Latest news with #Pro-Am
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard scores 50 in Rose City Pro-Am
The NBA offseason may be the summer doldrums to fans and analysts of the league both, but for some players, it is high time to show off their scoring skills in offseason tourneys and runs. Among the most infamous in this regard is Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, who has become such a prolific scorer in such summer events that he has picked up the sobriquet "Pro-Am P" for his frequent setting of scoring records in such events. Fresh on the heels of breaking his own scoring record of 61 points at the "Ball Don't Stop" Pro-Am with a 68-point outburst, Pritchard continued with his offseason scoring assault anew at the Rose City Pro-Am, where the University of Oregon alum put up an impressive 50 burger. It can be harder to find footage of Fast PP on the court doing his thing in such contexts, so the folks behind the "Home Team Hoops" YouTube channel put together a clip of his highlights from that half-centennial scoring night. Check it out below! Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
Scoop
7 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
New Zealand Open Delivers Major Economic Impact And Record Global Reach
The 104th New Zealand Open has cemented its status as the Asia-Pacific region's premier Pro-Am golf tournament by delivering significant economic and tourism benefits to New Zealand and to the Queenstown region in particular. In delivering its independent post-event results, the New Zealand Open is proud to report that the event generated $12.3 million in net economic impact for New Zealand and over $23 million in direct economic impact for the Queenstown region. The 2025 tournament saw a 48% growth in attendance figures with 34,199 fans turning out at Millbrook Resort delivering over 45,000 bed nights for the Queenstown region. The Pro-Am format of the New Zealand Open continues to attract a global mix of professional and amateur participants from 23 countries, creating a festival of golf that extends beyond the fairways and deep into the regional and national economy. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston was pleased the event was such a resounding success, highlighting its positive impact on New Zealand's economy and international profile. 'I'm thrilled to hear the New Zealand Open provided a strong boost to the economy,' said Minister Upston. 'We're proud to support world-class sporting events like this through the Major Events Fund. As well as contributing to the local and national economy, major events attract international visitors and strengthen our reputation on the world stage.' Supporting the economic impact of the event, a record global television audience tuned in to view the 2025 New Zealand Open with at least 7.4 million viewers to over 90 countries. The broadcast featured sweeping views of the Wakatipu Basin and numerous world-class golf courses throughout New Zealand, showcasing the country's golfing pedigree to a huge global audience. The broadcast reach was complemented by over 130 million social media impressions, a record for the event. With the biggest viewership in China, India, North America and Australia the media outcomes delivered by the New Zealand Open align with the wider tourism objectives of New Zealand. The record reach of New Zealand's flagship golf event supports ongoing growth of the burgeoning high-value golf tourism industry in New Zealand. John Hart, Chairman of the New Zealand Open, said the tournament's ability to attract both passionate spectators and affluent international guests is key to its long-term success: 'We're proud to have built an event that is driving growth on multiple fronts—raising the bar for sporting events in New Zealand and attracting high-value visitors to our country. The support from our international players and partners alongside the engagement from kiwi spectators has been phenomenal.' Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, praised the tournament's continued rise in the golfing world saying: 'These results show that the New Zealand Open has truly cemented its place as the pre-eminent Pro-Am event in the Asia-Pacific region. The tournament has successfully blended the history and prestige of a national Open with a unique pro-am experience that is a drawcard for professionals and amateur players from throughout the region. It's an event that the Asian Tour is proud to have on our tour calendar and one our players are always eager to be a part of.' Nick Dastey, Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia's General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships, echoed the Asian Tour sentiments saying the New Zealand Open is raising the benchmark for Pro-Am tournaments globally. 'The New Zealand Open delivers a top-tier playing experience for both the professional and pro-am players. We have seen huge growth in people from Australia visiting New Zealand and in particular the Queenstown region throughout the year on golfing holidays with the stunning pictures from the broadcast whetting their appetite and marking New Zealand as a must visit golfing and holiday destination.' Building on this momentum, Brian Howie, Director of Operations at Millbrook Resort, reaffirmed the venue's commitment to the tournament's future: 'We're thrilled to announce Millbrook Resort's continued relationship with Golf New Zealand to host the New Zealand Open through to 2032. This long-term commitment reflects our belief in the value that the New Zealand Open brings to Queenstown and New Zealand as a whole.' With its mix of elite sport, international exposure and economic impact, the New Zealand Open continues to go from strength to strength. The 105th New Zealand Open will be played at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown between 26 February and 1 March 2026. For more information, please visit Key Statistics from the 104th New Zealand Open (as measured by YouGov) In 2025, the New Zealand Open generated: $12.36 million in economic impact for New Zealand $23.34 million in economic impact for Queenstown The total number of spectators across the four days of the New Zealand Open increased by 48% to 34,199 total attendees 74% of attendees came from outside the Queenstown Lakes District area The New Zealand Open attracted 1,114 international attendees in 2025 Over 45,000 bed nights were generated in the Queenstown region as a result of the New Zealand Open The 2025 New Zealand Open received a +72 net promoter score from attendees At least 7.4 million viewers from over 90 countries tuned in to witness history unfold and the latest champion of the New Zealand Open to be crowned In 2025, the New Zealand Open gained elevated global significance with the champion (or leading non-exempt player) earning direct qualification into the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush Over 50,000 plastic bottles saved from landfill through removal of plastic water bottles on-site 13.7T of waste diverted from landfill through waste stream sorting and management on-site in 2025. A total of 523 volunteers played their part in the success of the New Zealand Open in 2025 and over 75% of these have indicated they will volunteer for the 2026 tournament. The 2025 New Zealand Open reached over 111 million social accounts and gained over 130 million social media impressions Millbrook Resort will be the home of the New Zealand Open through to 2032 About the 105th New Zealand Open | The tournament is one of New Zealand's leading sporting events with a long and prestigious history. It was founded in 1907 and will be played for the 105th time between February 26 and March 1, 2026. The New Zealand Open is the only National Open in world golf played in a Pro-Am format, is a co-sanctioned event on the PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour schedules and has a partnership agreement with the Japan Golf Tour. A professional field will play the first two rounds alternately at Millbrook Resort's Coronet and Remarkables courses. The final two rounds will be played on a composite course including holes from both courses. The New Zealand Open Champion will be the leading player after 72 holes of stroke play. The tournament also hosts 156 amateur players, each partnering with a professional in a two-man best-ball event, competing for the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship.
Scotsman
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
My day at Trumpfest - what it was really like having a box seat for Donald Trump's new golf course opening
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... There is no press call like a Donald Trump press call, and right from the 5am departure from home, there was that familiar feeling of heading into the unpredictable world of the US President. As the morning broke on Mr Trump's fifth day in Scotland, where world politics, pledges and deals interlaced with the world of golf, there was a sense that anything could happen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Trump International Golf Links Scotland is a place I have visited several times before and spent many hours traipsing around after Mr Trump, hoping for a sensible news line. The grand opening of the new course marks the end of Trump's Scotland visit. | Lisa Ferguson / The Scotsman READ MORE: Donald Trump opens new golf course in Aberdeenshire Once, back in 2016, I decided to hang back from the press pack, hide in a sand dune and run up to the presidential candidate as he tried to pot a ball in a desperate attempt to get a story. Despite my efforts, I failed to score a decent quote. Later, exhausted after hours of following Mr Trump over this stretch of rather challenging coastline, I lay on the grass and looked up to see him driving a golf buggy with Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall hanging off the back. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Times change, and of course Mr Murdoch was in 2025 nowhere to be seen as once close allies become potent foes amid the US President's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. On Tuesday at 6am, reporters mustered outside the evangelical King's Church in the Bridge of Don to catch coaches to Trump International Golf Links Scotland. After passports were checked by police, who also had our car registrations, we took our seats for the first stage of the show. At Menie, airport-style security scanners and Metropolitan Police awaited, but checks were super swift and super professional. It was a breeze compared to a morning flight at ABZ and we glided through to collect our accreditations, one which was marked White House Press Pool. I'll probably keep that one. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A mini bus then took us to the heart of the golf course and the media centre, where a horrifying shortage of coffee and too few seats awaited. By then, the golf course was already alight with people teeing off, with a Pro-Am tournament taking place. As last-minute preparations were made in this highly manicured world, someone hoovered a piece of artificial grass with a Dyson. These reporting jobs, by their nature, are defined by much hanging around with bursts of activity in between. Chaperoned to the grandstand by highly assertive members of the White House Press Team, an hour or so was spent waiting for the ceremony to begin. In the distance, Donald Trump could be seen practising his swing. As we waited, the skies thickened over Menie and the sight of the 11 turbines Donald Trump so vehemently tried to stop loomed large by the shoreline. They were much closer to the course than I recalled. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Also coming to mind was Michael Forbes and his late mother Molly, who fought with much dignity to stop the original development of land around their home at Menie, even though Mr Trump told the world they lived in a pigsty. Trump always treats coming to Scotland like his very own homecoming, but he could never know a true connection to this place, such as the Forbes' did. As we waited for the President to arrive, tunes played across the links. It was an all American playlist: Hot Stuff by Donna Summer, Thriller by Michael Jackson and You are The One That I Want by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Trumpfest was warming up. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As the tunes were pumped into the air, VIP guests took their places, including footballing figures Gianfranco Zola, Jim Leishman and Robbie Fowler. In the distance, the motorcade edged nearer. Then, the sound of the Robert Gordon's College Pipe Band blasted through the sea air and Trump's head appeared above a sand dune behind the grandstand. He was ready to roll. But first came a few words from Eric Trump, his son and the executive vice-president of the Trump Organisation. He paid tribute to his father and described him as his best friend and a 'helluva guy' who was in the process of 'saving the free world' and 'saving America'. The crowd cheered. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Eric spoke of his father's passion project giving way to his presidential duties, with the family picking up his the ambition of creating a second course at Menie, which is now home to 'The Greatest 36' golf holes on earth. No question about that, he said, as the world's media looked on and recorded a spectacular deluge of free publicity. 'We had an unlimited budget and we exceeded it,' he said. The crowd cheered. Eric spoke of the course being his father's 'Mona Lisa' with anyone playing the course being able to feel the 'heart and soul' that went into it. It almost makes you want to take up the game. Well, maybe. Donald Trump, to the pipes and drums, then entered the arena to loud applause. The mood was very much Team Trump, as family stayed close to the President. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Then this from the President: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land and we made it much more beautiful. The area has really welcomed us in. 'Remember at the beginning, there wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. In time, they liked us more. They love us and we love them.' Molly and Michael Forbes and the loss of the Site of Special Scientific Interest status for the dunes came to mind again. But such intrusive thoughts would be just a tired old irritant to Trump International in 2025. Trump always said he wanted to name his second course at Menie after his mother, Mary MacLeod, originally from Tong on the Isle of Lewis. But today, it was confirmed the first course will become Trump's 'Old Course' - it opened in 2012 - with the second one simply known as the New Course. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We call the first course the Old Course and the second course we call the New Course,' the US President said. 'That is the best way to describe it. Anything else gets too complicated.' Trump then spoke of fitting in a quick four-ball before heading back to DC to 'put fires out all over the world'. He said: ' We did one yesterday. We stopped the war. We have stopped five wars. That is much more important than playing golf, as much as I love it.' Trump cut the red ribbon to his new golf course, the Village People's YMCA played out across the dunes and fireworks and red, white and blue smoke blasted out of the sand and quickly disappeared into daylight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That was possibly the most unpredictable moment of this finely orchestrated Trump show - and the President played on. A late bump in the order was soon felt as a security operation ramped up at the entrance to the course. A car was searched, but nothing suspicious found.
Daily Record
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Golf star Charley Hull relives scary double collapse as quick thinking medic averts disaster
Hull almost cracked her head on a concrete slab as she fainted at the women's Major before being carted off the scene. Charley Hull has lifted the lid on the 'scary' moment when she collapsed twice on course. The English star opened up on the frightening events two weeks ago at the Evian Championship. Hull almost cracked her head on a concrete slab as she fainted at the women's Major before being carted off the scene. The 29-year-old is getting back to herself, but, as she prepared for the start of the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald, she opened up in Ayrshire on the harrowing incident. Hull said: 'It was scary, but it was weird. It was actually quite scary, but at the time, I just wanted to finish my round. So I was gutted that I didn't. But I don't know if anyone ever fainted before. 'When I woke up from fainting I felt like I'd come out of a really nice deep sleep. I felt really nice. I was like: Oh, this feels good. That's not my bedroom. I see birds above me and about 15 people around me and I was like, where the f--- am I? Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to swear. But yeah, that's what I see when it happened. 'I was feeling really rough on the Monday and I was being sick all day because I flew home after Ireland. And then Tuesday I woke up and I still wasn't feeling very well. 'I had a practice round and I was just so tired. All my bones were aching in my body and I had a really high temperature. "Next day I played the Pro-Am and I soldiered through because I didn't want to let my Pro-Am team down. But I felt really rough and all my bones were aching still. 'Then I woke up on Thursday and I felt really dizzy, cold sweats, had no energy. I got through about 12 holes and was actually playing really solid golf. I teed off on the back nine, so third hole of the course, which was my 12th hole, I felt really dizzy and I was in the bunker hitting a fairway shot and I had to sit down for a minute because my eyesight went and my hearing went. "I don't know if anyone has ever fainted before, but your eyesight goes and then your hearing goes and then it goes all muffled. So I sat down, got up, hit my bunker shot, actually nearly made birdie. Walked to the next tee, called the medics and then before I hit my tee shot, my eyesight went again, my hearing went and then my knees gave away and I collapsed and fainted. 'Then I got back up, hit my tee shot. I was thinking, I've only got six holes left. I've got some birdie holes. Just finish the day, get to three-or-four-under and I'm sound. 'Walked off the tee box, 20 yards off, I don't even remember anything. My caddie said my eyes rolled to the back of my head and I was out for over a minute. And the security guard and the medic caught me just before I was about to hit my head on a concrete slab. So I was out for a minute. 'Every time I stood up, I fainted. That's why I had to get a stretcher out, which was quite embarrassing, but there you go. IV drip on me. They took my blood pressure. It was 80/50 which is quite low. My blood sugar was 0.4. I think I just had a really bad virus. 'Then I asked my agent, Vicky, to text the Commissioner saying: Is there any chance Charley can finish her round this evening? Obviously you can't but I was gutted. I just had no energy since then, really. 'I still don't feel a hundred percent now, like, 80 percent. Probably won't see me strolling 30 yards ahead of everyone [this week] like I usually do. Probably be 30 yards behind everyone, but I'll get it done. 'I'm not going to go to the gym for another two weeks. Need my immune system to check up with myself. 'There's a lot of swine flu going around. There's a lot of COVID going around and my cousin actually had COVID and she was in Ireland with me. I've not seen her for two weeks and she started feeling pretty ill and I started feeling pretty ill.'
Scotsman
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'It was scary' - Charley Hull opens up on being stretchered off golf course
English star still not feeling 100 per cent as she tees up in ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open 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... Charley Hull has spoken in depth about the 'scary', 'weird' and 'embarrassing' experience of being stretchered off a golf course. Speaking as she prepared to tee up in this week's ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, the English star recalled how she'd feinted during the opening round of The Evian Championship in France a fortnight ago. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Charley Hull speaks to the media prior to the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links |'Yeah, I was feeling really rough on the Monday and I was being sick all day because I flew home after Ireland,' said Hull in a pre-event chat with reporters at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire. 'And then Tuesday I woke up and I still wasn't feeling very well. I had a practise round and I was just so tired. All my bones was aching in my body, and I had a really high temperature. 'The next day I played the Pro-Am and I soldiered through it because I didn't want to let my Pro-Am team down. But I felt really rough, and all my bones were aching still. 'Then I woke up the next morning and I felt really dizzy, cold sweats, had no energy. I got through about 12 holes, and I was actually playing really solid golf. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So it was on the third hole of the golf course, which was my 12th hole, I felt really dizzy and I was in the bunker hitting a fairway shot and I had to sit down for a minute because my eyesight went and my hearing went. I don't know if anyone has ever fainted before, but .your eyesight goes and then your hearing goes, and then it goes all muffled. 'So I sat down, got up, hit my bunker shot, actually nearly made birdie. Walked to the next tee, called the medics, and then before I hit my tee shot, my eyesight went again, my hearing went, and then my knees gave away and I, like, collapsed and fainted. And then I got back up, hit my tee shot. 'I was thinking, I've only got six holes left. I've got some birdie holes. Like, just finish the day, get to three- or four-under and I'm sound. Walked off the tee box, 20 yards off, I don't even remember anything. 'My caddie said my eyes rolled to the back of my head and I was out for over a minute. And the security guard and the medic caught me just before I was about to hit my head on a concrete slab. So I was out for a minute. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Charley Hull climbs out of a bunker during the first round of The Amundi Evian Championship a fortnight ago |'Every time I stood up, I fainted. That's why I to had to get a stretcher out, off, which was quite embarrassing but there you go. Put IV drip on me. They took my blood pressure. It was 80/50 which is quite low. My blood sugar was 0.4. I think I just had a really bad virus.' Hull, who she still doesn't feel 100 per cent as she steps back into action this week, added: 'It was weird, but it was actually quite scary. when I woke up from fainting I felt like I had come out of a really nice deep sleep. Like, I felt really nice. I was like, oh, this feels good.
