Made Up Of Golf Digest Editors, Golf Retailers, Golf Professionals & Consumers

RIDGELAND, Miss. , September 6, 2011… SkyGolf®, maker of SkyCaddie®, the #1 Rangefinder in Golf, today announced that SkyCaddie® SGX™ received the only Gold rating among all GPS rangefinders tested by Golf Digest magazine for the 2011 “Hot List.”  The prestigious distinction comes on the heels of a recent survey conducted by Golf Datatech, the industry’s leading independent research firm, who polled serious golfers about their opinions of lasers, dedicated GPS devices and smartphone apps.  The study revealed that 94% of all serious golfers believe “exact yardage” is important to their game and when asked which rangefinder, including lasers, they considered the most accurate, the overwhelming choice was SkyCaddie.  The combination of golfers’ need for accurate distances and SkyCaddie being named as the most accurate rangefinder explains why more golfers use and trust SkyCaddie for their critical distances than all other distance measuring devices combined.

In an article that appears in the October 2011 issue of Golf Digest, SkyCaddie was the only golf distance measuring device to receive Gold rating, the highest recognition from the “Hot List” testing panel, which included Golf Digest editors, golf retailers, golf professionals and consumers.

The Golf Digest panel recognized SkyCaddie for its breadth of golfer-friendly features and benefits,  including SkyGolf’s unmatched ground mapping process whereby highly-trained SkyCaddie mappers walk every course — just like PGA TOUR caddies do for their pros — using survey-grade equipment with accuracy within a yard or less, to record thousands of points on each hole to verify the exact locations of targets, hazards, fairway run outs, major green contours, false fronts and the perimeter of every green with dynamic front carry and back numbers.  That is why more golfers use and trust SkyCaddie than the other trailing brands combined, with SkyCaddie beating the nearest competitor, according to Golf Datatech’s survey, by a margin of 4 to 1.

“We are very excited to serve as the Gold standard among golf distance measuring devices, and to receive such strong recognition in the prestigious Golf Digest ‘Hot List,’” said Richard Edmonson, CEO, SkyGolf.  “The testing panel for the ‘Hot List’ is a diverse group of editors, golf pros, retailers and consumers, and to have them collectively award the Gold rating to SkyCaddie is a strong testament to why our product is the #1 Rangefinder in Golf.  Exact yardage remains the most important issue among golfers looking to purchase a distance measuring device.  However, a GPS system can be no more accurate than the map it uses.  If the map is wrong, so are the distances.  That’s why only SkyGolf goes the extra mile and extra expense to deliver maps that deliver the same trusted, reliable yardages that no Tour Pro would play without.  And, unfortunately such accuracy comes at price as most good things cost money.  And yes, we have modestly-priced annual membership plans that allow us to deliver this reliability, but our customers believe it’s the best investment a golfer can make in terms of game improvement by virtue of our #1 rated accuracy and the fact we have more golfers trusting our SkyCaddie than all other GPS rangefinders combined.”

The Golf Digest “Hot List” serves to provide golfers with a guide that they can use as a starting point in searching for new golf equipment.  The editors of Golf Digest, along with golf retailers, professionals and consumers spend hours testing all of the newest products each fall.  The products that rate the best end up on the “Hot List,” with the very best in each category earning a Gold rating.

Edmonson adds, “Whether a golfer has a handicap of 2 or 22, having the right distance is essential for a good shot to end up in a good place.  Having the wrong distance information adds another handicap to a golfer who is already challenged enough by a tough game.  We achieved this Gold rating from Golf Digest because we believe that golfers of all skill levels deserve the best and most accurate distances possible.  Everyone wants to buy a better game.  So, when it comes to distances, everyone can be equal if they buy a rangefinder that is reliable and accurate…and it’s clear that SkyCaddie is the right choice.

To learn more about SkyCaddie, visit http://www.skygolf.com.

About SkyGolf                                                                                                                  
SkyGolf® is a private company specializing in the development of innovative positioning systems and technology products specifically designed for personal use on a golf course. SkyGolf is leading a revolution that is improving the way golfers play the game. The mission of SkyGolf is to respect the long-standing traditions of the game, use technology responsibly and within the spirit and rules of golf, and to provide golfers of all skill levels with better and more rewarding golf experiences.  SkyGolf, maker of SkyCaddie®, the #1 rangefinder in golf, is committed to providing the same reliable information a professional caddie provides to PGA TOUR professionals. This unmatched reliability is created by walking every course just like a TOUR Caddie does for a professional golfer, recording critical target information using the only method trusted in professional golf. To date, SkyGolf has traveled over a million miles to ground map using sub-meter survey grade equipment , recording approximately 100 million data points on close to 30,000 golf courses worldwide using their TOUR Caddie ground-mapping methodology. Additionally, thousands of courses are updated annually. SkyGolf believes every amateur deserves the same complete information with the same reliability professional golfers receive and would never play without and believes its SkyCaddie is the closest thing to a Tour caddie’s actual yardage book.  The SkyCaddie is the Official Rangefinder of The PGA of America, Canadian PGA, PGA of Great Britain and Ireland , the PGA of New Zealand, PGA of Germany, the PGA of Spain, the Swedish PGA and a Technology Partner of the PGA Learning Center .

Media Contacts
Julie Davis, SkyGolf, VP Marketing, 769-232-0114 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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Six Top-10 Finishers Feature Company’s Premium Models in Woods, Hybrids

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Six Top-10 Finishers Feature Company’s Premium Models in Woods, Hybrids

(FORT WORTH, TX) – UST Mamiya – maker of the world’s finest carbon fiber golf shafts – reports the winner of the Deutsche Bank Championship relied on its Proforce AXIVCore Tour Black shaft in his driver (69 gram, x-flex) and this week added the new Proforce VTS Black in his three and five-woods (both 89 gram, x-flex).
The win marks the first PGA Tour victory for the Proforce VTS line, the only shaft collection to include torque as a variable in the fitting process. Each Proforce VTS weight/flex profile includes three torque options, allowing players to match the set-up that best suits their unique swing DNA. Shafts are color-coded to indicate torque rating, with Black featuring the lowest torque, Silver in the middle and Red offering the highest.

“With Proforce VTS, we are the only company who can increase ball speed and tighten dispersion by dialing in torque – it’s an added dimension to the fitting optimization process,” says Robb Schikner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of UST Mamiya. “Proforce VTS is rapidly gaining traction on Tours globally and is the next generation of top-performing shafts for players of all skill levels.”
In his first week with the Proforce VTS, the champion captured his second PGA Tour victory in three weeks. The win adds to the UST Mamiya’s list of titles this season, which include eight on the PGA Tour. Including the winner, six of the top-10 finishers at the Deutsche Bank Championship relied on shafts from UST Mamiya.

Widely available in early 2012, consumers can gain early access to Proforce VTS products through the UST Mamiya TourSPX dealer network, which is comprised of a group of highly-acclaimed club fitters nationwide. To find a fitter that carries the line, please visit http://hosted.where2getit.com/ust/attas_tbl.html.

Likened to the precision of Lexus automobiles, all UST Mamiya carbon-fiber shafts are made using handcrafted, repeatable production techniques that incorporate world-class engineering and premium-selected raw materials. Tight tolerances, constant taper design and low-resin content combine to enhance feel during the golf swing. UST Mamiya shafts have remained the top-selling aftermarket option in the United States the past four years.

The company produces a variety of shaft models, including the renowned ATTAS and Proforce lines, which have received significant usage on major professional tours internationally.
Knowing that every golfer who installs a new shaft will also need a grip, UST Mamiya offers a line of premium offerings, with groundbreaking new models being introduced in 2011. They include the Pro DV, Comp DV and ST1 putter grips.

About UST Mamiya

Since 1991, UST Mamiya graphite shafts are favored by recreational and competitive golfers worldwide. In 2009, UST (U.S.) and its parent company, Mamiya-OP (Japan), combined operations, including research, development, production and materials-sourcing talents.  Distributed in 30-plus countries, UST Mamiya provides shafts to consumers, retailers, club-fitters and original equipment manufacturers Adams, Bridgestone, Callaway, Cleveland, Cobra, Mizuno, Nike, PING, Taylor Made, Titleist, Wilson and more. Company R&D and manufacturing facilities are in the U.S., Japan, China and Bangladesh. UST Mamiya advisory staff includes renowned instructors among GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100” and at Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”
For more information:  http://www.ustmamiya.com, 817.267.2219.