Unstoppable Shannon Coates

It is with great pleasure and immense pride that Golf Central Magazine celebrates 21 years with our Editor in Chief, the “Unstoppable Shannon Coates.” Loyal, strong, “a porsche with no brakes!” For the past two decades, she has kept an unwavering dedication to this publication, sending the benchmark of excellence to the moon! Her relentless pursuit of perfection has shaped our publication›s success! Her crazyfun personality has crafted a beloved colleague and friend, not only to me, but to all who experience her invincible self. She has always been willing to lend a helping hand, provide guidance, and support those who she works with.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering dedication, unparalleled work ethic, and the significant impact she has made over the past 21 years. Her contributions have played an instrumental role in shaping the success and, “sometimes questionable” reputation of Golf Central Magazine.

Seems like everybody’s got a price! The news of the merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf shocked the world and stirred the pot, or rather, the purses. The world of golf has swirled in a media frenzy since the spring of 2022 when Greg Norman launched LIV Golf, the non-traditional, controversially-Saudi-backed Golf league that financially challenged the PGA Tour right from the tee. For the last year and a half, players who participate in LIV Tournaments have been restricted from playing on the PGA Tour and also faced restrictions and fines from the DP World Tour. Nevertheless, LIV affiliates played through and legal battles waged.

Post-covid, golf came back into the media spotlight with a monumental resurgence. However, success was accompanied by tension between players, fans, and members of the industry with the future of golf in mind. Suddenly our phones were blasted with news that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV have started on a course to a merger, allowing LIV golfers to apply for membership on the PGA and DP World tours, putting an end to litigating action.

Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum (terrie@golfcentralmag.com)

Edi tor in Chief: Shannon Coates (shannon@golfcentralmag.com)

Graphic Design: Melahn Cable

Social Media Manager: Nafanua Marlowe

Golf The Wise Way: Greg and Beverly Wise, Photojournalists

Photojournalist: Greg Corbo

Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson

Mike Coonan, Becky Galloway, Madison Coates, Mac Carraway

Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr.

Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Bob Bolton, Greg Corbo, Elisa Gaudet, Holly Geoghegan, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Anthony Williams

Editor Emeritus: Joel Jackson, CGCS Retired

Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth, Founder-Georgia Golf Trail

Turf Pirate: Anthony Williams

Video Visionary: Amy Fox

Media Partners: DSP Media; John Gerber, JP Peterson, Nick Geddes, Holly Geoghegan, Golf Insiders, GMS; Tony Leodora, Traveling Golfer

Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 4313 Berwick Dr, Lake Wales, FL 33859

NEW PHONE: 863.875.6863

E-mail: info@golfcentralmag.com

©2023 Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for publishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.

By Tom Lang