The First Call 03-17-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

Ryan Brehm, Stephen Jaeger and Adam Schenk are the Valspar Championship’s first-round co-leaders. They are not household names. The thirtysomething trio ranks 385, 135 and 143, respectively, in the Official World Golf Ranking, and combined they have totaled 372 PGA Tour starts with one win and 13 top-10 finishes. So what’s the likelihood one of them will add to that win total? In 21 previous Valspar Championship, only Sam Burns (2022) and K.J. Choi (2002) have ever gone to win after leading or sharing the 18-hole lead.

IN THIS ISSUE

> How would golf's elite be seeded? | Read
> Golfzon goes social with its simulators | Read
> The latest industry news | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

In observance of March Madness, if a true 64-player, survive-and-advance format tournament existed — and included players from all tours — who would be your top eight seeds?

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.

TFC Inbox: Who is the No. 1 seed among golf's Elite Eight?

Scottie Scheffler — Arnold Palmer Invitational 2023

In observance of March Madness, The First Call readers seed golf's top eight players, and also sound off on rolling back golf ball distance and slow play

INDUSTRY NEWS

True Spec: Scottsdale East opens at Talking Stick Golf Club

Clubfitter to open fourth Arizona location on March 23; facility to feature indoor-to-outdoor fittings utilizing Foresight GCQuad quadroscopic launch monitor

Intersport: Releases John Shippen National Invitational schedule

Invitational hosts the nation’s top Black golfers to compete for five exemptions into LPGA and PGA Tour events; women play June 6-7, men play June 24-25

PGTAA: Steps to teaching golf

Professional Golf Teachers Association of America publishes a list of ways to get into the profession

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Could LIV Golf's threat have been averted by a union? Former PGA Champion Mark Brooks thinks so
[Tim Schmitt | Golfweek | Read]

> NBC tries out Phil Mickelson’s ’obnoxious greed’ broadcast idea
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

> Golf at 3 p.m. Thursday? Sure, It’s the afternoon fun cconomy.
[Emma Goldberg | New York Times | Read ($)]

> An online golf community is buying a Scottish links
[Derek Duncan | Golf Digest | Read]

> "Kostis & McCord: Off Their Rockers"
[Peter Kostis and Gary McCord | Watch]

#QOTD

"Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears."

— Laird Hamilton

ICYMI

Golfzon leans into the social realm with new venues

20230219 Golfzon Family and Friends Event

Debut facility in New York uses company’s high-tech TwoVision simulators to help create an experience that goes well beyond game improvement

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished flat vs. 2022 as warmer, drier weather across much of the Central and Eastern U.S. was offset by extreme weather conditions significantly impeding play in California.

California experienced snowy conditions and flash floods, a result of a moisture band weather phenomenon called the "Pineapple Express." It brought heavy winds and rain, and led to a total rounds decline of 39% vs. last year. The Mountain Pacific region had the largest total rounds increase vs. 2022 (15%), driven primarily by warmer temperatures in the Arizona markets of Phoenix and Tucson.

> Pacing over the next seven days is projected to be down 13% vs. last year as winter storms are projected to bring heavy rain and colder temperatures across the U.S.

All regions are pacing behind 2022's figures due to the aforementioned storms and colder temperatures. The Great Plains region is pacing further behind last year, down 31% in total rounds as heavy storms over the next few days are projected to bring a cold front over the latter part of the week.

> Weekday golfers as a percentage of total golfers finished under 60% for the second consecutive week as inclement weather last Wednesday and Thursday pushed demand into the weekend.

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
How Sweet Rollz is changing the putter grip market
Co-founder Lance Garvin joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss his company's dedication to putting performance through its putter grips
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
For Jillian Foss, no risk equals no fun
Foss, founder of #LEGS (Ladies Executive Golf Society), joins host Colin Weston to discuss how she combines her entrepreneurial passion with a sense of purpose
[Listen More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes es]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Preserving Arnold Palmer's legacy
Ken Boehner, president and chairman of the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, joins host Ann Liguori to discuss the 'Arnie's Army Legacy Experience'
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Valspar Championship
Site: Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead), Palm Harbor, Florida.
Television [ET]: Today, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

LIV Golf: LIV Golf Tucson
Site: The Gallery Golf Club (South), Marana, Arizona.
Television [ET]: Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (CW Network).

PGA Tour Champions: Hoag Classic
Site: Newport Beach Country Club, Newport Beach, California.
Television [ET]: Today, 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

CALENDAR

MARCH
18-19: Niagara Golf Show and Sale, Niagara Falls, Ontario | Info

> View complete calendar

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