Trip of a lifetime to Ping Headquarters in USA for PGA Pro Michael McCrudden after winning TGI Ping
In November 2017 I was delighted to receive a phone call from Steve Carter, Ping Europe Sales Manager, telling me that I had been chosen as the TGI Ping Custom Fitter of the Year in Ireland Award Winner. This award was based on how well TGI Partners had represented the brand in custom fitting and representation within stores.
As a custom fitter for over 14 years, from my days as an Assistant Professional at Royal Portrush Golf Club and through to my current position as Resident PGA Professional at Roe Park Resort, I was absolutely delighted to receive this news. It was a true honour to have been recognised for such an award and I would like to point out that without the support of my club members, my Golf Shop team, Ping Golf(thanks Rog!), TGI Golf (thanks Pete!), Roe Park Resort and all my family this simply would not have been something I could have done on my own.
Fast forward to April 2018, and the day has suddenly arrived when I am leaving home in Portrush at 5.30am and heading to Belfast Airport to begin the long journey to Phoenix, Arizona, USA. As I boarded the plane heading to London Heathrow, the first pangs of excitement began to set in as I realised that the trip of a lifetime was just starting. A couple of hours later and I’m meeting the other team members in a bustling terminal building. present were Alistair Welsher, PGA Professional, Tiverton Golf Club, Richard Gordon, PGA Professional, Belleisle Estate and Prestwick St Nicholas,Matthew Clark, Marketing Manager, Ping Golf and Matthew Millard, Head of Communications, TGI Partnership. I knew Matt Millard from TGI Golf, but it was my first time meeting the other guys, and I was delighted that they were all as excited and looking forward to the trip with anticipation as much as I was. We had lunch and chatted golf, particularly the Masters as it has started the evening before. Before we knew it we were boarding our British Airways flight to Phoenix, and I am glad to say that a good meal, some great films, and a snooze made the 10 hour flight feel very short indeed. On a side note, the views from the plane as we flew down across North America were sensational.
It was then a short shuttle bus from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to the Westin Kierland Hotel which was to be our home for the next 5 days. The hotel was incredible. 10 restaurants, a spa, pool with lazy river, a baseball diamond and a surfing wave simulator all onsite, with 3 x 9 hole loops and a full driving range and clubhouse stretched out around the grounds. We had a lovely meal that night, and after a bit of banter it was off to bed at the incredibly late hour of 8.30pm Arizona time.
In what was to become a recurring theme it was a very early start to the next day, as we were all still on UK time. So from 4am it was up and wandering around the hotel, waiting for breakfast at 6.30am. We then headed to Talking Stick Golf Club, a short drive from the hotel. This course was a cracker, with some great greens and beautiful views out over the desert and mountain ranges in the distance.
We had a great match, and the Irish/Scots pairing were treated to a free lunch as a result. It was very strange then to sit and watch the Masters live from Augusta at 12pm in the afternoon, and spirits were high as Rory McIlroy treated us to a great third round 65. We then headed downtown to the Mall for some dinner, and then off to the hotel for another very early night.
The next morning saw everyone awake and itching to get golfing. The course today was the legendary TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, home to the PGA Waste Management Pheonix Open Event every year. Best known for the massive stadium which is built around the par 3 16th hole, the course is a classic, and thankfully with the aid of our caddy Joseph, we made it round successfully, and yes, once again the dynamic duo of Richard and Michael had a free lunch(although it was very close as a four hole lead was whittled down to one hole with one to play, helped nicely by Super Ali’s fantastic birdie two at the 16th hole)
The clubhouse at TPC Scottsdale was fantastic, and we spent quite a bit of time looking around the various photos and historical artifacts placed around the building.
The opening tee shot was very tight, framed nicely by cactii but we all got them away nicely!
I was delighted to store my belongings in Pheonix Open Winner Brooks Koepka's locker whilst we were visiting the course.
We ate at a beautiful restaurant that evening, and once again headed to bed early, with an atmosphere not unlike Christmas eve night, as the Ping Headquarters Tour was the next morning.
As another beautiful Scottsdale morning dawned we were on the road early to head to Moon Valley to visit the Ping Headquarters. This was the pinnacle of our trip, an insider look around the factory, demonstrations of the full machining, fitting and club building process, and an insight into the Ping family ethos. We had an amazing tour around the facility by the hugely knowledgeable Brian Botha, who gave us some great stories and details about all the different processes and machinery. We were introduced to various staff members, and really got an idea of how important people are to the Ping brand. This was very evident from how not only we were looked after but the way staff were supported. Some of their staff have worked there for over 40 years.
Standing beside the PingMan on the Ping Fitting Range, behind me you can see the VIP Tour fitting bays. We discovered Bubba Watson and Tony Finau have to be moved back when they visit as they kept hitting over the netting into the neighbouring bus depot(only 330 yards haha)
Some pictures below from inside the Ping Factory.
We were treated to an incredible tour of the club manufacturing and building process, where we learnt how an 8 hour shift can manufacture and build up to 1000 clubs. All the machines that are used in house are based on Karsten Solheim, the founder of Ping's original designs. We also saw the Ping Robot which is used for extensive testing of clubs.
We then had the pleasure of heading to the VIP Fitting area for an amazing 2 hour long session with the top Ping tour fitters. My fitter Alex was fantastic, improving all areas of my game. We were fitted for irons, wedges, hybrids, fairways and drivers, on top of the putter fitting earlier in the day. The biggest improvement for me was in driver and 3 wood, and Alex's knowledge made it so easy to get the correct Ping product dialled in.
My finished clubs looked like this, and I am very excited about bagging them on my return home.
That evening we had the absolute pleasure of having dinner with Ping CEO John Solheim and his wife Sunny. It was a very surreal experience to be sitting with one of the legends of golf manufacturing, and we had a lovely meal and some great conversations about golf and the history of Ping Golf. I am still blown away that John and his wife took the time to meet us and spend some quality time with us. Again, it really showed us the idea of Ping as a real family brand, who take the time and attention to look after their customers and employees.
As the final day of our trip dawned, we were treated to one more game of golf at the stunning Kierland Course at our hotel. The course was manicured to perfection, and it was great fun to have music in our golf carts as we headed round the course. Definitely an idea to bring home to Roe Park Resort!
I think you may get an idea of how much fun we all had from the interviews in the video at the start of this blog. As I write this article I have still not stopped smiling, because it was simply the best experience of my golfing career so far.
In closing, I would just like to thank Ping Golf and TGI Golf for making this opportunity for PGA Professionals available.
For some more photos, check out Matt Millard's photo blog here.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you on the golf course soon.
Many thanks,
Michael McCrudden
Resident PGA Professional,
Roe Park Resort
