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Tag: Golf

Dominican Republic golf travel guide: best golf courses and resorts
Guides, Holidays & Trips

Dominican Republic golf travel guide: best golf courses and resorts

With 30 top-class golf courses the Dominican Republic is regularly dubbed the “golfing capital of Latin America and the Caribbean”.   Some of the industry’s top architects and designers - including Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr, Gary Player and Tom Fazio - have built golf courses in the Caribbean nation. Named Latin America and the Caribbean golf destination of the year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) in 2019, the Dominican Republic welcomes more than 200,000 golf tourists every year. Golf tourism and events generate an economic impact of almost €300m (£251m) on an annual basis.  While the courses are open year-round, the best time to play is from December to March when the weather is a little cooler and less humid. There is a benefit to playing in...
Great Lakes USA golf guide | Ryder Cup 2021
Guides, Sports Travel

Great Lakes USA golf guide | Ryder Cup 2021

The Great Lakes USA will once again host golf’s biggest event, the Ryder Cup, with the biennial competition taking place from 24-26 September 2021 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. This is the fourth time since 2004 that the Ryder Cup has been held in the Great Lakes region, which consists of the states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio.  In 2016, the Ryder Cup was held at Hazeltine Golf Club in Minnesota, which hosts it again in 2028. Medinah, Illinois was the destination in 2012 and in 2004 Oaklands Hills in Michigan hosted the event.   Wisconsin golf guide The 2021 Ryder Cup is expected to be one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in the state of Wisconsin and Whistling Straits is the first public course in a generation to host the golfin...
Scottish Golf Tourism Week: 2020 event postponed and new dates announced for 2021
Sports Business

Scottish Golf Tourism Week: 2020 event postponed and new dates announced for 2021

The fifth edition of Scottish Golf Tourism Week, which was due to take place in November, has now been postponed until 2021. This year’s event had been scheduled for 5-11 November, but the Covid-19 pandemic has forced organisers to amend their plans. The event at the Fairmont St Andrews will now take place from 30 March to 1 April 2021.  A statement read: “Following consultation with international tour operators faced with little prospect of being able to travel to Scotland, organisers have sought to postpone the event. The good news for the Scottish golf tourism industry is that new dates have now been announced with Scottish Golf Tourism Week now returning at the start of the 2021 golf season.” Tom Lovering, commercial director at PSP Media Group, added: “Scottish Golf Tou...
Golf’s European Tour heads to Scotland and England as part of second UK swing
Events, Sports Travel

Golf’s European Tour heads to Scotland and England as part of second UK swing

The 2020 European Tour golf season heads into the final straight with seven tournaments and a major championship left to play on the schedule. There was no Open Championship this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Tour’s reworked schedule has included four more events in the UK.  After July and August tournaments in England and Wales, September’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, saw the start of the Tour’s second UK swing in 2020.  The next two events on the schedule - the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and BMW PGA Championship - are part of the Rolex Series, while the Scottish Championship is one of three new tournaments this year.  Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open takes p...
Women’s golf: LPGA Tour targets 2020 season restart in mid-July 
Events, Sports Business

Women’s golf: LPGA Tour targets 2020 season restart in mid-July 

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has published a revised event calendar for 2020 with a target of restarting the season in mid-July.  Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Michigan will be the first event on the revised 2020 LPGA Tour calendar followed by the Marathon LPGA Classic in Ohio and ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey.  The Women’s PGA Championship major, which was meant to be held in June, has now been rescheduled for 8-11 October.  In a statement LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said: “One thing that has become clear is that there will be no ‘opening bell’ regarding a return to safe play in this new normal of the Covid-19 pandemic.  “To be honest, being ‘first’ has never been the goal when it comes to returning to play in this new normal. We have built a schedule th...
PGA Tour adjusts 2020 schedule and plans to resume season on 11 June
Events, Sports Business

PGA Tour adjusts 2020 schedule and plans to resume season on 11 June

Golf’s PGA Tour is planning to resume the 2020 season on 11 June at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. The Charles Schwab Challenge will be the first tournament on the revised schedule and will be one of four events that will be played behind closed doors. The Tour will follow the recommendations of local and state authorities and continually review available Covid-19-related protocols. Jay Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner, said: “The health and safety of all associated with the PGA Tour and our global community continues to be our No.1 priority, and our hope is to play a role – responsibly – in the world’s return to enjoying the things we love.  “Today’s announcement is another positive step for our fans and players as we look toward the future, but as we’ve stressed on s...
The Open cancelled: 2020 golf major calendar is revised
Events, Sports Business

The Open cancelled: 2020 golf major calendar is revised

There will be no Open Championship in 2020 after the British golf major was cancelled due to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.  The 149th Open was scheduled for 12-19 July, but The R&A has announced that it will now next take place at Royal St George’s from 11-18 July 2021. The 150th Open will be played at St Andrews from 10-17 July 2022. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “We care deeply about this historic Championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but this pandemic is severely affecting the UK and we have to act responsibly. It is the right thing to do.  “I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing The Open this year but ...
‘Inaccurate’: Ryder Cup 2020 postponement reports dismissed
Events

‘Inaccurate’: Ryder Cup 2020 postponement reports dismissed

Ryder Cup 2020 organisers have denied speculation that the event is set to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. A number of media outlets reported on Wednesday 18 March that the team golf spectacle would be called off and rescheduled for 2021.  This year’s Ryder Cup competition between Team USA and Team Europe is set to take place from 22-27 September at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. And according to the Ryder Cup USA and Ryder Cup Europe Twitter accounts that plan remains in place.  The tweets said: “Reports that the 2020 @RyderCup is expected to be postponed are inaccurate.” ‘Wow, it really is made-up stuff’ In an interview with Irish radio station Today FM Team Europe Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington also dismissed the reports.  Harrington said: “Septembe...
Wales to host International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in 2020
Sports Business

Wales to host International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in 2020

Wales’s golf industry is celebrating the announcement that the 2020 International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) will be hosted in the country. IGTM 2020 will take place from 19-22 October at the Celtic Manor Resort and the brand new International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales). The event will be held in partnership with The Vale Resort, Marriott St Pierre and Royal Porthcawl. More than 1,000 golf travel professionals are expected to be in Wales for the first ever IGTM in the United Kingdom. It will coincide with the ten-year anniversary of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.  In a statement Ian Edwards, chief executive of Celtic Manor Resort and ICC Wales, said: “Being the first UK venue to host IGTM is something I am incredibly proud of. “In our first month of opening at ICC Wales, we ha...
4,000 meetings take place at 2019 Scottish Golf Tourism Week
Sports Business, Sports Travel

4,000 meetings take place at 2019 Scottish Golf Tourism Week

The 2019 Scottish Golf Tourism Week (SGTW) was a resounding success with more than 4,000 meetings taking place during the event. Held from 28 October to 1 November at the five-star Fairmont St Andrews in Fife, the fourth edition of the trade event saw golf businesses network with international tour operators.  Organisers said on Twitter: “The Scottish Golf Tourism Week is the biggest tourism event for all businesses deriving revenue from the golf market. Over 100 businesses carry out more than 4,000 face-to-face meetings with over 100 international tour operators.” The 2018 SGTW is expected to directly contribute £19.1m worth of additional business to Scotland by 2021, and organisers expect the 2019 edition to be even more successful.  It’s also been announced that next year’...
‘Golfbreaks by PGA Tour’ brand created after golf organisations join forces
Sports Business, Sports Travel

‘Golfbreaks by PGA Tour’ brand created after golf organisations join forces

PGA Tour has invested in Golfbreaks and the two organisations have created a new golf travel brand - Golfbreaks by PGA Tour. The partnership will give golfers the opportunity to book golf holidays to more than 2,500 destinations throughout Europe and North America.  Founded in 1998 in the United Kingdom, Golfbreaks has become one of the market leaders in golf travel. Following 21 consecutive years of revenue growth, Golfbreaks now looks to accelerate the expansion of its North American business.  Andrew Stanley, Golfbreaks CEO, said: “We opened our US office in 2016 to help the 30 million-plus golfers with a one-stop travel service offering of high-quality, good-value golf vacations.  “Having achieved three years of double-digit growth, the time was right for us to find ...
Bermuda Championship: PGA Tour golf event to have ‘significant economic benefit’
Events, Sports Travel

Bermuda Championship: PGA Tour golf event to have ‘significant economic benefit’

PGA Tour golfers will head to Bermuda in October for the inaugural Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton.  The first annual PGA Tour golf event to be held on the island will take place from 31 October to 3 November and tickets are now on sale.  At the announcement in June it was confirmed that the Bermuda Tourism Authority has signed a five-year agreement as the title sponsor.  Economic benefit Kevin Dallas, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said: “The Bermuda Tourism Authority is thrilled to have secured this pinnacle event in golf for Bermuda’s tourism industry and community.  “We’ve had our sights set on a PGA Tour partnership because of the significant economic benefit the event itself will generate for Bermuda’s economy as well as t...
Portugal Masters 2019: Thomas Bjørn to play in Algarve’s top golf event
Events, Hotels & Resorts

Portugal Masters 2019: Thomas Bjørn to play in Algarve’s top golf event

European Ryder Cup-winning captain Thomas Bjørn will return to play at the Portugal Masters for the first time in four years. Held at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, the Portugal Masters will see many top European Tour players return to the Algarve from 24-27 October.  Bjørn, who led Team Europe to Ryder Cup victory in 2018, told EuropeanTour.com: “I have always enjoyed playing in Portugal. I have fond memories of the country as I reached the milestone of ten victories there nearly ten years ago.  “A number of my fellow players have a lot of great things to say about this tournament, so I’m looking forward to coming back in October.”  Championship director Peter Adams added: “With just a few short weeks to go until we return to Vilamoura, we are all very excited for this y...
Event focus: 2019 Scottish Golf Tourism Week, Fairmont St Andrews
Events, Sports Travel

Event focus: 2019 Scottish Golf Tourism Week, Fairmont St Andrews

The 4th Scottish Golf Tourism Week (SGTW) will see more than 90 golf organisations participate in the event at the five-star Fairmont resort in St Andrews. Taking place from 28 October to 1 November 2019, SGTW features familiarisation trips around Scotland, a gala dinner and more than 4,000 face-to-face meetings between industry buyers and suppliers.   According to the organisers last year’s event is expected to directly contribute £19.1m worth of additional business to Scotland by 2021, and it’s expected that the 2019 edition will be even more successful.  What the organisers say Tom Lovering, event organiser: “We’re hugely excited to be returning to Fairmont St Andrews. We identified that there was a gap in the market for an event such as this and, following a full evaluation, we wer...
2020 Ryder Cup ticket and travel packages on sale now at PRIMESPORT
Events, Holidays & Trips

2020 Ryder Cup ticket and travel packages on sale now at PRIMESPORT

The PGA of America and PRIMESPORT have launched the sale of official ticket and travel packages for the 2020 Ryder Cup.  Taking place from 22-27 September 2020 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, golf’s top team event will see Ryder Cup defending champions Europe take on hosts United States.  PRIMESPORT is the official Ryder Cup travel package provider of the PGA of America. Zack Long, chief marketing officer of PRIMESPORT, said: “The Ryder Cup is one of the biggest events in sports, and for 2020 we are elevating our offerings to deliver an unforgettable fan experience.  “PRIMESPORT serves as a one-stop planning services for golf enthusiasts looking to get fully immersed in the action. We make it our mission to deliver tailored, unforgettable experiences for all of our guests.”  ...
Ryder Cup returning to Ireland in 2026 at Adare Manor
Events

Ryder Cup returning to Ireland in 2026 at Adare Manor

It’s been a huge week for Irish golf. On 21 July Irish star Shane Lowry won The Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland and just four days later it’s been confirmed that the 2026 Ryder Cup will be hosted on the Emerald Isle. On 25 July it was announced that Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, had won the bid for the 2026 Ryder Cup - golf’s biennial team event between Europe and the United States. It’s the second time Ireland will have held the Ryder Cup and will come 20 years after The K Club in Dublin saw Team Europe record an 18½-9½ victory over Team USA.     Reactions to the announcement Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar “I am delighted that Ireland will be the host of The Ryder Cup in 2026. It is great news for Ireland, and for County Limerick and the west of Ireland in particular...
The Open 2019: 237,750 attend golf major at Royal Portrush
Sports Business, Sports Travel

The Open 2019: 237,750 attend golf major at Royal Portrush

The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland will see a crowd of 237,750 attend the golf major in July - a record for a championship held outside of St Andrews in Scotland.  Organisers of the British golf major have announced that this year’s attendance will beat the 237,000 who went to St Andrews in 2015 and the 235,000 at Royal Birkdale in 2017.  The attendance at St Andrews in 2000 - 239,000 - remains the highest with Royal Portrush now in second place. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “This is a huge week not just for The Open but for golf as well. We are making history with a record attendance for a Championship staged outside of St Andrews and the levels of excitement among fans this week have been phenomenal. “I said last year that big time sport ne...

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