Headlines

Olazabal is to play in the Dubai Desert Classic

Dubai, UAE. 26th February - Jose Maria Olazabal was expected to arrive here this week in preparation for the Dubai Desert Classic that starts at the Emirates Golf Club on Thursday, 27th February. It will be his first appearance in a PGA European Tour event for 18 months.

He decided to play in Dubai after seeing a "big improvement" to his health over the last few weeks. Olazabal has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis which has forced him off the tour since the 1995 Ryder Cup.

The improvement in his health is credited to the treatment he received from Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wolfart, a German doctor who runs a clinic in Munich. Olazabal made three 14-day visits since last September for treatment by alternative medicine.

For the moment Olazabal is not committing himself to any tournament beyond Dubai.

Lee Westwood and Warren Bladon invited to play in the Masters

Augusta, Georgia. February 22 -Masters invitations have gone out to 25 overseas players from a total of 97 invited to play in this year's tournament.

The list includes 14 invited for the first time and 6 international players receiving a special invitation. These included Australian, Robert Allenby, Japan's Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki and Yoshinori Kaneko, Italian Constantino Rocca, Mark McNulty from Zimbabwe and Lee Westwood from Britain. Also included in this year's list of invitees is Warren Bladon, Britain's leading amateur.

Seven PGA Tour events remain prior to the Masters which will be played this year from 7th- 13th April. The winners of these events who have not already qualified will be invited to play.

Invitees (US unless stated)

¹ first Masters

Tommy Aaron

¹Robert Allenby (Aus)

George Archer

Paul Azinger

Seve Ballesteros (Sp)

David Bergamo Jnr

¹Warren Bladon [Amateur] (Brit)

¹Guy Boros

Michael Bradley

Gay Brewer Jnr

Mark Brooks

Jack Burke Jnr

Billy Casper Jnr

¹Stewart Cink

Charles Coody

John Cook

Fred Couples

Ben Crenshaw

John Daly

David Duval

Steve Elkington (Aust)

Ernie Els (SA)

Nick Faldo (Brit)

Brad Faxon

Ed Fiori

Raymond Floyd

Doug Ford

Fred Funk

Jim Furyk

Bob Goalby

Ken Green

Dudley Hart

Scott Hoch

Ben Hogen

¹Tim Hogarth [Amateur]

John Huston

Lee Janzen

¹Per Ulrik Johansson (Swe)

Steve Jones

¹Yoshinori Kaneko (Jp)

Herman Keiser

Tom Kite

Bernhard Langer

Tom Lehman

Justin Leonard

Davis Love lll

Sandy Lyle (Brit)

Jeff Maggert

Mark McNulty (Zim)

Phil Mickleson

Cary Middlecoff

John Miller [Amateur]

Larry Mize

Colin Montgomerie (Brit)

John Morse

Byron Nelson

Jack Nicklaus

Frank Nobilo (NZ)

Greg Norman (Aus)

Mark O'Meara

David Ogrin

Jose Maria Olazabal (Sp)

Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki (Jp)

Arnold Palmer

Jasper Parnevik (Swe)

Corey Pavin

Kenny Perry

Henry Picard

Gary Player (SA)

Nick Price (Zim)

Loren Roberts

Constantino Rocca (It)

¹Clarence Rose

Gene Sarazen

¹Steve Scott [Amateur]

Vijay Singh (Fiji)

Jeff Sluman

Sam Snead

Craig Stadler

Paul Stankowski

Steve Stricker

¹Tommy Tolles

Sam Torrance (Brit)

Bob Tway

Duffy Waldorf

Art Wall Jnr

Tom Watson

D.A.Weibring

Lee Westwood (Brit)

Willie Wood

Tiger Woods

Ian Woosnam (Brit)

Fuzzy Zoeller

Els to Rejoin the European Tour

Johannesburg, South Africa, February 7th - Ernie Els has announced that he will rejoin the European PGA Tour this year. It is two years since the world number four has played in Europe.

Speaking at the Glendower Golf Club where he is defending his South African Open title, Els said, "My international career began in Europe and I'll be playing more events there this year."

Els is still a member of the USPGA and he is obliged to play at least 15 tournaments there to retain his players' priveledges.

He is required to play in just one tournament in South Africa by the South African PGA.

Jones, Lehman and Faldo to play in Loch Lomond Invitational

Glasgow, Scotland, February 6th, - US Open Champion, Steve Jones, Open Champion Tom Lehman and US Masters Champion, Nick Faldo have all committed themselves to play in this year's Loch Lomond World Invitational Tournament.

Ernie Els, the 1994 Open Champion has also said he would take part.

The tournament will take place July 9 - 12, the week before the Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The inaugural Loch Lomond World Invitational was won by Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, the 1996 Rookie of the Year on the PGA European Tour.

MacGregor Golf sold to a consortium

Albany, Georgia US. February 4th. - MacGregor Golf has just announced it has been purchased by a consortium of companies which includes Masters International and Apax Partners from the Finnish group Amer.

William Marsh, managing director of the Breco Group of Companies with its headquarters in Europe has been appointed president and chief executive officer, replacing David Gibbons

From immediate effect the MacGregor offices in Norcross, Georgia have been closed and all areas of the company will be operating from the Albany, Georgia offices.

William Marsh said, "The immediate objective of the MacGregor Golf Company is to return to a level of sustained profitability. To ensure this we will be reviewing all aspects of the company's operations over the next two months. For one hundred years the MacGregor name has stood for quality and innovation and we are committed to building on this reputation."

European Tour to sponsor The Golf Ball

The Golf Ball, the popular fund-raising event held over the past 40 years in support of the Golf Foundation's work in junior golf, is being sponsored by the PGA European Tour for the first time this year.

The first event to be presented by the European Tour will be held on Friday, 21st February at the Hotel InterContinental, Park Lane, London when the theme of the evening will be Golf In Spain to coinside with the staging of The Ryder Cup.

Tickets for The Golf Ball are available at £80.00 each from The Golf Ball Organiser, Telephone 0181 946 7508 or Fax 0181 946 2387.

Young players are set to challenge again in 1997

World Rankings have confirmed over the last decade that Europe provides the cream of the leading players. Four out of the seven World No 1's have come from the PGA European Tour - Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and Ian Woosnam - and two who played in Europe earlier in their careers were Greg Norman and Nick Price.

It is because of this talent that Europe has been able to more than hold its own in the Ryder Cup against the United States whose enormous strength and depth has always been a factor in the World Ranking - two victories each with one tied and a total score in points exactly level on 70 each.

Last year saw the emergence of a new generation of young talent from Europe carrying on the tradition, and 1997 should be an informative year in monitoring their progress in helping to take the European tour into the next millenium.

Eight of the ten players between sixth and 15th in the 1996 Volvo Ranking are aged between 23 and 31 and all made significant progress in the World Ranking during the year.

Cobra donates over 55,000 golf clubs to junior golf

Cobra announced that it was donating over 55,000 golf clubs to the Clubs For Kids programme run by the Professional Golfer's Association of America Foundation. The donation is one of the largest one-time donations since the programme started in 1980.

"It is extremely important to make the game of golf available to young golfers, who are the future of the game," commented Bob Dubiel, president and chief executive officer of Cobra Golf. "By donating golf clubs to the Clubs For Kids programme, we are giving an important opportunity for young golfers to learn and improve their game. We are very pleased to contribute."

The Clubs For Kids provides golf equipment and products to community-based public youth golf programmes. The donations are an equipment supply source for programmes that work with youngsters who do not have their own clubs or cannot afford to buy clubs. Clubs For Kids is one of the USPGA's most successful and highly visible junior programmes. About 25,000 clubs were distributed to junior golf programmes in 1996.

Palmer hopes to be playing golf again in March

The prostate cancer of Arnold Palmer has been contained and he told reporters in Orlando on Friday, 24th January , that he was hopeful that he would be playing golf again in March. He said that he had every intention of playing the Masters which starts in Augusta on 10th April. Before that he said he hoped to return to Bay Hill Invitational on 20th March, which is an event he hosts.

Palmer had undergone surgery at The Mayo Medical Center, 15th January, but said that at the moment "I am faced with no treatment. I have the unpleasentness of wearing a catheter for a while. With a little luck, in a short period of time I will have my facilities back."

"I've had the staples removed from the surgery. I won't say there's no discomfort and that I don't get a bit tired towards evening."

Palmer, who ranks fourth on the all time PGA Tour victory list with 60 titles said he was "finding it difficult to follow doctor's orders and stay away from golf".

"Not doing really very much of anything for six weeks is something I haven't faced in years. The last time I haven't swung a golf club for six weeks was about 1955. That is something that is going to be very difficult for me," he told the press.

Arnold said he opted for surgery to remove the cancer, rather than other forms of treatment, because he wanted to give them "every chance of getting it out".

Arnold Palmer comes out of hospital after treatment

Arnold Palmer was released from the Mayo Medical Center last week after surgery which took place on Wednesday 16th January for prostate cancer.

A statement from the Mayo Clinic said they were pleased with the results.

Palmer was expected to stay in the clinic for a number of days following surgery for the cancer and then continue treatment as an outpatient. He, however, made "extraordinary" progress on Thursday, 17th January, and because he was in minimal discomfort the clinic decided on his quick release.

Palmer announced he had prostate cancer at the PGA Tour Awards Dinner in Carlsbad, California on 10th January.

Arnold Palmer has prostate cancer

Arnold Palmer, now aged 67, has just revealed that he has prostate cancer. He will not play competitive golf while undergoing treatment and he officially withdrew from this week's Bob Hope Classic. He said he doubts he will be playing golf "until this thing is taken care of."

The announcment was made during the PGA Tour Awards dinner on Friday, January 11th in the US when Arnie said he was diagnosed with prostate cancer after undergoing a biopsy on Thursday.

Palmer has won seven major championships. He is one of the most recognisable athletes in sports over the last four decades, and has won four Masters titles, two British Opens and one U.S. Open in his legendary career. He ranks fourth on the all-time PGA Tour victory list with 60 titles and has also won 10 Senior Tournaments.

Prostate cancer is a slow-developing cancer that can be successfully treated if detected early.

New European Seniors event to be held at Wentworth

The expanding 1997 European Seniors Tour is to include a new event over the Edinburgh Course at Wentworth.

The Wentworth Seniors Masters will be a 54-hole tournament to be played on August 1-3 1997. Andy Stubbs, managing director of the PGA European Seniors Tour anticipates a prize fund of £100,000, establishing it as a major event on the Seniors Tour.

The full 1997 schedule of events of the European Seniors Tour will be released shortly.

Malaysia to host World Cup Golf in 1999

TheWorld Cup will be one of the spearheads in a dynamic bid by Malaysia to attain permanent global sporting status.

A decision has been taken by the International Golf Association to stage the World Cup of Golf at Malaysia's Mines Resort and Golf Club, near Kuala Lumpur, in 1999, the year after Malaysia's hosting of the XVlth Commonwealth Games.

Jonathan S. Linen, Chairman of the IGA, the organisers of the World Cup, said "We are delighted to come to Malaysia and be part of Malaysia's effort to be prominent in the international sporting community. The Mines Resort and Golf Club will be an excellent venue for our competition and we know that all the golfing nations of the world are looking forward to participating."

Ther World Cup, which was launched in 1953 as the Canada Cup to promote international goodwill between golfing nations, has often been called the "Olympics of Golf" because it has always encouraged little known professionals to compete against the game's finest.

The tournament has been a pioneer in taking the game all over the world and can claim with some justification that it was responsible for popularising golf in Japan when the World Cup went there in 1957.

Dato Lee Kim Yew, the founder of the Mines Resort and Golf Club, said " The Mines Resort of Golf Club at the Mines Resort City, Kuala Lumpur, is creating history for being selected as a world class venue, and with the gathering of top golfers this event will promote Malaysia on the world map."

The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and was opened two years ago.

Mary Hedblom wins top place in qualifying school

Sweden's Mary Hedblom shot a final round of 70 to win the American Express Tour Qualifying School at the Hyatt La Manga Club by two shots from compatriot Linda ericsson with Jenny Lee of the United States in third place.
Twenty four-year old Marlene will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of her elder brother, Peter Hedblom, who won his first event on the PGA European Tour at this year's Moroccan Open.
Forty one players secured their cards for the 1997 season including Lisa Educate and Lisa Dermott - members of the 1996 Great Britain and Ireland winning Curtis Cup team.
There were mixed fortune for the Head twins - Jo secured her card after finishing in a tie for 9th place, whereas twin sister Sam was unlucky to miss out by just two shots.

Montecastillo chosen to host the tenth Volvo Masters

The tenth edition of the Volvo Masters will be played on 30th October -0 2nd November at the Montecastillo Hotel and Golf Resort, just ten minutes away from one of Andalucia's most pictureque city, Jerez.

Montecastillo is the 80th course to be designed by Jack Nicklaus and is ideally set between the ocean and the mountains in wooded parkland in the part of Spain that enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.
The announcement confirms that after nine years at Valderrama, the Volvo Matsres will continue to be played in Andalucia.
The Honours Board of the Volvo Masters includes three US Masters champions - Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle and Nick Faldo. Since 1988 the Volvo Masters has earned the reputation of being not only the flagship on the European Tour but also one of the most prestigous titles on offer in the world of golf.

Putting a Carrott into junior golf

Golf was represented for the first time this year at CBBC's Big Bash at the NEC, Birmingham when American Golf Discount played host to thousands of children. The company invited the children to pick up a club and take part in an 'Into Orbit Challenge' using a laser monitored driving net to measure the distances scored. They could also attempt to get a hole-in-one on a mini La Manga putting green.

American Golf Discount is one of the few companies to be making a visual effort at present in promoting golf to the general public. This follows a recent report from the British Golf Industries Association that has expressed its concern about the decline in the number of people taking up the sport.

On Saturday, 30th November Rebecca Hudson, the English Girl's Amateur Champion, took on the jovial talents of Jasper Carrott

Jasper, who plays off a handicap of 12 and 17 year-old Rebecca who plays off plus 4 were watched by 100s of excited children who looked on as the challenge got under way. The aim was to drive the ball as far into orbit as possible using a laser to measure their shots.

Rebecca managed an impressive 230 yards with a swing that measured 92mph while Jasper achieved 250 yards with a swing that was clocked at 98mph.

Those who took part in the 'Into Orbit Challenge' were entered into a draw for a trip to Florida's Kennedy Space Centre and a day's tuition with a top pro. The winner of the competition was 14 year-old Laura Bennett from Bristol.

Ryder Cup ticket sales have been suspended

Due to the larger than anticipated early demand for the 197 Ryder Cup tickets for the matches to take place in Valderama, Spain from 26th to 28th September 1997, the sale of the tickets has been suspended.

Any applications outstanding in the ticket system (received before the suspension date) will be processed.

Applications, says the PGA, will still be received by the Ticket Office on a "wait list" basis, and it is anticipated that any listed requests will be determined by the end of January 1997.

To apply write direct to The '97 Ryder Cup by Johnnie Walker, PO Box 18, Virginia Water, Surrey, Great Britain GU25 4GB.

Greg Norman storms to fifth Australian Open victory

In the end it was a walk in the park as Greg Norman took his fifth Australian Open Championship at The Australian Golf Club, Sydney. After three days of brutal weather - and the coldest November day on record for Friday's second round - the clouds cleared and Norman won by the impressive margin of eight shots over compatriot Wayne Grady and taking his earnings higher by $A180,000.

The world number one shot a closing 69 to finish eight under par. Grady matched this score for his par total of 288 and New Zealander. David Smail, 26, nearly doubled his career earnings from four years on the tour when he took out third place and $A67,500 at two over par. American, Tiger Woods, who was unable to recover from his opening 79, finished in a four-way tie for fifth place at four over par 292.

Davies is named Player of the Year by the LPGA

England's Laura Davies has been named as the LPGA Tour's Player of the Year, ahead of rookie Karrie Webb of Australia and US Open champion, Annika Sorenstam.

The title is decided on a points system through the season, and although there is one event left - the Tour Championship - Davies has an unassailable lead after her four wins on the Tour this year.

This week's climax to the season will decide the money list title. Davies is currently ahead of Webb by $45,000 but with a first prize of $150,000 either could take the title. Sorenstem who is currently $104,000 behind Davies could also turn out to be the season's top money winner.

Davies fails to force play-off

Laura Davies failed to force a play-off in the Australian Ladies Masters championship on the Gold Coast when she missed a 16 foot putt for an eagle on the final hole. Jane Crafter was successful in holing from 42 feet on the same hole to take the title.

Crafter finished on 273, 19 under par and one shot ahead of Davies and Jane Geddes of the United States.

Langer comes out of slump

Bernhard Langer ended his winless streak of more than a year by winning the US$500,000 Alfred Dunhill Masters at Royal Hong Kong Golf Club. For Langer who has won at least one event a year since 1980, the victory extended his stretch to 17 years.

This was also his first victory using the 'broomstick' putter which he started using in tournaments only last month.

"It has been a while," he said after accepting the winner's cheque of US$80,750. "It's nice to know I can still do it. It is also good to see that the new putter works. The greens here are quite difficult and I putted well on them. That was a very good test."

Langer added that he would stick with the long putter as long as it kept producing results.

Gallacher to leave Wentworth

After 20 years of being the club professional at Wentworth Bernard Gallacher OBE has announced he will retire at the end of the year.Announcing the news at the club's annual general meeting Bernard said: "I have been associated with the club since 1970 and I feel privileged and very honoured to have held the position of club professional since 1979. I have enjoyed my time at the club, however I would now like the freedom to explore other opportunities in golf which may involve me in playing more over the next few years.

Bernard's career peaked when he was capatin of the 1995 European Ryder Cup team, when he brought the Cup home in an unforgetable victory. He has played a key part in establishing the traditions of Wentworth Club and the future of British golf. His tireless efforts to help and encourage juniors locally and nationwide are well known. He was a founder of the Wentworth Golf and Tennis scholarship and has contributed considerably to its success.

David Rennie, a fellow Scot, and Bernard's senior assistant has been appointed the new club professional from 1st January 1997. He joined Wentworth in 1984 following three years at Turnberry Hotel and Golf Courses.

Pia to captain Europe's Solheim Cup team

Pia Nilsson has accepted an invitation from the American Express Tour's board of directors to captain the European Solheim Cup team when the fifth Solheim Cup takes place at Muirfield Village in 1998.

Having fulfilled her role of European team vice captain at this year's event Pia takes over the reins from Mickey Walker who has captained the team each of the four previous contest including leading Europe to the famous victory at Dalmahoy in 1992.

Paying tribute to her predecessor Pia said: " Mickey Walker has been very generous and unselfish in the way she has shared her experiences as a captain with me over the last year and a half. I really appreciate that, and it makes it easier for me to get started."

Thirty eight year old Pia from Sweden will undoubtedly bring a wealth of both coaching and administrative experience to her new role. Currently head coach to the Swedish National Golf Team's Programme, Pia is responsible for the continual development of Sweden's most talented players - both men and women at all levels of the game.

The fifth Soheim Cup takes place over the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio in the United States from 18-20th September 1998. the United States lead Europe by three wins to one having claimed their victory at the Marriott St Pierre Hotel, Chepstow earlier this year.

Quote from Louise Solheim

Quote from Mickey Walker

Nobilo completes successful defence

Frank Nobilo successfully retained the Sarazen World Open Championship when he shot a superb final round of 66 at Chateau Elan, Atlanta to win the $342,000 first prize.

The 36 year-old New Zealander, who finished fourth in the US Masters, eighth in the USPGA and 13th in the US Open this year said: "Unbelievable! This is the first time I have ever successfully defended a tournament.

"Winning the Sarazen World Open Championship is wonderful; to win it twice is something to really cherish. I was honoured to start the week by having dinner with Mr Sarazen. And if I think back to when I first played the game at the age of 13 then not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that happening. Yes, unbelievable!

Louise Solheim Quote

Louise Solheim, chairman of the board of Karsten Manufacturing Corp said :"The Solheim family is very pleased that Pia has been named to captain the 1998 European Solheim Cup team. We've followed her career for nearly 20 years, from collegiate amateur to professional to coach and administrator. She has constantly challenged herself and succeeded; our continuing association with Pia will be a pleasure. Mickey Walker was an outstanding captain and we believe Pia will be a worthy successor."

Mickey Walker Quote

Adding her congratulations and support to Pia's appointment, retiring European Solheim Cup captain, Mickey Walker said: "I am absolutely delighted that Pia has been appointed to captain the European team at Muirfield Village in 1998. There is no question that she is the best person for the job and I wish her every success."

Quote from, John Ennis, chairman of the British Golf Industries Association - "We need Tiger Woods in Europe."

John Ennis was speaking to the press about the concern the BGIA has over the falling number of people taking up golf.

Golf Pride is No1 on USPGA Tour

According to equipment usage statistics compiled by authoritative Darrell Survey Co, Golf Pride was the grip choice of 52 of the top 60 money winners on the 1996 USPGA Tour. The company stated, however, that it does not pay players to use or endorse its products and emphasised that Golf Pride tour useage is strictly a matter of individual player preference.

According to Jim Ulrich, marketing manager of Golf Pride, 27 of the top 60 use the Victory grip, with 12 choosing the Tour Velvet, 9 the Tour Wrap and 4 an assortment of other Golf Pride grips. Ulrich added that the other 8 players in the top 60 use grips made by a total of three other grip manufacturers.

Downwards golf trend prompts industry action

Concern at the falling number of people taking up golf has prompted the industry to explore major initiatives aimed at introducing more people to the game.

Figures produced by leading golf research company. Sports Marketing Surveys, show that he number of people in the UK taking up golf increased by just six per cent overall - just over one per cent- between 1991 and 1996, compared with a 13 per cent growth in numbers between 1986 and 1990.

The total adult golfing population in the UK is now 3.123 million compared with 2.933 million in 1991, split between 1.193 million regular adult golfers (defined as playing once a fortnight or more) and 1.930 million recreational golfers (playing less than than once a fortnight).

Now the British Golf Industry Association is anxious to halt the trend which has seen numbers taking up the game slowing down but a staggering increase in market value due to the number of premium brands now dominating the market.

Research commissioned by the industry has shown that the sport is still subject to many misconceptions. A national survey conducted in 1994 discovered that 46 per cent of those surveyed felt golf was too expensive; a high proportion of 22 per cent felt they did not have time to play regularly and 21 per cent felt access to clubs was a real problem.

Chairman of BIGA, John Ennis said " we have studied available facts and figures and commissioned our own survey last year and the trend is worrying. Many sports would be happy with a six per cent growth but when you compare it with the boom in the late eighties it has halved and is only one per cent a year.

"In the late eighties we were hearing how there were too few golf clubs; now we have too many facilities chasing too few people.

"We are not content to sit back and let the growth rate fall even further. We have a vested interest in that it is our livelihood but many of us feel we have a responsibility to the game as well, one of encouraging as many people as possible to discover it for themselves."

The percentage changes in the market values for the key product groups between 1991 and 1995 look remarkably healthy but are mainly due to the increased price of equipment and especially the number of premium brands, particularly in the wood and iron sectors, dominating the market.

John Ennis said; "These figures hide another worrying trend. Golf was badly hit by the recession and is only now starting to come out of it. However, the sales of golf equipment overall are relatively flat and forecasts for the coming five years do not show any significant growth."

The industry has monitored trends in America, where many parent companies are based and a recent report in 'Forbes' magazine suggested that golf in the US was on the wane. As Americans' participation in golf has levelled off, so has their spending on it. Golf equipment sales were flat in 1995 at $1.37 bn.

Having recognised the problem. the BGIA commissioned a report on ways it could be tackled and as a result the first industry backed public golf show will be held at the NEC next year with the BGIA joining forces with the Professional Golfers' Association.

John Ennis said; "We feel this is a significant step in the right direction. We badly needed a showcase for our sport, one which would promote it as fun and accessible and remove some of the myths which still surround it.

"Golf has to compete for the attention of the 35-44 year-olds in a sports market offering an ever broader range of alternative activities. The golf club can no longer expect youngsters to wait patiently for their turn as members. The attractions of golf, therefore, need to be promoted at many levels, starting with a public golf show."