With a broad spectrum of golf events that cater to professionals and amateurs alike, the Series offers the most varied array of playing and earning opportunities in the world.

The Series is made up of a combined schedule featuring both CPG Championships and Sanctioned Events/Pro-Ams alongside select Member Country PGA events, with a season-long Order of Merit operating across all events leading up to a Series Final.

With events in conjunction with the PGAs of Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Holland, Luxembourg and Poland already confirmed, the Series brings together competitions from across the CPG and its Member Country PGA network.

More events, both in-person and virtual, are set to be added to the schedule soon with many conversations ongoing with Member Countries, promising an exciting and diverse season of golf.

The Series gets underway with The International Pro-Am in Oslo, Norway, in partnership with Golf Traveller, and will be the first opportunity for players to earn points in the Order of Merit that is also being created. Players, both professional and amateur, will accumulate points throughout the season in relevant events with the highest-ranking players – and winners of the individual Series event – each receiving invitations to the Series Final.

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, commented, “The CPG International Series is a ground-breaking initiative with a simple concept of collaboration. It underlines our commitment to providing innovative opportunities and adding tangible value for our Member Country PGAs and their activities. We are delighted by the initial enthusiasm for the Series and will be working over the coming weeks to collaborate with more of our Member Country PGAs to add further tournaments to the schedule.”

Managing Director of the PGA of Poland, Angelika Eratowska, said, “The inclusion of our PGA Polska Championship into the International Series was really an easy decision for us. The opportunity to increase the exposure of the event and elevate it is extremely valuable to us for a variety of reasons, but especially as we can add instant and direct benefit to our Members and the various types of players in the event.”

The Series is the first initiative to come forward from the recently formed Business Affairs Advisory Panel which is co-chaired by CPG Board Members, Ken Schofield and Bostjan Primec, and includes other experts from the world of golf and business in the form of Joe Steranka (former CEO of the PGA of America), Luc Opdebeeck (former President of the Board of Governors of the PGA of Belgium with 25 years’ experience in leading multinational technology companies), John Clark (former Managing Director of PING Europe) and staff member, Fredrik Lindgren who enjoyed a successful playing career followed by many years in the commercial team at the European Tour Group.

The Series itself will have a variety of formats and entry eligibility with inclusivity and diversity of tournaments and players encouraged. As a result, Member Country PGAs will enhance tournaments with international exposure, the opportunity to increase event participation, increased visibility for event partners, and additional incentives to players with Order of Merit points and qualification places for the final available, making for a win-win opportunity across various stakeholders.

By creating a platform for international competition with a variety of event types and entry eligibility, the CPG is fostering a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration in golf, inviting a diverse range of players to participate, and providing the opportunity for Member Countries to enhance their tournament activity.

Find Out More About the CPG International Series @ cp.golf/InternationalSeries

BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas in Bulgaria is set to welcome over 40 teams to the hugely popular BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am that is now in its 15th anniversary year.

Over 2o nationalities of PGA Professionals and their amateur teammates will come together on the Black Sea coast for a week of tournament golf and fun from 03 July until 07 July, with a total prize fund of €43,000 up for grabs for Professionals.

Rounds will be played over the Gary Player-designed BlackSeaRama championship course, as well as along the coastline at Thracian Cliffs Golf Resort and Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, followed up by a variety of off-course entertainment and cuisine that the event has become famous for.

For more information on the 15th BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am visit https://cp.golf/2023blacksearama

Available exclusively to Golf Genius Tournament Management premium customers, the events marketing toolkit provides golf facilities with everything they need to advertise their golf competitions, corporate events, and society days, whilst still guaranteeing autonomy over their marketing activities.

“The recent surge in golfing participation has provided golf clubs with a great opportunity to engage with more golfers, so we’ve developed this toolkit to act as their driver for more revenue, as it enables our customers to market their event offerings more efficiently and effectively.” – Craig Higgs, Managing Director at Golf Genius International

The toolkit provides clubs with a comprehensive suite of assets that can be delivered in a coordinated and systematic fashion to:

• ✅ Drive awareness
• ✅ Foster interest
• ✅ Provide a point of action

These resources include:

• A short explainer video
• Customisable templates for social media posts
• Email newsletters and website banners
• A one-page customer enquiry form
• A corporate sales brochure for lead capture

The assets come in smart, easy to use formats such as PowerPoint or PDF, helping to give customers a more professional look and feel to their communications.

To find out more about Golf Genius and how it can benefit your golf facility, you can book a free product demonstration here

Here Ivar looks at some of the key elements involved with mental toughness and how they can be incorporated in to PGA Professionals’ coaching practices…

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In the nuanced game of golf, there’s a maxim that rings true across all skill levels—success on the green is driven by more than physical prowess. It’s about the resilience of the mind and the ability to navigate emotional currents. As PGA Professionals, we understand the pivotal role mental strength plays in the game. But how can we integrate these principles into our coaching techniques, making them tangible and impactful for our students, both amateur and professional?

A golf game isn’t won solely on the driving range or the putting green, but within the landscape of the mind. Consider the wisdom of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who said, “Golf is 80% mental, 10% physical, and 10% luck.” Anxiety, stress, and lack of confidence can obstruct even the most technically proficient golfer from achieving their potential.

To address these challenges, we must dissect the elements of mental toughness: Anxiety Management, Concentration, Confidence Building, Imagery, Mental Preparation, Motivation, and Relaxation. By understanding and incorporating these elements into our coaching, we can help our students not only confront but also overcome their mental hurdles.

Anxiety Management…

…is crucial for helping golfers stay composed under pressure. As a coach, you can integrate mindfulness exercises into training sessions, encouraging golfers to focus on the present moment, thus reducing anxiety and stress. For instance, during practice, have your students focus on the feel of the club in their hands, the sound of the swing, or the sight of the ball. This can help anchor them in the present, mitigating anxiety about past mistakes or future performance.

Concentration…

…is a fundamental part of golf, where a momentary lapse can make all the difference. To help your students improve focus, introduce exercises such as ‘quiet eye’ training, which involves maintaining a steady gaze on the target (like the hole or a particular spot on the ball) for a couple of seconds before the swing. This practice can improve visual attention and enhance accuracy.

Confidence Building…

…is best achieved through a blend of feedback and self-reflection. Encourage your students to journal their experiences during each game, noting what they felt worked well and what did not. Pair this with positive feedback, emphasising their strengths and achievements, which can significantly boost their confidence.

Imagery or visualisation…

…is a proven technique to enhance performance. Encourage your students to mentally rehearse their shots or play an entire game in their mind. This ‘mental walkthrough’ helps familiarise them with different scenarios, making them less daunting in reality.

Mental Preparation…

…is about setting up the right mindset before the game. Introduce practices like goal-setting at the beginning of each training session, discussing the plan for the day and what they aim to achieve. This provides a clear vision and promotes a focused mind.

Motivation…

…can be stimulated through setting both short-term and long-term goals. Celebrate small wins, such as improvements in swing mechanics or putting accuracy. These victories fuel motivation and show that progress is being made.

Relaxation techniques…

…like controlled breathing exercises can be incorporated into the warm-up or cooldown routines. A simple practice like taking deep, slow breaths can help slow down the heart rate, relax the body, and clear the mind, leading to improved performance.

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Incorporating these elements into your coaching methodology, either as part of a structured development plan or as individual tools, can make a significant difference. Using tools such as the ‘Mental Toughness’ programme provide a structured approach to these elements, offering various exercises and insights building momentum and increasing a player’s dedication to mental training.

As coaches, understanding the power of mental toughness and its critical role in golf allows us to elevate our coaching techniques. By equipping our students with the mental tools to complement their physical skills, we are paving the way for the next generation of golfers, who are not only technically proficient but mentally tough.

ABOUT THE MENTAL TOUGHNESS APP

Unlock your student’s potential with “Mental Toughness,” an online programme designed scientifically to amplify their game. Seamlessly integrating with your technical tuition, this programme offers a targeted approach for each key mental aspect.

From establishing powerful routines and mastering visualization to understanding physical and mental warm-ups—it’s got it all. Help your students devise critical situation plans, manage their control points, and use controlled breathing for relaxation. With an eye on holistic growth, it also aids in creating development plans, factoring in nutrition, rest, recovery, and training. Whether used as a comprehensive guide or for individual elements, “Mental Toughness” is your ticket to transforming your coaching and your students’ game.

For the price of one lesson, your student can benefit from the complete program for one year. PGA Professionals from CPG Member Countries can access an affiliate program that includes a discount for all your students.

Find out more about the Affiliate Program at https://cp.golf/3CpDTfe and more on the App at mentaltoughness.golf