The First Call 02-18-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

To say the game of golf is surging is easy when comparing rounds played in 2021 against 2020, which was the heart of the pandemic. According to Sports Marketing Surveys, 2021 rounds were up 12% vs. 2020 in the United Kingdom. More impressive, though, is that 2021 rounds were up by 17% over 2018 and 2019 when there were no pandemic lockdowns.

> 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

> Famed Oakland Hills Country Club caught fire, destroying large part of clubhouse
[Bill Laitner / Frank Witsil | Detroit Free Press | Read]

> 'Significant changes' made to Augusta National with added length, including the start of Amen Corner
[Steve DiMeglio | Golfweek | Read]

> The truth about Phil Mickelson and Saudi Arabia
[Alan Shipnuck | Fire Pit Collective | Read]

Ian Peterson seeks to create memorable golf experiences

The second episode in a 'The ModGolf Podcast' series celebrating Black History Month features Ian Peterson, whose Dialed In Golf Solutions brings the game to where golfers are

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FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

The 7,000-plus D-rated golf course pro shops in the United States (nearly 50%) choosing to make little or no investments into retail sales account for 17% of total green grass hard good sales and only 4% of green grass soft goods sales. A D-rated shop totals less than $10,000 in retail sales volume.

Source: 2022 Longitudes Group Top Target Ratings

THE INDUSTRY

The Inn and Club at Harbour Town ranks as 1 of country’s top hotels

The Sea Pines Resort property is cited for excellence by U.S. News & World Report

F45 announces 5 fitness offerings for golf, country clubs

Offerings will be made available through licenses to golf facilities and resorts

Women’s Golf Day offers enrollment special for venues

Feb. 28 set as deadline for early-bird registration

Majors Challenge, Carolinas PGA Section partner

Carolinas PGA Section is the largest of the country’s 41 PGA sections with over 2,000 members

ICYMI

Teaching golfers to fall in love with the game

The first episode in a 'The ModGolf Podcast' series celebrating Black History Month features Dr. Greta Anderson, who teaches golfers how to find their passion for the game

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Stephens projects Callaway stock surge in 2022

Investment banking firm reiterates its overweight rating; Touts an improving supply chain and growing Topgolf traffic as positives

#QOTD

"If you love your work, you’ll be out there every day trying to do it the best you possibly can, and pretty soon everybody around will catch the passion from you — like a fever."

— Sam Walton

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> As a result of significantly improved weather conditions — warmer temperatures and decreased precipitation — across the country vs. 2021, rounds played finished this week +41% vs 2021. That was also an improvement of +48% vs. last week.

> The past week saw significantly improved playing conditions in all regions of the country — precipitation -85% and temperature +9 degrees vs. 2021 — but most improved in the Great Plains and Central Valley regions.

> The Great Plains and Central Valley regions finished as the top performing vs, 2021 this past week. Inclement weather in those two regions greatly impacted play in those two regions a year ago.

> Positive performance is expected to continue from the Mountain Pacific and Florida regions. Both areas are on pace to finish up vs. 2021 by over 25% for rounds played the next five days.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Genesis Invitational
Site: Riviera Country Club, Los Angeles.
Television: Today, 4-8 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).

PGA Tour Champions: Chubb Classic
Site: Tiburon Golf Club (Black), Naples, Fla.
Television: Today, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 3-5:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).

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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