GBR Weekly | TaylorMade’s New Industrial Facility, Kith Collaboration, and Titleist’s Next Generation TSR Successor: This Week in Golf
Record Revenues at St Andrews, LPGA Prize Money Surge, and New Sponsorships Highlight the Latest Golf News
Craving a golf update? We’ve got your back. Our team has been busy sifting through a mountain of golf news – scanning over 35 industry journals, major news outlets, newsletters, and even top podcasts! We’ve distilled it all down to the key points, allowing you to get up to speed on everything that’s been happening in the golf world in under 10 minutes.
If you stay with us until the end, you’ll be the most informed person on the course!
TaylorMade’s High-Tech Golf Ball Factory Opens in South Korea
TaylorMade Teams Up with Kith for the Ultimate 2024 Golf Fashion
Titleist Unveils the Next-Gen TSR Series
St Andrews Shatters Revenue Records
Amundi Evian Championship Offers Record-Breaking Prize Money
Rahm’s Legion XIII Secures Maestro Dobel Tequila Sponsorship
Maserati Joins LIV Golf as US Event Sponsor
Scheffler Claims His Fifth Title
TaylorMade Opens New Golf Ball Facility In South Korea
TaylorMade’s new golf ball production facility has opened in Cheongju, South Korea, where TaylorMade will produce all models in its current lineup.
As the demand for golf ball production increases, the South Korean facility will join additional plants based in Taiwan and South Carolina.
TaylorMade bought the plant in South Korea from Nassau Golf Co. Ltd in 2021 and has spent the subsequent three years investing in it to bring it up to the standards TaylorMade was looking for.
As stated on TaylorMade’s website last Thursday the 6th, updating the plant’s infrastructure and digital technology will allow the plant to produce every element of any golf ball in the current range from core to cover.
The enhanced digital technology will allow the production of the TaylorMade TP5/TP5 X Pix, MySymbol, Tour Response Stripe, and the new Speedsoft Ink golf balls.
With the opening of the South Korean factory, known in TaylorMade speak as TMBK, TaylorMade believes that, along with the factory in Taiwan, it has a much better capacity to meet the global demand for its products. This has seen TaylorMade’s overall market share in golf ball sales increase worldwide.
“The launch of TMBK represents a milestone for our business and our ability to service our consumers and customers around the world…..This investment in Korea represents both the confidence we have in the facility and the people, but also the future growth in this category for our business that will benefit both our local Korean golfers as well as our global customer base. - David Abeles, TaylorMade Golf CEO.
TaylorMade and Kith Partnership Launches 2024’s Version Of Cool
Following on from their highly successful 2022 collaboration, TaylorMade once more has teamed up with fashion specialist Kith to introduce a range of clubs, clothing, and accessories for golfers looking for that little something extra and special to define their style on the golf course.
Looking at the equipment first off, golfers can purchase:
Qi10 driver - Finished in rose gold or black, with the Kith logo featured on the carbon weave of the crown. Sole weights and adjustable hosel are finished in gold on both models.
P790 irons - Packed with all the technology of the regular P790 irons, the Kith version uses Roman numerals to represent the number of the iron and a distinctive finish which starts as solid chrome in the long irons, light smoke in the mid-irons, dark smoke in the 8 and 9 irons, and a black finish to the pitching wedge
MG4 Wedges—The contrasting color scheme continues with the three Kith wedge models. The 52-degree model is finished in nightshade, and the 56-degree and 60-degree models are finished in gold.
Spider Tour Putter—The Kith Spider Tour model is finished in a distinctive rainbow PVD finish with contrasting gold alignment lines on the top of the putter.
TaylorMade’s TP5 ball has also been treated to the Kith treatment, with new logos and a distinctive typeface for the TaylorMade logo against the Kith logo.
TaylorMade and Kith have also collaborated on a clothing line that allows golfers to transition from the fairways to the streets. The men’s and women’s clothing line offers a cool mix of polo shirts, hoodies, pants, shorts, course-ready jackets, and vests.
Want to take your Kith look further? Not a problem. There are also Kith logoed golf bags, headcovers, gloves, towels, sunglasses and even a practice putting mat.
The new TaylorMade by Kith range was launched at Pebble Beach, with TV personality Jimmy Fallon leading the launch.
“Continuing our partnership with Kith is a result of the success of the unique blend of the pillars of both Kith and TaylorMade to bring a creative spin on our products and brand identities.” - Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade VP, Product Creation.
“Together we created some incredible custom takes on their innovative equipment. My personal favorites are the K790 Irons and wedges, which were executed to create a mixed metal gradient. I’ve never seen anything like it before, and couldn’t be happier with the final execution.” - Ronnie Fieg, Founder, CEO & Creative Director of Kith.
Those who are interested are advised to be quick. The full range launched on Friday, June 7th, and is expected to be in stock for a short time. You have more info here: KITH FOR TAYLORMADE 2024 | EXPLORE THE COLLECTION
Titleist Reveals Its TSR Successor
Pictures of the successor to the hugely successful Titleist TSR series broke cover earlier last week. The most striking feature was that the “TS”, or “Titleist Speed” moniker, was dropped and replaced by the new title “GT.”
At present, we are left to speculate what “GT” means. The initial pictures show us:
GT2 Driver
GT3 Driver
GT4 Driver
GT Fairway woods
While Titleist has remained tight-lipped about the technology powering the new lineup and will likely do so until the range is launched to the public in September, we can draw a few conclusions.
The GT2 Driver is likely to be the high-MOI-friendly model
The GT4 Driver will be a smaller-headed, low-spin monster
The GT3 Driver will offer low spin and be the most popular model for the better player
From the pictures released, the GT3’s weight track system is positioned closer to the face than in the TSR model. This could mean Titleist is making this model less “spinny” than the TSR 3 equivalent, pushing it closer to the GT4 model.
What we also note at this stage is that there does not appear to be a super-friendly GT1 model, but given that the heads are currently being tested on tour and no tour player played the previous TSR1 model, we could see a GT1 model appear closer to the official launch date.
Titleist has released some of the tour staff’s reactions on social media to hitting the new GT series, which is extremely positive, as you would expect. For us mortals, we’ll have to cast judgement in September.
Record Revenues Recorded At St Andrews
St Andrews Links Trust reported that 283,082 rounds of golf were played on the courses under the trust’s tenure in 2023, marking an 11% increase from the previous high recorded in 2019.
St Andrews Links Trust, which, including the Old Course, has seven courses under its control, also reported the following figures further demonstrating how successful 2023 was:
£44 million ($56 million, €52 million) operating revenue
£11.5 ($14.6 million, €13.5 million) operating profit
The 2023 figures build on the 2022 values of £34 million in revenue and £3.7 million in profit. The positive figures in the past two years have offset the losses faced by the trust during 2020 and 2021, which resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, starving the courses of the thousands of golfers who flock to the historic town.
Positive figures have been reported in other areas for which the trust is responsible. The St Andrews Links Golf Academy reported an astonishing 7.6 million golf balls were hit at the facility. Retail sales increased by 20%, while food and beverage sales increased by 29%, all aided by the increased number of rounds played.
‘These unprecedented results for 2023 underline the renown in which the Home of Golf is held both here in St Andrews and around the world. The demand, not just on our golf courses but across all facilities, has been incredible and has significantly accelerated our recovery from a difficult period in 2020 and 2021.’ -Neil Coulson, Chief Executive, St Andrews Links Trust.
The improved figures fund an ambitious investment strategy, allowing the trust to carry out key projects such as:
Multi-year upgrade of irrigation system across all seven courses
Extensions and upgrades to the Links Clubhouse and Academy
Renovation plans to make the Castle Course playable all year round
One final key concern the trust is looking to invest in and get additional funding is the continued preservation and support for the local coastline against tidal and climate-induced flood erosion.
Record Prize Money On Offer At The Amundi Evian Championship
As reported on the Ladies European Tour website, the 2024 edition of The Amundi Evian Championship, which will take place between the 11th and the 14th of July, will have a total prize fund increased to $8 million (€7.4 million, £6.3 million), with the winner walking away with a cheque for $1.2 million (€1.1 million, £940,000).
The news backs up the growing size of purses available for the ladies' major championships. The Ladies European Tour highlights this by noting that in the past three years, purses have grown by over 100% to $46.9 million (€43.4 million, £37 million) in 2024.
The Amundi Evian Championship remains the only major on the men's or women's professional tours played in continental Europe, and it was designated a major championship in 2013.
The 2024 edition also marks the tournament's 30th anniversary, and title sponsor Amundi is working with other key sponsors, such as Rolex and Danone/Evian, to increase funding throughout the tournament’s life.
The co-sanctioned event between the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET) is played over The Champions Course at the picturesque Evian Resort on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It is the only major in ladies’ professional golf that returns to the same venue.
“This latest announcement from Amundi and Evian illustrates their ongoing commitment and passion for empowering the world’s best professional golfers through this championship,” - Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner, LPGA.
“It’s a beautiful symbol for the tournament’s 30th anniversary to announce this significant increase in our prize money. Today, thanks to the support of the LPGA and Ladies European Tour, the involvement of our loyal Sponsors Club and the exposure provided by the international media, The Amundi Evian Championship is more than ever part of the very exclusive circle of major women’s golf events. It’s a source of immense pride for all those who have contributed and continue to contribute to its success.” - Franck Riboud, Chairman of The Amundi Evian Championship.
Rahm’s Legion XIII Team Sponsored By Maestro Dobel Tequila
The new multi-year sponsorship deal begins at LIV’s next stop in Houston, where Maestro Dobel will become the “Official Tequila” of Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team.
Legion XIII was formed when Rahm signed with LIV in December 2023, and Tyrrell Hatton, Caleb Surratt, and Kieran Vincent were added.
Legion XIII was classed as LIV’s first expansion team. They hit the ground running, taking team honors in their first outing at Mayakoba and a second victory in Miami.
Maestro Dobel is one of Mexico's finest tequila producers and handcrafted in the Jalisco lowlands. Maestro Dobel is also famed for creating the world’s first Cristalino tequila in 2008, the Maestro Dobel Diamante.
Rahm was sponsored by Maestro Dobel when he was still on the PGA Tour, and the deal to now sponsor Rahm’s Legion XIII is seen as a natural continuation of the tequila producer’s support of Rahm.
The synergy between Rahm and Maestro Dobel is the pursuit of excellence, highlighted by Rahm’s comments on the new deal:
“My entire career I have had a singular goal of becoming the best at what I do, and now I share that vision for my team. The continuation of my partnership with Maestro Dobel Tequila, which has now expanded to Legion XIII, is the perfect fit as they are also unwavering in their commitment to excellence.”
Rahm’s sentiment was backed by Maestro Dobel’s Lander Otegui, Chief Marketing Officer for Proximo Spirits:
“Building upon our strategic alliance with Jon allows us to share Maestro Dobel’s ultra-premium tequilas with LIV Golf’s audience across the world.”
Rahm and his Legion XIII teammates hosted a tequila bar with a tasting experience on the eve of LIV Houston. The event featured a celebratory toast to honor the new partnership.
Maserati To Sponsor LIV’s US Events
On the eve of the LIV Houston event, details of the new venture between Maserati North America and the CW Network were released.
Starting at LIV Houston, Maserati will act as the official automotive partner to LIV and will have additional exposure on the CW Network, who cover the LIV events.
The deal will see Maserati cars not only used as courtesy cars for players, tournament officials, and sponsors. Additional exposure will come in the form of:
On-site static displays of the current Maserati lineup
Curated driving experiences
VIP hospitality for attendees, customers, and fans
Maserati branding on the premises during the tournament
The same setup will be applied to all remaining LIV events taking place in North America, with the tour scheduled to stop at Nashville and Chicago in the coming months.
"Maserati is synonymous with power, performance, elegance, and excitement – all attributes that align with the LIV Golf brand,” - Monica Fee, LIV Golf Senior Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships.
“The LIV Golf brand shares our brand’s spirit of innovation and creates engaging, unique experiences for new and existing audiences to the sport.” - Kelly MacDonald, Head of Maserati North America.
“We are thrilled to welcome Maserati to the world of LIV Golf on The CW. This partnership not only elevates Maserati’s premiere brand with on-site activations and experiences, but also showcases the reach of CW Sports’ live coverage and promotion across 100 percent of the country.” - Todd Braverman, EVP/Head of National Sales for majority owner of the CW Networkm Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Scheffler Captures Title Number Five
There was an air of inevitability about the outcome of The Memorial Tournament in Muirfield Village, Dublin, Ohio. Scottie Scheffler was going to win. Going into the final round, Scheffler held a four-shot advantage over the field, and the expectation would be that Scheffler would serenely progress to victory.
While Scheffler ultimately won, he didn’t have it his own way. He even managed to make it exciting by shooting over par in the final round. Scheffler was not at his best, recording only one birdie against three bogeys in a scrappy final round made difficult by the playing conditions.
The final margin of victory was one shot from Collin Morikawa, with Adam Hadwin finishing a further shot back for third.
Muirfield Village played hard and fast, coupled with swirling winds around the course. The final round scoring average was close to 75.
Morikawa’s 71 was the only under-par round recorded from the final 13 groups going out on Sunday.
Scheffler’s final round 74 is his highest final round in 2 years
Scheffler became the first player since Tom Watson in 1980 to win 5 times on tour before the U.S. Open
Scheffler has earned $24 million on tour this season. He has now smashed the previous earnings record on the PGA Tour for an entire season, and it’s still only June!
Adam Hadwin’s solo third gives him an exemption for The Open Championship next month.
"I didn't do a whole lot well but I did enough to get it done.
I feel like I've had some close calls in this tournament. The golf course was playing so tough, firm and fast - 16, 17 and 18 were brutal.
But it was a fun test of golf, I like it when it gets hard." - Scottie Scheffler.
… and Finally, as a Bonus, What We Are Reading?
💪 Fred Perpall was elected as the first black president of the USGA since it was founded in 1894. In this insightful interview with Golf Digest’s Jaime Diaz, Perpall talks about his tenure and future plans for the USGA on the eve of the U.S. Open.
🚭 Charley Hull caused a sensation when she was caught with a cigarette in her mouth at the Ladies U.S. Open. Lauren Mechling of The Guardian looks at the cultural implications of a high-profile sports star doing something deemed in poor taste in many parts of the world.
That’s all for today, friends.
The US Open is just around the corner.
Stay tuned!!!