|
|
| Monday Jan 30, 2023 |
In 2018, Max Homa totaled four top-10 finishes and closed the calendar year ranked No. 838 in the Official World Golf Ranking. His first PGA Tour win came a year later and he's been on a steady ascent ever since. Saturday night's win at the Farmers Insurance Open was his sixth and fifth straight in which he has come from behind to win. Homa, 32, is projected to rise to No. 13 in the OWGR and a second win in 2023 would give him three successive years in which he has multiple wins.
> Subscribe: The First Call | Quick Reads (LinkedIn)| Weekend Edition (Substack)
> Follow: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Post | Twitter
> Question of the week: A number of players who have yet to win a major championship are showing signs of taking the next step — Max Homa has two wins already this PGA Tour season, Tony Finau has three wins since July, Tom Kim has two wins since August. Will a player win his first major in 2023? If so, who do you believe that player will be?
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.
> Max Homa comes from 5 back to win Farmers Insurance Open by 2 strokes
[Bernie Wilson | Associated Press | Read]
> Jack Burke Jr., the 1956 Masters champ, is turning 100 and still has plenty to say
[Guy Yocom | Golf Digest | Read]
> Bill that would publicize how much water golf courses use meets opposition
[Emma Keddington | Deseret News | Read]
|
The CW Network will air the upstart tour's entire 2023 schedule, but even that might not be enough for The First Call readers to tune in.
|
Rapsodo: Debuts its MLM2Pro launch monitor, which features new metrics, simulation and both iOS and Android compatibility. the MLM2Pro will be available for pre-orders starting Feb. 1 and widespread availability beginning March 31. It will be available for $699.99.
Nufarm: Hires Jeff Eldridge to the role of golf segment lead for the United States. Eldridge, who previously worked at courses in Texas and Kansas, will help lead Nufarm's launch of several golf course turfgrass technologies, including Anuew EZ Plant Growth Regulator, Tourney EZ Fungicide and Allstar Herbicide.
WM Phoenix Open: Arizona Cardinals all-time leading receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., NFL Hall-of-Famer Jerome Bettis and former NFL defensive all-star J.J. Watt have been added to the list of celebrities who will play in the Annexus Pro-Am at the WM Phoenix Open, Wednesday, Feb. 8, at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course.
PGA of America: Announces that PGA professionals led approximately 122,000 golfers through Player Engagement programming with an estimated economic impact in excess of $100 million in 2022. Programming helps professionals connect with golfers at every age and skill level.
The Club at Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany: The Italian club's Tom Weiskopf and Phil Smith-designed course is being upgraded. The project will include the addition of new back tees to lengthen the course to 7,500 yards, restore bunkers to their original shape, introduce new drought-tolerant grasses and an upgraded practice range, with expanded tees and targets.
Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour: Announces Jeff Dailey as APGA Tour Player of the Year for 2023. The honor is given to the APGA Tour Member who earns the most combined points in APGA Tour competition throughout the Lexus Cup season, the Farmers Insurance Fall Series and two Cisco Invitational events. The winner also receives a $25,000 bonus.
E-Z-Go: Redesigns its RXV golf car with several new features and refinements to enhance the on-course experience for golfers. Features include a reimagined dashboard with easy-to-load tee and golf ball holders, and plenty of space for mobile devices, cups, range finders and personal items. Optional upgrades include a premium canopy and bag covers. The RXV also can be outfitted with integrated Pace Technology.
NBC Sports: Announces it will air nearly 150 hours of men's and woman's spring college golf on Golf Channel and Peacock. The lineup includes the 2023 NCAA Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships, the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, the Southwestern Invitational, and the 76th Western Intercollegiate. College Central will surround spring college golf and provide pre-round coverage leading into all events on Golf Channel.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa: Palm Desert, California, resort announces John Wright as the director of golf and Todd Iacono as head golf professional. Wright previously held a similar role at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, and was most recently director of room operations. Iacono joins the staff from his most recent position as first assistant golf professional at Enagic Golf Club in Chula Vista, California.
Midori Anzen Co.: Japanese manufacturer secures patents across 14 countries for Midori PF1, slim-fit golf pants featuring an integrated protective belt designed to support the back and waist. The manufacturer of safety product apparel introduces its PF1 golf apparel brand in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia. Midori PF1 retail $198 for pants and $148 for shorts.
International Network of Golf: Announces that Gary D’Amato and Ann Liguori each won first-place honors in two categories to lead the way in the 29th ING Media Awards for the organization's members. Gary Van Sickle, of SI.com, was the leading award winner overall with a first-place finish and four Outstanding Achiever honors. D’Amato won with two articles that appeared in Wisconsin.golf, while Liguori won the Radio Segment category (interview with author Alan Shipnuck regarding his book on Phil Mickelson) and the Podcast category (interview with USA Today's Christine Brennan regarding LIV Golf).
PGA Tour: Announces two new agreements that will enhance monitoring capabilities as part of an expanded PGA Tour Integrity Program. A new partnership with U.S. Integrity, paired with an extension of the Tour’s existing relationship with Genius Sports, will provide the organization with bet monitoring services through 2024. The program, established in 2018, covers all facets of competition and operations on the Tours overseen by the PGA Tour. The Tour will continue to work with Genius Sports to facilitate tailored educational programs for players, caddies and officials that reinforce regulations and highlight the risks associated with betting-related corruption.
PGA of America: Announces winners of its Class of 2023 PGA of America National Awards honorees. The winners were: PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Jeff Kiddie, Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania; PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year, Kevin Weeks, Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, Lemont, Illinois; PGA Golf Executive of the Year, Bernie Friedrich, Boyne Resorts, Petoskey, Michigan; Bill Strausbaugh Award, Jack Druga, Metropolitan PGA Section, Southampton, New York; PGA Professional Development Award, Nick Papadakes, Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Illinois; Deacon Palmer Award, Jamie Nieto, The Preserve at Oak Meadows, Addison, Illinois; PGA Patriot Award, John Carpineta, Bensalem Township Country Club, Bensalem, Pennsylvania; PGA Player Development Award, Josh Tremblay, Springfield Golf and Country Club, Springfield, Virginia; PGA Youth Player Development Award, Susie Redman, The Woodlands Country Club, The Woodlands, Texas; Herb Graffis Award, Southern Texas PGA Section; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort Category), Grace Hurley, Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private Category), Katie Wiedmar, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, New York; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public Category), Ian Ziska, American Dunes Golf Club, Grand Haven, Michigan.
"A goal is not always meant to be reached. It often serves simply as something to aim at."
|
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
|
|
Innovation highlights Kjus' 'Better' line; Ralph Lauren relationship stands the test of time; and more apparel notes
|
|
Clean Flight takes golf ball washing to a new level; PuttLink wins a PGA Show Best New Product award
|
|
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
|
|
FootJoy device helps you find the proper fitting shoe; True Linkswear is going beyond footwear into apparel; and more apparel notes
|
|
Mach One Golf Balls proves the game can have a lighthearted side; Loudmouth apparel is as outlandish as ever
|
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]
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
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
