GBR Weekly | Augusta National Announces More TV Coverage and new Champion Partner, TGL Brings In Nicklaus Design
Strong corporate sales reported for next May's Truist Championship next May at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, LIV golfers are now eligible for Ryder Cup qualification.
Good morning, GBR community,
Sit back with your favorite drink and enjoy the latest news from Golf Bizz Review.
This week, we report on:
Announcements from Augusta National - a new Champion Partner announced and good news for fans with extended TV coverage for the 2025 tournament.
LIV Golfers available for the Ryder Cup - the PGA of America has confirmed that LIV players can qualify for the 2025 Ryder Cup team and play the PGA Championship.
It’s always sunny in Philly - especially for corporate sales of the Truist Championship, which will held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club next May.
Nicklaus Design partners with TGL - as the tech-focused TGL League gears up for its January debut, Nicklaus Design joins two other designers in creating golf holes to test Woods, McIlroy and Co.
American Golf sees light in a poor spring - while the weather might have been a write-off, sales figures were strong for the UK’s largest golf retailer.
Golden moments on the green via Scotty Cameron - fans and collectors will love the stunning Xperimental GOLO 6.2.
Horschel pips McIlroy - deja-vu for McIlroy as he loses out to Billy Horschel in the BMW PGA Championship epic.
End of season honors for Ripper GC - the Aussie team claims top prize in LIV Golf’s season finale.
What we are reading - our focus is on team events, will the Ryder Cup be rowdy next year, does anybody care about the President’s Cup? Read the latest and share your views.
Bank Of America Becomes Champion Partner of The Masters
Bank of America has been added to the roster of sponsors of The Masters tournament in a deal announced last week.
Bank of America will become a “Champion Partner” starting in 2025, and will join the likes of:
AT&T
IBM
Mercedes Benz
Augusta National Golf Club and Bank of America have not confirmed the financials or the length of the deal. Estimates place a Champion Partner deal at around $20 million per annum.
Bank of America has had close ties with Augusta National Golf Club for a number of years, collaborating on amateur events, such as the Augusta National Women’s Amateur since 2019, plus, both the Latin American and Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships. Bank of America has also provided funding for local community initiatives, like the transformation plan for Paine College in Augusta.
As well as the announcement of the elevation of Bank of America, Augusta National Golf Club confirmed that Rolex, UPS, and Delta Airlines would be returning as Tournament Partners for the 90th edition of The Masters, taking place between 10th and 13th April, next year.
“Through Bank of America’s support of our community initiatives and amateur events, they have become an impactful and committed partner in our organization’s mission in Augusta and around the globe.Today’s announcement celebrates an expansion of our relationship, and we are delighted to welcome Bank of America to our valued family of Masters Tournament partners, which together will strengthen the Tournament for many years to come.” - Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National and The Masters tournament.
Masters Announces Extended TV Coverage
CBS will now show a total of 14 hours of coverage, with an additional five hours of coverage added.
The new times, including the additional coverage on CBS and Paramount +, have been confirmed as follows:
Saturday 12th April, live coverage between 2:00 - 7:00 pm, ET
Sunday 13th April, live coverage between 2:00 - 7:00 pm, ET
Augusta National also confirmed that an additional 2 hours of coverage will be available on Paramount + on Saturday and Sunday between 12 noon and 2:00 pm ET.
Commercial breaks have also been capped at 4 minutes per hour of coverage, ensuring more opportunities to watch the drama unfold without constant interruptions.
“The Masters Tournament has had the great fortune of enjoying an extraordinary relationship with CBS Sports for nearly 70 years. Alongside our friends at the network, we are pleased to extend the Tournament’s weekend coverage and ultimately deliver more live golf for Masters fans."- Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National and The Masters tournament.
LIV Golfers Eligible For Ryder Cup
The PGA of America announced on Thursday, 19th September, that LIV golfers will be eligible for Ryder Cup qualification and will also be able to participate in the PGA Championship in 2025 at Quail Hollow Golf Club.
The news will be a welcome relief to those plying their trade with LIV Golf. One of the major battlegrounds in the riff between players on the PGA Tour and LIV was the ability to play in the biannual tournament, which will be held at Bethpage Black, New York, next September.
Since its inception, the U.S. has been robbed of talents such as Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau. Brooks Koepka played in the 2023 edition at Marco Simone Golf Club. His cause helped by winning the PGA Championship earlier in the year and being in a grace period with the PGA Tour on membership status.
Europe was robbed of stalwarts such as Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Westwood. It was also robbed of its captain, Henrik Stenson, who defected to LIV Golf. Luke Donald stepped into great effect as the European Team ran out comfortable winners.
While Poulter, Garcia, and Westwood were arguably past their best, the bigger shock for Europe came when Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton joined LIV Golf.
Many quarters will see the PGA of America’s announcement as a common-sense move that will give Keegan Bradley the opportunity to pick the twelve best players for his American team.
The PGA of America may be showing the way to resolve the divide in professional golf, as the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF are dragging on with no meaningful outcome in sight.
LIV golfers have also been cleared to play in the PGA Championship; the statement makes it clear that all players are viable to participate in next year’s tournament being held at Quail Hollow Golf Club.
The PGA Championship has always prided itself on having the strongest field of all the majors, but this came into question with the omission of LIV golfers other than those invited by the PGA to compete.
“To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and that the U.S. Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of American board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both. Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete.” - PGA of America statement.
Strong Sales Reported For Truist Championship’s Debut In Philadelphia
The PGA Tour was deemed to be in big trouble when a Wells Fargo-shaped hole was created for the annual tournament played at Quail Hollow Club, North Carolina.
Truist Bank, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, stepped into the void and signed a multi-year deal, said to be worth $200 million, with the PGA Tour. One snag relating to the 2025 tournament was that Quail Hollow would be unavailable as it is staging the PGA Championship.
An announcement swiftly followed from the PGA Tour that the inaugural Truist Championship would be relocated to Philadelphia. Considered by some to be a strange move, why couldn’t another host venue be found in North Carolina? Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter reported last week that the early indicators suggest that this gamble is already paying off.
The tournament, scheduled to be held at the historic Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course, next May, has seen a remarkable response in its early hospitality sales.
Within the first 20 business days of selling, nearly 60% of the available suite products had been snapped up. By 16th September, 38 verbal commitments or contracts had been sent out for sites around the course ranging in price from $50,000 to $200,000 for the four championship days.
Hospitality packages for the Valley Cabins on the 16th green and Penn Suites by the 14th tee have sold out. The 16-person venues were priced between $50,000 and $60,000.
Packages still on offer include:
The Presidential Suites, situated to the left of the 18th green, can accommodate 60 guests per day and include all-inclusive F&B and 20 preferred parking passes. They are priced at $200,000+ for the week.
The Liberty Terrace, situated to the right of the 18th green, has also seen significant interest, offering seating for 30 guests with premium amenities. Ten preferred parking passes available, Thursday-Sunday. Priced between $115,000-125,000 for the week.
The tour has also sold nearly one-third of its individual premium (VVIP) passes for the event, priced at $5,000 each. The VVIP package, The Cricket Club, gives access to the clubhouse patio with unrestricted views over the 11th green and 12th tee as part of the $5,000 price.
Two other venues, the 1854 Lounge and the Tillinghast Club, will be available for purchasing packages soon, with prices to be confirmed.
The Truist Championship will be held at The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course, 7th-11th May.
“I’m really pleased and the energy within the club is palpable. So many people in the community have reached out and talked about how important this is for the club.”- Tom Sheridan, Club President, Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Nicklaus Design Announced As One Of Three Design Houses Of Custom Holes For TGL.
Three renowned design firms—Beau Welling Design, Nicklaus Design, and Pizá Golf—have collaborated with TGL and Full Swing to create a series of golf holes for TGL presented by SoFi.
The collaboration between these three firms and TGL’s technology partner, Full Swing, has resulted in the creation of 30 dynamic custom holes. Each hole is designed to push the boundaries of traditional golf course architecture, offering a mix of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s that are as challenging as they are visually stunning. From links and canyons to coastal and desert landscapes, these holes incorporate a variety of authentic settings, seamlessly blending the real and virtual worlds.
One key objective of this project was to design holes that not only challenge TGL’s six teams of top PGA TOUR players but also introduce elements that are only possible in TGL's digital environment. This includes expanding the course footprint and incorporating new features that would be impossible on traditional courses.
Shedding some more light on the design groups involved:
Beau Welling Design (BWD), based in Greenville, S.C., is known for its holistic approach to golf course design, focusing on creating courses that are strategic yet playable for all levels of golfers. With over 120 award-winning courses around the globe, BWD brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the table.
Nicklaus Design, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., has designed 439 courses in 47 countries and 40 U.S. states. Renowned for its strategic layouts and meticulous attention to detail, Nicklaus Design’s courses have hosted over 300 PGA TOUR-sanctioned events, cementing its place as a leader in the industry.
Pizá Golf, with studios in San Diego and Puerta Vallarta, is celebrated for its innovative and artistic approach to golf course design. Awarded by top magazines like Forbes, Pizá Golf’s creations stand out for their boldness and creativity, bringing fresh challenges and a distinct aesthetic to the sport.
The TGL season starts on January 7 at the custom-built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“The holes for TGL presented by SoFi’s inaugural season capture the nature of this league as we push the boundaries of what is possible when fusing technology and live action, while remaining authentic and fun. The design groups brought an astounding level of creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and a true passion for creating holes that will bring a new form of entertainment to golf and sports fans. Full Swing’s virtual technology allowed the designers to expand the course footprint and introduce new elements that would be impossible on traditional courses.” - Scott Armstrong, Vice President of Competitions and Technology for TGL, presented by SoFi.
American Golf Shows Improved Performance
As reported in Golf Business News, the UK’s biggest golf retailer, American Golf, has released its trade figures showing promising results in the first half of 2024.
Between February and August 2024, the company reported a 1.8% increase in like-for-like sales and a 1.4% rise in market share.
These gains are particularly impressive considering that the average number of rounds played across UK golf courses dropped by 8%, with the Midlands and North of England hit hardest.
American Golf attributes its success to continued investment in its national store footprint and a focus on customer experience.
Key stores have seen significant refurbishments, resulting in like-for-like sales boosts between 35% and 65%. The upgrades include advanced custom-fitting bays, enhanced brand offerings, and interactive features like animated putting greens.
American Golf’s strategic initiatives extend beyond store refurbishments. The company has also expanded its portfolio of exclusive brands, such as Benross, Stromberg, and Greg Norman, catering to golfers of all levels.
New partnerships, including a 3,000-square-foot concession in the UK’s largest outdoor activities retailer, GO Outdoors, Gloucester store, underlines the company’s vision of becoming “The Ultimate One Stop Destination for Everything a Golfer Requires.”
The company’s commitment to growing the sport is evident in its Game Changers initiative, which aims to make golf more accessible to diverse audiences. This campaign has contributed to a 6% increase in new customer acquisition, with notable growth in sales of junior equipment driven by summer practice sessions and competitions.
“Investing in new technology, bespoke services, and maintaining our high standards of customer service will maintain the Brand’s fantastic position for the rest of the year.” - Nigel Oddy, CEO, American Golf.
Scotty Cameron’s XPerimental Masterpiece
Scotty Cameron has released details of its latest limited production putter, the Xperimental GOLO 6.2.
Finished in striking chromatic bronze with “dirty white” and asphalt finishes, the GOLO 6.2 has a look that will turn heads.
The mallet design is based on the standard GOLO 6 design and constructed from the same 303 stainless steel. However, two tour-inspired distinguishing features mark out the GOLO 6.2 as an entirely different beast, which are:
I-beam style plumber neck - favored by tour pros, the plumber’s neck hosel allows for a little more face rotation compared to the standard S-bend neck in the 6.0.
Chain link face milling - designed exclusively for the Xperimental GOLO 6.2, chain link face milling combines the feel of a deep-milled putter with the consistency of a mid-milled face.
The putter's sole has two weight ports, which can be tuned with 10g, 15g, and 20-gram weights. The Xperimental GOLO 6.2 is available in 33, 34, and 35 inches.
“The Golo 6 putter head size has been in play for a couple years now. And as more touring pros adopt this compact mallet shape, we get into the prototype phase of experimenting with different neck configurations and finishes based on player feedback. The Xperimental Golo 6.2 Ltd is just that: a new design that adds a familiar plumbing neck, our very popular but rare Chromatic Bronze finish, and a new chain-link face milling.” - Scotty Cameron.
Scotty Cameron will release the Xperimental GOLO 6.2 on 27th September, with a retail price of $800 (£610, €725).
Horschel Triumphs Over McIlroy At BMW PGA
Billy Horschel claimed his second BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth after a scintillating playoff showdown with Rory McIlroy.
Horschel had been in close proximity to the leaders throughout the tournament and found himself three shots off the lead held by the Italian Matteo Manassero, who had reached 18 under par going into the final round.
Horschel was in a tie for second at 15 under with Rory McIlroy at the start of round four. McIlroy made an early mistake with a bogey at the short par three 2nd but quickly hit back with birdies at the next and 4th.
Horschel made steady progress, parring his first three holes before making his first birdie of the day at the easy par five 4th. Horschel slipped at the 7th with a bogey; however, his recovery was spectacular, as he went on a tear with seven straight birdies from the 8th.
Horschel’s second bogey of the day came at 15. Pars at the next two holes meant he needed to birdie the last to get into a playoff. Horschel just about sealed victory in regulation when his 3rd shot approach into the par five 18th just about spun back into the hole before coming to rest three feet from the cup.
Horschel tapped in for his 9th birdie of the day and a closing round 65.
After McIlroy’s birdie at the 4th, he played par golf until converting his third birdie of the day at the par-five 12th before making another birdie at 14. McIlroy found the tricky par five 17th in two, facing a 46-foot eagle putt to tie the lead. The eagle attempt was duly converted, with the crowd erupting, sensing that McIlroy would birdie the last and claim victory. However, McIlroy couldn’t take advantage of the last, settling for a par, which got him into the playoff with Horschel after a closing 67.
Triston Lawrence joined the duo in the playoff. The South African golfer matched Horschel’s closing 65, recording seven birdies and no bogeys to earn his playoff spot and an attempt to claim his 5th DP World Tour title.
The trio went to the 18th tee, where Horschel and McIlroy found the fairway, while Lawrence’s tee shot ended up in trouble. Lawrence found more issues after a semi-topped fairway wood found a fairway bunker. Horschel and McIlroy both went for the green with their second shots. Horschel found a greenside bunker, and McIlroy ended up pin high right of the green.
Lawrence’s hopes faded after finding the water with his third. Taking a penalty drop, Lawrence pitched to within a matter of feet, but the best he could do was make a bogey.
Both Horschel and McIlroy made birdies to go back down 18 again.
Both players found the green in two after long-iron approaches on their second attempts. McIlroy was first to go and saw his eagle put run shave the right side of the hole.
Horschel now faced his eagle putt. The pace and line were perfect, and the ball dropped. Horschel looked over to his close friend McIlroy with an almost apologetic look and shake of the head before the two embraced.
While McIlroy is a firm fan favorite, Horschel has a big fanbase in Europe, his speech with Sky Sport’s Tim Barter on 18 demonstrated his class in his respect for McIlroy, which will endear him further in Europe.
For McIlroy, it’s another agonizing finish. If his form continues and he has more luck and better decision-making on his side, could he be the man to watch in 2025?
“I mean I’m thrilled, excited for the way I played. It was a battle out there today and at the same time a little bit disappointed, Rory is a good friend of mine and I think the world of him.
I think he’s a generational talent and I know how close he’s been this year so I can feel for him, but at the same time I’m pretty excited for being able to get it done today.” - Billy Horschel, 2024 Champion, BMW PGA Championship.
“Two weeks in a row, I’ve played well. Just not quite well enough. But you know, happy with where my game is and happy where it’s trending. I’ve got a week off here, and then get back at it in the Dunhill in a couple weeks.”- Rory McIlroy, runner-up, BMW PGA Championship.
Ripper GC Win LIV Team Championship
The 2024 LIV Golf season reached its climax when Ripper GC claimed the team championship at Maridoe Golf Club, Texas.
Ripper GC is the Australian quartet of Cam Smith, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, and Lucas Herbert fought off strong competition from 4Aces, Iron Heads, and Legion XIII in the final day format that saw all four players from each team’s scores count.
Deep into the final round all four teams were in with a chance of victory, however, Ripper GC prevailed by three shots over 4Aces GC and Iron Heads GC, capping off a strong season in the team event after they had captured the honors at LIV Adelaide and LIV Singapore earlier in the season.
The team championship finale created an interesting dynamic where teams went head to head in a matchplay format in the first two days, which saw Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC and Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC knocked out by the lowest ranked Iron Heads, led by Kevin Na.
The teams who had been knocked out in the earlier rounds were then pooled into two groups to fight it out to claim the highest league standings they could, which, in effect, meant each team and player had something to play for in the final round.
Legion XIII, a strong favorite to claim top honors, was hampered in their preparations when team captain and individual title winner Jon Rahm withdrew with illness, meaning reserve player John Catlin stepped in at the last minute.
“Watching the leaderboard today was pretty stressful. I almost wanted to take my eye off it, but I couldn’t. I was so intrigued with what we had to do.” - Cameron Smith, Team Captain, Ripper GC.
What We Are Reading
We are a year away from the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. The New York fans are bound to be out in full force to support Team USA, but will lines be crossed between support and good fun and something less pleasant? James Corrigan’s latest article in the Daily Telegraph asks if we are heading for scenes similar to what happened at Brookline in 1999.
Do fans love the President’s Cup? Results are lopsided in favor of the U.S. Team. As the President’s Cup gets underway on Thursday at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, Eamon Lynch’s latest article in Golf Week probes into whether the President’s Cup can ever compete with the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup for fan engagement.
David Feherty has been a figure of controversy, humor, and humility in his nearly 30-year career as a golf commentator. Bob Harig’s interview with Feherty for Sports Illustrated sheds more light on the Northern Irishman’s colorful career and the struggles he’s faced off the course.
While we have focused on talks between the PGA Tour and PIF, a third party, the DP World Tour, is involved. Bob Harig’s article in Sports Illustrated reveals that the tour’s new CEO, Guy Kinnings, will likely be more active in the ongoing negotiations.