Confederation of Professional GolfJune 2019 – Confederation of Professional Golf

PING signs Viktor Hovland, former world #1 amateur

Confederation of Professional Golf — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 10:53:13 +0000

Viktor Hovland, the most recent world #1 amateur, has signed an equipment contract with PING, the company announced today. Hovland, who tied for 12th at last week’s U.S. Open in setting the record for the lowest 72-hole score (280) by an amateur in the event’s history, is making his debut as a PING staff pro at this week’s Travelers Championship.

While a decorated player for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys, Hovland won the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, earning him an invitation to this year’s Masters and U.S. Open. He took full advantage of his Masters appearance, winning low-amateur honors, after which he rose to world #1 amateur.

By finishing low amateur at the U.S. Open, he became the first player in more than 20 years to hold the distinction of being low amateur in both events in the same year.Hovland’s collegiate career culminated with the 2019 Ben Hogan Award, given annually to the top men’s college player while taking into account all amateur competition in the past 12 months.

He won three collegiate events and finished with a 68.59 scoring average during his final year at Oklahoma State. He was a member of the school’s 2018 NCAA Championship winning team.

The 21-year-old is from Oslo, Norway, a fact that brings great joy to the Solheim family, the owners of PING whose roots are traced to Bergen, Norway, the birthplace of PING founder Karsten Solheim. Hovland’s resumé includes a win at the 2014 Norwegian amateur championships, and he’s been building his credentials ever since.

“Viktor’s connection to Norway makes the relationship even more special. The country has been fully behind him since he burst onto the scene as a young junior, and he’s continued to impress on so many levels,” said John K. Solheim, PING President and Karsten’s grandson.

He’s polite, humble and always smiling. His talent is unbelievable and he’s already amassed a great career. His performance at Pebble Beach last week was a spectacular way to end his amateur career. We’re excited to watch his professional journey unfold. I know my grandfather would be honored to have a Norwegian golfer of Viktor’s character and talent representing PING.”

“Joining the PING staff is really exciting for me as I’ve always had tremendous respect for the company and what it represents,” said Hovland. “The technology behind the equipment and the service they provide allows me to focus on getting better and not worrying about my equipment.”

The Norwegian connection is also really cool. Karsten Solheim and his family have done so much for the game of golf. Their support of Oklahoma State’s team and their role in developing Karsten Creek are just a couple of examples of the wonderful things they do for golf. I’m honored to be part of their golfing family and look forward to working with them as I begin my professional career.”

Hovland’s relationship with PING began three years ago at Karsten Creek Golf Club, Oklahoma State’s home course named in honor of Karsten Solheim, whose family was a major contributor to the development of the facility in 1994. Oklahoma State is part of PING’s College Golf Program, which has been supporting schools around the country since the mid-1970s.

“We’ve been impressed with Viktor since we first met him when he was a freshman at Oklahoma State,” said Chance Cozby, PING’s Vice President of Sports Development. “During his time in Stillwater, he played PING equipment at various times and we continued to keep in touch with him through our regular visits to the school.”

When it became clear he was going to turn professional this summer, we identified him as someone who would be a perfect fit for our staff. We had a very productive testing session with him at Karsten Creek this spring, which ultimately led to where we stand today. We are extremely pleased Viktor is joining the PING staff.”

At the U.S. Open, Hovland switched to PING’s new G410 LST driver and saw tremendous results – leading the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee by nearly two full shots.

“The G410 LST driver is a great fit for my game,” Hovland added. “I don’t usually make significant changes to my equipment before such a big tournament, but after testing it during the week with the PING tour reps, it was clear the G410 LST driver was the best choice for me.”

It looks really good and I know I’m going to hit the center of the face. It flies in the window I like and the spin is right for my game. I can swing with confidence off the tee knowing the results will be long and straight.”

As part of a multi-year agreement, Hovland will play a minimum of 11 PING clubs, including a driver and putter. His headwear will display PING and he’ll carry a PING Tour staff bag.

For more information about PING and their current line of clubs, bags, clothing and accessories, visit ping.com or follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Golf Pride Wins Grip Count and the 2019 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach

Confederation of Professional Golf — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 14:03:46 +0000

Eaton announced today that its Golf Pride Grips Divisionwas the grip of choice for 83% of players in the field, including the winner, at the 2019 United States Open. The win with Golf Pride makes six U.S. Open Championships in a row, and nine out of the last ten, that have been won by players trusting their games to the #1 grip in golf.

The 2019 U.S. Open saw nine players who finished in the top 10 trust their bid for the championship to Golf Pride, including the winner who used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord Midsize grips. Beyond the pro ranks, this year, 15 of the 16 amateurs that qualified for the event had Golf Pride in their hands during their U.S. Open pursuits.

“It’s rewarding to see on the biggest stage where pros and amateurs compete together, that players overwhelmingly choose Golf Pride,” said Brandon Sowell, Global Sales and Marketing Director for Golf Pride. “With a wide variety of playing styles represented in the field at Pebble Beach, we were proud to have a diverse portfolio of 12 unique performance grips to meet each player’s discerning feel preference.”

Each week, Golf Pride is the leading grip played from tee-to-green on the PGA TOUR with an average of 80% of pros choosing Golf Pride swing grips in each event, without any paid endorsements.

Eaton’s Golf Pride Division is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of golf grips, with manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities on six continents. The division’s Golf Pride brand is recognised globally as the number one choice in grips among TOUR and recreational players, competitive amateur golfers, club manufacturers and club repairmen.

Eaton is a power management company with 2017 sales of $20.4 billion. They provide energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably.

Eaton is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. Eaton has approximately 99,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

For further information on Golf Pride, follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

For info on Golf Pride’s 2019 products, visit www.golfpride.com

Popular Al Ain International Returns for 7th Edition

Confederation of Professional Golf — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 09:31:22 +0000

Location: Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, United Arab Emirates

Tournament Hub: https://eur.pe/7thAESGC

ENTRIES NOW OPEN

The AESGC 7th International Pro-Am, supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, will take place from 26 – 30 January 2020 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (AESGC), UAE.

Up to 28 teams will compete over four competition rounds at AESGC, with PGA Professionals vying for their share of the €28,000 prize fund* on offer.

The Pro-Am has become a staple of the Confederation of Professional Golf’s Sanctioned Event schedule and the club continues to host large-scale tournaments such as the Middle East Faldo Series, and the Faldo Series Grand Final.

Professionals entering with a team go free and there is a 10% discount on team prices for any returning professional. Amateur packages begin at AED 5,600 (approx. €1,350) and include:

6 night’s accommodation in the Al Ain Rotana including breakfast and taxes, 25 – 30 January (check out 31st January)
€28,000 Professional prize fund*
Transport to and from the hotel for practice and tournament days
Complimentary use of all Academy facilities including par 3 course throughout the event
Official practice round, Sunday 26th January and entry to Pro-Am team event, 27 – 30 January
Amateur entry to individual stableford event on 30th with Professionals completing the 72 hole event
Shared golf carts for practice and tournament rounds
Buffet lunch at golf clubhouse, 27 – 30 January
Cocktail reception with drinks on Sunday 26th, Gala dinner and awards ceremony with drinks on Thursday 30th
Player giveaways
Trophies to leading 5 teams, leading 3 professionals and leading 3 amateurs in each of the 3 divisions in their stableford event

For more information and package details download the entry form or contact gavin@aesgc.ae.

For More Information & to Enter Visit http://eur.pe/7thAESGC

————————

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page (http://eur.pe/7thAESGC), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club visit www.AESGC.com.

*Professional prize fund will decrease pro-rata by €1,000 for each team less than 28 competing

Golf Escapes to Host Inaugural Marbella Pro-Am

Confederation of Professional Golf — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 08:35:15 +0000

Location: Los Naranjos Golf Club and Atalaya Golf and Country Club, Spain

Tournament Hub: https://eur.pe/2019Marbella

ENTRIES NOW OPEN

From 16 to 20 November 2019, the Costa Del Sol will play host to the inaugural Marbella Pro-Am Presented By Golf Escapes.

Four-person teams of three amateurs and a PGA Professional will descend upon Sol Marbella Estepona Atalaya Park, and have the opportunity to play some of the most stunning golf courses in Europe. Professionals will compete over 72 holes for a prize fund of €20,000*.

The four-day tournament poses varying challenges to competitors across different golf courses, with the first and third rounds being played at Atalaya Golf and Country Club (the New Course in Round 01 and the Old Course for Round 03). The second and third rounds will then be played at Robert Trent Jones Snr. designed Los Naranjos Golf Club.

There is no fee for a PGA Professional bringing a team of three amateurs, and amateur packages begin at €1475 per person:

5 nights accommodation in a twin room on a B&B basis
4 rounds of golf: 2 at Los Naranjos Golf Club, 1 at Atalaya Golf and Country Club New Course, 1 at Atalaya Golf and Country Club Old Course
1 hour welcome drinks reception
Prize presentation gala dinner
Airport and golf course transfers
Welcome gift bag per amateur

For more information and package details, download the entry form or visit www.golf-escapes.com/pro-ams to enter online.

For More Information & to Enter Visit http://eur.pe/2019Marbella

————————

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page (https://eur.pe/2019Marbella), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Golf Escapes visit Golf-Escapes.com.

*Professional prize fund will decrease pro-rata by €1,000 for each team less than 20 competing

Vilnius Victory for Elli in Lithuania

Confederation of Professional Golf — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 22:58:26 +0000

Federico Elli (PGA of Italy) completed a wire-to-wire victory at The Vilnius Pro-Am 2019 hosted by the Vilnius Grand Resort  in Lithuania, taking the Pro-Am honours and winner’s cheque for €2,200. 

Having shot two, two-over par rounds in rounds one and two, Elli finished the tournament one better with a one-over par score of 73, and a five over par total (221), capping off a week full of drama for the Italian Professional.

“It has been a tough week, including the illness that I had yesterday and rain during the practice round,” said Elli. “It was less tricky today, I had a double bogey on the fourth, which disappointed me but then I got two birdies in a row and came back. I am really happy to get back into the winner’s circle.

“It is very important to have events like this that are promoting golf…the promoters did a great job and fingers crossed the game continues to grow in Lithuania.”

Although he ended up falling two shots short of Elli’s total at 223, PGA of Greece Professional,  Henrik Engdahl, showed fighting spirit to claw his way back into second place with rounds of 74 (+2) and 72 (level) over the final two days, after an out-of-character first round score of 77 (+5).

Finishing in solo-third was home grown professional, Arnas Kaunas, who managed to produce his best round of the week with a score of 72 (level), bringing his total to 225 (+9), highlighting a successful performance for both the Lithuanian, and the Professional game in Lithuania as a whole.

In the Team Pro-Am event,  Team Kaunas, with amateurs  Diana Jackune,  Aurelijus Rusteika  and  Dainius Sutavicius, claimed victory with a total of 243 points (-27), following a sublime final round score of 85 points (-13).

The success story of the event in Lithuania that has featured prominently across the week was further continued with Vytautas Gedminas  and his amateurs  Valentas Ivančenka,  Stanislov Kozel  and  Minautas Petronis, finishing closely behind the winners in second with a total of 240 points (-24).

For Full Final Round Scores, Visit http://eur.pe/2019Vilnius

————————

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2019Vilnius), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#VilniusProAm’, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

Find out more about Vilnius Grand Resort at www.vilniusgrandresort.com.