Monday, January 30, 2012

288 Player Field Set to Kick Off This Week in Las Vegas!


Las Vegas, NV – The Golf Channel Amateur Tour is set to host the 9th annual Duel in the Desert Tournament this coming Thursday-Saturday and features many “firsts” this year.   

For the first time in the history of the Tour the “Duel in the Desert” will:
  • Be held in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Will be contested at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Club.  Paiute features 54-holes of pristine playing conditions and a challenging layout.  The “Wolf” Course, named in part due to the many wolf games played there by gamblers, has an island green (the Par-3 fifteenth hole)
  • Feature the Luxor, right on the world famous Las Vegas Strip, as the host hotel
  • See over 288 competitors from 36 states and from two countries (USA and Canada)
An annual 2-person team championship that is open to Tour Players and non-members, the Duel will be contested over 54-holes from Thursday, February 2 and conclude with the final round on Friday, February 4.   Players will see different formats each day, with rounds of 2-person Scramble, Best-Ball, and Modified Alternate Shot.   With the 54-hole facility, players will be presented with 54 different and unique challenges as players will see action on the Sun Mountain Course, Snow Mountain Course, and the Wolf Course.  

The event kicks off at 10AM on Thursday and concludes with the awards ceremony at approximately 3PM on Saturday. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Am Tour Major Host Site PGA National set to complete a $65 Million Revitalization

PGA National Resort & Spa Announces "Final Round" Of Renovations
Ultimate phase of legendary south Florida destination's $65 million revitalization underway
(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) - PGA National Resort & Spa - home of the PGA TOUR Honda Classic, five championship courses and world-class amenities - announces the "final round" of its $65 million revitalization is underway and scheduled for completion in early fall 2012.

PGA National's recent renovations include numerous enhancements to its 379-room resort hotel, clubhouse, golf courses, spa, health and racquet club, and conference and meeting space. Among the contemporary additions is a stunning zero-entry pool, newly-named signature restaurant - Ironwood Steak and Seafood - and trendy, sophisticated iBAR.

"This next round of ongoing renovations will allow PGA National to continue to stay ahead of the curve in keeping our property in first-class condition, which is what our guests and members expect and deserve," says Joel Paige, vice president and managing director. "With all major construction completed, ongoing enhancements will have zero impact on current resort operations."

The finishing touches include:
- A floor-to-ceiling guest room makeover featuring stylish bedding, headboards, wall coverings and carpet; spacious, modern work desks with multiple plug-in options; atmospheric lighting; and elegant furnishings. Suite bathrooms will have walk-in showers. State-of-the-art, high-definition, 42-inch flat-panel televisions have already been installed.

- Guest room corridors will showcase eye-catching carpeting; tastefully subdued lighting; and chic artwork and wall treatments.

- Due to increased popularity of its outdoor wedding venues, new lakeside locales are being added to its scenic, manicured grounds.

- Renovation of its 19th Hole bar and grill, to be renamed "Bar 19," presenting the latest in clubhouse furnishings, high-definition televisions and expanded outdoor dining overlooking one of the great vistas in golf. The addition of a kitchen will allow for a completely new menu offering.

- Updating its championship golf courses with new turf, irrigation systems, rebuilt bunkers, and expanded tee and green complexes.

- The Citrus Tree Café, with its renowned breakfast buffet, will re-open newly renovated, renamed the "Palm Terrace" and available as a poolside location for evening events.

- The 40,000 square-foot European Spa with 32 treatment areas and the exclusive "Waters of the World" outdoor mineral pools will also be updated matching the motif of the resort's fashionably cool, hip décor.

"Ownership is committed to the strategic, long-term capital plan of becoming the premier meeting and golf destination in the country," says Frank Calaguire, principal of SCS Advisors - owner / operating partners of PGA National Resort & Spa. "Coupled with our laser-sharp focus on delivering a championship experience for our guests as we've done for 30 years, we are confident that we're creating customers for life."

For more information about PGA National visit www.pgaresort.com or call (800) 533.9386.

About PGA National Resort & Spa
PGA National Resort & Spa is premier golf, vacation and meeting destination. The South Florida locale offers 90 holes of championship golf on five courses, including the famed Champion course, home to the PGA TOUR Honda Classic and past host of the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and a litany of other prized professional golf tournaments.

Other distinguishing features include a world-class 33,000 square-foot health-and-racquet club with 19 Har Tru tennis courts, 40,000 square feet of self-contained conference space and nine on-site restaurants and lounges.

PGA National Resort & Spa's myriad accolades include:

- AAA--Four Diamond Resort (2011)
- Golfweek -- Best You Can Play State by State (No. 3, 2011)
- Golfweek -- Best Tour Courses You Can Play (No. 28, 2011)
- Golfing Magazine - "World's Top 5 Multi-Course Venues" (2011)
- About.com -- "No. 1 Golf Resort in Florida" (2011)
- GOLF Magazine -- Top 100 Premier Resorts -- Silver Award Winner (2011)
- GOLF Magazine -- Premier Resorts Green Award Winner (2011)
- Golf World -- Top 50 Resorts (2010)
- Successful Meetings -- Pinnacle Award Winner (2011)
- The Knot -- Best of Weddings (2011)

Conveniently located within easy driving distances of major Florida population centers, the AAA Four Diamond resort is a 15-minute drive from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), one hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and 90 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA).

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Playoffs the Story at TPC Sawgrass Open


Ponte Vedra Beach, FL –The Golf Channel Amateur Tour held the 1st Major Championship of the 2012 calendar year this past weekend.  Over 180 competitors from across the country competed and got a preview of two of the courses that will be used this fall in the National Championship (TPC Sawgrass – Dye’s Valley and TPC Sawgrass – PLAYERS Stadium), with the top three and ties in each flight qualifying for the aforementioned National Championship.   Cold and wind were factors on both days that led to some high scoring. 

Curtis Boyer - Championship Flight Champion
40-year old Curtis Boyer of Howie in the Hills, FL was the overnight leader after posting a solid round of 1-over par 73 on the Valley Course in difficult conditions.  Playing in the final round on the PLAYERS Stadium Course, Boyer had a two-shot lead over 2009 National Champion Pete DeTemple of Callaway, MD with two holes to play.  On the island green 17th, Boyer’s tee shot was fortunate to find land, ending up on the walkway to the island green.  Boyer would go on to bogey 17 and 18, while DeTemple made some gritty pars to get into a playoff at 6-over par 150 for the championship.  Boyer and DeTemple would exchange pars on the two opening playoff holes, with Boyer hanging on to win his 1st Major Championship on the third playoff hole.  With the win Boyer undoubtedly made a statement that he is a talented player and one that could likely be there down the stretch again at the National Championship this fall.  K.C Fox of Sarasota, the 2011 Senior National Champion runner-up, finished  in 3rd place. 

In the Palmer Flight Daryl Ewing of Indian Land, SC was the only player to break into the 70’s, pacing the field with an opening round of 79.   Ewing would never relinquish his lead, winning the Palmer Flight by a single stroke at 19-over par 163.  Finishing in 2nd place was Charles Sponaugle of Simpsonville, SC.  Charles, who could have found a playoff with a par on his final hole, finished in 2nd place at 20-over par 164.  Alex Ojea of Miami, FL finished up in 3rd place at 23-over par 167. 

Palmer Flight Player takes aim at #17
The Hogan Flight saw only two players break into the 80’s for both rounds in the tough conditions.  In the end 74 year-old Tommy Williams of Marion, MS would prevail thanks to a performance of 88-86—174, his 1st Major Championship win in his career.  Min Li of Lutherville, MD, who shared the overnight lead with Williams, finished up in 2nd place 33-over par 177.  Paul Kerr of San Diego, CA rounded out the top three at 34-over par 178. 

In the Sarazen Flight Montez Murray of Bel Alton, MD had what seemed to be an insurmountable lead of five strokes after a great 1st round of 86.  Andrew Veite of Mount Olivet, KY was a full nine-strokes back entering the final round and made a ferocious charge.  With Murray struggling to a score of 102 on Sunday, Veite posted a 93 to tie Murray after 36-holes of play at 44-over par 188.  Murray would prevail in the playoff, earning the Sarazen Flight trophy.  Ray Kolkmann of Hopewell Junction, NY wrapped up third place, three strokes out of the playoff. 

In the Jones Flight just one player was able to keep it in the double digits for both rounds, seeing Josh Norris of Brooksville, KY claiming the flight at 97-96—193.  Steven Flora, also from Kentucky, finished in 2nd place at 51-over par 195.  Ron Barbaza rounded out the top three at 54-over par 198. 

Corey Long of Asheville, NC was not able to manage a single par or better in the final round and was still able to run away with the Snead Flight at 57-over par 201.  Don Risner of Bakersfield, CA finished in 2nd place at 63-over par 207.  David Signorino of Winfield, MD rounded out the top three at 65-over par 209. 

In the Senior Palmer Flight Brad Polhemus of Jacksonville, FL got some home-cooking and was the wire-to-wire winner.  Polhemus was the only player in the flight to break 80 both days, notching an impressive 8-stroke win at 78-77—155 (+11).  Gene Johnson of Palm Beach Gardens, FL wrapped up 2nd place at 19-over par 163, while Jeff True of Naples, FL road a final round of 80 to a third place finish at 22-over par 166. 

In the Senior Hogan Flight Ravi Kannan of Snellville, GA and Marc Milman of Tequesta, FL had quite a battle.   Both players would end up needing extra holes to determine the Senior Hogan Flight Champion after they tied at 33-over par 177.  Kannan would wind up winning, his 1st Major Championship victory since last season.  Richard Frost of London, ON snatched up third place at 36-over par 180. 

The Senior Sarazen Flight saw an impressive wire-to-wire performance from Frank Cannon of Longwood, FL.  Cannon would go on to win the flight by two strokes at 88-96—184 (+40).  Steve Fox of Annapolis, MD posted the 2nd-lowest score in the flight on Sunday to move up to 2nd place at 42-over par 186.  Tom Ward of Woodridge, IL played well and finished in 3rd place at 43-over par 187. 

In the Senior Jones Flight Joseph Lallier of Largo, FL fired the lowest round in the flight by 6 strokes on Sunday, an 88, to win the flight in commanding fashion at 97-88—185 (+41).  Terry Lubinsky of Longwood, FL finished in 2nd position at 47-over par 191.  James Adams of Vero Beach, FL rounded out the top 3 at 49-over par 193. 

John Damron of Columbus, OH showed no “winter rust” on his way to claiming the Senior Snead Flight.  Damron would lead all weekend, winning with a two-day total of 54-over par 198 and was the only player in the flight to break the 200 barrier.  Rick Scibek of Raleigh, NC finished in 2nd place at 59-over par 203.  Cordy Worth of Landrum, SC claimed 3rd place at 60-over par 204.

Of note, the official charity of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour, Troops First, earned $1,400 thanks to the donations of the event’s participants.

Eleven Champions Crowned at 2012 TPC Sawgrass Open

Brad Polhemus - Sr. Palmer Flight Champion

Corey Long - Snead Flight Champion

Curtis Boyer - Championship Flight Champion

 Daryl Ewing - Palmer Flight Champion

Frank Cannon - Sr. Sarazen Flight Champion

John Damron - Sr. Snead Flight Champion

 Joseph Lallier - Sr. Jones Flight Champion

 Josh Norris - Jones Flight Champion

 Montez Murray - Sarazen Flight Champion

Ravi Kannan - Sr. Hogan Flight Champion

Tommy Williams - Hogan Flight Champion

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Zero Friction™ 2012 Partnerships

January 9, 2012 (Oakbrook Terrace, IL) - Reaching golfers through one sponsorship or partnership at a time can seem like an easy task, but impacting golfers to use a product for a lifetime can present its challenges. Keeping this in mind, Zero Friction is continuing many and expanding into more partnerships in 2012 and beyond with some of the most notable organizations in golf.

Zero Friction™ is pleased to announce the following partnerships for 2012: The PGA TOUR™, The Champions Tour, The Nationwide Tour, The First Tee, The Golf Channel Am Tour, the Long Drivers of America, the American Junior Golf Association, PGA Magazine Ambassadors Program, the Golf Coaches Association of America and Outdoor Demo Day at the PGA Merchandise Show.

Moving into the 2012 season, you will see Zero Friction Performance Golf Tees at more events than ever due to the relationships developed with these organizations and growing golfer interest in the products we offer. "We are going to make it an exciting year with all organizations by coming up with some new and innovative ways to get our products out through these fantastic organizations and look forward to the 2012 season," stated John Iacono, Founder and President.