The First Call 02-16-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

This week's Genesis Invitational is one of three events on the PGA Tour calendar with elevated status. The Genesis Invitational, Memorial Tournament and Arnold Palmer Invitational offer a larger purse ($12 million), more FedEx Cup points (550 to the winner) and a three-year PGA Tour exemption for the winner.

> Question of the Week: What is your opinion on the party atmosphere at the WM Phoenix Open's par-3 16th hole and whether celebrations for aces made by Sam Ryder (third round) and Carlos Ortiz (final round) crossed a line?
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

> Jim 'Bones' Mackay drops the mic, goes back on the bag
[Bob Harig | Morning Read | Read]

> Collin Morikawa dismisses Saudi-backed golf league: 'I'm all for the PGA Tour'
[Dan Rapaport | Golf Digest | Read]

> Leading ladies take stage in San Diego
[Judd Spicer | Golf Course Industry | Read]

WMPO basks in 'magical moment,' but assessing safety measures

There was a lot to enjoy about the WM Phoenix Open's hole-in-one celebrations, but Thunderbirds executive director Chance Cozby says throwing beer cans was not one

RELATED
> The First Call Inbox: Did the WM Phoenix Open's 16th-hole celebrations cross a line?

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In the United States, 14% (2,044) of A-rated green grass pro shops account for 54% of U.S. golf hard goods sales, while D-rated green grass pro shops account for 17% of golf hard goods sales. An A-rated shop totals $400,000 or more total retail sales volume, while a D-rated shop totals less than $10,000.

Source: 2022 Longitudes Group Top Target Ratings

THE INDUSTRY

PGA Show Education Conference sessions available on demand

Thirty sessions are available at PGA Show Connects, a digital platform extension of the PGA Show

Reynolds Lake Oconee’s Wes Forester receives Georgia PGA honor

Forester, director of golf at Reynolds Lake Oconee, is named the 2021 PGA Golf Professional of the Year for the North Chapter of the Georgia PGA Section

NextLinks adds PSKGF CEO Kelly McCammon to board

McCammon is founder of the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation, which was founded in 2020 and is the fundraising entity behind Payne Stewart Golf Experiences

New Balance Golf introduces X Defender

Fresh Foam X Defender, Fresh Foam X Defender SL added to 2022 spring collection and feature a new midsole

Tour Edge develops new Exotics 722 series irons

Two new irons, new Ti-utility iron complete the 722 series launch

TPT launches Red Range Hybrid shafts

Release gives the brand a full range of shafts to go along with its Red Range Driver and Fairway Wood offerings

Golftec opens instruction, clubfitting center in Tempe, Ariz.

New 2,500-square-foot facility features 4 indoor bays featuring Tecswing using Foresight Sports simulators and OptiMotion motion tracking

Announced: By Ty Votaw, the former LPGA commissioner and current PGA Tour executive vice president / international, his retirement effective in June. Votaw was commissioner of the LPGA Tour 1999-2005 and has served in multiple capacities since joining the PGA Tour in 2005, including the marketing and communications areas as chief marketing officer.

Announced: By the USGA, local and final qualifying sites for the 122nd U.S. Open to be held at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., June 16-19. Also, online player registration for the U.S. Open will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at champs.usga.org and will continue through Wednesday, April 13.

#QOTD

"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-and be lenient to everybody else."

— Henry Ward Beecher

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY
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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