AVA Golf™, the first platform designed to transform golf performance data into a personalized improvement plan, officially launched today with the debut of its new website and the onboarding of eligible Arccos and Garmin users from its growing waitlist. The launch comes as golfers increasingly embrace technology to better understand their games. According to the National Golf Foundation, approximately 40% of regular golfers now use a golf app, giving players unprecedented access to performance data. Yet despite this explosion of information, many golfers still struggle to answer one simple question: What should I work on next? AVA Golf was built to answer that question.

USA Sports’ coverage of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale – totaling more than 25 hours of live coverage on USA Network from Thursday to Sunday – was USA Network’s most-watched Open Championship coverage since 2022. Year-over-year viewership gains were highlighted by USA Network’s second round live window on Friday (6 a.m. – 4:41 p.m. ET), which averaged 1.2 million viewers across the entirety of the coverage.

Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America today announced that Stripe has signed a new agreement to become a Worldwide Partner and the Official Payment Solutions Partner to golf’s greatest team contest—the Ryder Cup. Stripe is building programmable financial services for businesses of all sizes—from ambitious startups to the world’s largest enterprises. This includes the Ryder Cup, which is building on its existing online payments partnership with Stripe so that fans enjoy a faster, more seamless way to pay—whether buying tickets online or spending at the event.

DrinkTanks®, a premier provider of high-quality insulated drinkware and barware designed for life outdoors, has introduced the Scout Bottle, a durable, high-performance hydration solution built to withstand wherever the day leads. Available in 24-ounce and 32-ounce sizes, the Scout Bottle is designed for travel, workouts, weekends on the water, road trips, trail days, and everything in between.

The PGA Buying Summit gives retailers and golf industry professionals an early look at Spring 2027 collections from nearly 200 established market leaders and emerging golf apparel, accessory, footwear and lifestyle brands at a pivotal point in the buying cycle. Business begins Monday, July 27, with private ONE2ONE buyer appointments before expanding into two days of open exhibits in sold-out ballroom spaces, creating an efficient environment for buyers to compare collections, strengthen existing partnerships and discover brands positioned to meet the changing expectations of today’s golf consumer.  New for 2026, The Next Drop: Golf Style & Culture Experiences Presented by Gwop Meet showcases a select group of emerging apparel and golf lifestyle brands influencing the next generation of golf consumers. 

North Carolina (TSF) put together two outstanding rounds to capture the team title, while Florida’s Kenny Klein (OXB) came from behind to earn medalist honors at the 2026 PGA High School Boys Golf National Invitational presented by Titleist & FootJoy. Originally scheduled as a 54-hole championship on Pinehurst No. 5 and No. 6, the tournament was shortened after severe weather repeatedly interrupted play Sunday and Monday, forcing officials to determine the champions after 36 holes. For North Carolina (TSF), the shortened event didn’t diminish the accomplishment.

In partnership with the PGA World Alliance, the PGA of America is proud to announce its participation in “Thank A PGA Pro Day,” to be held on July 31, 2026. The Alliance’s inaugural global campaign encourages golfers to thank a PGA Professional for their profound impact within the industry. There are more than 60,000 PGA Professionals worldwide, including more than 30,000 in the PGA of America. The campaign’s theme, “Behind Every Golfer,” signifies that every player’s journey is impacted by a PGA Professional. Whether it’s a coach who gave a lesson, a head professional who offered words of encouragement or a general manager who said hello, the PGA Professional is part of every golfer’s experience.

Cypress Forest Public Utility District (PUD), located in the rapidly growing northwest Houston area of Texas’ largest city, has opened its Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development, lease, and long‑term operation of a premier golf course and country club. The District seeks qualified, financially capable developers and operators to create a flagship recreational destination that contributes to Texas’ thriving golf economy—an industry generating over $14 billion annually. Letters of interest, proposals, and questions may be submitted, with Expressions of Interest due July 31, 2026 and Full Proposals due August 31, 2026. More information is available at cyforestpud.com.

The transformation of The King & Prince Golf and Beach Club continues, as the Beau Welling-designed golf course remains on schedule for its anticipated November opening. With turf beginning to mature, bunkers taking their final form and signature design features emerging across the property, the future member experience is becoming increasingly visible. MacCurrach Golf continues to lead construction while Beau Welling and his design team make regular site visits to oversee execution and ensure the finished product reflects the project’s original vision.

Join The Traveling Golf Diva Podcast for a sit-down with Jennifer Layman, PGA of Canada Class A, bestselling author, entrepreneur, international speaker, and marketing strategist, for an inspiring conversation on how to build your brand, grow your business, and think beyond the next shot. LISTEN

The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) is pleased to announce the latest episode of The Fairway to Retail Success, featuring Jared Henzlik, PGA, Director of Retail at Big Cedar Lodge and the 2026 PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year – Resort Category. With more than 25 years of experience spanning golf operations, specialty retail, and apparel sales, Jared brings a unique perspective shaped by both the vendor and buyer sides of the business. In this episode, Jared shares his approach to becoming a “vendor-friendly buyer” and explains how tools such as vendor scorecards can help create more productive and transparent business relationships. WATCH