Lovatt, 51, will begin her new role on 1^st January, with full responsibility for all of Ping Europe’s operations in Gainsborough, Cheadle and the four PING offices in Europe. She will report directly to PING Chairman and CEO, John Solheim.

Clark, 64, who has worked at Ping Europe for 26 years – 24 of these as Managing Director – will retain some small responsibilities at the company on a part-time basis and will also continue as a board member of both Ping Europe and Ping in the USA.

“This management transition isn’t a sudden decision, in fact, it is something we have been working towards for the last two or three years,” commented Clark. “The appointment of Lisa as General Manager in 2018 was the first step, and her success in that role means she is ready to lead this new phase of our future.”

Lovatt joined Ping Europe in 1994 to lead the company’s apparel and soft goods division. She transitioned into operations and was responsible for developing operational support services over a long period of sustained expansion. This included responsibility for purchasing, customer services, production, warehousing and shipping, and her success in this multi-faceted role led to her being appointed General Manager in early 2018.

“I am delighted to be taking up this new role and look forward to building on the incredible work that John and the team have carried out over the 24 years of his tenure,” said Lovatt. “I’ve been working for Ping Europe for over 26 years and I’m excited about driving the company forward in 2021 and beyond.

“I’d like to thank John sincerely, on behalf of everyone at Ping Europe, for the tireless service that he has given to the company over the years, and hope he enjoys the extra time that he will now have available to spend with his family and friends.”

Speaking about his reasons for stepping down, Clark added: “The reason for my retirement is family. I have always been a workaholic and have woken every morning loving going to work. The challenge of being a significant part of a successful company has served as my motivation all through my working career.

“However, far too often, this has been at the expense of family commitment from me and I now want to devote more time to my wife, two sons, three amazing grandsons and a granddaughter who is due early next year.”

Adding his thanks to PING founders, the Solheim family, Clark continued: “Their principles, caring for people and long-term thinking, run right through every PING business. It is a culture I have been well suited to and I owe them more than I could ever put into words.

“I am handing over to Lisa with a feeling of immense pride and satisfaction in what we have achieved since I joined way back in 1994. This year has been incredibly challenging, but golf has bounced back strongly. We have great product coming next year, so the stage is set for Lisa and her team to have a fantastic year in 2021.”

VISIT PING GOLF

As a longstanding PGA Professional, David Kearney has had various coaching involvements and successes including  his work with the Irish Ladies Golf team for 19 years and his leading role during the Carton House’s staging of the 2018 World Amateur team championships, The Eisenhower Trophy and The Espirito Santo Trophy.

As part of his golf development work, David has represented The CPG and The R&A on golf missions and speaking engagements in Panama, Brazil, India, Bulgaria, Hungary, Bahrain and Ukraine, where he advised on Development and High performance programs. He is currently working on the International Golf Federations Olympic solidarity program, bringing training programs to Bahrain and Ukraine.

As part of David’s volunteering as a counsellor with Ireland’s Depression and Bi-Polar support group, and in anticipation of a book he is currently working on, David will use this podcast to explore the significance of the Buddha’s writings and aligns the content and its significance to the life of golf and golfers.

The CPG Podcast brings the latest features, news and in-depth interviews from the world of professional golf, PGAs and PGA Professionals.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CPG PODCAST MAILING LIST

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS

LISTEN ON ANCHOR

Following the success of the PING Women’s Fourball Betterball Tournament, which is set for its 15^th staging next year after being launched in 2006, the new event is anticipated to attract more than 20,000 golfers from over 1,000 clubs across the country.

The tournament, which is supported and administered by England Golf, will run from the start of February 2021 until the beginning of August, with the grand final to be held at Thonock Park – the home course of PING Europe – on Tuesday, September 7.

PING Europe General Manager, Lisa Lovatt, is anticipating impressive numbers of participants following a difficult year for the golf industry as a whole due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This new initiative epitomises PING’s support for golfers of all ages, genders and abilities and we are inviting all players to get involved, find themselves a partner and sign up for the event,” she commented.

“Inclusivity and forward-thinking has always been synonymous with PING, from the creation of the Solheim Cup to the success of the Women’s Fourball Betterball Tournament. We are dedicated to supporting club golf, and we hope that this new mixed event helps to bring golfers together in 2021 and onwards.”

Qualifying events will be run at clubs throughout England, with the top 50 pairs progressing to the grand final. Teams who finish first and second in the qualifiers will win a PING umbrella or towel, respectively, with all finalists receiving special PING gifts, and a fantastic array of prizes up for grabs at the tournament finale.

Commenting on the new event, England Golf’s Director of Championships, James Crampton, said: “We are always looking at new opportunities to engage with golfers and this is an exciting new concept.

“The mixed fourball betterball format is proving very popular in clubs and we are delighted to be teaming up with PING to not only run this event, but to continue off the back of the very successful Women’s Fourball Betterball Tournament in 2021.”

Promotional material and registration packs for the event are being distributed to golf clubs by England Golf in January 2021. For further information about the PING Mixed Fourball Betterball Tournament, contact 01526 354500 or email championships@englandgolf.org.

VISIT PING GOLF

Despite the challenges created from the COVID-19 pandemic, the mission of the CPG Annual Congress – to bring CPG Member Countries, golf stakeholders, and industry experts together for collaboration, education and sharing of ideas and good practice – remains the same, and the innovative new virtual format this year will provide the solution to overcome such challenges.

The event will break down into 6 distinct blocks designed to combine interactive breakout group sessions with delivery of presentations and panel sessions from industry experts. These sessions will examine many of the current opportunities presented to PGAs and other organisations in golf, and by coinciding with the CPG’s recent announcement of its 5-year strategic plan – #CPGthrive – this will also include some of the new and exciting developments from the organisation itself.

In an additional twist to the usual format of events, a wider group of attendees will also be welcomed to participate this year in the final day’s sessions, including the 2020 CPG Annual Awards Supported by Rolex, as a programme of open-access, insightful talks and seminars are scheduled for attendees.

Such sessions, including a ‘Future of Golf’ Panel between some of the most well-known and respected individuals in the world of golf, will enable a wider audience to engage in, and experience for themselves, a CPG Annual Congress.

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, gave comment on the news: “We are very excited to be announcing this year’s CPG Annual Congress once again to our membership and the golfing world.

“It is obviously disappointing that for the first time in our 31-year history we will be unable to host the Annual Congress in person, but we can continue to look forward to what is sure to be an exciting, insightful and productive few days in December to share ideas and benefit organisations, and golf, nationally and internationally.”

For more information visit the Annual Congress Hub Page https://cp.golf/2020AnnualCongress. For more information on the CPG visit cpg.golf, or find the CPG on Twitter (@cpg_golf), Facebook (@cpg.golf), LinkedIn, Instagram (@cpg_golf) and Anchor.fm.

VISIT THE ANNUAL CONGRESS HUB PAGE

Honorary President of the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Pascal Grizot, former Chief Executive of the PGA of GB&I, Sandy Jones, and former Executive Director of the European Tour, Ken Schofield, join CPG Chief Executive Ian Randell in this special edition ‘Masters Memories’ CPG podcast episode, as they preview the 2020 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Seve Ballesteros, French wine, tales from the clubhouse lawn and Pascal’s attempts to avoid George O’Grady are key highlights, in what is a truly epic CPG Podcast episode.

In this Masters special Podcast episode, PGA Professionals and coaches to elite-level tour professionals including Holland’s Joost Luiten, Phil Allen and Rob Mouwen, discuss sub-air and complex green systems; cross-seeding the fairways of Augusta; trying to break 100 at The Masters and not being allowed behind the ropes on the driving range.

The CPG Podcast brings the latest features, news and in-depth interviews from the world of professional golf, PGAs and PGA Professionals.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS

LISTEN ON ANCHOR

Terms of the agreement were not released, but PING confirmed the contract extends the relationship well past Watson’s expected PGA Tour career.

“We’re extremely excited to make this announcement,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “We understand it is unique in the sports endorsement world, but so is Bubba. He’s done a lot for PING over his amazing career and we felt the time was right to make this commitment to him. His skill level and creativity on the golf course have defined his career, but his generosity and compassion are what make him a great fit for PING. He’s like family to us and we’re very happy he’ll be with us for the rest of his golf career.”

Watson, who is celebrating his 42nd birthday this week, is preparing for his 12th Masters and coming off top-10 finishes in his last two events since switching to the new PING G425 driver and 3-wood.

“I’ve been playing PING equipment since I was a kid,” said Watson. “So basically, my whole life. I love the company and truly believe PING is committed to making the best equipment. I can’t thank the Solheim family enough for their support during my career. PING and the Solheim family have played a huge role in my golf career and my life. I’m very grateful they’ve put their faith in me to represent them for the rest of my career.”

Watson, whose first putter was a PING B60, has played PING clubs continuously since receiving a junior set of PING irons as an 8-year-old. He was first brought to PING’s attention by the late Billy Weir, PING’s longtime sales representative in Georgia and North Florida. A lifetime honorary member of the Georgia Section PGA, Weir retired in Watson’s hometown, where he frequently played golf with a young Watson. As he watched Watson begin winning junior events around the Florida Panhandle, he saw something special in the long-hitting left-hander. He passed his observations on to PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim, who also was intrigued by Bubba’s game and encouraged Weir to provide the allowable support to help Bubba further develop his game.

“I remember my great friend Billy Weir telling me about Bubba and how he had a gift to play the game like few he’d ever seen. He was not only a long hitter, he played with creativity and passion,” John A. Solheim said. “He really stood out. I first met him when he was 13 and we’ve since developed a very close friendship. He reminds me of my father Karsten in a lot of ways. Bubba is a very creative thinker who does things his own way – especially in the way he thinks about marketing. His idea to play a pink shaft and pink clubhead is just one example of his creativity, which led to us partnering with him in raising more than $250,000 for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.”

Watson played two years at Faulkner State Community College and two years at the University of Georgia before turning professional in 2001. He signed his first contract with PING shortly after turning professional and went on to play the Nationwide Tour (Korn Ferry today) before earning his PGA Tour card at the end of 2005. During his 14-year PGA Tour career he’s won 12 times, including two Masters titles, and he has led the PGA Tour driving distance statistic five times.

“I remember signing my first contract with PING and thinking how blessed I was to be representing such an amazing company that treated me like family,” Watson said. “Without PING’s support I do not know if I would have achieved my dream of playing golf for a living. I’m proud to have the PING name on my bag when I’m competing on the PGA Tour. Like I said when I won my first Masters, ‘I never got this far in my dreams.’ Being with PING for the rest of my career makes it even more special.”

VISIT PING GOLF

Following the successful introduction of the all-rubber PRO ONLY putter grip series in 2019, Golf Pride has produced a fully corded version, with sleek, white styling that delivers ultimate feedback to give golfers more confidence in every stroke.

Years of design and development as the #1 grip brand on Tour have culminated in the company’s most advanced putter grip collection to date. The three modernised shapes have been individually crafted for hand comfort and positioning. Each model is instantly recognisable due to the colour coordinated star on the end cap.

PRO ONLY Red Star

• Modernised horseshoe shape with an arched paddle front for thumb placement
• Utilises a slight pistol kick in the back for hand heel pad placement
• 72 cc size and 78.5g weight

PRO ONLY Blue Star

• Angled profile with a wide, flat paddle front for thumb placement
• Utilises an angled back shape for comfortable finger positioning
• 81 cc size and 88g weight 

PRO ONLY Green Star

• Oval shape with an arched paddle front for thumb placement
• Slight upper hand flared back for optimum finger comfort and hand positioning
• 88 cc size and 90g weight

“Our Tour-preferred PRO ONLY series has proven to be extremely popular since its release last year,” commented Bruce Miller, Product Manager, Golf Pride. “With three time-proven shape options, now available in a sporty, white design, there is a corded PRO ONLY grip to suit every golfer.”

The new PRO ONLY Cord putter grip series can be purchased at retail now. For more information on Golf Pride’s putter grip selection and the entire 2020 range of products, click the button below.

VISIT GOLFPRIDE

As love.golf’s head coach Alastair supports a team of like-minded and forward-thinking coaches, helping to create opportunity and impact, sharing best practice, building and growing a community of new and existing female golfers.

Alastair has presented his thoughts and research at many industry and educational conferences including the 2018 World Scientific Congress of Golf in Canada.  In this podcast, Alastair will encourage attendees to consider and reflect upon their gender lens. From this, listeners will learn how a simple reset can lead to significant impact and change across their coaching business and venue.

The CPG Podcast brings the latest features, news and in-depth interviews from the world of professional golf, PGAs and PGA Professionals.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

LISTEN ON GOOGLE PODCASTS

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS

LISTEN ON ANCHOR