European Captain Luke Donald has named José María Olazábal as his third Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup which will be played at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26-28, 2025.

Olazábal returns to the role having also been one of Donald’s five Vice Captains in 2023 when Team Europe defeated the United States 16½ – 11½ at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy.

The 59-year-old Spaniard was the last Captain to lead Team Europe to victory on US soil, overseeing the most famous European comeback victory of all time at Medinah in 2012.

As a player, he represented Europe in the Ryder Cup on seven occasions from 1987 to 2006, forming the most iconic partnership in the history of the biennial contest with his compatriot Seve Ballesteros.

This year’s Ryder Cup will be the fifth time Olazábal has been a Vice Captain after previously performing the role in 2008, 2010 and 2014, as well as in Rome two years ago. He rejoins Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn and Italian Edoardo Molinari in Donald’s backroom team.

Olazábal said: “It is wonderful news. When Luke approached me and asked me about the possibility of being a Vice Captain again, I have to be honest, I thought about it for a while because, you know, being in New York, it’s not going to be easy. But the Ryder Cup is very close to my heart. I have wonderful memories about this event so I said yes.

“I think Luke did a wonderful job in Rome and I believe he will do a very good job this time round too. He took care of absolutely all the details: players, caddies, families. It was wonderful to see some of the lines he came up with and the images from past champions. It was great also to see him working the way he did during the week, being so close to the players. It was fantastic to be part of that Ryder Cup team.

“It’s really hard to win away from home in the United States. In New York, we know the crowds are going to be very loud and the golf course will be set up in favour of the US team – we’ll have to handle that, too. I think there is not any bigger challenge for a golfer than facing a Ryder Cup away from home and we have to be mentally prepared for that.”

Captain Donald said: “I am delighted to welcome José María back to the Vice Captain role. He is synonymous with European golf and the Ryder Cup and everything it represents. So to have him back as part of my backroom team is incredibly positive for us.

“He bleeds blue and gold like nobody else. His passion for the Ryder Cup is second to none. He is just an inspiration to so many players, which made such a difference in Rome.

“It’s also extremely important for us to know we have the last Captain to have won on foreign soil on our side. I was part of that team as a player and got to witness his never-give-up attitude and the inspiration he drew from Seve that week. There might be some tough times in New York when we all need that experience, that passion and that mentality.”

Olazábal played 31 matches across his seven Ryder Cup appearances as a player, winning 18 of them and returning 20½ points in total for Team Europe. His partnership with the late, great Seve Ballesteros is the most successful in Ryder Cup history, the Spanish duo contributing 12 points from their 15 outings together.

Individually, Olazábal has won 33 professional tournaments worldwide in a glittering career, including 23 victories on the European Tour from 1986 to 2005.

He is a two-time winner of the Masters Tournament, having claimed the Green Jacket at Augusta National in 1994 and 1999, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.

Visit RyderCup.com

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see a Mixed-Team Event added to the programme for Los Angeles 2028,” said IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon. “Golf was incredibly successful at Paris 2024, and as we continue building on the momentum from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, we’re excited to bring even more attention to our sport through this additional format. The athletes were very enthusiastic about their desire to play with their compatriots, and we look forward to watching them compete together in Los Angeles.”

The Mixed-Team Event will be contested as a 36-hole competition – 18 holes of foursomes (alternate shot) for the first round, followed by 18 holes of four-ball (best ball) for the final round. There will be a maximum of one team per country, with teams comprised of one male and one female who are already qualified for the Men’s and Women’s Individual Olympic Golf Competitions. The Mixed-Team Event will take place after the four-round Men’s Individual Olympic Golf Competition, and prior to the four-round Women’s Individual Olympic Golf Competition. The addition of the Mixed-Team Event marks the first Olympic Golf team competition since the 1904 Games.

The event programme and athlete quotas for LA28 were approved by the IOC Executive Board on 9 April. With a total of 351 medal events, 22 more than at Paris 2024 (329), the LA28 programme maintains the core athlete quota of 10,500 with an extra 698 allocated for the five sports proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee (Baseball/Softball, Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse and Squash). The event programme for LA28 was developed based on the requests presented by the International Sports Federations to the IOC. The decision from the IOC Executive Board followed the recommendation from the Olympic Programme Commission and the principles approved in 2023: gender equal, globally appealing, cost and complexity conscious, athlete focused. With the inclusion of boxing, approved by the IOC Session in March 2025, the LA28 sports programme is composed of 31 sports, with an additional five sports proposed by the Organising Committee and approved by the IOC in 2023.

Golf is one of six sports – joining Archery, Athletics (4x100m mixed relay), Gymnastics, Rowing Coastal Beach Sprint and Table Tennis – to add a mixed-gender competition for LA28.

————————-

For more information on #OlympicGolf and regular updates, visit igfgolf.org/olympic-games and follow on X (@OlympicGolf), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Excitement is building in Poland as preparations for the 2025 GolfSixes League season are well underway, with the first tournament teeing off in less than a month.

Led by the Polish Golf Union GolfSixes League Project Leader, Janusz Mojsiewicz, the initiative continues to grow in strength, combining grassroots development with a strong team ethos to give children their first taste of competitive golf in a fun and inclusive environment.

“GolfSixes is not just about competition – it’s about creating community, learning values, and helping young people take their first steps in the game,” said Mojsiewicz. “With the Mini League launching for the first time in 2025, we’re reaching even more kids in even more places, including schools and sports fields.”

The 2025 calendar features six qualifying events and a national final, and for the first time ever, the GolfSixes Mini League will bring shorter, introductory tournaments to schools and summer camps across the country. Participants will use plastic clubs and adapted courses, making golf accessible wherever young players are.

A strong partnership with the PGA of Poland is also central to the programme, as assistant instructors will help deliver events as part of their training – supporting both their own development and that of the next generation of golfers.

GolfSixes League is now active in more than 20 countries and continues to inspire children around the world to enjoy golf in a team setting, collect their first on-course experiences, and feel the thrill of representing a team – helping drive long-term participation and retention in the sport.

……………

GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

One of Europe’s most enduring and prestigious pro-am tournaments is back – the 17th BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am will take place from 01 – 04 July 2025, and entries are officially open.

Hosted at the spectacular BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas – a Member of the CPG Collection – on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline, the event has built a reputation as a must-play experience on the summer golfing calendar. With panoramic cliffside views, five-star hospitality, and a world-class Gary Player-designed course, BlackSeaRama delivers an unforgettable setting for competitive golf.

………

Can’t make this year’s Pro-Am? Check out this great CPG Network Member Offer for coaching groups and hosted trips to BlackSeaRama…

………..

This year’s edition is again part of the CPG International Series, reflecting a long-standing partnership between the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) and the event’s organisers. Professionals and amateurs will compete in teams of four (1 pro + 3 amateurs) across an 18 hole Scramble event at Thracian Cliffs Golf Resort, followed by a 36-hole Pro-Am event across BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse Golf Resort, alongside practice rounds, social functions, and the kind of warm, relaxed atmosphere that has made the event a standout since its inception.

As a Sanctioned Event, the winning professional will also earn a place at the CPG International Series Grand Finale, bringing even more competitive significance to a tournament already rich in tradition.

With more than 16 years of history, previous champions from across Europe, and a consistent focus on quality, the BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am is a celebration of golf in one of the continent’s hidden gems.

Find out more and enter now at cp.golf/2025blacksearama

……………….

For more information on the 17th BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am visit cp.golf/2025blacksearama, and for more information on BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas visit BlackSeaRama.com.

Golfers can now enter the 2025 Porto Carras Pro-Am, taking place from 21-24 May at the acclaimed Porto Carras Grand Resort in northern Greece – a venue known for its breathtaking coastal views, luxury hospitality, and quality championship golf.

Now a Sanctioned Event on the CPG International Series, the tournament will be operated by the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) in collaboration with the PGA of Greece, marking a new chapter in the event’s growing reputation on the international stage.

The Pro-Am will feature teams of one professional and three amateurs, competing over 54 holes on the Porto Carras Grand Resort course, with additional official practice days and a full programme of social activity. As with all Sanctioned Events on the Series, the winning professional will secure an invitation to the prestigious CPG International Series Grand Finale later in the year.

The event also forms part of the Aegean Mini Tour, offering even greater visibility and opportunity for participants to engage with a wider golfing community in the region.

Whether you’re looking to compete, connect, or simply enjoy a world-class golf destination, Porto Carras offers a complete Pro-Am experience in one of Europe’s most picturesque coastal settings.

Find out more and enter now at cp.golf/2025portocarras

……………….

For more information on the 2025 Porto Carras Pro-Am visit cp.golf/2025portocarras, for more information on Porto Carras Grand Resort visit PortoCarras.com, and for more information on AEGEAN visit AegeanAir.com.

The Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh hosted the world leading scientific congress over two days of sessions, with experts in attendance from The R&A, Ladies European Tour, DP World Tour, G4D Tour, the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) and delegates from over 20 countries.

The conference shared insights on the health benefits of golf, with golfers enjoying a reduction in over 40 major chronic diseases, better well-being and length of life.

Dr Andrew Murray, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer for the DP World Tour and a Health Consultant with The R&A, was at the forefront of organising the event.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Golf & Health (@golfandhealth)

Bigger than ever

“It was a Congress bigger than ever before, with more speakers too, which was fantastic,” said Murray, “It was a great opportunity to get together and then think about the health benefits of golf – how we can promote health through major events, how we can help people be at their best, maximising performance and decreasing illness and injury. Then it’s just about giving everyone the opportunity to play golf.

“I think everyone who attended is very passionate about golf and health, very knowledgeable as well, and I really enjoyed the two days.”

Stephen Gallacher, the Ryder Cup star and four-time DP World Tour winner, was among those who took part in the discussions as delegates learned about the mental fitness of competing at the highest level.

Gallacher, who played for 28 years on the DP World Tour, said, “The great thing about the conference was that it was all about golf, all about the positives of the sport for longevity of life. You can start at such a young age and you can still be playing at such a late age.

“It was important also to discuss how much the golfing world has changed, how much the health side has come into it. It’s changed a lot since I was a kid, like proper advice on nutrition, recovery and hydration. There is so much data and technology to plot their goals. As the home of golf in Scotland, it was also fitting to be in such a beautiful place to talk about it.”

Key topics

Attendees also delved into key topics like injury prevention and management, adaptations for disabled golfers, nutrition, strength and conditioning. Research presented from Finland, Sweden and Scotland highlighted that:

• Golf can provide health enhancing physical activity for people of all ages
• Regular physical activity achieved through golf can help prevent and treat more than 40 major chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, depression, anxiety and dementia
• Golf also promotes mental well-being, social connections and connection with nature
• Golf has additional benefits compared to walking

Fantastic opportunity

Maree Todd, Sport Minister at the Scottish Government, said, “Regular physical activity and participation in sport is one of the best things you can do for physical, mental and social health. The Congress was a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and experience, to celebrate what golf is accomplishing and to understand barriers to participation and how we can work to remove them.”

Dr Julia Kettinen, researcher and Golf Exercise Medicine Specialist, added, “Our research highlights that golf can help people achieve the physical activity they need. Golf also kept senior golfers active during the pandemic and supported their quality of life.

“Even a single 18-hole round can offer significant cardiovascular and cognitive benefits, particularly for older adults, compared to regular walking. Globally, more and more people are playing golf – over 100 million now – which is great for both individuals and populations.”

Improving mental health

Although there is compelling evidence of mental health and wellbeing benefits through golf and other sports, life as a professional athlete can be incredibly demanding, with pressure to perform, much time away from friends and family, and at times intense and unwanted scrutiny in social media and in the media.

The golfing industry has recognised these challenges, and conducted research with the players to implement mental health and well-being toolkits, emergency action plans, mind gyms, and a network of specialists for the players, collaborating with tennis and Formula 1 experts who also have intensive travel schedules.

Dr Phil Hopley, Consultant Psychiatrist at Cognacity, who has been instrumental as Mental Fitness Coach with the McLaren F1 Team on their journey from midfielders to World Champions said, “I felt honoured to be at the conference.

“We’ve all got mental health, but it changes sometimes across the course of a week, sometimes during the course of the day. So we can be flourishing or can be mentally well, or we can be struggling a bit, have a mental health problem or a mental disorder.

Collaborative work

“There are so many mental and physical benefits to participating in sport, and we know how important the mind is to being at your best, be that on the Formula 1 track, playing in the Champions League, playing in a golf major or just in life in general.

“Cognacity are delighted to be working with The R&A and the DP World Tour providing psychology and mental fitness support to players, caddies and Tour staff. The untimely passing of top professional golfer Grayson Murray last year was a painful reminder of how challenging life on Tour can be. That is why the collaborative work that golf is prioritising with IOC mental health experts and the provision of industry leading facilities like the Mental Fitness Centre at the Dubai Desert Classic is so important.”

Alyson Mckechin, Head of Golf It! in Glasgow, was also among the speakers in the impressive surroundings of the Royal College, fresh from recently winning Coach of the Year at the Scottish Golf Awards.

Gallacher, the founder of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation which continues to blossom, summed the sessions up. “Our mission is to help and encourage golfers to live a healthy life and enjoy their golf,” he added. “This scientific Congress coming to Scotland was great as it helps us understand the health benefits, hear about how golf is even being prescribed now in Scotland and further afield, and also look at supporting the mental health of players.

“I have had some incredible highs like winning in Dubai, India and Scotland, and being on the winning side at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, but life in professional sport can be lonely and tough, so the work on mental health is so important”.

CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE

PilsnerGolf Resort Hořehledy in Czech Republic has once again demonstrated its impressive commitment to junior golf, winning the 2025 GolfSixes League International Simulator Championship – while also securing second place.

The team of Josef Dubisar, Adam Hrdina, Krystof Kopcak, Jakub Voharcik, Lea Krehlikova and Jakub Zikes were victorious in an example highlighting the club’s dedication to fostering a cohesive, team-based environment that encourages children to both learn the game and grow together.

The championship saw teams from across 6 different countries get together and play a fun competition during the time of year when the days are short.

According to Martin Kopčák, General Manager of PilsnerGolf Resort Hořehledy, these successes stem from putting the emphasis on building a sense of community rather than solely focusing on hitting more balls. “We focus on creating a team and memorable experiences,” he notes. “That comfort and friendly atmosphere transfers into their game and behavior during tournaments.”

PilsnerGolf Resort Hořehledy runs an inclusive junior program for around 25 children who train at a performance level, with an additional 20 players moving through beginner to advanced tiers. The club’s collaboration with local schools is a crucial element in broadening golf’s appeal among children, with plans to expand these partnerships even further in the upcoming school year.

Support for junior players reaches far beyond the practice range. Kopčák received numerous messages from club members eager to see the children compete in the GolfSixes Championship, and congratulations poured in after their victory.

“Projects like GolfSixes strengthen relationships not only between children, but throughout the entire membership and beyond,” he says. Their consistent achievements showcase how teamwork, a supportive atmosphere, and robust junior programs can raise the bar for junior golf and inspire others around the world.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague