Augusta adds yards

There's a large surprise waiting behind the two-story hedges that separate the fairways of Augusta National Golf Club from the pavement of Washington Road. When the Masters is played in April, it's going to be the longest one ever.Six holes have been lengthened by a total of 155 yards and the course now extends to 7,445 yards - 520 yards longer than it was in 1999. This makeover marks the third time in the last seven years that the historic course laid out by Bobby Jones and Alister Mackenzie has been significantly toughened.Augusta National now ranks as the second-longest course in major championship history, trailing only the 7,514-yard long Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, where the 2004 PGA Championship was played.There is greater trouble everywhere you look, beginning with the 455-yard first hole, which is 20 yards longer than it was last year.The par-3 fourth hole is now a massive 240 yards, 35 yards longer than last year and it has drawn the attention of Tiger Woods."Well, [No.] 4 is brutal," he said.Woods will use a 5-wood that he recently added to his bag specifically for this hole.The seventh hole is now 85 yards longer than it was in 1999, and plays at 450 yards. The par-4 11th is now 505 yards, the par-5 15th now 530 yards and the par-4 17th now 440 yards.For every change at Augusta National, the longer hitters are going to benefit, but only if they hit the ball straight. Fred Couples, who played the course after it opened in October, said the intent of the makeover is obvious."I think we're all talented enough and for all of the length, it's very, very tight, so for a shorter hitter playing No. 7, if he hits four really good drives down the middle of the fairway, I would say he's got an advantage," Couples said.Hootie Johnson, the chairman of Augusta National, doesn't think players will be alarmed by the changes to the course. "These are the greatest players in the world, so I wouldn't expect them to be frightened," Johnson said in a response to an e-mail.

Vijay joins big names at Qatar Masters

FIJI'S world No. 2 Vijay Singh will take part in the US$2 million ($3.33m) Qatar Masters Golf Tournament next month, organisers said yesterday.
Vijay's entry further boosts the tournament's profile.
Last year's winner, Ernie Els of South Africa, has already confirmed his entry for the tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the European PGA Tour and the Asian Tour.Retief Goosen of South Africa and Britons David Howell, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Lee Westwood are also scheduled to compete at the event from Jan 26 to 29.

Golf resort latest gem for officials to show off

In a banquet hall of the tall, pink San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter hotel, the city's business and political elite gathered Wednesday to laud the official announcement of Cibolo Canyons — the luxury PGA golf resort that has weathered four years of public strife.
"It was a very tortured process," state Sen. Jeff Wentworth said of the political struggle that went into creating the resort. It was a heady moment for officials who pushed for the project, and it came as part of a spate of recent economic boosts for the city: a new Toyota pickup factory; the ascendance of Valero Energy as the country's largest petroleum refiner; and SBC's acquisition of AT&T, the world's largest telecommunications company.
As that business growth and the recent speculation over potential major league sports teams make national news, Wentworth said that "it creates a buzz for San Antonio that's very beneficial."
So the big players took some time to slap each other on the back and graze on a fajita buffet.
They listened to the golf course designers and admired preliminary sketches of the two courses and the JW Marriott hotel. Developers estimate the completed resort will be valued at $1 billion by the time it's completed.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff was having a particularly good day on the heels of announcing that baseball's Florida Marlins are considering San Antonio for a new home.
It's exciting even if it turns out to be a ploy by the Marlins to make news that gets someone else's attention, he told Kenneth Jastrow, chief executive officer of Temple-Inland, the parent company of Lumbermen's Investment Corp., owner and developer of 2,850 acres in Northeast Bexar County where the resort will be.
"You know how you date one girl to get to the other girl?" Wolff quipped.
He later said that much of the groundwork for the region's growth has been done over the past 20 years. Now that growth is gaining momentum, Wolff said, it's time to push for everything that can be gained from it.
But officials should not equate success in sports development with the more meaningful growth of major industry, warned Char Miller, director of the urban studies program at Trinity University.
"I think big-league sports is nowhere near as important as the economic growth and the kinds of jobs produced by Toyota, AT&T and the like," Miller said.
For Cibolo Canyons, the project must overcome several years of opposition and bad blood.
Water quality concerns and a bill that would have given the resort eminent domain powers of a city raised an uproar from environmentalists in 2001, when Lumbermen's tried to set up a deal with PGA of America.
One massive public petition drive and two collapsed deals later, Lumbermen's, local politicians and businessmen struck a new agreement with PGA Tour and brought in hotel heavy-hitter Marriott International Inc.
Resort developers increased environmental protections and offered wage guarantees in exchange for a 29-year non-annexation agreement with the city.
Then they had to wade through the tide of negative public opinion and a late start in the legislative session to pass a bill that lets the district levy taxes and issue bonds.
"We tried our best not to let it get into the newspaper, and it worked for a while," Wolff told the crowd.
Officials are waiting on a development agreement that will pay for it all.
The pressure is on for board members of a public improvement district to hammer out the agreement with Lumbermen's and Marriott before Christmas, said board member Robert Rodriguez.
"I think we've been asked to meet as many times as we need to get that done," said Rodriguez, who is a member of a subcommittee working on the agreement.
County commissioners will have final say on the development agreement.

PGA Members and retailers change their approach for the PGA Show

While the PGA Merchandise Show remains the best forum for discovering and purchasing the latest golf merchandise, this year thousands of PGA Professionals and golf retailers will travel from more than 70 countries with a much more diverse set of goals to accomplish in their days at the new PGA Merchandise Show & Convention, Jan. 26-29, in Orlando, Fla.
The 53rd PGA Merchandise Show & Convention continues to serve as the traditional premier marketplace for the global business of golf, but due to the ever-growing number of resources the industry has invested in golf's annual business gathering it has also grown to address virtually all aspects of the game in one efficient setting.
"The 2006 PGA Merchandise Show & Convention combines the great tradition of our annual industry gathering with contemporary programs designed to make us all more effective at what we do," said PGA President Roger Warren. "A significant interactive education component mixed with a strong business element has created an increasingly important setting for our industry to annually come together with common goals and purposes."
New and enhanced programs are added to this year's schedule to help all attendees "learn, grow, test and find" solutions, products, strategies and best practices that will directly impact their business, career and overall growth of the game. Programs such as the new "Teach-the-Teacher" clinics by renowned instructors Rick Martino and Butch Harmon, interactive learning labs within exhibitors' pavilions, the 100-plus seminars of the expanded education conference, Demo Day, the Dream Golf Shop, the PGA Experience and Business of Golf Conference are just a few programs that will provide a wealth of resources and tools for PGA Professionals and retailers to implement at home in their facilities.
"We recognized that PGA Professionals are asked to perform miracles in the business world 52 weeks of the year," said PGA Golf Exhibitions and Vice President Ed Several. "In response, all of the programs and seminars at the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show & Convention have been developed in collaboration with The PGA of America, leading golf organizations and experts in their fields to provide effective solutions to business challenges faced every day. Our collective goal is to make this an extremely productive and valuable several days in Orlando."
Attendees Respond and Plan Accordingly
"I've had the privilege to attend the PGA Merchandise Show each year since 1987, and my father, Ken Morton, Sr., since 1978, and I can honestly say that the Show is more valuable than ever to the golf professional, merchandiser or buyer," said Ken Morton, Jr., PGA member and vice president of retail & marketing for Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop/Morton Golf LLC.
"The added-value programs that Reed continues to bring to the table, including Demo Day, New Product Center, additional educational seminars, fashion shows and networking opportunities continue to make this event critical to the overall growth of our company. Every single year, our team of ten that attends the Show returns home to Sacramento armed with ideas and products that help separate us from our competition."
"Because I am involved with a variety of manufacturers -- all partners in PGA's Golf Retirement Plus -- I am especially pleased that the PGA Merchandise Show is building programs that enhance income opportunities for PGA Professionals," said Jim Vincent, respected golf industry veteran and 2000 Ernie Sabayrac Award winner.
"Two initiatives in particular are of great value. The new Rick Martino and Butch Harmon 'Teach-the-Teacher' clinics, by two of the game's most respected instructors, will better prepare all teaching professionals to reach their potential in this important area of business. And, the first-time inclusion of the tournament and outings pavilion provides a great opportunity to combine exhibits with learning programs to better prepare PGA Professionals for the myriad of functions involved with popular member tournaments and guest and corporate outings."
"The business of golf is ever changing and attending the 2006 PGA Show & Convention helps me stay current," said John W. Boykin, PGA member, Business Golf International, Ltd.
"The Show continues to be the largest and most significant gathering of all the elements of our industry, in fact Reed and The PGA have acknowledged as much by adding Convention to the title. It is not ever been just about buying and selling products and services, networking and information gathering have been just as important. The added educational opportunities are exceptional. As one popular TV golf commercial says, 'you gotta go!'"
"There is such a vast network of golf-related business at the PGA Merchandise Show," said Ben Alexander, PGA teaching professional at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif., and 2004 PGA Teacher of the Year for the Northern California PGA Section. "The most important thing I learned in The PGA of America's business schools is to 'plan your work and work your plan.' By defining what my needs for my business are prior to the Show, the value of the PGA Show and its many programs pays dividends throughout the year."
2006 PGA Merchandise Show & Convention New and Enhanced Attendee Programs
Golf Demo DayThe 2006 Golf Demo Day presented by Sprint, Jan. 25, opens one hour early exclusively for PGA members at 9:00 a.m. VIP retailers and media join PGA members at 10:00 a.m. to test products from some 80 participating exhibitors, watch demonstrations and participate in special events at the 42-acre practice facility of the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Fla.
Equipment Test CenterThe Equipment Test Center (ETC), the country's largest indoor golf range, features a scalloped design of some 40 hitting bays, two putting greens, an elevated chipping area and the ETC Stadium -- a demo area for product presentations and professional instruction.
Fashion Spotlight Fashion ShowsDaily fashion shows, presented four times daily during the first three days of the PGA Merchandise Show, will showcase the latest fashion trends of more than two dozen top apparel companies. Produced by Tracy Yates in collaboration with Golf Digest's Publications Fashion Director Marty Hackel, this year's production will enlighten the audience on retailing trends as well as uncover the next season's hottest styles
Teach-the-Teacher Clinics on the Show FloorPGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino and renowned golf instructor Butch Harmon will present new "teach-the-teacher" clinics. The seminars are designed to provide teaching professionals with the tools they need to become better teachers, build their client base and increase teaching revenue.
The Dream Golf ShopThe 2006 Dream Golf Shop, designed by Bauer International and a replica of a high-end working golf shop, will expand to 1,600 square feet and feature additional merchandise categories; expanded hands-on learning models to provide retailing solutions; and on-site experts to help PGA Professionals and retailers improve merchandising techniques, customer service and profit margins.
Exhibitor Pavilions with Learning LabsNew specialty exhibitor pavilions with learning-based models are designed to help golf industry professionals become better merchandisers, and drive profit and product-category success. These new learning based pavilions include the PGA Magazine Travel pavilion, Golf Event Magazine tournaments & outings pavilion, the teaching & training aids pavilion, the PGA Experience and an expanded Dream Golf Shop.
Education ConferenceThe 2006 Education Conference adds roundtables and Best Practices sessions to a calendar that already boasts more than 100 seminars, PGA of America member programs and teaching & training clinics at the ETC Stadium. All programs are presented daily in the OCCC by PGA Golf Exhibitions in partnership with The PGA of America, the Association of Golf Merchandisers and leading allied associations.
New Product Center by Red e GolfThe Hot Zone New Product Center by Red e Golf has become the best place to view all the new innovations in the golf industry in one convenient location to all attendees. Over 350 companies and products are represented here every year in this designated area on the Show floor, which is open to new products only. PGA Professionals and key retailers are able to vote for the best new product in some 14 categories.
PGA Business of Golf ConferenceThe PGA of America will host the third annual PGA Business of Golf Conference, Jan. 26 -- 8:30 to 10 a.m., featuring PGA of America President Roger Warren as moderator for a panel of golf's most influential leaders who will address timely issues in a roundtable format. PGA Professionals, industry leaders and PGA Merchandise Show attendees will be invited to ask questions and interact with the panelists following the roundtable discussions.
PGA Employment CenterDesigned as a clearinghouse for golf industry positions and a networking hub on the Show floor, the PGA Employment Center is a wide-ranging employment service provided free of charge to all golf exhibitors, employers, attendees and job seekers who are interested in working in the golf industry. The PGA Employment Center, located in the PGA Experience pavilion, will have career counselors available throughout all four days of the Show and include employer programs.
The new PGA ExperienceThe new PGA Experience is an interactive pavilion providing access to PGA Partners' business solutions, the PGA Employment Center, PGM Universities and allied golf organizations. It also will feature a PGA Learning Center fitness pavilion providing attendees with access to state-of-the-art golf fitness equipment, the PGA Kinematics Lab and daily clinics by PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino.
Pro-Pro TournamentsSix Pro-Pro tournaments, produced in partnership with PGA Magazine, offer a combined purse of $24,000 and will be played at some of Orlando's most prestigious golf courses. Tournaments are open to PGA members and apprentices only.
The 19th Hole, Amstel Light Grill & PGA ExperienceIndustry networking is facilitated on the Show floor in three separate locations spread throughout the exhibit hall. The 19th Hole, located in the equipment hall, will feature multiple TVs, golf simulators by Full Swing Golf, the Club Car Experience meeting areas and daily food service. The Amstel Light Grill, located in the apparel hall, will feature a pub, plush seating by Bauer International, clinics and meeting areas. The PGA Experience, located in the product and services hall, offers distinctive seating and informal meeting areas.
Play Golf America ConferencePGA Section leaders, PGA Professionals and employers nationwide will convene at the inaugural Play Golf America Conference, Jan. 27th, featuring player development presentations, highlights of some of the most successful "best practices' in player development, plus an opportunity for all attendees to network and share ideas.
PGA of America Awards NightThe PGA of America presents their most prestigious national awards on Friday, Jan. 27, honoring an industry leader with the annual Ernie Sabayrac Award, plus the Merchandisers of the Year and PGA Golf Professional of the Year Awards. Show attendees are invited to the pre-awards reception and the evening presentation at the Orange County Convention Center's Grand Auditorium.
The PGA Merchandise Show … & Convention, Jan. 26-29, in Orlando, Fla., is the world's most influential gathering of PGA Professionals, retailers, golf manufacturers and industry leaders. Attendees travel from more than 70 countries to test the latest products, find the hottest trends, learn cutting-edge business techniques and grow participation in the game. More than 1,200 golf-related manufacturers showcase their newest products and services within more than 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space in the Orange County Convention Center.
Golfweek's Golfest, a consumer demo weekend, kicks off Show week, Jan. 21-22. Demo Day, Jan. 25th, marks the official opening of the Show for thousands of PGA Professionals, key retailers and media as they test the products of some 80 participating manufacturers at the 42-acre practice facility of the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Fla.
Buyers and media can register online, plus make hotel and travel reservations at http://www.pgaexpo.com/ or by calling 1-800-PGA-EXPO. The PGA Merchandise Show offers airfare discounts and shuttle bus service from 32 official hotels.
The PGA Merchandise Show, organized in partnership with The PGA of America, is one of four leading golf trade shows in PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions' golf portfolio including the PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas; the Ontario PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Toronto, Canada; and the PGA Merchandise Show of Australia in Queensland.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2006, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

Turning 30 may mark Woods' coming of age

The hairline under his Nike cap is receding, and the aches and pains from years of pounding golf balls are more apparent. It used to be nothing for Tiger Woods to train by running six to 10 miles, then doing it again the next day."Now I need another day off," he said.
Ah, Tiger is getting old.
He turns 30 Friday.
And next month, he will begin his 10th full season on the PGA Tour.
But that hardly suggests any sort of dropoff is imminent. Woods, who is coming off a six-victory season that saw him win two major championships, knows all about golf history.
"If you look at most of the guys' careers, it looks like their peak years are in their 30s," Woods said. "Hopefully that will be the case for me. Hopefully my 30s will be better than my 20s. That would be pretty neat to have happen."
And it would be pretty amazing. Because Woods put together in his 20s a run of excellence that has been surpassed by only six players in PGA Tour history during their entire careers.
Woods' 46 official wins rank seventh behind Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson and Billy Casper. Woods' 10 major championships trail only Nicklaus' 18 on the preceding list. (Walter Hagen, who won 44 times, captured 11 majors.)
Not only did Woods win the Masters and British Open in 2005, he contended at the U.S. Open, where he finished second by two shots to Michael Campbell, and at the PGA Championship, where he tied for fourth, two shots behind Phil Mickelson.
Although Woods pointed out that the competition is better than ever, he hits his 30th birthday as the undisputed No. 1 player in the world.
And because golf is a game that allows players to prosper into their 30s and even their 40s, there is reason to believe his greatness can be sustained.
Nicklaus, who won 30 times before turning 30, enjoyed his greatest stretch after turning 31. From 1971 to 1973, Nicklaus won 19 times, including four majors. Nicklaus also won six majors after turning 35, including three after turning 40. One was the 1986 Masters, when Nicklaus was 46.
"How do you compare what he's doing, because nobody has ever done what he's doing," Nicklaus said this year. "He's dominated way beyond how anybody's ever dominated."
Palmer is one who believes Woods will learn to manage his strength. And he also thinks that getting married and having a family can help rather than hinder Woods as he continues.
"Between now and 35 could be the absolute best years of his life," Palmer said.
Palmer is proof. Between the age of 30 and 35, he earned 31 of his 62 PGA Tour titles. He also won six of his seven major championships after turning 30.

Cameo appearance for Campbell on PGA Tour

Open champion Michael Campbell will make his 2006 debut next month in the Mercedes Championship at Kapalua.
Take away the majors, World Golf Championships and The Players Championship, and that leaves him only one other PGA Tour event he can play.
Despite winning a major, Campbell’s options on the PGA Tour are limited because of a bad year in 2003.As a New Zealand native, he claimed “home circuit” status on the PGA Tour two years ago, meaning he did not need a release to compete overseas provided he played at least 15 times on tour. Campbell quit after playing 14 events, and it has cost him.
“The penalty for using the home circuit exception and not satisfying the requirements is immediate forfeiture of membership the following year, and for five years, he can play only 10 tournaments as a nonmember,” said Andy Pazder, the tour’s vice president of competition.
Campbell was at a low point in 2003. He made only five cuts in his 14 tour events, and three of those were at WGC events that had no cuts. He was disqualified at The Players Championship after opening with an 89.
“I played (bad),” he said. “I had no house to go to. I was traveling with the family, two kids. It made me crazy. So I went back to England, to the European tour, and I won about a month later at the Irish Open. That told me it was time to pack up my bags and get back to England.”Campbell sought a compromise with the tour, asking if he could play 12 or 13 events in 2006. Because he could not commit to 15 tournaments, his request was denied.
The only other regular tournament he will play is the Bay Hill Invitational.
“I want to play Memorial, but I can’t play that now because of my restrictions,” Campbell said. “I feel that my wings have been clipped a little bit. I want to be a global player. I want to play in Europe and Australia and different parts of the world. But I couldn’t commit to 15 events.”