WGT Golf News

In China, “official numbers” never tell the whole story, and golf is no exception. New golf courses are said to be springing up every day, despite a ban on new courses that has been in effect for five years. At the Bayhood No. 9 International Golf Club, breathtaking scenery and luxurious accommodations intermingle with views of power lines and cranes, all partially veiled by pollution. But no matter, golf courses are packed from morning until night.

Overpopulation has its advantages too. When you play a round at Bayhood No. 9, each player gets two caddies. Play with three of your buddies, and you’ve got an entourage fit for a minor celebrity.

Video: GolfDigest

I hope all of you are having a great Labor Day and enjoying the time off. If you get a moment please check your local TV station or go here www.mda.org to watch the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. WGT is a proud partner of the MDA to further the treatment, diagnosis and bettering the lives for people with muscular dystrophy.

The LPGA’s announcement that members will be required to speak English by the end of 2009 has set off strong reactions, from dismay to satisfaction. Is it for the good of tour members, or an arbitrary rule with racist undertones? Will this start a trend in other professional sports, or will it be dismissed as an anomaly? It will be interesting to see how this plays out. What do you think?

Photo: www.seoulsisters.com

The combination of golf and barbecuing can feel a little forced sometimes, especially when it takes the form of quirky gifts. Golf and cooking classes however, seem like the perfect fit, not because golfers are necessarily interested in cooking, but because their significant others might be. Throw in exotic destinations like Tuscany, and you’re guaranteed a happy spouse and lots of golfing for yourself. The Celebrity Chef Classic on Hilton Head Island even boasts cooking demonstrations by Sara Moulton and Ming Tsai. Vacation with a bit of glamour — sounds perfect to me.

Photo: golfdigestpromotions.com

From Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1, you can show your support for the families of our troops while doing what you love–by donating a minimum of $1 during a round of golf for Patriot Golf Day. All funds raised will benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation to provide educational scholarships to families of those who have become disabled or have lost their lives in the line of duty. In 2007, some 3,200 golf facilities nationwide participated in Patriot Golf Day, raising more than $1 million dollars. You can look up participating golf courses in your state here: http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?action=patriot

Now that the Olympics are upon us, calls are again being made to have golf accepted as an official Olympic sport. WGT, of course, loves the idea of golf in the Olympics, and has partnered with GGL Global Gaming to be a part of the 2008 Digital Games. In doing so, we hope to bring golf to the masses and give people an opportunity to experience a game (and course!) they might otherwise not have the chance to in real life. You can read more about the partnership here: http://www.worldgolftour.com/news_olympics.aspx

Photo: Oakland Hills Country Club

The final major of the golf season is upon us! The 90th PGA Championship will be played beginning this Thursday at Oakland Hills in Michigan, and here at WGT headquarters, we are having a little office competition where each of us picks four players who we think will do best in the tournament. At the end of the tournament, we total up the scores for our players, and the person with the lowest score wins the office bragging rights.

Who are your four picks?

http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2008/players/field.html

The presence of Greg Norman on the leaderboard apparently couldn’t offset the absence of Tiger Woods.

ABC’s final-round coverage of the British Open on Sunday earned a 3.5 overnight rating, a 15 percent drop from last year (4.1). Padraig Harrington won both years, although last year’s numbers were bolstered by his four-hole playoff against Sergio Garcia. In a report issued last month, Magna’s Brian Hughes notes that the average household rating for four non-major events Woods participated in this year was double that of non-Woods PGA events, a 3.6 compared to a 1.8.

All told, viewership of the majors may hit its lowest since 1997, when Tiger first dominated the Masters. The networks have responded by extensively covering Tiger’s injury during majors, in an effort to generate more interest.

Will you tune in despite Tiger’s absence?

Check out this short clip about WGT from WSB-TV in Atlanta:

As we approach WGT’s debut of The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, our film crew is already busy photographing our next course, Pinehurst Course No. 8 in North Carolina. Below are some behind-the-scenes photos of our crew shooting from a helicopter so tiny it fits on the cart path!