Here is the latest in golf course and lifestyle notes.
Gear
▪️Orca Golf has taken the good look and taste of bourbon and incorporated it into its new Bourbon Collection of golf bags — the Dorsal 1 and Dorsal 2. Old Oak, Tawny and Burnt Amber represent the different stages and colors of the distillation process and are showcased in this new offering.
The bags debut in two distinct styles:
Dorsal 1 ($415) is constructed with premium synthetic leather and features a subtle satin texture, which is durable, weather-adaptable and easy to clean. A water-resistant zipper and full-length dividers make organization easy. The frame and dividers are wrapped with premium leather to protect the clubs and shafts, adding to the luxurious feel. A stylish carry handle makes this 7.5-pound bag easy to lift.
Dorsal 2 ($275) is a slightly smaller edition at 5.8 pounds. It features four zip pockets, including one with a zip-off pocket face, a magnetic ball pocket, two water-bottle pockets with magnetic snap-opening and a four-way adjustable strap system. To combat the elements, the bag features a rain hood and an adjustable loop for an umbrella.
▪️Stewart Golf has introduced a pair of golf bags, the completely new Nexas hybrid bag ($429) and the updated Nero 2 cart bag ($399). Both are compatible with Stewart’s golf trolleys or stand on their own. The Nexas features 14-way full-length dividers, an extra-large putter well and two magnetic bottle holders. For convenience, the bag has a magnetic rangefinder pocket and zip-off front panel, and practical additions include a cooler pocket, rain hood and dual umbrella holders. ensure it’s ready for all conditions. The most noticeable upgrades to the Nero bag are a built-in rain cover, a 9.5-inch top with easy-lift handles and an extra-large putter well.
▪️If name alone matters in terms of a club’s quality, then PXG has a hit on its hands. The club manufacturer recently launched its PXG Bat Attack ZT Putter, the latest addition to its Zero Torque Technology lineup. The second drop in PXG’s Zero Torque Putter collection, the Bat Attack ZT Putter builds on the momentum of the PXG Allan Putter.
By positioning the shaft axis just above the center of gravity, this innovative S-hosel eliminates torque and keeps the putter face square to the path from start to finish. Paired with a built-in 2-degree of forward press, the S-hosel naturally places the golfer’s hands in the optimal position at address. The putter also features two sole weights that allow golfers and fitters to precisely adjust the overall clubhead weight and toe-heel bias.
Courses
▪️The popular Poppy Ridge Golf Course, one of two courses owned and operated by the Northern California Golf Association, reopens on May 31 after a 13-month construction and grow-in process overseen by course architect Jay Blasi.
The new 18-hole Poppy Ridge course was created to take advantage of the rolling landscape and long-distance views of the Livermore Valley vineyards. The NGCA has more than 220,000 members who can play Poppy Ridge at significantly reduced rates as a benefit of membership.
“The new 18-hole golf course has been re-imagined,” Blasi said. “It is completely different from the old concept, so it’s a new and thrilling experience for all. I would suspect that first-timers are taken by the beauty of the site and the surrounding vistas, and that they appreciate how the golf course fits the landscape. For regulars who played Poppy Ridge many times before the project, I would hope that they appreciate the newfound walkability, playability and variety of the layout.”
Among the significant changes are wider fairways that take into consideration the site’s windy nature elevation changes. Most range from 40 to 60 yards, with some spots as wide as 100 yards. Bunkers were designed to match the shot being played, with a lower lip if a middle or long iron is necessary; a higher lip greenside where a wedge is necessary. And greens match the setting and the shot, resulting in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Also, the new course is easier to walk. “If you normally play the course around 6,500 yards,” said Blasi of a design that features six teeing grounds per hole and ranges between 4,225 and 7,010 yards. “The walk will now be about 2,000 yards shorter with around 400 feet less overall elevation change than what it used to be.”
News and Notes
▪️Youth on Course, the decade-old nonprofit that provides youth access to and opportunities through golf, continues to grow its popular 100 Hole Hike fundraising initiative and recently announced its 2025 schedule. New this year, multiple hikes will be hosted by a prominent golf content creator to help amplify awareness, drive participation and spotlight the mission at their respective hike locations.
“The 100 Hole Hike is one of my favorite events of the year,” said influencer Roger Steele. “As a Youth on Course ambassador, I’m excited to host one of this year’s hike locations. I’m living proof of the power golf has to change lives. I look forward to connecting with hikers around the country to make golf accessible to more kids, so they too can experience the benefits only golf provides, on and off the course.”
Other creator hosts include Tisha Alyn, Bradford Wilson, Good Good Golf’s Malosi Togisala and Nick Dimengo, founder & CEO of Rainmakers Golf Club. The national schedule is as follows:
- September 19: The Lakes at El Segundo, Topgolf, El Segundo, California
- September 29: Bobby Jones Golf Course, Atlanta, Georgia
- October 27: Golden Gate Park Golf Course, San Francisco, California
- November 7: Butler Pitch & Putt Par 3, Austin, Texas
- November 17: The Hay at Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach, California
- December 12: Palm Beach Par 3, Palm Beach, Florida
Youth on Course supporters are challenged to complete 100 holes of golf in one day and secure donations to increase affordability and accessibility for youth interested in golf. Registered participants can select between several hike locations, with fundraising minimums beginning at $1,500.
▪️ Lansdowne Resort, located along the Potomac River in Loudoun County, Virginia, announces its Discover Summer package. The package includes overnight accommodations, $50 breakfast credit and a $100 resort credit, which can be used to play one of Lansdowne’s courses — designed by architects Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Greg Norman — or indulge at Spa Minerale. … Fox Harb’r Resort is celebrating the opening of its new Ocean Course, which was designed by Canadian golf architects Doug Carrick and Tom McBroom. The resort, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary, is located along the Northumberland Strait in Nova Scotia and will open a new Spa & Wellness Centre later this spring. The links-style course is carved into the rugged coastline of the Northumberland Strait and offers a striking oceanfront layout that blends strategic play with dramatic views.