The First Call 03-15-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

NBC made the Players Championship trophy come to life during its telecast this past week. Partnering with The Famous Group to animate the trophy's Gold Man, it marked the first time mixed reality appeared on a golf broadcast. On Sunday, the Gold Man was shown on the iconic par-3 17th hole to mimic the mannerisms of Tiger Woods during his 2001 Players Championship birdie putt that is known for its "better than most" television call. The mixed reality concept could be activated later in the year during NBC's broadcast of the FedEx Cup Playoffs and the Presidents Cup.

Editor's Note: We have launched The First Call | Weekend Edition for free on Substack. The weekender is a recap of the industry's happenings, along with a few other twists. And, like The First Call, it's emailed directly to your inbox. So check it out here.

> Question of the Week: Would you rather watch a tournament where the winning score is around even par, between 5- and 15-under par or a shootout over 20 under?
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

> Cameron Smith wins The Players with big putts and gutsy shot
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> Keegan Bradley can live with the 'what ifs' after nearly crashing the party Monday at TPC Sawgrass
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]

> Disputed drop puts Daniel Berger at odds with Joel Dahmen, Viktor Hovland
[Bob Harig | Morning Read | Read]

Design Notes: John Harvey returns to renovate Grande Dunes

Myrtle Beach — Grande Dunes — Holes Nos. 9 and 18

Chet Williams goes Easy in Texas; Nicklaus Design completes Bear Lakes project; Bill Bergin to redesign an Alabama muni

For Next 18's Matt McDonell, duty to his fellow veterans still calls

Nonprofit organization's founder, a former U.S. Army veteran, joins 'Behind the Golf Brand' to discuss his mission to provide veterans with disabilities mental health and holistic life resources

LISTEN

THE INDUSTRY

Srixon, Asics introduces the Gel-Kayanotm Ace

Companies collaborate on new waterproof, spikeless golf footwear model that will be available April 1

Golf Datatech analyzes the anomalies of rounds played

Golf's rounds played in 2022 are expected to outperform 2019 and 2020 pre-pandemic numbers

Puerto Rico lifts several travel mandates

Visitors no longer need to show proof of vaccination or fill out a Travel Declaration Form to enter the island; Mask mandates have also been lifted with minor exceptions

Heritage Shores GC promotes Brooks Massey to GM

Massey, who has been with the semi-private club in Bridgeville, Delaware since 2006, will oversee golf, food and beverage, agronomy, and sales and marketing

Longbow GC grants Maja Stark player exemption for Epson Tour event

Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic to be played March 17-20 at Longbow for a $250,000 purse

PSKGF names Cathy Harbin to its board

Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation appoints Harbin, a member of the PGA of America and a PGA master professional

Honma names Chuck Couch as vice president of sales

Couch will lead the North American sales force in bringing the brand’s product lines to a broadening array of merchandisers and consumers

Youth on Course announces annual Premier 100-Hole Hike sites

Hikers to play 100 holes of golf in one day to raise money for affordable access for junior golfers

Announced: By Drive Shack Inc., its 2021 fourth quarter and full year financial results. The company showed that total company Q4 revenue was up 17% to $70.5 million compared to Q4 2020, and that full year 2021 total company revenue was up 28% to $282 million compared to $220 million for full year 2020. The full-year total company revenue was the highest reported in three years. Also, full year 2021 operating loss improved 48% to $19.2 million compared to $36.6 million for full year 2020.

ICYMI

The Players' Gold Man strikes a pose, but is it iconic enough?

PGA Tour’s flagship event features a gold-tinted golfer silhouette logo that is sleek and classy, but in terms of prestige it’s not quite iconic — yet

#QOTD

"Virtue is concerned with what we do, and honor is concerned with how we do it."

— Gregory David Roberts

CALENDAR

APRIL
12-13: SportTechie State of the Industry, New York, N.Y. | 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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