The First Call 02-11-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Golf is getting slimey. The kid-centric network Nickelodeon announces it will air the "Nickelodeon Slime Cup," an hour-long television special, this summer. Four three-player teams featuring a professional golfer, a celebrity and a Nickelodeon personality will compete in a two-round tournament on a tricked-up Los Angeles-area course and then will play the final round in the Rose Bowl. Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa are the confirmed pros.

> 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

> Ben Cowan-Dewar on founding Cabot and becoming a golf course developer
[Andy Johnson | The Fried Egg Podcast | Listen]

> Five golf gimmicks that need to go away. Right now
[Mike Purkey | Morning Read | Read]

> Undercover Caddie: Why Jim Mackay is the best of our era
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]

> ‘Phil’s making stuff up’: PGA Tour responds to Phil Mickelson’s ‘obnoxious greed’ comments
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

Next Gen: Logan Fazio walks father Tom Fazio's walk

The 43-year-old son of the famed golf course architect is the emerging new face of Fazio Design and making his way with an attention to detail

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

According to Longitudes Group's 2021 U.S. golfer population changes, the total female golfer population is up 9% over 2020, and female golfers now account for nearly 24% of the total golfer population.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

Colwood Golf Center receives NGCOA Player Development Award

Portland Parks and Rec facility recognized for contribution to golf instruction and growing the game of golf

Rocket Giving Fund distributes $1.35 million to nonprofits

Detroit grows from 40 percent of households being digitally included to 67.5 percent in just two years since Rocket Mortgage Classic introduced digital inclusion initiative

Mistwood GC instructors receive national recognition

Director of golf Andy Mickelson and director of instruction John Platt are honored by Global Golf Post and the Golf Range Association of America, respectively

Former world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa visits Los Cabos

Ochoa hosts a Baja Golf Tour charity event at Palmilla Golf Club to raise money for the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation and Lorena Ochoa Golf Foundation

Wilson signs PGA Tour winner Martin Trainer to golf advisory staff

Trainer debuting Wilson Staff Model clubs, ball at WM Phoenix Open this week

'PGTAA Golf Teaching Manual' in stock

Professional Golf Teachers Association of America addressing need for certified golf instructors

Yan Liu wins ECWPT's Redtail Women's Championship

Liu earns 1st American title, earns East Coast Women's Professional Golf Tour's $10,000 prize

Named: By Kinona, Kirsten Wlaschin as director of e-commerce and Bill Evans as national sales manager. The women-owned golf apparel company also announced retail expansion into Nordstrom.com and Dillard’s.

Selected: By the USGA, Stonewall, in Elverson, Pa., as the host site of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Scheduled for Sept. 9-14, the 36th annual event will be the club’s second USGA championship, having hosted the 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. The championship will be contested on the club’s Tom Doak-designed North Course.

Offered: By the Union League of Philadelphia, its Union League Liberty Hill and The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale courses as host sites for the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, May 2-4. The PWCC, founded in 1986 by the National Negro Golf Association, features teams and players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and other Minority Serving Institutions.

Hired: By LIV Golf Investments, Emily Hamel as senior vice president, global event experiences and Jeremy Krug as senior vice president, experience design. Also joining the leadership team are Brett Adams and David Benne (VP, event delivery), Emma Piper (VP, guest services), Laura Zidar (VP, tournament administration) and Gabe Clark (VP, workflow management). Both Hamel and Krug have transitioned into their new roles and are reporting into chief events officer Ron Cross.

#QOTD

"Everyone has his day, and some days last longer than others."

— Winston Churchill

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Demand for play slowed down compared to the prior week, finishing behind 2021 by -7% overall as colder temperatures continued across the country.

> With significantly increased rainfall last week (+120% vs. 2021) and temperatures slightly cooler than the same time last year, rounds played this week was negatively impacted.

> Last week Florida finished as the top performing region vs. 2021, due to decreased rainfall compared to last year (-70%) and moderate temperatures as compared to the rest of the country.

> Positive performance over the next five days is expected from the Mountain Pacific and Florida regions. Both areas are on pace to finish up vs. 2021 by over 30% for rounds played during this period.

Tuning In

PGA Tour: WM Phoenix Open
Site: TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Television: 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: 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
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: 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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