CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 10, 2025) – In a surprise ceremony at Callaway Golf’s corporate headquarters in March, Tom Freestone was presented with the highest honor that the manufacturer can bestow upon a staff member: enshrinement into the Callaway Golf Staff Professional Hall of Fame.
The PGA General Manager of the Ocean Course at Hōkūala on Kaua‘i was surrounded by industry peers and family members when he was informed of the honor.
“Simply put, I am filled with a tremendous gratitude,” remarked Freestone, a 13-year Callaway Golf Staff Professional. “Callaway has done great things across their storied history in the sport. Their decision to ‘grow the family’ with my inclusion into their Hall of Fame was a tremendous honor that I will forever cherish.”
Freestone was honored for his long-standing commitment to the brand, offering world-class instruction, quality club fittings, hosting championship events and many other redeeming qualities.
Following the ceremony, inductees were treated to a round of golf and deep dive into the brand. Highlights included learning about the company’s history, success across the amateur and professional levels, pushing the limits of accuracy (dispersion ratios, dimple patterns, balanced cores, etc.) and upcoming AI technology.
“We had the wonderful experience of meeting Randy Rubin (Director, Strategic Partnerships, Callaway Golf), Joel Rump (Sr. Director, Sales, Training and Staff Relations), Corey Newman (Sr. Manager, Custom Fittings and Training) and many others,” reminisced Freestone. “These guys are the best at what they do. They design, fit and tweak equipment for the world’s best players. Personally interacting with them and learning how they hone their skills was gratifying.”
Callaway Golf’s long-standing relationship with Troon began when Dana Garmany, Troon Founder and now Board Member, purchased the management company’s first rental set of clubs for Troon North. This laid a strong, global foundation for how relationships can be created between manufacturers and staff professionals.
“We work in a customer-driven industry,” continued Freestone. When a guest’s club fitting goes well, that deepens our relationship with them. When the guest is happy, that makes us happy.”
The Ocean Course at Hōkūala operates as an ‘ohana (family), literally and figuratively. To this day, generations of family members proudly work together at the club on Kaua‘i. Furthermore, the entire teaching staff is aligned with Callaway Golf. The manufacturer operates in a similar way.
“Callaway Golf has grown as an ‘ohana too. Chip Brewer (CEO, Topgolf Callaway Brands) came from Adams Golf. Roger Cleveland, the highly respected engineer and club designer who founded Cleveland Golf in the 1970s, also joined Callaway Golf. I was honored to join this elite group of visionaries that I have a lot of respect for,” reflected Freestone.
Most recently, Freestone earned the “Low PGA Member” award following his four-day finish in the 2025 Mid-Pacific Open on Oahu.
Under Freestone’s leadership, the Ocean Course at Hōkūala’s teaching staff offers game-improvement offerings for keiki through seniors, including programming from the Aloha Section PGA, First Tee Hawai‘i, Operations36, Indigo Golf Partners, Troon and more.
The club is also equipped year-round with a Callaway Golf fitting cart and Trackman, allowing any guests to receive a custom club fitting at a moment’s notice.
To learn more, visit www.golfhokuala.com
About Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Home to the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront holes in the state of Hawai‘i, the Ocean Course was named one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Golf Courses” by MSN Travel. The 18-hole golf course is part of Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club & Residences, a private residential club which opened in 2018 on the island’s southeast coast. Timbers Kaua‘i sits on a 450-acre natural amphitheater and offers unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, Kalapaki Bay and Hā‘upu Mountain Range.
About Troon
The Ocean Course at Hōkūala is managed by Indigo Sports, a Troon company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 940-plus locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Pate Clarson
pclarson@golfhokuala.com