The 2014 Ryder Cup Winning Moment

Jamie Donaldson wins the Ryder Cup 2014 for the European Team at Gleneagles with a stunning second shot on the 15th green.

2014 Ryder Cup Infographic

With the Ryder Cup just a few days away our friends at Function 18 have put together a fun infographic on some interesting facts and figures surrounding the tournament that pits Team USA Vs. Team Europe. I know where I'll be this Sept. 26th-28th, tuned into the match play action.

Ryder Cup Preview

The 2014 edition of the Ryder Cup kicks off in just a few weeks’ time at Gleneagles in Scotland and there is plenty to note heading into the contest. Team USA have reportedly fell apart over the last month and very few golfers head into the contest with Team Europe on the back of any momentum. Team Europe, however, have gone strength to strength with their team and are the looking good value for a win on their very own European soil.

The PGA Tour should have in theory created a major wave of momentum for Team USA to ride into the Ryder Cup on the back of, but sadly that will be far from the true story when they arrive in Scotland for September 23^rd. 

To put this into context: a pair of Americans – in the shape of Chris Kirk and Billy Horschel – emerged as prime candidates for two of Team USA captain Tom Watson’s wildcard picks, but the golfing veteran instead opted for different personal.

Both Kirk and Horschel are leading the race for the FedEx Cup and PGA Tour glory as they head into the Tour Championship. Horschel also won the last event, the BMW Championship that was staged in Cherry Hills last weekend and the decision to exclude the pair from the Ryder Cup team has come under intense scrutiny from the media, especially considering the fact that very few of the USA Team have had strong performances in recent outings.

Rickie Fowler has been ever present at the periphery of major tournament glory all year long and Jim Furyk has also been there and thereabouts, but aside from that there is no-one else on the USA Team that offers a great deal of excitement like Rory McIlroy or Ian Poulter will do for Team Europe. One website has even offered this very blunt Ryder Cup preview as a damning preview of what they believe is to come from the biennial competition.

In stark comparison, Team Europe come into the competition with a whirlwind of momentum and excitement, with many golfers on the team sheet offering up promising performances over the past few months.

McIlroy may have twice four-putted over the BMW Championship weekend but despite this, he still posted his best score on the fourth and final round (which also brought about the second of the four puts) so it is unwise to assume he is out of sorts heading into Gleneagles.

Ian Poulter meanwhile is undefeated in singles play at the Ryder Cup and has an astounding 12 wins out of 15 games he has played during the four times he has featured for Team Europe. He is also remembered fondly by fans for his part in the unrivalled last day turnaround we saw Team Europe complete last time out to steal victory for the jaws of Team USA.

The enthusiasm surrounding the host of impressive and exciting options for Team Europe – paired with the furore over Team USA’s inability to choose those players that both the fans and the media believed deserved a place in the line-up – makes it hard to expect anything else than Team Europe retaining their crown come the end of September.

Hilton Head Golf Island Announces Fall Stay-and-Play Packages

It's seems the only time I can play a copious amount of golf is when I go away on a golf trip. Go away, take a break from the jobs and just play golf.

It's been since the early spring in North Carolina that I've had a sustained run of golf. Now Hilton Head Island is beckoning once again for me to play.

The Lowcountry at its best in the fall. Idyllic weather, amazing course conditions, no crowds and delicious seasonal southern fare. All my favorite things!

News Release
 Prime Course Conditions, Perfect Weather Ideal for End-of-Season Golf Trip

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI) – a collection of the Lowcountry’s 30 premier golf courses – announces an assortment of fall stay-and-play packages ideal for end-of-season vacations and golf buddy trips.

Autumn is when Hilton Head Island is at its best with warm air and water temperatures, low humidity and the best course conditions of the year. Golf enthusiasts can hit the links or the beach and enjoy the island’s plethora of leisure activities as well as unique seasonal culinary delicacies, including soft-shell crab and Lowcountry oysters.

Ranked top 10 in seven categories by Golf Digest including ““Best Buddies Trip Destination” and “Best Weather,” HHGI has numerous golf getaway packages available for fall:

The Sea Pines Resort – “Stay-and-Play Villa Golf Package:” Experience three nights in private villa accommodations and one round each at Harbour Town Golf Links, Ocean Course and Heron Point by Pete Dye. Offer is full of extras including complimentary afternoon repeat rounds on the Ocean Course and Heron Point, range balls and 10 percent discount on retail merchandise and food and beverage at the resort's pro shops and restaurants. Packages start at $164 per golfer, per night and based on quad-occupancy. Rate valid through Dec, 31. For package and reservation information: 1.800.SEAPINES, www.seapinesgolf.com.

Palmetto Dunes – “Fall Stay-and-Play:” Stay three nights in a two-bedroom villa and play three rounds at each of the resort’s championship courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills and George Fazio. Enjoy two hours of complimentary tennis court time (daily), preferred rates and priority access on all other resort activities and amenities as well as dining and merchandise discounts. Based on quad-occupancy, rates start at $135 per golfer, per night and include all taxes and resort fees. Valid through October 31. Additional rules and restrictions apply. For package and reservation information: 877.567.6507, www.PalmettoDunes.com.

The Heritage Golf Collection – “Four Nights, Four Rounds:” Enjoy four nights at the newly-renovated Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and four rounds of golf at any of seven Heritage Collection courses including Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, Shipyard Golf Club, Palmetto Hall Plantation Club and Oyster Reef Golf Club. Package also includes complimentary range balls, tee gift on first day of play, discounts at golf pro shops and clubhouses and 10 percent off spa services at The Heavenly Spa by The Westin. Based on double occupancy, packages start at $175 per golfer, per night. Valid Sept. 13 – Nov. 7. For package and reservation information: 843.681.1706, vcastaneda@heritagegolfgroup.com.

Old South Golf Links – “Par 3 Package:” Just over the bridge in the charming mainland town of Bluffton is the acclaimed Old South Golf Links. Package includes two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn with complimentary breakfast, one round at Old South Golf Links and two rounds at Hampton Hall Golf Club, The Country Club of Hilton Head or Bear Creek Golf Club. Starting at $385 per person in a double occupancy standard room, price includes sales and accommodations tax. Valid September 21 – November 30. For package and reservation information: 800.257.8997, www.oldsouthgolf.com.

“This time of year is Hilton Head Island’s best-kept secret and brings those days on the course that golfers live for,” says Cary Corbitt, President of the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association and Vice President of Sports and Operations at Sea Pines Resort. “These fall getaway packages allow guests to experience the finest of what the Lowcountry has to offer at an exceptional value.”

As one of the nation’s foremost golf capitals, Hilton Head Island is the preferred vacation destination of golfers seeking a high-concentration of world-class quality courses, an unspoiled natural environment, beautiful resorts and inns, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality The legendary coastal Carolina destination has invested more than $200 million in upgrades in the past two years that are already finished, or under construction, transforming Hilton Head Island into the freshest resort town in America.

For additional information or to receive a quote: www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, 800.523.3373.