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7 Hot Vacation Stops To Watch The HotelPlanner Tour

Plan your golf holidays at these glorious locations!

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The 2025 HotelPlanner Tour schedule continues in South Africa this week, with the Cell C Cape Town Open in association with Honor taking place at the Royal Cape Golf Club in Cape Town from February 6-9.

Players will compete for a record total prize fund of over €9,000,000 on the HotelPlanner Tour this season, with each European event having a minimum prize fund of €300,000.

The prize fund increases for 16 events in total in 2025.

The schedule will consist of 29 tournaments staged across three continents in 18 different countries.

The All New HotelPlanner Tour

The 2025 HotelPlanner Tour, formerly known as the Challenge Tour, offers an exciting array of tournaments set in some of the world’s most captivating destinations. Golf enthusiasts and travelers alike can look forward to experiencing top-tier golf while exploring diverse cultures and landscapes.

Here are some of the standout destinations on this year’s schedule:

1. Kolkata, India – Kolkata Challenge (March 13-16, 2025)

Venue: Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Why Visit: As one of the oldest golf clubs outside of Britain, Royal Calcutta Golf Club is steeped in history. Kolkata is a vibrant city known for its colonial architecture, delicious street food, and cultural festivals. Visitors can explore landmarks like the Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge while soaking in the city’s unique charm.

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2. Abu Dhabi, UAE – Abu Dhabi Challenge (April 17-20, 2025)

Venue: Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Why Visit: Abu Dhabi is a dazzling metropolis known for its luxurious lifestyle and cultural heritage. While in town, visitors can explore the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, experience thrilling desert safaris, and relax on pristine beaches. The Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club provides a fantastic setting for both seasoned golfers and casual fans.

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3. Girona, Spain – Challenge de España (May 8-11, 2025)

Venue: Fontanals Golf Club, Girona, Spain
Why Visit: Girona is a picturesque Catalonian city known for its medieval architecture, vibrant food scene, and stunning coastal proximity. Golfers will love the challenging course at Fontanals Golf Club, while visitors can stroll through the charming old town, visit the iconic Girona Cathedral, or enjoy local tapas.

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4. Lucerne, Switzerland – Swiss Challenge (June 5-8, 2025)

Venue: Golf Sempachersee, Lucerne, Switzerland
Why Visit: Nestled amidst breathtaking Alpine scenery, Lucerne offers a perfect mix of nature and culture. Beyond the golf course, visitors can take a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne, ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus, or explore the charming old town with its iconic Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge).

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5. Cadiz, Spain – Challenge de Cadiz (May 29 – June 1, 2025)

Venue: Iberostar Real Golf Novo Sancti Petri, Cadiz, Andalucía, Spain
Why Visit: Located in the heart of Andalucía, Cadiz is a sun-soaked paradise with stunning beaches, rich history, and fantastic seafood. The Iberostar Real Golf Novo Sancti Petri course is a delight for golf lovers, while the region offers countless attractions, including the historic old town, flamenco shows, and world-famous sherry wines.

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6. Scotland – Farmfoods Scottish Challenge (July 31 – August 3, 2025)

Venue: SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Heiton by Kelso, Scotland
Why Visit: Scotland is the birthplace of golf, and playing at SCHLOSS Roxburghe offers an authentic experience in one of the sport’s most iconic countries. Beyond the greens, visitors can explore Edinburgh’s historic sites, tour whisky distilleries, and take in the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

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7. Portugal – Open de Portugal (September 11-14, 2025)

Venue: Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort, Vau Óbidos, Portugal
Why Visit: Portugal is renowned for its stunning coastline, historic towns, and exceptional golf courses. Royal Óbidos offers breathtaking ocean views and challenging play. While in the region, visitors can explore the medieval town of Óbidos, enjoy fresh seafood, or relax on the beautiful beaches of the Silver Coast.

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Plan Your Ultimate Golf Trip

From the bustling streets of Kolkata to the scenic landscapes of Switzerland, the 2025 HotelPlanner Tour promises incredible golfing experiences in some of the world’s most captivating locations. Whether you’re a dedicated golfer or just love to travel, these destinations offer the perfect mix of sport, culture, and adventure.

Which of these stunning golf locations would you love to visit? Let us know in the comments below!

For the complete 2025 tour schedule, visit the official website

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One of the Greatest Putts in U.S. Open History?

JJ Spaun’s 64-Foot Walk-Off

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When JJ Spaun stood over a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, few could have predicted what would come next. The ball meandered across the slick green, trickling over every contour, picking up speed at the crest, and then—like it had GPS—dropped center cup. Spaun dropped his putter, raised his arms, and the crowd erupted. With that single stroke, he claimed his first major title in one of the most dramatic finishes in U.S. Open history.

But how does Spaun’s putt stack up against other legendary finishes in the tournament’s storied past? Let’s break down some of the most iconic moments and see where this one lands.


1. Payne Stewart – 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst

Perhaps the most iconic putt in U.S. Open history came from Payne Stewart, who nailed a 15-footer for par on the 18th to win by one over Phil Mickelson. The pose—fist pump and outstretched leg—has since been immortalized in a statue at Pinehurst. What made it legendary wasn’t just the putt—it was the context: Stewart’s final major before his tragic death just months later.

Verdict: Iconic and emotional. Spaun’s putt was longer, but Stewart’s was more poetic.


2. Tiger Woods – 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines

Woods drained a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate—while basically playing on one leg. That tournament went to sudden death after an 18-hole playoff, and Tiger prevailed. This was peak Tiger drama, pain and all.

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Verdict: Spaun’s putt was longer, but Tiger’s win was sheer willpower and mystique.


3. Jack Nicklaus – 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

With a 1-iron shot that hit the flagstick on 17 and a crucial birdie putt on 18, Jack sealed a dominant win. His precision and timing under pressure showed why he’s the GOAT.

Verdict: Not a putt for the win, but a signature finishing statement from Jack. Spaun’s was more electric in terms of pure putter drama.


4. Ben Hogan – 1950 U.S. Open at Merion

Hogan’s 1-iron into the 18th fairway and the par to force a playoff—just 16 months after a near-fatal car crash—remain legendary. He won the playoff and completed one of golf’s great comeback stories.

Verdict: Larger-than-life comeback. Spaun’s putt had more flair, but Hogan’s win was heroic.


5. JJ Spaun – 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont

Let’s not underestimate what Spaun accomplished. The pressure was immense. He wasn’t the favorite. And on the most treacherous greens in golf, he buried a 64-foot bomb—a putt most players would be happy to lag to within 5 feet—to win the U.S. Open outright.

Verdict: For distance, surprise, and drama, Spaun’s putt may be the most shocking winning stroke in U.S. Open history.


Final Thoughts

JJ Spaun may not have the résumé of a Nicklaus or Woods, but for one Sunday afternoon in June 2025, he created a moment that will live in golf lore forever. Spaun’s putt was longer than Stewart’s, more unexpected than Tiger’s, and more dramatic than any final-hole finish in recent memory.

In terms of pure clutch putting? It might just be the greatest walk-off in U.S. Open history.


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The Zen of the Shank: Finding Inner Peace in Your Worst Shots

Find your inner peace even when you aren’t playing well.

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Ah, the shank. That glorious, unpredictable misfire that sends your pristine golf ball screaming sideways, often directly into the unsuspecting shins of your playing partner, or perhaps, with a touch of poetic irony, into the very lake you’ve been trying to avoid all day. Most golfers, bless their earnest little hearts, view the shank as a catastrophic failure, a blight upon their scorecard, a testament to their inherent lack of coordination. They curse, they throw clubs, they contemplate a career in competitive thumb-wrestling. But not I. No, my friends, for I, Ty Webb, have found enlightenment in the humble shank.

You see, the shank is not a mistake; it’s a revelation. It’s the universe’s way of reminding you that control is an illusion, that perfection is a myth, and that sometimes, the most direct path to your goal is, in fact, a wildly indirect one. Think of it as a philosophical detour, a sudden, unexpected journey into the unknown. One moment, you’re aiming for the green, a paragon of precision and intent. The next, your ball is ricocheting off a tree, narrowly missing a squirrel, and landing, by some divine comedic intervention, closer to the hole than your perfectly struck drive ever would have. Is that not a miracle? Is that not a sign that the golf gods, much like life itself, have a wicked sense of humor?

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The key, my dear apprentices of the links, is acceptance. Embrace the shank. Welcome it with open arms, like a long-lost, slightly inebriated relative. When that familiar, sickening thwack echoes through the air, do not despair. Instead, take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Feel the gentle breeze on your face. And then, with a knowing smile, open them and observe the chaos you have wrought. Is it not beautiful in its own chaotic way? Is there not a certain freedom in relinquishing control, in allowing the ball to choose its own destiny, however bizarre that destiny may be?

Some say the shank is a sign of poor technique. I say it’s a sign of a vibrant, untamed spirit. A golfer who never shanks is a golfer who has never truly lived, never truly explored the outer limits of their own golfing absurdity. They are content with mediocrity, with predictable trajectories and mundane outcomes. But you, my enlightened few, you understand that the true joy of golf lies not in the score, but in the story. And what a story a good shank can tell.

So, the next time you feel that familiar tremor of a shank brewing, don’t fight it. Let it flow. Let it be. For in the heart of every shank lies a lesson, a laugh, and perhaps, just perhaps, a path to a lower score you never saw coming. After all, as the great philosopher Basho once said, “A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a Danish.” And a golf game without a shank? Well, that’s just not golf, is it?

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Meet The Canadian Open Qualifier Tied To ClickIt Golf!

“This week was incredible,” he said. “A dream come true.”

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Josh Goldenberg doesn’t plan to quit his day job. But he had a great time dabbling in his old career.

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He gave up on pro golf, then qualified for his first PGA Tour event.

Read the full story here
https://golf.com/news/josh-goldenberg-rbc-canadian-open/?amp=1

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