Industry Notes: Kane To Play Bayview

Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane will play in he PGA of Canada’s Women’s Championship to be played Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Bayview Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ont. The four time LPGA Tour winner is a five-time champion at the PGA of Canada event¸ with her victory in 1997 coming at Bayview … The registration deadline for the Women’s Championship has been extended to Aug. 19 …The Ontario PGA is launching its Golf Talk Canada radio show with host Mark Zecchino this Saturday on TSN 1050 in Toronto at 9 a.m. Guests include LPGA Tour icon Annika Sorenstam, Coppinwood president and GNN blogger Kevin Thistle, Rob Coulter of Merit Golf Vacations and Barry Wallis of Callaway Golf Canada … Warren Mapė of Flightscope is working with the Changing Kids Pro-Am at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ont., on Aug. 24. The tournament benefits several programs including Diva Dreams, which provides lessons and equipment to girls whose families can’t afford it, MYIND (Mentoring Youth in New Directions) and Kids n’ Elders, which pairs students with elders who live with diminished cognitive and physical abilities for bi-weekly visits. The tournament has several sponsorship options available. For more information,  click here or contact Warren at warren@flightscope.com.

Flightscope Introduces Two New Models

Flightscope will introduce its new X1 and X2 models at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

“We’ve added some great new enhancements to the product,” said Warren Mapé, FlightScope’s director of sales development. “We now have 10-hour battery life on X2, our wireless model. Also, FlightScope X2 uses either WiFi, or Bluetooth  to directly communicate to a controlling device like an IPhone, IPad, or Android phone/tab with no PC required.

“Self-levelling legs and integrated camera are now available, as well as new software features and a sleek, new hardware form factor.”

FlightScope will be at Booth 616 and hitting bays 8-9 in Orlando. For more information, or to schedule a demo at the show, contact Mapé at (416) 356-4795 or warren@flightscope.com, or click here.

FlightScope Introduces New Software

The FlightScope Kudu and Prime 3D Doppler tracking radar units have received a softwear update.

“Our previous version of software was very good and feature-rich, make no mistake, but our new update takes it up another level,” said FlightScope director of sales Warren Mapé.

“Among other things, we’ve added four new range screens with high-resolution graphics, new clubhead and swing path information, including dynamic loft and face angle at impact, as well as more user-friendly club entry screens and interface,” he added.

“TaylorMade, Callaway, Ping, Cleveland and Sport Check / Nevada Bob’s have all become FlightScope customers and we are proud that they rely on our data to fit their customers with their product,” added Mapé.

FlightScope Goes Wireless With Prime

FlightScope, which produces portable indoor-outdoor ball-flight and launch monitor and a 3D Doppler tracking radar for golf, has introduced its wireless model, the FlightScope Prime.

“FlightScope Prime provides our state-of-the-art technology in a wireless model for instructors and club fitters who prefer this exciting new format,” said Henri Johnson, chief executive officer of EDH, maker of FlightScope.

“Battery operated and portable with Bluetooth connectivity, it represents a brand-new technology solution while using FlightScope’s renowned system of real-time tracking and precise measurements,” he added.

FlightScope is designed to provide players with real-time tracking and instant results while tracking ball speed, carry, vertical and horizontal launch angles, swing plane, club speed at impact and clubhead speed profile throughout the impact zone, as well as sidespin, backspin and spin axis of the ball.

“Today, there are significant differences in equipment performance and using FlightScope makes it easier to select the best equipment for any individual golfer,” said Johnson. “Training with the FlightScope allows golfers to calibrate every club in their bag, providing them precise distances for each one.”

The FlightScope Kudu, the original model, can be used for both outdoor and indoor applications. The FlightScope Kudu is connected to a PC using a USB communications cable and to a power outlet, or battery-operated portable power outlet.

For more information on FlightScope, visit www.flightscope.com or call (416) 356-4795.

Nature’s Fury Strikes Golf Courses

The past month or so has offered at least a couple of examples of how nature’s fury can mean more than just the inconvenience of a barren tee sheet.

I haven’t heard of any damage to golf courses by the fires that have been burning throughout British Columbia, but you have to wonder about the possibilities in the future, especially with the mountain pine beetle infestation turning trees into kindling in the summer months.

In Ontario, the Muskoka Bay Club near Gravenhurst is back in business after being hit just over a week ago with an apparent F0 tornado that that can produce wind speeds of between 60 and 110 kilometres an hour.

According to reports, hundreds of trees came down, roofs were ripped off golf carts and patio furniture and other objects were found as far as a kilometre away, forcing the club to shut down for a few days to clean up. [ Here’s a first hand description ]. Read more