When major golf tournaments face a hotel shortage, ideas that sound more “summer cruise escapade” than “world-class sporting event” begin to float. For the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor near Limerick, organizers are reportedly considering docking large cruise ships at Foynes Port in place of traditional hotel rooms. At a steering-group meeting, minutes revealed, “Docking a cruise ship at Foynes Port remains an option to facilitate staff or spectators for the event.” 

One tournament official, hospitality director Alan Evans, warned of precarious optics: “If you’re charging those rates, you better make sure the experience matches the price you are charging.”  The crude arithmetic is unsettling: tens of thousands of visitors, limited hotel beds, and suddenly a floating liner becomes the “luxury lodge.”

Industry expert Conall Mac Coille notes that existing hotel room rates are already “elevated” and conversations of cruise-ship accommodation hint at desperation rather than innovation. 

Imagine checking in on Day 1 of the Ryder Cup, receiving a room-key shaped like a boarding pass, riding a gangway onto your stateroom, and hearing aboard-speaker announcements instead of hotel elevators. For the golf purist, it might feel more like “golf in transit” than “golf at home.”

Still, organizers argue this floating hotel solution offers scale and novelty. With cruise lines seeking creative revenue streams and the host town grappling with infrastructure and hotel development delays, the yachts-turned-bedrooms pitch becomes less tongue-in-cheek.

Whether this idea anchors or sinks will depend on execution. Will spectators stay anchored in comfort, or be adrift in another logistics patch job? Either way, the 2027 tournament may serve up not just birdies and bogeys—but berths and bunkers aboard a docked cruise ship.

The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour has reached an exciting milestone, announcing that a record seven players have advanced to the second stage of PGA TOUR Q-School, marking a historic achievement for the organization. The golfers — Kevin Hall, Gregory Odom Jr., Marcus Byrd, Willie Mack III, Brian Ohr, Kieron Van Wyk, and Luis Gagne — continue to demonstrate the growing talent and impact of the APGA Tour on professional golf.

Founded in 2010, the APGA Tour was created to bring greater diversity to the game of golf by providing competitive opportunities, mentorship, and career development for minority golfers. The Tour also focuses on player and community development through initiatives that address inequalities in the sport and promote inclusion across all levels of play.

APGA Co-Founder and Board Chairman Ken Bentley praised the group’s accomplishment, emphasizing how this moment reflects the Tour’s mission and progress.

“Our guys will represent and tee off on this stage starting December 2nd,” Bentley said. “This continues to solidify the goal of the APGA — to create opportunities and support those golfers who might not have gotten that chance previously.”

As the seven competitors prepare to take their next step toward the PGA TOUR, the APGA celebrates not only their achievements but also the larger vision of building pathways for underrepresented players in professional golf.

Supporters and fans are encouraged to help sustain this mission by donating to the APGA Tour and continuing to make an impact in the advancement of equity and opportunity in golf. To learn more or make a donation visit http://www.apgatour.org/

The PGA Tour has announced the cancellation of its 2026 season-opening tournament, The Sentry, due to severe drought conditions and water conservation issues on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Organizers were unable to secure a suitable alternative venue, marking the first tournament cancellation since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

As a result, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now open the 2026 PGA Tour season, scheduled for January 15–18—the latest start to a season since the tour’s formation in 1969. The Plantation Course at Kapalua, which has hosted The Sentry since 1999, has been impacted by water restrictions linked to an ongoing dispute over a century-old water delivery system, leading to the closure of two of its courses.

In a statement, the PGA Tour said it explored alternative locations both in Hawaii and elsewhere but determined that logistical challenges, including shipping deadlines, infrastructure needs, and vendor availability, made hosting the event impossible.

Stephanie Smith, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer at Sentry, expressed her disappointment but emphasized the importance of maintaining the event’s prestige. “I wanted Sentry to remain the jewel that it is,” she said. “When that couldn’t come together, I felt we didn’t have a choice.”

The Sentry has been the PGA Tour’s traditional season opener since 1999, with only one exception in 2001, when the season began in Australia. While Smith confirmed that the tour remains committed to bringing back The Sentry in the future, she acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding its return.

In 2025, Hideki Matsuyama claimed victory at The Sentry with a record-setting 35 under par, finishing three strokes ahead of Collin Morikawa.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is facing early-season downtime amid a concerning lower-back injury, and sports physician Dr. Patrick Warren has pointed to a surprising culprit: James’ growing dedication to golf. At 40 years old, the multi-time NBA MVP’s off-court hobby may be placing strain on his body in ways that his basketball career never did.

Dr. Patrick Warren, a respected sports physician, explains that a golf swing forces extreme rotation of the spine—an action that, over time, can compromise the lower back and trigger nerve issues like sciatica. Though there is no definitive proof that golf caused James’ injury, the timing has raised eyebrows among analysts and medical experts alike.

For the Lakers, the implications are significant. Missing their leader at the season’s start reshapes the team’s dynamic, strategy, and roadmap for success. While the club remains cautiously optimistic about his eventual return, his absence offers a reminder that elite athletes must balance passion with physical preservation.

As the hoop world watches, questions emerge: Can James adjust his approach off the court? Will his golf pastime evolve or take a backseat? And most importantly, can he recover in time to add to his storied legacy without putting his body at undue risk?

(New York, NY) — The National Black Golf Hall of Fame ceremoniously inducted Dr. Michael Cooper, former Senior Advisor for HBCU Initiatives at the USGA during its 39th anniversary celebration, marking a historic evening celebrating legacy, leadership, and champions in golf. The event, held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Sonesta Gwinnett in Duluth, Georgia, near Atlanta, honored Dr. Cooper whose contributions over the 40+ years in the industry have touched thousands of lives, told the story, and convinced the industry giants to include our communities in this wonderful game.

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The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has announced a transformative $50 million scholarship initiative to support students attending Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This major investment aims to expand educational access, reduce financial barriers, and strengthen opportunities for generations of students pursuing higher education in the city.

The funding will benefit students at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine, four of the nation’s most respected HBCUs located in the Atlanta University Center Consortium. The initiative will provide need-based scholarships, financial aid, and resources designed to help students complete their degrees with less debt and greater support.

This commitment builds upon the foundation’s long-standing focus on equity, education, and community empowerment. By addressing the financial challenges that disproportionately affect Black students, the program seeks to ensure that more talented scholars can achieve their academic and career goals without being hindered by financial limitations.

The investment also reflects the foundation’s vision of promoting leadership, innovation, and opportunity within communities that have historically been underrepresented in higher education. Through this initiative, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation reaffirms its dedication to creating pathways for success and fostering lasting change through education, access, and empowerment. For more information, please visit www.blankfoundation.org.

BETHESDA, Maryland (Oct. 13, 2025) – Twenty Military Veterans received specialized golf and wellness training October 9 – 13 at the 6th annual PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week, presented by ConnocoPhillips and T-Mobile. Held at Congressional Country Club near our nation’s capital, these Veterans will now serve as Ambassadors of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, and return to their home PGA Sections to work with other Veterans and help foster the game of golf.

The immersive five-day event, hosted by the 501(c)(3) Foundation of the PGA of America, included advanced golf instruction from PGA of America Golf Professionals and wellness training from the Cohen Veterans Network, focusing on topics such as stress management and mental health, as well as public speaking and social media best practices.

“PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week provides our Veterans the opportunity to excel in their rehabilitation journey, and, in turn, empowers them to thrive from the health and social benefits golf provides,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., PGA. “We are honored that these Veterans are willing to represent PGA HOPE as Ambassadors in their communities, charged with growing PGA HOPE to their fellow Veterans. Most importantly, we are grateful for the service they have provided to our country.”

Participating PGA HOPE Veterans

• John Hupp; Army; PGA HOPE Pacific Northwest; Corvallis, Oreg.
• Roland Abare; Navy; PGA HOPE Northeastern New York; Cohoes, N.Y.
• Troy Abel; Air Force/Air National Guard; PGA HOPE Midwest; Topeka, Kans.
• Chris Aranda; Army; PGA HOPE Carolinas; Myrtle Beach, S.C.
• Daniel Ferrere Sr.; Army; PGA HOPE Tennessee; Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
• Pat Forrestal; Marine Corps; PGA HOPE Georgia; Atlanta, Ga.
• Todd Frey; Navy; PGA HOPE South Florida; Punta Gorda, Fla.
• Paul Garcia; Air Force (Active Duty); PGA HOPE Colorado; Commerce City, Colo.
• Manny Gonzales III; Marine Corps; PGA HOPE Sun Country; Albuquerque, N.M.
• Tim Hubbard; Army; PGA HOPE Indiana; Zionsville, Ind.
• Dusty Hull; Army/National Guard; PGA HOPE Michigan; Lansing, Mich.
• Matt Jackson; Army; PGA HOPE Southwest; Surprise, Ariz.
• Brandon Johnson; Air Force; PGA HOPE Southern Ohio; Xenia, Ohio
• Anthony Laske; Army; PGA HOPE Wisconsin; Shorewood, Wis.
• Don Moore; Army; PGA HOPE North Florida; Jacksonville, Fla.
• DJ Naigan; Navy; PGA HOPE Southern California; San Diego, Calif.
• Adam Napier; Army; PGA HOPE Gulf States; Louisville, Miss.
• Bob O’Neill; Army; PGA HOPE Kentucky; Corbin, Ky.
• Jason Strejcek; Navy; PGA HOPE Northern Ohio; Strongsville, Ohio
• George Vasiloff; Air Force; PGA HOPE Philadelphia; Enola, Penn.

Squad Leaders:

• Franko Poynter; Navy; PGA HOPE Indiana; New Palestine, Ind.
• Christopher Garner; Coast Guard; PGA HOPE Tennessee; Memphis, Tenn.

Participating Veterans are graduates of their local PGA HOPE programs, which introduce and teach golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The six-to eight-week curriculum is led by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency and is currently hosted at more than 650 locations throughout the United States. With more than 4,400 trained PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE will serve 17,000 Veterans in 2025.

Special guests during the week included Captain Charlie Plumb, who provided a keynote address detailing his experience as a six-year prisoner in the Vietnam War after his plane was shot down on his 75th mission, five days before the end of his tour. A fireside chat also took place featuring 2019 World Series Champion “Mr. National” Ryan Zimmerman, who spent his entire 17-year career with the Washington Nationals, which was moderated by award-winning reporter and PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee Bret Baier.

PGA HOPE is celebrating 10 years of impact, which includes a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs enabling direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. The program is changing and saving the lives of America’s heroes, and since inception, more than 50,000 Veterans have been served.

PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week culminated with golf at Congressional Country Club on Monday, Oct. 13, featuring Veterans playing alongside corporate sponsors, PGA of America Golf Professionals and dignitaries. A frequent host of major championships through the years, Congressional is scheduled to host five PGA of America championships through 2037, including the 2037 Ryder Cup, 2030 PGA Championship, 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, 2033 Senior PGA Championship and 2029 PGA Professional Championship.

PGA HOPE is open to public support and fundraising. Every $330 raised allows a Veteran or active duty military member to participate in PGA HOPE at no personal expense. To support Veterans through PGA HOPE, click here.

About PGA HOPE 

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAHOPE on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.

About PGA of America REACH Foundation

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.