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
Callaway Golf new FT-iZ Driver, Fairways & Hybrids
Polar Weighting, Aerospace Materials Deliver the Longest, Straightest Woods in Callaway History
Callaway Golf Company announced the retail availability of the new FT-iZ(TM) lineup of drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. Leading this new line of Fusion® products is the FT-iZ Driver, engineered from the world’s finest materials to deliver the longest, straightest ball flight ever produced by a Callaway driver.
“In engineering the FT-iZ Driver, Fairway Woods and Hybrids, we used new knowledge in aerodynamics, face design and weight placement to deliver breakthroughs in ball speed and accuracy,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Callaway Golf. “The FT-iZ Driver represents the latest in our use of carbon fiber, aerospace-grade materials and head shaping to optimize performance.”
The FT-iZ Driver marks the launch of a groundbreaking and proprietary design feature called Polar Weighting(TM), which optimizes stability at impact and yields incredible ball speeds. Polar Weighing strategically localizes weight at the front and back of the multi-material clubhead, creating a heavy face and significant in-line power source for unprecedented performance. The driver of choice for PGA Tour Professional Ernie Els, the FT-iZ also features an aerodynamic body design that reduces drag in the downswing for higher impact speeds. The result of this progressive shape is Callaway’s most efficient high inertia clubhead design ever.
The FT-iZ Driver also features a new chem-milled hyperbolic face that delivers consistently high ball speeds. The chemical reduction process selectively removes unwanted materials from the titanium cup face for unprecedented precision thickness control. FT-iZ Tour models come in half lofts with a slightly more open face at address for a look preferred by skilled players. The FT-iZ Driver is now available at retail and features a new product introduction retail price of $399.
The FT-iZ Fairway Woods build on Callaway’s industry-leading heritage in the category. Offering an unprecedented combination of distance, stability and feel, the FT-iZ Fairway Woods are the longest, straightest fairway woods Callaway has ever produced. Like the FT-iZ Driver, the fairway woods utilize Polar Weighting for a heavy face and heavy in-line power source that delivers screaming ball speed. The FT-iZ Fairway Woods are now available at retail and feature a new product introduction retail price of $299.
The FT-iZ Hybrids utilize Callaway’s advanced Fusion Technology to deliver the Company’s most forgiving hybrid design ever. A stainless steel body and sole combine with Metal Injection Molded (MIM), high-density weights to maximize perimeter weighting. That, along with the FT-iZ Hybrid’s larger clubhead design, leads to an increased moment of inertia (MOI) with an optimized center of gravity. The result is increased feel and accuracy with high, powerful trajectories that fly far and land soft. An offset hosel is designed to provide a look that boosts confidence at address and provides greater workability. The FT-iZ Hybrids are now available at retail and feature a new product introduction retail price of $199 with a graphite shaft, and $179 with a steel shaft.
Drive it Home: Scotland’s biggest global golf promotion
Scotland: the Home of Golf is offering its biggest ever golf promotion in 2010, with over 250 tee times throughout Scotland, the chance to play golf with Sam Torrance, win a trip to the Open Championship in its 150th anniversary year, and play the illustrious St Andrews Old Course.
From 15 – 28 February 2010, golfers can register on http://www.driveithome2010.com to win their free golf times, where they could see themselves and three of their friends playing on one of over 50 of Scotland’s top courses, from the world famous Turnberry and Royal Troon in Ayrshire to the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews and Gleneagles, home of the Ryder Cup 2014.
March sees Golf fans given the opportunity to win a golf visit to Scotland, including a day with Scotland’s Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance; while April offers the chance to win a trip to July’s Open Championship and play the famous Old Course.
Scotland is undeniably the Home of Golf, with over 550 courses to choose from and having pioneered the game from as early as the 15 century. From the iconic courses of St Andrews and the coastal links of Aberdeenshire, Morayshire and Ayrshire, to the challenges Dalmahoy and Gleneagles, Scotland’s golf courses provide the experience of a lifetime for golfers.
Sam Torrance, VisitScotland’s golf ambassador, said, ‘The Drive It Home promotion is the perfect reason for international golfers to visit the Home of Golf in 2010. Scotland is the undisputed ‘Home of Golf’. We have the best courses in the world and facilities that are second to none and will again be firmly on the golfing map this year with the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship. Scotland has over 550 courses the length and breadth of the country, the difficulty golfers have when visiting is choosing their favourite!’
This year’s Drive it Home campaign website harnesses the support and enthusiasm of hundreds of partners across Scottish tourism, including 60 accommodation providers and travel operators. With free tee times up for grabs at over 50 of Scotland’s courses, and a range of associated discounts and deals, this year’s biggest golf push is on course to persuade even more golfers to ‘Drive It Home’.
The winners of the free four-ball will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries received, on March 1, 2010. By entering the prize draw, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these rules and decisions of the judges.
265 winners will receive a free four-ball. There will be one free four-ball per winner. Winners are designated a specific golf course on which to redeem their free four-ball – this is non-transferrable. Golfers nominated to join a free four-ball are not eligible to claim a free four-ball themselves.
The four-ball prize may be redeemed at the designated Scottish Golf Course between 13th April – 30th October 2010, subject to availability.
Source: Visit Scotland
Sleep Apnea Therapy improves golf game
Men Find New Motivation for Using CPAP
Golfers who undergo treatment for sleep apnea may improve their golf game as well as their overall health, shows new research. A new study presented at CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), found that golfers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who received nasal positive airway pressure (NPAP) for their disorder improved their daytime sleepiness scores and lowered their golf handicap by as much as three strokes. Researchers suggest that the possibility of improving your golf game may be a significant motivator to improve NPAP compliance rates among golfers.
“More so than many sports, golf has a strong intellectual component, with on-course strategizing, focus, and endurance being integral components to achieving good play,” said Marc L. Benton, MD, FCCP, Atlantic Sleep and Pulmonary Associates, Madison, NJ. “OSAS can lead to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, all side effects which can negatively impact a person’s ability to golf to the best of one’s ability.”
Dr. Benton and colleague Neil S. Friedman, RN, RPSGT, from Morristown Memorial Hospital, Madison, NJ, evaluated the impact of NPAP on the golf handicap index (HI) of 12 golfers with diagnosed moderate to severe OSA. HI was recorded upon study entry, as was the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), a validated questionnaire used to assess daytime sleepiness, and a sleep questionnaire (SQ) developed by the authors. After 20 rounds of golf while receiving NPAP treatment (approximately 3 to 5 months), the treatment group demonstrated a significant drop in average HI, 12.4 (+/- 3.5) to 11.0 (+/- 4.7). Patients in the study group also improved their ESS score, 11.8 (+/- 6.6) to 5.5 (+/- 3.6), and the SQ score, 14.3 (+/- 7.5), to 3.1 (+/- 3.1). A control group of 12 subjects demonstrated no change in HI, ESS score, or SQ score during this study.
“As any golfer knows, when your ability to think clearly or make good decisions is compromised, the likelihood of playing your best is greatly diminished,” said Dr. Benton. “Through treatment with NPAP, we can improve many cognitive metrics, such as attention span, memory, decision-making abilities, and frustration management, which may, in turn, positively affect a person’s golf game.”
Results of the study also showed that the best golfers, defined as HI <12, had the biggest improvements in their game. Within this group, the average HI dropped from 9.2 (+/- 2.9) to 6.3 (+/- 3.0); the SQ score from 10.8 (+/- 1.9), to 2.8 (+/- 2.6).
“The biggest handicap improvements occurred in the lower handicap, often older golfers. This group typically would be expected to trend in the opposite direction due to age-related deterioration in strength and endurance,” said Mr. Friedman. “The drop in handicap among the better golfers probably reflected that the major limiting factor was not golf skill but cognitive compromise that improved when the sleep apnea was treated.”
Dr. Benton estimates that there are 1 to 3 million regular golfers (regular defined as 10 or more rounds per year) who have OSA, and most are undiagnosed or untreated. However, even when proper treatment is offered, it is only effective if it is used regularly. In men, studies have reported compliance rates as low as 40 percent. Patients cite many reasons for noncompliance with NPAP, including discomfort, inconvenience, cost, noise, or embarrassment. In the current study, nearly all patients in the treatment group had a compliance rate of above 90 percent.
“Providers typically attempt to maximize compliance with NPAP by promoting its medical benefits or warning patients of the risks involved in not being treated, but this approach does not always work,” said Dr. Benton. “In the case of this study, the possibility of improving one’s ability to play golf appears to have been a significant motivation to improve treatment compliance.”
“Compliance with CPAP therapy is an ongoing issue in the treatment of patients with sleep apnea,” said Kalpalatha Guntupalli, MD, FCCP, President of the American College of Chest Physicians. “Finding new and more effective ways to increase CPAP compliance based on individual motivations is definitely encouraged.”
Source: American College of Chest Physicians
Golf at the End of the World
‘Las Brisas’ in Chile offer premium golf from the Andes to the Pacific
The prestige of a first-rate golf course open year round transcends the borders of Chile and South America — High-end homes and mountain and seaside scenery surround two international-standard golf courses
The alliance between the “Las Brisas de Chicureo” and “Las Brisas de Santo Domingo” real-estate projects has led to an exclusive golf course in Chile. Unique in South America, it allows golfing from the Andes to the Pacific, blending the best natural scenery, culinary, viticultural, and property attributes.
With the beginning of an internationalization process that is already renowned beyond national borders, both real-estate complexes — associated with illustrious Chilean businessman Eduardo Fernandez Leon — joined forces in a single sports concept, with majestic golf courses, sports infrastructure, social areas, an elegant club house, and an unmatched selection of property alternatives. Both projects were conceived with an impressive golf course as the backbone, and designed by the celebrated U.S. company Gage Davis.
The route includes the challenge of golfing against the imposing scenery of the Andes, the chance to visit some of Chile’s largest vineyards, enjoying seafood and local cuisine, and finally improving your handicap with the backdrop of a beautiful sunset on the Pacific Ocean. All this within less than 130 km. Simply unbeatable!
Seduced by the weather, economic stability, price convenience, and standard of living of this region at the end of the world, a significant number of foreigners are considering Chile as a place to vacation and even settle down. The safety, construction quality, convenient prices, and fine sports infrastructure of these complexes are more than convincing arguments. Although close to Santiago, both complexes enjoy superb scenery and unexplored areas.
The golf course at Las Brisas de Chicureo (http://www.lasbrisas.cl/), near Santiago, has over 180 hectares of native forest and fauna, 36 holes, intense green elevations, and undulating fairways, reaching a semi-desert trail of hawthorn, bunkers, and striking ravines.
On the coast (on the way to Rapel V Region), Las Brisas de Santo Domingo (http://www.golflasbrisas.cl/) offers 27 holes of great natural beauty and the intense Pacific Ocean in the background, plus a crystal clear 2.2 hectare pond hidden between the seaside and the woods.
Source: Las Brisas de Santo Domingo; Las Brisas de Chicureo
Tiger Woods Wins Second Annual Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge
Native American Youth True Winners
Tiger Woods, the world’s No. 1 golfer, outshot an all-world foursome that included Camilo Villegas, Mike Weir and Notah Begay III to win the second annual Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation Challenge. Taking nine skins and $230,000 during the 18 holes played on Monday, Woods successfully outplayed both the field and the challenging Atunyote Golf Club course at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y. The tournament raised at least $750,000 for the Notah Begay III Foundation.
“Today the whole thing was about bringing awareness to what Notah is trying to do,” said Woods shortly after the Challenge concluded. “It’s great to see what he’s doing. He’s put his heart, soul and passion into it.”
Featuring some of the world’s top golfers, this year’s event created expectations of an exciting day of golf. The players involved did not disappoint, thrilling the crowd of 3,000 with thunderous drives and dazzling short iron play. Early on, it was tournament host Begay III who drew some of the loudest cheers with great chips on both the first and third hole. It was near the middle of the round, when the group halved five consecutive holes starting with the ninth, that the intensity of play began to pick up. A great second shot from 75 yards out and a 10-foot birdie putt by Villegas broke the game open, giving him six skins and $180,000 with a single shot on the 15th. Now trailing, Woods birdied three consecutive holes following Villegas’ move to the top, reclaiming the lead with only the daunting 18th left to play. With Villegas and Woods both playing to seal up the victory, it was fitting that Begay III, at his own Foundation’s tournament, played a great chip from the fringe and followed with a birdie putt to take the final skin and $70,000.
While Woods took home the most skins during today’s round, the true winners of the NB3 Foundation Challenge are the Native American communities that benefit from the Foundation’s efforts to improve the health and wellness of youth on Indian reservations nationwide.
Funds raised during the NB3 Foundation Challenge are used to develop and promote sustainable and innovative sports and wellness programs to fight the disproportionate incidence of obesity and diabetes among Native American youth. To date, the Foundation has implemented year-round soccer and golf programs engaging hundreds of Native American youth in New Mexico alone.
“It’s time we do more to stop the obesity and diabetes epidemic among Native American youth,” said Begay III. “Through the Challenge, we have a unique opportunity to shine a national spotlight on this issue. Our goal is to create a national youth health and wellness movement among tribal nations, and I am excited about the momentum for change I have seen today.”
The NB3 Foundation Challenge is made possible by a collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation and the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, two tribal nations donating time and resources to create a more promising future for Native American youth.
“The event was a rare opportunity for the entire central New York region to shine in the international spotlight as four premier athletes put their mark on the Atunyote Golf Club,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and CEO Ray Halbritter. “As with our own upcoming Turning Stone Resort Championship, all proceeds went to charity. It is gratifying to be able to host an event that showcases our region, provides an economic boost to businesses throughout our community, and at the same time raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for much needed charities. The Oneida Indian Nation was proud to host this historic event.”
“This tournament is a demonstration of the commitment that Indian tribal nations have made to elevate health and wellness in their communities across this nation,” said Chairman James Ramos, San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians. “Our efforts today will have a positive impact on the health and well being of future generations of Native people and our communities.”
For more information on the Foundation and the Challenge, visit: www.notah.com.
Source: Notah Begay III Foundation