The First Call 03-09-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

As the reigning Players Championship champion, Justin Thomas has a daunting task ahead of him. He seeks to become the first player to win successive Players Championship titles. The best result by a defending champion is T5 (Jack Nicklaus, 1977; Tom Kite, 1990; Hal Sutton, 2001). In the last six attempts, only one reigning champion has finished in the top 50 (Webb Simpson, 2019).

Editor's Note: If you like what you've been reading in The First Call each Monday through Friday, then you can also add Saturday to your list. We have launched The First Call | Weekend Edition for free on Substack. The weekender is a recap of the industry's happenings and also gets you in a weekend frame of mind. And, like The First Call, it's emailed directly to your inbox. So check it out here.

> Question of the Week: In your opinion, is the Players Championship on par with a major championship in terms of field and prestige?
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

> Women in golf: Breaking with tradition
[Pinseeker Productions | Watch]

> TPC Sawgrass presents yet another stern test at The Players Championship
[John Hawkins | Morning Read | Read]

> PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan to Phil Mickelson: 'The ball is in his court'
[Adam Schupack | Golfweek | Read]

Q&A: Caroline Basarab | director of retail, Reynolds Lake Oconee

Named the PGA of America's 2021 Merchandiser of the Year in the resort category, Basarab discusses her career, the ability to adapt and the importance of knowing a shop's clientele

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent survey, 50% golfers in the 18-39 age range had practiced on a simulator to improve and develop their game. This is compared to 35% of those in the 40-59 range and only 17% of those age 60 and older.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

Golf GameBook closes $3 million euros funding round

Latest fundraising campaign onboards a wide range of strategic investors to company that recently broke 1 million registered users

Golf Datatech, Atenga Insights renew partnership

Alliance between independent market research firm and pricing research specialist to include expanded survey metrics for net promoter score

Women’s Golf Day launches online auction to support Ukraine

Women’s Golf Day supports efforts of the Ukrainian Golf Federation

BallenIsles CC's Jackie Medford receives honor

Medford, the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., club's director of human resources, is a 2022 Excellence in Human Resources honoree by South Florida Business and Wealth in the Sports and Entertainment category

KemperSports to manage Iron Horse GC in North Richland Hills, Texas

Management company to enhance guest experience, improve food and beverage offerings

USAGA eyes USGA's inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open in July

U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance encourages players who play in its 20-member organization’s tournaments to register

Announced: By Flex Seal, a partnership with Brandon Hagy and Matt Jones that will have the golfers participating in digital collaborations and onsite brand activations.

Announced: By the LPGA and LET, that Velocity Global will sponsor the Velocity Global Impact Award that honors players who help grow the sport of golf and inspire the next generation of athletes to have a positive impact. The award criteria are based on the five values and the winner will be determined through a combination of a fan vote and voting by a committee. The winner will be announced annually on International Women’s Day, March 8.

ICYMI

Design Notes: Harrison Minchew, Fred Funk finalize RainDance National

Kevin Norby renovates A.W. Tillinghast’s Golden Valley; Cabot Citrus Farms picks its architects; Chris Wilczynski to design Florida’s Astor Creek

#QOTD

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom."

— Thomas Jefferson

CALENDAR

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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