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Archive for the ‘Golfers’ Category

Golf – once seen as a rather wholesome and drab sport – is gaining traction with a new breed of celebrity golfer. It started with Tiger Woods’ sex addiction scandal and messy divorce, punctuated by his wife chasing him down and smashing his car window with a golf club in a scene reminiscent of Terminator 2 – sorry, ’smashing his back window to save him after he crashed his car’.

Next came Sergio Garcia’s Mediterranean good looks and rags to riches story, followed by the mad charisma of Ian “Twitter” Poulter, who regularly courts scandal and drama on the course and the internet.

But the latest celebrity golfer is Rory Mcilroy. Rory’s an Irish boy with curls and a cheeky grin. His win at the US open made him the youngest player (at 22) since 1923 to win and was followed by a mad night partying with boyband JLS. He’s an ambassador for UNICEF and regularly models Oakleys (super luxury sunglasses), with a recent shoot in Ireland being mobbed by over 400 fans.

This new breed of celeb and changing attitudes can revive golf so the game isn’t lost in the annals of Royal Society history, but remains alive and relevant.

There was controversy recently when NBC omitted “under god”  from the US Open address. Certain American pundits were incensed; some were  disappointed when NBC apologised.

Athiests have hit back saying that given how multi-cultural and tolerant America is supposed to be, citing God in the pledge of allegiance is somewhat insulting and archaic anyway. ‘Under God’ was added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 after lobbying from a pressure group – it was never in the original allegiance pledge, which was written by a socialist.

It has created the usual flurry of internet / Christian right rage, but does it matter? What does Christianity have to do with golf? The majority of modern golfers are irreverant, secular and more bothered about a good pint than a good pray. Let’s not forget that golf is a game – and it’s meant to be fun!

Controversial golfer Ian Poulter has helped bring the game to a wider audience. Some traditionalists dislike his flamboyant style; but then traditionalists never wanted women or black people on the links, and to quote Terry Pratchett on ‘traditionalists’ -

“Wherever they were, they all spoke the same private language, where “traditional values” meant “hang someone.”
— Terry Pratchett, The Truth.

Ian often uses Twitter to defend himself against mis-representations and to banter with other players. It’s a two way street of course, and if he does badly, he knows he’ll get good natured (and not so good natured) ribbing online.

I imagine some people struggle with the way he can be irreverant, silly and play to a crowd; but still be damn good at what he does. He was criticised for tweeting pictures of him and his kids eating cereal out of the Ryder Cup, and for an anti-semitic comment on Twitter (one of the few occasions where he deserved a good bollocking). Most recently he recieved a lot of hate mail on Twitter, with Ian Poulter threatening legal action and the so far anonymous mailers defending their right to express their opinion.

Ian Poulter is sponsored by Footjoy and Titleist, amongst others.

Titleist Brand Ambassador Steve Stricker headlines an emphatic 8-win weekend around the world for the #1 Ball in Golf
Full line Titleist Ambassador Steve Stricker ensured Titleist was at the top of the leaderboard again this weekend as he fired four consecutive rounds in the 60’s to claim his tenth PGA Tour title at the Memorial Tournament. Moving up to fourth in the Official World Golf Rankings, Stricker becomes the highest ranked American with only fellow Titleist golf ball loyalists Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and one other ahead of him. Stricker was joined in the winners’ circle this weekend by a host of Titleist golf ball loyalists, all of whom trusted the feel and control of the legendary Pro V1 franchise to claim victory and continue the constant flow of victories for the #1 Ball in Golf.

Stricker trusted Titleist equipment for his victory in Ohio, including the Pro V1x, 909D3 driver, 906F2 fairway metal, 909H hybrid, AP2 irons and Vokey Design wedges. Stricker’s 16-under par total saw him finish one shot ahead of fellow Pro V1x loyalist Brandt Jobe, and a number of other Titleist golf ball loyalists, as ten of the twelve players who finished among the top-10 and ties trusted a Titleist golf ball. After taking the lead with a stunning hole-in-one at the 8^th hole of his second round, Stricker produced a calm and controlled display to win a seventh title since turning 40. Titleist was also the overwhelming ball of choice at the Memorial Tournament, with 85 players, more than eight times the nearest competitor with 10. Titleist also topped the counts for iron sets, sand, lob and approach wedges and putters.

On the Champions Tour, Pro V1 loyalist Bob Gilder fired a final round 6-under par 65 to claim his tenth career Champions Tour victory at the Principal Charity Classic.  On the LPGA Tour, it was an all-Titleist golf ball top-4 as Brittany Lincicome (Pro V1x) edged fellow Titleist golf ball loyalists Ji-Yai Shin, Christie Kerr and Catriona Matthew to claim the Shoprite LPGA Classic. On the Nationwide Tour, Pro V1x loyalist Steve Wheatcroft re-wrote the Nationwide Tour record books after rounds of 66, 60, 65 & 64 gave him a 12-stroke victory on 29-under par at the Melwood Prince George’s County Open. Wheatcroft recorded the largest margin of victory and lowest aggregate score in Nationwide Tour history.

Elsewhere, on the South Africa Tour, Titleist Brand Ambassador Justin Harding (Pro V1x) won his second career title at the Lombard Insurance Classic with a 14-under par total. On the Japan Tour, it was a Pro V1x 1-2-3 at the Japan Golf Tour Championship as J.B. Park edged fellow Titleist golf ball loyalists Daisuke Maruyama and Brad Kennedy to claim his first win on the Japan Golf Tour. On the Korean Tour, SoonSang Hong (Pro V1x) won the Subaru Classic by two shots ahead of a top-10 littered with Titleist golf ball loyalists. These victories boost Titleist’s 2011 worldwide win count to 66, six times that of the nearest competitor with 11, and more than all other brands combined.

A tenth PGA Tour victory for Titleist Brand Ambassador Steve Stricker, added to seven other victories around the world for Titleist golf ball loyalists and brand ambassadors, continues to prove that the world’s best players opt for the matchless performance of Titleist for their success.

Further information is available from David Silvers at the Professional Sports Group on 01276 858 930 (e-mail david@profsports.com)

While Luke Donald took the top spot, Rory McIlroy was in fine form and sporting some gorgeous Oakley clothing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this year. With his stylish threads and friendly, non-threatening demeanour, could Rory McIlroy be the next Tiger Woods? With the hotly contested No.1 spot changing hands frequently, and a lack of charisma in playing style among the top dogs, does golf need another poster boy?

The Celtic Manor resort in Wales is host to the Saab Wales Open, where golf’s top players compete for a £1.8 million prize fund. Adult tickets start at £25, with discounts for seniors and kids under 16 going free. The Twenty Ten course, which was the scene for the prestigious Ryder Cup in 2010, has a par of 71 and a powerful, challenging landscape with half the holes featuring water hazards. American Graeme McDowell is defending his title at the Saab Golf Open, with a controversial switch from Callaway to Srixon golf equipment.

In an all-Titleist Pro V1x play-off at Wentworth  there was more than the BMW PGA Championship at stake. Fellow Englishmen and Titleist golf ball loyalists Luke Donald and Lee Westwood knew the winner was also assured of his place at the summit of the Official World Golf Rankings. Both players had tied on 6-under par after 72 holes, and it was Donald who sealed victory with a birdie at the first extra hole. Donald was joined in the winners’ circle by a number of Titleist golf ball loyalists who continued the consistent stream of professional victories around the world for the legendary Pro V1 franchise, including Tom Watson who captured his sixth career Senior Major at the Senior USPGA Championship.

Both Luke Donald and Lee Westwood have trusted the feel and control of their Titleist golf ball to display immaculate precision and accuracy in recent months, and cemented their positions as the world’s top two players at Wentworth. Since winning the WGC Accenture World Matchplay Championship in February Donald has been a pillar of consistency, and victory in the European Tour’s flagship event marks his 9^th consecutive top-10 finish. As well as being the choice of the top two finishers at Wentworth, Titleist was also the overwhelming golf ball of choice with 85 players putting their trust in the legendary Pro V1 or Pro V1x, compared to just 24 for the nearest competitor. Titleist was also top of the counts for iron sets, and sand, lob and approach wedges respectively.

Elsewhere, on the LPGA Tour it was an all-Titleist golf ball top-2 as Pro V1 loyalist Lindsey Wright was edged into second place behind a Pro V1x loyalist who fired a final round 6-under par 66 to claim the HSBC Brazil Cup. On the South African Tour Jean Hugo (Pro V1x) claimed his fifth career win in the Vodacom series with a three shot win at the Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament in Pretoria. Choi HoSung topped an all Titleist golf ball 1-2 to claim his second career Korean Tour victory at the LakeHills Open. A multiple win weekend for Titleist golf ball loyalists around the world takes Titleist’s 2011 worldwide golf ball win count to 58, more than five time the nearest competitor with 11.

Victory in the European Tour’s flagship event to elevate himself to World #1 for Luke Donald, coupled with further wins around the world for Titleist golf ball loyalists, continues to prove that the world’s best players opt for the matchless performance of Titleist for their success.

Titleist: The #1 Ball in Golf

Further information is available from David Silvers at the Professional Sports Group on 01276 858 930 (e-mail david@profsports.com

Ian Poulter won  the Volvo Match Play Championship, proving his worth again – and using a White ZL Driver 9.5!

Ian played 108 holes in six heated playoffs.  Along the way he beat the #1 and #2 ranked players in the world. Ian’s a fan of  Cobra golf equipment,  and has moved up to #14 in the official world rankings.

The white driver he used is powerful and supremely stylish. Out now is a limited edition Cobra S3 driver in white, equally forceful, just as elegant – and limited edition to boot.

Titleist golf ball loyalist Ian Poulter underlined his credentials as one of the best match play golfers in the world this weekend, topping fellow Pro V1x loyalist Luke Donald to claim the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Poulter displayed control and precision throughout the week to become the first player to win both the WGC Accenture World Match Play and Volvo World Match Play crowns. Donald was aiming to replace fellow Titleist golf ball loyalist Lee Westwood (Pro V1x) at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings, but succumbed to a 2 & 1 defeat by his fellow Englishman. Poulter was joined in the winners’ circle by a whole host of Titleist golf ball loyalists around the world this weekend, each of whom showcased the precision of the legendary Pro V1 franchise to winning effect.

Playing the 18^th hole at Finca Cortesín in every one of his matches in the lead up to the all-Titleist golf ball final, Poulter beat both the World #1 Lee Westwood and World #2 Luke Donald, on his way to lifting his 11^th European Tour title. Also providing a stellar performance in Spain was Pro V1x loyalist Nicolas Colsaerts, who tied for third after losing to Poulter at the 19^th hole of their semi-final. As well as being trusted by three of the top four finishers in Spain, the Pro V1 franchise was also the choice of the majority of the field, with 13 players compared to 4 for the nearest competitor.

On the European Tour, Titleist Brand Ambassador Michael Hoey trusted the feel and playability of a host of Titleist equipment to claim his second European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open. Hoey’s winning equipment included the New Pro V1x, 910D3 driver, 910F fairway metal, AP2 irons and Vokey Design wedges. Hoey claimed victory by two shots from fellow Pro V1x loyalist Chris Gane and one other as Titleist was the choice of a number of the top finishers in Madeira. New Pro V1x loyalists Lloyd Saltman, Federico Colombo and Jose-Filipe Lima all tied for fourth place on 6-under par, whilst Titleist was also the overwhelming choice of the majority of the field, with 111 players compared to 19 for the nearest competitor.

Elsewhere, on the PGA Tour, Titleist golf ball loyalists took the top two places at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, with Charlie Wi (New Pro V1) being beaten by a fellow Titleist golf ball player at Colonial. Titleist was the overwhelming golf ball of choice at the Crowne Plaza Invitational with 84 players, seven times the nearest competitor with 12. On the Japan Tour, Masanori Kobayashi (New Pro V1x) captured his first career victory at the inaugural Totoumi Hamamatsu Open, claiming victory at the first extra hole. On the OneAsia Tour, Kurt Barnes topped a New Pro V1x top-2, winning the weather-shortened SK Telecom Open by one shot over Titleist Brand Ambassador Kyung-Tae Kim. These victories increase Titleist’s 2011 worldwide golf ball win count to 54, compared to 11 for the nearest competitor.

Another World Match Play crown for Pro V1x loyalist Ian Poulter coupled with further victories around the world for the legendary Pro V1 franchise, continues to prove that the world’s best players opt for the matchless performance of Titleist for their success.

Titleist: The #1 Ball in Golf

Further information is available from David Silvers at the Professional Sports Group on 01276 858 930 (e-mail david@profsports.com

KJ Choi Wins the Sawgrass

Titleist golf ball loyalist K.J Choi claims golf’s ‘Fifth Major’ ahead of an all Titleist top-5 as the #1 Ball in Golf remains the choice of champions

Titleist Pro V1 loyalist K.J. Choi claimed the biggest win of his career this weekend, topping a leaderboard littered with Titleist golf ball loyalists to win The Player’s Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Choi’s par at the first extra hole saw him prevail in an all-Titleist golf ball play-off, winning golf’s unofficial ‘Fifth Major’ ahead of an all-Titleist top-5. Choi’s eighth career PGA Tour victory continues Titleist’s winning form around the world as the legendary Pro V1 franchise continues to be the choice of champions.

Choi’s final round 2-under par 70, saw him finish on 13-under par, two ahead of Paul Goydos (New Pro V1) who finished alone in 3^rd, and three ahead of Titleist Brand Ambassador Nick Watney (Pro V1x) and Pro V1x loyalist Luke Donald as the leading players all put their trust in the legendary Pro V1 franchise for their success. Completing Titleist’s strong showing at the top of the leaderboard was Titleist Brand Ambassador Jason Dufner (Pro V1) and Titleist golf ball loyalists J.B. Holmes (Pro V1x), Aaron Baddeley (Pro V1x) and Hunter Mahan (New Pro V1x) all of whom tied for sixth place with two others on 9-under par. The feel and control of the #1 Ball in Golf was also the choice of the majority of the field at TPC Sawgrass, with 90 players putting their trust in Titleist compared to 15 for the nearest competitor.

Elsewhere, on the Asian Tour, Pro V1x loyalist Barry Henson topped an all-Titleist top-4 to claim his maiden Asian Tour crown at the ICTSI Philippine Open. Henson was joined at the top of the leaderboard by Titleist Brand Ambassador Jbe Kruger (Pro V1x) and Titleist golf ball loyalists Jay Bayron (New Pro V1x) and Digvijay Singh (New Pro V1x) who each relied on the control of the Pro V1 franchise in difficult weather conditions to complete the all-Titleist top-4. On the European Tour, Titleist was the overwhelming golf ball of choice at the Iberdrola Open with 97 players putting their trust in the feel and control of the Pro V1 or Pro V1x, compared to 19 for the nearest competitor. Victories on the PGA and Asian Tours this weekend increase Titleist’s 2011 worldwide golf ball win count to 49, compared to 10 for the nearest competitor.

An eighth PGA Tour victory for Pro V1 loyalist K.J. Choi at The Player’s Championship, and a further victory on the Asian Tour to further boost Titleist’s impressive win count around the worldwide professional tours, continues to prove that the world’s best players opt for the matchless performance of Titleist for their success. You can purchase you custom fitted Titleist golf balls from popular online retailer and Titleist custom fitter golfbuyitonline.

Titleist: The #1 Ball in Golf

Further information is available from David Silvers at the Professional Sports Group on 01276 858 930 (e-mail david@profsports.com