Sports sculptor and jeweler Malcolm DeMille has designed, produced and delivered the championship trophy, to be awarded at the Valero Texas Open, September 19, 2004, at LaCantera Golf Club, in San Antonio, Texas.

Puku Ltd. launches an innovative premium belly putter at the PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas Sep 21-22, 2004. It will be in the spotlight because of its USGA conforming new technology, including adjustable shaft length, a unique ergonomic reverse taper grip and a center-balanced putter head.

Guillem "William" Benassai joins the staff at Tournament Players Club of Myrtle Beach as an assistant golf professional where he will be responsible for helping with the management of the golf shop, organizing teaching programs to promote golf and supervising staff members.

UniSPORT USA's Penn Golf Division announces that they have added PGA Tour Player Craig Bowden as an endorser for the Penn line of TSC utility clubs. Bowden will play the Company's TSC utility clubs on the PGA Tour.

UniSPORT USA's Penn Golf Division announces the location of their first consumer test facility at Winston Trails Golf Club in Lake Worth, Florida.

Columbia ParCar Corp. announces the release of an entirely new web site at www.parcar.com, providing graphic and text based information for their complete line of electric and gasoline powered vehicles.

Brennan F. Robertson has been named the General Manager and Director of Golf at both Carolina Shores Country Club, and Colonial Charters Country Club.

Bogart Franchise, LLC, offers professional instruction, PGA recognized curriculum, digital video analysis, and supervised training in an indoor environment.

Troon Golf announces its partnership with Turf-Seed, Inc. to offer the public the opportunity to grow grass like the pros.

The Mississippi Development Authority Division of Tourism announces the field for the PGA TOUR's annual stop in the state at the Southern Farm Bureau Classic will include nine former SFBC champions and six winners on TOUR this season.

Cleveland Golf reports that Paul Earnest, a Cleveland Golf staff member, has been named a recipient of the 2004 PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award in the category of resort facilities.

The Pearl Street Pub & Cellar and Old Chicago are hosting the 1st Annual Pearl Street Open, a Golf Charity Tournament to benefit Children's Alley, an emergency day care provider in Boulder County.

Matthew Daly joins the Dunes Golf and Beach Club as assistant golf professional. Daly's responsibilities include assisting in the management of golf shop operations, organizing teaching programs that promote golf groups and helping supervise and direct staff.

Physician Endorsed, known for its stylish line of sun protective hats, sunglasses and accessories, announces their newest product line, a series of Survival Kits make for sun safety at the beach, on the golf course, on the sea, and for kids.

The Longs Drugs Challenge announces the sponsor exemptions for this year's tournament. LPGA professional Diane Irvin and Futures Tour professional Allison Hanna will be in the field of 144 for the 2004 Longs Drugs Challenge.

Editor's Note: Following are the transcripts of Ryder Cup captains Hal Sutton and Bernhard Langer's Wednesday interview session, courtesy of ASAP Sports. Due to the transcripts' length, the content has been linked to separate locations after the opening paragraphs.


JULIUS MASON [Moderator]: It is Wednesday of Ryder Cup week, Captain Langer, what's going on?

BERNHARD LANGER: Great. Everything is great. Nice course, good weather, great hospitality. Wonderful place to be at.

JULIUS MASON: Questions, folks.

Q. Bernhard, has there been any general advice that you've given your rookies on how to cope with once the matches start?

BERNHARD LANGER: Well, there was a lot of advice. I can just give you a few examples. I told everyone that I want them to play by the rules, play fair, play like gentlemen, behave like sportsmen, let the clubs do the talking, no gamesmanship, nothing of that sort. Obviously, you know, I told them a bunch of other things, but I think it's going to be a new experience for them but I think at the same time, they are ready. They have watched many Ryder Cups on television, they have seen the atmosphere, they experienced it a little bit through TV and not everybody is going to get a chance to probably play tomorrow morning, so they are going to be out there watching the others and cheering them on and they are going to experience that and that might help them, too.

Q. Do you think you might -- that the rookies might get more playing time Friday and Saturday than past European captains have done?

BERNHARD LANGER: It all depends. There were different matches and different teams. I know of some matches where the rookies got some play early and others where they didn't. It varies. But I think my team has more depth than maybe some teams in the past and I don't think I have to worry about anybody playing.

To read the rest of the transcript: http://www.golftransactions.com/langer091604.html



JULIUS MASON [Moderator]: Captain Sutton on a Wednesday afternoon.

Captain, what's happening?

HAL SUTTON: Greens are a little bit faster, tiny bit firmer. The wind is up. Americans look good. They are dressed good. They are hitting it good. What else can I say?

Q. Have you given any general bits of advice to your rookies, and can you recall a little bit how you felt in this event as a rookie?

HAL SUTTON: Oh, yeah, I recall, and I think they are a tiny bit nervous about it, too, you know. As I explained yesterday, nerves are good. Being a bit apprehensive about what you're about to do means you care. You know, I think Chris is a little nervous about what he's going to do. Fred's been nervous about it. Kenny Perry is, it's kind of hard to tell with him, he has not said much. Chad Campbell, he's smooth as silk. May be boiling inside, but I can't tell it. And Chris DiMarco, he's just anxious and ready to go.

Q. Hal, Chris Riley, Phil was in here earlier and talked about how good of a putter Chris was. Has that played into your thoughts as far as alternate-shot and the B part to that, he said he would feel pretty comfortable playing with either Tiger or Chad Campbell. Have those thoughts gone through your mind?

HAL SUTTON: Who said they would be comfortable with Tiger? Chris?

Q. Chris Riley.

HAL SUTTON: My God, I would hope anybody would feel comfortable with Tiger Woods. I mean, I'm ready to go play and I haven't hit a ball this week if Tiger is my partner, you know.

You know what, there's been a lot of people talking about who they are comfortable with and who they are not comfortable with. I am going to tell them tomorrow who they are going to be comfortable with playing. (Laughter.)

And maybe let me explain that a little bit further to you and I'm going to use myself as an example. In 2002 I was not playing well. So if you'd have told somebody they were playing with me early on they would have thought, "Oh, my God, I'd better really be playing good because I might have to carry Hal. He may not help me earn the point that I want to earn." So they had two things on their mind during that process, not only their own game but me, too. Well I've taken half of that out of the equation. They only have one thing on their mind and that's themselves. So that's my whole purpose for doing this.

To read the rest of the transcript: http://www.golftransactions.com/sutton091604.html