news


Air Max in step with McIlroy


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inker Hatfield’s original design for Nike’s Air Max was apparently inspired by


the Pompidou Centre in Paris. The silhouette then spawned numerous offshoots, like the Air Max 90 which Rory McIlroy loved so much that Nike adapted the style into a performance golf shoe.


R&A fast track to slow play T


he R&A is distributing a new manual about pace of play to 152 affiliated organisations around the world and every golf club in Great


Britain and Ireland. The manual, also available to download from the


organisation’s official website, provides practical guidance as a response to a recent survey that found 60 per cent of golfers would enjoy playing more if it took less time. R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “There is no doubt that pace of play is a key issue for golf today


Me and my TomTom


Y “I wear Air Max casually off the


course,” McIlroy said. “Making it into a golf shoe is different and cool but it also performs well, giving me the comfort, traction and stability I need.” These attributes result from the Air Zoom 90 IT’s custom sole in the forefoot, which also provides lightweight, responsive cushioning. Meanwhile, the upper’s waterproof, one-piece, bootie construction keeps the foot dry and locked in. A versatile rubber outsole with integrated traction enables golfers to wear the shoe both on and off the course. “I dress pretty casually off the


course, so it’s nice to have options. If I want to go straight from the course to somewhere else, I can do it and not feel like I standout and look like a golfer,” McIlroy added. *McIlroy will not wear Nike


apparel at the Olympic golf tournament in Rio de Janeiro. The Olympic Council of Ireland claims it asked Nike to clothe the country’s 66-strong team in Brazil, but was rejected “out of hand”. So the contract has gone instead to little- known New England brand New Balance. Nevertheless, McIlroy’s clubs and shoes in Rio will still be from Nike.


www.nike.com 10 SGBGOLF


ouTube swing analyst Me and My Golf has reached an


agreement to promote TomTom’s Golfer2 GPS watch which is designed to help golfers improve their game by using automatic shot detection to give detailed post-round analysis. Simon Storey, TomTom UK’s marketing manager,


said: “We are extremely pleased to partner Me and My Golf [for] the new Golfer2 GPS watch. The Me and My Golf team have an extremely strong and loyal following, so are the perfect partner for us to work with as we deepen our engagement with golf lovers across the UK.” Piers Ward, of Me and My Golf, said: “We are


dedicated to helping people take charge of their golf game. The Golfer2 watch has some amazing technology, which we can’t wait to showcase to our followers. We are delighted to be partnered with TomTom and look forward to building a great partnership together”


www.tomtom.com/en_gb/sports/golf/ and www.meandmygolf.com


and one on which many golfers have strong views. We fully recognise that in a sport as diverse as golf there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so the new manual outlines approaches which have proved to be effective and offers some thoughtful solutions to day- to-day pace of play challenges which can arise in golf. “We hope the manual will prove to be a useful


reference guide for clubs, competition organisers and players alike.”


www.randa.org


Disused Leicester course on the market


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he leasehold on Oadby Golf Course in the east


Midlands, which has been closed for four years, is up for sale. On behalf of owners


Leicester Racecourse Holdings, Savills is marketing the 106-acre property, maintained as open grassland since its closure in April 2012, for golf use again. The 6,300-yard, par-72 course opened in 1974 with nine of its 18 holes located within the racecourse circuit. The clubhouse, pro shop, putting green, greenkeepers’ building and parking area for approximately 80 cars all require refurbishment or redevelopment. There is also planning consent for the construction of a 15-bay floodlit driving range. Savills spokesman Ian Simpson said: “There is a real


opportunity at Oadby for a golf business to use the existing facilities and develop the proposed new driving range. Our client will be flexible over the proposed lease terms if it secures long-term investment in the property compatible with the adjoining racecourse operation.”


www.savills.co.uk Admirable Creighton steps up at Titleist M


ichael Creighton has been named as the new Titleist golf ball manager for the UK.


Formerly a key account and area


sales manager, Creighton, who joined Titleist in 2008, will lead product management and marketing operations in the UK and provide guidance for Titleist brand teams throughout Europe. Matthew Johnson, Titleist brand director, said: “This is an excellent appointment for the whole team. Michael’s experience will be invaluable in working with our sales and fitting teams. He has always operated with the utmost professionalism and has an


exceptional knowledge of the Titleist brand and our products.” Creighton said: “Titleist golf balls are the heartbeat


of Acushnet and it is a great honour to be given the opportunity to manage this exciting product category. Following a successful 2015, which resulted in a five-year high for on- course market share, the Titleist golf-ball business has great momentum as we head into the 2016 season.”


www.titleist.co.uk


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