The First Call 02-07-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

As of Jan. 1, 2022, according to the National Golf Foundation's "Golf Facilities in the U.S." report, the United States totaled 16,035 golf courses, making them more abundant than either Starbucks or McDonald's.

> Question of the Week: The yet-to-be-named Saudi-backed golf league is reportedly going to feature 54-hole, no-cut tournaments, along with a team element. Considering the PGA Tour schedule currently features 46 stroke-play events, should it consider varied formats and a possible team element?
Send replies on this question or other topics to shall@morningread.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.

Follow The First Call

Subscribe | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Phil Mickelson's statements inaccurate and ironic: Obnoxious greed? Et tu, Phil?
[Brandel Chamblee | Golf Channel | Read]

> Peter Jacobsen sounds off on PGA Tour pros who chose Saudi International over Pebble Beach
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Stillwater will combine old-school, modern design elements for first new golf course on First Coast since 2002
[Gary Smits | Florida Times-Union | Read]

Creating a LinkedIn experience for golfers

Lydia Davies, founder and CEO of TeeMates Golf, is on an entrepreneurial journey to connect golfers and joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' to discuss her new app

Listen

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am vs. Saudi International? A close call

Readers of The First Call weigh in on whether PGA Tour players should support the long-standing Tour stop or take appearance money to play in Saudi Arabia

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent survey of recreational golfers, 31% of male casual golfers aged 20-39 spend $1,000 or more in a typical year on green fees, carts and membership dues compared to 17% of females of the same age.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

Golftec opens instruction, club fitting center in Singapore

Facility features indoor bays equipped with Tecswing using Foresight Sports simulators and OptiMotion, a motion tracking system that measures golf swings

Callaway Golf renews Women’s Golf Day sponsorship

3-year contract extension continues support of women’s golf initiative

Signed: By Pro Unlimited, an integrated workforce management platform provider, PGA Tour player Denny McCarthy to an endorsement agreement. McCarthy will represent Pro Unlimited by appearing on social media, wearing branded apparel and participating in virtual and in-person events.

#QOTD

"I'm just as confident as I was when I teed it up this week as I will be next week. I believe I can win."

— Harold Varner III

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY
7-10: 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.

LAST CALL

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Golf Digest (@golfdigest)