expands – Golfing Agency

2023 Masters expands field to 80 golfers with special invitations accepted by NCAA champion, Japanese star

detlef32 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 18:19:15 +0000

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Augusta National Golf Club announced Thursday that it extended a pair of special invitations to the 2023 Masters that have been accepted by Gordon Sargent, the 2022 NCAA champion, and Japanese golfer Kazuki Higa. This bumps the Masters field to 80 golfers with three months until the tournament.

“The Masters Tournament prioritizes opportunities to elevate both amateur and professional golf around the world,” Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement. “Thus, we have extended invitations to two deserving players not otherwise qualified. Whether on the international stage or at the elite amateur level, each player has showcased their talent in the past year. We look forward to hosting them at Augusta National in April.”

Sargent, a 19-year-old sophomore at Vanderbilt who was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022, is currently ranked No. 3 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and projects well at the PGA Tour level because of his swing speed and length off the tee. He is the first amateur to receive and accept a special invitation to the Masters since 2000 and the sixth amateur joining the field in 2023.

Though the Masters does not normally invite the NCAA champion to play in its event — although the U.S. Amateur winner and runner-up are both invited — it has made special exemptions in the past for a number of different players. If such exemptions are made, they are generally doled out closer to the tournament in April.

Higa is less well-known, but he has compiled six wins on the Japan Golf Tour and is ranked No. 68 in the world. He also won the Japan Golf Tour’s order of merit in 2022. Higa has played in one major championship before, missing the cut at The Open Championship last July at St. Andrews by five strokes.

It’s difficult to not contrast this news of the Masters spreading invites to global players and amateurs with its recent statement regarding the eligibility of golfers playing for LIV Golf. Such golfers are still invited to the Masters while eligible, but it’s clear that Augusta National prefers one path over the other.

Professional golfers will still be able to qualify for the Masters the next three months by either winning a PGA Tour event or playing their way inside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings by the week before the tournament.

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American Golf expands Open Collection range with Stromberg accessories

detlef32 — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 05:26:34 +0000

American Golf’s The Open Collection, an officially licensed range of products inspired by The Open Championship, has been bolstered with the addition of two brand new lines of equipment and accessories, available now, exclusively online and in store.

Designed in collaboration with Stromberg for men, women, and children, the range of stylish, high-tech golfing accessories and equipment includes golf bags, tees, umbrellas, vacuum flasks and more.

As with the SS22 The Open Collection apparel, the new equipment and accessories offer an affordability and classic style without compromising on quality that will appeal to golfers at every level.

Iember Gordon, Head of Marketing at American Golf, said: “We are delighted that we can now showcase the entire SS22 The Open Collection ahead of this year’s 150th Championship. Following the apparel launch last month, the Collection has proved to be incredibly popular with both men and women, something that was incredibly important to us during the products’ design stage. Now people can shop the entire Collection and get kitted out with gear that is sure to both turn heads and support performance on the course.”

Stromberg The Open Waterproof Stand Bag: £179
This nine-inch stand bag sports a 7-way graphite friendly top with perfectly placed lift handles. Constructed from TPU full waterproof golf bag materials, it is the perfect bag for anytime golfing. The bag’s double thick Air Channel hip pad and padded comfortable double strap also ensures a relaxed day of golfing. Additional features include a towel ring with Velcro glove attachment, umbrella holder and a rain hood cover.

Stromberg The Open Waterproof Cart Bag: £199
This 10-inch waterproof cart bag features nine waterproofed zippered pockets (including a waterproof zippered valuables pocket) plus an insulated hydration bottle pocket to ensure your time on the golf is stress-free. It also has a 14-way graphite friendly top with a perfectly placed lift handles, a towel ring with Velcro glove attachment, umbrella holder and a rain hood cover.

Stromberg The Open Tour Staff Bag: £299
This nine-inch Stromberg staff bag plays the part out on the golf course. Seven heavy duty zippered pockets (including zip off back panel for custom logoing) ensure your belongings will be safely kept and within reach at all times, and for added convenience it features a 4-way graphite friendly top with perfectly placed lift handles.

Stromberg The Open Driver Head Cover: £24.99
This universal head cover not only protects your club but adds some style to your golf bag. The high-quality cover is padded and velour-lined to prevent any damage and is made from a faux-leather material for a premium look. The cover is also highlighted with officially licensed R&A “The Open” branding for maximum appeal.

Stromberg The Open Wooden Tees: £4.99
These sturdy wooden 70mm golf tees are made from sustainable bamboo material and highlighted with “The Open” branding for maximum appeal. Containing 30 tees per pack, they are sure to hit the mark on the course this season.

Stromberg The Open Pitchfork & Ball Marker: £12.99
The must-have for any golf aficionado, and ideal for a gift, this pack includes a solid brass pitchfork repairer and a ball marker with soft enamel finish, each featuring official The Open branding.

Stromberg The Open 68” Dual Canopy Umbrella: £34.99
This officially licensed R&A umbrella is highlighted with The Open branding for maximum appeal. It has an oversized 172cm double canopy for extended coverage, that allows gusts of air to pass through to resist inverting in high wind situations. It also has an ergonomic handle for comfort and auto-opening for quick and easy deployment.

Stromberg The Open Vacuum Flask: £12.99
The Open insulated flask has a capacity of 500ml, and it will keep hot drinks hot for up to six hours and your water nicely chilled for up to 24 hours. Officially licensed by the R&A and highlighted with The Open branding.

American Golf has 95 retail stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland, while also offering delivery to countries across Europe. View everything American Golf has to offer by visiting www.americangolf.co.uk.

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FootJoy expands Pro|SL range with new Sport model

detlef32 — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 02:14:18 +0000

FootJoy has added a new model to its popular Pro|SL range with launch of the Pro|SL Sport.

Inspired by streetwear trends, the Sport model introduces a new material upper utilising mesh and an ultra-thin TPU hotmelt top layer. This new combination of mesh and textiles, completed with a membrane layer, ensures breathability and waterproof protection.

Below the upper, the Sport boasts many of the same performance features from the other models in the Pro|SL range, including an Infinity Outsole, StratoFoam underfoot cushioning and an FTF outsole unit.

The Pro|SL Sport goes on sale from May 6, priced at £159.99 for men (white/grey/orange and white/blue fog/navy) and £134.99 for women (white/navy/pink and white/grey).

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FootJoy expands footwear options for all golfers this autumn

detlef32 — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 22:16:53 +0000

FootJoy has introduced a range of shoes to meet golfer’s performance and style needs for the remainder of the summer season and into the winter months, including new versions of the Stratos and Flex XP.

Stratos
First introduced last autumn, FJ Stratos brought cloud-like comfort, debuting StratoFoam underfoot cushioning, to the brand’s leading range. The new and improved model builds on its comfort features with an all-new sculptured heel piece and moulded heel inside to exaggerate the in-shoe comfort while offering a more athletic look.
The shoe’s exterior construction features soft, luxurious leather uppers for a premium feel combined with the VersaTrax+ outsole for the ultimate in on-course traction and off-course versatility. The StratoFoam midsole offers energy return as well as soft underfoot cushioning.
SRP: Men £164.99, Women £159.99

FJ Flex XP

Flex XP
The Flex franchise welcomes an all-new Flex XP which presents the perfect upgrade for the increasing number of golfers looking for athletic styling, breathability, traction and waterproof protection in their performance footwear.
The Flex XP receives a full facelift, with an engineered mesh upper elevating its breathability without compromising the waterproof protection. A flared heel piece, featuring a TPU section, elevates the shoe’s athletic look and structure, and a returning VersaTrax outsole gives golfers the practicality of on and off course versatility.
SRP: Men/Women: £114.99

Contour Jogger
Building on the Contour franchise, the Contour Jogger adds an all-new yet retro look and feel to FJ’s casual range. The Contour Jogger’s water-resistant suede upper allows golfers to enjoy time on the course while looking the part around and even away from the golf club.
Uniquely, the VersaTrax-inspired outsole uses recycled rubber to add a sustainability element while delivering a secure grip for golfers on and off the course.
SRP: £99

Links
Created specifically for the female golfer, FJ LINKS offers a casual trainer-style which builds on popular lifestyle fashion trends. Featuring luxurious leather uppers in a classic ‘pump’ aesthetic, FJ LINKS adds unmatched versatility to FJ’s female footwear offering.
SRP: £114.99

Fuel
The FJ FUEL has made huge strides since its introduction in January, establishing itself as one of the most popular spikeless shoes available. Previously offered in largely white-based colourways, a new black option will be available to golfers, offering a darker option to thrive in the later year golf conditions.
SRP: £134.99

Stormwalker Boot
The Stormwalker Boot offers ultimate protection, traction and comfort in the most challenging playing conditions. The fur-lined feature of the women’s boot has made it one of the most popular models in the line-up adding warmth and additional comfort. Further waterproof protection is available in the men’s Stormwalker XT where a zip-up shroud prevents water ingress through the laced area of the boot.
SRP: Men’s Laced £109, Men’s Shroud £129.99, Women’s Laced £109

Available at retail and online from August 19, for more details visit www.footjoy.co.uk.

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