Troon Golf to Manage Clarksville Country Club in Tennessee

Clarksville Country Club, located in Clarksville, Tennessee just 40 miles northwest of Nashville have selected Troon Golf , the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing to manage the club.

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of middle Tennessee, and shaded by the region’s mighty oak and blooming dogwood trees, sits Clarksville Country Club as a fixture of the Clarksville community. Its 18-hole, par 72 golf course has earned nationwide respect, hosting both Tennessee Golf Association tournaments and United States Golf Association qualifier events. Golf at Clarksville Country Club is always a unique and entertaining experience, providing an ideal escape from the bustling city. Portions of the course line the clay banks of the Red River, featuring rolling hills, undulating topography, testing greens, and tree-lined fairways.

“Clarksville Country Club is an exciting addition to our portfolio,” said John Easterbrook, executive vice president of operations, Troon. “We are confident that combining the club’s amenities and charming character with the skill and expertise of Troon Prive, our private club operations division, will result in an extraordinary experience for members and guests.”

“Our goal has always been to deliver premium hospitality to our members, and serve as an integral part of our community,” says Board Chairman John Manning. “After a comprehensive and exhaustive investigation, it became clear that hiring Troon Prive would give Clarksville Country Club the best chance of success for improving our member experience, while simultaneously ensuring a vibrant future.”

 

Glasgow 2014 Looking to Use London 2012 to Fuel Marketing Campaigns

The furore surrounding the London 2012 Olympics has bounced back positively on Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games preparations as more people wanting to volunteer and get tickets for their event.

Glasgow 2014 officials say they are “already seeing the benefits of London 2012 action”.

Glasgow 2014’s budget is £524 million ($832m), just over five per cent of the nine-billion-pound budget for the London 2012 Games. David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, says that as the result of the limited funds, the event’s branding “will find smarter ways to work within our budget” to maximize marketing opportunities.

Although still in the planning stages, the marketing strategy will reportedly focus on using social media to get sports fans across the UK to share their ideas with the organizing committee.

Gevemberg adds, “the Commonwealth Games is the second largest global multi-sport brands Games in the world and we’re already benefiting from an Olympic bounce. Companies want to do business with us and want to be associated with the Glasgow 2014 brand, mindful that there are real and lasting business benefits”.

He adds that sponsorship activity should play to the event’s strengths of “community engagement” and social responsibility” if it is to capture the Commonwealth’s imagination.

NBA Accused of Trying to Force Player Lockout in Contract Dispute

The dispute between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association is no closer to being solved, mind with players association executive director Billy Hunter claiming that the NBA has long wanted to “lock us out in order to break the union.”

Hunter, impotent in New York for the National Basketball Players Association’s off-season meetings, remedy said the NBA has threatened for two years to impose a lockout when the current labour contract expires in one week’s time, and that despite several proposals by both parties, little has changed over that period.

Hunter said: “I think their real intentions are still what they were before, which is to lock us out in order to break the union and achieve what they want to achieve.”

Mike Bass, a spokesman for the NBA, said that the league was “dismayed by the union’s unfortunate rhetoric.”

He added: “A lockout is something that we are trying to avoid by making multiple offers that treat our players fairly.”

Hunter’s comments came a day after Derek Fisher, the union’s president, said the two sides “haven’t been partners in this venture.”

NBA Commissioner David Stern outlined a new proposal to the union two days ago that calls for a 10-year contract guaranteeing players at least US$2bn a year. Hunter said under those terms, the owners and players would be more than US$7bn apart.

Discussions between the two parties are set to continue on Friday.

Sri Lanka Cricket Ask for Government Grant Amid Cash Crisis

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) treasurer Sujeewa Rajapakse has revealed that the body has sought financial help from the government and state banks in an interview on the BBC Sinhala service.

The request follows capital expenditure on the recent World Cup which has put the country’s richest sports body in trouble after Rajapakse, also treasurer for the World Cup secretariat, said that unlike India and Bangladesh, Sri Lanka had to work on its venues from scratch.

The BBC have claimed that as a result of its hosting role, the SLC is facing a sizeable debt, and the crisis comes at a time when Sri Lanka is competing with Australia to host another mega sporting event, Commonwealth Games in 2018.

The BBC added that a recent report in Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror newspaper claimed that the treasury agreed to grant a US$7.26m loan to the SLC, a figure which could be exceeded by a large amount.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins libel case

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages from the Daily Telegraph at London’s High Court.

It claimed in July 2008 that he put an injured ankle at risk by “living it up” at a Hollywood nightclub while a Manchester United player.

The report that he put down crutches to dance with four models caused offence and embarrassment, the court heard.

The paper has accepted the allegations were false and apologised.

In a statement, Ronaldo said he was “delighted” with the outcome.

“I take enormous pride in my professionalism. I treat my training and recovery from injury very seriously and would never have drunk and danced in a nightclub without my crutches,” he said.

Jean-Christophe Rolland Takes Over from Denis Oswald as FISA President

Jean-Christophe Rolland has taken over as the President of FISA from long-time leader Denis Oswald.

Rolland received the symbolic key to the FISA headquarters from predecessor Oswald (pictured) at a gala dinner held during the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland on Saturday night.

The evening was a celebration of Oswalds’ time with FISA and the Olympic movement as well as a welcome to Rolland’s presidency in the presence of guests from the wider sporting world including honorary President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge, International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven, IOC Vice President John Coates and past president of Sportaccord Hein Verbruggen. Also in attendance were National Olympic Committee presidents from around the world, several IOC members and sport dignitaries.

Rolland addressed Oswald’s remarkable career and the contribution he made to the development of rowing. “I would like to say that we are very lucky in FISA.” said Rolland. “If we do have debates and discussions, it is never linked with any personal interests, manipulations or financial embezzlements, but always for the good of rowing and the rowers. You always put the interests of the athletes first and at the heart of discussions.”

Olympic Champion in 2000 for France, Rolland is in his 21st year as part of FISA. He became involved as an athlete when he joined the FISA Athletes’ Commission in 1994. He was then elected chair of the Athletes’ Commission in 2002 and thus became part of the FISA Council. In 2004 Rolland was elected to the Executive Committee.

Rolland holds a master’s degree in electrical, electronics and communications engineering. He has worked for EDF, one of the world’s leading electric utility companies, since 1993. Recently, Rolland managed EDF’s sponsorship programme with the London 2012 Olympic Games Organising Committee. Since moving to Lausanne, Switzerland as part of his role  with EDF, Rolland is able to work voluntarily as FISA President.

Elected as FISA President-Elect in September 2013 at the FISA Congress, Rolland has spent the last nine months working with Oswald in transferring knowledge of the presidential role.

Oswald had been president since 1989.

The Whistle Inks Digital Partnership with Major League Ultimate

The Whistle, doctor the first sports-focused multichannel network, sale added Major League Ultimate (MLU), pills North America’s premier professional ultimate Frisbee league, to its catalog of pro league partners this week.

Per the partnership, The Whistle will work with MLU to develop and promote content on its YouTube channels such as behind the scenes and cross-channel programming on its digital platforms, including its website, mobile apps and YouTube through its multi-channel sports network (The Whistle Network).

Additionally, The Whistle will provide MLU experienced advice, audience insights, studio space and production facilities in New York and Dallas, access to The Whistle’s other pro league partners and sports-specific community tools to help expand their digital presence.

“Combining one of the fastest growing sports in the world with one of the fastest growing platforms for sports entertainment makes perfect sense,” said Dev Sethi, the Whistle’s Head of Content Partnerships. “Digital audiences move quickly and so does the sport of ultimate. Our subscribers are eager to see more and the league’s teams and athletes are eager to share more tips, tricks and compelling content.”

“Connecting with new fans and athletes is a core value of Major League Ultimate, and The Whistle’s focus on programming tailored to a digital generation fits perfectly with the goals of our organization,” said Jeff Snader, MLU Commissioner. “We can’t wait to see what we can do together to produce quality content on all of the platforms where those fans are looking for sports.”

In addition to MLU, The Whistle’s professional league content and equity partners include Major League Baseball’s Advanced Media, the NFL, PGA Tour, NASCAR, Major League Lacrosse, and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.

“Having a partner with the kind of digital expertise The Whistle offers is beyond exciting,” said Nic Darling, MLU Executive Vice President. “Major League Ultimate had over 2.5 million views on our YouTube channel in our inaugural year. We hope to grow that number exponentially in our second year and believe the innovative thinking The Whistle Network provides can help us reach that goal.”

FIFA Opens Up Bidding Process for Eight Events

FIFA have today opened up the bidding process for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 as well as seven more competitions.

The seven other competitions include FIFA Club World Cups from 2015 to 2018, medic the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017, cough the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2018 and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018. The 209 member associations have been invited to submit their interest.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup has grown significantly in stature and significance over the last few editions. Now with 24 teams, it enjoys the second-biggest profile of all FIFA’s flagship events.

FIFA said they would prefer the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 (24 teams) and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018 (16 teams) to be hosted and organised by the same member association.

Th deadline to submit a declaration of interest is 15 April 2014. 

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IOC President Confident in Sochi 2014 Olympics Security

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has again reiterated his confidence in the security arrangements for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

The build-up to the event at the Black Sea Resort has been dominated by the threat of a terrorist attack.

But Bach in confident the Russian organisers are taking every precaution to ensure a safe Games.

“Every big event nowadays is under threat and we have to address this, allergist ” Bach said. “The alternative would be to surrender to the terrorists and that is the last thing we want to do.

“Every organiser of Olympic Games has to make sure they are as safe as possible. Here we have every confidence in the Russian authorities who are co-operating closely with other international organisations.

“I have been assured (about security) before I came here and I am still assured now that I am here.”

Bach pointed out that Sochi is not the only winter Games to face a security threat and does not think that heightened security in Sochi will overshadow the event.

“This is not new,” he said. “We had a high security threat at the Winter Games in Salt Lake City, just after 9/11.

“There was really heavy security then and yet, in all the Olympic venues, you could enjoy a very good Olympic atmosphere and I think that will also happen here.”

Boston to Host 2014 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game

Harvard Stadium in Boston will host the 2014 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) All-Star Game on Thursday, cough June 26, remedy MLL has announced today.

This marks the fifth time the All-Star Game is held in Boston and fourth at Harvard Stadium.

Next year, the MLL All Stars will host US Lacrosse and Team USA as they prepare for the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships, hosted by US Lacrosse in Denver, Colo., starting July 10.

“We are delighted to host Team USA for the 2014 MLL All-Star Game,” said MLL Commissioner David Gross. “The last two times we used this format we had some amazing games featuring some of the top players in the World.”

US Lacrosse recently announced the 52-man training roster that will be trimmed down to the 23 players participating in the World Championships. Of the 52 athletes, 50 are MLL players including the 2010 All-Star Game MVP Brendan Mundorf, three time World Championship participant Matt Striebel and 2013 MLL Rookie of the Year Rob Pannell. With the talent pool available, the 2014 All-Star Game will truly be the battle of the best lacrosse players in the world today.

“It’s the last thing we’re going to do before the World Championships, so we are really looking forward to playing the best players in the MLL,” said Team USA Head Coach Richie Meade. “The All-Star Game is going to be a very exciting event, and will really help us prepare for Denver.”

Harvard Stadium is the centerpiece of Harvard’s athletic facilities and has stood as a Boston landmark for more than a century. The stadium was constructed in 1903 and hosted its first game on November 14 of that year.