The First Call 01-10-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Progress may be slow, but it’s coming. In 1948, Patty Berg earned $5,600 for winning the first U.S. Women’s Open. The winner’s share did not double until 30 years later when Hollis Stacy won $15,000. Not until 2109 did the winner’s share reach $1 million and the USGA nearly doubled that figure on Friday when the organization announced an increase to $1.8 million, along with the Open’s first presenting partner. The overall purse will jump from $5.5 million to $10 million in 2022 and reach $12 million within five years.

Question of the Week: What can the golf industry do to help grow the women's game? Send replies to shall@morningread.com and please include name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Restored Oakland Hills lands 2031, '42 U.S. Women's Open; is U.S. Open next?
[Tony Paul | The Detroit News | Read]

> After a favorite golf partner's death, a new life as a single
[Michael Croley | Golf Digest | Read]

> Interview: Billy Bagwell, president, Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association
[Allen Knight, Tim Kreger | Pullin’ Weeds | Listen]

> Pioneering sports psychologist Dr. Richard Coop dead at 81
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

The U.S. Women's Open's fist-bump moment

The USGA announces a significant purse increase, along with the championship's first presenting partner and five future host sites

Inverness eyes more majors

A massive restoration and being awarded the 2027 U.S. Women's Open, along with the U.S. Amateur in 2029, has put the venerable Toledo, Ohio, club back in any major discussion

Showdown between tours on horizon

The First Call readers view money — either to entice professionals to play the Saudi-backed Asian Tour or the cost amateurs have to pay to play — as among the top issues in 2022

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

The top five most walkable states in the U.S. are Colorado, Michigan, Washington, Ohio and Massachusetts. Longitudes Group defines walkability as the proportion of unrestricted golf courses by state compared to the proportion of the total United States.

Source: Longitudes Group golf course walkability database

THE INDUSTRY

United States Adaptive Golf Alliance announces 2022 schedule

USAGA includes 39 adaptive golf member organizations across the United States, providing adaptive golf to 40,000 individuals

NBC Sports Next’s GolfPass unveils Golfers’ Choice 2022 lists

Lists created from more than 320,000 reviews on GolfPass and expand coverage to include the United Kingdom and Ireland, Canada and Mexico

Announced: By Towel Tag, that PGA Tour caddies Kurtis Kowaluk and Tim Giuliano will unveil the company’s limited-edition Towel Tag Combo at this week’s Sony Open. The towel is specially designed for the tournament and features a pineapple skull character wearing sunglasses on a checkerboard background.

#QOTD

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."

— Frederick Douglass

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

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