Seeking growth, China LPGA Tour taps Octagon
In another sign of golf’s growth in China, the China LPGA Tour announced it has teamed with sports marketing agency Octagon to develop corporate partnerships.
We Are Golf seeks relief for devastated courses
With Congress contemplating federal tax relief for businesses devastated by natural disasters this year, the golf industry is launching a grassroots campaign to ensure that it receives a share.
Palmer drives hotel-museum project in Latrobe
As prolific as he was in winning on the golf course, Arnold Palmer has enjoyed similar success in the business world. And in the latter, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
PGA strikes sponsorship deal with Omega
Omega, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, long has been a major sponsor of professional golf in Europe and Asia. Now, it’s raising its profile in the U.S. with a five-year marketing deal with the PGA of America.
Rounds played fall in May; down 6.3 percent YTD
Rounds played in the U.S. suffered another monthly loss in May, sending year-to-date totals down 6.3 percent, according to a national report.
The First Tee to launch $100 million campaign
The First Tee is preparing a $100 million fund-raising campaign to expand delivery of its education programs to an additional 10 million youths.
’12 PGA: $92M direct-spending impact for S.C.
The 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is still more than a year away, but South Carolina and PGA executives already are anticipating the windfall it’ll create for the state.
At St. Jude, no cause is lost
After his victory at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, Harrison Frazar received a hefty check for more than $1 million before thousands in an admiring gallery.
U.S. rounds played drop 5.9 percent year-to-date
Total number of rounds played in the U.S. declined 5.9 percent year-to-date, following a difficult April that produced a nearly 17 percent drop.
Callaway and Timberlake spark fan frenzy on Facebook
With social-media marketing all the rage these days, Callaway Golf officials crafted a fairly simple campaign they hoped would spark activity on their Facebook page.
USGA, PGA of America say 'Tee It Forward'
With the goal of helping golfers enjoy the game more, the USGA and PGA of America are launching a nationwide summer campaign called “Tee It Forward,” which urges players to tackle a course at a length they can handle.
Acushnet to be sold to Korean group led by Fila
Fortune Brands announced a deal May 20 to sell Acushnet Co., parent of Titleist and FootJoy, to Korean investors including sport apparel and footwear company Fila Korea for more than $1.2 billion.
FedEx extends sponsorship of St. Jude thru ’14
FedEx Corp. is reprising its role as the long-time title sponsor of the PGA Tour’s Memphis stop, agreeing to headline the St. Jude Classic through 2014.
Brazilian resort with Faldo design to begin construction
Buoyed by Rio de Janeiro’s hosting of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Brazil is beginning to realize what many industry observers anticipated would be the dawning of a course-development era.
Northern Trust to sponsor Riviera stop through ’16
Northern Trust, which has supported the PGA Tour’s Los Angeles stop since 2008, announced it is extending its title-sponsorship role through 2016.
Amid sales growth, Golfsmith forges ahead with expansion
Continuing its aggressive growth strategy, Golfsmith is preparing to open its first location in the metro-Washington area in June.
U.S. golf participation falls for third consecutive year
For the third consecutive year, the number of golfers in the U.S. declined, falling 3.6 percent to 26.1 million in 2010, according to the National Golf Foundation.
LPGA deal names Frontier as ‘official airline’
The LPGA announced a marketing agreement with Frontier Airlines, making the Denver-based carrier the “official airline of the LPGA.”
Wilson Golf to sponsor Illinois Open
Wilson Golf signed a three-year deal making it a presenting sponsor and the exclusive golf equipment manufacturer of the Illinois Open Championship through 2013.
Judge rules in Acushnet’s favor in patent suit
Acushnet Co. declared a victory in its long-running, ball-patent dispute with Callaway Golf, following a federal court judge’s decision denying Callaway’s request for a new trial.
Nike chief Cindy Davis aims for peak performance
Gene Yasuda: With a fit mind and body, Nike Golf chief Cindy Davis strives to bolster an iconic brand.
FootJoy to make full entry into apparel business
FootJoy’s next business expansion long has seemed destined, and now it’s imminent: The Fairhaven, Mass.-based company announced it will fully enter the golf apparel business.
Sweden captures title at Euro Nations Cup
Fueled by nationalistic fervor, Sweden made four more birdies on the back nine, surging to a three-stroke victory over England and Germany in the European Nations Cup.
Finchem, golf leaders lobby on Capitol Hill
A delegation of 85 industry executives trekked to the nation’s capital to educate congressional leaders about golf’s economic and societal impact.
Asian Tour, IMG pairing expands TV audience
With Asian players increasingly making their way into PGA Tour events and major championships, they’re gaining more air time on U.S. broadcasts.
R&A gives nearly $390,000 to Golf Environment Organization
In another move signaling the industry’s growing emphasis on making golf environmentally responsible, the R&A announced it’ll provide nearly $390,000 over three years to the Golf Environment Organization.
Woods to go on promotional tour in Asia
As further evidence of normalcy returning to Tiger Woods’ life, he’s stepping up his marketing duties again.
American Express extends partnership with PGA
American Express, which became an official patron of the PGA of America in 2007, announced it will extend its sponsorship through 2013.
Sunshine Tour creates circuit to groom talent
Ernie Els' legacy of developing professional golf in his homeland of South Africa is about to grow again.
New development in Acushnet-Callaway dispute
In the yet unresolved patent litigation being waged between Acushnet Co. and Callaway Golf, a new development has surfaced.
First Tee invests in expansion of values
The unyielding pressure of chasing quarterly sales projections can make golf business people an ornery bunch.
Sorenstam to become health advocate for First Tee
The First Tee has earned accolades for introducing America’s youth to golf and teaching them life skills. Now, with the help of Annika Sorenstam, it’ll provide them with health and wellness instruction, too.
R&D, discipline pay dividends for Wilson Golf
Wilson Golf posted a double-digit percentage sales gain in 2010. That’s no small feat in a tough economy. Gene Yasuda explains how the nearly century-old brand rejuvenated itself.
TaylorMade, Golfsmith to stage NYC white-out
An expected white-out Feb. 15 in New York City just might cause traffic havoc on 54th Street – and we’re not talking about another snowstorm.
Commentary: One game, two sets of rules?
If we let golfers tee up every shot, swing clubs with “trampoline-powered” faces, toss their golf balls out of bunkers and putt into 15-inch cups, would golf still be golf?
SkyGolf locates online following
Calling it the next Facebook would be a stretch, but SkyGolf has created an online golf community that stands to transform the company – and the way its consumers interact with one another.
Get Golf Ready revamps growth strategy
With fully engaged facilities far fewer than projected, Get Golf Ready leaders are preaching a new mantra for their initiative: Quality over quantity.
Frustrated TaylorMade CEO pursues new rules
TaylorMade-Adidas CEO Mark King is concerned about golf's lack of growth. He's lobbying for an alternative set of rules to make the game easier for beginners and recreational players.
Get Golf Ready revamps growth strategy
With fully engaged facilities far fewer than projected, Get Golf Ready leaders are preaching a new mantra for their initiative: Quality over quantity.
Nike Golf president: From Tiger to adjustability
At the PGA Merchandise Show’s Demo Day, Golfweek’s Gene Yasuda caught up with Nike Golf president Cindy Davis, who shared her thoughts on some of the industry’s hot topics, ranging from Tiger Woods’ comeback to adjustable clubs to the health of the industry.
HSBC teams with IMG to manage pro golfers’ investments
When HSBC recently stepped up and became the official patron of The Open Championship, the bank made clear its increased interest in golf sponsorship.
Fortune’s plan could lead to Acushnet sale
Acushnet Co., which owns two of the most dominant brands in golf, Titleist and FootJoy, may be sold or spun-off as an independent publicly traded company.
Cadillac to sponsor WGC event at Doral
A reorganized General Motors said Monday it will showcase its Cadillac brand as title sponsor of the WGC event at Doral Golf Resort & Spa.
KPMG: Golf’s growth rate slows in Europe
The number of European golfers – which grew at an annual clip of 5 percent during the first half of the past decade – slowed to less than half that rate in the past five years, according to a new KPMG report.
KPMG report: Golf’s growth rate slows in Europe
The number of European golfers – which grew at an annual clip of 5 percent during the first half of the past decade – slowed to less than half that rate in the past five years, according to a new KPMG report. Demand growth, measured by the number of registered players in Europe, fell to 1 to 2 percent annually since 2005, according to the just-released “Golf Participation in Europe 2010” survey by KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice.
Asian Tour, IMG to create TV production outfit
IMG Media and the Asian Tour announced a 12-year deal that will create a joint-venture production company designed to enhance the circuit’s TV business worldwide.
Asian Tour, IMG to create TV production outfit
IMG Media and the Asian Tour announced a 12-year deal that will create a joint-venture production company designed to enhance the circuit’s TV business worldwide.
Wronowski elected PGA of America president
Allen Wronowski of Hillendale Country Club in Phoenix, Md., took the helm Nov. 6 of the PGA of America as its president, and Derek Sprague was elected the association's secretary.
Former USGA president Buzz Taylor dies at 79
"Buzz" Taylor Jr., the former USGA president whose tenure was marked by his fierce efforts to protect the game against the advances of equipment technology, died Oct. 29. He was 79.
LPGA hires PGA Tour director to fill TV post
Hoping to increase its exposure on TV and new media, the LPGA announced the hiring of PGA Tour veteran Brian Carroll to fill a newly created executive position.
