PING Europe is a CPG Business Partner and member of the Business Club by CPG – Find out more here

The Ladies European Tour has announced PING Europe as the official apparel supplier of the European Solheim Cup Team for both the 2021 Solheim Cup at Inverness Club, Toledo, and the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin, Costa del Sol, Spain.

This year’s staging will be the first time in Solheim Cup history that Team Europe has sported PING Apparel, as they look to defend the coveted trophy that they won in spectacular fashion at Gleneagles in 2019.

PING has a historic association with the biennial contest, playing an integral role in the event’s conception and first staging in 1990, with the contest named after Karsten and Louise Solheim, the founders of PING.

As one of three Global Partners, PING’s decision to support Team Europe further highlights the brand’s commitment to supporting and growing women’s golf. This significant support has also been highlighted through the PING Junior Solheim Cup, founded in 2002, which has been a pathway for some of the world’s best players. PING became the official clothing supplier for Team Europe in this competition in 2015.

Catriona Matthew, the 2019 and upcoming 2021 Team Europe captain, already enjoys a successful partnership with PING and has recently collaborated in designing bespoke outfits for this year’s tournament days.

Inspiration has been drawn from flowers native to Ohio, as well as putting a modern twist on recognisable European themes. A unique colour palette has also been created for the event, which will include 2021 seasonal shades, as well as the traditional Team Europe colours of blue, white and gold – colours synonymous with the final day singles that Catriona was keen to maintain.

Commenting on the announcement, Catriona Matthew, said: “I have been playing PING clubs for five years and I will be wearing their apparel this season for the first time, so when I was looking at team uniforms, I could not think of a better brand to help us look good, feel great and perform to our very best.

“PING are fantastic supporters of the women’s game and the Solheim Cup and I have thoroughly enjoyed working together with them on the new designs.”

Discussing the partnership, Ping Europe Managing Director, Lisa Lovatt, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Team Europe as the Official Apparel Supplier and this partnership exemplifies our unwavering commitment to supporting the women’s game.

“Style and technology go hand-in-hand in PING Apparel, which is designed and engineered to inspire golfers to both look and play their best, providing the comfort and protection to play through the seasons.

“We look forward to seeing the designs being brought to life when Team Europe tee it up later this year and wish them the best of luck in their quest to retain the trophy that they won in such thrilling style at Gleneagles in 2019.”

Alexandra Armas, LET Chief Executive Officer, added: “We are delighted that PING are elevating their much valued, long-standing commitment to women’s golf as they join forces with Team Europe as Official Apparel Supplier at both the 2021 and 2023 Solheim Cup.

“The Team apparel is a part of the event that generates huge expectation to see what each team will be wearing. It is a fun element of the competition with fans wanting to have pieces of these symbolic outfits.

“Having a uniform that ensures the team are able to perform to their best while feeling comfortable is crucial, as they look to defend the trophy.”

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The Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] have announced the appointment of David Kearney to lead the delivery of the organisation’s Parents in Golf and other community coaching education programmes.

Through his previous roles as lead coach for the Irish Ladies National Team and one of the original authors of Ireland’s Junior Golf Pathway Manuals, as well as his involvement in golf development missions on behalf of the CPG and The R&A, David brings to the role a wealth of international experience in player and coach development across grassroots, intermediate and elite levels of golf.

As a longstanding PGA Professional for over 25 years, David was recognised for his dedication and various successes in 2018 when he received the 5-Star Professional Award at the CPG Annual Awards.

As Director – Community Coaching & Parents in Golf, David will primarily focus on working closely with CPG Member Countries to activate community coaching programmes including Parents in Golf and Golf Activators, that are each tailored to the countries’ needs through online workshops, in-person seminars and multi-day training courses.

Developed by the CPG, the Parents in Golf programme focuses on building and supporting the relationships between children, parents and the coach, using golf as a medium for children’s development. This complements other CPG community coaching programmes, which focus on training the national and local supporting or volunteer workforce to provide effective introductions to the game.

On his appointment, David Kearney said: “The CPG has such a strong sense of purpose as an organisation particularly around collaboration with their Member Countries and the wider golfing community and these values strongly resonate both personally and professionally for me.”

“I am extremely excited to be involved with their golf education activity and look forward to meeting the CPG Membership through the Parents in Golf and other programmes.”

CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, commented: “David brings a wealth of international coaching expertise from his time with the Irish national squads whilst also working closely with the country’s development initiatives. Coupled with his wide-reaching experiences in countries such as Canada and Turkey, we are fortunate to have him on the team and leading the delivery of our community coaching programmes across the CPG membership.”

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PING Europe is a member of the Business Club by CPG – Find out more here

With a focus on maximising MOI through multi-material designs and minimising the frustration that comes with missed putts, PING have introduced the 2021 putter series.

Available in 11 models, the custom-built putters are available for pre-order beginning today at authorised PING golf shops around the world.

The Masters never fails to amaze golf fans around the world and the 2021 tournament was no different.

Following postponement and an unfamiliar – yet strangely vibrant and nonetheless fascinating – autumn tournament last year, the first major of the year returned to its traditional April spot.

With Azaleas once again in bloom and the echo of tee shots bouncing around Amen Corner, golf was able to celebrate one of the sport’s great traditions at a time of ongoing uncertainty.

Yet there are many reasons to be optimistic for the future – it was a tournament full of firsts.

PATRONS RETURN

For the first time in two years, The Masters once again had patrons at the tournament.

Autumn’s 2020 Masters tournament demanded a mental adjustment for the players and the people watching on the television. Not only did the course look and feel different for the late time of year but it lacked the echoing cheers and groans of ‘patrons’ during the week. These were the effects of a global pandemic and restrictions on group sizes, meaning The Masters would be a closed-shop event, at least for spectators anyway.

But this year was different. Whilst numbers were restricted, patrons could once again walk across the property of Augusta National Golf Club and once again be part of what was an unexpectedly dramatic final nine holes on Sunday.

This was a point raised during the CPG’s recent podcast to preview the tournament.

The return of golf fans within recent weeks at many golf tournaments signals a real sense of optimism for golf tournament organisers – from global golf tours and governing bodies running major tournaments, right the way through to local PGA Professionals and their respective club events.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA

For the first time in history, Japan could celebrate a home-grown Major Champion in the men’s game.

Ten years since Hideki Matsuyama claimed the Silver Cup for being the lowest amateur, the 2021 champion joined fellow major champions from the women’s game – Hisako Higuchi and Hinako Shibuno – to become only the third Japanese golfer of all time with a major title.

Having held a six-shot lead during the final round at one point, Matsuyama managed to hold on to claim the victory by one shot. Nerves were aplenty, particularly around the back nine when he overshot his approach into the water at the back of 15 to make bogey but with such a comfortable margin earlier on, Matsuyama had the room to make those mistakes.

For Japanese golf, it is a moment for huge celebration and has been a long time coming.

JOSÉ MARÍA OLAZÁBAL

It was the first time that José María Olazábal had made the cut in seven years.

Olazábal, who is a two-time Masters champion, a Ryder Cup Captain and a Spanish golfing great, was perhaps an unexpected story that surfaced during the week. First and second rounds of 75 and 71 respectively were enough for the 55-year-old to make his first cut in The Masters since 2014. It was a monumental performance from the Spaniard but one of self-confessed surprise as well, having not played competitively since the November tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

It coincides with the upcoming ten-year anniversary of the passing of his close friend and European golfing legend, Seve Ballesteros, so this performance from Olazábal will be with Ballesteros in mind and coupled with a strong showing from Jon Rahm as well, the week was a fitting tribute to one of Spain’s great players and champions.

WILL ZALATORIS

It was also a first, quite literally, for the rookies of the tournament.

Will Zalatoris finished solo-second on his Masters debut in what was an incredibly calm and poised performance from the young American. Throughout the week rumours began to build around the fact that Zalatoris could become the first debutant to win the tournament since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

It wasn’t quite to be but his performance and that of Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who also finished under-par for the week of his first showing, were debuts not often seen during the first major of the year.

It sets up an interesting and compelling narrative for the remainder of the golfing year, whilst also signalling a new wave of young talent emerging into golf’s highest ranks.

Furthermore, the many stories from last week’s tournament signals a cautiously-exciting narrative for the golf industry and golf fans across the world, who so often revert to The Masters as a start-gun for the remainder of the year.

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Teams consisting of one Professional and three amateurs will be able to experience the José María Olazábal-designed course at Education City Golf Club – venue of the European Tour’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters – across 54 holes of competition.

General Manager of Education City Golf Club, Michael Braidwood, commented: “We are excited to be hosting the Marriott Marquis Qatar Pro-Am and look forward to welcoming PGA members and their teams from across the CPG’s network of 40 Member Countries.

“With Qatar’s centrally located and accessible position on the map, coupled with a course that will be in top condition for the time of year, plus the build up towards the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, there will be many excellent reasons to play in this year’s event.”

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, welcomed the news: “We can’t wait to get back to action with our Pro-Am series in the second half of 2021 and the Marriott Marquis Qatar Pro-Am is sure to be met with great enthusiasm and anticipation.

“As we continue to extend our reach as an association across a number of countries within the Middle-East region, we are relishing the chance to help develop Professional Golf in Qatar and supporting an event of this nature is a great starting point in doing so.”

There is no Pro-Am package fee for each participating professional bringing a team of three amateurs and amateur packages start at QR7,199 (approx €1,650) and include:

• Hotel Stay at the 5* Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha on a B&B basis
• 4 Rounds of Championship Golf
• Full use of Practice facilities throughout the tournament days
• 1 Free hour for your team at the world renowned Centre of Excellence
• Welcome reception and lunch each day at the golf club
• Gala Dinner and prize presentation
• Tournament goody bag
• Golf Transfers
• Optional Tourist excursions

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page https://cp.golf/2021Qatar. 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 Education City Golf Club (ecgolf.com).

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GOLF – THE SPORT OF BUSINESS

The CPG is delighted to announce the first in a series of Business Club digital forums and networking events:

INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF GOLF

THURSDAY 29 APRIL, 16:00 CET

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CPG Chief Executive Ian Randell will be in conversation with Guy Kinnings – Ryder Cup Director and Deputy CEO & Chief Commercial Officer of the European Tour.

Registration is free and open to all businesses and individuals that are passionate about Golf and Business.

The discussion will be followed by a short breakout session with attendees grouped together to meet and debate the subjects covered by Ian and Guy, generating valuable business relationships through golf.

Join the inaugural online event for free by subscribing to the free Business Club monthly Newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE FOR THE ONLINE FORUM

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Unlike its publicity-courting cousin, running, walking is rarely associated with leadership and success. There are relatively few examples of Fortune 500 CEOs ‘powering through’ a 20k stroll on their way to work, nor prime-time comedians ‘sauntering’ through the Sahara Desert for their latest charity/publicity drive. Walking is an also-ran in more ways than one.

And yet, a quick flick through the history books reveals enough famous walkers to more than rival their more fleet-footed counterparts.

From Beethoven to Steve Jobs and the Queen, walking has helped many a historic heavyweight to achieve success in their chosen field, even if they haven’t yet felt the need to brag about it to their favourite financial journal.

As scientists will attest, walking offers an array of benefits for regular practitioners.  Aside from the obvious physical perks of regular exercise, there are the various mental benefits to consider.

Walkers tend to enjoy lower stress levels, as well as increased cognitive function.  To add to this, a recent study by Stanford University found moving around led to an increase in creativity in 81% of participants who had previously been seated.

The only area where walking really falls short (aside from the crummy PR team behind it) is the obvious time commitment involved.  This may explain why it’s rarely the activity of choice among time-pressured modern professionals.

The flipside to this is that, contrary to more aerobically challenging activities, it can be crow-barred relatively easily into the working day.  As well as being the perfect option for a reinvigorating, yet sweat-free lunch break, it is a great way to put a new angle on interviews, one-on-one meetings, and brainstorming sessions.

The most potent pro-ambulatory argument, however, is perhaps the fact that walking is what we humans are originally designed to do.  Not pounding the pavement clad in lycra or expensive running shoes, or – worse still – wedged in behind a computer screen for 10 hours straight.

Walking may not win you any awards in the image stakes, but your body (and possibly career) will thank you for it.

This content appears courtesy of Abintegro, experts in career management, transition technology & e-learning for today’s modern, mobile and technology-savvy workforce – Find out more at www.abintegro.com

Credit: LinkedIn; Design School; Inc.com

Goldman has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Mashable, The Next Web, SmartMoney, Workforce.com, ReadWriteWeb, The Star-Ledger, ClickZ, and InformationWeek.

@jeremarketer

A lifelong entrepreneur shares his secrets to building a more productive work environment.

Cultivating a happy and healthy work environment is vital to the success of any business–and even more important is developing a sense of community. With the dawn of a new year, it’s a terrific opportunity to look at your corporate culture and see where you might be able to improve it.

Here are six ways to develop and maintain a more positive corporate culture.

1. Establish Trust

A sense of trust is vital to all personal and professional relationships. The best way to build trust is through active listening and open communication. If you are willing to let your guard down and demonstrate that you can truly listen, chances are that others will reciprocate.

“When it comes to establishing positive relationships with your coworkers, the most important thing is to get to know them first as individuals,” says Dorie Clark, author of Reinventing You. “No one likes to be treated ‘instrumentally’–as someone whose only value is in what they can do for you. Instead, ask and learn about their hobbies, families, and backgrounds.” Take the New Year as an opportunity to create deeper, more productive relationships with your work team.

2. Foster Mutual Respect

It’s important that you respect your colleagues’ input and ideas and that they respect yours. When you lose respect for your marketing director, you’ll be less likely to go to her for help, even when it’s an area in which she excels. Furthermore, she’ll be less likely to come to you when she would benefit from your expertise. As a result, less collaboration occurs, and departments become siloed.

When employees feel like you’re respectful and supportive, and that their efforts won’t be undermined by others’ jealousy or fragile egos, their interactions tend to be positive and to create a virtuous, more productive cycle.

3. Take Responsibility for Your Actions

In a work dispute, do you often feel that you’re 100 percent correct, and that the other party is 100 percent wrong? If so, it might be time to take a closer look at how you operate professionally. After all, it’s pretty difficult for one party to be entirely at fault. Even if you’re only mildly at fault and think the other person should shoulder most of the responsibility, admitting that you’re imperfect and could be partially to blame can help the other individual(s) be less defensive.

Rather than pointing a finger at a co-worker, acknowledge your part and then communicate your message in a clear, nonjudgmental way.

4. Show Appreciation

What do your boss, colleagues, and office janitor have in common? All of them want to feel appreciated. So, when someone does something well, offer a genuine compliment to show your gratitude. This not only leads to stronger relationships, but also encourages everyone to continue working productively. People are wired to respond to incentives. While financial rewards are a well-known incentive, appreciation is a rather underrated one.

5. Stomp Out Bullying

Speaking personally: I left one job because of an awful bully. Since then, I’ve had pretty consistent success in my career, which has included working for my former employer’s direct competitors. Meanwhile, my former employer went through multiple hires trying to replace me. Add up all those hiring and training costs, and you can quickly see how bullying costs companies real money. It leads to high turnover, decreased innovation–with the bully focused on bullying and the one being bullied afraid to be vocal in the organisation–and a harder time hiring highly-qualified professionals, as word gets out about your firm’s toxic culture.

Make it a point to not only avoid bullying at all costs, but call out bullying by others as unacceptable.

6. Maintain a Positive Attitude

Nobody wants to be around a Debbie Downer. Regardless of what’s going on in your personal life, it’s important to at least to try to leave it behind when you step into the office. You don’t want people to misinterpret any bad vibes you bring in from the outside, or have your co-workers think your scowl is directed at them. If you walk into the office with a happy greeting in the morning, that upbeat energy will naturally spread to those around you and create a more enjoyable work atmosphere. Try to high five someone today for a job well done; it’s contagious.

Coinciding around the same time as the 2021 Masters Tournament, the PGA of Spain hosted a series of webinars with support from a number of tour stars including two-time champion and 2012 Ryder Cup Captain, José María Olazábal, Jon Rahm and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

During periods of lockdown due to COVID-19 the PGA of Spain – a CPG Member Country – sought to provide a series of educational webinars for its PGA Professionals, with an added twist.

Organised by Director of Training for the PGA of Spain, José Vicente Pérez, large attendances were seen during the series by PGA of Spain Professionals, who each sought to increase their knowledge and understanding in various topic areas, which in turn would improve and increase their influential standing in the Spanish golf market.

Multiple-time tour winner and Ryder Cup Team Europe player, Jon Rahm, inaugurated the series, followed by 2021 Ryder Cup Europe Captain and two-time Masters Champion, José María Olazabal, European Tour Players, Pablo Larrazábal, Álvaro Quirós and Adri Arnaus, and Spanish golf legend, Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

The timing of the webinar series – around the same time as the 2021 Masters Tournament, which finished last week – also added an extra element of anticipation for each of the attendees – Jon Rahm shot a stellar final round 66 to grab a Top-5 finish.

The calibre of names and involvement only further demonstrated the significant influence the PGA of Spain holds as an organisation, not only in Spain but also wider afield across the Confederation of Professional Golf’s [CPG] network – it is one of the larger CPG Member Countries.

On the series, José commented: “It was an incredible learning and bonding experience for all. The PGA of Spain decided that during lockdown there was an opportunity to create this webinar series where we could continue to engage with our members and key influencers, the PGA of Spain Professional, provide them with a valuable service and even have some fun along the way!”

The sessions addressed specific issues related to the golf industry such as the value of the PGA professional, golf for beginners, marketing advice for retaining golfers and academy management, and each group would propose solutions and give ideas about the topic and present.

There was also many webinars that were provided by external organisations and brands such as Trackman, Flightscope, Capto, Dr. Robert Neal, Will Robins, Jesus Rodriguez, Smart2Move, and many more.

José added: “The Association wants to thank all the associates, institutions and associations who have supported and participated in these video-talks and who have made the forced confinement more enjoyable and productive for all.”

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