Ping Golf featured on CNBC Monday night
September 24, 2012 - 12:22am
Posted by:
John Holmes
John Holmes's picture
Ping Golf founder Karsten Solheim
Karsten Solheim's original homemade putter became the foundation of a golf equipment empire that is still innovating.

Yeah, yeah, I know Monday Night Football is on, but you really oughta tune in to CNBC tonight for "How I Made My Millions" – or at least fire up the DVR. This episode is all about Karsten Solheim and his creation of Ping Golf.

"How I Made My Millions," says CNBC, goes behind the curtain to reveal how everyday people have taken ordinary ideas and turned them into extraordinary businesses. The program, CNBC explains, puts the American Dream on display and shows you that it's alive and well if you have the heart, the desire and the know-how to make it big.

The Ping Golf episode, entitled "Stroke of Genius," focuses on Solheim, who back in the 1950s was an engineer who thought he could play better golf if he improved his putter, so he built one himself. His original Ping putter, named for the sound it made when it hit the ball, became the foundation of a golf equipment empire that is now run by his son John and is still innovating all these years later.

"How I Made My Millions" premieres at 9:00 p.m. ET, and reruns at midnight ET. You can see a 70-second teaser on YouTube.
U.S. Ryder Cup team directs $2.6 million to outreach programs
September 21, 2012 - 1:31pm
Posted by:
T.J. Auclair
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On behalf of the 2012 United States Ryder Cup Team, The PGA of America and the PGA Tournament Corporation will direct $2.6 million to designated charities and growth of the game junior golf initiatives as a way to leverage the Ryder Cup and also provide outreach support to communities nationwide.
 
All 12 members of the U.S. Team, along with Captain Davis Love III are able to designate $100,000 to the charity of their choice.  Another $100,000 will be directed to help launch and 
support PGA junior golf programs designed to introduce children to the game; provide unique approaches to play the game; and deliver world class coaching and mentoring to advanced juniors who may not otherwise have the financial means to play.  
 
Today, the donations made to charities by the players was made public. To read about the charities that will benefit, click here.
U.S. Kids Golf announces National Player of the Year Award
September 21, 2012 - 10:09am
Posted by:
PGA.com News Services
TJ Auclair's picture
ATLANTA -- U.S. Kids Golf is excited to announce the first-ever recipients of the National Player of the Year Award. The award, which will be presented during the TOUR Championship in Atlanta, GA, on Saturday, September 22, 2012, is sponsored by FedEx, which has provided special invitations for the winners and their families to attend the event at East Lake Golf Club.

Winners of the U.S. Kids Golf National Players of the Year Award for the 2012 season are Yujeong Son, 11, of Norman, Okla., and Michael Thorbjornsen, 10, of Wellesley, Mass.

To read more, click here.
Want to live in Rory McIlroy's house?
September 20, 2012 - 6:51pm
Posted by:
John Holmes
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Rory McIlroy's house

Rory McIlroy has put his house in Northern Ireland up for sale, likely to help pave the way for him to relocate more permanently to the United States.

McIlroy’s house in Moneyreagh, a suburb in the hills above Belfast, has been listed for £2 million (about $2.5 million), according to a story by the Press Association, Britain’s newswire.

"I would say interest in the house will be extremely good, both locally and potentially worldwide," Michael Rodgers, a partner in the real estate firm handling the sale, told the Press Association. "We will have to wait and see."

The five-bedroom house, situated on 14 acres, also includes a gym in an adjoining refurbished stone barn as well as an extensive practice area with a putting green and driving range.

"I have really enjoyed living here. It is a really special place which has allowed me to relax and unwind -- when I get time," McIlroy was quoted in the house’s sales brochure. "With the privacy and seclusion of the location it is hard to believe the house is only 25 minutes from Belfast city centre and City airport.

"The space the house offers is bright and airy and there are views over the gardens and the pond from most rooms. The house has always been busy with friends and family and has suited us on all occasions."

McIlroy has said little about his future plans, but has been renting a house in Florida. His parents still live in his hometown of Holywood, Northern Ireland.
Team America sets early tone
September 20, 2012 - 6:35pm
Posted by:
Steve Eubanks
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Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy
Getty Images
A scene golf fans hope to see next week as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy congratulate each other after their opening rounds at The Tour Championship.
It’s way too early to make anything of it – just as it’s far too early be making any FedExCup projections, even though the networks are doing it anyway – but Captain Love has to be pretty darned pleased with how his team looks one week before the Ryder Cup opening ceremonies. 

Sure, Europe’s Justin Rose shot 4 under on Thursday to share the lead at the Tour Championship, and Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy slipped into the top 12 at 1 under, but Team America put on a show. 

Tiger Woods also shot 4 under to lead while Steve Stricker and Matt Kuchar finished the day a shot back at 3 under. Not only did Stricker and Kuchar play well, perhaps more importantly to Captain Love, they putted great. Kuchar said afterward, “It was a fantastic putting performance. I didn’t hit it my best, but thankfully my short game was great, and putting, in particular, was really strong.” 

Brandt Snedeker also putted like a fiend to shoot 2 under, while Phil Mickelson hit some of the best iron shots of his life en route to shooting 1 under. “I’m hitting my irons really, really well,” Phil told me behind the East Lake clubhouse after Thursday’s round. “I only hit one bad putt all day, but I misread a lot of them. Hopefully I can get that corrected, because I’m hitting them on the line I want.”  

Zach Johnson finished the day birdie-birdie to shoot 2 under, while Bubba Watson shot 33 on the back nine to get in at minus-1 along with Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson. 

The only American Ryder Cupper to shoot over par on Thursday was Webb Simpson. But Simpson had five birdies in his 1-over round.  

Again, it’s a long week and an even longer time until the first shot of the matches. But if being hot matters going in, the Americans have to like what they see.  

Become the '13th Man' for Team USA at 2012 Ryder Cup
September 20, 2012 - 3:57pm
Posted by:
T.J. Auclair
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13th Man
Getty Images
Become a '13th Man' for Team USA.

 

Believe it or not, folks, the Ryder Cup starts next week.
 
The wait is finally over! U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III will try to lead his 12-man squad to victory over a stellar European team led by Captain Jose Maria Olazabal at Medinah Country Club, just outside Chicago.
 
The U.S. is trying to win the Ryder Cup for the second time in as many tries on home soil, repeating the winning effort at Valhalla in 2008.
 
The PGA of America is inviting golf fans to become a, '13th Man,' for the 2012 Ryder Cup. The new program is meant to promote fan commitment to sportsmanship and to honor Team USA.
 
To learn more about how you can show your support for Team USA as a '13th Man,' click here.
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