Monthly Archives: September 2017
LPGA Announces Kingsmill Championship Contract Extension
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Kingsmill Resort announced recently a contract extension for the Kingsmill Championship Kingsmill Resort, which has held the Kingsmill Championship tournament annually since 2003, will renew its title sponsorship for an additional three years (2018-2020).
“We are thrilled Kingsmill Resort has extended our long-term partnership as it ensures that we will continue the rich tradition of showcasing the best golfers in the world, at one of the very best resorts in the world,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan.
“Everything at Kingsmill is first class –– from the beautiful resort, to the championship River Course, to the incredible volunteers, to the way they treat players and fans alike.”
The contract extension allows the LPGA to continue to add to the list of past Kingsmill Championship winners, which includes the likes of LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famers Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb.
“Kingsmill Resort is honored and incredibly excited to once again partner with the LPGA Tour as we announce the extension of a 35-year-old tradition of professional golf being played at Kingsmill Resort,” Kingsmill Resort’s Chief Operations Officer John Hilker said. “On behalf of our staff and the thousands of volunteers who make the Kingsmill Championship possible, we look forward to working within the Hampton Roads community to provide individuals, families and juniors an opportunity to create and share lifelong memories surrounding the game of golf.”
At the 2017 Kingsmill Championship, current World No. 2 Lexi Thompson famously skydived into her pro-am tee time and then went on to set a tournament scoring record and capture her eighth career win on the LPGA Tour. Thompson was thrilled to hear the LPGA is continuing its annual stop in Williamsburg, saying, “I’m excited to hear that the LPGA will continue to have the Kingsmill Championship. It’s always been one of my favorite stops on Tour with some of the best fans. I can’t wait to return to the Kingsmill Resort next year to defend my title.”
LPGA Tour players consistently rave about the Kingsmill Resort, especially three-time Kingsmill Championship winner and LPGA Tour veteran Cristie Kerr, who said at this year’s tournament: “I just love the feel of the place. It’s a big golf course. It’s a classic golf course with very good greens. I just love the layout.”
Seven Named as 2017 Inductees into the PGA of America Hall of Fame
By PGA of America
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Gary Player, Renee Powell, Mickey Wright and Lew Worsham, a foursome that impacted American and global golf, lead a class of seven inductees to be enshrined in the PGA of America Hall of Fame.
The 2017 class, to be honored Nov. 2, at the PGA’s 101st Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas, also features 2012 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Mike Schultz of Tequesta, Florida; Joe Tesori of Dewitt, New York; and the late visionary golf administrator George Henry Schneiter, formerly of Salt Lake City.
“The PGA of America takes great pride in welcoming this exceptional class into the PGA Hall of Fame. They represent some of the most significant contributors to our Association and to the game of golf,” said PGA of America President Paul Levy. “This class captured many of the prize jewels of our sport; stood strong against social injustice; inspired junior players and future professionals; gave hope to military Veterans; and whose on-course success left an indelible mark in our sport. Their names will be inscribed among those who have made golf the greatest game.”
Nicklaus Companies and Jack Nicklaus Partner With PGA REACH
By PGA of America
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — PGA REACH, the 501 (c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, and the Nicklaus Companies announced a historic partnership to support PGA REACH in its mission of impacting lives by enabling access to PGA Members, PGA Sections, and the game of golf.
The partnership includes financial support from the Nicklaus Companies, as well as a personal commitment from its founder, Jack Nicklaus, to make an impact on all three areas of focus for PGA REACH: Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion. The Nicklaus Companies will become a PGA REACH Trustee, and Jack Nicklaus will serve as a spokesperson for PGA REACH. He will also help promote PGA Junior League Golf, which is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls to learn and enjoy the game of golf in a team environment under the direction of PGA and LPGA Professionals.
“I have a long history with the PGA of America, and I have always had great respect and appreciation for what they do as an organization and through their membership,” said Jack Nicklaus, who last year celebrated 50 years of membership in the organization. Nicklaus tied Walter Hagen’s record of five PGA Championship victories in 1980 with his win at Oak Hill Country Club, while his wife, Barbara, received the inaugural PGA First Lady of Golf award in 1998.
“From my earliest days learning the game from PGA Professional Jack Grout, to the years helping raise money for junior golf programs, I have been passionate about the role of PGA Professionals as the day-to-day caretakers of the game and those who help grow the game at the green-grass level. We are here to make an impact, and I hope our role can draw others in the game to join us.”
In addition, the Nicklaus Companies will become an Official Partner of PGA REACH and the PGA of America. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Nicklaus Companies products to PGA Member facilities will benefit PGA REACH.
“I believe that there is no person who embodies the values and traditions of the game better than Jack Nicklaus,” said Nicklaus Companies Chairman Howard Milstein. “We are dedicated as a company to giving back and growing the game with the PGA, and we are proud to partner with PGA REACH as a Trustee, building the game’s future.”
“We’re honored that Jack Nicklaus, Howard Milstein and the Nicklaus Companies have teamed with both PGA REACH and the PGA of America to deliver a positive impact on the lives of today’s youth, our military veterans, and people of diversity through the game of golf,” said PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua. “Their commitment to help grow the game is so important to our mission.”
Additional highlights of the partnership include:
The creation of a $100,000 Jack Nicklaus PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Grant will launch five new PGA HOPE programs. PGA HOPE introduces golf to military veterans in order to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
A commitment by PGA REACH and Jack Nicklaus to explore the construction of a PGA HOPE Jack Nicklaus golf facility as a means to help in the care and rehabilitation of veterans.
The creation of a $120,000 Nicklaus PGA WORKS grant that will enable the addition of two PGA WORKS interns for two years in both the Northern and Southern Ohio PGA Sections. PGA WORKS provides internship opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry.
The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, which was founded by Jack Nicklaus and is annually hosted by the Golden Bear and his family, will also support PGA REACH and its programs.
The PGA will explore the potential integration of Jack Nicklaus Learning Leagues (JNLL) as one of its golf outreach programs, targeting various communities around the country and part of its Leagues programs. The JNLL was launched by Nicklaus with a goal to create programs at National Recreation and Park Association facilities that introduce the game to young players in a safe, fun and team-oriented environment.
Two-time Ryder Cup USA Captain Davis Love doing his part to help in hurricane recovery
By T.J. Auclair
Davis Love III calls St. Simons Island, Ga., home.
Living on the coast, he’s no stranger to hurricanes. But, it’s not often that a storm as powerful as Hurricane Irma batters through like it did. Conditions are so poor in that area, that evacuees weren’t allowed to start going back until today.
Love, a PGA Champion, two-time Ryder Cup USA Captain and 21-time PGA Tour winner, is doing his part to help where he can.
On Wednesday, the famous St. Simons BBQ joint Southern Soul BBQ, posted a photo of Love manning one of the smokers, preparing food for first responders:
Just a couple of weeks back, Love also sent boxes filled with clothes down to Houston for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
If you’d like to help like Love, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer, you can visit redcross.org to make a donation.
Hole 17 at the River Course: The Most Historic 177 Yards of Golf In America
The River Course, Williamsburg, Va. – On the colorful scorecard, hole 17 at Kingsmill Resort’s River Golf Course reads like thousands of other golf holes around the world: 177 yard Par 3. And that’s a shame. It should read: “You are about to play the most historic 177 yards of golf in America. Take it all in. Don’t rush. Look around and imagine how this very land played a role in American history starting in 1607.”
Thanks to its strategic and inviting position overlooking the James River, the tee box features clearly visible remnants of the earthen works (a hastily made fort or defensive structure) from the American Revolution, which was then repurposed (location, location, location) in the War Between the States. Today a Civil War cannon and flag guard this sacred ground. We’re sure some golfers would like to use the cannon to launch their ball to the tee (not allowed).
But well before aggression – or the early settlers who arrived to this very shoreline to seek a new home –Native Americans lived here and enjoyed the oysters still plentiful and being served up at the 19th hole at Kingsmill. Today, when golfers walk between the tee box and the green at the River Course’s 17th hole, they are stepping on the same land where the Jamestown settlers stepped off their boat in 1607. Those settlers would later sail upriver and start what is now the United States of America at Jamestown. The old pilings in the river are the location of their original port and the beginning of the road from the James River to Williamsburg, the amazing Colonial town that’s still thriving 400 years later. To the left of the hole are the foundations of what was basically a pub, early warehouse, hotel and some say a brothel all dating way back before 1776.
That’s 177 yards of history from the Native Americans to the Jamestown Settlers, Williamsburg, the American Revolution and Civil War to where LPGA players now tee off in an annual professional golf tournament. Kingsmill Resort is also the place where President Clinton, Bush (43) and Obama have come to meet, relax, work and rehearse for debates. Today golfers, families, couples and friends come to Kingsmill Resort’s hallowed ground to make their own history.
And while you may not eagle this hole (which would be a hole in one, too) it’s quite common to see the American Bald Eagle flying overhead. They nest on the grounds of Kingsmill Resort. Perfectly fitting for the most historic 177 yards of golf, in America.
Winston Churchill said, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” In golf, amateurs call this a mulligan, and if there is any golf hole in America to pause, stop, take it all in – and repeat – this is it.
