The First Call 01-12-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

Of the 90 respondents to The First Call poll question, "You have an opportunity to build a new golf course, which present-day course architect(s) would you choose?" 48 percent chose Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. That was followed by Tom Doak and Other (16% each), Gil Hanse (12%) and David McLay Kidd (9%).

> Question of the week: What part of your golf game are you most looking forward to in 2023, and why?

Send replies on this question or other topics to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For your response to be published, you must include first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Judge denies LIV Golf request to delay hearing on discovery
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

> 'Full Swing' trailer
[Netflix | Watch]

> LIV Golf to name Mito Pereira on 2023 player roster
[James Corrigan | The Telegraph | Read]

> Hockey provided great memories, but Matt Chmura relishes LPGA opportunity
[Jim McCabe | Power Fades | Read]

> On the road to the Masters, not everyone is on the same path
[Farrell Evans | Sports Illustrated | Read]

THE INDUSTRY

L.A.B. Golf launches Link.1 blade putter

New putter is hyper-engineered from 303 stainless steel and uses Lie Angle Balance to stay square; available in two models

Srixon unveils the all-new ZX Mk II irons

New line is equipped with a V.T. Sole, progressive grooves and Srixon's second generation mainframe technology, PureFrame, to enhance feel by reducing unwanted vibrations

On Course Foundation's golf-employer partners reach 45 states

Foundation has added hundreds of new employment opportunities as a vehicle for wounded military veterans to develop careers in the golf industry

Women’s Golf Day becomes a weeklong celebration, May 30-June 6

Attendees at the PGA Show are invited to attend a panel discussion, taking place Jan. 26, that will examine the relationship between women and golf

EyePromise named eye vitamin of Golfzon Leadbetter Academy World HQ

Partnership aims to help support and improve eye health care for Leadbetter students who may have eye health issues, irritated dry eyes or suffer from the effects of screen time

Z.One EV introducing 2 golf car products to U.S.

NanoIntech Lithium-Ion batteries, powered by LG Energy Solution, and a new eight-passenger golf car produced by Dy Innovate in Seoul, Korea, will be showcased at the PGA Show

Dormie Workshop to have its biggest presence at PGA Show

Company will showcase its 2023 leather products and will have long-time brand ambassador Hayden Sylte in its booth on Jan. 25-26

PGA Show to feature live fashion show, Industry Happy Hour

PGA Professionals and golf retailers are invited to attend a fashion show and happy hour on Jan. 25 to connect with peers, apparel designers and participating PGA Show manufacturers

Announced: By Biion Footwear, plans to exhibit at the 2023 PGA Show, Jan. 24-27, in Orlando, Florida. The Canadian-based footwear company will showcase its new oxford designs, an all-new trainer and a performance golf Chelsea boot.

Announced: By Keswick Hall, that the Charlottesville, Virginia, resort is offering a private club experience via its exclusive Keswick Club, including unlimited privileges for golf members to play Full Cry, the property’s Pete Dye-designed course.

Announced: By Blue Tees Golf, the upcoming launch of its new golf technology, which will include a GPS speaker equipped with technology that will empower the golfer on and off the course, a fully functioning GPS handheld unit, and a mobile app that will give a golfer unprecedented access to data.

Announced: By Ogio, the signing of YouTube and media influencer Peter Finch as a golf brand ambassador. Finch, who has over 500,000 YouTube subscribers and another 369,000 across other social media platforms, will help promote the launch of the brand’s 2023 range that includes new travel covers and golf bag, and will be available Jan. 21 and Feb. 15, respectively.

Approved: By the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee, increasing the field for the finals site of the Division I Women's Golf Championships to 156 players in 2023. This adjustment results in a net increase of 12 official travel party members for women's golf. The number of teams at the finals site increased from 27 to 30, while the number of individual participants at the finals site would decrease from 12 to six.

Scheduled: By NBC Sports, more than 30 hours of live coverage of the PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii and the DP World Tour’s Hero Cup across NBC, Golf Channel and Peacock. Live coverage of the Sony Open begins Thursday in primetime at 7 p.m. ET on Golf Channel and Peacock. Coverage of the Hero Cup will air on Golf Channel, beginning at 2 a.m. ET on Friday. (See complete broadcast schedule below in Tuning In).

> More Industry News

#QOTD

"I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process."

— Benjamin Harrison

ICYMI

Design Notes: What will Tom Doak do with Pinehurst No. 10?

Pinehurst New Course Site 01 Web Ready.jpg

Quebec’s Hillsdale to be transformed by Whitman, Axland and Cutten; Oklahoma’s KickingBird gets the Dusenberry Design treatment

The Drop: Speed at heart of Ping's G430 family

While 2 to 4 mph added ball speed may not sound like much, the result is greater distance — and who doesn't want to hit the ball farther?

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Sony Open
Site: Waialae Country Club, Honolulu.
Television (ET): Today-Friday, 7-10:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 4-6 p.m. (NBC), 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

DP World Tour: Hero Cup
Site: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Television (ET): Friday, 2-8 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 11 p.m. (Friday) to 8 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1:30-7 a.m. (Golf Channel).

Augusta National, R&A, USGA: Latin America Amateur Championship
Site: Grand Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Television (ET): Today-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon (ESPN2); Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (ESPN News); Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ESPN2).

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Why singer Steve Azar's life could be a country song
Music composer / singer joins host Ann Liguori to discuss his career and how golf fits into the equation
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview With Ann Liguori' episodes]

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
How Sunday Golf found its niche, paves a new trail
Host Paul Liberatore interviews CEO Ronan Galvin, who discusses how finding a niche allowed Sunday Golf to revolutionize the golf bag industry in just a few short years
[Listen | More 'Behind The Golf Brand' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
How Sqairz does the common in an uncommon way
Founder Bob Winskowicz shares with host Colin Weston how having Arnold Palmer in his mentorship corner was one of many positive experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

CALENDAR

JANUARY
23-25: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Fla. | Info
24-27: PGA Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info
28-29: Columbus Golf and Travel Show, Columbus, Ohio | Info

> View complete calendar

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