GBR Tuesday | The Collapse of Catalan Independence Threatens Spain’s 2031 Ryder Cup Dream
Every Tuesday and Friday Morning We Bring You the Ten-Minute Summary of What´s Going on in the Golf Industry While you Are Golfing
Good evening, GBR Crew. Tom and Neil here.
Happy New Year’s Eve! We hope 2024 has treated you well, unlike Viktor Hovland’s battle with a rogue bed frame and Scottie Scheffler’s Christmas kitchen chaos. We’ll dive into these holiday mishaps and more in this week’s newsletter. Wishing you and your families peace, love, and plenty of birdies in 2025!
1. INDUSTRY
GOLF COURSE MANAGER KEMPERSPORTS EYES FRESH CAPITAL, SALE ON THE TABLE
Kemper Sports, a leading name in golf course management, is at a pivotal crossroads—actively weighing whether to raise new capital or potentially sell to private equity in order to fuel its ambitious expansion plans. How might these moves redefine Kemper Sports’ position in the market? Why are private equity firms eager to get involved, and how could such a deal reshape the entire sports management landscape?
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FADING NATIONALISM IN CATALONIA RISKS THE RYDER CUP’S RETURN TO SPAIN IN 2031
Spain’s bold attempt to bring the Ryder Cup back in 2031—its first in over 27 years—faces growing uncertainty, with Girona’s Camiral Resort as the proposed venue.
What economic factors and shifts in Catalonia’s independence movement are delaying an official decision?
Where does the DP World Tour stand on the matter?
Are there already alternative locations under consideration, either within Spain or even in another country?
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MODON HOLDING ACQUIRES SPAIN’S LA ZAGALETA ESTATE IN LUXURY MARKET EXPANSION
Abu Dhabi’s Modon Holding has entered Europe’s luxury real estate market by acquiring La Zagaleta, a premier residential estate in Costa del Sol, Spain. Spanning 900 hectares in the hills of Benahavís near Marbella, the estate includes over 400 luxury villas, two private golf courses, and an equestrian center. The acquisition also includes plans for further development, including new luxury residences, a hotel, and the urbanization of the Majarambuz project. By Pramod Kumar in Arabian Gulf Business Insight.
NORTHSTAR TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDS WITH SENPOS ACQUISITION
Northstar Technologies has acquired SENPOS, a leading provider of point-of-sale solutions for clubs and the hospitality industry in Australia and New Zealand. This acquisition strengthens Northstar's ability to deliver enhanced operational tools, aiming to streamline client services and improve efficiency across the club and hospitality sectors. By Golf Industry Central.
2. CIRCUITS
BROADCAST DEALS: WHAT LIV COULDN’T DO IN 3 YEARS, TGL ACHIEVES IN DAYS
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL has quickly accomplished a major milestone that has eluded LIV Golf for three years: securing widespread broadcast partnerships. With significant agreements in place across major markets, TGL is ensuring global visibility before its inaugural season begins. These agreements ensure that TGL will be accessible to fans worldwide from the start of its first season. These are the strong media partnerships, so far:
United States: ESPN secured exclusive multi-year rights to air TGL matches across its platforms, starting January 9, 2025.
United Kingdom and Europe: Sky Sports signed a two-year deal to broadcast TGL in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Sky Sports customers will enjoy TGL matches, while non-subscribers can access coverage through NOW Sports memberships
France, Switzerland, and Sub-Saharan Africa: Canal Plus will cover TGL games alongside its existing golf content portfolio.
Nordics: Disney+ will stream matches in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, included in its subscription offerings.
Jason Wessely, Director of Golf at Sky Sports, stated, “TGL is such an exciting and innovative new format that both existing and new golf fans can enjoy, and we’re delighted to bring fans even closer to some of the greatest golf stars.”
Mike McCarley, CEO of TMRW Sports, noted, “Sky Sports is the ideal home for TGL to reach fans accustomed to finding the best golfers in the world on Sky platforms across Europe.”
MAJOR CHANGES ANNOUNCED FOR 2025 WM PHOENIX OPEN
The 2025 WM Phoenix Open, marking its 90th edition, will run from February 3-9 at TPC Scottsdale. Following a challenging 2024 tournament impacted by severe weather and logistical issues, the Thunderbirds have announced significant changes to improve fan safety and experience while maintaining the event’s energy and appeal.
Key adjustments for 2025 include:
Digital Ticketing: Tickets will now be digital-only to ensure authenticity.
Specific-Day Tickets: Fans must purchase tickets for designated days to improve crowd management.
Attendance Caps: Limits on Friday and Saturday attendance aim to ease congestion.
Expanded Walkways: Pathways near the 16th and 18th holes will double in width to reduce bottlenecks.
New Entrance: A gate near the 18th hole will help distribute entry points.
Venue Upgrades: More concessions and viewing areas at less-trafficked holes will improve the fan experience.
General admission prices have been updated to $125 for peak days and $75 for Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Monday and Tuesday remain free.
DP WORLD TOUR AGREES BROADCAST RIGHTS WITH U-NEXT IN JAPAN
As the exclusive rightsholder starting with the 2025 season, featuring live coverage of every tournament in the Race to Dubai, beginning with the Team Cup on January 10, 2025, and culminating in the season-ending Play-offs in November.U-NEXT already has rights to the PGA TOUR, the Masters, the Open Championship, and the inaugural TGL season in 2025. The platform also streams other major sports, such as the English Premier League and ATP Tennis, solidifying its role as a hub for Japanese sports fans.
The DP World Tour's alliance with the Japanese Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) has provided opportunities for Japanese players to excel globally, with recent successes including Rikuya Hoshino, Keita Nakajima, and Yuto Katsuragawa earning DP World Tour victories in 2024.
LIV GOLF’S JOAQUIN NIEMANN CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL SERIES INDIA PRESENTED BY DLF
The LIV Golf star and 2024 International Series Rankings champion is set to compete in the US$2 million tournament at DLF Golf and Country Club from January 30 to February 2, 2025. Niemann, who captains Torque GC, will join Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau and Indian favorite Anirban Lahiri. Niemann had a stellar 2024 season, securing two LIV Golf wins, multiple podium finishes, and the Asian Tour's US$5 million PIF Saudi International title in a playoff. The International Series India, part of the LIV Golf-backed series, marks its debut on the subcontinent as the first of 10 elevated events in 2025. It offers global players pathways onto the LIV Golf League through season rankings and the LIV Golf Promotions event.
3. EQUIPMENT
TITLEIST UNVEILS GT280 MINI DRIVER FOR PGA TOUR DEBUT
Titleist has revealed the GT280 mini driver, a compact, versatile club set to make its first appearance at the PGA Tour's season opener in Hawaii. The GT280 was added to the USGA conforming list Monday morning as Titleist also announced it had begun seeding the new club with its Tour staff at this week’s Sentry, the first PGA Tour event of 2025.
Designed with input from top players like Cameron Young and Will Zalatoris, the GT280 features a 13-degree loft and a 280cc head engineered for adaptability both off the tee and the fairway. This introduction marks the start of Titleist's tour validation process, which allows professional players to test and refine the club in live competition. The GT280 is being positioned as an option for players seeking an alternative to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood, balancing power and control. Retail availability and pricing are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with anticipation already building among golf enthusiasts. By Jack Hirsh in Golf.com
JORDAN BRAND LAUNCHES FADEAWAY GOLF BAG INSPIRED BY AIR JORDAN DESIGNS
Jordan Brand has released the Fadeaway golf bag, a stylish addition to its golf line that mirrors the premium look of its leather golf shoes. The bag incorporates design cues from iconic Air Jordan models, including an AJ14-inspired towel ring and an AJ6-inspired lace lock umbrella cinch, along with a velour-lined valuables pocket and a six-way club divider. Priced at $360 USD, the bag is available through Nike and select retailers. By Hypebeast.
SWING CONTROL TO SHOWCASE FALL/WINTER 2025 LINE AT PGA SHOW
Swing Control, known for its innovative women’s golf and lifestyle apparel, will exhibit its Fall/Winter 2025 collections at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, from January 21–24, 2025. Highlights include the After Hours and Mystic Marine lines, featuring contemporary designs and performance-driven fabrics. The PGA Show is a key event for industry networking and product launches.
4. MUST READ AND WATCH
“Like Nothing We’ve Seen Before”: The €20M Golf Course Beside Ireland’s Best Beach. A groundbreaking €20 million golf course is under construction near Inch Beach, one of Ireland’s most celebrated seaside destinations. This luxury project promises to set new standards with eco-conscious design and unparalleled views, though locals are watching closely to see how it integrates with the environment. From Brian Keogh on The Irish Independent.
Anthony Kim's Shocking 2024 Return to Golf. Anthony Kim, once a promising star who vanished from the golf world, was reportedly gearing up for a sensational return in 2024. Known for his flamboyant style and immense talent, his comeback showed few signs of his old prowess. From John Schwarb on Sports Illustrated.
Golf Underdog of the Year 2024. This year’s biggest surprise star came from an unlikely background to rise in the ranks of professional golf. From Matt Cradock on Golf Monthly.
Patrick Koenig’s World Record for Golf Course Visits. This avid golf enthusiast has set a new world record by visiting an astonishing number of courses worldwide. From Michael McEwan on Bunkered.
Adam Hadwin on the Realities of PGA Tour Life. An insider's perspective on the challenges of staying competitive and balancing personal life. From Ben Parson on Bunkered.
Ideas for Pro Shop Success in 2025. From integrating cutting-edge technology to enhancing customer experience. From Jim consultant Dunlap on Golf Inc. Magazine.
Is Mega Money Making a Mockery of Professional Golf?
With skyrocketing prize funds and mega-deals, is professional golf becoming increasingly commercialized? From Derek Clements on Golfshake.Four PGA Tour Changes We Need for Next Year. From tweaks to tournament formats to improved player accessibility, this wishlist outlines the changes that could elevate the PGA Tour experience for players and fans in 2024. From Brentley Romine on NBC Sports.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
GBR Tuesday | Inside Saudi Arabia’s Sport-Washing Strategy: A Closer Look at Golf’s Role
Good morning, GBR community. Neil and Tom here.
5. JUST FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS
CATALONIA’S POLITICAL SHIFT PUTS SPAIN’S 2031 RYDER CUP BID IN JEOPARDY
The ambitious bid to bring the Ryder Cup back to Spain in 2031, with Girona’s Camiral Resort Golf & Wellness (formerly PGA Catalunya) as the proposed venue, is now mired in uncertainty. At the heart of the uncertainty lies the broader political transformation of Catalonia. Salvador Illa, the first non-nationalist president in 15 years, leads a government focused on pragmatism rather than the nationalist aspirations that had previously driven major projects like Girona 2031. This shift, coupled with the decline of Catalonia’s pro-independence movement since the 2017 unilateral declaration of independence, has stalled progress and put Spain’s Ryder Cup hopes at risk.