The PNC Championship - Evolving and Evergreen

The PNC Championship

Ritz-Carleton Grande Lakes Golf Club  

Orlando, Florida

December 17-20, 2020

     For a few years now we have ushered in the holidays with what was becoming a treasured family tradition.  Known for years as the PNC Father-Son Challenge, the PNC Championship has met changes over the years with a new name as participants would begin to include fathers and daughters such as Bernhard Langer and Jackie Langer John and Tom and Annika Sorenstam, grandfathers and grandsons like Jack and G T Nicklaus, and this year's son-in-law/father-in-law team of Bubba Watson and Wayne Ball.

     It is a testimony to the love of family and holiday spirit that attracts so many teams to the Ritz-Carleton Grande Lakes Golf Club in Orlando each December in support of the Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation with a good old-fashioned helping of competition.

     Normally one of the most affordable and enjoyable tournaments to attend, this year's tournament will be without on-site spectators, but we will all be able to watch from home with more ways to tune in than ever before.  For times and dates of aired and live-streamed coverage on Peacock, NBC and Golf Channel, go to  Watch On TV - PNC Championship .

     We hope you get a chance to "see" some of this year's tournament and we also hope you enjoy these moments from past years - our gift to you and yours.

Billy Hurley III welcomes Veterans to the
2017 PNC.

Little John Daly remembering his soda can
after a tremendous hit!

Langers add a Father-Daughter team to the PNC 
 and Cabreras will win in 2017.

Notah Begay lends his smooth voice 
to the Golf Channel coverage.

Grandpa Nicklaus showing grandson GT
and the Trevinos his signature putting style.

Tom Watson pointing the way at the 2018 Pro-Am.

Gary Player, The Black Knight,
 holds his court in stitches.

Trevino sizing up a par 3.
"You gotta move some dirt!"

Old friends on the tee.

RZN Golf - Golf Ball Innovation By Design

     

     It's hard to imagine that so much technology can be packed into something as small as a golf ball, but the innovative R & D people at RZN Golf, http://rzngolf.com , started doing just that for Nike Golf in 2006.  And as Nike stepped away from golf equipment production in 2016, RZN Golf moved forward with continued innovation, building a collection of golf balls that will suit the style and augment the games of high, mid and low handicappers alike.

     RZN Golf offers four ball styles, each specifically developed with internal technology to enhance play at every level.  Considerate questions in a virtual "fitting" at http://rzngolf.com/balls-selector/ help point the way to the optimal choice, but a close look at the surface of any RZN golf ball reveals thousands of micro dimples that reduce air drag, increase carry and still conform with USGA and R&A rules.

     Thoughtful design has been applied to all RZN golf balls, starting with the RZN Speed, a 2-piece ball with a wide diameter core and ionomer cover for both good distance and soft feel at a very affordable  MSRP $11.95 US per dozen.

     In RZN's 3- and 4-piece golf balls, 3-D Lock Technology is added to various core layers, maximizing contact surface energy transfer and allowing the player to capitalize on increased MOI for a piercing flight or better grab for short game spin.

     The RZN Distance, a 3-piece ball with a resin core and ionomer cover, maximizes distance with a soft feel.  MSRP $19.95 US per dozen.

     The 3-piece MS-Tour delivers soft but powerful feel for medium swing speeds by increasing core diameter and layering a 3-D Speed Lock mantle under a soft urethane cover.  MSRP $29.95 US per dozen.

     The HS-Tour 4-piece ball with an additional resin outer core and a soft urethane cover is designed to provide exceptional distance as well as tour-level spin control for high swing speed players.      MSRP $34.95 US per dozen.

     Courses here in Central Florida were quick this year to develop Covid-responsible strategies for safe play, thankfully giving us several great venues nearby to put RZN Golf Balls to the test.  Compared to similarly-priced competitors, long shots with the RZN Distance flew on average 5-10 yards further and straighter with less side spin while feel around the green was definitely enhanced by the MS-Tour.    

     Also, with the Atlantic hurricane season peaking this week, we are glad to report that, as advertised, the MS-Tour with its anti-slip urethane cover does indeed "Grip and Control in Wet Conditions" while the RZN Distance with its high MOI and reduced air drag truly cuts through the wind!

     

   

 

     

A Birdie Report From The Putting Porch

Spring 2020

     Even here in our small Central Florida town there's normally significant background noise.  But it's been turned way down since March when we and most of the world settled in until a vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available.  And during our sequester, sights and sounds in our own back yard that we might have missed in springs past have become discovered treasures - like the hummingbird that's chosen to build her nest here.
     She caught our eye and ear in early May, gathering spider webs from a Sago palm outside of our window.  We would listen for her tell-tale chitter and could watch where she took them, to the end of a low hanging oak branch not fifteen feet off our porch where over the course of the next two weeks she used them to glue tiny feathers and lichen and grass stems and moss and who know what else into a beautiful spiral, no bigger than a golf ball.

     Directly below her sit two hummingbird feeders that she takes no interest in, rather making regular stops through the day at her favorite flowers - hibiscus, red salvia, yellow trumpet and a spreading mimosa that here in Central Florida is at about the most northern reach of its natural range.

     We think we had a hatching on Mother's Day - hers as well as a family of wrens.  They, being house wrens, argued vehemently each time we chased them out of the garage, but finally they settled on nesting in a potted house plant on the back deck.  The cardinals also had new ones to feed and we watched that evening as our resident barred owl sat perched on a grape arbor, keeping his eyes on easy pickings of lubber grasshoppers and moles to pass by below him.

     The rest of the birds were incensed.  The wrens and cardinals sent up alarms which he seemingly ignored.  But the boldest was the female hummingbird who darted at him like mockingbirds will chase off a hawk.  He finally relented and moved to a different post as sun settled down.  And for two more weeks she gathered more webs, more moss, in a spiral until a tiny beak and tail could be seen above the edge.

     Through gusts of wind and early tropical rains, she tended her nest until we noticed two hummingbirds one morning in the hibiscus.  One was quite small.  It must have been testing its wings for a few days, trying out flowers in the mornings and returning to the nest in the afternoons where its mother would visit with something to tempt it.  Then it was gone.
     Like worried grandparents, we checked below to be sure it hadn't accidentally fallen.  No sign, until today when we walked around the yard and there flew a tiny hummingbird - through the red salvia and hibiscus and up into the spreading mimosa, sure-winged and almost grown up!

 

2020 PGA Merchandise Show Outdoor Demo Day

January 21, 2020
Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge
Winter Garden, Florida

     Clear blue sky provided a picture-perfect backdrop to the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show Outdoor Demo Day where PGA Show attendees, media and guests were invited to test golf's newest equipment and merchandise at the premier practice facilities of Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge.

     Over 100 manufacturers exhibited their newest designs in clubs, grips and shafts around the 42 acre circular driving range of OCN while an army of range pickers and OCN volunteers kept the hitting bays stocked!
   

     The data points from modern technical feedback often lead golf club engineers back to designs of the past.  Cleveland is returning the Halo (High Angle Lift Off) Hybrid to its Launcher series of metalwoods, adding three soleplate gliderails and new crown and back end tech to its best selling hybrid ever that will get you out of just about any predicament!

 


  Lynx Golf has been innovating since 1971.  Switchface lets the golfer address changes in everything from course layout to weather conditions.  As a family-owned company, Lynx is also excited to introduce a range of age-specific sets to the newest generation of golfers with its Lynx Ai line that will grow as your child does.

     Tour Edge keeps proving that great golf equipment can be affordable.  Their new EXS 220 driver with Diamond Face technology has incredible MOI, a lifetime warrantee and an MSRP of under $350.00 US.

           But when price is no object, Daiwa and Homna are as pretty as they get!

     Short game practice greens and traps give real-feel opportunity to test putters, wedges and player improvement tools while designers, fitters and even pros like Peter Jacobsen are on hand to demonstrate innovations and offer lesson tips.

Peter Jacobsen shares some wedge wisdom with a 

Cleveland CBX 2.

     Ping Heppler solid face putters have incredible feel, amazingly high MOI and join Ping's unbelievable variety of shapes!

     

The Tour Edge Wingman will be out in April to line your putt up from above.

   



     A full schedule of enhanced learning experiences and MSR instruction is offered for professional accreditation at Demo Day while a vendor village gives ample space for full-size display of course and clubhouse products.

Sun Bum of Cocoa Beach, Florida brings surf-tested

sun products to the golf course, and has a darn good time doing it!

Wittek, legendary for course maintenance equipment,

now offers a complete line of attractive, durable outdoor clubhouse

furniture and fixtures that are made from 100% recycled plastic.

Through therapeutic kinesiology, KT Tape provides lightweight, external support keeping you active while recovering

from injury.  If you hurt, KT Tape has a product for it, as well as online video tips for taping.  Initiatives also benefit from KT Tape including The Women's Sports Foundation which works to ensure that all girls have access to sports

 and Folds of Honor which provides scholarships for spouses and children of fallen US Service Members.

Decades of experience in engineered fabrics, laminates and performance footwear

have led the team at Sqairz to redefine the golf shoe.

Toes sit naturally and "Sta-put" laces keep your feet comfortable all round long.

     The marketplace for personal carts continues to expand and cart test drives assure even rookies that they can navigate them with confidence.

Finn Scooters - In a word - Fun!

Nothing could be simpler to ride than a scooza,

the world's first self-balancing scooter with

completely plug-and-play components.

The Trikke by Yates Enterprises is

stable, low-impact and has a 10-hour battery life.

The Phat Scooter line includes single and double

rides, maintenance and marshal vehicles,

and, of course, the Snack Cart!

     

Weather at Demo Day is unpredictable and this year's wind provided a few challenges on the range.  But when the snow is knee-high in Boise or Buffalo and the thermometer reads 18* F, sunshine and 55* F in Florida feels like Paradise!

The annual PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day is just a preview of the world's largest golf business-to-business event that follows.  For a look at the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show, please visit our review at:

https://thegardenvarietygolfer.blogspot.com/2020/02/2020-pga-merchandise-show.html

2020 PGA Merchandise Show

January 23 - 25, 2020

Orlando, Florida

     Golf presents a natural bridge from the past to the future, from one successful path to another, to second careers and transitional opportunities, to impacts beyond what we think possible.  Opening ceremonies at the 67th PGA Merchandise Show celebrated the 2019 successes of the US Men's and Women's PGA Cup teams, the long career and storied successes of course designer Pete Dye, and offered a toast to a successful 2020 Ryder Cup that will land on the shores of Lake Michigan's Whistling Straits September 25-27.

     A tribute to partnership followed way, presented by the Acushnet family that includes Titleist and FootJoy.  Jim Nance, voice of Titleist for the past 25 years, was joined by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, 66th US Secretary of State, as these two success stories that are bridged by golf honored longtime Titleist Staff Professional Eric Eshleman, PGA Pro at The Country Club of Birmingham, who was voted 2019 PGA Professional of the Year by his fellow golf professionals.  

     After discovering golf during her days in Washington, Dr. Rice discovered a teacher, Eric Eshleman, back in her childhood home of Birmingham and since then has crossed a new bridge herself into charitable service as an Ambassador for Drive, Chip and Putt.  This celebration of Mr. Eshleman, teacher - coach - player - mentor, and as Dr. Rice said, "a pillar of Birmingham", reminded us that there are many impacts we can make as we cross these bridges through the game of golf.

     The PGA Merchandise Show, a trade-only event, is held each January for PGA Professionals, golf businesses, manufacturers and media to showcase the newest products and best practices that propel the business of golf forward.  And as the doors opened onto over 1,000 leading golf companies and brands along nearly 10 miles of merchandise aisles, it was apparent that golf is moving forward.

Martin Hall and Michael Breed air a live lesson

for Golf Channel at Foresight Sports "Sim-In-A-Box".

The world's largest business-to-business golf event
is held each January across nearly 1,000,000 square
feet of merchandise and demo displays in Orlando, Fl.

     Low-speed vehicle manufacturers like Tomberlin/Columbia Vehicle Group have moved into using new electric battery power packs that, unlike Lithium, are recyclable.  Tomberlins are assembled in Leesburg, Florida and engineered with safety and security at the top of their checklist.  Golf and street-legal packages are available but standard on all their PTVs are 3-point seatbelts, 4-wheel hydraulic brakes, locking storage, class-leading hill climb ability, acceleration up to 25 mph and a range of 40 miles. 

     

     V Caddy of Deforest, Wisconsin offers a powerful tool that utilizes a club's own resources in promoting player retention.  Hole-specific pro video tips and scannable tee box QR codes market straight to the course customer.  Unique digital info and promotions, direct tee-time scheduling and admin analytics put the club back in control while sales and marketing director Jeffery Kuper brings his piloting skills to the course flyovers.

     The old adage that necessity is the mother of invention is clear here and several products gave us that "why didn't we thing of this?" moment.  Subtle Patriot has put layers of organization and maximum protection into its golf and sporting travel bag collections after founder Tom Gocke spent years travelling for business and pleasure.  His family's strong military history bears out in Subtle Patriot's support of NS2 Serves "Boots to Suits" program, a training and employment program assisting veterans as they transition from military to civilian careers.

 

Subtle Patriot golf and sports bags have a pocket

for everything and a Velcro patch that can show

your support of a service branch, club or tourney.

The Subtle Patriot Lady Liberty Line -

Strong, Enduring, Everlasting.

     Flog Cap instantly shields your golf bag from rain and its inventor, Russell Malina, is as proud of his family who helped him develop his website, as he is of his product which is made of a patented fabric that is light, easy-care, water-resistant and provides complete access to your clubs and bag pockets.  He's also an entertaining entrepreneur and a natural spokesman.  Check out his video!

     Sportswear fabric has become every bit as important a tool against sun damage as sunscreen is and SPF factors of 30 and 50 plus are common now.  The PGA Show is an opportunity to speak with apparel and accessory designers like Hannah Childs, who brings her experience as an equestrian to the golf course with Hannah Childs Lifestyle women's wear.

Hannah Childs, seated at left, brings her equestrian experience to ladies' golf and leisure
 sportswear pieces that are at once classic, fun and functional with invisible pockets,

feminine shirring and breathable mesh. touches.

Wallaroo Hat Company is a Certified B Corporation,

committed to balancing purpose with profit. 

Wallaroo Carkella hat collection - packable,

adjustable, provides UPF protection as well as a magnetic

hat band badge that is customizable and sports plenty of style!

Greyson Clothiers adds a soft palette of color to its 2020 lineup.

Color as well as Women's and Children's apparel
were eye-catching in Greyson Clothier's line this year.

     The hitting bays at the PGA Merchandise Show present the chance to compare club details and manufacturers and discuss improvements in equipment with representatives.

Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 was out for a test drive before

the official Feb 1 launch - Truly a "Hot Launch"!

     Up until 2005, John Iacona's wood dowel company in Illinois had also been making and wholesaling wood tees when he imagined a better product - the 3-prong Zero Friction golf tee.  The rest, as they say, is history as he has steadily moved his company into providing products that make better sense.  Their 3-D compression fit gloves can be offered in a small number of sizes as they stretch in 3 directions, then return to "new glove" feel.  Mr. Iacona's focus is to deliver high quality, technically advanced sports products that evolve as technology does while keeping them simple and true to their games.  

Zero Friction stretches to "fit like a glove" and

comes in an astonishing array of colors!

     Forums at the PGA Merchandise Show shine a light on golf's achievements and also give the industry opportunity to address issues that could be improved upon.  The USAGA, United States Adaptive Golf Alliance, moderated a discussion that focused on methods of inclusivity.  PGA Reach programs like PGA Jr. League and PGA Hope have been proven effective in reaching new and diverse populations and benefiting golfers with challenges by helping courses extend invitations out into the community, opening the door to new, potential and returning golfers.

     With a golf course closing every week in the US along with unfriendly environmental images, a hazy future for manufacturing, real estate price spikes and labor loss, challenges to course owners can seem daunting.  During the State of the Game, PGA, USGA, NGCOA and GCSAA leaders offered their thoughts on stumbling blocks and hurdles that the golf industry faces as they discussed positive strides that golf is making to grow the game while maintaining its integrity.  Flexibility of play and property usage, a new world-wide handicapping system, changes in course layout to reduce maintenance and water usage and support aligning with community and national lawmakers are all works in progress to build confidence in the future of our sport. 

   



     Doing their fair share of expanding the golf universe, Volvik's fantastic colors highlight their superhero line of golf balls and equipment.

     And there were a couple other Superheros in the world of golf who were unveiling an initiative at the show this year.  Jack and Barbara Nicklaus need no introduction and the success they have attained in their lives is only eclipsed by the good works they promote with it.
     Play Yellow is a joint effort by the Nicklaus Foundation and the PGA TOUR to create a platform to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and save children's lives across North America.  From a simple coin jar on a pro shop counter to fundraising with your home league members, Play Yellow has room for your help.  Play Yellow Family Golf Day is June 7, 2020.

Ben Parker, Head Pro of Play Yellow, points out

a map of over 170 children's hospitals across

North America that will benefit when a golfer

"Plays Yellow For Kids". 

     PGA Show attendees, media and guests are also invited each year to additional test "drives" of golf equipment and vehicles at the PGA Merchandise Outdoor Demo Day.  For a look at our review of that event, go to:

https://thegardenvarietygolfer.blogspot.com/2020/02/2020-pga-merchandise-show-outdoor-demo.html