New ProV1….

It was almost completely overlooked, but Davis Love III’s used a new version of the ProV1 to win two weeks ago. Yesterday I had the chance to see the new ball after a Titleist event at Eagles Nest.

The new ball has no visable seam, unlike previous versions of the ProV1, and will offer slightly less spin, especially in the X version. The expectation is the new ball will hit the market next year. There is a slight difference in the ball’s finish as well, and apparently it will be even more scuff resitant than previous ProV1s.

• In other news, there’s been a signficant turnover of golf pros in the Toronto area recently. John Hayward, formerly of Mystic Golf Club, has landed as director of golf at Hunters Pointe. Similarly positions for head pros are open at both Oakdale Golf and CC, as well as Donalda. I’m also hearing there’s a change at Galt Country Club. Note: Spoke with Galt today and after 23 years, Dave Smallwood is leaving as the club’s head pro. Dave is a terrific guy (and a great teacher) and I’m sure there’s something in the offing. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him land at one of the open positions, perhaps in Toronto…
• Apparently there are plenty of golf courses on the market in the off-season. Aside from the obvious — Seguin Valley near Parry Sound and the struggling Mystic Golf Club near Ancaster — sources have said Stephen Johnston’s Global Golf Advisers had an ad in the Globe for a course for sale near Hamilton. Mystic again? Note: Spoke with Stephen Johnston this afternoon. The course that’s for sale is Sparrow Lakes, a 27-holer near Font Hill. Mystic GC is for sale, apparently, but no one is willing to touch the price the owner wants for it, sources say. Other clubs rumoured to be in for change include Grey Silo in Cambridge (apparently the city wants to bring in a management company to run the course), and Rebel Creek.