Latest news with #PGAProfessionalChampionship
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish golf club honours long-serving PGA pro in an unusual way
16th at Uphall has been named 'Gordon Law' in recognition of his 35 years at West Lothian club Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A well-known Scottish PGA professional has had a hole named after him in recognition of his 35-year service at one golf club. The 16th at Uphall Golf Club in West Lothian will now be known simply as 'Gordon Law' after the man who was widely known as 'Mr Uphall'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In his time flying the flag for the club, Law won the Scottish PGA Championship, Northern Open and PGA Professional Championship. He also played in the PGA Cup on three occasions and made the cut in the 125th Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1996 as a qualifier. Gordon Law left Uphall Golf Club earlier this year after serving as the club's first PGA professional for 35 years | Contributed At one time, the 'Lawman' held the course record at no less than seven venues at a time when the Tartan Tour's leading lights included record money-winner Colin Gillies, who passed away recently. Law decided it was time to take a well-deserved break earlier this year and now his legacy at Uphall will be remembered by both members and visitors alike. 'Without Gordon in charge, the club would not have been able to organise some of the most amazing events we have held over the years, such as his well-known Pro Days and invitational Silloths,' said the club in an email to members. 'During several of these Pro Days, Gordon would host the renowned 'nearest the pin at 16 with a left-handed club` after a few beers! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Off the course, Gordon's influence, passion, and commitment to our club were critical to the construction of our new clubhouse after the old one was destroyed by a fire in 2021. He put together and chaired the project team that resulted in the amazing new building we have today. 'The club committee thought that these accomplishments and efforts should now be acknowledged as a token of appreciation and, so the decision to rename our iconic 16th hole was taken following a number of conversations and recommendations. 'It will now be known as 'Gordon Law', This has been included on our new tee sign and will be on our new scorecards.' The 16th hole at Uphall will now be known simply as 'Gordon Law' | Contributed Law was Uphall's first professional, with his big shoes having been filled by Sam Craigon, who has been put in place by Craig Donnelly Golf. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When I sent Gordon a picture of the tee sign, his response was very typical of him and his sense of humour,' said the club's match secretary, Stephen Jamieson.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
This Week in Golf: All eyes on Charlotte as stars chase glory in 107th PGA Championship
Golf's grand stage heads to North Carolina this week for one of the year's biggest showdowns — the 107th PGA Championship. With major glory, history, and $18.5 million on the line, all eyes are locked on Charlotte's Quail Hollow Club. It marks the fourth time the major has been played in the Tar Heel State. But unlike previous visits to Pinehurst (1936) and Tanglewood Park (1974), this year's host is a familiar beast. Quail Hollow isn't new to the big stage. A regular PGA TOUR venue and host of the 2017 PGA Championship, it's a course that many in the 156-player field know intimately — except, perhaps, the 20 club professionals earning their shot through the PGA Professional Championship. With $18.5 million up for grabs (based on the 2024 purse) and Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Bryson DeChambeau all in red-hot form, this is shaping up to be one of the most compelling majors in years. The PGA's mix of big names, major storylines, and underdog club pros always delivers drama — and Quail Hollow's famously brutal 'Green Mile' finish should guarantee a thrilling Sunday. May 15 – 18 PGA Tour US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N. Carolina, USA
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish golf round up: Glencruitten gets another Scottish Open winner
All the latest from tournaments involving Scottish golfers from Martin Dempster Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The golf season is now in full swing and here is our latest round up of grass-roots stories around Scotland. Glencruitten gets second Scottish Open winner Glencruitten's Martin Shields emulated Bob MacIntyre's Scottish Open feat by going from runner up one year in his equivalent to winner the next. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Shields landed his title triumph in the net section of the 2025 PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a Disability at Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire. In an event open to golfers with a handicap index up to 18.4, Shields claimed the prize in style by finishing six shots clear of his nearest rival. Glencruitten's Martin Shields poses with his trophy after winning the net section in the 2025 PING Scottish Open for Golfers with a Disability at Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire | Chris Young/Scottish Golf 'I am absolutely buzzing,' he declared. 'There's a nice wee narrative around Glencruitten golfers and Scottish Opens. Bob, of closure, came second in 2023 then won the following year, as I have now done this year after finishing second last year.' The main title went to Englishman Oliver Hirst-Greenham, who carded rounds of 72-77 to finish seven shots clear of Manchester-based Scot Barry Wearing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Having won his own national open in 2023, the man from Morecambe has now added the PING-sponsored Scottish title to his list of honours and hopes to continue his winning streak over the summer months. 'It's a great feeling and I've worked really hard for this and I wanted to win it,' said Morecambe man Hirst-Greenham of adding to a win his own national Open in 2023. Panmure's Dominic Bradburn pictured at The PGA Graduation Ceremony at the University of Birmingham | Contributed Exciting times for Panmure pro Dominic Bradburn Panmure's Dominic Bradburn will be teeing up in this year's PGA Professional Championship as a fully-qualified professional. The ever-improving Bradburn shared top spot with East Renfrewshire's Gavin Hay in the Scottish qualifier as the duo carded matching one-under-par 71s on the Lansdowne Course at The Blairgowrie Golf Club. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In Bradburn's case, the success came hot on the heels of him qualifying as PGA pro at this year's Graduation Ceremony at the University of Birmingham. Joining Bradburn and Hay in securing spots in the PGA Professional Championship, set to held at Ingrebourne Links in Essex next month, were Ross Munro (Golfclubs4cash), Ryan Johnston (Taymouth Castle Golf & Sport Club), Stuart Holden (Harburn) and Scott Young (North Berwick). Two golfers who were both in the Paul Lawrie Foundation squad as amateurs before then being backed as professionals when they were playing full-time have been supported once again by the 1999 Open champion through the North-East based organisation. Paul Lawrie flanked by fellow North-East professionals Kris Nicol, left, and Philip McLean | Contributed New Paul Lawrie Foundation backing for Kris Nicol and Philip McLean Kris Nicol and Philip McLean have received the latest backing to provide junior coaching in Fraserburgh and Peterhead respectively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Kris and Philip are two dedicated teaching professionals both trying to grow the game within the North East,' said Lawrie. 'They were both in the foundation squad as amateurs and were supported as professionals while they played full time. 'They have both now decided to spend a bit more time coaching as well as still play a bit, and it was a really easy decision for us to support them both with some junior coaching in Fraserburgh and Peterhead.' Cathkin Braes member Sabrina Wong shows off The Foundations Trophy after her 18-shot success at The Blairgowrie Golf Club | Contributed In-form Sabrina Wong wins again Sabrina Wong, the Cathkin Braes member who recently won The R&A Girls' Under-16 Championship, has struck again. Hot on the heels of landing by far the biggest win of her career at Gog Magog in Cambridgeshire, Wong won by no less than 18 shots on this occasion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Her latest title triumph came in The Foundations Trophy, an event run by the Stephen Gallacher Foundation and sponsored by St Leonards School in St Andrews. Broomieknowe's Kai Laing won the boys' section in The Foundations Trophy event in Perthshire | Contributed Carding rounds of 73-76-69-68, Wong posted a six-under total, leaving second-placed Ava Paterson (Tulliallan) trailing in her wake. Royal Troon's Jodie Graham was third, followed by Craigielaw's Stella Walters. In a more closely-contested boys' event, Broomieknowe's Kai Laing shot rounds of 72-73-70-75 for two-over total, winning by three shots from Fraser Walters, Stella's older brother, with Baberton's Luca Smith four shots further back in third place. The winning team in the Bill McLaren Foundation Golf day are congratulated by Gordon Wilson of event sponsor Carbon Financial | Fraser Band Lions roar as Blairgowrie hosts Bill McLaren Foundation Golf Day Three British and Irish Lions graced the Bill McLaren Foundation Golf Day, a fund-raising event held at The Blairgowrie Golf Club and sponsored by Edinburgh-based Carbon Financial. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former Lions captain Gavin Hastings was joined by Kenny Milne and Andy Irvine, who featured on three tours and filled the role as tour manager for the select side in 2013 when they beat Australia over three Tests. The charity has raised more than £1.7 million through 55 events over the last 15 years, benefiting a wide range of sports at the grass-roots level. 'We are longstanding supporters of the Foundation which does fantastic work in memory of Bill McLaren, promoting grassroots sport and the values he believed in,' said Gordon Wilson, managing director of Carbon Financial. On a sun-kissed day on the Rosemount Course at the Perthshire venue, the spoils went to a team which included the legendary commentator's daughter Linda Lawson and her husband Alan, another Scotland international. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Members of the Midland and North Divisions of the Scottish Senior Women's Golf Association met for an annual match at Alyth | Contributed Busy spell for Midland members of Scottish Senior Women's GA Members of the Midland Division of the Scottish Senior Women's Golf Association have been in action in two recent annual matches. First up was an away encounter against the East Division at Murrayfield, where the visitors won 4-3 in a match-play competition involving players with handicaps ranging from five to ten. Two days later, a team made up of scratch to five handicappers took on the North Division but the score was reversed on this occasion as the visitors regained that particular trophy. 'Our players were treated to a beautiful sunny day and spectacular views at Murrayfield,' reported captain Morag Wardrop. 'At Alyth, meanwhile, all the players praised the excellent condition of the course and greens.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Next up for the Midland Division is a match against their West counterparts at Cawder on 28 May. Baberton's Nicky Graham, Karen Marshall, Ella Marshall and Wendy Nicholson show off the trophy after winning the Edinburgh Ladies Inter-Club Tournament at Mortonhall | Contributed Family affair as Baberton land Edinburgh title It was a family affair as Baberton won a keenly-contested Edinburgh Ladies Inter-Club Tournament at Mortonhall. In the event's first staging at the Capital course, Baberton beat Liberton 4&3 over the double foursome in the final to land the trophy for the first time since 2021. Karen Marshall and Nicky Graham joined forces to finish four up against Jill McLean and Mandy Bell after 17 holes while it ended all square at the back between Ella Marshall/Wendy Nicholson and Steph Sutherland/Susan Walker. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The title triumph added to the Marshalls being Baberton legends, with Karen being no stranger to success over the years but this marking a breakthrough for her niece Ella. In the semi-finals, Baberton, having knocked out the hosts in the last eight, beat Murrayfield 3&1 while Liberton finished 1 up against Broomieknowe. Irish duo Dylan O'Connor, left, and Martin O'Dwyer show off their respective trophies at Carnoustie | Contributed Irish pull off notable double triumph at Carnoustie Eighteen years after Padraig Harrington won The Open at Carnoustie, two other Irish golfers pulled off trophy triumphs at the Angus venue. Pride of place went to Tramore's Martin O'Dwyer as he claimed the prestigious Craws Nest Tassie with a 5&3 win in this year's final over Finland's Reece Furneaux. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A member of Helsinki Golf Club, had ended local hopes earlier in the day with a semi-final victory over Carnoustie Golf Club's Andy Fyfe. Dwyer emerged as a worthy winner after beating the top seed, Paul Tulleth of St Andrews Golf Cub, on the final green in the last 32.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fan Favorite Michael Block ‘Very Happy' Heading Into This Year's PGA Championship: Relive His 2023 ‘Magical Carpet Ride' With Rory McIlroy
Michael Block's performance at the 2023 PGA Championship was nothing short of remarkable. The club pro from Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, had fans loving his every move. He shocked tour members by keeping pace and eventually tying for 15th place. Advertisement Oh, and he tossed in a hole-in-one on the 15th hole of the final round to boot. 'That was a magical carpet ride, for sure,' he said in an interview, looking back on the incredible run he made. It was the best finish by a PGA professional (those who teach the game) since 1986, qualifying him for last year's PGA Championship. And wouldn't you know it, the 'Block Party' will be back in town again at this week's major tournament. Michael Block's Heroics Michael Block is set to tee off just before 1 pm Eastern Time for the 2025 PGA Championship. He'll be with a group featuring Erik van Rooyen and Mackenzie Hughes. Advertisement Will he be able to duplicate the heroics from 2023? Block sealed entry into this year's tournament by securing a top-20 finish at last month's PGA Professional Championship. He said the goal at the tournament was to teach his son the fundamentals of golf and, if he gets them right, he'd finish where he wants to be. 'The goal this week was to kind of show my kid the nuances of playing golf, and I think I did,' Block said, according to Golf Digest. 'Keep it in the fairway off the tee. Hit the green. If you miss the green, get up and down, make a conservative chip, and then be a decent putter. I think I showed him a good way to do it.' 'And if I finish third, fourth, or fifth, or whatever it is, as long as I'm in the top 20, I'm going to Quail Hollow and I'm very happy.' How Happy Was He in 2023? Imagine how happy he would be if he duplicated what made him a fan favorite two years ago. Advertisement Michael Block's performance at the 2023 PGA Championship was something straight out of Hollywood. It was the third-best all-time showing for a PGA professional at the event. Block's performance included a hole-in-one at the 15th hole during the final round, which was one of the tournament's most memorable moments altogether. He didn't even realize what he had done. Not to mention, he was paired with Rory McIlroy for the final round, adding to the excitement and significance of his feat. Whatever he shoots, though, Block will almost assuredly have the fans behind him again. The 2025 PGA Championship, which will be held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, will feature top contenders like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and defending champion Xander Schauffele. Advertisement Also Read:: Tiger Woods Shares Powerful Message For Rory McIlroy After Grand Slam Masters Win Related Headlines
NBC Sports
15-05-2025
- NBC Sports
PGA pro Rupe Taylor, competing in PGA Championship, turns life around after DUI
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rupe Taylor had 10 days to contemplate his most improbable path to the PGA Championship , and that wasn't enough to prepare the golf professional when he arrived at Quail Hollow. He walked 18 holes with a wedge and a putter to get comfortable. And then he stepped into the locker room and found himself face-to-face with Scottie Scheffler. 'I had to do a double take because I was like 'I can't believe this is happening,'' said Taylor, a 35-year-old whose 'Play Better Golf Now' instruction business in Virginia is affiliated with Virginia Beach National. 'He was so kind. He was authentic. I talked to him for a couple of minutes and he asked me about me.' It was only for a couple of minutes, not nearly enough time for Taylor to tell him about a life he feared he had squandered through alcohol until he woke up in a hospital room, his arms and legs tied to the bed and his mother sitting beside him with her head in her hands. Taylor was 23, a graduate of the Professional Golf Management program at North Carolina State, working at a Virginia golf course. He had been drinking since high school — 'Anything, anytime, any reason to drink,' he said — until he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He had no memory of how he wound up in a hospital. 'I was completely incoherent,' Taylor said. 'I didn't know what happened, so the only thing I knew to ask her was if I killed someone.' There was relief to find out there was only minor damage to his car and another vehicle. And there was a second chance he couldn't afford to pass up. He attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings practically every day. He met a girl through a social media app, Baylee, who trusted the process and stayed by him on the road to recovery, to finding work in the golf business. Taylor has been sober for 12 years now. They are married with an 18-month-old daughter, Noah. He worked at golf courses on Kiawah Island in South Carolina and back home in Virginia. That's when he decided to spend his working time giving lessons to a cross-section of people who wanted to get better, allowing more time with his wife and young daughter. Yes, it's been a journey. Taylor is among the 20 club professionals at the PGA Championship who will take on Quail Hollow alongside Scheffler and Rory McIlroy and defending champion Xander Schauffele. The strongest field of the majors has 98 of the top 100 players in the world ranking. And the field includes Rupe Taylor, a recovering alcoholic and teaching professional who still can't believe he has his name plate in a locker room next to PGA Tour winners Nick Taylor and Sahith Theegala. PGA professionals have come under scrutiny over the years for diluting a field at a major championship. They are among some 31,000 members of the PGA of America who work long hours giving lessons, folding shirts, organizing club competitions. This is their reward. Taylor qualified at the PGA Professional Championship in Florida on April 30, making a double bogey on the 11th hole that made him sweat, recovering with consecutive birdies to easily finish in the top 20 to earn a spot in the field. Scheffler recalls meeting Taylor on Sunday when he arrived. 'It's a lot of fun to have those guys in this tournament,' Scheffler said. 'I think the PGA pros do a lot for the game of golf, running tournaments all over the country, teaching people all over the country, and it's a huge organization, and they do a lot for our game.' Taylor mentioned being on Cloud 9 on more than one occasion, but actions speak louder than cliches. He showed up Monday at 7:30 a.m. in the rain and played 18 holes. 'Nothing is going to faze me,' he said. 'We have rain gear. We have umbrellas. I'm at the PGA Championship. I'm going to play.' It was his second time at the PGA Professional Championship, the first experience a decade ago when he was just starting to get his life back in order. That wasn't easy on its own. And then a year into sobriety, Taylor lost his grandfather to cancer. Ten days later, his father died. He had diabetes from a young age and wasn't in the best shape. 'He had low blood sugar, got into a car accident and I never go to speak to him again,' Taylor said, his voice cracking slightly. It was a devastating time in his life, and yet he never felt stronger. 'At that point, I had my sobriety in order and I think in some ways it helped me deal with the grief,' he said. 'A lot of what we discussed in AA is you can't let circumstances influence your desire to drink or give you an excuse. 'Without sobriety, I would have fallen into a deep depression and gotten into another bender.' His given name is Robert. Turns out he was playing Little League at age 10 and his coach had bad handwriting. He was called 'Rupert,' which became Rupe. And it stuck. It's a name worth noting this week, even if it likely won't be found on the leaderboard. His expectations are minimal. Quail Hollow is a big course for anyone, much less a professional who spends more time giving lessons than honing his own game. Taylor at times wonders how good he could have become had he chosen a different path in golf. Then again, he wonders how in the world he got from a hospital bed in a drunken state to teeing it up against Scheffler and McIlroy in the PGA Championship. 'I'm just going to do the best I can and have as much fun as I can,' Taylor said. 'At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what I do. I feel like I won already just by being here.'
