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FUN

FACTS

FUN FACTS

• Modern day golf was invented in 1457 in Scotland.

• Golf was banned three times for years after it was invented because the Scottish government believed it interfered with military training.

• The first round of women’s golf was played in the year 1811 in Musselburgh, Scotland.

• The first golf balls were made of feathers wrapped in leather. These balls flew much further than the balls that came after. They were used until the mid-1800s, when they began being made out of wood.

• The original Augusta was intended to have a 19th hole, giving losing golfers a chance to win their money back on a quick round of double-or-nothing. It was indefinitely tabled because the hole would ruin the flow of the golf course.

• Before golf tees, players would shape mounds of sand and place the golf ball on top. Tees were finally popularized in the 1920s.

• The term “birdie” was coined accidentally by Ab Smith, who hit a “bird of a shot” in 1889.

• A score of three under par is called an albatross.

• A condor is a term given to a hole-in-one on a par 5. It is almost as rare as two holein-ones in a single game of golf.

ABOUT GOLF

• Almost 80% of golfers will never have a handicap under 18.

• The average golfer has a 12,500 to 1 chance of making a hole-in-one.

• Golf was one of the only sports played on the moon. Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. used a 6-iron to play golf on the moon.

• The longest putt was a mind-blowing 375 feet.

• The chance of making two hole-in-ones in a single game is 1 in 67 million.

• Tiger Woods made his first hole-in-one at the age of eight.

• Phil Mickelson is naturally right-handed, but as a child he mirrored his father’s swing and learned to swing as though he was lefthanded.

• Jack Nicklaus was the first golf who was able to successfully defend his Master’s title.

2025 Wedding Trends to Fall IN LOVE with

Throughout wedding planning, couples are constantly looking for unique ways to celebrate their love, infuse personal touches, and create memorable experiences for themselves and their guests. Wedding trends are important to stay on top of, as they may inspire you when you are planning your special day, but staying true to your own story will never go out of style.

Sustainable Weddings

We know that sustainability never goes out of style, so how can you incorporate it into your wedding day? Couples can include elements like seed paper confetti, eco-friendly wedding favors, or thrifted

decor in their celebrations. Sustainability not only reduces waste from your day but is often used in thoughtful ways that add to the overall feel of your party.

Bold Colors

More and more couples are straying away from muted and natural tones, and we expect to see that trend continue into 2024. Choosing colors, whatever they may be, helps couples set the tone for their event. Maintaining a color story throughout not only creates a vibe, but it helps your guests gauge your day. Using colors will create an atmosphere unlike anything else because it speaks to who you are.

Micro Weddings

Micro weddings are defined as those having a guest list of 50 or fewer. Through the pandemic, small weddings have been normalized and we aren’t likely to see this trend go away any time soon. Going this route could certainly save money, but oftentimes couples splurge on their guests. They might opt for a fancy restaurant, hosting hotel rooms, or even covering transportation; these are all ways of putting the budget they might have used for a large wedding into creating a luxe experience for themselves and their guests.

Retro Design

Retro weddings were thought to be a thing of the past but have made a comeback and are here to stay. The 60s and 70s-inspired styles add some personality to a wedding, not only on the day of, but in the leadup. Couples are having fun including contrasting colors, patterns, and disco themes throughout. The return of this trend and the modern takes has made this theme timeless.

Interactive and Tech Elements

Interactive elements not only add to the guest experience, but they also make for great memories! A growing trend for 2024 is audio guestbooks, which allow guests to leave messages and wishes through a voice recording. Capturing feelings in your guests’ voices is such a special memory that you can cherish for years to come.

Another fun thing that you can do with your guests is to create a dropbox with a QR code for guests to share the pictures that they have taken throughout the day.

Non-Traditional Venues

Classic venues like churches, hotels, or lavish estates are great, but in 2024 we predict to see couples gravitating to venues that are a little less traditional, and more personal to the couple and their story. Places like restaurants, galleries, or backyards; the locations are endless when you look outside the box.

PGA TOUR SCHEDULE

JAN 4 - 7

JAN 11 - 14

FEB 1 - 4

FEB 8 - 11

FEB 15 - 18

FEB 29MAR 3

MAR 7 - 10

MAR 14 - 17

The Sentry Plantation Course at Kapalua Kapalua, Maui, HI

Sony Open in Hawaii, Waialae Country Club Honolulu, HI

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach, CA

WM Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) Scottsdale, AZ

The Genesis Invitational, The Riviera Country Club Vallarta, MEX

The Classic in The Palm Beaches, PGA National Resort

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Puerto Rico Open, Grand Reserve Golf Club Rio Grande, PUR

Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard Orlando, FL

THE PLAYERS Championship, TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS)

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

MAR 21 - 24

MAR 28 - 31

APR 4 - 7

Valspar Championship, Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)

Texas Children's Houston Open, Memorial Park Golf Course

Valero Texas Open , TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)

Palm Harbor, FL

Houston, TX

San Antonio, TX

APR 11 - 14

Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club Augusta, GA

PGA TOUR SCHEDULE

APR 18 - 21 Corales Puntacana Championship Puntacana Resort & Club

Punta Cana, DOM

APR 18 - 21 RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links Hilton Head Island, SC

APR 25 - 28 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, TPC Louisiana Avondale, LA

MAY 2 - 5 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, TPC Craig Ranch McKinney, TX

MAY 9 - 12

MAY 16 - 19

MAY 23 - 26

MAY 30JUN 2 RBC Canadian Open Hamilton Golf & Country Club Hamilton, ON, CAN

JUN 6 - 9 The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday Dublin, OH

JUN 13 - 16

Open Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2) Village of Pinehurst, NC

JUN 20 - 23 Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands Cromwell, CT

JUN 27 - 30 Rocket Mortgage Classic , Detroit Golf Club

SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME SELL FASTER

1. TAKE GREAT PHOTOS – If your listing photos don’t show off the features of your home, prospective buyers may reject it without even taking a tour or going to the open house. Hiring a professional photographer and posting at least 30 photos of your home, inside and out, is a good way to attract buyers.

2. CLEAN EVERYTHING – Nothing turns off buyers like a dirty house. Hire a company to deep clean it if you can’t do it yourself. Key places to clean while your home is on the market include kitchen countertops, inside cabinets and appliances, floors and room corners where dust collects, shelves, bathroom counters, toilets, tubs and showers, inside closets, windows inside and out, scuffed walls, baseboards and doors, basement and garage.

3. LET THE LIGHT IN – People love light and bright, and the best way to show off your house is to let the sunshine in. Open all the curtains, blinds and shades, and turn lights on in any dark rooms. If the natural light situation is lacking in any room, strategically place lamps or light sources throughout to

set the mood.

4. MAKE YOUR HOME AVAILABLE – Buyers like to see homes on their schedules, which often means evenings and weekends. Plus, they want to be able to tour a home soon after they find it online, especially in a hot market where they’re competing with other buyers. If your home can be shown with little or no notice, more prospective buyers will see it. If you require 24 hours notice, they may choose to skip your house altogether.

5. SET THE RIGHT PRICE – No seller wants to leave money on the table, but the strategy of setting an unrealistically high price with the idea you can come down later doesn’t work in real estate. Buyers and their agents have access to more information on comparable homes than ever, and they know what most homes are worth before viewing them. A home that is overpriced in the beginning tends to stay on the market longer, even after the price is cut, because buyers think there must be something wrong with it.

6. SPREAD THE WORD – Your neighbors are often the best salespeople for your home because they love the neighborhood. Make sure they know your home is for sale and are invited to your open house. Also share your listing on social media and ensure your real estate agent does the same. Share the news on neighborhood e-mail lists, Facebook groups and other social media outlets. Collaborate with your real estate agent to promote your home’s listing information throughout multiple accounts.

JUL 4 - 7

JUL 11 - 14

JUL 18 - 21

John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run Silvis, IL

JUL 18 - 21

PGA TOUR SCHEDULE

JUL 25 - 28

AUG 1 - 4

AUG 8 - 11

AUG 15 - 18

AUG 22 - 25

AUG 29SEP 1

Genesis Scottish Open, The Renaissance Club North Berwick, SCO

Barracuda Championship Tahoe Mountain Club Truckee, CA

The Open Championship, Royal Troon Troon, South Ayrshire, SCO

3M Open, TPC Twin Cities Blaine, MN

Olympic Men's Golf Competition, Le Golf National Paris, FRA

Wyndham Championship, Sedgefield Country Club

Greensboro, NC

FedEx St. Jude Championship, TPC Southwind Memphis, TN

BMW Championship, Castle Pines Golf Club Castle Rock, CO

TOUR Championship, East Lake Golf Club Atlanta, GA

EXPLORING NAPLES, FLORIDA

While renowned for its incomparable white sand beaches, premium golf courses and swanky shops and restaurants, Naples offers much more. One of the hidden gems of Naples is Revs Institute for Automotive Research. A visit is a must for auto aficionados, but also fascinating to history buffs and those with an appreciation of the beauty of form and function. If you want to see just how far the automobile has come you only need to visit the Revs Institute. This oneof-a-kind museum features some of the more important and rarest cars ever built. Boasting 40,000 square feet of gallery space, the Revs Institute houses about 115 cars spanning the last century, with an amazing tale behind each one. The

oldest in the collection is an 1896 Panhard & Levassor Wagonette, which is in stark contrast to the youngest, a 1995 McLaren F1. The sheer range and timeline of the vehicles on display illuminates the evolution of the automobile and how it has transformed our lives along the way.

Many of the vehicles are part of the “Collier collection,” which came from the Revs Institute founder Miles Collier. He was also able to acquire the collection of his family friend, road racing legend Briggs Swift Cunningham. The cars are split into four categories: Automobility, which are cars of the roadway; Vitresse, which deals with the raceway; Porsche, which is all about the automaker; and revs, an

area that highlights the evolution of auto sport.

The cars aren’t just randomly placed in a room, there’s a strategy behind it. It’s a way of storytelling. For example, looking at the row of Porsches, it’s like a timeline in history. It starts with the very first Porsche 550 coupe. That Is the very first purpose built Porsche in existence. Another first is the 1948 166 Spyder Corsa, the first Ferrari

to arrive in the United States. Another beauty is the short version of the 1935 SSJ Duesenberg. Only two were made. Actor Gary Cooper owned the one on display. One of the most impressive cars on display is the Gurney Eagle F1. This iconic beauty seems to get the most oohs and aahs of the collection.

A standout aspect of the museum is that you can really get up close to them. There is no barrier between viewer and vehicle. While you can’t touch, you can peer inside and look at all the intricate details. Almost every car in the collection is in running order.

The institute offers a research library for scholars to study anything automotive. They have hundreds of thousands of automotive images, which they are in the process of digitizing and putting online. Automotive classes are also given.

Self-guided tours are available, but to make the most of your visit, sign up for a docent led tour. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the docents will help you to have an unforgettable experience.

Revsinstitute.org. Visit the website for hours and prices.

IS CRYPTOCURRENCY FOR YOU?

WHAT IS CRYPTOCURRENCY?

Cryptocurrency, or crypto, is a digital payment platform that eliminates the need to carry physical money. It exists only in digital form, and although people mainly use it for online transactions, you can make some physical purchases. Unlike traditional money printed only by the government, several companies sell cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrencies are fungible, meaning the value remains the same when bought, sold, or traded. Cryptocurrency isn’t the same as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with variable values. For example, one dollar in crypto will always be one dollar, whereas the value of one NFT dollar depends on the digital asset it’s attached to.

Although government regulations are absent from the cryptocurrency market, they are taxable assets. You’ll need to file any profit or loss with the Internal Revenue Service.

CRYPTOCURRENCY VS. TRADITIONAL CURRENCY

The government produces traditional currency in paper bills and coins you can carry with you or put in a bank. You can use it for purchases and other transactions that require cash. The government backs traditional currency, while cryptocurrency has no government, bank, or financial institution controls.

While you can hold traditional currency in a bank or financial institution, you store cryptocurrencies in a digital wallet. Banks insure money kept in bank accounts against loss, while crypto has no recourse in the event of a loss.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CRYPTOCURRENCY?

When it comes to cryptocurrency, there are some advantages to it versus traditional currency. An advantage of cryptocurrency is privacy. When you make a purchase with cryptocurrency, you don’t need to provide any personal information. This protects you from potential identity theft and other fraudulent activities. And no matter what happens to the government, your investment is secure.

Another advantage of cryptocurrency is that it’s global, so there’s no need to figure or pay foreign exchange rates, although cryptocurrency isn’t legal in some countries. You also don’t need to worry about bank account restrictions, such as ATM withdrawal limits.

TYPES OF CRYPTOCURRENCY

Cryptocurrency is available as coins or tokens. The difference between them is that tokens are assets that exist on a blockchain, while coins can be virtual, digital, or tangible. Coins are more like traditional money; a digital coin has its own blockchain. Conversely, a token is created on an existing blockchain and can be used as currency or to represent asset ownership.

The first cryptocurrency introduced was Bitcoin, the most commonly traded one. Ethereum is the second most valuable cryptocurrency and can be used for complex transactions. Other more common cryptocurrencies, called altcoins, include Cardano, Solana, Dogecoin, and XRP.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH CRYPTOCURRENCIES

To start with cryptocurrency, you’ll need to choose a broker or crypto exchange. An exchange is an online platform where you can trade cryptocurrencies. Brokers use interfaces that interact with exchanges.

An exchange allows you to trade without a third party. Should you decide to use an exchange, you’ll need to find buyers for your cryptocurrency. A broker can do that for you. Here are the steps to start trading cryptocurrencies.

1. CREATE AND FUND YOUR ACCOUNT.

When you’ve selected a broker or exchange, the next step is to open an account. You’ll want to keep a form of identification nearby since some platforms require it. Once you verify your identity, you can fund your account. Depending on your funding method, you may need to wait a few days for it to clear into your crypto account.

2. BUY CRYPTO.

You can make your first cryptocurrency

purchase when your account is set up and verified. You’ll find many options. You can purchase as much or as little as you’d like. When you’ve selected the one you want to start with, you’ll need to enter the ticker symbol and the amount you wish to purchase. Some of the more traded cryptocurrencies and their symbols are:

3. SELECT A STORAGE METHOD.

Most often, you’ll store cryptocurrency in a crypto wallet. When you purchase from a broker, you might not have an option regarding how you store your crypto. However, you can choose between a hot or cold wallet when purchasing through an exchange.

HOT WALLETS

A hot wallet is a crypto wallet that offers online storage that you can access from a computer, phone, or tablet. A hot wallet has a security risk because it’s stored on the internet and is more susceptible to cyberattacks.

COLD WALLETS

A cold wallet doesn’t connect to the internet. You can store your cryptocurrency in an external drive, such as a USB device. You’ll receive a keycode to keep in a safe place. Should you lose the keycode, you may lose access to your crypto wallet and cryptocurrency.

PERFECT FOR A WEEKEND GREAT

SMALL TOWN GETAWAYS IN FL

Florida is a perfect location for a weekend getaway. The historically significant state has something for everyone, from world renowned beaches, islands, unspoiled nature preserves, and of course, a world famous mouse at the center of it all. However, if you are looking for a remote weekend away from the crowds, there are small towns that hold their own in terms of activities and history.

Saint Augustine

When discussing idyllic small Florida towns, no list is complete without mentioning St. Augustine. As the nation's oldest incorporated town, the town is replete with history and unique attractions. The heart of the historic district is St. George Street and this is the central focal point of must-see historical sites. Among the famous sites are the country's oldest schoolhouse, the oldest jail, and the Fountain of Youth. Though the town is perfect for a weekend getaway, it takes multiple trips to experience all that St. Augustine has to offer. The best way to absorb all you can on a weekend is to plan out the trip ahead of time. To really get the feel of the town, staying in a historic bed and breakfast like the St. Francis Inn is the way to go.

Islamorada

The small village of Islamorada encompasses six of the Florida Keys and is a world-class sport fishing destination. Islamorada has the best coral

reefs and shipwrecks in the US, and is a scuba diver's paradise. There is also ample snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking. On land there are attractions like the Theatre of the Sea and a unique diving museum that elaborates on the connection of underwater exploration and the beautiful village. If you want to add luxury to your weekend, staying at the Cheeca is the best bet. This luxurious beachfront hotel and spa offers rooms, suites, and villas along with a fine dining restaurant, La Casita.

Mount Dora

Mount Dora is a quaint town in central Florida known for its antique shops and annual festivals. The town centers around Lake Dora, complete with a lighthouse surrounded by picnic tables. Along with the historic homes, the Mount Dora History Museum is in a 1923 firehouse and the Museum of Speed is inside a 1940's gas station.

This is a fun town to visit for a weekend. Perhaps it's the fact that it is not mainstream Florida like the bigger metropolises and it offers a different view of Florida that some may not know exists. Staying at the Lakeside Inn, Florida's oldest hotel, completes the historic experience. Staying here is like traveling back in time and exudes the charm of Mount Dora like no other hotel does.

LPGA TOUR SCHEDULE

JAN 18-21

JAN 25-28 LPGA Drive On Championship Bradenton, FL

FEB 22-25

FEB

MAR 3

MAR 7-10

MAR

APR

APR 18-21

APR

MAY 9-12 Cognizant Founders Cup Clifton, NJ

MAY 16-19 Mizuho Americas Open Jersey City, NJ

MAY 30JUNE 2 U.S. Women’s Open Lancaster, PA

JUN 7-9

ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer Galloway, NJ

JUN 13-16 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Grand Rapids, MI

JUN 20-23

LPGA TOUR SCHEDULE

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Sammamish, WA

JUN 27-30 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational Midland, MI

JUL 11-14 Amundi Evian Championship Evian-les-Bains, France

JUL 18-21 Dana Open Sylvania, OH

JUL 25-28

CPKC Women’s Open Calgary, Alberta, Canada

AUG 1-4 Portland Classic Portland, OR

AUG 8-11

2024 Paris Olympics Paris, France

AUG 15-18 Women’s Scottish Open TBD, Scotland

AUG 22-25

AIG Women’s Open St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

AUG 20-SEP 1 FM Global Championship Norton, MA

SEPT 13-15 Solheim Cup Gainesville, VA

PILATES FOR GOLF: THE BENEFITS OF PILATES FOR GOLFERS

Golf and Pilates might not seem like a natural partnership. But, in fact, the emphasis in Pilates on rotation, spine flexibility and trunk stability means that players – both professional and recreational –can gain a lot from practicing this method.

Not forgetting that Pilates can help golfers with injury prevention and injury recovery. With each repetitive movement – rotate, tilt, shift and extend – taken on a drive, golfers put themselves at risk of overusing particular muscles. This is where Pilates for golf becomes an attractive solution.

In this article, we talk in depth about

the benefits of Pilates for golf, get an expert physiotherapist’s point of view (who regularly works with elite athletes such as Ryder cup golfers) and give golfers simple Pilates exercises they can do from the comfort of their home.

The benefits of Pilates for Golfers

1. Advanced Core Strength

Having core strength in golf is just as important as any other activity. One way to improve performance, longevity and reduce the risk of injury is by training and strengthening the core.

Golf is centered around rotation of the body and driving power from the ground, through your core

to the club and the ball. With a stronger core comes increased power and, therefore a more powerful, controlled swing. Not only that, a strong core, impacts so many other factors like improving your posture and lessening the pressure on your back and neck which often causes acute back pain.

2. Enhanced Flexibility

Flexibility is one of, if not, the most important factor in becoming a successful golfer. The ability to get a good rotation between the shoulder and hip is the difference between executing a compact, powerful swing or not.

Flexibility enables golfers to reach a full range of motion which in turn allows you to reach maximum potential strength and distance.

3. Improve Body Balance & Stability

Body balance and stability creates a good foundation for golfers to execute an effective swing with power behind it.

The success behind your swing lies in the control over overall range of motion and the coordinated rotation of the body, predominantly, the shoulders and the hips. This is not possible without balance and stability from the pelvis.

Pilates helps with pelvic and spine

alignment so that you’re able to transition through movements with ease and control. In Pilates, this is done by lengthening tight muscles, strengthening weak muscles and engaging the deep core muscles to increase pelvic and spine stability and improve muscular imbalances.

4. Injury prevention & rehabilitation

Pilates is lesser known for its ability to effectively help individuals in their injury rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Clinical Pilates, in particular, can help with all kinds of rehabilitation from acute shoulder pain to chronic back pain. This is largely down to the holistic approach of Pilates which focuses on the entire body to treat any imbalances which may be creating compensatory patterns. Using unilateral movements, Pilates aims to develop even muscles on either side of the body to reduce unnecessary pressure on overcompensating muscles. Pilates also helps to correct postural problems which can often cause injury. A poor posture leads to both shortened and weak muscles; Pilates focuses on lengthening and strengthening muscles, particularly the core, which is great for alignment.

JAN 1 Tata Open Maharashtra Pune, India