The First Call 02-10-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

If it's WM Phoenix Open week, then it's time to focus on TPC Scottsdale's raucous par-3 16th hole. In the ShotLink era (2003-present), the hole has played to a scoring average of 2.98 and yielded just two aces — though seven were made in the 15 years prior to 2003. Matt Kuchar and Chad Campbell have played the hole in 9-under par since 2003, while five others (J.B. Holmes, Freddie Jacobson, Billy Horschel, Kevin Na and Chris Stroud) are 8 under.

> 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 features 46 stroke-play events, should it consider changing or adding new formats?
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.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Sean O'Hair dismisses all the noise, feels fortunate to have the PGA Tour
[Jim McCabe | Power Fades | Read]

> Morgan Hoffmann left the PGA Tour in search of a cure. He found so much more
{Dan Rapaport | Golf Digest | Read]

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

According to Longitudes Group, which has released its 2021 U.S. golfer population changes, the number of avid golfers in 2021 was up 4% over 2020. Longitudes Group defines an avid golfer as playing more than 25 rounds per year, but typically average 60 rounds per year.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

The Toro Co. reaffirms support of Rounds 4 Research with donation

Company's $50,000 donation to GCSAA Foundation helps the program raise more than $2 million for turfgrass research

Atlanta Athletic Club appoints Audra Lucas as club manager

Lucas to coordinate food and beverage for club, including The Royal Troon Grill and Merion Room, which offer contemporary American Cuisine with a southern twist

Named: By the USA Solheim Cup Team, Stacy Lewis, a four-time member of Team USA, as captain of the 2023 U.S. team that will face Team Europe at Finca Cortesin in Spain. Lewis is a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and two-time major champion. At 36, Lewis is the youngest U.S. Solheim Cup captain.

Announced: By StretchLab, a national assisted stretching franchise, that its flexologists will be on site at various PGA Tour events this season, including this week's WM Phoenix Open. StretchLab will provide golf fans with exclusive one-on-one time with flexologists to take part in assisted stretching, and provide demo stretches to educate on how to stay limber. StretchLab will also be at the Genesis Invitational, Valspar Championship and AT&T Byron Nelson.

#QOTD

"If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability."

— Henry Ford

Tuning In

PGA Tour: WM Phoenix Open
Site: TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Television: Today-Friday, 3-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6:30 p.m. (CBS); Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).

European Tour: Ras Al Khaimah Classic
Site: Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Television: Today-Friday, 3:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 4-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 5-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY
9-10: 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: Chicago Golf Show, Rosemont, Ill. | Info
25-27: Colorado Golf Expo, Denver, Colo. | Info
25-27: Kansas City Golf Show, Overland Park, Kan. | Info

JULY
26-27: Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat, Charleston, S.C.

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

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