GBR Weekly | Martin Slumbers on Financial Stability and the Future of Golf. How The R&A Are Investing At Grass Routes Level
Topgolf announces new COO, GOLFTEC completes successful first season on CBS, Exciting new launches from Scotty Cameron and FootJoy, Schauffele claims his second major title.
Hi GBR family!
We hope you have had a good start this week and are ready to digest the latest news in the golf world. The year's final major has finished, April 2025 seems a long time to wait for Augusta and The Masters, but there is never a dull moment in golf!
Join us with your favorite beverage and enjoy the following:
Slumbers Talks Numbers - Outgoing CE0 of The R&A gives his view on the growing prize funds for majors and more
How The R&A Are Investing In Golf - The R&A has released details of how it has utilized the income generated from last year’s Open.
Topgolf Announces New COO - Erin Chamberlin joins the senior executive.
GOLFTEC’s Success On CBS - How the AI-driven technology boosts CBS’s golf coverage.
Scotty Goes Full Stealth Mode - Take a look at the new B3 Triple Black Design Ltd models from putter master Scotty Cameron.
FootJoy and Harris Tweed - The two world-famous brands combine to produce two limited-edition shoes inspired by The Open Championship.
Schauffele At The Double - Xander Schauffele’s scintillating final round 65 secures his second major championship of the year.
Reading Recommendations - Some Open inspired tidbits featuring the debate on when should Tiger Woods retire.
Slumbers Concerned About Golf’s Financial Stability
Adam Schupak of Golfweek reported on Martin Slumbers’ last press conference on the eve of this year’s final major at Royal Troon, where the outgoing CEO of The R&A shared his concerns about the financial status of the game of golf.
In his press conference, Slumbers did not hold back, sharing that he believed the continuing spiraling of purses, which has accelerated drastically since the arrival of the Saudi-backed LIV in 2022, needs to stop.
Some might argue that he then contradicted himself by divulging that the prize fund for the Open was increasing by another $500,000, bringing the total purse to $17,500,000.
However, The Open Championship is now the lowest-ranked of the four major championships. The total prize funds for the 2024 majors, starting with the highest, were:
U.S. Open - $21,500,000
The Masters - $20,000,000
PGA Championship - $18,500,000
Open Championship - $17,500,000
The 2016 Open Championship can be used to gauge how purses have grown in recent years.
Henrik Stenson came out on top after a fantastic duel with Phil Mickelson to claim the Claret Jug. Stenson’s winnings were $1,500,000. Xander Schauffele fired a magnificent final round 65 to claim his second major championship this year. He walked away with a cheque for $3.1 million.
During his session, Slumbers also raised the following points:
Spiraling prize funds are not sustainable, and a plateau will be reached, as witnessed in other sports.
The foundations of the game need to be protected and invested in wisely to protect the game's future.
The most talented players are given the support and opportunity to progress in the game.
The LIV Question
Slumbers confirmed there are no immediate plans for the R&A to create direct routes into the Open for top-performing LIV players. He followed up by stating that there were many opportunities for LIV golfers to qualify if they wanted to.
Slumbers could feel justified in The R&A’s stance as 18 LIV golfers were in the field at Royal Troon, the most of any of the major fields this year.
Slumbers will be replaced by Mark Darbon later this year. Darbon will find that the game’s governing body outside North America is pretty healthy. However, Slumbers' caution over protecting and developing the game's grass routes should be close to the forefront of Darbon’s vision of the future of The R&A.
Slumber’s Soundbites:
“If you look at golf as a pyramid, however strong the pyramid is at the top, it can only be sustained in the long term if the pyramid is equally strong at the base. We see that as our responsibility, and that is why we invest all of the proceeds from The Open back into the sport.”
“I’ve expressed concern in recent years about financial sustainability in the men’s professional game. If we take a wider perspective on the game for a second, golf is in many ways riding on the crest of a wave.”
‘...we’re aware of what the numbers are, but we’re also aware of our own business model and the way we think about it, and as I keep saying, the importance to keep investing,”
And Finally
When a reporter told Slumbers during the press conference that The Open Championship ranked only at number 28 in the list of the highest-paying golf tournaments, Slumbers responded:
“A, I didn’t know 28, and B, I don’t care. That’s not what this is about. Our responsibility is for what we do and for what we run is to get that balance right and get the choices to ensure the game is thriving 50 years from now. That’s the role of the R&A.”
R&A Share How It’s Reinvesting In Golf
The success of The Open Championship in recent years has seen record revenue levels come into The R&A. Following up on Martin Slumbers’ press conference on the eve of the 152nd Open Championship, The R&A released details on how revenue has been utilized.
The proceeds from The Open enabled The R&A to invest £24.1 million in golf in 2023, contributing to its ambitious goal of investing £200 million in the sport over a decade (2017-2026). Since 2017, cumulative investments have reached £138 million.
The R&A, which governs golf globally outside of the United States and Mexico, oversees the sport for over 61 million golfers in 146 countries and supports 165 amateur and professional golf organizations. The Open’s financial impact is crucial to the sport's global growth and sustainability.
The R&A’s key investments in 2023 were:
Grants for Golf Development and Sustainability: £6.1 million was allocated to support global golf development and sustainability, including £2.8 million for national associations affiliated with The R&A and £570,000 for Women in Golf initiatives. This includes Project Ukraine, an initiative created by nine women from The R&A’s Women in Golf Leadership Development Programme to support young Ukrainian golfers affected by the ongoing war.
World Class Amateur Championships: £4.5 million was invested in staging premier amateur championships worldwide.
Professional Golf Support: An additional £4 million was directed towards supporting professional golf.
Governance of the Sport: The R&A invested £4.4 million in governance, covering the Rules of Golf, Equipment Standards, and the World Handicap System™.
Charitable Donations: £3.5 million was donated to The R&A Foundation, which supports projects that transform lives and communities through golf. The Foundation focuses on accessibility, sustainability, health, heritage, and talent.
Junior Golf and Equipment: £500,000 was allocated to junior golf support and equipment, and another £500,000 to the Golf Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to introducing children and young people to golf and its benefits. Additionally, £410,000 supported GolfSixes programs, a team-based competition that helps junior players experience team participation and club representation at the beginner level.
Greenkeeping Scholarships and Sustainability Initiatives: £100,000 was dedicated to greenkeeping scholarships, and £470,000 went towards Golf Course 2030 sustainability initiatives for the sport's long-term benefit.
The Open's role in generating these funds underscores the Championship's importance beyond the fairways and greens, contributing significantly to the global golf community's development and well-being.
“Our vision is to ensure that golf is open to all and enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities. Through the collective work of our development activity, the support of national associations, and the wider golf industry, I am pleased to see the sport continuing to thrive, especially at grassroots level.” - Martin Slumbers, CEO, The R&A
Topgolf Announce New COO
Erin Chamberlin has been named the new Chief Operating Officer for Topgolf, effective Monday, July 22nd.
Chamberlin’s role will give her oversight of Topgolf’s globally owned and operated venue experience, including :
Player experience
Operational excellence
Topgolf technology
Food and beverage innovation
Chamberlin comes to Topgolf as the Senior Vice President at PENN Entertainment Inc., North America's largest gaming entertainment provider.
Strengthening senior management at Topgolf comes after the company, which includes the Callaway Golf brand, announced 2024 Q1 figures in May. Although down, these figures were in line with expectations for the company. Full details of Topgolf Callaway’s Q1 performance can be found here.
Topgolf currently has 100 venues worldwide, with plans for more locations to open this year. It helps bring golf to life for people interested in taking up the game or seasoned golfers looking to hone their skills. Topgolf utilizes Toptracer technology, and golfers can experience anything from playing simulated golf courses to games designed to sharpen up specific areas of their game.
Topgolf also ensures each venue offers high-level food and beverage, allowing golfers and non-golfers to socialize between shots.
"As a Topgolf Player myself, I'm beyond excited for the opportunity to bring my gaming entertainment experience into the modern golf space. It's an exciting time to join the brand, and I look forward to working with the accomplished teams responsible for the day-to-day success of our venues and Player experience." - Erin Chamberlin.
"We're fortunate to have found a leader who has the expertise for the role and embraces our brand's playful spirit as we further strengthen and solidify the unique Topgolf experience we deliver to Players." - Artie Starrs, CEO, Topgolf.
GOLFTEC's Revolutionary Debut on CBS: Transforming Golf Analysis with OptiMotion Technology
The First Call has reported this week on how GOLFTEC, the world leader in game improvement, has made an impressive debut on CBS broadcasts, utilizing its cutting-edge OptiMotion technology to deliver unique insights into the swings of many of golf’s top players.
This breakthrough technology has been central to a system that has helped millions of golfers improve their game by an average of seven shots.
Over seven broadcasts, including each of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, analysts used OptiMotion to break down the key biomechanic traits of great players past and present — such as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, and Jack Nicklaus.
Here are some of the fascinating insights provided by the CBS team:
Scottie Scheffler: His right foot moves more than 13 inches from setup to finish, a move he credits for stopping misses to the left.
Ludvig Aberg: Despite having less hip sway than the average professional, he is still one of the best drivers, as explained by Trevor Immelman.
Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson: The two long hitters' contrasting shoulder and hip rotation.
Rory McIlroy: His 52-degree head tilt is a key reason for his ability to hit up on the ball, contributing to his length and draw.
Jack Nicklaus: His 13-degree shoulder tilt, 108-degree shoulder turn, and 56-degree hip turn made him one of the best drivers in history.
Xander Schauffele: His forward shaft lean generates significant compression, contributing to consistency and length.
Akshay Bhatia: His 113-degree shoulder turn at the top of his swing, which is 17 degrees more than the tournament average, is partially responsible for his power generation. “A young man’s, modern golf swing,” Immelman commented.
OptiMotion Technology: A Game Changer
OptiMotion, powered by a proprietary AI model, is a wireless and sensorless motion-capture technology that measures 15 specific joint centers within the body and collects more than 4,000 data points in every swing. This technology is available in every GOLFTEC center and is the foundation that GOLFTEC coaches use to build easy-to-understand, practical improvement plans.
OptiMotion was used in various locations during broadcasts, from on-course to practice areas. With GOLFTEC’s digital library of over 14 million golf swings, CBS analysts provided viewers with biomechanical swing data about hip turn, hip sway, shoulder tilt, and other key elements.
“Our partnership with CBS has exceeded all of our expectations. Not only have golf viewers received a unique, in-depth look at what makes these players great, but OptiMotion shows them how they can improve and how GOLFTEC can use the technology to help them.” - Joe Assell, CEO of GOLFTEC Enterprises.
Scotty Cameron Unveils Striking New B3 Triple Black LTD Designs
Scotty Cameron has announced four new classic putter designs featuring anti-glare dark PVD finishes.
The four putters on offer in the B3 Triple Black LTD range are:
Newport 2
Newport 2 Long Neck
Santa Fe
Catalina
Each putter features a different neck configuration, ranging from the classic “plumbing neck” design of the Newport 2 to the stretched “plumbing neck” that forms the Long Neck, the mid-slant neck on the Santa Fe, and finally, the S-Bend neck design of the Catalina.
Each putter is constructed from 303 stainless steel, and the faces undergo a dual-milling process to create the classic Scotty Cameron feel.
The top line is manually misted along with the dark PVD finish, and the face and sole are hand-buffed before application. A blacked-out shaft and black Pistonlini grip complete the stealth look of the B3 Triple Black LTD putters.
The putters are available in lengths between 33 and 35 inches, with the Newport 2 being offered in right and left-handed versions.
Further customization options are available for grips and weights.
The B3 Triple Black LTD putters are on sale from 26th July, RRP $750 (£580, €690)
“Our Triple Black putters have always been a popular option on Tour with players who not only like a stealthy, cool-looking design, but also want an extra solution for reducing sun glare. We created the B3 Triple Black Design LTD putters to give dedicated golfers that tour-quality experience in four classic configurations.” - Scotty Cameron.
FootJoy Teams Up With Harris Tweed
In the run-up to The Open Championship starting, FootJoy announced two limited edition models featuring Harris Tweed for their Premiere range of shoes.
The Harris Tweed design is called “The Stamp,” and its inspiration came from the iconic “Postage Stamp” 8th hole at Royal Troon.
The Premiere Wilcox and Field shoes will feature the unique hand-woven Harris Tweed design. The stamp effect is created by using six colors of yarn, giving the finished effect a distinctive blue shade.
It’s not just the Premiere shoes that feature Harris Tweed. Each pair of shoes can be housed in an incredibly smart Harris Tweed shoe bag in the same design.
“We are always looking for a strong narrative to tie the two brands together and for this year’s collaboration celebrating the 152nd Open Championship in Ayrshire, the design came to me relatively quickly.” - Mark Hogarth, Brand Ambassador at Harris Tweed Hebrides.
This marks FootJoy and Harris Tweed's latest collaboration for The Open Championship. As with previous releases, only a limited number of each style is available.
RRP: Wilcox $260 (£200,€240) Field: $240 (£185, €220)
Schauffele Shines At Troon
The Champion Golfer Of The Year is Xander Schauffele.
2024 has been a remarkable year for Schauffele. His talent and ability to win have never been in doubt, but questions were starting to be raised about whether he could raise his game to the next level and claim a major championship.
He answered any doubters emphatically, holding off a charging Bryson DeChambeau to claim The PGA Championship at Valhalla in May.
After three rounds at Royal Troon, Schauffele was handily placed in tied second, one shot behind Billy Horschel. His golf stood out as he avoided any nasty blowups that had afflicted many players during the week.
Schauffele’s first five holes were all navigated safely with a run of pars, and while other players like Justin Rose and Billy Horschel were making birdies early in their rounds, Schauffele, you felt, was still not out of the picture.
But Schauffele signaled his intent by birdieing the sixth hole and following it up with a birdie at the seventh. He gained a share of the lead with a fantastic approach shot from 172 yards at the par-four 11th, which proved again to be the hardest hole on the course. His approach came to rest 2 feet 8 inches from the hole to record only the second birdie on the 11th all day.
Schauffele hit the accelerator pedal by birdieing thirteen and fourteen to move into the lead, with another birdie added on the sixteenth. Schauffele’s playing partner, Justin Rose, could have made life more interesting on sixteen after he hit the green in two with a driver off the deck from 309 yards out, but he couldn’t capitalize with his eagle chance missing.
Schauffele parred seventeen and, after dispatching his approach shot at eighteen safely onto the green, was able to enjoy the iconic walk to the putting surface as the fans welcomed their new champion.
Two putts later, Schauffele had captured his second major title of 2024. In doing so, he became the first player since Rory McIlroy in 2014 to capture both The Open Championship and The PGA Championship in the same year.
Justin Rose holed a long putt on eighteen to claim a share of second spot with Horschel, who also birdied the last hole.
Both players will have mixed emotions about their week. Rose might not have even made The Open without getting through final qualifying. Horschel's game has been indifferent lately, but maybe now he can kick on and play better for the remainder of the year.
Schauffele is now halfway to completing the grand slam in golf. We now have to wait until April 2025 to see if he can go further and capture The Masters.
“As a kid, you dream of it. I tried to force myself to dream of it as of late. It's surreal. It is a dream come true.
It's always a special trip coming over here. Growing up in the States, it's a privilege to travel playing golf.
It's something I always look forward to. The wind, the rain, the fans, the deep bunkers - you name it. It's something I always enjoy and it probably helped me win this thing." - Xander Schauffele, 2024 Open Champion.
What We Are Reading
Tiger Woods shot rounds of 79-77 to miss the cut by a margin at The Open Championship. Earlier in the week, Colin Montgomerie suggested that given Woods’ lack of competition and physical state, he should consider retiring. Tom Cary, writing in The Telegraph, believes Woods has earned the right to retire whenever he wants. Do you agree?
UK summertime sees many golfers coming from around the world to pay homage to links golf and face the ultimate golfing test. Great Open champions such as Lee Trevino and Tom Watson initially hated links golf because they couldn’t get the subtleties of how to master links golf. So, how will a medium-handicapper cope with hitting the links for the first time? We join Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan as he plays his first links rounds in Scotland.