U.S. Kids Golf Invites Top Young Players to Tee It Up During 11th Annual World Championship at Pinehurst
Family Fun a Core Theme as More Than 1,800 Golfers from Around the World, Along with Their Supporters, Contribute Nearly $4 Million to Local Economy
When nearly 1,300 of the top young players tee it up for the 11th Annual World Championship in Pinehurst, many will walk away from the course with as many family memories as birdies.
For the fifth consecutive year, U.S. Kids Golf and Pinehurst will partner in support of the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and Teen Championship, the largest and most prestigious worldwide annual junior golf events. More than 1,800 participants will represent nearly 40 countries in the two competitions, which highlight nearly two weeks of festivities beginning July 29.
The tournament has grown over the years, from 400 competitors in 2002 to today, an increase of 225 percent.
For families, the days in and around Pinehurst will be as much about having a ball as striking one, as focused on growing relationships as it is grooving swings. Most players will have caddies, usually a parent, grandparent or friend.
“These events show new and returning players how much fun golf is,” said Dan Van Horn, president and founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “The memories children experience walking the links with friends and family are invaluable. That’s what delights us about hosting this premier junior golf event each year.
The three-day World Championship begins Aug. 5. Boys and girls are divided into age groups ranging from 6 through age 12. Each group will tee off at one of several courses formatted to meet age-appropriate yardage, layout and hole quantity standards. The tournament will play out within the Village of Pinehurst’s most scenic venues, including Pinehurst No. 3, No. 4 and No. 8, Legacy, Little River, Longleaf, Mid Pines, Midland and Talamore.
A week prior to the World Championship, U.S. Kids Golf and Pinehurst will team up to host the fifth-annual Teen World Championship and Teen World Cup. The event, which takes place July 29-31, mirrors the format of the World Championship and features nearly 500 male and female golfers from across the world between ages 13 and 18. Read more
Dramatic Swing Gives Alfonso Ribeiro the Title in Tahoe
Alfonso Ribeiro Uncorks 333-Yard Drive to Win Korbel Long Drive Golf Contest
Alfonso Ribeiro captured the title of “Celebrity Long Drive Champ” by unleashing a booming 333-yard drive to win the Annual Long Drive Competition, sponsored by Korbel Champagne Cellars on July 16, 2010. The competition is a featured event at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship played at the Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Best known for his role as Carlton Banks on the TV sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Ribeiro is not only an actor but an avid dancer and director as well. While not a professional athlete, Ribeiro clearly held his own in the Long Drive Competition against a slate of sports stars. A crowd favorite, Ribeiro served as comic relief throughout the competition until he stepped up to the plate and wowed his fellow competitors with the best drive of the day.
Although lacking the experience with locker room celebratory sprays of some of his competition, Ribeiro looked like a seasoned professional as he accepted his Long Drive Trophy, then popped the cork on a big bottle of Korbel and enthusiastically sprayed the crowd.
Quarterback Kyle Boller’s 323-yard blast placed him in second, and actor Oliver Hudson finished third with a 315-yard shot. Other celebrities participating in the Korbel Long Drive Competition included current and former NFL stars Joe Theismann, Jonathan Ogden, A.J. Hawk and Robbie Gould as well as NFL Head Coach Jack Del Rio, former MLB All-Stars John Smoltz, Kenny Lofton and Joe Carter, and NBA’s Shane Battier.
The Korbel Long Drive Contest has been a highlight of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship since 1992. NFL Pro Bowl Linebacker A.J. Hawk won the 2009 contest with an explosive 322-yard drive. Former NFL All-Pro Quarterback Chris Chandler’s 321-yard blast placed him in second. Other previous winners include Kenny Lofton (2008), Jim McMahon (2007, 1994 and 1992), Paul O’Neill (2006), Jeremy Roenick (2002 and 2000), Emmitt Smith (1999), Pete Sampras (1996) and John Elway (1995). Read more
Martial Arts Expert and Golfer Releases Fitness DVD: Black Belt Golf
Unleash the Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Powers of Martial Arts and Become a 21st Century Golfer
Ryan White, black belt martial artist, golfer, and certified fitness consultant, has today released his groundbreaking fitness DVD, entitled Black Belt Golf: White Belt Lesson. White spent the last 10 years putting together this power training program designed to transpose secret martial arts training techniques to boost the power in your golf game to stratospheric heights. In the White Belt Lesson, the complete DVD experience provides audiences with guided meditations to get in the game, warm-up, stretches, and secret black belt golf moves that increase stamina and power for the golf course afterwards.
“As a multi-sports athlete, I have found Ryan’s training system to be extremely helpful! Not only has Ryan’s training helped me improve my speed, flexibility, and endurance, but it also has increased the power of my kicks,” said Cole Fipps, soccer, track and field athlete. “I highly recommend Ryan’s program to anyone who is serious about improving their performance.”
Black Belt Golf: White Belt Lesson’s ultimate goal is to increase power. By combining and concentrating the agility of martial art techniques and athleticism of golf, this program is designed as the ultimate next step to boost your game. These exercises were created for any individual interested in learning basic techniques in both sports. As a result, they may also become a better golfer, and more mindful athlete. Read more
Tommy Two Gloves Gainey Secures Nationwide Tour Win
A. O. Smith Sponsored Player Snags Melwood Prince George’s County Open
Former A. O. Smith employee and sponsored player, Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, won the Melwood Prince George’s County Open, his first career title on the Nationwide Tour.
Gainey secured the title with a 72nd hole birdie and final-round, 6-under 65 at the University of Maryland Golf Course in College Park this past weekend.
“I’m thrilled, this is a big win for me,” Gainey said. “The competition was fierce, and I really had to focus on key holes to gain the lead.”
The victory moved Gainey from No. 18 to No. 2 on the Nationwide Tour money list, and the win will go a long way in securing a spot on the 2011 PGA TOUR. Read more
Sony 3D technology brings the historic Masters Golf Tournament to life
When the Masters professional golf tournament tees off on April 8, guests on-site at Augusta National Golf Club and viewers at select locations around the country will be treated to a unique view of the historic grounds, through Sony Electronics’ 3D consumer TV and professional camera technology.
Sony, a sponsor of the Masters’ first broadcast in 3D, is outfitting hospitality suites at Augusta with its new 3D BRAVIA LCD TV sets to display a perspective never before seen of Augusta. Select Sony Style stores will also host private events on April 8 with a two-hour live broadcast from two holes being broadcast in 3D. The 3D content will also be delivered to the new “Sony 3D Experience,” a consumer research center developed by Sony and CBS and located in Las Vegas within the CBS Television City facility at the MGM Grand Hotel.
To produce the 3D images, Sony HD cameras will be used in stereo pairs supplied by NEP Productions, the mobile production company for the tournament. This year’s Masters represents the largest worldwide gathering of Sony cameras being used to provide HD coverage, and the 3D coverage is being exclusively switched through a Sony MVS-8000 series production switcher. Read more