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Mercer 4-H Fair exhibitions to take place at Howell Farms in July

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes encourages residents to showcase their creative talents and skills by entering a project to exhibit at this year’s Mercer County 4-H Fair, planned for July 29 and 30 at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township.

PHOTOS: A newborn donkey and a wagon ride at the Mercer County 4-H Fair. Children’s activities, hay rides, animal shows, music, farm tours, pony rides, magic shows, archery and exhibits will take place throughout the fair on July 29 and 30. (Photos by Chad Ripberger)

Any project created this past year can be entered in the fair, including arts and crafts, photography, gardening, clothing, baking, woodworking and more. There are many “Open Division” categories for public entries (youth and adult) – you do not need to be a 4-H member to exhibit.

The 104th annual Mercer County 4-H Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30. Admission and parking are free. Children’s activities, hay rides, animal shows, music, farm tours, pony rides, magic shows, archery and exhibits will take place throughout the fair. Plenty of food and drink, including homemade ice cream, will also be available.

The opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on July 29 in the Show Tent. A country dance with a string band and a caller is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 29.

4-H, a youth development program operated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, provides research-based, hands-on learning experiences for youth in Mercer County. For more information about 4-H or entering projects in the fair, please contact Altaira Bejgrowicz at Mercer County 4-H at (609) 989-6830 or bejgrowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Click here for details about exhibiting at the fair as well as a complete schedule. Projects will be received from the general public for entry in the fair on Thursday, July 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Howell Farm. In addition to judging by experts, fairgoers will vote on their favorite exhibits in each category on Saturday, July 29, and those receiving the most votes will be recognized on Sunday, July 30.

Howell Farm is owned by the County of Mercer and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission. It is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, seven miles north of Washington Crossing. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530.

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Great Clips® unveils inaugural class of the first-ever, Hockey Hair Hall of Fame

Grand prize winner and other inductees to be spotlighted during NHL Awards Broadcast on TNT

 

MINNEAPOLIS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Great Clips, the Official Hair Salon of the NHL and the NHLPA, today announced the inaugural six member class of the first-ever, virtual Hockey Hair Hall of Fame as part of the #ShowYourFlow campaign.

 

From April 17 through May 7, Great Clips received nearly 4,000 photo and video submissions from hockey fans throughout U.S. and Canada on social media and through www.GreatClips.com/HockeyHair.

The six inductees enshrined include: Conor Busler from Lynnfield, MA (Age 3), Nigel McDonald from Dallas, TX (Age 15), Kate Boysen from Lee’s Summit, MO (Age 36), Micah Kim from La Prairie, Manitoba (Age 4), Everly Bain from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia (Age 9) and Grady Duden from Sioux Center, IA (Age 20). To view the first-ever class of the Hockey Hair Hall of Fame, visit www.GreatClips.com/HockeyHair.

 

All inductees received free haircuts for a year and signed Show Your Flow prizing from NHL All-Star Jack Hughes and will be featured on Great Clips social and online channels.

 

With the highest score by judges, Conor Busler, a Boston Bruins fan, also received a Grand Prize package that included a trip to Nashville to attend the 2023 NHL Awards™. The prize package included tickets to the NHL Awards, roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and $300 for food and local transportation.

 

In collaboration with the NHL, Conor Busler and the other five inductees will be celebrated and featured in a segment during the NHL Awards broadcast on TNT this evening. Before the NHL Awards, Conor will also meet with NHL All-Stars Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche®) who appeared in Great Clips television commercials during the 2023 Stanley Cup® Playoffs.

 

“We’d like to thank all of the hockey fans that participated in our #ShowYourFlow campaign and showed us their amazing hockey hair flows,” said Lisa Hake, vice president of marketing and communications at Great Clips, Inc. “Hockey hair comes in all shapes, sizes and styles and that was definitely put on display over the last several weeks. We’re excited to memorialize and reward these six fans for their hockey hair passion and hockey fandom.”

 

Submissions were scored by a judging panel based on their creativity and originality, their passion for hockey and hockey hair, and the overall quality and appeal of their content. Members of the all-star judging panel included two-time NHL All-Star and New Jersey Devils Center Jack Hughes, Canadian women’s hockey star Sarah Nurse, national talent show finalists and TV stars The Cline Twins, and hockey fan and influencer Jesse Pollock.

 

About Great Clips, Inc.

Great Clips, Inc. was established in 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Today, there are over 4,400 independently owned Great Clips® salons throughout the United States and Canada, making it the world’s largest salon brand. Great Clips is 100 percent franchised, and salons are owned locally by more than 700 franchisees across the U.S. and Canada. Great Clips® franchisees employ more than 25,000 stylists. Great Clips® franchised salons provide value-priced, high-quality haircare for men, women and children. Getting a great haircut at a Great Clips® salon is more convenient than ever with Online Check-In, ReadyNext® text alerts and Clip Notes®. To check in online, visit GreatClips.com or download the free app. For more information about Great Clips, Inc. or to find a salon location near you, visit GreatClips.com.

 

About the NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million followers – league, team and player accounts combined – across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including ESPN, WBD Sports and NHL Network in the U.S.; Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada; Viaplay in the Nordics, Baltics, and Poland; YLE in Finland; Nova in Czech Republic and Slovakia; Sky Sports and ProSieben in Germany; MySports in Switzerland; and CCTV5+ in China; and reaches fans worldwide with games available to stream in every country. Fans are engaged across the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL® App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio™; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League’s inception, powered by SAP. NHL Original Productions and NHL Studios produce compelling original programming featuring unprecedented access to players, coaches and League and team personnel for distribution across the NHL’s social and digital platforms.

 

The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities using the sport of hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone™ initiative reinforces that the official policy of the sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. The NHL is expanding access and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey, fostering more inclusive environments and growing the game through a greater diversity of participants. To date, the NHL has invested more than $100 million in youth hockey and grassroots programs, with a commitment to invest an additional $5 million for diversity and inclusion programs over the next year.

 

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2023. All Rights Reserved.

 

About the National Hockey League Players’ Association

The National Hockey League Players’ Association, established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League. The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund was launched as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 23 years, more than 80,000 deserving children in 34 countries have benefited from the players’ donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $25 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.

 

NHLPA, National Hockey League Players’ Association and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license. © NHLPA. All Rights Reserved.

Contacts

Media Contact:
Heather Leiferman

952.746.6562

Heather.Leiferman@greatclips.com

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Inter Miami signs Messi: Is this the turning point of soccer in the US?

In a ground-breaking announcement around June 7, Inter Miami has secured the signing of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest soccer player the world has ever witnessed.

 

What does this mean for the sport in the US? Major League Soccer (MLS)? Inter Miami?

 

The US sporting and soccer landscape

Despite the global popularity of soccer, and a dominant U.S. women’s national soccer team for nearly a quarter-century, the United States has historically shown less interest in the sport compared to other countries. Brand Finance’s research found that American Football and the NFL is by far the most popular sport across the nation, with all but five states choosing it as their favorite sport. Soccer has varying levels of interest, however, ranging from a mere 3% to 32% of people claiming it is their favorite sport.

 

 

 

The US is one of only a handful of countries where sports are the most popular interest, demonstrating the huge scope for growth of soccer across the country.

 

 

 

Inter Miami’s historically lower brand strength could get a boost

Brand Finance’s in-depth MLS research reveals that Inter Miami’s performance falls short when compared to its counterparts across various metrics. Notably, Sporting Kansas City emerges as the frontrunner, claiming the top position in numerous categories, including: my favorite player plays for the club, the team is well run & managed off the pitch, the team has a great stadium, sustainable and positive for the environment, good reputation, the best club in the world. Real Salt Lake and D.C. United also perform strongly in the research.

 

By contrast, Miami does not rank 1st or 2nd across any of the metrics asked. The area in which they score the highest comparatively is for the team is ambitious. Similar to when Pelé joined New York Cosmos igniting a fever of national excitement and record-breaking attendances, Messi could reshape the fortunes of the Florida-based team and grow both MLS’ and Inter Miami’s global following.

 

The power of Messi

According to a 2021 release by Brand Finance, Lionel Messi’s departure from FC Barcelona could have led to an 11% decrease in brand value, equivalent to a staggering €137m reduction from its 2021 valuation of €1,266m. However, the actual impact turned out to be less severe than anticipated. Despite that, Barcelona has experienced a significantly slower recovery in brand value compared to their arch-rivals Real Madrid, with the gap widening from €10m to a considerable €84m. Indeed, the power of a superstar cannot be underestimated.

 

The addition of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami presents a significant opportunity to enhance commercial revenue, with sponsorship and merchandise sales poised to benefit immensely from his presence. Moreover, Messi’s exceptional skills and iconic status are expected to elevate on-field performance, attracting a larger fan base and likely enticing even more of the Latin American audience, which is already primarily driven by national team players. This surge in popularity has the potential to boost broadcasting and matchday income, while also leading to improved match-day attendance across the country.

 

Considering Messi’s current age, his longevity becomes a crucial factor in assessing the overall impact on brand value. However, the prospect of him retiring at Inter Miami while maintaining a positive relationship could also open doors for mutually beneficial brand partnerships, extending beyond his playing days and benefiting both Messi and the club.

 

Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services at Brand Finance, commented:

“The arrival of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami signifies a turning point in the sport’s landscape, unlocking immense potential for growth across the U.S. With his iconic status and exceptional skills, Messi’s addition presents a unique opportunity to elevate commercial revenue, attracting sponsors and driving merchandise sales. Moreover, his impact on the field is expected to broaden the fan base, boosting broadcasting and matchday income. With Messi joining the club, it aims to redefine its brand, forging valuable partnerships that extend beyond his playing days. The power of this superstar endorsement cannot be underestimated.”

 

Celebrity endorsement and ownership model on the rise

We have seen big names try and build the sport from inside the nation. David Beckham – who is arguably more famous for his work off the pitch than on it – launched Inter Miami in 2020. More recently, Academy Award winner Natalie Portman co-founded Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team.

 

Prominent Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and his business partner and fellow actor, Rob McElhenney, ventured into soccer club ownership by acquiring Wales’s Wrexham AFC in November 2020. This Hollywood story has generated significant media attention and the release of the Hulu and Disney+ docuseries on the club – Welcome to Wrexham – has garnered support and interest like never before. With Apple TV announcing a similar style documentary on Inter Miami, the club can leverage the star power of the player to captivate audiences and fuel the rapid growth of the sport across the country.

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Article by leading NJ Kinesiology program professor wins top national award

Professor from TCNJ’s Kinesiology department wins top prize for co-authored piece at American College of Sports Medicine.

 

“…concerted efforts are needed to raise awareness about the link between physical health and mental health.”

Dr. Avery Faigenbaum, Professor, TCNJ

EWING, N.J. – The School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) today announced an article authored by Kinesiology Professor, Avery Faigenbaum, PhD, has won the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 2022 Best Paper of the Year Award.

 

The winning article explores the intersections between physical and mental health, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on youth fitness. Faigenbaum explains, “Notably, a vast majority of youth worldwide are not accumulating the recommended minimum of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, and COVID-19 affected the everyday lives of children in an unprecedented manner. Mental health problems affect 10-20% of youth worldwide, and concerted efforts are needed to raise awareness about the link between physical health and mental health.”

 

Faigenbaum coauthored the piece with Leonard Zaichkowsky, PhD, and Tamara Rial Rebullido, PhD. Zaichkowsky is Faigenbaum’s long-time mentor. Another article coauthored by the TCNJ Professor won ACSM’s 2020 Best Paper of the Year Award.

 

Dr. Anne Farrell, Professor and Chair of TCNJ’s Kinesiology Department, remarks, “Our department is honored to have Dr. Faigenbaum’s work recognized by such an esteemed institution. This is another example of how TCNJ’s kinesiology faculty and students extend their scholarship beyond campus borders to impact the field at large.”

 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “This is another example of how the School’s Kinesiology faculty take the lead in national exercise science scholarship. We’re thrilled Dr. Faigenbaum’s articles have won ACSM’s top paper awards two out of the last three recognition cycles.” The School rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.
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Avena dominates to earn first career win at favorite fishing stage five on Cayuga Lake presented by ATG by Wrangler

New Jersey Pro Catches Five Smallmouth Weighing 28 Pounds, 10 Ounces to Top Win by 2-Pound Margin and Earn Top Payout of $100,000


UNION SPRINGS, N.Y. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — It was an emotional afternoon for Vineland, New Jersey pro Adrian Avena. After numerous seasons of watching his roommates and travel partners earn multiple wins and championship victories, the 12-year veteran finally earned his own red trophy. Avena caught eight scorable smallmouth bass Sunday, with his best five weighing 28 pounds, 10 ounces to win the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Five on Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler and earn the top payout of $100,000.

 

Link to Hi-Res Photo of Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Winner Adrian Avena
Link to HD Video – Fish-Catch Highlights of Championship Round on Cayuga Lake
Link to Photo Gallery of Adrian Avena’s Championship Round Afternoon Highlights

 

Avena’s two-day Knockout and Championship Round total of 10 bass weighing 58 pounds even earned him the victory by a 2-pound margin over second-place finisher Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas, who finished with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 56 pounds even, good for $45,000.

 

Over his four days of competition, Avena weighed in 20 smallmouth bass totaling 105 pounds even. Also breaking the 100-pound mark over four days were five other pros – Shuffield (106-10), Jacob Wheeler (100-8), Alton Jones Jr. (102-4), Matt Becker (102-0) and Kevin VanDam (102-2).

 

It was an incredible week of fishing that will likely be looked back on as the greatest smallmouth event in Bass Pro Tour history.

 

“You have no idea what this win means to me,” Avena said on stage in his post-game interview. “I travel and room with three of the best guys in the world, and I ain’t going to say that I got tired of them winning all the time, but man, it was starting to take a toll on me.

 

“I love them guys, and when you surround yourself with a house full of guys that are straight hammers it rubs off a little bit. But watching them boys win trophy after trophy… I’m just so glad that now I’ve got mine.”

 

Throughout the week Avena targeted bedding smallmouth, using a flogger to locate the bass and then drop-shotting a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm or a 4-inch Berkley Gulp! Alive Minnow. He threw the setup on an Abu Garcia Fantasista rod with a Abu Garcia Revo Rocket spinning reel.

 

“The Gulp minnow was the deal, but the key was the chartreuse top,” Avena said. “The chartreuse color was a big player this week. Also, I used a very small leader – getting my bait close to the bottom really mimicked those perch that were getting into their beds.

 

“Another big key was fishing deeper than everyone else,” Avena continued. “After you’d hook a smallmouth they’d shoot straight up, so I had to have a spinning reel setup with a very fast gear ratio. I used the Revos all week.”

 

Despite starting the day with a lead, Avena said that he was never comfortable throughout the final day of competition.

 

“I told myself this morning that I was not stopping on a fish that was under 5½ pounds, as I knew they wouldn’t win this tournament,” Avena said. “This lake is chock full of 4-pounders, and I passed up on so many of them today because I knew they wouldn’t help. I didn’t catch a whole lot of bass today, but I caught the right ones that I needed.

 

“I have so many people to thank, that have believed in me from the start, and this just feels really good to be able to do this for them,” Avena went on to say. “My dad has a weak heart, and he’s always telling me, ‘Adrian, I want to see you win a tournament before I pass away.’ Well, pop, we got it done this week. I’m still shaking, and I am freaking stoked!”

 

The final 10 pros from the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler finished:

1st: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 10 bass, 58-0, $100,000

2nd: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 56-0, $45,000

3rd: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 55-2, $38,000

4th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 54-0, $32,000

5th: Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 10 bass, 53-8, $30,000

6th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., 10 bass, 52-4, $26,000

7th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 10 bass, 52-0, $23,000

8th: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 51-15, $21,000

9th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 10 bass, 51-4, $19,000

10th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 49-11, $16,000

 

Full results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

 

Overall, there were 97 scorable bass totaling 459 pounds even weighed by the 10 pros on Sunday.

 

Dakota Ebare earned Sunday’s Championship Round $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award with a 6-pound, 7-ounce smallmouth that bit in Period 1. Wheeler earned the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass award for the overall largest bass of the event with his 7-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth that he weighed during Saturday’s Knockout Round of competition.

 

After five events in the Bass Pro Tour regular season, Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, remains the leader in the 2023 Bass Pro Tour Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) standings with 360 points. Pro Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, sits in second place with 332 points, while Bass Pro Tour Rookie Matt Becker of Ten Mile, Tennessee, rounds out the top three with 316.5 points. Bally Bet will award $100,000 to the 2023 Bass Pro Tour Bally Bet Angler of the Year winner.

 

The next regular season Bass Pro Tour event will take place later this month – the General Tire Stage Six at Lake St. Clair Presented by John Deere Utility Vehicles, June 24-29, at Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township, Michigan.

 

The Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler featured pros competing using the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, with each angler’s five (5) heaviest bass per day tallied as their day’s weight. Anglers strive to catch their heaviest five fish each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the live scoring SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. Minimum weights are determined individually for each competition waters that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

 

The six-day bass-fishing event showcased 80 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing for a purse of more than $805,000, including a top payout of $100,000 and valuable Angler of the Year (AOY) points in hopes of qualifying for the General Tire Heavy Hitters All-Star event and REDCREST 2024, the Bass Pro Tour championship.

 

Television coverage of the Favorite Fishing Stage Five at Cayuga Lake Presented by ATG by Wrangler will air as two, two-hour episodes starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on the Outdoor Channel.

 

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ark Fishing, ATG + Wrangler, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bally Bet, Bass Cat Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, Daiwa, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Ferguson, Fox Rent A Car, General Tire, Grundéns, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Power-Pole, Rapala, Star tron, T-H Marine, TORO, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, Yellowstone Bourbon, Yo-Zuri and Zoom Baits.

 

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

About Major League Fishing

Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, the Discovery Channel, the Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, the World Fishing Network and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 13 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.

Contacts

JOE OPAGER
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

p: 218.434.0748

e: joe.opager@majorleaguefishing.com
www.majorleaguefishing.com

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Generational Group to sponsor amateur golf standout Anna Davis

Davis is a rising star among female amateur golfers and the agreement expands Generational’s brand sponsorships with key figures in the world of golf

 

DALLAS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Generational Group, a leading investment banking firm for middle market, privately held businesses is pleased to announce that it has signed an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) sponsorship agreement with amateur golfer Anna Davis.


Davis, a left-hander who is currently ranked 5th in the world women’s amateur golf rankings, exploded onto the national spotlight in April 2022 when, at 16 years old, she won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the youngest champion in the Tournament’s history. That win qualified Davis for three majors and four additional LPGA Tour events. Davis played extremely well in those additional events, making the cut five of seven times.

 

Davis and Generational Group share the same Core Values and commitment to excellence and hard work. The Generational team looks forward to her joining its other Brand Ambassadors, Jack Nicklaus, Justin Leonard and Mito Pereira.

 

Davis, from Spring Valley, California will have a busy 2023 summer schedule. This week, starting June 1 through June 4, she will play in the LPGA’s Mizuho America’s Open at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. This will mark the first time that Liberty National will host an LPGA event. Showcasing the stars of today along with the future of the game, the LPGA players will compete with 24 top-ranked junior girls, creating an unprecedented week of education and opportunity to inspire the next generation of LPGA Tour players.

 

Following her appearance at the Mizuho America’s Open, Davis will play in the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, California, from July 6 through July 9. It marks the first time in Pebble Beach history that the greatest players in the game will compete for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open. Following the US Women’s Open, she will likely represent The United States in the Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Solheim Cup overseas.

 

Davis qualified for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open winning the 36 hole qualifier at the Valencia (California) Country Club with a 2-under total of 142. Davis, who represented the United States in the 2021 Junior Solheim and Junior Ryder Cups, won the Girls Junior Invitational at Sage Valley earlier this year as well as the Girls Junior Orange Bowl.

 

In November 2022, Davis announced that she had verbally committed to playing collegiate golf at Auburn University.

 

Ryan Binkley, President and CEO of Generational Group stated, “It is a real pleasure to be working with Anna and to watch her compete against the best in women’s golf this year. We look forward to seeing her game develop and are pleased to be associated with someone with her talent, dedication, and drive for excellence.”

 

Binkley added, “Generational is proud to invest in the future of women’s golf and we are thankful for the opportunity to team with Anna for her future development. We recognize that amateur golf is expensive, and we are privileged to share in Anna’s growth.”

 

About Generational Group

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group and DealForce are part of Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

 

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. The Generational suite of advisory services includes strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A services, and wealth management.

 

The M&A Advisor named Generational Equity Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year. For more information, visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

Contacts

Carl Doerksen

972-342-0968

cdoerksen@generational.com

or

Jim Rocco

PRCG | Sports
212-683-8100

jrocco@prcg.com

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AM Best announces winner of 2023 Student Challenge

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — AM Best has announced that Hannah Youngblood from Florida State University is the winner of AM Best’s 2023 Student Challenge for her proposal to create a telemedicine platform for prescriptions that would address the issue of inadequate insurance coverage and high prescription costs.

 

The nationwide competition tasked risk management and insurance students with creating innovative solutions for insurance risks. In addition to Youngblood, six students from University of Wisconsin—Madison were finalists in the competition, which was open to undergraduate and graduate students, who were invited to submit as individuals or in teams of two.

 

With her telemedicine platform, Youngblood aims to save lives by improving access to prescriptions and reducing the 125,000 annual deaths due to poor prescription access. It would educate, inform and compare, providing a reliable, affordable and accessible solution for prescription management.

 

“Existing applications like Optum, CVS, Walgreens, GoodRx and Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus could be integrated into this platform to provide users with a one-stop solution for finding the best prescription prices,” Youngblood explained. “By consolidating these services, the platform would benefit the 43% of inadequately insured Americans and the 66% of Americans with prescriptions.”

 

Potential platform expansions could include prescription reminders, an informational drug database, a medical care provider database and partnerships for discounts on certain drugs.

 

AM Best’s 2023 Student Challenge is sponsored by the AM Best Foundation, which financially supports charitable organizations that encourage education and thought leadership in insurance and risk management.

 

“The innovative ideas proposed by these students show a bright future for the insurance industry,” said Lee McDonald, group vice president of AM Best – Information Services.

 

To view interviews with Youngblood, as well as the other finalists, please visit AM Best’s 2023 Student Challenge landing page.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Lee McDonald
Group Vice President
AM Best – Information Services
+1 908-882-2102
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com

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AJGA unveils renamed Liberty National ACE Grant following donation by Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation

12-year agreement announced ahead of inaugural Mizuho Americas Open hosted by Michelle Wie West at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, NJ

Donation is latest milestone in Fireman family’s continued support for junior golf initiatives totaling more than $12 million

 

 

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The American Junior Golf Association today announced its Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant has been formally rebranded as the Liberty National ACE Grant as part of a 12-year agreement between the organization and the prestigious Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, NJ.

 

The renaming follows a donation to the AJGA by the Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, which has made a comprehensive effort to support transformational change in communities across the country in its mission to grow and make the sport more accessible, totaling more than $12 million in contributions to youth golf initiatives over many years.

The ACE Grant provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive golf. It was founded in 2003 by the AJGA to help provide opportunities to players who have the skills but not the means to play a national junior golf schedule. Since its inception, the program has reimbursed over $6 million to junior golfers who have gone on to earn over $15 million in college scholarships.

 

This rebrand will provide the AJGA the resources to create additional opportunities for junior golfers, growing the game and making it even more impactful for years to come.

 

The announcement comes the week of the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open, hosted by golf icon Michelle Wie West, adding the LPGA Tour to the list of world-class tournaments which have taken place at Liberty National. The club will concurrently host an AJGA Invitational which will provide the opportunity for 24 female junior golfers on the American Junior Golf Association Tour to compete for an individual title in front of the iconic Manhattan skyline adjacent to the course. Following the conclusion of the tournament, the inaugural Liberty National ACE Grant Cup fundraising event will take place at the course on Monday, June 5.

 

“We are extremely proud and honored to support future generations of golfers through the AJGA and this reimagined Liberty National ACE Grant,” said Paul Fireman, former CEO of Reebok and co-founder of Liberty National Golf Club.

 

“The impact of the ACE Grant cannot be understated, as some of golf’s biggest stars were able to achieve their dreams because of the program, and we look forward to its evolution and upward trajectory beginning with this week’s Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National,” said Dan Fireman, co-Founder and President, Liberty National Golf Club.

 

“We are honored to partner with the Fireman family to create the Liberty National ACE Grant which provides financial aid to juniors who have the talent to compete at a national level, but not the financial resources,” AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin said. “The Fireman family continues to be a leading benefactor in their support of golf at every level. We couldn’t be more thrilled to become part of the giving legacy of the Fireman family.”

 

“Like so many of the sport’s biggest stars, the ACE Grant has empowered me to pursue my dreams of becoming a professional player,” said Rose Zhang, the most decorated player in amateur women’s golf history who will be making her professional debut at the Mizuho Americas Open. “The AJGA and Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation have done so much to support generations of young golfers and I’m excited to see the impact the Liberty National ACE Grant will have in the future, as well as the inaugural Liberty National ACE Grant Cup event on June 5.”

 

The Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation brings entrepreneurial vision and resources to support transformational change in communities where the family lives and works. Among the number of key partnerships the organization has includes Liberty Science Center, SciTech Scity, One Family, Inc., Team Walker, The Hurley Family Foundation, Team Impact and Ron Burton Training Village.

 

About American Junior Golf Association

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

 

The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 7,900 members from 50 states and 51 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.

 

TaylorMade and adidas are the AJGA’s National Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

 

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park and Lexi Thompson.

 

About Liberty National Golf Club

One of the world’s most iconic golf locales, Liberty National Golf Club is located along the Hudson River in Jersey City, NJ, with striking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan skyline. Liberty National fittingly opened on July 4, 2006, and is guided by the vision and leadership of former Reebok Founder, Chairman & CEO Paul Fireman and his son Dan Fireman, managing partner of Fireman Capital Partners. Designed by US Open Champion Tom Kite and esteemed golf course mastermind Bob Cupp, Liberty National is kept in tournament ready playing condition. Liberty National hosted The Presidents Cup in 2017 as well as multiple PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoff events.

 

For more information about Liberty National Golf Club, visit www.libertynationalgc.com

Contacts

Matthew_Jordan@dkcnews.com

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Photos of ‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ launch event at the Nintendo NY store are available on Business Wire’s website

NEW YORK — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #nintendoswitch — Hundreds of fans celebrated the midnight release of the highly anticipated game The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch family of systems during an official midnight launch event beginning on Thursday, May 11 at the Nintendo NY store in Rockefeller Plaza.


The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where players decide their own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and discover new destinations, dangers, sights and puzzles that require wits and resourcefulness to overcome.  

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

  1. In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser sells the very first copy of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to an excited fan following the game’s midnight launch at the Nintendo NY store in Rockefeller Plaza. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch is available now and a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where players decide their own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and discover new destinations, dangers, sights and puzzles that require wits and resourcefulness to overcome.
  2. In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, David C. from New Jersey poses with his official copy of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom following the game’s midnight launch at the Nintendo NY Store in Rockefeller Plaza. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch is available now and a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where players decide their own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and discover new destinations, dangers, sights and puzzles that require wits and resourcefulness to overcome.
  3. In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, a double-decker bus themed to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is parked outside of the Nintendo NY store at Rockefeller Plaza to welcome fans to the midnight launch of the game. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch is available now and a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where players decide their own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and discover new destinations, dangers, sights and puzzles that require wits and resourcefulness to overcome.
  4. In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, an excited family purchases The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom during the official midnight launch at the Nintendo NY store in Rockefeller Plaza. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch is available now and a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where players decide their own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and discover new destinations, dangers, sights and puzzles that require wits and resourcefulness to overcome.
  5. In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Camille Salazar-Hadaway hosts the Launch Event Livestream & Nintendo Treehouse: Live from the Nintendo NY store for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch. The game is available now and a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where players decide their own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and discover new destinations, dangers, sights and puzzles that require wits and resourcefulness to overcome.

 

Contacts

Eddie Garcia

Golin

213-335-5536

egarcia@golin.com

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Traverse City Whiskey Co. nominated as a ‘Best in Class’ finalist, awarded three double gold medals at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Amongst Thousands of Entries, TCWC’s Barrel Proof Bourbon Once Again Selected as a Top Three Finalist For “Best Small Batch Bourbon,” Which it Won in 2019

 

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #barrellproofrye — Traverse City Whiskey Co. (TCWC), a true small batch distillery handcrafting a portfolio of premium whiskies and bourbons in Up North Michigan, announced that three of its signature products – Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey and Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon – were awarded Double Gold medals at the prestigious 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Additionally, TCWC’s Barrel Proof Bourbon was named a Finalist for “Best Small Batch Bourbon,” an award which it won in 2019.


TCWC’s Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey has quickly become a must have for premium bourbon lovers. It has a truly exhilarating taste, like hugging a bear, but way less dangerous. It contains a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley that was aged for 10 years and bottled at 120.2 proof (60.1% ABV). The bourbon presents a deep, oaky body with sweet and nutty flavors of burnt caramel and dark chocolate, a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, and a long finish. SRP $80.

 

The company’s Barrel Proof Rye is the newest addition to the company’s already impressive lineup. Imagine a red-bearded pirate crying tears of joy after seeing land for the first time in 10 years. That’s the feeling whiskey lovers can expect when drinking it. The expression has a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. The expression was aged for six years and bottled at 116.6 proof (58.3% ABV). The whiskey showcases a classic rye spice alongside a rich oak flavor, an effervescent aroma of baking spices, notes of allspice, black peppercorns and sage, and a warm buttery finish. SRP $80.

 

The Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon tastes like a classy Cinco de Mayo party in your mouth. It is part of TCWC’s new “Finishing Series” that features a unique high-rye bourbon whiskey with a mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye and 4% malted barley. The whiskey was aged for five years in new American Oak barrels and then rested in Pedro Ximenez sherry wine casks for nearly 12 months and bottled at 95 proof (47.5% ABV). It exemplifies notes of caramel, sassafras, cinnamon, raisins, and vanilla bean, with a mild finish of toasted rye bread and tobacco. SRP $60.

 

“It’s an absolute thrill to have our signature Barrel Proof Bourbon and Rye whiskeys receive Double Gold, and an honor to be a finalist for ‘Best Small Batch Bourbon’ for the second time,” said Chris Fredrickson, Co-founder, TCWC. “We’re also thrilled that our Sherry Barrel Finished whiskey, one of our newest products, also earned Double Gold.”

 

TCWC draws upon its early family roots in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800s, sourcing their grains from the Midwest. The distilling team, led by Chris Fredrickson, strives to make quality products, inspired by patented distilling techniques invented by Fredrickson’s great grandfather that were approved by the US PTO during the prohibition era.

 

TCWC products are available in 750ml bottles at both on- and off-premise establishments in the following markets: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin. Retail prices may vary by market.

 

For more information, please visit www.tcwhiskey.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @tcwhiskey.

 

About Traverse City Whiskey Co.

Traverse City Whiskey Co. is a family-owned distilled spirits company that is known for crafting premium whiskeys that are unmistakably Up North. The harsh winters and hot summers of Traverse City, Michigan, produce exceptional whiskeys forged by the elements. Up North whiskey is said to be both strong and delicate, like a lumberjack with an understanding gaze. TCWC’s early family roots are in the distilled spirits industry dating back to the late 1800’s, sourcing all grains from the Midwest.

 

Traverse City Whiskey Co. is a proud member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

Contacts

Aaron Brost | Ro-Bro Marketing & PR

312.576.5315 | aaron@ro-bro.com