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| Friday Feb 04, 2022 |
When California Assembly Bill 672, which sought to shutter a number of the state's publicly owned courses in favor of affordable housing, recently failed to make it out of committee, it was viewed as a victory for the state's golf courses. Now, muni lovers have more reason to unite. According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of munis over the past decade has actually increased by 4%. The reason? Municipalities are acquiring struggling daily fee or private clubs and making them viable as a community amenity and preserved green space.
> Question of the Week: Do you believe the PGA Tour's best players should be supporting this week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am instead of playing in the Saudi International?
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.
Follow The First Call
> Rory McIlroy's nimble mind is his greatest asset, and curse
[Mike Purkey | Morning Read | Read]
> Patrick Cantlay chose Pebble Beach this week, but remains curious observer of potential Saudi Arabia-backed rival league
[Steve DiMeglio | Golfweek | Read]
> Brooks Koepka calls out Phil Mickelson for "greed" comments
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]
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The 6-time major champion calls out the PGA Tour's 'obnoxious greed,' while Greg Norman and Lee Westwood add to speculation of a LIV Golf Investments-backed league
MORE ON LIV GOLF AND THE SAUDIS > The First Call Inbox: Readers split on PGA Tour players' decision to play in Saudi > LIV Golf Investments, Greg Norman up ante on Asian Tour > Timeline: How we go to this point |
Joined: By Golf Saudi, the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) with full member status. EDGA will work with Golf Saudi to promote golf for all Saudi players with disabilities, regardless of their ability.
Signed: By Five9 Inc., a provider of cloud contact center solutions, Max Homa to a multiyear brand ambassador partnership. Homa and his caddie will wear the Five9 logo and make special appearances to represent the brand during Five9 events.
Planned: By Folds of Honor, to begin awarding academic scholarships for post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate or professional program. Applications for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification will also be accepted. The application period for all 2022-23 scholarships closes on March 31. Individuals can review scholarship criteria here.
Offered: By The R&A, three British Open qualifying spots at the Vic Open, Feb. 10-13 in Melbourne, Australia. The Vic Open receives its first qualifying spots following the cancellation of the New Zealand Open due to on-going travel restrictions. The three places into July's 150th British Open at St. Andrews will be awarded to the leading three players not already exempt who finish in the top 10 and ties.
Installed: By Boca West Country Club, Inrange radar tracking technology on the driving range of its Boca Raton, Fla., club. The radar ball tracking and range gamification system provides entertainment at seven Inrange-equipped bays leading directly out from the newly renovated Mr. D’s restaurant. The club equipped an additional 19 outdoor bays with the Inrange App.
Introduced: By Titleist, two new re-designed golf balls — the TruFeel and Velocity. While both balls emphasize improved distance, the TruFeel also promotes improved control. Both balls are currently available in white only until October when more color options will be available. The Trufeel retails for $24.99 per dozen; the Velocity for $29.99 per dozen.
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Newly rebranded Epson Tour to help players through lower entry fees, increased purses and life experiences on and off the course
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"Golf was my first glimpse of comedy."
PGA Tour: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Site: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Club, Monterey Peninsula-Shore, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Television: Today, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-7 p.m. (CBS); Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6:30 p.m. (CBS).
Asian Tour: PIF Saudi International
Site: Royal Green Golf and Country Club, Economic City, Saudi Arabia.
Television: Today, 3-5 a.m., 6:30-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-8 a.m. (Golf Channel).
LPGA Tour: Drive On LPGA Championship
Site: Crown Colony Golf and Country Club, Fort Myers, Fla.
Television: Today, 3-6 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday, 2-5 p.m. (Peacock).
European Tour: Ras Al Khaimah Championship
Site: Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Television: Today, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel-Tape Delay).
FEBRUARY
5-10: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, Calif. | Info
11-13: West Michigan Golf Show, Grand Rapids, Mich. | 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
JANUARY 2023
24-27: PGA Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
