The Arccos Invitational Winner is …
If you tuned in to The Players, you understand the magical allure of the course. Even more enchanting was the celebration of its 50th anniversary. The meticulously manicured grass, the perfectly mowed fairways adorned with pristine parallel lines, and Alice Dye's iconic corner as players make the turn on their approach on 16—all contributed to the magical ambiance of being at TPC Sawgrass. TPC Sawgrass, while open to the public, offers a premier private feel and experience, making it a bucket list destination for golfers around the globe.
Just a week after Scottie Scheffler's triumph at TPC Sawgrass, 12 fortunate Arccos Members seized the opportunity to compete over two days in our Member Major—the inaugural Arccos Invitational, held on the same prestigious course.
With the course still in PGA TOUR tournament conditions and the grandstands and stadiums standing tall throughout the course, our 12 members embarked on a memorable journey over the next two days.
It’s Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Dye’s Valley, under a mild morning sun, players were greeted with a table full of VIP tee gifts; the New Link Pro, Puma Golf Shoes, Customised Srixon Golf Balls, a year’s subscription to The Golfer’s Journal, a Custom Seamus ball marker and bag tag, Arccos Polos, hoodies, hats, a premium leather headcover and more.
After settling in, grabbing breakfast, and warming up, the event commenced with the announcement of grand prizes and partner challenge rewards. Over the two days, the players were paired into teams of two for an alternative point competition, vying for a custom trophy by Seamus Golf and exclusive prizes from our club partners; PING, TaylorMade, Cobra, Srixon, and Cleveland.
The team with the most points after both days will get to take home a full set of customised PING clubs and bags.
Our other challenges and prizes included the following:
- Driver Challenge - New Qi10 TaylorMade Driver
- Approach Challenge - New set of Cobra Irons
- Short Game Challenge - New set of Cleveland Wedges
- Putting Challenge - New Cobra Putter
- Wild Card Challenge - New PING wedge
Excitement filled the air as the first tee time approached, and players navigated through challenging tee shots, glassy greens, and rolling fairways. Despite the toughness of the round, Tony Lee and Mayes Gillespie emerged as the leaders after day one. The day concluded with a clinic led by Arccos Ambassador, Erika Larkin, providing players with valuable insights and confidence for day two on The Stadium Course…Nothing better than a positive swing thought to go to bed with.
Come Wednesday, March 27, 2024, brought a magical morning to The Stadium Course, reminiscent of the electric atmosphere of a Sunday at The Players. Despite a slightly overcast sky and the looming possibility of rain, anticipation filled the air as excitement built for the day ahead. Every participant eagerly anticipated the challenge of playing on the renowned Stadium Course.
A brief drizzle teased us, prompting everyone to check the weather app anxiously. Although the forecast seemed uncertain, there remained a hopeful optimism among the group. As the players warmed up, the clubhouse sirens sounded, signaling a weather warning. However, to our relief, the Florida storm passed swiftly, allowing tee times to be reset without significant delay.
The Stadium Course greeted us with its impeccable condition, with tightly mowed fairways and rough still bearing the viscousness of the recent tournament.
Entering the day, Tony and Mayes held the lead, but their advantage began to diminish as Parth and Scott, along with Andrew and Jason, made crucial shots to close the gap. Andrew's stellar approach shots propelled him closer to the leaders as the tension mounted.
With only a few holes remaining, the competition reached its peak, with Tony/Mayes and Andrew/Jason all tied after the turn. The pressure was palpable, yet amidst the intensity, neither Andrew nor Jason bothered to check the scores, instead watching the crowd's reactions they gauged the closeness of the contest.
As they approached the final stretch, Mayes and Tony found themselves in the last group, with scores neck and neck. With bated breath, they sank their final putts, and the ultimate scores were tallied.
In a thrilling conclusion, Jason Montana and Andrew Schwartz emerged as the victors of the 2024 Arccos Invitational at TPC Sawgrass, earning themselves a custom full set of PING clubs and the Arccos Invitational trophy.
The day drew to a close with a players' reception dinner, providing an opportunity to reflect not only on the round at The Stadium Course but the event overall. The members relished the chance to play on a bucket list course, following in the fairways of golfing legends like Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Palmer. New friendships were made, invaluable insights into utilising Arccos data for game improvement were gained, and memories of this unforgettable experience would be remembered for years to come.
Be sure to not miss out on the next Member Major, by joining the Arccos Community today! Get the Major Bundle (Smart Sensors, New Link Pro, First Year's Membership and a Free Lesson) to get started and enjoy the many benefits of being an Arccos Member!