The First Call 03-01-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

World No. 1 Jon Rahm, No. 2 Scottie Scheffler and No. 3 Rory McIlroy are entered in this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, which means we could have the fifth change at the top of the world rankings in less than a year. Scheffler won on March 27, 2022 to claim No. 1, then McIlroy won 30 weeks later to take No. 1 from Scheffler, who took it back from McIlroy on Feb. 12. A week later, Rahm won the Genesis Invitational to become the new No. 1.

> Question of the week: With the Arnold Palmer Invitational on tap this week, what is your favorite story regarding The King?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> For golf and country: A letter from Heather Daly-Donofrio
[Heather Daly-Donofrio | USGA | Read]

> How this military veteran (and women’s football player!) found her calling as a golf course shaper
[Jessica Marksbury | Golf.com | Read]

> USGA President Fred Perpall adds name to list of those who broke down barriers for good of the game
[Adam Woodard | Golfweek | Read]

> LIV Golf's CW debut scores low ratings; Nexstar CEO bullish
[Mark Schlabach | ESPN | Read]

Design Notes: Nicklaus Design reopens Florida’s BallenIsles East

John Fought composes a new layout for Minnesota’s Windsong Farm; Jackson Kahn renovates former PGA Tour venue Conway Farms in Illinois

INDUSTRY NEWS

Golf Datatech: Good start to 2023 for rounds played

Total rounds improved by over 7%, led by ideal weather and heavy play in the Southeastern states

The Indoor Golf Shop, InHome Golf: Form exclusive partnership

Indoor golf simulator companies deliver comprehensive solutions for home, commercial and golf facilities in North America

SwingU: Becomes presenting sponsor for new video podcast

Company partners with Peter Kostis, Gary McCord and Mike Abram to sponsor "Kostis & McCord — Off Their Rockers," a new golf video podcast that debuts March 2

Teesnap: Progress in enhanced payments, advances to a wider rollout

Payment solution, designed to ensure safety and privacy, offers a streamlined checkout to pay for rounds, merchandise and other amenities

Golftec: Opens instruction and clubfitting center in Tampa

New 2,837-square-foot facility features four indoor bays, powered by Tecswing and equipped with OptiMotion, a putting green and lessons enhanced by Tecputt

Galleri Classic: Bernhard Langer, Steven Alker commit

Vijay Singh, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Fred Funk also commit to PGA Tour Champions event, March 24-26 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California

Horseshoe Bay Resort: Offering Spring Break festivities, packages

Resort on Lake LBJ features a variety of activities at pools and lake, golf on the three courses, spa amenity and other shows and recreational activities

The Sea Pines Resort: The Inn & Club at Harbour Town honored

Resort property cited for excellence and named one of the top five hotels in the country for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report; also scored in the top 10% of overall rankings

Fujikura: Honda Classic winner uses Ventus in victory

Fujikura was the No. 1 driver, wood and hybrid shaft at the Honda Classic; over 39.6% of the field used a Fujikura driver shaft and another 36.1% used a Fujikura wood shaft

#QOTD

"Putting is like wisdom — partly a natural gift and partly the accumulation of experience."

— Arnold Palmer

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Honda Classic's Ken Kennerly talks the future of the PGA Tour event
Tournament's executive director emeritus joins host Ann Liguori to talk about the PGA Tour stop's past, present and future
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Perseverance, pivoting and the ability to adapt
Ryan Engle, founder and CEO of Golf+, joins host Colin Weston to share how his love for writing code and playing golf led to the creation of his company's VR gaming platform
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
How Alexa Phung, Ava Estrella earned tickets to Augusta National
The girls qualified for April's Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals and join host Ann Liguori to talk about their experiences and expectations
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

CALENDAR

MARCH
11-12: New Jersey Golf and Travel Show, Edison, N.J. | Info

> View complete calendar

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.