The First Call 01-27-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

The golf industry is on quite the positive streak at the moment. According to the National Golf Foundation, green grass participation was up again in 2022, totaling 25.6 million golfers. This marks the first time in two decades that green grass participation has increased for five consecutive years. Also, for the first time ever, off-course participation (27.9 million) was higher than green grass participation.

> 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

> He was compared to Tiger Woods. So why did he walk away from golf?
[Andrew Keh | New York Times | Read ($)]

> LIV Golf players unwelcome at prestigious Seminole Pro-Member event
[Eamon Lynch | Golfweek | Read]

> Robert Trent Jones Jr. is here to defend his body of work (and his family’s legacy)
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

2023 PGA SHOW

When a golf scorecard becomes a work of art worthy of saving

Clean Flight takes golf ball washing to a new level; PuttLink wins a PGA Show Best New Product award

Apparel Notes: Ecco's Hybrid evolves into a Classic style

Innovation highlights Kjus' 'Better' line; Ralph Lauren relationship stands the test of time; and more apparel from the 70th PGA Show

THE INDUSTRY

Arcis Golf: Continues support for United States Adaptive Golf Alliance

Company provides financial contribution to facilitate USAGA outreach campaigns and programming focused on teach, play and compete

The Galleri Classic: Foursome commits to play at Mission Hills CC

Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker commit to play in the Coachella Valley, March 22-26, and compete against PGA Tour Champions pros for a $2.2 million purse

VRotein: TourPutt debuts at PGA Show

Content development company's putting simulator launches globally at Orlando Show

Mark & Lona: Celebrates its PGA Show debut

Golf apparel company claims it will be one of the largest first-time exhibitors at the 70th PGA Show and will showcase its complete product lines

Maggie Valley Club: Hires Erick Fowler as director of golf

Semi-private western North Carolina club and resort welcomes Fowler to oversee all golf operations and golf sales for the resort

#QOTD

"Don’t stop when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done."

— Marilyn Monroe

ICYMI

New survey shows the grass can be greener on the other side

Off-course golf participation continues to grow and surpassed green grass golf for the first time in 2022, according to a survey by the National Golf Foundation and Topgolf

Apparel Notes: Tall Order leaving large footprint with socks

FootJoy device seeks the proper fitting shoe; True Linkswear going beyond footwear into apparel; and more

Are the clubs you're playing the real deal? How would you know?

U.S. anti-counterfeiting group explains what to look for in questionable clubs; World Long Drive gets infusion for 2023; new board game seeks to win best new product at the PGA Show

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week up 13% vs. 2022 due to significantly warmer temperatures across most of the Eastern and Central U.S. Those gains were tempered by declines throughout California due to continued heavy rain with colder temperatures.

The Northeast, Mid Atlantic, Central Valley and Great Plains regions finished up 84% in total rounds this week due to the weather improvements. California experienced the largest rounds decline vs. last year, finishing down 14% due to continued heavy rains and cold fronts with temperatures declining 7 degrees into the 40s.

> Pacing over the next seven days is up 11% vs. last year as higher temperatures are continued to be projected across most of North America.

The Northeast region is projecting to have the highest finish over the next seven days at +1,718% as temperatures are expected to climb into the 40s and 50s, which is a 10-degree improvement vs. last year. The Great Plains region is forecasted to have the worst performance over the next seven days, projecting to finish down 14% due to heavy rain projected for four days.

> Weekday golfers as a percentage of total golf business finished at 64%, trending up over the previous week

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open
Site: Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course, North Course), San Diego, California.
Television (ET): Today, 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).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

DP World Tour: Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Site: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Television (ET): Today, 2:30-8:30 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2-8 a.m.
Leaderboard

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
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.