GBR Tuesday | B. Draddy and Zero Restriction Unveil The 2026 Presidents Cup Uniforms And Settle In As US Team Events Golf's Outfitter Of Record
Summit Golf Brands dresses both teams at Medinah, 34 clubs join Troon's portfolio, and Full Swing lands under Golf Channel's owner — plus the rest of the week across the industry
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Good morning GBR community,
Here is what is on the table today:
Summit Golf Brands has both Presidents Cup teams dressed for seven days at Medinah, and what matters to a buyer is the 200-plus embroidery heads in Wisconsin that made it possible on a calendar that never moves.
Troon takes Bobby Jones Links and 34 more facilities, its fifteenth acquisition since 2014.
Versant closes the $530 million Full Swing purchase and parks it next to Golf Channel and GolfNow.
The NGF has U.S. rounds 4% ahead of last year’s record pace, on for a fifth record year in six.
And Cadillac becomes the fifth event named to the PGA Tour’s 2028 Championship Series.
Straight into it. Enjoy!
CASHMERE, MERINO AND RAIN SUITS: INSIDE THE 2026 PRESIDENTS CUP UNIFORMS FROM B. DRADDY AND ZERO RESTRICTION
Seven days on site, and a different set of clothes for each one. That was the brief B. Draddy worked to for the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club, which begins on September 22. Add the off-course pieces, the captains, the caddies and the staff, and the order runs well past what most people picture when they hear the word uniform.
Summit Golf Brands unveiled the collection this morning. B. Draddy handles the polos and the layers for both sides: cashmere sweaters, vests, crewnecks, quarter zips. Zero Restriction takes the weather, from windproof vests to full waterproof rain suits. Every piece carries the Presidents Cup logo and either the team shield or the flag.
The palettes split the way you would expect. Red, white and blue for the United States, worked into pieces like the Pinnacle Half Sleeve, navy with a red zip running the length of it and the flag sitting small on the chest. Black and gold for the International Team, built around the Shield that Geoff Ogilvy keeps returning to when he talks about what holds twelve players from different countries together. The Shield turns up embroidered in gold on the Marsay, a quarter zip in Zegna Baruffa merino, and scattered as an allover print across the Cool Bree Polo. The Andy Hoodie, in a pima cotton blend, covers the U.S. side for the cooler end of a Chicago September.
For anyone who buys apparel for a club, the part worth reading twice is not the design. It is the delivery. Summit runs more than 200 embroidery heads across 75,000 square feet in Madison and Barneveld, Wisconsin, and does its own decoration in house. That is why a job of this size, with two teams, two palettes, seven days and a logo on every item, is possible on a tour calendar that does not move. The same capacity is what sits behind a club order for logoed goods in October, when the pro shop is trying to get product in before the season turns and the answer to how soon can you have it decides whether the order gets placed at all.
Billy Draddy, the brand’s founder and creative director at Summit, described working with the captains as a real honor and said the collaboration came easily. The captains were involved in the design process. Brandt Snedeker says he pushed his players’ feedback into it.
None of this is new ground for Summit. Fairway & Greene and Zero Restriction dressed the U.S. Team in Korea in 2015, and Zero Restriction held the Presidents Cup outerwear brief through 2019, 2022 and 2024. B. Draddy’s team uniform debut came at Royal Montreal two years ago; Medinah is the second commission. Then there is the other September date. The Solheim Cup has named the same two brands Official Uniform Suppliers of the U.S. Team for 2026 and 2028, with the women wearing the new Draddy Sport collection, a first full-uniform brief after supplying the outerwear at every playing since 2013. Bernardus tees off on September 11 and Medinah follows on the 22nd. Two team events eleven days apart, and one company dressing both.
The collection is on sale to the public now, which is where this stops being a story about a golf tournament and starts being one about a wholesale business that reaches 3,500 clubs and resorts in 25 countries.
The full release, with both captains on the design process and the complete breakdown of what each team receives, is here: Presidents Cup and Summit Golf Brands unveil the 2026 team uniforms.
TROON ACQUIRES BOBBY JONES LINKS IN CLUB MANAGEMENT EXPANSION
Troon has acquired Bobby Jones Links. The Atlanta-based club management company, founded in 2000 with two clubs and now managing 34 facilities in 13 states, will continue to operate under the Bobby Jones Links brand, with co-founders Whitney Crouse and Steve Willy remaining as CEO and COO and the company keeping its Club Support Center in Atlanta.
Troon said it will provide additional resources, expertise and marketing support while members and guests at Bobby Jones Links-managed facilities continue to receive the same service, course conditions and food and beverage offerings. Crouse said “Bobby Jones Links, powered by Troon, will be very compelling,” while Troon president and CEO Tim Schantz said the company had “admired” Bobby Jones Links for years and was committed to helping the brand prosper.
The deal expands Troon’s footprint in key markets and adds to a business that now provides golf and hospitality services across more than 45 states and 40 countries, with 15 company acquisitions since 2014 and a brand portfolio including Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, and other hospitality and advisory services.
PGA BUYING SUMMIT SETS RECORD BRAND TOTAL AT FRISCO
The 2026 PGA Buying Summit concluded at PGA Frisco after four days of retail, education and networking activity at the end of last month.
The event brought together more than 1,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, buyers, executives and exhibiting brands from 45 U.S. states and 12 countries, with sold-out exhibit space, a record 196 participating companies, 85 first-time exhibitors and early access to Spring 2027 apparel, accessories, footwear and golf lifestyle collections. More than 165 VIP buyers attended, representing about $155 million in purchasing power and $337 million in retail sales, while the program included ONE2ONE buyer appointments, education sessions developed with the PGA of America and Association of Golf Merchandisers, and the inaugural Next Drop: Golf Style & Culture Experiences presented by Gwop Meet.
“The PGA Buying Summit is designed to bring together the people, products and ideas shaping what’s next in golf retail,” said PGA Shows event director Lisa Langas, with additional networking through Summer Jam, attended by more than 2,400 people, a Fashion Show that recognised Head Golf, Club Special and Hooey Golf, and the Summer Shootout on The Swing short course before planning begins for the 2027 event.
VERSANT COMPLETES $530M FULL SWING ACQUISITION
Versant Media Group has completed its acquisition of Full Swing for roughly $530 million in cash.
The Carlsbad-based simulator, launch monitor, virtual green, software and performance-data company will operate inside Versant’s Digital Platforms and Ventures portfolio, anchored by Golf Channel, GolfNow and GolfPass, with Full Swing CEO Ryan Dotters joining Versant and reporting to Will McIntosh, President, Digital Platforms and Ventures. Full Swing, backed by Tiger Woods since 2015 and also linked to ambassadors and investors including Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Steph Curry, is the Official Licensed Simulator of the PGA Tour and an Official Technology Partner of TGL.
Versant said the deal “extends Versant’s leadership in golf” and creates a wider platform across content, commerce, technology and participation, while also opening opportunities beyond golf, including baseball, where Full Swing technology is already used by college and professional teams.
U.S. GOLF ROUNDS ON TRACK FOR FIFTH RECORD IN SIX YEARS
U.S. golf courses are on pace for another record year for rounds played according to new data released by the National Golf Foundation (NGF).
The NGF report states that, with six months of 2026 data recorded, nationwide play is about 4% ahead of the same point in 2025, when U.S. courses set a rounds record for the third straight year. Demand has remained strong through the peak season, with year-on-year play up nearly 6% in May and 1% in June, while every month so far this year has been ahead of or in line with last year’s record pace. Over the past six-and-a-half years, play has run about 16% above comparable 2013-2019 levels, and NGF said the current 12-month rolling rounds index is at its highest point in a decade. The pre-pandemic record from 2000 was set when the U.S. had about 2,000 more golf courses than today, but NGF said improved demand, better public perceptions, favorable weather, tee-time technology and limited new course openings leave 2026 well positioned to deliver a fifth record in six years barring severe weather, economic shocks or other disruptions.
FORE GROUP JOINS ION 54 PARTNER NETWORK
Fore Group has joined the ION 54 partner network. The software solutions company will work with ION 54’s core teams and portfolio businesses to design, implement and support connected technology systems for golf facilities, covering tee sheets, point of sale, membership, marketing and reporting.
ION 54 brings strategic advisory, development, marketing, agronomy, pre-opening and club management, and sales into one delivery model, with the aim of reducing fragmentation across golf projects and supporting facilities from planning through to long-term operations. Fore Group CEO Cameron Probert said the model allows operational systems to be aligned with the wider strategy “from the outset”, while ION 54 CEO Ed Edwards said Fore Group adds “critical expertise” by ensuring technology is embedded not as a standalone product, but as a strategic tool for operational performance, guest experience and long-term commercial value.
NGCOA ADDS ATLANTA STOP TO GOLF BUSINESS AI WORKSHOP TOUR
The NGCOA has confirmed Atlanta as the second stop on its Golf Business AI Workshop Tour. The full-day event will take place at Bobby Jones Golf Course on Monday, August 31, from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, offering golf course owners, operators, marketing professionals and key managers hands-on training in how artificial intelligence can improve efficiency, create revenue opportunities and support modern golfer experiences.
Returning speakers include Allison George, “Wizard of Fun” at Toad Valley Golf Course, and Mike Hendrix, president of smbGOLF, host of the Tech Caddie Podcast and technology and data adviser to the Ohio and Pennsylvania Golf Course Owners Associations. The program includes six golf-specific education sessions, a catered lunch, a networking happy hour, a Golf Business AI Workshop Certificate of Completion and potential continuing education credits from the PGA of America, LPGA, GCSAA and CMAA. Attendance is limited to the first 50 qualified participants, with the tour sponsored by Courserev.ai, GOLF.AI, PGA of America and SkimTurf Management, while each registered attendee may request one complimentary general admission grounds pass for the final day of the Tour Championship at East Lake on Sunday, August 30, subject to limited availability.
CHALLENGER EXTENDS PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA TITLE PARTNERSHIP
The agreement is the largest commercial partnership in the Tour’s history and runs until the end of the 2030/31 season, with the 2026/27 schedule featuring 19 tournaments across all Australian mainland states, New Zealand’s North and South Island and Papua New Guinea. PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said the deal was “a landmark moment” and would allow continued investment in the Tour, its events and “the next generation of golfers chasing their dreams on the world stage.” Challenger chief executive Nick Hamilton said the partnership was about “playing the long game” by investing in Australian golf, creating more opportunities for players and connecting with golf as “the most played sport by Australian adults.”
CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP ADDED TO PGA TOUR’S 2028 CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
The Cadillac Championship has been confirmed for the PGA Tour’s 2028 Championship Series. The revamped Miami event, which returned to Trump National Doral this year for the first time since 2016, becomes the fifth tournament named for the new top tier, following the Travelers Championship, a Sompo-backed event with its future market still to be confirmed, The Sentry at Torrey Pines and the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Remaining Signature events such as Pebble Beach, Genesis, RBC Heritage, Truist and the Memorial are viewed as likely candidates, although Genesis faces venue questions because Riviera Country Club is due to host Olympic golf in 2028 and the U.S. Open in 2031. First reported by David Rumsey, from Front Office Sports.
AXI NAMED DP WORLD TOUR’S FIRST ONLINE TRADING PARTNER
Axi has become the Official Online Trading Partner of the DP World Tour. The Sydney-founded Forex and CFD trading company, established in 2007 and active in more than 100 countries, has signed a multi-year agreement running until 2029 as an Official Marketing Partner and the first company in its sector to partner directly with a professional golf tour.
The deal gives Axi brand exposure at DP World Tour events, Official Partner status at four tournaments each season, bespoke digital content campaigns and visibility on broadcasts reaching about 600 million homes a week. The partnership will center on the “Axi Edge” theme, with the Tour’s Fantasy Game renamed Fantasy DP World Tour Powered by Axi and a new “Axi Edge Score” using metrics such as recent scoring form, consistency and approach to risk. Axi CEO Rajesh Yohannan said golf and trading share “preparation, discipline, and the fine margins that separate good from great,” while DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said the Tour gives Axi access to an “affluent, financially savvy” global audience.
ROGER CLEVELAND RETURNS FOR NEW RTZ 2 WEDGE LINE
Cleveland Golf has announced its new RTZ 2 wedge line. The release brings Roger Cleveland back into the wedge-building process nearly 40 years after the debut of the 588 Tour Action Wedge, with the new range designed to combine familiar Cleveland shaping with added versatility and modern performance. “RTZ 2 wedges reflect everything we’ve learned along the way, combining classic wedge design principles with modern performance to help golfers play their best scoring shots,” Cleveland said.
The line includes five sole grinds: MID, FULL, LOW, ADAPT Full-Face and the reintroduced 588 Grind, which is aimed at average to shallow swing types and designed for turf interaction, full swings, pitch shots and greenside versatility. The wedges feature HydraZip, UltiZip and Rotex Milling, will be offered in Tour Satin, Black Satin and Tour Rack Raw finishes, range from 46 to 64 degrees, come with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts, and go on sale from September 4 at $199.99 for Tour Satin and Black Satin or $219.99 for Tour Rack.