Balsam Mountain Preserve: Appoints Kirk Fiore as the Sylva, North Carolina, club's new executive chef. Fiore, who most recently served as the executive chef at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in North Carolina, brings over 25 years of leadership and creativity to the culinary team.
Bechtol Golf Design: The Austin, Texas-based golf architecture firm expects to break ground on more than a half-dozen projects in 2026 with several others likely to begin the permitting process. The firm has plans drawn and contracts in process for courses and practice facilities in and around the Austin area — Jarrell, Leander, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Bastrop and near the Austin airport — as well as facilities in rural West Virginia; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Charleston, South Carolina; and Huntsville, Brownwood, Fulshear and Beaumont, Texas. Projects already in process include Atlas Ranch (Jarrell, Texas), Crystal Falls Golf Course (Leander, Texas), Carson Creek Ranch (formerly Austin Beach Club, Austin, Texas), Scheff’s Kitchen (The University of Texas Golf Club, Austin, Texas), The Nelson (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Bastrop River Club (Bastrop, Texas) and Moonrocks/Corbin Valley (Allegheny Mountains of southeastern West Virginia).
2nd Skin Labs: Introduces its PowerFlex Arm Sleeves, which are made with Energy Skin technology that provide muscle support and promote better blood circulation. The sleeves also provide advanced skin protection against ultraviolet radiation and heat.
Upper Deck: Announces that to mark the 25th anniversary of Upper Deck Golf, this year’s set of trading cards pays homage to its very first release in 2001, which featured a star-studded checklist headlined by Tiger Woods, a brand ambassador, and his rookie card. 2026 Upper Deck Golf will again be headlined by Woods, with a unique buyback program. There will be 25 Tiger Woods rookie cards that are signed, numbered and stamped with a commemorative 25th anniversary stamp. There will also be 25 sets each of the ‘Tiger’s Tales’ insert and the entire 200-card base set that are numbered to 25 and stamped with the 25th Anniversary stamp. 2026 Upper Deck Golf releases on Feb. 18.
Oculus R Golf Partners: Acquires a 1,300-acre land asset in the greater Ocala area of Marion County, Florida. The property encompasses IronCrest, which features a golf and country club and an approved planned unit development with more than 200 builder-ready homesites, supported by completed road and utility infrastructure. Formerly known as Club Adena, the club will operate as The Club at Iron Lake, featuring a 37,000 square foot clubhouse, spa, fitness and pool facility, and a racquets complex with eight tennis and four pickleball courts.
Bernardus: Appoints GMS Agency as its international public relations and communications partner, as the Dutch championship venue prepares for the 2026 Solheim Cup and continues to strengthen its global profile. Bernadus is located in the province of Noord-Brabant, near the historic city of ’s-Hertogenbosch and the Van Gogh National Park, Designed by American architect Kyle Phillips, the club's heathland-style course has hosted the DP World Tour’s Dutch Open in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Bernhard and Company: Appoints Rod Mortimer as technical sales manager, Northern North America. Mortimer will provide technical guidance, product support and expertise across Bernhard and Company’s grinding solutions.
Zero Friction: Reports that its Men's Victory Tour Glove and Victory Tour Golf Balls received with positive feedback at last month's PGA Show in Orlando, Florida. "This year's show exceeded all expectations," said John Iacono, Zero Friction founder and president. "We had incredible engagement with both longtime industry partners and made many new connections who were excited about what we bring to the market." The glove ($19.99) and golf balls ($34.99) are available at retail.
Evergreen Partners: Acquires Somerby Golf Club in Byron, Minnesota. Somerby Golf Club features an 18-hole championship course designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought that has been consistently ranked by Golf Digest among the top courses in Minnesota and has hosted numerous Minnesota Golf Association and USGA competitions.
World Long Drive: Partners with Pinnacle to establish the Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour beginning with the 2026 season. The season will feature multiple events across domestic and international markets, beginning in May and culminating with the World Long Drive World Championships in October. Also, featured televised events will air on Golf Channel and ESPN2, while every tour event will stream on the Pinnacle World Long Drive YouTube Channel. Pinnacle will be the golf ball of choice.
LIV Golf: Confirms that LIV Golf New York is scheduled for Aug. 6-9, 2026, at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, New Jersey. The tournament will be the league’s third visit to Bedminster and first since the 2023 season. Tickets are currently on sale at LIVGolf.com.