Golf
Azaleas In Bloom
By: Brian Albertson
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As the wisteria and azaleas begin to bloom here in the South, it means only one thing to many of us……The Masters is upon us!
This year’s Masters Tournament is set for April 9-12 at Augusta National GC, featuring a $21 million purse.
Scottie Scheffler enters the 2026 Masters as the clear betting favorite, following a dominant 2025 season and an early win already this season on the PGA Tour.
Other top contenders include defending champion Rory McIlroy followed by the two top LIV Tour players Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (Valspar) and Cameron Young (Players Championship) enter the Masters in top form with recent wins.
Other notable contenders this year appear to be current leader of the DP World Tour and former Masters champion Patrick Reed, Ludvig Aberg, Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Chris Gotterup and Brooks Koepka.
Obviously the field is made up of the very best players in the world so anyone can win. There are always a few surprise players on the leaderboard throughout the week mixed in with the favorites.
On a local note, South Georgia will be represented in this year’s Masters by 18 year old Mason Howell of Thomasville, Georgia.
Howell is a High School senior and has signed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs next year.
He has been taught for many years by my friend and fellow PGA Professional Bill Connally at Glen Arven CC.
Conallyis an outstanding golf instructor and has produced many fine players over the years. Mason will be the youngest player in the field and undoubtedly will have a huge following at this year‘s Masters cheering him on.
I had a chance recently to chat with retiring UGA Golf Head Coach Chris Haack and he is always very proud of his former players that have made it to the PGA Tour and the Majors.
This year, former UGA Golfers Harris English, Russell Henley, Sepp Straka, Brian Harman and two time Masters Champion Bubba Watson will all be in the field.
A couple of other local Saint Simons/Sea Island residents competing this year are Andrew Novak and 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson. We wish all of our locally connected players the best of luck as they pursue the coveted Green Jacket.
I have attended the Masters tournament every year since 1984 with the exception of the Covid year.
I always look forward to returning each spring. Each year I love to walk the golf course and simply enjoy the beauty of Augusta National Golf Club.
The patrons are always the most behaved audience in sports just as Mr. Bobby Jones would wish.
I am quite certain Mr. Jones looks down with great pride at what he created many years ago at this old nursery in Augusta. It is truly spectacular and is set to write the next chapter of Masters history.
Enjoy This Year’s Masters.
The 5th Major
By: Brian Albertson
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2026 Players Championship is scheduled for March 10–15, 2026, at the TPC Stadium Sawgrass Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
As the PGA Tour’s flagship event, it features a $25 million purse and a competitive 120-player field. Many at PGA Tour headquarters and in the media often refer to this event as the “Fifth Major.” Although it is not officially a Major, it does boast the strongest field of players annually according to the World Golf Rankings.
Last year’s championship was the jump start of an historic season for Rory Mcllroy as he beat J.J. Spaun in a playoff.
Key Players to Watch for 2026
Rory McIlroy: The defending champion, having won the 2025 title in a Monday playoff. A victory in 2026 would make him only the second player to win three Players Championships.
Scottie Scheffler: The current World No. 1 and a two-time winner of the event (2023, 2024). He enters 2026 with significant momentum as the four-time PGA Tour Player of the Year.
Chris Gotterup: The current World No. 5 is leading the Fedex Points List with two early wins at The Sony Open in Hawaii and Waste Management in Phoenix.
J.J. Spaun: If I could buy a golf swing, this would be the one. The reigning US Open Champion and runner-up in this event last year arrives in good form and with fresh memories of playing this very strategic course very well.
Collin Morikawa: Collin is currently No. 3 in the FedEx Points list after winning at the ATT Pebble Beach. He finished in the top 10 last year at the Players Championship. Collin is currently the fifth ranked player in the World.
Brooks Koepka: Brooks will be making his first start at Sawgrass since joining LIV in 2022. If Brooks can get his putter cooperating, he is a threat to win anywhere. It is nice to see Brooks back on the PGA Tour.
Obviously, any of these top 120 players can win the Players Championship. As history has shown, there have been some unlikely winners and length is not always the determining factor around this “Target” golf course.
If you plan to attend this year’s Players Championship, check out the new Fan Experiences & On-Site Updates. The 2026 event introduces several venue enhancements and fan amenities:
Enhanced Connectivity: Introduction of upgraded Wi-Fi and a new tournament app.
Streamlined Entry: New facial recognition entry systems for faster access.
New Dining: The debut of the Iron & Wedge Steakhouse (for Clubhouse badge-holders), Pie95 woodfired pizza, and Island Wing Company.
Fan Shop: Features Sun Day Red, Tiger Woods’ new apparel line.
Course Updates: A new spectator mound has been added behind the 18th green.
Last year, I attended on Thursday’s opening round and plan to do so again this year. I always enjoy seeing all the players competing before the cut falls after round two. The TPC Stadium Course was built for gallery viewing. Every hole offers fantastic viewing points. I urge everyone to try to attend this event at some point. NBC will again carry the television coverage for those watching from home.
Tee It Up
By: Brian Albertson
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The PGA Tour RSM Classic returns to Sea Island golf club next week November 17-23 for the 16th year.
The RSM Classic is an official PGA TOUR event hosted by the Davis Love Foundation. Since 2010, the tournament has brought together the world’s best golfers and a passionate community of fans, raising more than $48 million to support children and families in need.
Tournament Director Todd Thompson has announced another word class field of players for this year‘s event. There will be 10 winners from this PGA Tour season in the field, including two of the winners this season have won two of the last five events on the PGA Tour Fall schedule and includes Steven Fisk (Sanderson Farms Championship), and Michael Brennan (Bank of Utah Championship).
The remaining eight winners from this season scheduled to compete are Harris English (Farmers Insurance Open), Joe Highsmith (Cognizant Classic at The Palm Beaches), Karl Villips (Puerto Rico Open), Brian Harman (Valero Texas Open), Garrick Higgo (Corales Puntacana Championship), Andrew Novak (with Ben Griffin, Zurich Classic of New Orleans), William Mouw (ISCO Championship), Ryan Gerard (Barracuda Championship).
Two of these 2025 champions—World No. 13 Harris English, World No. 32 Brian Harman—are Sea Island residents.
Maverick McNealy is scheduled to defend his title from a year ago. In total, including the ten winners this year, there are currently 36 players in The RSM Classic field who have won in the past two seasons on the PGA Tour.
The tournament week begins with the tournament qualifier held at Brunswick Country Club on Monday, November 17.
There will be as many as 180 players playing Monday for four spots. There are many notable players in the qualifier every year.
The RSM has a long tradition of hosting wonderful and strong fields of PGA Tour Players.
This is in large part a compliment to the sponsors, the Venue at Sea Island Golf Club and Davis Love III being the official host!!!
Here is a list of past champions of the RSM Classic:
2024 – Mav McNealy
2023 – Ludvig Aberg
2022 – Adam Svensson
2021 – Talor Gooch
2020 – Robert Streb
2019 – Tyler Duncan
2018 – Charles Howell
2017 – Austin Cook
2016 – MacKenzie Hughes
2015 – Kevin Kisner
2014 – Robert Streb
2013 – Chris Kirk
2012 – Tommy Gainey
2011 – Ben Crane
2010 – Heath Slocum
We are all excited to see what the 2025 RSM Classic holds for us and look forward to celebrating a champion on Sunday afternoon!!
Pay for Play?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Ryder Cup is one of those rare sporting events that just feels different.
Every two years the best from the United States and Europe square off and the pressure is unlike anything else in golf.
Players who are used to grinding for individual trophies suddenly become teammates. The roars are louder. The stage is bigger.
And for as long as most fans can remember, it has always been about pride and passion, not about money.
That is why the latest story about American players getting paid has stirred up so much noise. For the first time the PGA of America is giving each U S player and captain half a million dollars.
Three hundred thousand of it has to go to charity but the other two hundred thousand can go right into a player’s own pocket if he chooses.
That is where the controversy begins. Europe has stayed firm on playing for free. Rory McIlroy even said he would pay for the chance to play in the Ryder Cup. To them it is about history and honor, not about cash.
So which side has it right?
On one hand the American players have a fair point. The Ryder Cup makes a fortune for the PGA of America. Fans buy tickets, merchandise, and even $7,500 gold coins in the merchandise tent.
The television money is huge too. None of it happens without the players. They are the show. So why should they not share in the revenue?
But the flip side is pretty clear too. These golfers are already millionaires.
The lowest paid American Ryder Cupper this year still made more than three million in official earnings. Several made north of eight million.
Does anyone really believe two hundred thousand is going to change their lives? Probably not.
What it does change is the perception. Europe gets to look like they care more. They get to stand on the moral high ground and rally around the idea of playing for nothing but their flag and their tour. That matters in a team competition.
The Europeans love to remind everyone that they are in it for something bigger than themselves. The Americans now have to answer questions about greed and optics.
Even if guys like Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler and captain Keegan Bradley all say they will donate their full share to charity, the fact that players could keep the money is enough to make the whole thing messy.
Here is the simple answer. Give it all to charity. Every single dollar. Let the Ryder Cup be the one golf event where money is not the headline.
These players have plenty of income from purses, sponsorships, and appearance fees all year long. The Ryder Cup can be different. If the PGA of America wants to spread millions around, do it through foundations, junior golf programs, and local communities.
At the end of the day, fans do not come to Bethpage or watch from home because they want to see rich players get richer.
They come for the drama, the pressure, and the pride. Europe understands that and they use it as fuel. The United States risks losing more than just the moral argument if they cannot embrace the same spirit.
The Ryder Cup is too special to get bogged down in dollars. If American players really want to prove they care just as much as Europe, they should tell the PGA of America to send every penny to charity and then let their golf do the talking.
Finally
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
This year on Masters Sunday Rory McIlroy finally achieved what many believed would never actually happen for him, which is winning the Masters to complete his long-awaited career grand slam.
Rory is now a 5-time Major champion, but this is his first major victory in over 11 years.
For those who don’t remember, here’s a little flashback to how McIlroy made his way to the Career Grand Slam.
He won his first major title in 2011 in the U.S. Open, which was being held at Congressional Country Club just outside of Washington D.C. in Bethesda, Maryland. He was able to claim this victory by a whopping 8 shots over Jason Day.
His next Major title came at the PGA Championship in 2012 at the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
He was able to claim this victory by shooting a bogey-free final round 66, giving him a 8 shot lead over runner-up David Lynn.
Rory then won his next Major in 2014 at the Open Championship, which was held in Merseyside, England at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Rory was able to get out to a hot start and hold the momentum all the way through, leading wire-to-wire, he was able to secure his third Major title over runners-up Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia in historic fashion.
With this victory Rory became the first European player to win three different Majors and also one of three players (Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus) to win three Majors by the age of 25.
Just two months after his victory at the Open Championship, McIlroy was able to claim his second PGA Championship Victory and forth Major title in 2014 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, but this victory wasn’t as much of a cake walk for McIlroy as it was in his three prior major victories.
Beginning the final round with a two-shot advantage, Rory made two bogeys in his first six holes.
As McIlroy turned to begin the back nine he found himself trailing Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, and Henrick Stenson, but that didn’t last long.
Rory made Eagle on the 10th hole to put himself right back into contention.
Now with the sun quickly setting, they were forced to finish the final round in nearly complete darkness. Rory was able to get up-and-down out of a greenside bunker and two-putt for par on the final hole to get past Mickelson by one shot for the Open Championship title.
Now with the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and Open Championship titles all under his belt the only Major he was missing to complete the coveted Career Grand Slam was the Masters Tournament, but to most this was beginning to feel like a nearly impossible feat for McIlroy.
After his catastrophic blow up in the 2011 Masters, where he had a three-shot lead going into the final round back nine where he ended up completely falling apart, shooting a final round 80, losing to Charl Schwartzel.
Rory, again, in 2018, found himself in the final pairing on the final round, but ultimately fell apart once again and lost to Patrick Reed by six shots.
Even after an impressive final round 64 in 2022, the Green Jacket was still just out of reach for Rory. It seemed as if it was beginning to become routine for Rory to be heavily in the mix on Sunday and just fall apart in the end.
Fast forward to 2024 U.S. Open, where once again we see McIlroy in the Sunday final Pairing, but this time he was paired alongside Bryson DeChambeau.
McIlroy had the solo lead over DeChambeau with four holes remaining but based on history I’m sure we can all guess the outcome of this scenario.
After a series of poor shots and missed putts, once again Rory blew a lead in the final round of a major championship, losing to DeChambeau by one shot on the Final hole.
So now we head into 2025 wondering if this could be the year he does it, could this be a new start for McIlroy or would we just see history continue to repeat itself?
Well after a win in his first start of the season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, things were starting to look bright for McIlroy heading into The Players Championship, or as some like to call it “The Fifth Major”.
Rory began the Final round of The Players four shots back, but after getting off to a hot start, he was able to gain a solo lead just before the weather temporarily suspended the final round.
Once they resumed play, McIlroy once again began to display a final round back nine sequence of untimely mistakes. Which had all of us prepared for him to give up the final round lead.
McIlroy and J.J. Spaun ended their final rounds tied at -12 and would have to play a 3-Hole Aggregate Playoff to decide the winner. J.J. Spaun started the playoff making crucial errors, leading to McIlroy holding on and eventually taking the victory.
Seeing Rory be able to come through when it matters and get a hard-fought victory had many starting to think maybe this is the year he could finally get that green jacket he has so desperately been chasing.
Well now the time has come for the playing of the 89th Masters and Rory’s eleventh attempt at completing the Career Grand Slam.
After a great start to his first round came to a halt with double bogeys in two of the last four holes, McIlroy quickly followed up his first round 72 with back-to-back rounds of 66.
These two days of consecutive great days would give him a two-shot lead going into the final round, and once again have him alongside Bryson DeChambeau in the final pairing. Now the question is, would Rory be able to flip the script from the 2024 U.S. Open.
The final round of the 2025 Masters was one of the most nail-biting rounds of golf I’ve seen in a long time and definitely not what anyone was expecting.
DeChambeau got off to a slow start and was never able to get any momentum going, but Justin Rose on the other hand, had what seemed to be all of the final round momentum.
Rory made the turn to the final round back nine with a five shot advantage on the field and a seven shot advantage on Justin Rose, but here is the part that probably won’t surprise you.
McIlroy went into hole 11 at -14 under and by the time he made it to hole 15 he was all the way down to -10. While at the same time Justin Rose was making birdie after birdie catapulting him back into the lead at -11.
McIlroy was able to regain some traction and make birdies on holes 15 and 17, which would put him back into solo first with a one-shot lead and only one hole left to play. All Rory needed to do is make a Par on the 72nd hole to take home his first Green Jacket.
So now we all sit and wonder if he would actually be able to close it out with a victory. Well, the answer is not yet, because Rory made a bogey on 18 dropping him out of the solo lead and in a tie for first with Justin Rose.
This is where even more of the drama starts. The last time there was a playoff to decide the winner of the Masters was back in 2017 when Justin Rose was defeated by Sergio Garcia.
So now there are two different ways to see history repeat itself. Will McIlroy cave under pressure and give up another green jacket in the final round or will Rose once again be defeated for his green jacket in a sudden death playoff?
Well, I’m sure from reading the beginning of this you already know the answer, but yes Rory McIlroy is your 2025 Masters Champion.
After years of heartbreak Rory was finally able to get his green jacket and become the 6th golfer in the history of the sport to complete the Career Grand Slam.
The Back Nine
By: Brian Albertson
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Wow, what a thrilling Masters this year.
Rory McIlroy finally won a green jacket and became the sixth golfer to win the professional Grand Slam.
On his road to making golf history, Rory set a couple of unique records. He made the most double bogies of any Masters winner. And to offset that he made more threes on his scorecard than any player in the history of the masters.
Rory also avenged his great disappointment from last year‘s U.S. Open with a short missed putt on number 18 while losing out to Bryson Dechambeau. On this day, the roles were reversed as Bryson struggled for most of the day shooting a 75.
The biggest Sunday charge came from Englishman, Justin Rose. Justin closed with a phenomenal 66 and found himself in a Sudden Death playoff with Rory McIlroy.
The back nine was riveting for everyone watching and gut wrenching for the players.
The shock of the back nine came when Rory dumped a simple short wedge shot into Ray’s Creek at number 13.
This led to another double bogey that allowed numerous players back into the competition. Some of the players with late charges included Cory Connors, Ludvig Aberg, Scotty Scheffler, Patrick Reed with an incredible eagle at the 17th hole, and the super-hot Justin Rose.
The huge mistake at 13 served as a wakeup call for Rory. He rallied with an amazing approach shot to par 5, 15th hole setting up a makeable eagle putt.
He would miss that putt but make an easy tap in birdie followed by birdie at 17.
Needing a four-footer on number 18 to win the masters in regulation, Rory missed a short one similar to last year‘s at Pinehurst and we all thought “here we go again.”
This day would end differently. Rory and Justin would finish 72 holes tied at 11 under Par. Both players returned to 18 to begin a sudden death playoff. Both players hit perfect tee shots in the fairway. The tee shot at 18 is undoubtedly one of the hardest shots in championship golf.
They both followed that with amazing approach shots with Justin, having an 8-foot birdie putt and Rory stuffing a wedge in tight to 3 feet.
Justin‘s putt barely slipped past the right edge of the hole leaving him with a par four setting up a winning opportunity for Rory.
Rory not so calmly made this nerve-racking 3-foot birdie putt to win his first masters in his 17th try while also completing the career professional Grand Slam of golf.
Something that only five golfers had done before him. Rory now joins golf legends Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods as the only other golfers to win the professional Grand Slam.
Of course, Masters founder, lifelong amateur and Georgia native Bobby Jones is still the only golfer to win all four majors in one year, in 1930 Mr. Jones won the US Amateur, the British Amateur, the US open and British Open all in the same year.
The professional Grand Slam came about years later after the Masters quickly became a major championship.
Till Next Year’s Masters, Happy Golfing
Azaleas In Bloom
By: Brian Albertson
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For all of us golf enthusiasts, the Masters is and always will be the official start to the golf season.
We look forward to the blooming azaleas and the lush green fairways from Augusta National Golf Club.
This year‘s Masters is set for April 10-13. I for one always eagerly await to watch the honorary starters tee off on Thursday mornings. This year will have Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson again doing the honors on the first tee.
The Masters has traditionally been a melting pot of the best golfers in the world coming together at the same wonderful venue every spring.
This year’s Masters will not disappoint, as players from all over the world, every tour, professionals and amateurs will be competing again for the coveted Green Jacket.
This year‘s betting favorite is world #1 and defending champion Scotty Scheffler, followed closely by world #2 Rory McIlroy.
Several other top contenders are not as highly ranked because they have not received world golf ranking points while playing the LIV tour. Some of the top LIV players competing this year are John Rahm(2023), Brooks Koepka, Cam Smith, Joaquin Newman along with several former Masters champions, including Phil Mickelson (2004,2006,2010), Patrick Reed(2018), Charl Swartzel(2011), Sergio Garcia(2017), and Bubba Watson(2012,2014). 5-time champion Tiger Woods will unfortunately be unable to compete this year due to a recent Achilles tendon tear.
The mystique of Augusta National Golf Club and the golf course are a huge part of the anticipation of the Masters.
Last fall, hurricane Helene ripped through Florida and Georgia on its way to devastating North Carolina. The Hurricane did extensive damage to the Augusta area with winds near 100 mph. Augusta National Golf Course lost many trees and some fell across greens.
Masters Chairman Fred Ridley has assured us all that the golf course will be in the usual pristine condition the Masters is accustomed to, just missing a few trees this year. I am hearing they have already replaced several key trees.
As a spectator, I have been attending the Masters every year since 1984 with the exception of the two Covid years (2020, 2021). I remember my mother taking me as a teen.
She was perfectly happy to sit in her Masters stool on 18 green waiting to see Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Seve Ballesteros finish.
I wonder how many pimento cheese and barbecue sandwiches I have eaten on those grounds over the years. I know many of you will go with the legendary egg salad sandwich.
The names change and the trees get taller, but it is by far the greatest golf tournament and sporting event in the world. I look forward to returning again cheering on several former UGA Bulldogs, and many of my fellow St Simons Island residents.
Cheers to happy spring golfing and have a fabulous Masters week!
The Players
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
While the locals throughout north Florida and South Georgia are currently shaking off the February blues weather wise. They know it’s time to get going!
One of the major weeks of the year for this area is right around the corner. Yes it’s time for the Players Championship.
This year’s edition brings in some real drama. And that’s before anyone has pulled a stick out of the bag and ripped one down the Par 4, 423-yard first hole.
Let’s get right to it. Can Scottie do it again? In 2023 Scheffler got hot mid round on Sunday and walked away with his first Players.
The next year it was Scottie coming from behind and going low in the final round to win his second in a row. Now begs the question? Three in a row? It’s never been done.
In order to break new ground at Sawgrass with a third in a row, Scheffler will have to be on his game. The consensus World’s #1 has lately been just that, on his game. Can anyone knock him out in Jacksonville? There are quite a few wanting to take a shot.
THE BIG BOYS:
BRIAN THOMAS: The 2021 champion has been playing well. With 3 top 10s in 5 starts this year, Justin can come in and let her rip. He knows the course well and is a crowd favorite. If he can get in the mix on Sunday, watch out.
RORY: Well, of course.
LUDVIG ABERG: Guess I should put him in here since he won the RSM in 2023 right? Not hardly, the young Swede is cool, calm and dangerous. He is rapidly becoming one of the best of the rising young guns in the game. If he plays his game watch out!
XANDER: Coming back from a rib injury. He may be in the field but I think we are asking a little much.
DON’T BET AGAINST:
BRIAN HARMAN: A tough go for the St Simons Island pro recently. But his last 4 results have gotten consistently better. If he is in it on Sunday, there will be a lot of people pulling for this guy.
KEEGAN BRADLEY: No one scares this guy. He hasn’t made any noise lately but if he can just take out that one bad round he seems to be having in the last few weeks, he could surprise.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: He has been around the top 10 numerous times. Consistent, calm, and lethal. I would not give this Brit a break. Do so at your own peril guys!
LONGSHOTS:
SAHITH THEEGALA: The steady, young, 27-year-old pro. A win here would really move his career forward. He’s definitely a long shot, but he is due.
HARRIS ENGLISH: Another veteran St. Simons pro who is playing well with a win earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open. He has all the tools and temperament to have his time to shine.
RICKIE FOWLER: It feels funny making Rickie a longshot, but the former winner is that. Put him in the final grouping on Sunday and then watch him drop one real close on 17! How much fun would that be!
So, can someone above or in the field catch Scottie? Well, the odds say that a three-peat would be very difficult.
My vote? Let er rip Scottie. The guy is on fire. He won 7 tournaments last year. In 5 years on the tour, he has played in 133 events and made the cut 114 times! His winnings over that time are over 70 million dollars. When you’re hot, you’re hot!
If you get a chance to get tickets to the Players, by all means GO! It is everything a great tournament should be.
The Fans, the golf course, and the community all come together. And a Sunday final with a seat on the hill at the 17th should be on every golfer’s bucket list.
The Gear
By: Brian Albertson
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As a Class A member of the PGA, I attend the annual PGA merchandise show for various reasons.
This year marked my 30th trip to Orlando for the show. The show is always the launchpad for the newest, most innovative products in the golf industry.
For PGA members, this is also an opportunity for mandatory continuing education credits, and networking with fellow professionals from around the world.
But for the average golfer the PGA show is almost beyond words in size and scope. This year marked the largest turnout in 15 years as over 33,000 golf industry professionals from every state and nearly 100 countries came together again in Orlando to view displays and booths from over 1,100 golf industry vendors.
The Orange County Convention Center covers many acres, and the show floor is divided into three distinct categories of vendors.
It is traditional that the far right of the building is the apparel showcase with every brand of golf clothing, headwear and accessories that you have ever heard of and many new lines.
Honestly, PGA professionals and buyers for their respective golf shops are most likely seen in the apparel section meeting with their apparel reps for personal viewings of their favorite lines. It is also easy to stroll by every company to see if something catches your interest. As the show is in January, the apparel companies are primarily showing fall and holiday offerings for the same year.
The middle of the show floor highlights golf industry needs such as carts, range, trophies, travel, teaching, clubhouse, software.
This is where I spent most of my time this year comparing all the different launch monitors for teaching in club fitting. We have recently expanded our Golf learning center to three bays, and I was charged to properly outfit our facility with the newest technology. I have used Trackman and Flightscope in the past but fell in love with the new Foresight equipment this year.
Lastly, the left side of the show floor is where you find all the golf clubs and ball companies with massive displays of every product that they offer.
Each major golf club company has a booth the size of a grocery store. This is where all the fun happens and where most of the general golf enthusiasts’ traffic is during the PGA show.
If you were at the show, we all love the game and we all can’t wait to see the new products that launch the week of the PGA merchandise show.
This year did not disappoint as Callaway launched their new Elyte family of clubs. Titleist introduced their new version of the ProV 1 golf ball and Vokey wedges. The new pings, Taylor maids and Mizuno were all popular with the Mizuno STZ driver coming in at the best value of $299.
If you’ve never been to the PGA merchandise show, I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed, and it is always exciting. I hope to see you all In Orlando next January!!!
In the meantime, happy golfing.
Azaleas In Bloom
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The azaleas are in full bloom. The towering pine and flowering dogwood trees are in pristine condition. That can only mean one thing…it’s time for the golf world to flock to Augusta, Ga for the 2024 Masters.
The 88th playing of the Masters Tournament officially gets underway Thursday April 11th and will hand out the coveted green jacket on Sunday at the conclusion of the final round for a “tradition unlike any other.”
The Masters is always the first of the four Major Championships in the golf world and is slated for the first full week in April each year.
The tournament that began in 1934 is considerably smaller (in terms of number of participants) than the other three championships because it’s an invitational event held by the Augusta National Golf Course.
There are 20 ways that a player can be invited to participate in the exclusive Masters Tournament. Any former Masters Champion has a lifetime invitation back to Augusta. Similarly, any champion of the other three major championships in the previous five years gets an automatic invitation to the field. Although 20 ways to qualify for the Masters may seem like a lot of ways to get in the field, it’s an elusive ticket.
Nineteen former Masters champions are expected to compete for the crown again in 2024 including Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and 2023 champion Jon Rahm.
The 2020 Masters Champion Dustin Johnson set the Masters record with a -20 final card to win the only masters to not be played in April (had to be moved to November because of COVID-19).
Other former Masters Champions expected to be in the field for the 88th playing are Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and 2021 Champion Hideki Matsuyama.
Others that get in the field because of winning one of the other three major championships in the last five years include U.S. Open Champions Wyndham Clark, Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Gary Woodland. British Open Champions Brian Harman, Cam Smith, Collin Morikawa, and Shane Lowry will also tee it up in Augusta.
Finally, PGA Championship winners Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas are expected to be in the field come April.
With less than 50 others that meet one of the 20 criteria to enter the tournament, some familiar names just make the cut.
Patrick Cantlay and Tommy Fleetwood enter the eligibility with the 18th criteria point of qualifying for the 2023 Tour Championship.
Tony Finau and Rickie Fowler come into the mix with the 17th criteria checked of “Individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship, from the 2023 Masters to the 2024 Masters (including fall 2023)”.
Other notable names include Rory McIlroy and Neal Shipley for various check marks.
After all the minutia to set the field, the whole golf world (and many outside the golf community) will flock to the small corner of Eastern Georgia called Augusta either by physically going down Bobby Jones Expressway, or via the televisions, computer screens, or courtesy of Westwood One Sports Radio.
However, if you take in the Masters tournament, it’s special, and it’s a big day on Sunday when you hear Jim Nantz sets the scene poetically in his 39th Masters for CBS along with his colleague Verne Lundquist who announced that the 2024 Masters will be his 40th and final Masters.
Just remember to tune in early on Sunday to hear Nantz describe the pink azaleas and beautifully sun-soaked skies and so on “….AT THE MASTERS.”
