News

Sergio Garcia Surprises Golfers at Bethpage Black

Published

12 years ago

Jun 30, 2014

On a recent spring morning at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park, local golfers were following their normal routine. Range balls were being struck and tee times confirmed. Then something out of the ordinary happened. Fresh off the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, TaylorMade Staffer Sergio Garcia strolled up to the driving range. The mood couldn’t have been more different than in 2002, when Sergio’s frustration with U.S. Open spectators came to a head at Bethpage Black. Instead, he was greeted by both surprised and ecstatic golfers.

Beyond the “meet and greet,” Garcia then announced that all golfers would be fit for TaylorMade’s SLDR S driver. This was part of TaylorMade’s “Distance for All” campaign for the SLDR S family, which the company says is designed to fit a wide variety of golfers and swing speeds. Check out the day’s highlights in the video below.

[youtube id=”7ZhCf8omzYQ” width=”620″ height=”360″]

Related Topics:TaylorMade

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13 Comments

Derek

Jul 13, 2014 at 8:41 am

While I’m a HUGE fan of major companies like TMAG giving back to the pouplace and having stars like Sergio and Bubba et all surprising golfers with visits and givewaways…

Why are TMAG and the pros focusing on premier golf courses..? (yes I realize that Bethpage and it’s 5? courses are public… But it costs $200 with a cart for any non-NYState resident and like $120 even for a resident…)

We keep going on about how we want to grow the game and increase continued participation… I golf at least bi-weekly and have for 5 years and counting… but when I see the major companies and pros supporting the more prestigious courses and the wealthier-already-committed golfers and giving them free gear… What does that say to less wealthy, less fortunate and less-inclined-to-golf golfers?

I for one already do not support TMAG as a company. And now further I have lost almost complete respect for them as a golf icon because I now know that never will I be able to enjoy the pleasure of meeting a professional golfer; the pleasure of a free driver fitting by the “#1 driver in golf”; the pleassure of a free “#1 driver in golf”.

I feel as though this was the wrong tactic. I can GUARANTEE most of the people playing Bethpage Black that day had updated or decent drivers. I can GUARANTEE that your average lower quality course where half the guys still use their dad’s, brother’s, uncle’s sets and the other half have 2-3 year old sets cause they can barely afford to play; let alone gear up every year, would have appreciated the sentiment much more.

Just my 2 cents.

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Dan

Jul 7, 2014 at 1:18 pm

Funny that they have a “Distance Driver” event at BSP Driving range, where we are not allowed to hit drivers b/c they go onto Round Swamp Road

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Lee

Jul 2, 2014 at 3:06 am

What a blast for those lucky enough to have been involved.

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Tom

Jul 1, 2014 at 11:09 am

Nice job Taylormade. Good for all the folks at BP, Taylormade, and Sergio. Worth every penny they paid for all those drivers, the help getting it done and Sergio to be there. Nice to have us “commoners” surprised once and a while

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Tin Whistle

Jul 1, 2014 at 11:06 am

Way to go, Sergio. Now go win the Open Championship.

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Brodie Hock

Jul 1, 2014 at 10:33 am

Sergio still has Sergio moments…but he has come along way since the US Open at Bethpage back in ’02

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Martin

Jun 30, 2014 at 8:59 pm

Very cool.

Reply Report comment
Will

Jun 30, 2014 at 8:45 pm

I was at this event, it was pretty awesome. Got fitted for a 10* SLDRs. Very cool promotional event by TaylorMade.

Reply Report comment
- Dave C
  
  Jul 1, 2014 at 11:11 pm
  
  Were you given the driver or did you pay for it?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - I
    
    Jul 2, 2014 at 3:41 am
    
    Free, like it says, they were giving them away. Free.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - steve
    
    Jul 2, 2014 at 4:01 pm
    
    Yeah Sergio was there selling them out of his trunk
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Billy baroo
      
      Jul 2, 2014 at 7:23 pm
      
      Yup getting rid of the ” junk in his trunk ” good one BILL!
      
      Reply Report comment

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News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

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Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.