The Friedkin Group’s Post

📣 Exciting News! The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT), Canada’s leading junior golf tour and the ‘Road to College Golf,’ is thrilled to announce a new partnership with College Golf Experience, the top educational golf camp company endorsed by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). CGX joins MJT as a Silver Partner and the Official Provider of College Golf Camps in Canada, bringing unparalleled opportunities for junior golfers to connect with College Coaches and prepare for collegiate success. 🏌️♂️ What’s in Store? High-level Tournament Prep Camps paired with MJT Tournaments Exposure Camps across Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto Real-time feedback, strategic insights into U.S. college golf recruiting, and direct access to Canadian and U.S. College Coaches Read more about this exciting collaboration on our website: https://lnkd.in/g-zX2dRA #MJT #CollegeGolfExperience #JuniorGolf #CollegeGolf #RoadToCollegeGolf #GolfCamps #2025Season

The PGA of BC is pleased to announce that TaylorMade Golf Company will continue as the official presenting sponsor of the PGA of BC Education Seminar for 2025. This partnership extension underscores a shared commitment to advancing professional growth within the golf industry. The PGA of BC Education Seminar is a two-day event that gathers industry professionals for thought-provoking presentations on diverse topics related to the golf industry. The 2024 Education Seminar, held at the River Rock Casino Resort, drew over 200 attendees and featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, ranging from elite coaches to Paralympians to media personalities, who inspired attendees with their insights. “TaylorMade Golf Canada is proud to continue our support of the PGA of BC Education Seminar and to be a year-long partner of the association,” said Matt Cizmar, Associate Vice President and General Manager of TaylorMade Golf Canada. “Our partnership aims to foster professional growth and innovation, helping all Professionals succeed in their careers and craft. The event last year received incredible feedback, and we appreciate the opportunity to support this impactful initiative.” Read the full announcement at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gm6x-C7N #PGABClearns #PGABCseminar

The PGA Tour University (PGA Tour U) is a ranking system created by the PGA Tour to identify and support top collegiate golfers as they transition into the professional game. It’s designed to reward consistent high-level performance during NCAA Division I competition, as well as select elite amateur events. Being one of the top 25 ranked (like current #25 and Konnect member Luke Sample) players is significant because it provides enhanced opportunities to jumpstart a professional career. The top five players at season’s end earn Korn Ferry Tour membership, granting them immediate access to a pathway toward the PGA Tour. Those ranked 6-25 secure status on other PGA Tour-affiliated circuits, such as PGA Tour Canada or PGA Tour Latinoamérica, which helps them gain competitive experience, accumulate Official World Golf Ranking points, and potentially advance more rapidly to higher-level tours. As the 25th ranked player in PGA Tour University, if he can hold on to that slot, Luke would earn membership on PGA TOUR Americas, ensuring opportunities to compete professionally right out of college. Additionally, he would receive an exemption into the first stage of PGA TOUR Q-School, giving him a structured path toward advancing to higher-level tours like the Korn Ferry Tour and potentially the PGA Tour. The ranking's crucial cutoff comes at the conclusion of the NCAA Division 1 Men's National Championship, typically held in late May or early June. Go Luke!

Game of golf 'has expanded tremendously' since pandemic, organization says Some First Tee's scholarship athletes have played for Keiser University in West Palm Beach, which partnered with First Tee to attract more junior golfers. With juniors, it's to get them in the game, to get them to start playing, to see what college life is like, and possibly get them to play some college golf," Peter Crocitto, the director of the Keiser University Coaching Center, said. Keiser's Golf Coaching Center is in its third year. The university's initiative is to attract golfers from children to adults. With hundreds of youngsters in the program, they're hoping to birth the next PGA generation of PGA greats. "Unlike most sports, golf is something that lasts forever," Crocitto said. "You can play this game into your 80s or 90s. In other sports, you may have to end your career early, but this is a game that lasts with you for life." Read more: https://lnkd.in/gjFxCuuA #OneKeiser

Excited to have a LIV Golf event so close to home. I have been to both PGA and LIV events, here's my opinion. Most times.... LIV events are more entertaining whereas PGA events are more professional (unless its the Waste Management) I think it also depends on what you define as entertaining. For me, the Masters is the most entertaining tournament but its due to the tradition of the event. If you enjoy a tournament that will have fireworks on the first tee, dance music all over the course, drone shows, and an overall party atmosphere then LIV is your answer. I recommend LIV events for people who are just diving into the sport. Overall the main differences lie in tournament formats, financial structure, approach to the sport, etc. The PGA Tour is rooted in tradition and whereas LIV Golf positions itself as a more exclusive and financially rewarding alternative. What's your go to event, LIV or PGA?

University forms new partnership with local distillery Eden Mill St Andrews, who have become an Official Partner of the University’s Golf Programme – Saints Golf. Read more 👇 https://ow.ly/Qs1850UrJ5q #EverToExcel

Augusta National is far more than a golf club, and it's far more than the site for one of the world's leading sporting events. Indeed, it is a one-of-its-kind organization that exemplifies excellence across a multitude of disciplines.  As I departed from Augusta over the weekend, I reflected on this special place that Jim Nanz aptly described on television as "a tradition unlike any other." (Augusta subsequently trademarked this phrase). Below are three observations that struck me as fundamental to Augusta's remarkable success. ✅  Attention to detail. At Augusta, every detail is attended to. From the perfect fairways, where not a single blade of grass appears out of place, to the spotless stands and the staff's service, nothing is overlooked. ✅  A vision unlike any other. Augusta was born in 1932 out of the dauntless vision of Bobby Jones (then an iconic US golfer) and British golf course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie to be a leading national golf course that would host world-class competitions. The club's commitment to being the best is reflected in everything you see—from television coverage to positioning attendees as "patrons" rather than spectators to the club's blue-chip membership. ✅  Long-term decision-making. Augusta does not play for short-term wins. It is invested in long-term value creation and a fundamentally different product than other tournaments. It executes for the long term with unwavering commitment. The famous 330-yard Magnolia Lane that extends from the entrance gate to the clubhouse was paved in 1947, yet the large magnolia trees that line both sides of the road date to the late 1850s. Anchored in tradition but embracing change with cutting-edge technology and analysis—that, to me, is what makes Augusta great. If you have not visited the Masters, I would encourage you to do so—even if it is only to study the remarkable Augusta National institution. #AugustaNational #Golf #Excellence #MagnoliaLane #Tradition

Last week was the 90th NISCA Conference.  It was held in downtown Indianapolis in conjunction with the Men’s Division 1 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. I often get questioned on why I take vacation time to attend events like this. Here are my answers: 🏊♂️ Participation - Why belong to a member-run organization and not fully participate? There is so much knowledge to be gained at these events as well as positions to help run it. 🏊♂️ Different perspectives – With so many parts of the country being represented, you can learn from presenters what is successful in their part of the country. 🏊♂️  Historical references – There are enough legends of the sport present that getting a historical perspective on how things occurred makes you appreciate how it is going now. 🏊♂️  Recognition for hard work – Our awards ceremony is something to be remembered. Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement, and Outstanding Service are some of the awards that people receive. 🏊♂️ Friendships - Reconnect with long-time friends and meet some new people. 🏊♂️  Time Away – it is always good for me to get away from the daily grind and recharge the batteries. Please take some time and see what associations you are a member of and see how you can help contribute to making the next conference better.

Once a crusty and enclosed elite order to one of the most powerful organisations in golf. But what’s behind the R&A’s meddling with the business of Irish golf? Revenue for one, and secondly, some welcome intervention for Golf Ireland as the organisation faces an unprecedented split across the amateur and grassroots game. And what are Ireland’s golf clubs doing to fight back?

There is big money on the line in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) next year. ⛳ 📈 The LPGA has just announced its schedule for 2025, which features more than $131 million in prize money across 35 events. ⛳ The LPGA will celebrate its 75th anniversary season next year and is the world's longest-running women's professional sports organization. 📈 The 2025 season's $131 million prize fund marks an increase of more than $62 million (90%) in four years. 💰 Prize money for non-majors will total over $83 million, up from $45.8 million in 2021. The four major tournaments will feature more than $47 million in total prize money. The financial growth comes at a time where stars like Nelly Korda - who, with a victory at last weekend's The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club, just became the first American woman since 1990 to win seven events in a single season - are driving more and more eyes to the sport. Nelly could exceed $8 million in total on-course earnings this season with a victory in the CME Group Tour Championship this weekend, where the winner will take home $4 million.