Golf-Vue Concepts, one of 300 new exhibitors, was featured in the Saturday edition of  the on site magazine, Show News.  It highlighted the innovative golf bag design by stating, “Golf-Vue Concepts is turning heads with its Club-Vue golf bag which turns the idea of a golf bag on its head.  Intsead of accessing all clubs from a top-loading system, the Club-Vue bag allows golfers to pull their irons  out of the side (front) of the bag.”

“The biggest reaction we’re getting is wow, great idea!” said John Neyland, Vice President of Golf-Vue Concepts.  “People are glad to see something new and innovative, and we’re getting lots of traffic.”

The Club-Vue Golf Bag is designed for the golf cart. It’s many features include an open front panel providing easy access to seven inverted irons, with the number of the iron inserted into the end of the grip.  The irons come out easily so tangling and jerking of clubs are eliminated. 

The irons are organized and easy to identify, and the clatter of clubs is eliminated.  The bag’s open view makes it obvious if a club has been left behind.  Other beneficial features include multiple straps for easy portability, apparel compartments, pockets for balls, tees, and accessories, an insulated beverage pocket, an umbrella holder, and a four channel bin for woods, hybrids, and putter.  A two-way zippered rain hood and a three-window front panel allow easy club access while protecting clubs from the elements.

About Golf-Vue Concepts: 
Golf-Vue concepts is a designer and manufacturer of premier golf bags.  The unique and patented design of the Club-View  Golf Bag provides great on-the-cart access to the clubs used the most. View all the features of this golf bag at their website, www.golf-vue.com

Since its inception in 1954, the PGA Merchandise Show has become the world’s most influential golf trade show and the global summit for the business of golf.  More than 40,000 industry professionals from 75 countries visit the show.  Nearly 1,000 golf companies and brands, representing every business sector of golf from market leaders to start-up companies, display and demonstrate golf merchandise that will appear in golf shops and retail stores throughout the 2012 golf season.

Tiger owes a big debt of gratitude to Fred Couples for believing in him and welcoming the 54th player in the world at the time, to the President’s Cup team last year despite heavy criticism from a lot of  golf’s elite observers.  Tiger proved to Freddy and the world that  he was a wise pick and his win on the final day of play was crucial to the team’s victory.  For me, and I think for Tiger, that was the catalyst for what we’re seeing now. 

What we’re seeing is the greatest player in the world and arguably the greatest player of all time returning to form.  His teammates at the President’s Cup were genuinely proud to have him on the squad and their exhuberance for their win and for him were evident in the video of the victory celebration that I saw.  Tiger’s smile somehow seemed broader that day than I had seen it for quite awhile.

The momentum has continued.  As the lowest ranked player in an 18 man field, Tiger won the Chevron fending off a hot Zach Johnson with a very Tigeresque birdie, birdie finish.   The tournament is an unofficial event.  And then there was two weeks ago where he played terrific golf at Abu-Dhabi for three rounds to wind up third after a so-so final round behind  eventual winner Robert Rock and  second place finisher Rory McIlroy. 

Judging from interviews I’ve heard as we head into the first round, I think we’re in for a great show from Tiger, not only at Pebble Beach, but for the rest of the season. 

You can tell he feels better.  Healthy again.  Physically and mentally.  I don’t have to detail all he’s been through here, we all know.  But watching him joke around about his playing partner, Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys, I can tell he’s feeling better about golf and about life.

“You guys probably don’t know this but they wanted to give him (Romo) a plus three handicap which is total BS,  he’s a scratch, I’m  a scratch!”  Tiger said, to a press room filled with laughter.

Tiger has been working on his swing with Sean Foley, he’s been spending hours on the putting green working on his stroke and reads, he’s won a tournament with his new caddy Joe Lacava, his mental game is obviously sharpening and I believe we are going to see a comeback in 2012 that will go down in golf history.

Woods formidable talent has never left him but the game between his ears did leave him.  I see that it’s back.

Many experts have said he will win as many as three times this season.  I think he will win more than that and I predicted he would win The Masters after he won the Chevron World Challenge.  I was chastised by my golf buddies for that prediction because of the small field he was competing against but after watching him in Abu-Dhabi with a full field including the world’s number one player, I’m saying he’s back.

I think he’ll prove that on the Monterey Pennisula this week.  He won by 15 shots there in 2000. I think he will win this week.  Regardless, golf needs Tiger and it will be great for the game and the PGA TOUR to see him back out there.

Join us Saturdays from 7am-8am CST for Arkansas Fairways & Greens on KARN FM 102.9 in Little Rock or on The Arkansas Radio Network.  You can hear us live over the Internet at www.karnnewsradio.com and if you have an Iphone or Android, simply download the free KARN app.

Chenal Country Club will be the site for the 106th  Southern Amateur Golf Championship to be played on the Bear Den Course July 18-21. 

The Southern Am is recognized and ranked as one of the top five amateur golf championships in the nation, routinely attracting 700 entries.  The field is pared to 168 of the best players in the United States and the rest of the world.  It’s a classic event with true amateurs in a stroke play championship with roving rules officials.

The Southern Am was expanded a decade ago from players in the 14 southern states to now include worldwide entries.  Last year at Innisbrook Resort in Florida, players from 33 states and 9 foreign countries participated.  The 2012 edition will be played on the tough Robert Jones Jr. designed Bear Den course at Chenal CC.  Chenal features two 18-hole courses.  The original track is called the Founder’s Course.

Buford McCarty, executive director of the Southern Golf Association made the formal announcement Friday, February 3 at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.  He said, “The Southern Am has a long history of being played on great golf courses such as East Lake in Atlanta, The Homestead, Colonial in Memphis and Pinehurst.  It will be no different this year with Bear Den at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.  In fact, from the looks of this course, I can see us coming back here.”

The Southern Am has a long history of hosting outstanding amateur golfers and the winner of the championship is afforded an exemption to play in the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.   That tournament is played in Orlando, Florida in March and the winner of the Southern Am has the distinction of being the only amateur in the field.  He is introduced on the first tee as “the current Southern Amateur Champion.”

Little Rock native Alex Carpenter won the Southern Amateur Championship in 2010 at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, Alabama.  His name was added to a trophy that includes the names of Bobby Jones, Freddie Haas, Gay Brewer, Hubert Green, Lanny Wadkins, Bob Tway, Ben Crenshaw and Justin Leonard among others.  Carpenter plays out of Chenal Country Club when he’s home.  Carpenter is currently attending Abilene Christian College.  The tournament has been played since 1902.

Retiring UALR golf coach Wyn Norwood was instrumental in attracting the tournament to Little Rock.  Norwood served on the Southern Golf Association board for twelve years and convinced his colleagues on the SGA site committe to visit Chenal Country Club.  When members of the selection committee toured the course, they were convinced that it would live up to their standards and provide a great test for the nation and the world’s best amateurs.  “I wasn’t on the site selection committee, but after touring this course, I certainly concur with their decision to conduct our tournament here this year,” McCarty said.

A beaming Ray Dillion, Chief Executive Officer of Deltic Timber Corporation said, “We are honored to play host to the Southern Amateur Championship.  We will dedicate the resources necessary to ensure this is an event that meets the SGA’s standard of excellence.  We hope this event is thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators, Chenal members and I believe it will be long remembered by this year’s outstanding roster of amateur players.”  Deltic Timber is the owner and operator of Chenal Country Club and Chenal Properties, the residential neighborhoods that surround the two Jones Jr. designed golf courses.

The head golf professional at Chenal Country Club, John Warburton, said the staff has been preparing for the event for over a year.  The course has been lengthened, some of the fairways have been narrowed and the creek that flows through the fairways has been widened on the par 5 tenth hole at Bear Den to heighten the risk-reward factor of going for the green in two according to Warburton.  “We are thrilled to be hosting this event and the membership has been nothing but supportive.  In fact, many of our members have offered their homes to the amateurs and their families as a place to stay during the tournament.”    The Bear Den course will close after July 4th and further preparations will continue until the course opens for tournament play.  The course will play to over 7,200 yards.

Alotian Club To Host 2013 Western Amateur

In November of 2011, the prestigious Alotian Club near Roland, Arkansas announced that it will host the Western Amateur golf tournament in 2013.  The Western Am has been called “The Masters of Amateur Tournaments” and is ranked among the top three amateur events in the United States.

Opened in 2004, The Alotian Club is ranked number 14 on Golf Digest’s biennial ranking of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”  The course was designed by renowned golf architect Tom Fazio and built by owner and founder Warren Stephens of Little Rock.  Stephens is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who garnered his love of golf from his late father, Jack Stephens.  The elder Stephens was a former chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and helped to establish The First Tee program with the largest single donation to the non-profit organization when it was launched over a decade ago.

Few Arkansans have ever seen The Alotian Club firsthand and there is great excitement that a public event is going to be held there. 

“We are honored that all Arkansans who enjoy golf will have a chance to see a world-class amateur championship at our facility and we are extremely proud to host the 2013 Western Amateur here,” Stephens said. 

The Alotian Club course plays to 6,780 yards from the member tees and its signature trait is elevation change, with the most dramatic coming at the sixth hole with a 100-foot drop from the tee to green.  Those who have seen the course say it is one of the most beautiful in the United States, if not the world.  It was named by Golf Digest as the best new private course in the country in 2005. 

For the Alotian Club, hosting the 111th Western Amateur Championship will provide a platform to highlight the club’s support of caddies at the WGA’s Evans Scholars Foundation, which grants college scholarships to deserving caddies.  Two of the club’s caddies are currently attending Northwestern University on Evans scholarships.

“We’re extremely proud that The Alotian Club’s first national tournament showcases amateur golf and more importantly, we’re very pleased that we’re supporting scholarships for deserving caddies.  It made the decision to welcome the Western Amateur to Arkansas an easy one,” Stephens said.  

The Alotian Club’s two current Evans Scholars, brothers Joe and Kevin Evans, both are majoring in economics at Northwestern.  Joe is a junior, and Kevin is a freshman.  The fact their last name is Evans is a coincidence.

Past champions of the Western Amateur include eight-time winner Charles “Chick” Evans Jr., Francis Ouimet, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Andy North, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Hal Sutton, Scott Verplank, Alotian member Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, Ryan Moore and Tiger Woods.  The legendary Bobby Jones was stroke play medalist in 1920.

University of Arkansas golfer Ethan Tracy of Hillard, Ohio won the 2011 Western Amateur defeating Patrick Cantlay of Los Alamitos, California 1 up at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois.

The tournament will be conducted July 29-August 3, 2013. 

 It’s no secret that more than two-thirds of the shots a golfer makes are short ones. Long drives may garner applause, but whether a golfer wants to win the Masters or just five bucks from his buddies on Saturday morning, it’s the little shots that make the difference. Every game has analogous unglamorous skills. In basketball, if you don’t rebound and play defense, you lose. In football, you have to block and tackle. In golf, it’s chipping, pitching, and putting. But, because golf course architects have made green complexes ever more complicated and challenging, chipping, pitching, and playing bunker shots cause even more anxiety for both professional and amateurs. Overcoming this fear has never been more essential to golfing greatness.

In THE UNSTOPPABLE GOLFER, Dr. Rotella, who has worked with a roster of major champions, including hall of famers like Pat Bradley and Tom Kite and stars of the present like Angel Cabrera, Padraig Harrington, Keegan Bradley, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, and Graeme McDowell, teaches readers how to use their minds to master the short game, by achieving a calm state of mind in which the focus is only one thing—the target. In addition to preparing players mentally, Rotella also explains the science of memory, and how knowledge of the brain’s workings—in particular how it masters physical tasks—can improve a golf game, particularly the short game.

About Dr. Bob Rotella

Internationally renowned for his work, Dr. Bob Rotella is a pioneer in the field of sports psychology and the preeminent counselor to players on the PGA, LPGA, and Champion Tours. Among his many clients are Davis Love, III, Brad Faxon, Nick Price, Paul Azinger, Trevor Immelman, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, David Toms, Scott Verplank, Graeme McDowell, Fred Funk Sean O’Hair, and Tom Kite. He has also worked as a personal consultant to the NBA, NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, U.S. Olympic Ski team, U.S. Olympic Equestrian team, New York Yankees, San Francisco 49ers, New Jersey Nets, and Texas Rangers. Outside of the sports world, Dr. Rotella has also been a performance enhancement consultant to numerous corporations, including Merrill Lynch and Pepsico.

Dr. Rotella’s golfers on the PGA Tour have won 37 major championships. As a teacher, Dr. Rotella has been selected as one of the top 10 golf teachers of the 20th Century and for 20 years directed the leading sports psychology graduate program in the country at the University of Virginia.

 He currently serves on the editorial board of Golf Digest and is a columnist for that publication. He is the past president of the North American Association for Applied Sports Psychology and a contributing editor for the Sport Psychology Journal. He resides in Virginia with his wife.

 Weekend golfers and pros alike all listen to the man they call “Doc” because his teachings are simple and direct—and in the end, what Doc says makes them play better golf. His books have all become classics for golfers everywhere.

Praise for Dr. Bob Rotella

“My father spent many years teaching me to play golf, but when I reached the PGA Tour we realized that a poor short game was holding me back. My father suggested that Dr. Bob Rotella could help me reach my potential as a tournament golfer. Bob taught me a steady routine and has given me the confidence in my game to play at the highest level of competition.”  – Davis Love III, 1997 PGA Champion and 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain

“To say that I think Doc has helped make me a better player would be an understatement.” – Tom Kite, 1992 U.S. Open Champion and 1997 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain

“I’ve read all of Bob Rotella’s books and there is nothing like them – if you pay attention, he can completely change the way you play golf! The lessons in this book will give you the focus you need to play well in practice and the confidence to bring those skills to competition. You’ve never heard it like this before.” – Sean O’Hair, 2008 PODS Champion

“Bob Rotella’s knowledge and practical approach to psychology have been an enormous help to me. He has an uncanny knack of being able to turn the most complicated situation into a simple one.”  – Nick Price, 1994 Open Champion and 1992 and 1994 PGA Champion

“Bob Rotella has helped me to be my own best friend and to get to the next level of my career.” – Pat Bradley, 1986 LPGA Champion and winner of the 1981 U.S. Women’s Open

“I was at a point where I was taking gold so seriously that I wasn’t enjoying it any more. Bob Rotella taught me to throw away doubt and fear, and as a result I am enjoying golf, learning more, and playing better.” – Brad Faxon, Top 10 Player on the PGA Tour, and two-time member of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team

“After my first few events as a professional in 1999, I realized I needed to find a way to quiet my    mind and focus my thoughts. Since then, Dr. Rotella and I have focused on target, routine, and acceptance. Though I have not yet perfected it, I continue to work on it daily and have reached a career-high 12^th in the official world golf ranking.” – Trevor Immelman, 2008 Masters Champion.

“Doc” has been featured on Arkansas Fairways & Greens radio and is scheduled to be with us on the show before The Masters.  You can hear him and other golf guests live on Saturdays over the Arkansas Radio Network from 7am-8am CST.

Steve Siebold, a former professional athlete, mental toughness coach and author of the book 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of The World Class, has worked with athletes for 27 years and has been pointing to a Tiger Woods comeback all along, but based on what’s he’s seeing now he believes this is the year of the Tiger.

Here’s why:

• Woods’ talent never left him; it was his confidence that disappeared.  Now that he knows how to win again, he’s not going to stop!  He won his last PGA Tour start, The Chevron World Challenge on December 4, and finished third at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.  His confidence is as high as it’s been in years.     
• His ball control is much better than it’s been, and he’s working the ball left to right and right to left comfortably.  Both physically and mentally he looks really healthy and his competition should be scared.  He’s going to win at least three times this season. 
• Pebble Beach will be a good start for Tiger.  He won the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach by 15 shots.  He knows how to win big on this track.  
• Woods has made adversity his mental training ground.  The stress and struggles of the past few years have only made him that much tougher and he’s ready to dominate the game again.
• Woods is hard-wired through years of world-class programming to focus on a vision and persevere at any cost.  He doesn’t understand what giving up is.
• Champions like Woods are professional failures.  They know that success is based on a series of comebacks, and that setbacks are set-ups for comebacks. 

 The bottom line: According to Steve Siebold a bet against a proven champion like Tiger Woods is a bad bet.  On the physical plain he has perseverance, on the mental plane he has toughness and on the spiritual plane he has Zen-like artistry.

Mr. Thornley, 65, who joined the Board of Callaway Golf in 2004, served from 2002 to 2005 as President and Chief Operating Officer of Qualcomm Inc., the global leader in wireless technology.  He served as Qualcomm’s Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to 2002.  Until his appointment today, he served as chair of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Callaway Golf and was the designated “financial expert.”

Mr. Fellows, 68, served as President and CEO since August 2005 and led initiatives that included the Company’s international expansion, product cost reduction and efforts to return golf to the Olympics. Mr. Fellows led the Company to record sales and earnings prior to the economic downturn.

“Tony Thornley has a deep knowledge of Callaway’s business and the steps we must take to improve results going forward.  He brings decades of experience, including the financial and managerial skills and discipline to execute on our immediate priorities and to lead a transition to new leadership as the company charts a path for the future,” said Ron Beard, Chairman of the Board.  ”As an avid golfer with a low single-digit handicap, he also brings passion for what we do. We appreciate George Fellows’ efforts, accomplishments and wish him the best in the future.  We look forward to continuing to work closely with our customers and partners as we take our next steps.”

“It’s been my privilege to serve Callaway these past 6 years and I’m proud of much of what we’ve done,” said Mr. Fellows. “However the personal demands of cross country commuting and other demands on my personal life and family have led me to conclude now is the right time for me to make this change.”

Preliminary Results for Second Quarter 2011

Callaway Golf announced that, for the second quarter of 2011, it expects revenues to be approximately $270 million.

The Company expects a net loss of approximately $55 million for the second quarter, including $48 million of noncash charges. These noncash charges include a valuation allowance of approximately $46 million related to the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets.  The Company’s U.S. business, which has been adversely affected by the recent economic downturn and continued investment in the final phase of the Company’s global operations strategy, has not yet returned to profitability.  As a result, U.S. accounting rules require that the Company establish the valuation allowance.  The Company expects to be able to reverse the allowance in future periods as the Company’s U.S. business returns to profitability.  The net loss for the quarter also includes charges of approximately $8 million related to the organizational changes and approximately $4 million related to the Company’s global operations strategy.  

Organizational Changes

As part of its reorganization, the Company expects to reduce headcount at all levels of the organization. The Company said it expects its organizational changes and reevaluation of business processes and priorities to deliver annualized pre-tax savings of approximately $50 million, a portion of which will benefit 2011.  Pre-tax charges associated with these actions, including severance expenses, are currently estimated to be approximately $20 million for 2011, including the $8 million recognized in the second quarter.

“While it is clear that it was the global economic recession that derailed our record sales and earnings pace, it is also clear that our business is not keeping pace with the industry recovery,” said Mr. Thornley.  ”It is therefore necessary for the company to take immediate and aggressive actions to reduce costs in order to return the Company to profitability as quickly as possible. We will also focus our efforts on strengthening our Brands by reinvesting a portion of the cost savings in key marketing initiatives.  While we have the best performing products in the industry, that message has sometimes been overshadowed by the sheer volume of competitive marketing. In addition, the actions we are announcing today will also result in a leaner organization that is better able to respond to changing market conditions.  We will provide more details about the reorganization during our earnings call in late July.”

Bill Reimus, TaylorMade’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, said “We are pleased that our position has been vindicated by the Court’s decision. The ruling is consistent with the Court’s previous Markman rulings, which correctly construed the claims in a manner that made clear that TaylorMade’s products are non-infringing. We respect the intellectual property rights of others and we expect that others will respect ours. However, if and when infringement is alleged without basis, we will defend ourselves vigorously, as in the present case.”

May 20, 2011
In December, 2010, we shared an announcement that our parent company, Fortune Brands, had approved a plan for the sale or tax-free spin-off of the Acushnet Company. Today, Fortune Brands announced that it has signed an agreement for the sale of Acushnet Company to a consortium led by Fila Korea Ltd., the owner of the Fila brand globally, and Mirae Asset Private Equity, the largest private equity firm in Korea, as described in the attached news releases.

As one of the largest golf equipment companies in the world, this begins a new chapter for the Acushnet Company and an opportunity to build upon the game’s longest running records of golf equipment success. Titleist and FootJoy are two of golf’s most revered and iconic golf brands delivering superior performance and quality excellence in their respective product categories.

The Fila Korea and Mirae group understand and appreciate our golf industry leadership, passionate associates and our unique and enduring culture. Acushnet’s worldwide headquarters will remain in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and Fila Korea and Mirae have expressed their intent to keep Acushnet a standalone operation and keep the Acushnet management team in place. Together, with our new owners, we share a collective desire to continue to provide you and golfers with the best-in-class products and service that you’ve come to expect from Titleist and FootJoy.

Transition is nothing new for Acushnet Company. The Golf Division was founded in 1932. In 1935, the first Titleist golf ball was brought to market. Fortune Brands acquired Acushnet Company in 1976, and Acushnet acquired FootJoy in 1985. Titleist has been the #1 ball in golf for over 60 years and counting, and a leader in high performance clubs. FootJoy claims the #1 position in golf shoes, golf gloves and outerwear.

The Acushnet Company has long been the trusted steward of the Titleist and FootJoy brands and we remain steadfast in our mission to provide you and golfers around the globe with the highest performance and quality equipment in the game.

We greatly appreciate your loyal support of our brands, products and people, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with you as we move forward.

The tournament also announced a new name in 2011, the “Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G”, reflecting the fact that Northwest Arkansas-based Walmart has now become the title sponsor for the event with P&G becoming presenting sponsor.

“We give back locally in the communities where we operate, including Northwest Arkansas. We are proud to host the tournament and expand our support of it because the event showcases the beauty of Northwest Arkansas, one of the country’s best-kept secrets,” said Susan Chambers, executive vice president of Global People at Walmart. “We are committed to doing our part to help make our community one of the premier destinations to live and work.”

Added Jay Allen, Tournament Chairman, “We’re pleased with our progress in four years and the outstanding support we’re receiving from sponsors, volunteers and fans from throughout the region.  We are well positioned for future success in Northwest Arkansas, and on behalf of all those involved we will continue to grow the event and make it better in all aspects.”

Said Jeff Schomburger, President, Customer Business Development for P&G, “We are proud of the tournament and the impact it has had on the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas.  We’re also thrilled, and believe it is in the best interests of the tournament, for Walmart to become the title sponsor with P&G moving to presenting sponsor.  P&G remains fully committed to the event and looks forward to working closely with Walmart to take the tournament to the next level.”

For the second straight year, the tournament will offer a total purse of $2 million in prize money, with the winner receiving a first place prize of $300,000.  Relative to other LPGA Tour tournaments in 2011, this purse will make the Northwest Arkansas event one of the most competitive on Tour in 2011, according to tournament officials, including in comparison to the Tour’s four “major events.”

Allen added that announcements will be made in the coming months about other tournament-related activities, including charitable outreach, special events, and the player field.