Monthly Archives: August 2020

PGA Professional Corey McAlarney Makes Two Holes-in-One on Same Day

August 18, 2020   National Golf

By PGA

The odds of the same person making two holes-in-one on the same day are astronomical.
67-million to 1 to be exact.
And while Edgartown Golf Club PGA Professional Corey McAlarney was just trying to lend a helping hand to his members during the 66th Annual Reading Room Golf Tournament, he ended up pulling off the near impossible.

McAlarney was stationed at the Par-3, 157-yard eighth hole during the event and was available to be used for a mulligan should a member be unhappy with their own attempt.
With a light rain falling and wind gusts of 20-25 miles per hour, the hole played upwards of 190 yards and created quite the challenge for the golfers.
With a 5-iron in hand, McAlarney put on a show. And not only did he make a pair of aces — the third & fourth of his career — he did so within three shots for members.
“I made the first hole and in one and got back to the tee box just as another group was coming up,” McAlarney recalled. “They asked if I had hit any good shots and I told them I just had a hole-in-one. They didn’t really react because I was so nonchalant about it.”
The group didn’t have to wait long to witness a hole-in-one of their own. McAlarney took a shot for a member & landed it on the green just five feet from the pin only to jar his second ace of the day just moments later. In total, the two holes-in-one came just 12 minutes apart.
“Everyone went nuts,” McAlarney said. “I called my GM after the second one and was just laughing. I could hardly tell him what happened. Then I finally said, I just made another one.”
Read More

Patriot Golf Day, PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor Come Together over Labor Day Weekend to Serve Military Families

August 14, 2020   National Golf

By PGA

Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disabled Veterans, and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) will host Patriot Golf Day over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-7.

Beginning this year, the two organizations have joined together to expand and grow annual fundraising efforts for both Folds of Honor and PGA HOPE to better serve the needs of Veterans and their families through the game of golf. PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH.

Patriot Golf Day, a nationwide initiative to raise awareness and scholarship funds for the families of fallen and wounded Veterans, will take place over Labor Day Weekend to honor the sacrifice of America’s heroes.

“We are so impressed by the outpouring of support that the golf community has consistently shown for Folds of Honor over the last 13 years,” said Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, CEO and Founder of Folds of Honor and a PGA Member. “Working closer with PGA REACH, we can now offer opportunities and service that benefit both our Veterans through PGA HOPE and their families through educational scholarships funded by Folds on Patriot Golf Day. I am very proud to stand with my fellow PGA Professionals and take this next step together with PGA HOPE, to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

Patriot Golf Day began as a grassroots fundraising initiative over Labor Day Weekend in 2007, with golfers nationwide encouraged to add an extra dollar to their green fees to fund Folds of Honor scholarships. Over the last 13 years, the effort has grown to encompass onsite donation boxes, a variety of fundraising events, tournaments and golf marathons led by PGA Professionals and golfers across America, resulting in over 28,000 scholarships to benefit Folds of Honor—in all 50 states and 41 PGA Sections. If you can’t locate a participating course near you, you can still play golf during Patriot Golf Day Weekend and donate at FoldsofHonor.org or Venmo @PariotGolfDay.

PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program includes a developmental six-to-eight-week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. In 2019, PGA HOPE programming impacted 2,500 Veterans nationwide.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the work that PGA Professionals have done through PGA HOPE, utilizing the game of golf as a form of therapy and rehabilitation for Veterans,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “By partnering with Folds of Honor on Patriot Golf Day, we can expand our footprint within the families of those we serve through golf. This partnership is a natural extension of our long-standing mission to support our nation’s heroes.”

The Patriot Golf Day campaign is led by Jack Nicklaus, who annually serves as honorary chair of the event and is also a strong supporter of PGA HOPE. Mr. Nicklaus will continue to stay involved in both causes through this new partnership.

“I never had the privilege to serve our great nation, but I am passionate and committed to any initiative that allows us to recognize, assist and support the men and women of our military, who have sacrificed so much for our freedom,” said Nicklaus. “When we can use the game of golf as the vehicle to give back, it becomes even more meaningful to me. That’s why I feel blessed and honored to partner with great organizations like Folds of Honor and PGA REACH.”

For more information on Patriot Golf Day, visit FoldsofHonor.org. For more information on PGA HOPE, visit PGAREACH.org

In 2021, Patriot Golf Day will move to Memorial Day Weekend.
Read More

Extended Reality Gaming Meets Golf: Topgolf and Rovio Entertainment Partner to Bring Angry Birds to Topgolf Venues This Fall

August 12, 2020   National Golf

By Topgolf Entertainment Group

DALLAS and ESPOO, Finland, Aug. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Topgolf Entertainment Group, a global sports and entertainment company, and Rovio Entertainment, creators of the Angry Birds franchise, today announced a partnership to bring gaming’s most enraged birds to select Topgolf venues this fall.

Representing a first-of-its-kind interactive golf experience with an international sports and entertainment company, the experience is aimed at delivering humor and fun for families and friends. The experience will utilize Topgolf’s exclusive Toptracer ball-tracing technology to blend the physical act of hitting a golf ball with the digital, physics-based destruction that Angry Birds delivers. Taking on a variety of light-hearted challenges, Topgolf Guests will be able to partner with much-loved Angry Birds characters Red, Chuck and Bomb to demolish virtual structures placed on the Topgolf targets.  Click here for a sneak preview of the game Guests will experience soon at select venues.

  • Topgolf--Angry-Birds-Coming-Soon-Teaser
    Topgolf–Angry-Birds-Coming-Soon-Teaser
  • Topgolf Angry Birds

“As a company deeply-rooted in innovation, creating new and dynamic experiences is something we consistently deliver, and we know Angry Birds will be a game-changing addition to our existing gaming collection,” said Dolf Berle, Topgolf Entertainment Group Chief Executive Officer. “With the Angry Birds’ loyal fanbase, this offering is sure to deliver on an experience that makes our Guests feel like they are part of the highly acclaimed mobile game.”

Angry Birds started as a popular mobile game in 2009 and has since evolved into one of the world’s most loved entertainment brands, covering games, blockbuster movies, animated series, location-based entertainment and more. In total, Angry Birds mobile games have been downloaded over 4.5 billion times.

“This experience perfectly embodies the Angry Birds brand in terms of its accessible fun and all-round irreverence,” said Ville Heijari, CMO of Rovio Entertainment. “Added to that, what Topgolf has developed with their Toptracer technology is highly innovative and aligns with the physics-based challenges that can be discovered in Angry Birds mobile games. The resulting experience is a familiar but uniquely branded experience that we’re excited for our fans to take a swing at.”

Read More

Jason and Liz Caron Are the Dynamic Duo Running Mill River Club

August 10, 2020   Uncategorized

By PGA

What do you get when you combine a former PGA Tour player with a former LPGA Tour player? Probably the one couple you wouldn’t want to meet on the tee at you next 9 & Dine!
No really, Team of 20 member Jason Caron and his wife Liz are the dynamic duo who manage the golf operation at the Mill River Club in Oyster Bay, NY. Together they take their tournament experiences and give their membership a wonderful golf program.
Jason played in his second straight PGA Championship last week at TPC Harding Park. He joined PGA Professional Keith Stewart on Fox Sports to discuss his major championship week and his life as a day-to-day PGA Head Professional. Together with his wife they have created a wonderful work-life balance that supports their careers as well as their family. With two beautiful girls and a successful golf operation, you may wonder where they both get the time to compete in multiple majors.
Take a couple of minutes and listen to this entertaining interview. Keith gets all the goods from this amazing PGA Professional, father, and world-class player.
Read More