The First Call 01-27-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

The off-course golf boom isn’t slowing down. According to the National Golf Foundation, in 2021 off-course-only golfers totaled 12.4 million people, just below the number of golfers who played on-course only (12.6 million) and those who played both on- and off-course golf (12.5 million). Off-course golf includes golf entertainment venues, standalone driving ranges and venues with simulators.

> Question of the Week: When buying new golf equipment, how much do you factor 'hot lists' and online reviews into your decision-making process?
Send replies on this question or other topics to shall@morningread.com. To be considered for publication, your response must include first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> No longer relevant? Is this the beginning of the end for the PGA Show?
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> LPGA announces deal with Epson to sponsor developmental tour
[Adam Stanley | Morning Read | Read]

NGF releases positive trends not seen since the Tiger Woods era

Upticks in areas such as off-course participation create a huge opportunity for the sport

Club Car's Tempo Walk weds push cart, caddie concept

With golfers walking more, the robotic bag cart provides a simplistic approach to carrying clubs — minus the cost of hiring a caddie

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent survey of recreational golfers, 50% of golfers who have been playing 3 years or less typically play a round at least once a week versus 58% of those who have been golfing 10-plus years.

Source: Longitudes Group Golf Course Walkability Database

THE INDUSTRY

Golftec's Joe Assell named PGA Golf Executive of the Year

The annual award recognizes the executive for performing outstanding services in an executive management position

Sweetgrass Golf Course named NGCOA National Golf Course of the Year

The Island Resort and Casino’s original course was selected based on 4 criteria, including the quality of the golf course and quality of ownership and management

PGA of America chooses Technogym as its training equipment supplier

Technogym, manufacturer of technology-driven smart-connected fitness equipment, agrees to a multiyear partnership

Wilson signs LPGA rookie Sophia Schubert to its golf advisory staff

Schubert marks the return of an LPGA presence to the advisory staff

Puerto Rico flourishes in early 2022 golf spotlight

Grand Reserve Golf Club is named as the 2023 Latin America Amateur Championship host venue

Los Cabos a major presence on Golfweek’s top 50 roster

13 Cabo courses ranked on publication's Top 50 Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic and Central America list

Talamore Golf Resort continues to evolve, improve

Southern Pines, N.C., destination adding new amenities, including a Toptracer Range, cutting-edge EcoBunkers and a 15,000-square-foot putting course

Generational Group, PGA Tour's Mito Pereira agree on sponsorship deal

In his first year on the PGA Tour, Pereira is 32nd in the FedEx Cup standings and will be featured in an upcoming Netflix documentary

Saint Andrew’s Golf Club’s community giving program tops $500,000

The Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., club, America's oldest, has donated nearly $528,000 over the past 13 years — an average of more than $40,000 annually.

Trackman loses patent infringement case involving FlightScope

FlightScope wins an appeal case in the District Court of Düsseldorf that has ruled the company did not infringe on a Trackman product patent in Germany

Collegiate Showcase names Ethan Mangum as inaugural Pathway Player

Pathway Player invitation awarded to a player with a minority background who is excelling on the golf course and academically; Field announced for 8th Collegiate Showcase on Feb. 14

Introduced: By Garmin International Inc.,Green Contour data, which, through a compatible Garmin device or by using the Garmin Golf app, allows golfers to see the actual slope direction of the green. Available through the Garmin Golf app, golfers can purchase a Garmin Golf membership for $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year.

Introduced: By Srixon, the new Q-Star Tour golf ball, which is in its fourth generation. The ball features an ultra-thin, premium urethane cover and Srixon claims that during robotic testing the golf ball delivered almost 400 RPM more spin than a few close competitors. The ball is currently available at $34.99 per dozen.

Announced: By the PGA of America, its National Awards for 2021. The winners were: PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Tom Wildenhaus, Olde Florida Golf Club, Naples, Fla.; PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year, Jamie Mulligan, Virginia Country Club, Long Beach, Calif.; PGA Golf Executive of the Year, Joe Assell, Golftec, Englewood, Colo.; Bill Strausbaugh Award, Tim Beckwith (posthumous), Sarasota National Golf Club, Sarasota, Fla.; PGA Professional Development Award, Dr. Rich Ballinger, Sam Houston State PGA Golf Management University Program, Huntsville, Texas; Deacon Palmer Award, Bryan DeMarco, Pine Barrens Golf Club, Jackson, N.J.; Patriot Award, Joe Grohman, Old Ranch Country Club/PGA Hope National Trainer, Seal Beach, Calif.; PGA Player Development Award, Thomas Yost, First Tee-Four Corners, Kirtland, N.M.; PGA Youth Player Development Award, Andrew Miller, LedgeRock Golf Club, Mohnton, Pa.; Herb Graffis Award, Carolinas PGA Section; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort Category), Caroline Basarab, Reynolds Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Ga.; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public Category), Brian Tolnar, Mill Creek Park Golf Course, Canfield, Ohio; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private Category), Ian Brown, Butterfield Country Club, Oakbrook, Ill.

Agreed: By the LPGA Tour and Epson America Inc., to a five-year agreement in which Epson will become title sponsor of the Epson Tour, formerly known as the Symetra Tour. The sponsorship takes effect immediately and extends through 2026, and will award LPGA Tour membership to the top 10 players on the Race for the Card money list at the end of each season. The yearly Epson Tour Ambassador Program will begin in 2022 and extend $10,000 to each of the 2021 Epson Tour graduates, providing financial assistance to jumpstart the beginning of their new LPGA Tour journey. In addition, Epson is increasing the standard tournament purse size to $200,000.

ICYMI

F45: The next revolution in golf fitness?

Rapidly growing fitness company is taking its proven model of high intensity interval training into country clubs, partnering 1st with Concert Golf Partners

#QOTD

"The way you behave when you think you can get away with it is who you really are."

— Carly Fiorina

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open
Site: Torrey Pines Golf Course (South, North), San Diego.
Television: Today, 3-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel), 5-8 p.m. (CBS); Saturday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 4:30-8 p.m. (CBS).

LPGA Tour: Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio
Site: Boca Rio Golf Club, Boca Raton, Fla.
Television: Today-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic
Site: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Television: Today, 6:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 2:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-8 a.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

JANUARY
26-28: 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
20-22: Carolinas PGA Super Show, Greensboro, N.C. | Info
25-27: Colorado Golf Expo, Denver, Colo. | Info
25-27: Chicago Golf Show, Rosemont, Ill. | 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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