A couple of great articles mentioning the movement of the Valero Texas Open into a coveted Spring date...

The Valero Texas Open finally has a coveted slot on the PGA Tour spring calendar.

Now the historic tournament will work on bringing in some coveted players.

Tony Piazzi, head of Golf San Antonio, confirmed Monday that the event will shift from its current October spot to May 14-17 in 2009, out of the lightly regarded Fall Series and into the high-profile FedEx Cup points chase.

While the PGA Tour has not unveiled its complete schedule for next season, Piazzi will officially announce the Texas Open move today at a sponsor outing at La Cantera Resort.

“We're absolutely thrilled,” Piazzi said. “This is fun.”

The fun may be just beginning.

The San Antonio stop, which raked in a PGA Tour-record $8.4 million in charity dollars in 2007, will be held Oct. 9-12 this year at the Resort Course at La Cantera, then again seven months later on the same site. In 2010, the Texas Open will relocate to the AT&T Oaks Course at the TPC complex under construction in far north Bexar County.

Just announced today...

PGA TOUR announces contest to design golf hole at TPC San Antonio

Beginning with its flagship TPC Sawgrass, the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network of clubs introduced everyday golfers with the opportunity to “Play Where the PGA TOUR Players Play.” And now, thanks to a one-of-a-kind contest announced by the TOUR, one talented amateur golf course architect will have the opportunity to “Design Where the PGA TOUR Players Play” by designing a hole at TPC San Antonio, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010.

The TOUR is inviting aspiring golf course designers to submit an original, hand-sketched design of the 13^th hole on the AT&T Canyons Course at TPC San Antonio, which is being designed by renowned architect Pete Dye. Entries will be judged by Dye and Steve Wenzloff, Vice President of PGA TOUR Design Services, Inc. One winner will be selected from all entries received to have his or her design integrated into the project, and will also receive a trip to TPC San Antonio to tour the course with Dye prior to the club’s grand opening.

“I'm excited about the opportunity to showcase the TPC San Antonio project through this unique contest,” said Dye, who will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, FL in November. “It will be interesting to see the creations and select a winner to spend a day with me on the project site. I always enjoy sharing my thoughts and suggestions with others on golf course design."

To enter, contestants should visit pgatour.com/tpcdesign and download an entry form. The entry form includes a map of the 13^th hole, along with contest rules, judging criteria and mailing instructions. Entries will be accepted by mail and must be postmarked by September 12, 2008 in order to be eligible to win. Entries should clearly illustrate yardages, tee box, fairway, green and other elements, with a clear scale and topography of the hole. The various elevation levels and angles of the hole should be noted, along with a description of landscaping and other design/environmental factors.

Construction crews have broken ground on TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Canyons Course as well as the adjacent AT&T Oaks Course, which is being designed by World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman. A rough design of the 13^th hole on the AT&T Canyons Course already has been completed, but there is plenty of room for creativity by contestants. The hole is a 226-yard par-3 with a slight downhill slope.

“With the goal of crafting a course that fits harmoniously with its surroundings, we took full advantage of the dramatic vistas, indigenous flora and beautiful rolling terrain to create a memorable golf experience for members and resort guests,” Dye said.

When complete, TPC San Antonio will offer an exceptional private and resort golf club experience, featuring two premier golf courses designed by two of the world’s most innovative golf course architects, along with an array of accompanying amenities. Champions Tour member Bruce Lietzke collaborated with Dye on the design of the AT&T Canyons Course, a par-72, 7,545-yard layout featuring wide fairways, stands of oak and cedar trees and sweeping panoramic vistas. Numerous environmental elements distinct to the Texas Hill Country were incorporated into the course design, in an effort to minimize its impact on the environment.

PGA TOUR member Sergio Garcia lent his perspective in assisting Norman on the design of the par-72, 7,522-yard AT&T Oaks Course. Like Dye, Norman’s design philosophy is characterized by environmental sensitivity and a deep reverence for nature. Great care was taken to incorporate the distinct nuances and indigenous flora of the natural Hill Country topography into the course design, to create a compelling, strategically diverse layout for golfers of all skill levels.

“The topographic subtleties of the rolling Texas Hill Country terrain, framed by magnificent stands of mature live oaks, create a pristine natural setting that is as playable as it is beautiful,” Norman said.

TPC San Antonio will be accessible to private club members and guests of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. For membership information, please visit www.tpc.com/sanantonio. For contest guidelines, printable contest materials and entry forms, please visit pgatour.com/tpcdesign.

About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to provide competitive earnings opportunities for past, current and future members of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.

In 2008, the three Tours are competing in approximately 108 events for approximately $355 million in prize money. Tournaments are being held in nine countries outside the U.S. and in 37 states. In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR’s web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

About The TPC Network

Licensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network is comprised of 28 premier private and resort golf properties designed by some of golf’s most elite architects, 17 of which are operated by the PGA TOUR. Each TPC has hosted or has been designed to host TOUR-sponsored golf tournaments.

Since the TPC Sawgrass first opened its world renowned PLAYERS Stadium Course in the fall of 1980, TPCs have provided the PGA TOUR with rent-free venues for tournaments, helping to boost championship golf purses and increasing charitable donations to grass roots non-profit organizations. At the same time, TPCs have provided recreational golfers with the unique opportunity to test their skills on the same layouts where the world’s best golfers compete.

Distinctive in character but consistent in quality, TPCs are known for their outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. To date, 15 TPCs operated by the PGA TOUR are certified as Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Systems. The TPC Network is also distinguished by its unwavering commitment to further the PGA TOUR’s giving back mission through support of charitable and community-based programs. For more information, please visit www.tpc.com .

Contact: Chris Smith
(904) 273-3379
chrissmith@pgatourhq.com

A great new addition to the network:

The official Release 

A follow up from Golfweek Magazine

Obviously we are excited at this announcement, but the best benefit is that Members of TPC San Antonio will have another property to access when they travel. 

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL (February 26, 2008) - At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, February 25, the PGA TOUR Policy Board approved several changes to TOUR regulations,  including two modest changes to the point system used in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said, “As we have previously discussed, we feel that the FedExCup in its inaugural year was very successful, and we did not feel the need to make significant changes to its essential structure. But because of significant feedback from players and fans asking for more volatility and an increase in the number of players in the hunt at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, we are making two adjustments that we feel will result in an even higher level of fan excitement and interest as we move into and through the Playoffs.”

Click to read more ...

I fondly remember my college golf days more for the camaraderie and fellowship than for the actual tournaments we played.  The following Golfweek article profiles how our sister property, TPC Sawgrass opened the finishing three holes to the teams participating in the prestigious John Hayt Collegiate Invitational and left a indelible impression on the participants.

Still, Sjoholm said that wasn’t the best part of his week on Florida’s East Coast. For the senior from Sweden – and just about every other player in the field – the high point was the tournament within the tournament.

Though the inaugural Players Cup was only a three-hole affair, it was something every participant will remember. The informal event was held Feb. 17 after the first round of the John Hayt and played just across Highway A1A on holes 16-18 at TPC Sawgrass’ Players Stadium Course.

Talk about three memorable holes: The trio comprises the famous finishing stretch at a PGA Tour event often called golf’s “fifth major.” To add a little spice, the pin placements used in the college event were the same the pros play in the final round of The Players Championship, including the back-right pin on the par-3 17th hole’s trademark island green.

 Check out the entire article here:  Link

Updated GOLF 20/20 Study Shows 5-Year Average Annual Growth of 4.1 Percent

St. Augustine, FL, January 17, 2008 – A comprehensive new study, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation’s GOLF 20/20 initiative, has determined that golf in the United States generated $76 billion in direct economic impact in 2005, up significantly from $62 billion five years ago.  The study, the 2005 Golf Economy Report, was conducted by SRI International. It was designed by the leadership of GOLF 20/20 as an update to a similar SRI study that measured the U.S. golf economy in 2000.

In addition to golf’s direct revenues, the 2005 Golf Economy Report presents for the first time the direct, indirect, induced and total economic impact of golf on the U.S. economy.  The report indicates that golf generated a total economic impact of $195 billion in 2005, creating approximately 2 million jobs with wage income of $61 billion.

Click to read more ...

PGATOUR.com continues to evolve, the latest addition is a monthly installment, blog-style, from Commissioner Finchem. 

 Commisioner's Blog:  Welcome to '08

One reason we build TPC's is to provide host facilities for PGA TOUR sanctioned golf tournaments.  But that's only one week each year.  Another goal is to build a property where our Members and Guests can "live the PGA TOUR experience" during the other 51 weeks.  As TOUR rookie Kevin Streelman is learning, TPC's are also a wonderful place to practice once you've gained your TOUR card...

Another benefit is back home in Arizona, where Streelman has playing and practice privileges at the TPC Scottsdale.

"The fact that I could go to TPC and just show up and them give you Pro-Vs and then go to the back of the range and you're hitting balls next to Billy Mayfair, it's pretty cool," he said. "I've always had to call and ask favors and to have a place where I can practice and call home is a pretty neat feeling for me. That's been pretty special."

 The rest of the article by Helen Ross on PGATOUR.com is a great insight into the new perks that a TOUR Rookie gets excited over, particularly a new custom-built Scotty Cameron putter.

To me the turn of the Calendar from December to January is a very exciting time.  I suspect some of it has to do with the sense of a fresh start, a time to reflect upon the events of the prior year while setting the goals and objectives for the new year. 

For the PGA TOUR it's also the signal of a new season and season number two of the Fedex Cup.  Now that all the players and fans have been through a complete season it will be interesting to see how this year is approached, particularly as players set their schedules and select the events that they will play.  I suspect it won't affect the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, but for others who fell short of making the TOUR Championship I would guess a few tweaks will be made to their early and mid-season schedules to balance the year better and prevent having to play 8 or 9 weeks in a row as the Playoff stretch approaches.

As for TPC San Antonio, 2008 is actually a very busy and exciting year for us.  The lion's share of the construction on the courses will occur in 08, with grow-in scheduled for 09.  We will also be accepting reservations for memberships in 2008 so please contact us if you would like more detailed information on our categories available.

 Finally, I encourage you to get out and play more golf in 2008.  And when the three Tours roll through Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio I hope you take the time to go watch some of the World's finest players in action.  Better yet, get on a flight and go see them in action this week at the Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua.  Or, just do what I plan to do, flip on the GOLF CHANNEL and catch the action there...

Link: 'Opening Drive for the FedExCup' launches at Mercedes Championship

(PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL) — PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem today announced a new TOUR record annual charitable contribution of approximately $123 million, surpassing last year’s previous record of $114 million. The new record total is comprised of donations from tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, as well as additional direct contributions from the PGA TOUR itself.

“Once again this year, the tournaments on our Tours have vividly demonstrated that giving back is the heart of the PGA TOUR,” Finchem said.  “This tremendous accomplishment underscores the vital roles that our tournaments play in their communities.  Our players, sponsors, tournament organizations, and volunteers and fans can all take pride in their role in ensuring that ours is a sport that leaves each of our communities better off for the presence of one of our events.

“The important thing about this effort is that it helps people,” Finchem said.  “We also take note of the total impact, and when we surpassed the $1 billion mark in all-time charitable giving in 2005, we noted that it had taken 67 years to reach that total and that we could reasonably expect to achieve the second billion in only 10 years. It’s extremely gratifying to find out that we are well ahead of that pace, and now expect to achieve it within only seven or eight years.”

Many tournaments on each of the Tours established all time charity records in 2007 for their events. On the PGA TOUR, the EDS Bryon Nelson Championship set a new benchmark for charitable excellence over time, surpassing $100 million in all-time donations. Another key milestone was reached as the Valero Texas Open became the first event to hit the $8 million mark in a single year, followed closely by the FBR Open at $7.8 million.   Among other significant developments was the new record established by The Presidents Cup, which reached a high mark of $4.2 million in donations from the biennial event.

On the Nationwide Tour, both the Albertsons Boise Open presented by First Health and the BMW Charity Pro-Am generated more than $2 million. Numerous Champions Tour events exceeded previous high levels of charitable giving, led by contributions of approximately $1.3 million from both the Toshiba Classic and the 3M Championship. In total, both the Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour achieved charitable giving records.