The Wire, golf's only daily transaction newsletter
October 5, 2004 • Volume 6, No. 193
a publication of the Golf Press Association




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Today's News
Equipment
Ernie Els used Rifle shafts by Royal Precision en route to winning the World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. Five other players using the Rifle-branded steel shafts finished among the top 10, as well. For more...

Aldila, a designer and manufacturer of graphite wood and irons shafts, including the NV shafts, had two players win this weekend while using its products -- Fred Funk at the Southern Farm Bureau and Scott Dunlap at the Nationwide Tour's Mark Christopher Charity Classic. For more...

SMT Golf announces that PGA and Nationwide Tour player Chip Beck will play its Nemesis driver on tour. For more...

Titleist ambassador Ernie Els won the WGC-American Express Championship using a full bag of Titleist equipment and playing the Pro V1x ball. For more...

For the second consecutive week, graphite shafts designed by United Sports Technologies were the most popular graphite shafts among PGA Tour pros at the Southern Farm Bureau Classic, according to Darrell Survey. For more...

Players
Craig Stadler took last week off, and Hale Irwin took advantage at the Champions Tour's Constellation Energy Classic, tying for second to pick up 141 points and close Stadler's lead in the Charles Schwab Cup to 140 points with three events remaining. For more...

Ernie Els won the WGC-American Express Championship and moved past Tiger Woods to No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking. For more...

Aviary golf software user Brad Adamonis finished fourth at the Nationwide Tour's Mark Christopher Charity Classic. For more...

Tournaments
The LPGA's Kraft Nabisco Championship unveils a new logo and Web site, which will be in effect for the 2005 tournament. For more...

Legal
The PGA Tour releases statement after the U.S. Supreme Court elected to let stand the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision in favor of the PGA Tour in the case of Morris Communications, Inc. v. PGA Tour, Inc. For more...

Internet
Golfobserver.com announces its new automated GolfNoteBook. For more...

Instruction
GolfGym announces its newest golf conditioning product, the GolfGym HeavyClub. For more...

Courses
Carton House Golf Club in Mayntooth, County Kildaire, Ireland, host to the 2005 Nissan Irish Open, announces that it is offering for the first time a limited number of international memberships to those who permanently reside outside the European Union. For more...

Briefly
Billy Casper Golf announces that Lee H. McBurnett has been named head superintendent at Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark.

Graphite Design International announces the launch of its online Shop Direct feature, providing consumers convenience in researching and purchasing GDI products via the Internet.

Fred Funk won the Southern Farm Bureau Classic using Graphite Design International's YS6 shaft in his driver and YS7 shaft in his 3-wood, according to Darrell Survey.

Wilson Staff professional Wayne Levi posted his second career win on the Champions Tour with a victory at the Constellation Energy Classic. Levi wears a Wilson Staff visor, carries the brand's bag and plays the ball.

Canadian designer Linda Hipp announces that her Power Shield Double Zip Jacket has been chosen as a 2004 APEX Award Winner.

The Golf Channel will air a 90-minute special on the recent Atlantic City Commemorative Thursday from 8-9:30 p.m. ET.

Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, located in Bloomfield, Conn., announces that it has officially opened a new 20-station driving range.

The Camp Creek Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Fla., announces that it will host the second Battle at the Creek charity tournament on Nov. 6.

O'Murray Golf introduces its newest line of drivers called Black Eagle.

Travel: Deals of the Week
By Judi Janofsky & Rich Steck
wheretogonext.com

Deal #1: Thanksgiving in London
From: Virgin Vacations
Details: Make it easy on yourself this Thanksgiving and celebrate in London. Package includes round-trip airfare, 3 nights hotel, daily continental breakfast , plus hotel taxes and service charge. Departs November 24th. Rate based on 30-day advance purchase. Hotel upgrades available.
Price: $399
How: www.virgin-vacations.com, under "Europe"


Deal #2: Aloha Hawaii
From: Orbitz
Details: Fly to Hawaii for a tropical vacation. Good fares abound for 5- to 7-day trips over the next 30 days.
Sample Prices: From Charlotte to Honolulu -- $417. From Boston to Maui -- $704.
How: www.orbitz.com


Deal #3: You Can Bet on This
From: AirTran
Details: AirTran A-Savers is offering some good hotel packages in Las Vegas. Includes two nights valid November 14 - December 5 and dining discounts.
Price: $55 per night at Flamingo; $65 per night at Bally's (includes dinning)
How: www.airtran.com, sign up for A-Savers


Deal #4: Low Cost Car Rental
From: Budget
Details: Any weekend through November 21, rent a Budget compact car in their non-airport locations in the U.S. Two-day minimum.
Price: $18 per day
How: www.budget.com, under "Deals"


Deal #5: Costa Rica
From: United Airlines
Details: Fly round-trip from Atlanta to San Jose, Costa Rica. Stay 2-30 days. Travel Monday - Thursday. Must be completed by December 16.
Price: $279
How: www.united.com

Reader's Forum
If you had a say within the PGA of America, who would you select as the next American Ryder Cup captain?

Send comments to info@gpagolf.com with the subject line "Captain." Only those responses that include first name, last initial and hometown will be considered. Send responses by 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 7. Comments will be published in the Friday, Oct. 8 edition of The Wire.

Send your responses to info@gpagolf.com