BERNHARD LANGER
# 9 — fall 2016
$20 where sold
T P C AWA R DS FA L L G O L F T R A I L T H E L A N G UAG E OF TREES
And The Winner Is‌ A legacy of awards demonstrates that the TPC Network is building the best in the game, on course and off
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W
e all know that the TPC Network is one of the most respected golf course brands in the world—but how good is it really? Turns out it’s amazing, and we have the proof. The now 34 clubs that comprise the TPC Network have earned hundreds of awards among them, nearly too many to count (we tried), and the total is growing so fast that we can’t be sure we caught them all at press time. To anyone who has played a TPC course (and that should include nearly every serious fan of the game), awards for golf course excellence within the TPC Network will come as no surprise. But well beyond the golf itself, TPC Network properties have earned accolades for their dining, clubhouses, operational management and commitment to the environment, and those awards are a testament to the high standards to which TPC Network properties are held, with solid performances across all categories a top priority. More important than the awards received by TPC Network properties, however, are the personal rewards gained in those properties giving back to the communities in which they operate as local representatives of the PGA TOUR. In this as well the TPC Network has demonstrated excellence in so many ways, further fulfilling its and the PGA TOUR’s founding principles of charitable giving, growing the game, and commitment to exceptional quality in golf standards. Here, then, is a quick look at just some of the accolades earned by TPC Network properties, and a few examples of how they’ve given back.
Nearly every TPC property has found itself on a “best” list
TPC Sawgrass
Courses It didn’t take long for the TPC Network to get noticed and, fittingly, the recognition began with the course that started it all: TPC Sawgrass. The groundbreaking design by Pete and Alice Dye opened in 1980 and proved a stiff challenge, with lightning-fast greens and plenty of strategic options. A quick redesign in 1983 polished the course to perfection and Golf Digest noticed, placing TPC Sawgrass on its “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” list for the first time—but certainly not for the last. The course has been a longtime resident of the list and, in fact, sits on it now, at No.47, more than three decades after it first appeared. Of course, TPC Sawgrass is far from the only TPC Network course to be so honored; nearly every TPC Network course has found its way onto a “best” list of some sort. Consider that Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses; 100 Greatest Public Courses; Best Courses in Florida, Texas, and California; and Best Courses in 206 Countries; Golfweek’s Best State-by-State Courses You Can Play; Best Modern Courses; and Best Classic Courses; Golf Channel’s Golf Advisor Top 50 Public Courses in the U.S.; and Golf Magazine’s Best Golf Communities in America all feature TPC Network properties—for 2015/2016 alone. Go back, and you’ll find that TPCs comprise a fair number of the “best courses” awarded since TPC Sawgrass first made the list back in 1983, and that doesn’t even include the numerous local and regional awards earned by TPC courses, like TPC Boston being declared Course of the Year for 2016 by the New England Golf Course Owner’s Association. Altogether, the awards point to TPCs being responsible for some of the best golf in the world—and it’s only the beginning.
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TPC Network courses give back to the communities in which they operate Giving Back
Sawgrass Clubhouse
Amenities At TPC Network properties, performance off the course is as important as the golf, and so it’s no wonder that numerous clubs in the TPC Network have been awarded for their golf shops, clubhouses, management and dining. With regards to the last, TPC restaurants are regularly lauded in local awards, as TPC Tampa Bay’s Chefs Michael Toscano and Wes Morton demonstrated in taking home three of eight awards given at a top Tampa food event last year. Furthermore, Chef Toscano has been recognized as a James Beard “Rising Star Chef” Semi-finalist, and the club’s ¡CUATRO restaurant is regularly heralded in local press. On a national level, TPC Sawgrass has earned recognition from Wine Enthusiast over the years as well as winning numerous Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence, most recently in 2015, and gaining an Opentable “Diner’s Choice” commendation that year, too. TPC Tampa Bay has also earned awards for its shop, as have others in the TPC Network. TPCs Boston, Las Vegas, Jasna Polana, Deere Run, Craig Ranch, River Highlands, Sawgrass, and Summerlin all have been recognized as having top shops by the Association of Golf Merchandisers, with selections, layouts and service among the best in the country—something that likely will come as little surprise to club members and guests. Numerous TPC Network properties have also earned recognition for their clubhouses in general, with Golf Inc. Magazine lauding both TPC Sawgrass and TPC Boston specifically and regional and local media routinely praising TPC Network properties around the world. And thinking globally, it’s worth noting that the TPC awards aren’t limited to American shores. Both Latin American courses to join under the TPC banner—TPC Cartagena in Colombia and TPC Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico—have been recognized by Golf Digest as among the finest in their respective countries. Now, with the new TPC Kuala Lumpur in Southeast Asia it shouldn’t be long before the accolades are coming from even further afield.
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Beyond awards for performance and course excellence, all of the PGA TOUR’s owned and operated TPC properties are proud certified members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf, reflecting a commitment to uphold environmental excellence and sustainability in golf course operations. To receive this certification, courses must uphold environmental excellence in golf course operations, practicing sound land management and conservation. There are only 910 courses in the world sharing this honor, making the designation that much more distinctive, and numerous environmental awards for TPC properties from the likes of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and others bear testament to the TPC Network’s commitment to protecting and maintaining our communities. This commitment is further supported by the charity work and outreach in which TPC Network properties regularly participate. As part of the PGA TOUR’s substantial efforts for charity, TPC Network properties have provided tournament venues, aiding the TOUR’s mission to generate significant charitable and economic impact in those communities. In 2016 alone, TPC Network clubs will host 19 events across the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and Web.com Tour, bringing their event total to over 400 professional golf tournaments since 1985. The Network also supports charities and foundations through their own fundraising events. In the first half of 2016, TPCs raised nearly $545,000 for national charities such as Birdies for the Brave and The First Tee, as well as benefitting local nonprofit organizations “adopted” by individual clubs in order to make a difference in their respective communities. For example, TPC River’s Bend hosts the annual Think Pink Cure Golf Tournament benefitting the Mary Jo Cropper Family Center for Breast Care, a former member who lost her battle to the disease in 2011. Another example stems from TPC Twin Cities, where a group of 60 philanthropic women called TPC Rose raise money through golf to support local nonprofits. In addition to a steadfast commitment to service, efforts to support the PGA TOUR’s mission to grow the game are also on the rise within the TPC Network. Since 2014, TPC Network clubs have hosted more than 15 qualifiers for Drive, Chip and Putt. Youth participants get
Golf Inc. Operator of the Year: • Lee Smith TPC Summerlin • Brad Williams TPC Scottsdale Golf Digest America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses • #47 TPC Sawgrass Golf Digest America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses • #10 TPC Sawgrass • #29 TPC Old White at the Greenbrier • #68 TPC San Antonio Golf Digest Best Courses in Florida • #2 TPC Sawgrass Golf Digest Best Courses in Texas • #14 TPC San Antonio • #19 TPC Craig Ranch Golfweek’s Best Modern Courses 2016 • #22 TPC Sawgrass Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses 2015 • #99 TPC Old White at Greenbrier Golf Magazine Best Golf Communities in America • TPC Dorado Beach
a taste of what it’s like to compete on the same courses as their favorite TOUR players, and the experiences can have a huge impact and make a lifelong impression. Along similar lines, another major development for youth arose from an existing relationship with Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association (SNJGA), as TPC Las Vegas became the first course in Nevada to participate in the national Youth on Course Program. This initiative encourages youth involvement by offering affordable $5 rates all summer TPC Las Vegas 16th
Golfweek’s Best State-by-State Courses You Can Play 2016 • #1 Florida—TPC Sawgrass, PLAYERS Stadium • #1 West Virginia—The Greenbrier, Old White TPC • #2 Louisiana—TPC Louisiana • #3 Illinois—TPC Deere Run • #6 Texas—TPC San Antonio, Oaks • #10 South Carolina—TPC Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet • #10 Texas—TPC Four Seasons • #11 Arizona—TPC Scottsdale, Stadium • #14 Nevada—TPC Las Vegas • #20 California—TPC Harding Park • #20 Texas—TPC San Antonio, Canyons • #25 Florida—TPC Sawgrass, Dye’s Valley Golf Channel’s Golf Advisor Top 50 Public Courses in the U.S. • #21 TPC Sawgrass • #25 TPC Harding Park • #26 The Old White TPC at Greenbrier • #33 TPC Scottsdale • #41 TPC Deere Run Golf Digest Best Courses in 206 Countries • #1 TPC Dorado Beach (East)—Puerto Rico • #1 TPC Cartagena at Karibana—Colombia • #4 TPC Dorado Beach (West)—Puerto Rico • #47 TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)—U.S.
long. TPC Las Vegas isn’t alone, of course, with other TPC courses initiating their own programming designed to reach youth. Since 2013, TPC Network clubs have fielded more than 25 teams for PGA Junior League, meaning the future of the game is in good hands. Three TPCs recognized among “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses” by Golf Digest, 12 listed as “Best State-by-State Courses You Can Play” by Golfweek, five qualifying as “Top 50 Public Courses in the US” by Golf Channel’s Golf Advisor and 12 Platinum Awards for clubs boasting the nation’s best golf shops by the Association of Golf Merchandisers—and these are just recent accolades. Taken together, all of the awards, the community outreach, the work with the environment and with youth, comprises a legacy of commitment to something much greater than the individual properties within the TPC Network: it demonstrates dedication to golf itself and to serving TPC members, guests, fans of the game, and our communities to the best of our ability. Steadfastly committed to that, and as the Network continues to grow (construction of TPC Colorado was announced earlier this summer), we’re sure you can look for more awards on your clubhouse walls soon.
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