Monthly Archives: October 2025
GOLFZON to Become Official Indoor Golf Simulator of the U.S. Open Presented by Ally
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – GOLFZON, the global market leader in golf simulator technology, and the USGA today announced a multi-year partnership, making GOLFZON the Official Indoor Golf Simulator of two of golf’s most notable championships, the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally. The newly launched national partnership will debut during the USGA’s 2026 championship season, beginning at the U.S. Women’s Open, set to be played at the iconic Riviera Country Club, in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Since GOLZON’s inception in 2000, the brand’s mission has been to make golf more fun and accessible with industry-leading technology that delivers the most realistic indoor golf experience. Key benefits of the partnership will include:
On-Site Integration of Championship Fan Experiences: With GOLFZON, fans and hospitality guests will be able to test their skills while earning prizes with interactive best-in-class indoor golf simulators onsite at the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open.
Collaborative Support of the GOLFZON Tour: The USGA will provide support for the GOLFZON Tour, which features teams from major cities across the country competing against one another in real-time via GOLFZON’s Network Play function, culminating in a championship match where the top teams will face off for a $300,000 grand prize. The USGA will collaborate with GOLFZON to create a co-branded event to be integrated within the tour.
“We’re thrilled to partner with GOLFZON to bring our fans and hospitality guests a world-class indoor golf simulator experience that perfectly complements what fans have come to expect at our national championships,” said Jon Podany, chief commercial officer at the USGA. “GOLFZON’s on-site presence will elevate the fan experience and deliver added value to our hospitality clients. This partnership is another step forward in providing our fans the best experience in golf.”
Based in Seoul, South Korea, GOLFZON has over 20 years of experience developing the world’s most advanced golf simulators with nearly 13,000 locations worldwide and over 100 million shots taken on GOLZON simulators last year. With technology at its core, the company holds over 378 patents for its award-winning simulators and continues to file new patents annually, establishing GOLFZON’s global leadership position.
“It’s a privilege to partner with the USGA to bring GOLFZON’s immersive simulators on-site to the prestigious U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open,” said Sean Pyun, CEO, GOLFZON America. “Those attending these events will have a unique opportunity to experience our industry-leading simulator technology, including the GOLFZON Motion Plate, a 64-directional moving swing plate which allows players to hit from 56,000 distinct lies, while testing their skills on historic and upcoming USGA venues.”
Simulator golf participation in the U.S. has surged from 3.6 million five years ago to 8.1 million users in 2024, according to The National Golf Foundation, reflecting a rising demand for immersive indoor golf experiences.
Exmoor Country Club Awarded 2033 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – As the 38th U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur continues in Northern California, the United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that Exmoor Country Club, in Highland Park, Ill., will host the 2033 edition of the championship. It will be the third USGA championship held at the club, but the first since 1965.
“The USGA is thrilled to return to Exmoor Country Club, a venue with a rich history and deep ties to women’s amateur golf,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director of championships. “Exmoor has been a long-standing figure in the Chicago golf community, and we look forward to providing an exceptional experience both on and off the golf course for the best female mid-amateurs in the game.”
Located 28 miles north of Chicago, Exmoor C.C. was founded in 1896 as the third golf club in the state of Illinois. C.B. Macdonald designed the original nine holes before Donald Ross redesigned the layout in 1915, which remained largely unchanged until a restoration by Ron Pritchard in 2003.
“Exmoor Country Club is honored to be selected as the site for the 2033 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur,” said Exmoor Country Club President Tom Van Vuren. “We are excited to welcome the USGA back to our historic course and build upon our nearly century-long history of championship golf. We are delighted to be able to continue our relationship with the USGA and look forward to an exciting future.”
Exmoor Country Club hosted the 4th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. That year, Loma Smith successfully defended her title, edging Charlotte Haskell by three strokes when the competition was conducted over 54 holes of stroke play.
The club’s USGA history, however, dates to 1933, when it hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Virginia Van Wie claimed the second of her three consecutive Women’s Am titles with a 4-and-3 victory over Helen Hicks.
This will be the 23rd USGA championship held in the state of Illinois, and first since 2018 when Laura Davies won the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club, in Wheaton by 10 strokes over Juli Inkster. In 2015, Bryson DeChambeau captured the U.S. Amateur at Olympic Fields Country Club (North Course) with a 7-and-6 victory over Derek Bard.
The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur is open to female amateurs age 25 and older with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 9.4. This year’s championship at Monterey Peninsula Country Club received a record 616 entries. The championship field features 132 players who compete in two rounds of stroke play, after which the field is cut to the low 64 scorers for match play. The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion earns an exemption into the following year’s U.S. Women’s Open, which in 2034 will be held at Merion Golf Club, in Ardmore, Pa.
Future U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Sites
2026 – Montclair Golf Club, West Orange, N.J.
2027 – Country Club of Buffalo, Williamsville, N.Y.
2028 – Charlotte (N.C.) Country Club
2030 – Sand Valley Resort (The Lido), Nekoosa, Wis.
2032 – Jupiter Hills Club, Tequesta, Fla.
2033 – Exmoor Country Club, Highland Park, Ill.
2034 – The Golf Club of Tennessee, Kingston Springs, Tenn.
