The First Call 01-25-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

Of the 126 respondents to The First Call poll question, "What will be your level of interest in LIV Golf being televised and streamed on The CW Network?", 48% responded "Absolutely, positively none." Twenty-two percent responded "Will peek every now and then," followed by "Balanced with other tours" (14%), "I don't get The CW Network" (8%) and "Can't wait, I'm all in" (7%).

> Question of the week: How, if at all, will LIV Golf's recent announcement of a television deal with The CW Network change public opinion of the second-year league?

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

> LIV claims Condoleezza Rice sought to block DOJ probe of PGA Tour
[Erik Larson | Bloomberg | Read]

> LIV exec offers details on CW negotiation, hints at future media deals
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

2023 PGA SHOW

Pik’r is its name, range balls is its game — and its changing golf

Scientific range picker is designed to alleviate golf’s labor shortage while enhancing operational safety

From the Baffler to today, Cobra Golf remains an industry presence

Mach One Golf Balls proves the game can have a lighthearted side; Loudmouth apparel as outlandish as ever

The power of the PGA Show

Novice in the golf industry strikes it big after winning best new product category a year ago

THE INDUSTRY

KemperSports: Releases its latest golf survey

'Teeing Up the Future of Golf: The 2023 Golfer Insights Survey' queried roughly 16,000 golfers to learn more about the evolution of the player and their impact on the game

True Spec Golf: Receives patent for Club-Conex Uni-Fit

Newly issued patent for adjustable driver system was followed by International Trade Commission order affirming prior patents and preventing the importation of replica or counterfeit systems

GCSAA: Education session to expand mental health, wellness awareness

GCSAA Conference and Trade Show education session on Feb. 9 will allow experts and members to share insights on improving mental health and wellness; open to all attendees

ClubProcure: Donates $25,000 to support the GCSAA Foundation’s mission

Donation will support the new Larry Powell Scholarship and education efforts for pros in the golf course management industry

Edel Golf: Adds P-Grind to SMS line of wedges

Latest player's grind Swing Match System line features a lower bounce, wider sole and Forged 1025 carbon steel construction

Edel Golf: Launches technological advancement in SMS Pro Irons

Line equipped with Swing Match Weighting Technology, allowing golfers to match irons with swing characteristics for more distance, accuracy

Cleveland Golf: Unveils Frontline Elite Putters with tungsten face

Line features eight models with improved forward weighting and face technology; designed for straighter putts with consistent speed and distance

Ace Indoor Golf: HiQ delivers durability, high definition imagery

The two-piece screen system features minimal bounce back and impact noise, custom sizing, and is tested for ball speeds of over 200 mph

Ace Indoor Golf: Helping simulator tech companies aid golfers' experience

Company is providing golf simulator enclosures and sewn goods to seven of the top golf simulator technology companies at the PGA Show

Reynolds Lake Oconee: Celebrate the new year with a free round of golf

'First Round on Us' experience offers a free round on arrival day and one round of golf following each night of stay at the Georgia resort destination

GCSAA: Trent Manning to receive the 2022 Edwin Budding Award

Certified turf equipment manager and 'Reel Turf Techs Podcast' founder recognized for making a positive impact on the turfgrass equipment management industry

Saint Andrew's GC: GRAA honors Apple Tree Performance Center

Golf Range Association of America again recognizes the New York club's year-round teaching facility as among the nation's top 50 in the private club category

Malcolm DeMille: Teams up with Hilton Grand Vacations TOC

Company handcrafted the Tournament of Champions trophy as well as player badge money clips, pro-am trophy trays and pieces of jewelry for the management team

Rolex: 34th Hero Dubai Desert Classic is 2nd Rolex Series event of 2023

Rolex returns as official partner, timekeeper for tournament, scheduled for Jan. 26-29

Golf Live: Instructor Chris Como debuts as partner at the PGA Show

Platform allows golfers and coaches to connect for live lessons at any time and place; partnership with Como begins this week

#QOTD

"There’s no way around hard work. Embrace it. You have to put in the hours because there is always something you can improve on."

— Roger Federer

ICYMI

Design Notes: Tripp Davis returns to finish the job at Texas’ Green Tree

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Arizona’s Desert Mountain tweaks its Renegade course; Rick Jacobson and KemperSports team up to renovate Illinois’ Winnetka

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Realizing the Azores' understated beauty
Pilar Melo Antunes, Azores Golf sales and marketing director, joins host Ann Liguori to tell the story of the nine-strand Portuguese archipelago — and why it's ideal for golf
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

THE 19TH HOLE WITH MICHAEL WILLIAMS
65,000 and counting: Club Champion has a club for everyone
Casandra Bausch, Club Champion's director of marketing, joins host Michael Williams to discuss the company's explosive growth and the array of available club combinations it offers
[Listen | More 'The 19th Hole with Michael Williams' episodes]

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
Power Tee is changing how golfers practice
CEO Martin Wyeth joins host Paul Liberatore to tell of his journey to create an automatic teeing system for indoors, driving ranges and country clubs — and, perhaps, golf's future
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

CALENDAR

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

FEBRUARY
1: Women Fore Hire Virtual Career Fair | Info
3-5: Philadelphia Golf and Travel Show, Philadelphia, Pa. | Info
6-9: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info
6-9: Golf Industry Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

> View complete calendar

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