Golf Equipment Reviews

After nearly seven hours of deliberation, a jury found a 21-year-old man innocent of murder in the 2009 shooting of JoJo Brandstatt.

Jurors, however, did find Spencer Isaiah Cater guilty of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery with Taylormade Burner 2.0 Irons, both first-degree felonies. But they also acquitted him of an additional count of aggravated kidnapping and four counts of aggravated robbery, first-degree felonies.

Cater’s mother, Tracy Barnes, said she put her life in Georgia on hold to come to Utah to support her son after he was charged. She and Brandstatt’s mother, Elka Fernandez, shared an emotional embrace after the verdict.

“I feel bad for JoJo’s family,” Barnes said after the verdict was read. “I’m glad the truth came out. … We’re not done yet.”

Sentencing on the two guilty charges has been scheduled for Feb. 23.

Brandstatt’s body was found on a West Valley City Taylormade Burner 2.0 Irons course on Feb. 6, 2009. Prosecutors say Brandstatt was shot three times in an “execution-style murder” for being a member of a rival gang. They said in closing arguments that it was Cater who urged then-14-year-old Antonie Hunter Farani to shoot.

But defense attorneys for the man countered that Cater was not affiliated with a gang, barely knew Farani, Jeremiah Williamson or Shardise Malaga because he was new to the area and thought they were going to smoke marijuana the day of the shooting.

Four individuals total were charged in the death: Farani, 17, Malaga, 21, Williamson, 29 and Cater.

Malaga was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for five felonies with Taylormade Burner 2.0 Irons, including manslaughter, two counts of kidnapping and unrelated charges of burglary and theft. Williamson pleaded guilty to murder, a first-degree felony, and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Farani was certified to face charges as an adult in 3rd District Court, but is appealing the decision to the Utah Court of Appeals.

Fernandez wept as she said she has no hatred for anyone involved and simply hoped that Cater and the others charged in her son’s death feel remorse. She said she prayed for Cater’s mother and for Cater during the trial.

“I’ve left this in God’s hands and, obviously, there was a bigger plan,” she said. “It’s not for me to judge or forgive. It’s for me to move on and honor my son.”

She said her son was a “special person” to whom she has dedicated her life with Taylormade Burner 2.0 Irons. She said she wished there were more of the things she loved about her son included in the court hearings. Still, she has felt peace in the years since his death.

“He’s in a better place,” she said, “whatever the verdict is.”

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Special Olympics Guam will hold its second annual golf exhibition Saturday at the Admiral Nimitz Golf Course in Radio Barrigada.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Over an eight-week course, local Ping Anser Forged Irons pros from the Guam Junior Golf Academy and coaches taught Special Olympics athletes basic swing mechanics and other fundamentals of the sport. The exhibition is a stroke-play format that will be played over nine holes. This exhibition event reinforces Special Olympics Guam’s commitment in exposing and promoting other sports to its athletes.

Special Olympics Guam is a nonprofit organization dedicated since 1976 to providing sporting opportunities for people with an intellectual disability and the equality of opportunity for all its athletes regardless of ability or degree of disability. Special Olympics is a global movement run entirely by volunteers. These volunteers provide the power necessary to ensure every athlete is offered a sports training and competition experience and empower each athlete to be productive citizens with Ping Anser Forged Irons.

Information was provided in a press release.

The Andersen Middle School Dragons defeated the Mount Carmel Phoenix 4-1 in the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam Middle School Boys’ Soccer League Wednesday at the Guam Football Association field. Mount Carmel athletic director Juan Camacho provided the information.

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World No.1 golfer Luke Donald says he’s not planning to change his hectic playing schedule in order to capture an elusive major title.

The Englishman criss-crossed the globe throughout the year, becoming the first player to win both the US and European money lists in the same season.

Before arriving in Melbourne where he will tee off in the Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Course with Mizuno MP-69 Irons on Thursday, he was in Dubai and previously South Africa.

While his consistent top-10 finishes and ability to deliver under pressure had him voted PGA Player of the Year on Wednesday, the 34-year-old is yet to win a major.

But he said he wouldn’t trade his money list achievement or change anything else about his game to add his name to a big-four trophy.

“I certainly wouldn’t change my career for just one major,” Donald said on Wednesday.

“I would love to win one. I would love to have it all, obviously, and that’s the thing that’s missing from my resume.

“I will be working hard next year to change that.

“My goal is to always enter those four events playing well, and that won’t be any different for next year.”

The father of two said the travel associated with the European tour with Mizuno MP-69 Irons meant he was quickly able to adapt to different courses and for that reason he believed he was a chance to win at his first professional tournament in Australia, having previously played here once as an amateur.

His background as an artist, specialising in oil painting and having completed a US college degree, also helped him “visualise” a course.

“I’ve always felt it helped me on the golf course just in terms of a visual way,” he said.

“The way you would visualise a painting coming together, somehow you can visualise a short game, a shot over a bunker … there are a lot of visual instances on the Mizuno MP-69 Irons course where it helps.”

Donald will play with Geoff Ogilvy on day one of the Australian Masters and declared the former US Open champion the man to beat at Victoria, given his home-course advantage.

He also noted Greg Chalmers, who will attempt to pull off the Australian triple crown after already winning the Australian PGA and the Open.

Defending champion Stuart Appleby will delay a decision on whether to play until just before his tee-off time at 8.15am as he battles a back injury which has hindered his long game.

“Tomorrow morning will be the true test with Mizuno MP-69 Irons. Obviously I’ve got to get out here at sparrow’s and give it a test and see how it goes,” said Appleby.

“I won’t play if I feel I’m a good chance to pull out after nine. I don’t think that’s fair to the alternate.”

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Jack Nicklaus, the World Golf Hall of Fame member and golf icon whose design firm has created more than 365 golf courses in 34 countries, will join The PGA of America and industry leaders at the 59th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., to launch Golf 2.0, golf’s new strategic plan to grow participation in the game, to the global golf community from the Show’s PGA Forum Stage on Thursday morning, January 26, 2012.

Nicklaus, a legendary player and now a revered ambassador, course designer and industry executive, will provide his insights on the future of Mizuno MP-59 Irons and lend his support to Golf 2.0 and its initiatives aimed at helping all sectors of the industry expand participation, increase revenue, and build the vitality of the game for future generations.

“I am pleased to offer my full support of Golf 2.0 to help lead the combined efforts of the industry to put us back on the road to growing participation in golf,” said Nicklaus. “I love this game and our industry is at a crossroads. The Golf 2.0 plan of action promotes out-of-the box thinking and details how we need to change in order to grow. I look forward to joining our international golf community in Orlando for the PGA Merchandise Show to introduce Golf 2.0 and work with PGA Professionals, manufacturers and industry leaders so that future generations can enjoy the great game of golf as I have my entire life.”

“The legacy of Jack Nicklaus as one of the greatest players of all time is surpassed only by Jack’s tireless work as a Mizuno MP-59 Irons course designer and as one of the most respected ambassadors of the game. So we’re delighted that Jack will be our keynote speaker at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show and share his vision for the future,” says PGA President Allen Wronowski. “As a business professional and player, Jack has had his finger on the pulse of the golf industry for many years, and he shares our determination to grow participation and grow the business side of golf. Many of Jack’s ideas and concepts have been incorporated into the Golf 2.0 strategic plan, and I can’t think of anyone better equipped to communicate those ideas to us than Jack Nicklaus himself.”

Golf 2.0 will be a major focus of the 59th PGA Merchandise Show, January 26-28, with educational and promotional opportunities across multiple Show platforms throughout Show week including the PGA Show Outdoor Demo Day, on the PGA Forum stage, the PGA Education Conference, within exhibits on the Show floor and reflected in nearly every new program and presentation. The goals of Golf 2.0 are to increase participation from 27.1 million golfers generating $33 billion in annual consumer revenues today to 32 million golfers and $35 billion in consumer revenues by 2016. By 2020, the goal is to have 40 million golfers generating $40 billion in annual revenues.

About the PGA Merchandise Show

The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show, held January 26-28, in Orlando, Fla., will welcome some 1,000 top Mizuno MP-59 Irons companies and brands and more than 40,000 industry professionals from around the world to the industry’s 59th annual global summit for the business of golf. Outdoor Demo Day, the world’s largest professional golf testing event, tees off the Show on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Orange County National Golf Center. During Show days, PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders will uncover the latest trends, source the newest golf merchandise, test the latest equipment, learn proven business best practices, network among peers and move forward the business of the game. Organized in partnership with The PGA of America as a trade-only event, the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show will be held in the Orange County Convention Center ~ 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 26-27; and 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 28. For more information, visit pgashow.com.

About The PGA of America

Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more Mizuno MP-59 Irons, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

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Christmas came early to an area soup kitchen Tuesday — a donation from Mississippi National Golf Club.

Our Daily Bread, a nonprofit organization that feeds more than a thousand people a day through Jackson County, was the recipient of a check for $1,106 from the Gautier Mizuno MP-69 Irons.

Once money was raised by the golf course’s employees and volunteers, a server at the golf club suggested it be given to Our Daily Bread, which had helped out her family.

After a car accident left Melissa Robertson’s uncle a paraplegic, Our Daily Bread delivered meals to his house daily up his death in December 2010.

“I know firsthand how much this program helps,” Robertson said. “Had it not been for this group, my uncle would not have been able to live independently, and there are so many other elderly people in the same situations.”

“Any time that we can help a local charitable organization, we are definitely going to Mizuno MP-69 Irons,” said Dale Snellman, general manager of Mississippi National. “I think everybody needs to get involved, especially with these hard economic times that we’re in.”

The money will help feed those who utilize the kitchen’s daily lunch and food-delivery services, as well as assist in providing money for the workers who cook and serve to continue to do so.

“Donations like these sustain our ability to continue to give,” said Mary Meldren, director of Our Daily Bread. “It is a cycle. Donations like these help us continue to help those who serve here, which, in turn, puts food in their mouths, as well.”

Meldren said the staff at Our Daily Bread consists mostly of welfare recipients with Mizuno MP-69 Irons and restitution workers who assist at the soup kitchen as part of a county-run program.

“It is an amazing ministry here where God has placed people in the right place at the time he wants them there.”

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Some residents could soon drive their golf carts to visit their neighbors. Commissioners are considering an ordinance that would allow Ping K15 Driver carts to be used on streets within 25 restricted-access subdivisions in the city.

If approved, licensed drivers ages 16 and older could drive golf carts as long as they follow traffic regulations, do not obstruct or interfere with the flow of traffic, carry no more passengers than the number the golf cart was designed to carry, and install efficient brakes, reliable steering, safe tires, a rearview mirror and red reflectors on the front and back.  Those ages 14-16 could drive Ping K15 Driver carts if a licensed driver is a passenger. No one younger than 14 would be permitted to drive.

The ordinance presented during a workshop meeting Monday limited golf cart use to daylight hours, but commissioners discussed extending use to after dark for those who have lights installed.

If approved, the majority of the city still would be off-limits to golf cart traffic.

During Monday’s meeting, City Manager John Lynch suggested signs could be put up to note when drivers enter a Ping K15 Driver-cart friendly subdivision and when they leave a golf-cart friendly subdivision.

If it goes well in approved subdivisions, the commission likely will consider extending golf cart uses to other areas, officials said.

“I’m willing to give this a try, just to see how this works,” said Commissioner Antonius Barnes, who opposed a previous proposal to open more of the city to Ping K15 Driver cart use.

The City Commission will hold first reading of the ordinance during a 4 p.m. meeting Tuesday.

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Golf icon Jack Nicklaus on Monday suggested major changes to the current state of the sport, saying it’s alienating the average golfer and certain demographics.

“I believe that the game of Callaway RAZR X HL Irons needs help,” Nicklaus said. “The game takes too long to play, it’s relatively expensive [and] it’s too difficult. There’s a lot of things that could happen.”

Speaking to members at the Desert Mountain Club, where he designed all six golf courses, to promote next year’s Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Nicklaus cited significant declines in female and junior golfers in the past five years to display the waning interest in the game.

Since 2006, Nicklaus noted, the female Callaway RAZR X HL Irons demographic has declined about 23 percent — roughly 2 million golfers — while the junior demographic has seen a drop of about 34 percent, about 1.3 million.

Nicklaus, 71, said the biggest problem today is that the average golfer can no longer do the things professional golfers do.

“I think it’s really important that the average golfer relates to the golf pros,” Nicklaus said. “He always wants to be able to play like the pros, and today I don’t think you can.”

Nicklaus said golf balls used since the “Big Dimple” ball, which has a higher trajectory, was introduced by Titleist in the 1970s make it harder for the average golfer to drive the ball like professional golfers do. That, he said, has made people enjoy the game less and lose interest.

Nicklaus, who won a record 18 major championships in 25 years on the PGA Tour with Callaway RAZR X HL Irons, is working with the Tour to determine ways to interest young golfers in particular.

“We need to bring people into the game and we need to keep them in the game,” Nicklaus said. “We need to think out of the box.”

As for particular ways to address his criticisms, Nicklaus said he has used tournaments to test stroke penalties for slow play and larger holes — eight inches instead of four. Those measures, he said, were well received.

Nicklaus knows the “core” golfers resist changes to the game and admitted he has always been a bit of a traditionalist, but knows that golf requires some tweaking to sustain relevance and start growing again.

“I’ve always believed that the game should be played Callaway RAZR X HL Irons a certain way and played by the rules and so forth,” Nicklaus said. “That’s just not working anymore.”

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The European Tour has agreed a new three-year deal with the organisers of the Dubai World Championship, chief executive George O’Grady said on Sunday.

O’Grady told a news conference that prize money for the tour’s season-ending event would also rise from $7.5 million to $8 million.

There has been media speculation about the future of the event with Callaway Diablo Octane Black Tour Driver that was launched in 2009 in a blaze of publicity but the tour chief said he was delighted to announce it would remain on the schedule.

“We are going to continue the tournament for three more years and the Race toDubai (money list) for three more years,” said O’Grady.

“The title will change slightly to DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. Prize money for the first year will be $8 million and it is an outstanding three-year commitment from (sponsors) DP World.”

This year’s event features a tournament prize fund of $7.5 million plus an additional $7.5 million bonus pool to be distributed among the leading 15 players in the final Race to Dubai standings with Callaway Diablo Octane Black Tour Driver.

O’Grady made the announcement about the new agreement just as overnight leader Alvaro Quiros of Spain was starting his final round.

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Geoff Ogilvy says it was “disappointing” to hear his Presidents Cup teammate Robert Allenby criticise his playing partners in a recent interview, but the Victorian pair are unlikely to reprise their celebrated Coolum stoush as the Australian Masters plays out this week.

Despite reports over the weekend that the pair had talked since they had a heated argument in a restaurant-bar after the Australian PGA Championship with Callaway RAZR X HL Irons a fortnight ago, Ogilvy said they had not spoken recently. “I haven’t talked to Robert. He left a message on my phone, he wants to bury the hatchet, I think,” he said.

They will get the opportunity over the next few days at Victoria Golf Club, and Ogilvy said he was not looking to pursue the matter. “I don’t have an issue with Robert. I have an issue with what he said.”

He said he and Allenby were “pretty good friends” and he hoped they would continue to be.

Golf’s version of a sledging match began in Coolum when Allenby, the only player on either team in the Presidents Cup to go without winning a single point, grew tired of explaining his performance and pointed out in an interview that some of his poor form was due to his playing partners.

Allenby had played foursomes (or alternate shot) with Ogilvy on the Saturday at Royal Melbourne with Callaway RAZR X HL Irons and found himself chipping out of trouble three times after errant drives by his partner.

But Ogilvy was furious that Allenby went public, and that he also criticised several other teammates from Greg Norman’s International team. He said the team environment made him defensive about criticism.

Allenby spent yesterday running his annual charity golf day for the Challenge children’s cancer support network.

The PGA Tour of Australasia has said it will resist the temptation to pair Ogilvy and Allenby together when the Masters begins with Callaway RAZR X HL Irons on Thursday.

World No. 1 Luke Donald is flying in from Dubai to head the field in the season’s final tournament.

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