GBR Weekly | Ryder Cup Brings €262M Boost to Italy, R&A and Toptracer Forge New Alliance Ahead of The Open
Learn also about Jack Nicklaus’ Legal Victory, Economic Surges, Strategic Partnerships, and Major Wins: Key Golf Updates You Can’t Miss
Hey, golf fans.
This is what we have for you this week.
Research shows the Ryder Cup generated €262 million for the Italian economy.
The R&A and Toptracer announce a five-year partnership before The Open Championship.
Jack Nicklaus wins the legal battle to design golf courses independently.
The 4Aces team, led by Dustin Johnson, partners with Magellan Jets for travel.
Titleist launches a new Trackman-compatible golf ball fitting app.
Callaway introduces advanced Opus wedges with new groove technology.
Robert MacIntyre wins the Genesis Scottish Open with a final-hole birdie.
Ayaka Furue claims her first major title at the Amundi Evian Championship.
Ernie Els wins his first senior major at the Kaulig Companies Championship.
Insights on The Open Championship’s financial strategies and impacts.
2023 Ryder Cup Brings €262 Million To Italian Economy
Research carried out by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) in England valued the economic benefit to the Italian economy of hosting the 2023 Ryder Cup at €262 million.
The event hosted at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Rome proved just how big the Ryder Cup is as a commercial vehicle. The figures also demonstrate that hosting the bi-annual event in continental Europe can be hugely successful, especially in countries like Italy and France (2018), where golf isn’t the most popular sport.
The findings from the research show:
271,000 people attended Ryder Cup week
Over 100 countries were represented by those attending
11% increase in total revenue over the 2018 Ryder Cup hosted at Le Golf National, Paris (€235 million)
€34 million in revenue for the local accommodation sector
€72 million spent on non-accommodation related expenditure
A further positive for the region’s economic benefit was that 19% of fans who were attending the Ryder Cup had extended their stay before or after the event.
Two-thirds of international fans indicated they would return to Italy for leisure purposes within twelve months of the Ryder Cup, adding more positive news for the Italian economy.
“From a sporting and fan engagement perspective, Rome 2023 has already gone down as one of the greatest Ryder Cup’s in history. We can now confidently conclude that the 2023 contest at Marco Simone also generated record financial rewards, providing a significant direct boost to the economy in Rome and in Italy.” - Guy Kinnings, CEO, European Tour Group
"I have always said that the Italian Ryder Cup would be the Ryder Cup of records and now the numbers testify to this. The one that took place in Rome proved to be the most beautiful ever, an epic, memorable event.” - Franco Chimenti, President of the Italian Golf Federation
5 Year Strategic Partnership Announced Between R&A And Toptracer
Full details of the new deal will be revealed during The Open Championship, but fans attending the tournament can get a preview if they visit The R&A Swing Zone during the tournament.
One thing that Toptracer has announced will debut is a new collaboration with launch monitor specialist Foresight Sports, showcasing a new app that will integrate Toptracer technology.
Toptracer technology will also be on show during the tournament via:
A large LED screen showcasing the “Tournament Range” is positioned at the side of the practice ground, which will instantly show player’s data such as carry distance, ball speed, and launch angles.
Onsite bays at the Foresight stand in the tented village where fans can take up the challenge of playing Royal Troon virtually.
Fans can participate in the Hole In One competition featuring the treacherous “Postage Stamp” 8th hole. The competition is also available at 1,000 Toptracer venues worldwide.
Toptracer also confirmed it will be bringing its Tournament Range technology and screen to the driving range at the AIG Women’s Open, which will be held at The Old Course, St Andrews, from 21 August to 25 August.
“The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and is watched by many millions of viewers around the globe and having Toptracer at The Open since 2010 has been crucial to delivering the very best viewer experience”, - Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer at The R&A.
"Toptracer has been providing ball-tracking to The R&A at The Open for more than 14 years and our team have demonstrated remarkable dedication and creativity in their efforts to provide an unrivalled viewing and fan experience. This partnership allows us to provide our trusted technology and data on one of golf’s biggest stages, and we are grateful to The R&A who have placed their trust in Toptracer technology for the foreseeable future.” - Scott Blevins, General Manager of Toptracer.
Nicklaus Defeats Nicklaus
An independent arbitrator has ruled in favor of Jack Nicklaus in his ongoing legal dispute with Nicklaus Companies, which is controlled by Nicklaus’ former business partner, Howard Milstein.
While Nicklaus claims he is free to design golf courses under his own name and has several projects in the pipeline, a spokesperson for Nicklaus Companies argued this was not the case.
For those who are not familiar with Howard Bilstein, he is a multi-billionaire real estate developer from New York and the owner of the largest private bank in America. Milstein owns several golf-related businesses in his portfolio, including Golf magazine and a website.
In 2007, Milstein invested $145 million in Nicklaus Companies, making him the controlling shareholder.
Problems started to arise in 2017. According to an article in Golf Digest written by Jeffrey Toobin, Nicklaus had grown increasingly frustrated with how Milstein was running the company and sought to break away.
The initial dispute regarding whether or not the five-year non-compete agreement had been completed went to a preliminary hearing in a New York state court in 2022, with a full trial scheduled for 2025. The presiding judge in the preliminary hearing ruled that:
Jack Nicklaus could independently design golf courses
Nicklaus could not market any projects with the terms “Golden Bear” or “Jack Nicklaus Signature.”
Nicklaus couldn’t sell his services beyond the Nicklaus Companies
The independent arbitrator ruled that Nicklaus had completed the five-year non-compete agreement and was now free of the constraints imposed since leaving in 2017.
To say that Nicklaus and Milstein don’t get on is further highlighted by a secondary court case, which is still to be scheduled. Nicklaus sued for defamation, claiming Milstein lied about the fact that Nicklaus was open to a deal with the Saudi-backed LIV.
“By virtue of this win from the arbitrator, my family can carry my name and likeness into the future. I know I’m a limited resource at this age, and hopefully I have a few good years left. But my kids are now free.” - Jack Nicklaus.
Magellan Jets Sponsors 4Aces
Ahead of LIV Andalucia teeing off last Friday, the 4Aces GC announced a new sponsorship deal with Magellan Jets, which will become the team’s “Official Private Aviation Provider.”
Dustin Johnson, who captains the 4Aces GC, and Patrick Reed, a fellow 4Aces GC member, have selected Magellan Jets to manage their private jet needs throughout the golfing calendar, which led to Magellan being selected as a sponsor for the entire team.
Johnson, Reed, and fellow 4Aces members Harold Varner III and Pat Perez will promote Magellan’s private jet solutions and host exclusive events for Magellan Jets customers.
The deal with Johnson’s 4Aces team is Magellan’s second major sporting sponsorship, which also sponsors MLB’s Boston Red Sox.
Magellan Jets was formed in 2008, with over 100,000 customers using Magellan’s services. The private jet company has received accolades such as its “Best of the Best” membership scheme by the Robb Report and “Best Private Jet Charter 2024” by Modern Luxury.
The 4Aces, who will have the Magellan Jets logo on their shirts for LIV Andalucia, are the most successful team in the LIV League, finishing top in 2022 and 2023.
“Between golf, business and family, my time is at a premium. I committed to being a Magellan Jets cardholder because I trust its personalized service and range of aircraft... This partnership is a perfect fit, and we are excited to onboard Magellan as part of the 4Aces family." - Dustin Johnson.
“Dustin Johnson is highly recognized as one of the best golfers in the world and one of the most knowledgeable and seasoned private fliers in all of sports. As with many tour players and professional athletes, we appreciate Dustin’s loyalty to Magellan Jets." - Joshua Marc Hebert, CEO, Magellan Jets.
Titleist Launches New Golf Ball Fitting App
Titleist has announced the launch of its new Trackman-compatible golf ball fitting app.
The new app will be available for club fitters with the whole process designed to last no more than 15 minutes comprising of:
Questionnaire to be completed by the golfer, answering questions such as typical course conditions they play, playing style, and golf ball preferences
Three shots comprising the following: half-swing wedge, full pitching wedge, 7-iron, and driver
The fitter will also check with the golfer to determine what type of golf ball they favor, their handicap, typical green firmness, preferred golf ball feel, and trajectory they like to see.
The launch monitor will provide the additional data the fitter needs, such as spin rates and launch angles from the golfer’s shots. Titleist Pro V1s or the specially designed for Trackman Titleist Pro V1 RCT ball will be used for the shots the golfer must hit.
The data is fed through an algorithm developed from thousands of Titleist golf ball fitting sessions for players ranging from tour professionals to dedicated amateurs to come up with a recommendation.
The personalized recommendation will be for one of the following from the current Titleist range of premium balls:
Titleist Pro V1
Titleist Pro V1 X
Titleist Pro V1 X Left Dash
Titleist AVX
Titleist recommends that any golfer who wants to investigate which golf ball is best suited for their game should seek a qualified fitter, PGA Professional, or Trackman specialist to arrange a fitting session.
“Every day, we see the benefits of golfers finding the right flight, spin and feel for their games, but we also know that selecting the correct model can be difficult without the necessary information or the right process. The Titleist Golf Ball Fitting App gives us the scale to meet more golfers on the fitting tee and provide them an accurate golf ball recommendation that is unique to them.” - Jeremy Stone, Senior Vice President, Golf Ball Marketing and U.S. Sales, Titleist.
Callaway Launches Opus Wedges
Callaway has stated that the new wedges are “tour-driven” rather than “tour-inspired,” suggesting that Callaway’s leading staff players have had the biggest say in their design.
Two finishes are available. The standard Opus wedges and Opus Platinum wedges. The “tour-driven” element would explain a new look to the head compared to classic Callaway lines such as the Jaws family.
Callaway is also introducing what it calls “SPIN-GEN” into the Opus range, which is broken down into three elements:
New groove setup - grooves closer together and more grooves added
Enhanced rough surface between grooves
Angled micro features - grooves between grooves
The Opus wedges come in various bounce and four grind options with lofts ranging from 48 to 60 degrees. Golfers can choose from Brushed Chrome or Black Shadow finishes.
The Opus Platinum wedges feature multi-material construction (tungsten and metal injection molding). Two grind options are available, and the finish options are Platinum Chrome and Platinum Blue.
Given the two options available and the host of customization options for both wedges, blended wedge sets could be possible.
Callaway Opus Wedges RRP $179.99 (£140, €165) Available 26/07/2024
Callaway Opus Platinum Wedges RRP $229.99 (£180, €212) Available 16/08/2024
Masterful MacIntyre Reigns At Renaissance
Twelve months ago, Robert MacIntyre fell agonizingly short in capturing the Genesis Scottish Open after Rory McIlroy’s sensational 2-iron left to set up the birdie chance that saw the Northern Irishmen pip the Scottish home favorite by one shot.
This year, the story was very different as MacIntyre set the home crowd into a frenzy by rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole to edge Australian Adam Scott by a single shot.
MacIntyre started the final day two shots behind fellow Ryder Cup star Ludvig Aberg, but MacIntyre suffered a slow start with a bogey on his second hole to lose further ground.
With a birdie at the 5th hole and a solid run of pars, MacIntyre made the turn in level par for the day, but the main threat came from Adam Scott. Scott reached the turn in 1-under for the day and birdied the par five tenth.
MacIntyre came alive with a long birdie putt on the 14th to move one shot behind Scott, but Scott stretched his lead to two shots with a birdie on 16.
16 was pivotal for MacIntyre. His drive found heavy rough on the left. Initially, it looked like he would have no chance of reaching the green, but a practice swing uncovered a hidden sprinkler head, from which he was entitled to take relief. The free drop shot allowed MacIntyre to get a club on the back of the ball that would give him the green light to go for the green, and he proceeded to smash his second shot to six feet. MacIntyre rolled the putt in for eagle to draw level with Scott.
MacIntyre banished memories of 2023 with his birdie on the last to pip Scott, and with that holed putt, the home fans went wild as they saw a homegrown player capture the Scottish Open for the first time since Colin Montgomerie won in 1999.
MacIntyre adds his home title to the Canadian Open he won last month to climb to 16th in the FedEx Cup.
Rory McIlroy put in a solid performance to finish tied 4th in his return to action after the U.S. Open disappointment.
Alex Noren claimed the last remaining spot for next week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon with his tied 10th finish.
“My reaction when that ball dropped on 18 said it all. I’ve almost lost my voice now. It’s the one I wanted and the one I got.” - Robert MacIntyre, Genesis Scottish Open Champion.
Furue Captures Maiden Major Victory
After a tense final round in which many players had the opportunity to claim victory, Japan’s Ayaka Furue was the last player standing to claim her first major championship.
Furue started the final round one shot back of leader Steph Kyriacou and was two shots adrift of new leader, Lauren Coughlin, entering the final nine holes. As Coughlin’s chances fell away deep into the back nine, Kyriacou and Furue had the most realistic chance of claiming victory.
That chance was taken by Furue, who drained a long eagle putt on the final hole to become only the fourth Japanese player to become a major champion.
“I feel so honored to be the winner of a major championship, but I feel like I put every effort to win every tournament. I feel very comfortable with this win, but just take one win on the Tour was really good for me.” - Ayaka Furue, Amundi Evian Champion.
Els Wins First Senior Major
Ernie Els will pack his bags and head to Royal Troon for the 152nd Open Championship as the new Kaulig Companies champion.
Els prevailed by one shot from Y.E. Yang at the Firestone Country Club’s South Course to claim his first senior major championship, along with the two U.S. Opens and two British Opens he won on the main tour.
By winning the Kaulig Companies Championship, which used to be the Seniors Players Championship, Els will also get to tee it up for the 25th time at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass next March.
“This has been a long time coming on this golf course. Thirty-two years ago I started playing here ... but I never got to win here. So this was really great.” - Ernie Els, Kaulig Companies Champion.
What We Are Reading
As we enter the year’s final major, the 152nd Open Championship, starting on Thursday, Martin Slumbers, the outgoing CEO of The R&A, has spoken about the meager increases in The Open Championship’s prize fund. The Times’ Rick Broadbent analyzes why The Open Championship is not trying to keep up with the other major championships.
Jared Doerfler at Perfect Putt has produced a fantastic piece looking at the financials of The R&A and how they are benefiting from the ongoing success of The Open Championship.
That wraps up another busy week in golf.
We hope you enjoy the last major of 2024 at Royal Troon.