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| Tuesday Jan 23, 2024 |
On Monday, the USGA announced that Merion Golf Club will serve as the host for the 2040 U.S. Open. In fact, the Ardmore, Pennsylvania, club is scheduled to host five other USGA championships through 2050. Heading into 2024, Merion has hosted more USGA championships (19) than any other site. Rounding out the top five behind Merion are The Country Club (Brookline, Massachusetts) and Oakmont Country Club (Oakmont, Pennsylvania) with 17 each, Baltusrol Golf Club (Springfield, New Jersey) with 16 and Pebble Beach Golf Links (Pebble Beach, California) with 14.
IN THIS ISSUE
> Design Notes: Greg Norman opens Florida’s Shell Bay | Read
> TFC Inbox: Which is the best of the West Coast swing? | Read
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
The annual PGA Show — being held this week in Orlando, Florida — showcases the latest apparel, gear and technology the golf industry has to offer. If you could invent one item that would either improve your game or your golf experience, what would it be?
Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.
> Read responses to last week's question.
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Tom Doak revives Michigan’s High Pointe; Brian Curley debuts Vietnam’s Stone Highland
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Uneekor: Signs PGA Tour player Beau Hossler to a brand ambassador for its golf simulator technologies. Hossler joins fellow professionals Muni "Lily" He and Cameron Champ as ambassadors.
Sun Mountain: Names Grant Knudson as president and chief brand officer, effective Jan. 22. In his role, Knudson will lead global commercial strategy focused on driving sales, marketing and product innovation.
Newton Golf Shafts: Newly established business division of Sacks Parente Golf, signs PGA Tour Champions player Ken Duke as its first player to represent the Newton shaft brand. Duke uses the new Newton Motion Shaft in his driver.
Giants Ridge: Both of its Biwabik, Minnesota, destination courses, The Quarry and The Legend, are named to Golfweek’s annual Top 200 Resort Courses in the U.S. rankings for 2024. The Quarry moved into a tie for 32nd, while The Legend improved to a tie for 104th.
ProtoConcept: Selects California-based Read the Greens Golf Media as the company’s public relations and marketing agency. The agreement is to develop and manage a comprehensive public relations campaign and communications plan that will further enhance brand exposure and create product awareness to reach new growth initiatives.
Boxto: Manufacturer of premium handcrafted leather golf shoes and belts becomes an official licensee of Nicklaus Companies and will unveil new Nicklaus-branded shoes at the PGA Show. The shoes will be offered in two of Boxto’s most-popular styles — the Legacy Pro ($249) and Heritage Malaga ($449).
USGA: Merion Golf Club, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, will serve as the host site for the 2040 U.S. Open Championship. Merion was previously awarded both the 2030 and 2050 championships, setting the club up to host the U.S. Open once every 10 years. The club will also play host to the 2026 U.S. Amateur and both the 2034 and 2046 U.S. Women’s Opens.
USGA: The U.S. Adaptive Open Championship will adopt a qualifying model for 2024. Conducted over 18 holes, qualifiers will be held at six sites across the United States between April 15 and May 31. They will be administered by Allied Golf Associations (AGAs). In its first two years, the championship field was determined largely by Handicap Index. The following AGAs will conduct 18-hole stroke play qualifiers in 2024 — Florida State Golf Association, Georgia State Golf Association, Indiana Golf Association, Metropolitan Golf Association (CT/NJ/NY), Southern California Golf Association and Texas Golf Association. Online entry applications will open on Feb. 22.
> Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson supports pro tour's decision to poll players about gender policy
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]
> Notre Dame's Burke Golf Course to shrink amid construction of new dorms
[Liam Kelly | The Observer | Read]
> A tournament unlike any other: Inside the All-Japan Park Golf Championship
[Oliver Horovitz | Golf.com | Read]
> Tour pro finds his niche as unexpected social media star
[Tod Leonard | Golf Digest | Read]
"Anyone can possess, anyone can profess, but it is an altogether different thing to confess."
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The First Call readers favor two iconic venues as the PGA Tour swings through the west; NBC Sports' golf analyst debate continues on
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THE MODGOLF PODCAST
What is your superpower?
Amy Bockerstette and her father Joe join host Colin Weston to discuss her viral moment at the WM Phoenix Open and how that led to her I Got This Foundation
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]
DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
An app that cracks the code on optimizing tee-time availability
Noteefy founder Jake Gordon joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss the platform that fills last-minute cancellations with close-in demand
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]
BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
SuperStroke stakes its claim to No. 1
SuperStroke's executive vice president Ian Zubkoff joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss the putter grip company's position in the marketplace
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]
> Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
Ben Geren Golf Course
Fort Smith, Arkansas | Info
> Golf Course Superintendent
Troon
Washington, New Jersey | Info
> Director, GHIN Golfer Products
United States Golf Association
Liberty Corner, New Jersey | Info
> View a complete listing of jobs
Make Golf Your Career is a golf industry DE&I initiative launched by Make Golf Your Thing that allows job seekers to search, find and apply for opportunities throughout the industry in one place.
JANUARY
23-24: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Florida | Info
23-26: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info
29-February 1: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Phoenix, Arizona | Info
FEBRUARY
6: Women Fore Hire Virtual Career Fair | Info
9-11: West Michigan Golf Show, Grand Rapids, Michigan | Info
MARCH
4-8: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
