Taking part in Via’s memorable tales from inaugural 2023 season

The Taking part in Via crew had some distinctive alternatives to satisfy a variety of individuals in 2023, its inaugural yr.

Golf is a tremendous sport as a result of it extends far past the skilled degree. It impacts tens of millions across the globe, whereas additionally doing loads of good for the much less lucky. However many individuals who play the game know tips on how to have enjoyable, too, which is one more reason why golf is the very best.

As such, listed below are our staff’s favourite tales from this previous season:

5. Joel Dahmen unveils new drink, taking after Arnold Palmer and John Daly

Bushmills Whiskey

In July, Taking part in Via had the chance to satisfy Joel Dahmen in Arizona, the place he and Bushmills Whiskey unveiled his new cocktail, aptly named ‘Joel’s Juicy Lie.’

The drink sounds scrumptious. It’s served with Bushmills 10-year-old single malt whiskey, grapefruit soda, and a pineapple twist. To garnish it off, there’s a mini bucket hat, an iconic staple of Dahmen’s wardrobe.

Dahmen, in fact, has seen his reputation skyrocket over the previous couple of years due to his appearances on Netflix’s Full Swing. His enjoyable demeanor is infectious.

“I feel it’s a stability,” Dahmen mentioned about having enjoyable on and off the golf course.

“Everybody has to have [fun] it doesn’t matter what you’re doing. My stability can lean too heavy a technique at occasions… It’s all the time one thing that I’m attempting to determine. My spouse’s a fantastic assist. Geno [my caddy is] a fantastic assist… It’s one thing that’s a relentless battle, nevertheless it’s a enjoyable battle to play.”

Dahmen additionally held the 36-hole co-lead with Collin Morikawa on the 2022 U.S. Open. His bucket hat was a preferred matter of debate that week at Brookline.

The phrase most cancers sits on the entrance brim of his signature hat, with a pink line putting via it. Dahmen was identified with testicular most cancers in 2011. He makes use of his platform to unfold consciousness in regards to the horrible illness that impacts us all.

4. Bridgestone, PGA Tour companion to empower HBCU athletes

PGA Tour

In November, the PGA Tour staged its inaugural HBCU Bridgestone Invitational at TPC Sugarloaf exterior of Atlanta. The match featured 15 groups from traditionally black schools and universities (HBCUs): 10 males’s groups and 5 girls’s groups.

Arkansas Pine-Bluff emerged victorious on the lads’s facet, whereas Alabama State took house the trophy on the ladies’s facet.

Although wins are significant, this match was far more about golf, as Florida A&M Coach Mike Rice alluded to in an interview with Taking part in Via.

“The golf course was in nice form, the competitors was good, however I feel the very best half was having [business] leaders share their story of how they’ve gotten to the place they’re of their careers, and sharing that with the student-athletes was large,” Rice mentioned.

As a part of the match, leaders from Fortune 500 corporations, the PGA Tour, and Bridgestone gathered with the student-athletes to supply profession recommendation, set up relationships, and talk about their futures.

“Much more goes into this than simply hitting the ball,” mentioned Kenyatta Ramsey, the Vice President of Participant Improvement for the PGA Tour.

“We’re attempting to construct a holistic program that’s serving to these guys not solely on the course however off the course. We’re serving to them with funds, psychological well being, scheduling on your tournaments, and many others.”

3. Max Homa, Buddies of Golf collaborate to boost cash for student-athletes

Taking part in Via

In October, Buddies of Golf invited members of the Taking part in Via staff to Bel-Air Nation Membership, which hosted its annual charity match.

Buddies of Golf, or FOG as it’s recognized, is a non-profit group that helps student-athlete golfers of practically all ages. From grade faculty all via faculty, golfers have been instilled with the values of ethics, honesty, and fellowship via this system.

Initially based in 1979 by Eddie Merrins, nicknamed “The Lil Professional,” FOG has donated over $10 million to excessive colleges, schools, and non-profit organizations serving to develop the game.

Through the years, Buddies of Golf has honored prestigious names like Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa, and Collin Morikawa.

This yr, FOG honored PGA Tour fan-favorite Max Homa and LPGA Tour legend Juli Inkster. These two had been additionally available to work together with the gamers. They even offered everybody with classes, which included recommendations on tips on how to hit a pleasant buttery fade or draw.

However these two confirmed as much as Bel-Air for far more vital causes. They had been there to boost cash for student-athletes and did so very successfully.

The group raised properly over six figures to assist the sport develop, and Taking part in Via was proud to be there to see these deeds of charity in motion.

2. Shriners Youngsters’s Hospital is not like every other PGA Tour occasion

Picture by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Photographs

The Shriners Youngsters’s Open is likely one of the finest golf tournaments of the yr. Not as a result of it’s performed at a significant championship venue, or as a result of it’s a marquee Signature Occasion.

As an alternative, this occasion places youngsters first, giving them a chance to satisfy gamers and followers.

So this previous October, for the seventeenth consecutive yr, the PGA Tour partnered with Shriners Hospitals to stage a match that raises capital and brings consciousness to pediatric accidents, orthopedic circumstances, burns, spinal wire accidents, and extra.

“What makes it actually particular is that it offers us a platform to inform our story to a brand new and numerous viewers every year,” mentioned Mel Bower, the Chief Communications and Advertising and marketing Officer for Shriners Hospitals, in an unique interview with Taking part in Via.

Twenty-three Shriners sufferers formally served as ambassadors on the 2023 match, giving gamers and followers a greater understanding of what the hospital community does.

“Shriners is likely one of the largest the explanation why I’m Juan Diego at present,” Juan Diego, one of many ambassadors for Shriners, mentioned to Taking part in Via.

“I’m an unbiased younger man who can perform a life on a traditional foundation, you already know, with faculty, private life, and that type of stuff. [Shriners] is the explanation why I’m right here at present.”

Juan Diego’s story is that of each tragedy and triumph, however he’s a shining instance of why this golf match is so vital yearly.

1. 9/11 Justice places warmth on Saudi PIF in U.S. Congress amid PGA Tour, LIV Golf deal

Picture by Drew Angerer/Getty Photographs

Years from now, after we look again to 2023 and take into consideration the golf that transpired throughout this previous yr, the battle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour will seemingly come to thoughts.

The 2 circuits have divided golf over the previous few years. And but, the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF)—LIV’s beneficiary—and the PGA Tour struck a framework settlement on Jun. 6, 2023.

That raised eyebrows in Washington, D.C., as a sovereign wealth fund had by no means earlier than partnered with an American sports activities establishment just like the PGA Tour. Thus, the Senate’s Everlasting Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI)—chaired by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), held a listening to to debate this deal on Jul. 11, 2023.

Thus, two members of the PGA Tour brass, Ron Value and Jimmy Dunne, testified earlier than members of the U.S. Senate.

But additionally available had been members of the family who misplaced family members on Sept. 11, 2001. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers on that horrible day had been Saudi residents.

One of many members available was Brett Eagleson, a resident of Middletown, Connecticut, and the President of 9/11 Justice.

“For our functions, for the 9/11 group functions, I feel the listening to went properly,” Eagleson mentioned in an unique interview with Taking part in Via.

“We had been talked about quite a few occasions by totally different senators, with the 9/11 concern being introduced up by each side of the aisle.”

Proof factors to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lending a serving to hand to the terrorists who carried out these assaults.

“I need to see the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as soon as and for all, take accountability and accountability for what they did,” Eagleson admitted.

“They created the circumstances 22 years in the past that led to the success of the hijackers. The Kingdom fought again towards that narrative, tooth and nail, regardless of the mounting proof, regardless of all of the strain, regardless of our real points, they deny us, and so they gained’t settle for.”

Talking with Eagleson modified our perspective on the 9/11 concern in regards to the Saudi Kingdom’s involvement in golf. And as our prime story of the yr, we hope additionally, you will acquire a unique outlook on it. You may learn the total story right here.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. You’ll want to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.