(June 4, 2020) —It’s good news for golf courses across America, as a recent survey conducted by the National Golf Foundation reports that 98% of all U.S. golf courses are now open.   The NGF weekly survey, ending May 30 on the current health of the U.S. golf industry, confirms the good news.  

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic most public and private golf courses were closed for the last several months.  As a result, many ‘locked down’ and pent up players have been eager to get out for a round.  With the increased demand for playing the sport has continued to build over the last few months, 86% of core golfers – defined as U.S. adults having played a minimum of eight rounds of golf in the past 12 months – it is reported that golfers have been teeing it up in the past few weeks as pandemic restrictions and public fears have somewhat dissipated.

Interesting is the fact that the report by the NGF shows a strong increase in the number of beginner golfers coming to the courses, along with a spike in Google searches for golf data during the month of May. This surge was compared to the last four years of related activity.

Revealed in the NGF report is that 84% of off-course retailers are open again and doing business. This increase is at 81% as of last week, a strong rebound to 61% of only three weeks prior.  During the month of April, 96% of the 6.5 million square feet of total off-course golf specialty space had been closed for any in-store consumer shopping. 

When it comes to independent and regional retailers, the NGF survey disclosed that this sector is opening at a little higher rate (86%) more than national stores, such as Golf Galaxy, Worldwide Golf Shops and PGA Tour Superstore.  In addition, popular Golf entertainment venues are making a strong comeback with 28% opening their doors for business as of June 1.
The NGF Survey is good news for the industry, as these swelling numbers confirm that golf participation is on the uptick.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev., June 4, 2020 – In a collective effort reflecting America’s drive for a return from COVID-19, the American Century Championship will bring golf, celebrity and community service together for the 31st time July 8-12 on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

Stephen Curry, Aaron Rodgers, Charles Barkley and two-time defending champion Tony Romo are among 80 sports and entertainment stars planning to compete and charity fundraise for nine hours of live NBC Sports coverage over three days at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.  In accordance with governmental and health guidelines — and similar to major sporting events throughout the country — the American Century Championship will return as a live television event but without spectators.

All prize monies will be donated to COVID-19 relief and area non-profits as the tournament continues its longstanding commitment to charity fundraising efforts that have totaled more than $5 million over the years.

Title sponsor American Century Investments, NBC Sports and the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA) decided to move forward with the original July 8-12 dates. That timing coincides with the resurgent tourism industry amid America’s emergence from COVID-19 lockdowns and the availability of the top-name celebrities who have brought the tournament to prominence since its Lake Tahoe debut in 1990.

“Once our due diligence established that the tournament could be conducted safely, we were compelled to do everything possible to go forward in support of our friends in the Lake Tahoe resort community, who have hosted the event for 30 years,” stated American Century Investments CEO Jonathan Thomas.  “The American Century Championship remains a prominent brand-building event that provides a platform for us to tell a national television audience about how our firm is having a positive impact on society. Also, we’re excited to bring a live, competitive sporting event to TV viewers, something that has been deeply missed over the past few months.”

“While this 31st edition will be different than any previous tournament, this demonstrates a unique example of prominent stakeholders supporting each other and in turn, the destination and the community that absolutely loves this event,” offered Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the LTVA. “It signals an important message of renewal for Lake Tahoe.”

“There’s a tremendous amount of challenging work to be done,” said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC Sports, which owns and operates the tournament. “We have our arms around the precautionary aspects because health and safety are the priorities.  As we’ve all seen, golf can be played in a responsible, socially-distanced way.”

Two-time defending champion Tony Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys’ All-Pro quarterback and NFL television analyst who has played in multiple PGA TOUR events, expressed his support for the decision.  “The event has a tremendous tradition and is critical to that beautiful resort region,” he offered. “It’ll be fun to try to win again but the sense of community and charity fundraising will be most important.”

NBC and tournament partners at Edgewood Tahoe and host hotels developed a comprehensive safety plan that includes enhanced cleaning protocols at both the course and hotels, on-course sanitation stations and restrictions on large organized dinners and evening events. Only the celebrities and essential tournament staff will be allowed on the course and all will be required to follow social distancing guidelines.

The competition is a 54-hole modified Stableford format tournament often referred to as the Super Bowl of celebrity golf. Curry, Rodgers, Romo and Barkley will be joined by a contingent of Hall of Famers led by Jerry Rice and entertainment personalities including Ray Romano, Alfonso Ribeiro and Larry the Cable Guy, among others. A total of 13 Hall of Famers and 19 active NFL, NBA and NHL players are expected.

Several NFL coaches are expected, including Sean Payton, Saints; Matt Nagy, Bears; and Frank Reich, Colts. Additional celebrity commitments will be announced in mid-June.

Along with two-time defending champion Romo, there’s three-time winner Mark Mulder and two-time champion Jack Wagner, one of two players, along with Jim McMahon, to have played in all 30 celebrity championships.

First-timers who have committed include Chris Harrison of The Bachelor; for

About American Century Investments

American Century Investments is a leading global asset manager focused on delivering investment results and building long-term client relationships while supporting research that can improve human health and save lives. Founded in 1958, American Century Investments’ 1,400 employees serve financial professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors from offices in New York; London; Hong Kong; Frankfurt; Sydney; Los Angeles; Mountain View, Calif.; and Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan S. Thomas is president and chief executive officer, and Victor Zhang serves as chief investment officer. Delivering investment results to clients enables American Century Investments to distribute over 40 percent of its dividends to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a 500-person, non-profit basic biomedical research organization. The Institute owns more than 40 percent of American Century Investments and has received dividend payments of $1.6 billion since 2000. For more information about American Century Investments, visit www.americancentury.com.

About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority 

Designated by Travel + Leisure “The Best Places to Travel in July,” (June 2, 2020) Tahoe South combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: spectacular natural beauty and a modern tourism destination with an array of outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. Tahoe’s timeless splendor and diversity toward health and wellness, green business practices and sustainability continue to define its inimitable personality. For information about lodging, recreation, packages, and healthy travel at Tahoe South, call 1-800-288-2463 or log onto www.TahoeSouth.com.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 3, 2020—A memorial bust of George Floyd will be available to everyone supporting the Black Lives Matter protests all over the globe. The George Floyd memorial bust, which is currently online for virtual viewing, can also be 3D printed at local libraries, maker spaces, colleges, and community networks of individuals with 3D printers. The 3D printing file is available for free at Sketchfab and is a presentation of love from the sculptors to the Floyd family and protesters at large, announced Cory Allen Contemporary Art.

The memorial bust, modeled after a photo of George Floyd, which has been the source of many community murals, depicts a strong and gentle man. It was created by the father-and-son team of sculptors, Daniel and Rodman Edwards.

“While protesting is pivotal, there are plenty of other effective modes of activism,” said Rodman Edwards, “we agreed that using our talents was the best way we could show our support.”

3D printing is a service many local libraries are making available to the public and websites like 3D Printing Media Network provide listings of libraries with 3D printers as well as maker spaces. “There is an active 3D printing community and many of those people are staying at home and social distancing, unable to join the protests, but wishing to show their support – they can 3D print a memorial portrait of George Floyd at home, and post images or video of the bust for online vigils through social media,” said Daniel Edwards.

“The memorial bust of George Floyd puts power into the peoples’ hands. For the first time in history, individuals have the right to choose who they wish to memorialize forever. This is a step in the right direction and will hopefully set about a trend in civic artworks,” said Rodman Edwards.

Daniel and Rodman Edwards are sculptors who reside outside of San Francisco. Their work can be viewed at https://HipHopAllStars.Art.

The Memorial Bust for George Floyd will be available for virtual viewing and download at
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/george-floyd-memorial-bust-0c4f918e8e16463e8d5de92bc49a9f23

For more information, contact Cory Allen at 405-889-2679.

June 3, 2020 —Bert Cody Piggott, Jr., M.D., “The Musician Physician” is not only his stage name… It is his lifestyle. Licensed to soothe the body as well as the soul, this multi-faceted individual serves humanity as a Board-Certified Radiologist by day and a smooth jazz saxophonist by night.  He’s enjoyed golf since learning the game in the 1960s when his late father, North Carolina AT&T golf and football coach Bert Cody Piggott Sr., took him out to the driving range.  “I remember trying to hit the balls far away,” says Dr. Piggott.  “It was a few years later that I discovered there were so many more elements required.”  With his busy work schedule, the 61-year-old tries to get out to play as much as he can. Basically a bogey golfer, he estimates playing at a 15 handicap.

However, it was during the Myrtle Beach Winter Golf Invitational Tournament (associated with the United States African American Golf Association) in which Bert was one of three golfers who made history, by shooting a Hole-In-One on the same hole (#3) in 2012.   According to Ripley’s the feat is a first and the magical occurrence has landed the trio into the flanks of history with an exhibit created at the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium in Myrtle Beach to acknowledge the achievement.  Shortly afterward, Dr. Piggott was also recognized as an Outstanding Leader In Golf (2013) by the African American Golfer’s Digest.

As a musician, Bert has a swath of beautiful music.  Listen to two of his creations below—Escape Reality For a Few Moments… You’ll be glad you did.

Dr. Piggott and his lovely wife, Bessie, of 35-years, have two daughters:  Jaslyn Bria who is beginning her 4th year in medical school and will be an M.D. in May 2021. Cierra Monet will begin her Neuroradiology fellowship at Duke University next month.  Dr. Piggott is a member of The American College of Radiology, a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and its Rocky Mount (NC) Alumni Chapter. 

His music is available at his online store and on Amazon.

Follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BertCodyPiggottJrMD

Website: themusicianphysician.com

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BY AAGD STAFF

May 30, 2020—East Palo Alto T-Ball Pitching Machine announces the cancelation of its 16th Annual Golf Classic due to conditions surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic that has gripped our nation and our world.  The annual fundraising event which has attracted friends, fans, and celebrity guests to Las Vegas venues for over a decade plan to host their tournament in 2021.  More details will be forthcoming in the pursuing months, according to Coach Gene Tate founder of the organization.  “I wish to thank everyone for the support of our annual event and we look forward to having you with us next year for another great golf outing.”

ABOUT
East Palo Alto T-Ball/Pitching Machine is a 28-year-old 501(c)3 organization that provides an opportunity for under-served children to participate in an affordable, minimally competitive and academically supportive athletic program. Players range from five to fifteen years old and the organizational emphasis is on teaching the ideals of teamwork and good sportsmanship. In 2017 the club led a delegation of parents and youth on a historical trip to Havana, Cuba for competitive play with a local baseball team. “It was a trip of a lifetime and gave participants a greater global outlook with the potential of becoming global leaders,” recounts Coach Gene Tate who initiated the tour. To this day, the international excursion continues to a much talked about highlight life experience for the youngsters who attended.