Wednesday Jan 05, 2022
FIRST THOUGHT

We all know of Michael Jordan's love affair with golf. How can we not think of his numerous appearances as a cigar-toting United States cheerleader at Ryder Cup Matches through the years? And while Jordan Brand has been producing golf shoes for several years, the Air Jordan 1 Low Golf "Chicago" shoe is expected to be the most iconic yet. The low-cut golf shoe is a spin on the ones Jordan famously wore with the Chicago Bulls in 1985. An official release date has yet to be announced, but it's coming.

Question of the Week: What do you believe is the top issue facing golf in 2022? Send replies to shall@morningread.com and please include name, along with city and state of residence.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> ESPN+ to offer 4 streaming feeds in new PGA Tour deal
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> This crypto-backed start-up golf club just raised $11 million. Next up: buy a golf course
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

Golf helps spur active lifestyle stocks
Publicly traded golf manufacturers and retailers assisted in making 2021 a robust year for the active lifestyle space
FACT OF THE DAY
DID YOU KNOW?
Of all the courses in Florida, 14% (135) are within 3 miles of the coast and sit at or below 1-meter elevation.

Source: Longitudes Green Grass Database, National Elevation Dataset
THE INDUSTRY
Annual Ryder Cup-style event features the men’s golf teams from Arizona, Arizona State
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The 2,900-square-foot facility features 4 highly equipped indoor training bays, powered by TecSwing, using Foresight Sports simulators for lessons, club fitting and practice
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Pasadena, Md., club's director of instruction makes developmental program's 2021 Top 50 Instructor list
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Operation 36, a developmental program and technology to introduce and guide anyone in playing the game of golf, includes instructors on its 2021 Top 50 Instructors list
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New seasonal collections feature understated color combinations ideal for both on, off the golf course
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Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association's gift maintains chapter’s position as a Platinum Tee Club Member
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European Tour players each designed unique versions for the SS22 collection that reflect their individual styles and personalities on and off the course
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Ridgefield, Wash., club's director of instruction started the Op 36 program at Tri-Mountain in early 2021 and now has more than 146 students in the program
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Tech advances and striking Aizu designs done in collaboration with Japanese artists elevate new luxury golf line
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Chatelain, a 22-year Landscapes Unlimited employee becomes senior construction estimator
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Announced: By LA Golf, that Michelle Wie West, the 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion, is joining LA Golf as an investor, board member and brand ambassador.

#QOTD
"Virtue is concerned with what we do, and honor is concerned with how we do it."
— Gregory David Roberts
ICYMI
The birth of Whiskers
A broken shoelace took co-founder Kyle Groth on a circuitous route to create a product that is finding its way on a growing number of shoes — especially golf
CALENDAR

JANUARY
25-28: PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

FEBRUARY
5-10: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, Calif. | Info
18-20: Toledo Golf Show, Toledo, Ohio | Info
19-23: CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo, San Diego, Calif. | Info
25-27: Colorado Golf Expo, Denver, Colo. | Info

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.

LAST CALL