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NCGA Alum Brandon Harkins Wins TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational

NCGA Alum Brandon Harkins Wins TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational

Nov. 22, 2021

Lafayette native and Chico State alum Brandon Harkins can call himself a Pebble Beach champion.

On Sunday, the 35-year-old Harkins, who honed his game competing in NCGA tournaments and was profiled in the 2018 Fall issue of NCGA Golf Magazine, carded a final round 6-under 66 that included a back-nine 28 at Pebble Beach Golf Links to win the 50th annual TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational. The Invitational is the world’s only tournament that pits players from the PGA, LPGA, PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tours against each other.

Harkins would finish the 72-hole event, held at The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach, with a total of 21-under 267 to edge co-runners-up Harry Hall and Alex Cejka by two strokes.

NCGA alums Justin Suh, a former No.1-world ranked amateur, and Isaiah Salinda, the 2018 Pacific Coast Amateur champion, finished 4th and T-5, respectively.

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Tommy Armour 845 MAX Driver and Fairway Woods

The Tommy Armour 845 is the latest offering for the DICK’s house brand.The 845 MAX lineup offers forgiveness at a price well below the industry leaders.Available now

As the house brand of DICK’S Sporting Goods, Tommy Armour doesn’t give off quite the same lovable “little guy” vibes as direct-to-consumer brands like Sub 70 and New Level but its business model isn’t wildly different: Provide consumers with a good product at prices well below industry averages.

It’s that simple.

That’s been the case since DICK’S scooped up the Tommy Armour brand as part of its acquisition of Sports Authority.

The first iterations of the Tommy Armour brand under the DICK’s umbrella featured bold designs. The idea was to let you know that Tommy was back. As the line has matured and become more familiar to golfers, DICK’s doesn’t feel the need to scream quite as loudly. So, while perhaps a bit more understated than the TA1 or Atomic lines, a more refined and streamlined Tommy Armour 845 MAX shouldn’t suggest that performance has been compromised.

a photo of the Tommy Armour 845 MAX Driver
an address view of the Tommy Armour 845 MAX Driver







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Tommy Armour 845 MAX Irons & Hybrids: A Forgiving Bargain

Tommy Armour 845 MAX Irons and Hybrids – Key Takeaways

Tommy Armour updates its SGI offeringIrons add forgiveness with a possible sacrifice in distanceFree lie, length, grip fittings at Dicks and Golf GalaxyValue priced: $499.99 for a 7-piece iron set; $179.99 per hybrid

The new Tommy Armour 845 MAX irons and hybrids may just force you to answer some uncomfortable questions. To wit:

Can DICK’S house brand really stand toe-to-toe with the big OEMs? (Hint: our Most Wanted Testing suggests it can.)As much as golfers complain about big OEM pricing, can you take a sub-$500 house-brand iron set seriously?And here’s the biggie: if you can’t see yourself gaming them, does it mean you’re hopelessly brandwashed?

For the record, this scribe answered Yes, Yes and Perhaps. That last one did require some painful introspection.

The new-age Tommy Armour line is a frontal assault on preconceived notions. We all remember the classic 845s irons. And we also all remember the decade-plus it spent as an embarrassingly low-end Sports Authority offering. But give DICK’S credit for upsetting the apple cart a bit by infusing an unexpected level of quality, performance and, most importantly, value into Tommy Armour.

And if you’re a Super Game Improvement golfer, the new Tommy Armour 845 MAX irons and hybrids might force you to do some soul searching before wallet-reaching.

Tommy Armour 845 MAX Irons

Let’s get this on the table right away: the new Tommy Armour 845 MAX irons list for $499.99 with steel shafts. It’s also $499.99 with graphite shafts. And right now, both DICK’S and Golf Galaxy have the 845 MAX irons on sale for $449.98.

Tommy Armour 845 MAX irons

Tommy Armour 845 MAX irons
Tommy Armour 845 MAX irons
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Race To Dubai Madness: Morikawa Wins, McIlroy Rages And Rips...His Shirt

The golf architect’s endeavor should be to instill in the golfer the spirit of conquest by presenting him with definite objectives upon which he must concentrate. The golfer, in meeting nature thus fashioned to his pleasure, is again face to face with life in the raw. It is for him to gain the good in it by the virtue of his courage and skill. It is for him to stamp his law upon it. Therefore, it is not for the architect, by the dictation of his hazards, to lay down the law to the golfer. His duty is merely to assist nature by rendering, in greater contrast, the interest which she, in the first place, affords. MAX BEHR

Quadrilateral: Overanalyzing Tiger

Tiger Woods posts a video hitting balls and it's impossible not to wonder what this means for 2022.

Now if he would speak to the camera, the game would really like to hear from him on some big ticket items.

Ko overtakes Korda to win LPGA player of year

Jin Young Ko delivered a performance that was close to perfect Sunday to win the CME Group Tour Championship and overtake Nelly Korda for LPGA player of the year.

Gooch caps big fall, takes RSM for 1st tour win

Talor Gooch tied the RSM Classic record of 22-under 260 set by Kevin Kisner in 2014. He became the seventh player in the 12-year history of the event to make the RSM Classic his first victory.

Tiger: "Making progress"

Old-time golfers insist that there is nothing more satisfying in the game of golf than the crisp snap of a hickory-shafted club breaking sharply across the player’s knee. HENRY BEARD

/ Geoff Shackelford

A welcome Sunday morning sight from Tiger Woods, recovering from injuries sustained in a February car accident:


'Making progress:' Video shows Tiger hitting balls

Tiger Woods posted video of himself hitting balls for the first time since his February car accident that caused several injuries to his right leg and foot.

Morikawa first American to finish No. 1 in Europe

Collin Morikawa won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday to become the first American to finish at No. 1 in Europe.

Gooch, seeking 1st Tour win, leads RSM Classic

Talor Gooch hit only six fairways Saturday at the RSM Classic and still managed a 3-under 67, stretching his lead to three shots going into the final round.

Korda rallies, joins four-way tie at LPGA final stop

Nelly Korda finished strong Saturday at the CME Group Tour Championship, and is part of a four-way tie for the lead going into the final round of the season, with nothing less than $1.5 million and LPGA player of the year on the line.

Rankin Winding Down Her 2022 Schedule, Golf Channel Producer Hutter Stepping Down

Old-time golfers insist that there is nothing more satisfying in the game of golf than the crisp snap of a hickory-shafted club breaking sharply across the player’s knee. HENRY BEARD

/ Geoff Shackelford

The LPGA will see two huge changes to their broadcast presentation in 2022, with Judy Rankin confirming plans to only do four events in 2022 before retiring. If there were a broadcast wing to the World Golf Hall of Fame she’d re-enter the Hall for her incredible tenure at ABC/ESPN/Golf Channel. While she’s often lauded for breaking gender barriers, golf fans just know her as a steady, smart and reliable broadcasting presence. She’s been ABC/ESPN’s lead on-course reporter and easily transitioned to lead analyst duties when needed, the primary role Rankin played covering the LPGA in recent years.

GolfDigest.com’s Kent Paisley on Rankin confirming the news while accepting the Commissioner’s Award at the Rolex Awards.

"I'm coming to the end of my time," said Rankin, who turns 77 next February. "I'm not going to do a Brett Favre and retire about four times. I am seriously slowing down. I don't know how much their will be after this, at some point I will see you next year."

Rankin received tributes from many of her broadcasting and golf colleagues prior to speaking.


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LPGA Up To 34 Events, $90 Million In Prize Money And Plenty Of Time In SoCal

Old-time golfers insist that there is nothing more satisfying in the game of golf than the crisp snap of a hickory-shafted club breaking sharply across the player’s knee. HENRY BEARD

/ Geoff Shackelford

Doug Ferguson reports on the 2021 LPGA schedule featuring $90 million and surrounding the final playing of the Dinah in Rancho Mirage, four tournaments in greater southern California.

South Korean television network JTBC has become the title sponsor of three tournaments, all of them in California. It takes over for Kia at the March 24-27 tournament at Aviara north of San Diego, and then has back-to-back tournaments in late April in Los Angeles at Palos Verdes Estates and Wilshire Country Club.

The other SoCal stop will be at Saticoy CC in October. The MediHeal moves from Lake Merced to Ventura County for an October 6-9 playing.


McIlroy claims Dubai lead in wild finish

Rory McIlroy was on the rocks late in his third round at the DP World Tour Championship but managed to claim a one-shot lead.

Infinitum – Discover Europe’s Best Golf Venue In 2022

Infinitum, located on Spain’s Costa Dorada coastline, 100km south of Barcelona, is Europe’s newest lifestyle resort with championship golf facilities, modern gastronomy, bespoke cultural activities, and a contemporary beach club featuring state-of-the-art facilities, a tapas bar and one of the region’s best restaurants.

The Resort is home to three golf courses – Hills, Lakes, Ruins – each with their own distinct design and layout, with the latter two designed by Former World No.1 Greg Norman. Named ‘Europe’s Best Golf Venue’ for three consecutive years, its award-winning facilities play host to the European Tour’s Final Qualifying Stage, delivering championship conditions across its rolling fairways and undulating greens. Its championship golf course, Hills, has recently been ranked inside Golf World’s ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Continental Europe’ for the first time, elevating its position as one of the most exciting courses in Spain.

The golf courses are complemented by two state-of-the-art clubhouses, designed to make the most of the region’s breath-taking views, modern practice facilities, a fully equipped pro shop, and a bespoke fitness centre.

Located 10 minutes from Tarragona, Infinitum offers direct access to the beach with panoramic sea views. Explore a range of endless experiences, discovering centuries of protected landscapes, cultural destinations, and historic landmarks. As the gateway to Barcelona, Infinitum opens the imagination for all, whether its discovering the region’s famous vineyards, oyster-tasting amongst the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean or riding a hot-air balloon across the Ebro Delta.

Infinitum Beach Club presents a peaceful escape, 100 feet above the sea, perched amongst spectacular pines. One of the finest beach experiences in Europe, a relaxing setting awaits including infinity pools and Flamma, the signature restaurant at Infinitum, connecting the sounds of the sea with unique flavours from local fresh produce.  The modern gastronomy offering continues with Gusto, the home to Mediterranean tapas, a more casual alternative; The Lakehouse, an ideal setting to sample healthy and traditional dishes overlooking the golf courses from a panoramic terrace, and Terra, a brand-new gourmet shop, exhibiting a selection of local, high-quality products.




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Gooch handles wind, leads RSM Classic by 1 shot

Talor Gooch of Oklahoma had no problem with 25 mph wind that swept over Sea Island. He made a 65-foot eagle putt on his way to a 65 on Friday to build a one-shot lead in the RSM Classic.

Boutier gets hot, opens up 4-shot lead at Tiburon

Celine Boutier made seven birdies over the last 10 holes and finished with a 65 on Friday to open up at four-shot lead at the CME Group Tour Championship.

LPGA releases '22 schedule, $90M in prize money

The LPGA released a 2022 schedule on Friday that features 34 tournaments -- including five in Southern California -- with record prize money that is approaching $90 million.

Morikawa, McIlroy supply late drama in Dubai

A sloppy finish cost Rory McIlroy the chance of a second straight day in the outright lead at the DP World Tour Championship.


GolfLynk.com