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Rail services

Translink NI Railways operates scheduled rail services in Northern Ireland. If your train is cancelled or delayed, there is information on your rights and what you should do.

Train operators and onboard services

Scheduled rail services are on the following routes:

• Belfast to Bangor
• Belfast to Larne Harbour
• Belfast to Coleraine to Londonderry
• Belfast to Portadown to Newry

All lines offer a combination of express services and trains that stop at each halt and station, with up to seven trains operating per hour at peak times on key commuter lines.

The Enterprise Service links Belfast and Dublin by rail and is jointly operated between Translink NI Railways and Iarnród Éireann.

It provides eight services in each direction Monday to Saturday and five in each direction on Sundays.

You can get more information on services, timetables, fares and travel updates at this link:

Buying tickets

There is a variety of ticket options available, depending on when and where you want to travel and how flexible you can be.

You can buy your ticket at the rail station when boarding, and some tickets can be bought online or you can use the mlink mobile phone app.

You can find more information on tickets available for your journey at this link:

Your rights

Translink is the brand name of the integrated public transport operation of Metro, NI Railways, and Ulsterbus.

It aims to provide co-ordinated bus and rail services which people are satisfied with and have confidence in. 

Find out more from Translink's Passenger Charter .

Delays and cancellations

NI Railways now operate the Delay-Repay Scheme, which is a way to compensate passengers across the local network when things go wrong.

• Delay-Repay Compensation Scheme

You are responsible for your own luggage, and train companies are not normally liable for lost or damaged luggage unless caused by the neglect of the company or its staff.

Getting advice

Transport Focus is an independent public body created to protect the interests of rail passengers.

It campaigns for improvements, provides practical advice and offers help in resolving complaints. It deals with three key areas:

• fares and tickets
• quality and level of services
• investment in the railway

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What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to [email protected] 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 Email  [email protected]

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750  Email  [email protected]

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912  Email [email protected]

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to [email protected] or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service .

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service .

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit .

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the  Coronavirus (COVID-19) section , then for queries about:

• Restrictions or regulations —  contact the Department of Health
• Travel advice (including self-isolation) —  contact the Department of Health
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the  Department of Health  or  Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email [email protected] and for queries about your certificate, email [email protected] .

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email [email protected]

Application and payment queries can be emailed to  [email protected]

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency .

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email  [email protected]

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email  [email protected] .

For queries about:

• Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea  
• Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

For queries about your identity check, email [email protected] .

For queries or advice about passports, contact  HM Passport Office .

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email  [email protected]

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the  Northern Ireland Pension Centre .

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section .

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads .

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service .

For queries or advice about rates, email [email protected]

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact  Smartpass - Translink .

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly .  We don't have access to information about you.

Travelling by train in Northern Ireland with Northern Ireland Railways (NIR)

Train travel in Northern Ireland is a convenient and painless way of getting around the region, where available.

Where do the trains run in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland’s mainline network begins at the Irish border just north of Dundalk. It runs northwards through the major towns of Newry, Portadown, Lisburn, and terminates at Great Victoria Street in Belfast city centre.

Backtrack down the line south from Great Victoria Street and the railway splits off to the east, passing through City Hospital, Botanic, and Belfast Lanyon Place, the city’s second main station. The line then crosses the River Lagan, and splits once again eastwards to the seaside town of Bangor on the northeastern coast, and westwards to Larne, Coleraine, Portrush, and Derry/Londonderry.

There are no services to the western areas of NI, which has long been a big bone of contention for many living in the area. If you want to visit the west without a car, your best bets are the Goldliner intercity bus services operated by Translink.

In latest news, Great Victoria Street station closed permanently on 10 May 2024 to facilitate track works for the new Belfast Grand Central station. The new station is currently scheduled to open in Autumn of 2024.

Who operates the railways in Northern Ireland?

Passenger railway services are operated by Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) , a subsidiary of Translink – the public corporation operating public transport in NI.

Buying your tickets

There are 4 ways to buy your NIR tickets – buying them at the stations, buying them onboard the trains, buying them on the mLink app, and buying them on Translink’s website. Translink accepts only Pound Sterling for Northern Ireland Railways ticket purchases.

Buying your tickets at the train stations

Most major NIR stations feature a manned ticket hall. If you need a ticket, simply walk up to the counter and purchase one from the counter staff. The staff are also able to advise you about the discounted rates available for the day.

Both cash and card/contactless payments are accepted. Apple Pay and Google Wallet can also be used to pay for your ticket.

Translink is in the midst of upgrading the NI Railways ticketing system . Self service ticket vending machines and electronic ticket gates will be installed at all stations NI-wide, and the first of these can be seen at the new Belfast York Street station . This will modernise the system’s ticketing, and will make it easier for passengers to buy their tickets even from un-staffed stations.

Buying your tickets onboard the trains

Not all NIR stations are manned, and a large number of the smaller halts and stations feature only platforms and a waiting shelter. In those cases, you have to approach the conductor onboard the train to purchase a ticket . This situation will change upon the completion of the new ticketing system upgrades, where all stations will feature a self-service ticket vending machine.

Buying your tickets on the mLink app

If dealing with paper tickets aren’t your thing, an alternative is Translink’s very own mLink app. This is a very simple app that allows you to purchase train and bus tickets for services throughout NI. It also saves you from having to explain to NIR staff that you were unable to purchase your ticket onboard the train.

The mLink app can be downloaded from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. You’ll need to sign up for an account with the app to be able to use it. I don’t find the app to be very usable, and once the new ticketing system is up and running you can just buy your tickets from a ticket vending machine instead.

Buying your tickets on the Translink website

This isn’t really necessary as NIR services technically cannot run out of tickets, but is required for Enterprise tickets departing Belfast. To purchase your train tickets on the Translink website , simply enter your origin & destination stations and your date & time of travel, and the website will present you with a selection of scheduled services.

Once you’ve picked a service, you will then have the option of picking a ticket of your choice. Make the online payment and you will then receive your ticket. Simply show the ticket to the conductor onboard, just like any other train ticket.

How are the trains like?

NIR operates a fleet of smart looking, modern diesel multiple units. These are classified internally as NIR Class 3000 and NIR Class 4000 respectively. The Class 3000 sets were first delivered in 2003, whereas the Class 4000s saw their first deliveries in 2010 with additional extension carriages ordered and delivered in 2021.

All trains have identical interiors. They are generally clean and comfortable, and feature accessibility conveniences like an accessible toilet, and a dedicated space for wheelchair users.

I personally like the seats on NIR trains. They are decently comfortable for the longer distance services to Derry/Londonderry, and Portrush, and in general are a good fit for NIR’s hybrid commuter-intercity services. Note that there are no seat reservations onboard, so getting a good seat is on a first come first serve basis.

Can I bring bicycles onboard?

Yes, you can, except on weekday services before 0930am.

There are dedicated spaces for bicycles onboard the carriages at one of the ends of the trains – look out for the bicycle icon or just ask the conductor. These only allow a maximum of 4 full sized bicycles, and are on a first come first serve basis.

There are no limits placed on foldable bicycles.

External links

For more information and the latest travel updates, please visit –

• The Translink website
• The Translink twitter feed

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ALEA investigates 12 traffic deaths, drownings over July 4 travel period

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - There were nine traffic deaths and three drownings investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency over the five-day travel period surrounding the July 4 holidays, according to ALEA. That period spanned from Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7.

The traffic deaths happened in Calhoun, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Cullman, Escambia, Jackson, Marshall and Tuscaloosa counties. July 3 was the only “zero-fatality day,” according to ALEA.

ALEA makes dozens of drunk driving, boating arrests over July 4 travel period

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According to investigators, those killed included six drivers and one passenger. ALEA troopers reported that just one of the seven victims in vehicles equipped with seat belts was buckled up at the time of the crash. Two of the victims were motorcyclists, both of whom were wearing helmets.

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United Airlines plane loses tire during takeoff from LA, lands in Denver safely

Another United Airlines aircraft lost a wheel during takeoff , becoming the latest in a series of incidents that triggered a federal safety review of the carrier earlier this year. 

United Flight 1001, en route to Denver from Los Angeles on Monday, lost one wheel upon departure from LAX shortly after 7:15 a.m. The Boeing 757-200 touched down safely in Denver shortly after 10 a.m., a United Airlines spokesperson shared with USA TODAY.

No injuries, to the 174 passengers and flight crew onboard, or on the ground have been reported, Bloomberg reported. 

“The wheel has been recovered in Los Angeles, and we are investigating what caused this event,” United Airlines said. Additional details about the rogue wheel were not immediately available. 

A similar incident occurred in March, when another plane headed overseas diverted after it lost a wheel after takeoff. That tire fell off and crashed into a parking lot, damaging several cars, USA TODAY reported.  

United Airlines is still in a position of “increased oversight” over the reported incidents, which includes an engine fire, stuck rudder pedals and other missing or damaged parts that prompted the agency to conduct an in-depth examination of an airline’s operations, Ian Gregor, FAA spokesperson told USA TODAY on Monday. 

The FAA is aware of the incident that unfolded in Los Angeles, and the agency will also be investigating Monday's incident. 

'Rare' to lose a plane tire, aviation expert says

David Evans, who is also an FAA-certificated airline transport pilot and flight instructor, previously told USA TODAY , that the loss of a plane tire is a "rare incident."

"From time to time, this sort of thing does happen but it's usually uneventful at the end of the day," Evans said.

Timeline: United Airlines reported incidents, events 

Here’s a breakdown of the incidents reported by United Airlines so far this year, the events that led the FAA to “step up its presence” in the first place. 

No injuries to passengers or flight crews were reported in connection with the incidents listed below. 

• July 8: Boeing 757-200 loses while on takeoff, but lands safely
• March 18: United Airlines CEO authors letter acknowledging “recent issues” 
• March 15: Missing panel discovered on Boeing 737-800 
• March 8: Boeing 737 Max 8 tilted and rolled onto the grass causes evacuation 
• March 7:  Boeing 777-200 diverted after tire falls off, damaging several parked cars
• March 4: Engine fire mid-flight prompts emergency landing
• Feb. 21: “Security issue” onboard prompts emergency landing.
• Feb. 19: Boeing 757-200 was diverted over damaged wing
• Feb 6: Boeing 737 Max 8 had "stuck" rudder pedals on its landing roll, was replaced and serviced for repair 

Scott Kirby, United Airlines CEO, acknowledged the issues at the airline in a March letter to customers. 

“Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety,” Kirby said. “While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus.”

Kirby went on to say that the team was “reviewing the details of each case to understand what happened and using those insights to inform our safety training and procedures across all employee groups” in addition to changes that were already planned for the spring. 

Contributing: Emily DeLetter and Zach Wichter, USA TODAY

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A 16-inch water main break shut down travel lanes on southbound Maryland Route 140 in Owings Mills.

The Wednesday morning closure took effect between Richmar Road (this location is an update from what's seen in the video above) and Dolfield Boulevard.

Some travel lanes have since reopened as crews continue to make repairs.

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Travel tips for a Fourth of July that's set to break records

Luke Garrett

Airports around the United States are preparing for what could be the busiest Fourth of July travel season on record. The nation's roads are no different. Traffic could reach never-before-seen volumes over the Independence Day holiday.

“With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a press release. “We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever.”  

Nearly 71 million people are expected to make trips for the Independence Day travel period, AAA predicts.

Here's what to know about traveling for the holiday this week.

The TSA sets a new record and readies for another

Last week, a record-breaking 2.99 million passengers went through U.S. airports in a single day, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The agency said it's expecting a new travel record this week.

At Philadelphia International Airport, Gerardo Spero, the TSA’s federal security director for the airport, is dealing with an 8% passenger increase this year and is cautioning travelers to give themselves extra time.

“The best advice that I can offer is to get to the airport well before your ticketed departure time,” Spero said in a news release . “Now more than ever it is vital to give yourself plenty of time to park or return a rental car, check in with your airline to check bags and prepare for the security checkpoint."

There's usually no need to panic when planes make emergency landings. Here's why

Spero also said travelers can help each other out by being "efficient" in the security lines: take off shoes and belts preemptively, empty your pockets into your carry-on, and grab a bin early.

Over at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — where travel volumes are up 5% — the TSA wants travelers to double-check their carry-on bags before they get to the airport.

“We are asking travelers to be good partners with TSA and ensure that they are prepared for the screening process," TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko said in a release . "Please don’t bring prohibited items in your carry-on luggage."

The busiest airport days are expected to be July 3, 7 and 8, according to flight website Hopper . The company projects Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver airports to be the ones with the most travelers.

This rise in summer air travel comes amid heightened attention on aircraft maker Boeing's quality control practices after a door plug blew out on a 737 Max jet in midair at the start of the year. Still, flying is the safest way to travel .

On the road

Nearly one in five Americans are set to drive more than 50 miles this Fourth of July travel season, according to an AAA forecast .

If you want to beat the traffic, drive early. INRIX, a transportation data provider, said driving on Monday should save travelers time. Any day after that, the best time to drive is before 10 a.m.

“Drivers in large metro areas can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7, as they return,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX , said in a statement. “Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal.” 

When driving on the wrong side of the road is the right way to speed up traffic

If you are preparing for a longer road trip with family and friends, AAA recommends running through this checklist: check kids' car seats, bring an emergency pack (first aid, jumper cables, snacks and water) and map the route.

At the pump, drivers can expect lower gas prices than last year with a gallon costing an average of $3.50. In 2023, gas cost $3.53 per gallon and in 2022, it cost nearly $5.

This year, the states with the most expensive gas are California ($4.80), Hawaii ($4.71), Washington ($4.21), Oregon ($4.07), Nevada ($4.04), Alaska ($3.90), Illinois ($3.88), Michigan ($3.70), Washington, D.C. ($3.66), and Indiana ($3.65).

Another cost to consider is tolls. Not all states have them, but check your route on Toll Guru to see how much change you might need on hand or how much money to have loaded on the E-ZPass.

The weather factor

High temperatures and a few thunderstorms are in the forecast for much of the country, according to AccuWeather . Both can cause travel delays.

The worst heat is expected in California.

Heat wave safety tips from the world's first chief heat officer

"It's going to be downright hot across the Southwest, especially in California and the Desert Southwest where record highs will be challenged," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joseph Bauer told the website.

The Southern Plains and Southeast regions are also expected to feel the heat over the Independence Day weekend with higher than average temperatures.

High temperatures can slow down travel. When temperatures get too high, railway tracks can start to bend — forcing trains to slow down or stop completely. And planes may face weight restrictions during severe heat.

Traveling during the morning or evening can help offset the risk of heat-related delays.

While much of the country will face high temperatures on the Fourth of July, the Northern Plains, Midwest and portions of the Northeast may see thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather.

Flight delays and cancellations

As a rule, airlines are required to offer travelers a refund or book them another flight if they cancel a passenger's flight. The rules surrounding flight delays are more complicated.

Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

This U.S. Department of Transportation chart offers a full list of specific airline cancellation and delay policies.

Weekend Break: African/Caribbean International Festival of Life in Washington Park

C HICAGO — At Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side this holiday weekend, people of all walks of life were welcome to slow down, enjoy a nice groove, taste some great food and, well, just celebrate life.

The African/Caribbean International Festival of Life is celebrating its 31st anniversary at East 55th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue. The four-day IFOL began on Thursday, the Fourth of July, and concludes Sunday, with performances beginning at 6 p.m.

“This festival is all about culture,” explains Felipe Foucher, the IFOL’s artist relations manager. “It’s all about magic, it’s all about family. It’s all about bringing everybody together of all walks of life, genres, thoughts, just having a great time.

“Great food, music, just good energy all together.”

Foucher said ideal weather conditions have contributed to a big crowd this weekend, with probably “a few thousand” attending each day.

“When the weather’s cooperating, everybody comes out,” Foucher said. “It’s the summertime, people want to come out and have a good time.

“It’s been awesome. It’s been amazing.”

Additionally, on Friday, the IFOL celebrated the 42nd Chicago Music Awards by featuring some of the top artists from Chicago, as well as aspiring, up-and-coming artists.

One of those who has been attending the IFOL for years is Stephen “Snoop” King, CEO of Snoop & Crew Steppers.

“I started as a kid, coming just for the fun and the giggles,” King said. “Even sneaking through the gate!”

Now, King teaches stepping, a form of dance he says originates from Chicago and has spread all over.

“I teach adults, I teach kids, I go to senior homes,” King says. “Everybody needs some kind of exercise or some kind of movement. Stepping, basically, is like a whole way of life.”

And it doesn’t require any knowledge or experience to start stepping. That can be taught.

“You’re just feeling the flow of the music,” King says. “It all starts from the basic fundamentals. … Pretty much everybody started off brand-new and didn’t have a clue at all. Now they dance.

“It bridges relationships and marriages.”

In Sunday’s WGN Morning News Weekend Break, Marcus Leshock tried his feet at stepping. Watch the video below to find out if Marcus was able to become fully “Snoop-a-tized”:

Tickets to attend the IFOL are $25. Visit internationalfestivaloflife.com for ticket information, a lineup of performers and more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.

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‘Never seen it before’: Ludvig Aberg endures one of worst breaks imaginable

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Ludvig Aberg's wacky and unfortunate approach at the Scottish Open.

Ludvig Aberg was rolling in the first round of the Genesis Scottish Open : two under through seven holes and two birdies in his last two holes. His good form continued on the tee at the 448-yard par-4 8th from where he found the right side of the fairway, leaving himself just 148 yards to a front-right pin on a blind green. One of Aberg’s playing partners, Collin Morikawa, already had played, knocking a nifty approach to 11 feet right of the hole. Aberg must have liked Morikawa’s result, because the young Swede launched a short iron that followed a markedly similar line to Morikawa’s.

Well, not markedly —  exactly .

As Aberg’s ball descended to the green, it landed squarely on top of Morikawa’s ball, a space that occupied all of 1.68 inches.

“Oh, you don’t see that very often,” a commentor said on the Sky Sports broadcast. “That’s got to be 1 in 10,000.”

A Ryder Cup playing captain? Rory McIlroy wants none of it

Actually, the odds are probably much slimmer than that. Figure in a full field PGA Tour event there are roughly 150 players hitting approaches or tee shots, over the course of four rounds, into 72 greens. That’s more than 10,000 shots right there, and this is not an occurrence we see at every event. Whatever the odds, we can agree they are long!     

Ask Aberg, who after his six-under opening 64 said of the wackiness at the 8th: “I’ve never seen it before. Probably not going to see it for a long time again.”

Nor would he want to see it again, because the result was costly. After careening into Morikawa’s ball, Aberg’s Titleist kicked hard right and off the green, leaving him a short-sided chip. Aberg looked on from the fairway, confounded. “I thought I hit a decent shot, and we just saw the ball just go straight sideways,” he said later. “I didn’t really know what it did, but then we kind of realized that’s pretty much where Collin’s ball was and then I saw his ball go that way.”

That way was off the back of the green, though Morikawa’s ball’s new resting point was moot, because under Rule 11.1, Morikawa was permitted to replace his ball as close as possible to its original spot. Aberg? No such luck. Play it as lies, pal.    

How unlucky is that? 🤯 Ludvig Aberg catches a terrible break after his ball lands on his playing partner's and ricochets off the green. #GenesisScottishOpen pic.twitter.com/jS3kXHsoyO — Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 11, 2024

What would have been roughly a 10-footer for birdie was now a 47-foot up-and-down attempt to save par. Aberg’s chip came up well short and the par save wasn’t to be. He settled for a bogey 5.    

To his credit, Aberg took the wicked stroke of bad luck in stride. “Once those things happen, I can’t do anything about it,” he said. “All I try to do is just make good swings, and I did.”

Lots of them. After parring the par-3 9th, Aberg played the back nine in five-under 30 to climb into a tie for third, two back of Justin Thomas’ lead.

For what it’s worth, not all ball collisions end in calamity. Witness the final round of the 2016 Masters, when Louis Oosthuizen stepped onto the tee at the par-3 16th and hit an ideal shot that caught the slope in the middle of the green that funnels balls down to the hole. As Oosthuizen’s ball picked up speed, it banged into his playing partner’s, which was at rest about three feet right of the cup. At first it looked as if the interaction might have knocked Oosthuizen’s ball off line, but, in fact, it had bumped it onto an even better track. A few rolls later and Oosthuizen’s ball dropped into the hole for one of the most remarkable aces you will ever see.

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‘was that number wrong’ tour caddie comes clean on 2 wrong yardages , bryson dechambeau claims he was 'extorted' for $2 million after u.s. open win, 2024 genesis scottish open friday tee times: round 2 groupings, alan bastable.

As GOLF.com’s executive editor, Bastable is responsible for the editorial direction and voice of one of the game’s most respected and highly trafficked news and service sites. He wears many hats — editing, writing, ideating, developing, daydreaming of one day breaking 80 — and feels privileged to work with such an insanely talented and hardworking group of writers, editors and producers. Before grabbing the reins at GOLF.com, he was the features editor at GOLF Magazine. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the Columbia School of Journalism, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and foursome of kids.

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