The First Call 03-18-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

In an era where change can be rapid, there is something to be said about long-standing relations on the Korn Ferry Tour. This week marks the 30th playing of the Chitimacha Louisiana Open at Le Triomphe Golf and Country Club in Broussard, Louisiana. That is tied for the fifth-longest running event on Tour and behind only four events from the original 1990 schedule: Albertsons Boise Open, Price Cutter Charity Championship, Visit Knoxville Open, Wichita Open. In that 32-year span, the Tour has had six different title sponsors.

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

> Saudi-backed $250 million golf series has streaming services interested
[Gerry Smith | Bloomberg | Read]

> Snubbed for European Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald says, 'Hopefully, that's not my chance gone'
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> These former Yale women's golf teammates reconnected to change golf instruction
[Matt Rudy | Golf Digest | Read]

Russia-Ukraine conflict having ramifications on golf in U.S.

The cost of keeping up a golf course — from fertilizer for turf to gas for maintenance equipment — is rising, but The First Call’s Bradley S. Klein believes it’s a small price as part of a broader picture

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent survey, 39% of golf travelers who belong to a private club are playing more golf now than two years ago. That figure is compared to 24% of those who do not belong to a private club.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

True Linkswear announces professional brand ambassadors

PGA Tour players Ryan Moore, Joel Dahmen, Chris Kirk and LPGA Tour player Christina Kim headline True’s 2022 lineup

Silverado Resort and Spa receives NGCOA honor

Napa, California, destination is named the Regional Golf Course of the Year (Region 4) by the National Golf Course Owners Association

Rachel Kuehn receives exemption for JTBC Championship at Palos Verdes

Seven of the world’s top 10 headline early commitments for JTBC Championship; Tickets on sale now for JTBC Championship at Palos Verdes and JTBC LA Open at Wilshire Country Club

KemperSports to manage New Jersey’s Old Tappan GC

Nine-hole club is the latest addition to company’s growing portfolio, adds to New Jersey collection of courses

MyGolfSpy names Sqairz Speed the most stable golf shoe for 2022

Sqairz Speed outperforms a category that featured 30 shoes

ICYMI

LIV Golf Invitational Series vs. PGA Tour: How the schedules match up

On Wednesday, LIV Golf Investments announced plans for its LIV Golf Invitational Series, an 8-event schedule that goes head-to-head with a number of PGA Tour — and DP World Tour — events

USGA, R&A dialing in on drivers, balls

Governing bodies to continue monitoring 'areas of interest' on distance, focusing on driver heads and how golf balls are tested, in hopes of reducing speed in both

Alyson Ramsey Johnson: Being a woman, differentiator in golf industry

Johnson, founder and CEO of the marketing and public relations agency Gilly Group, joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' to discuss why she went all-chips-in on herself and her vision

LISTEN

#QOTD

"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."

— Herman Melville

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> After a high-performance week to start March, poor weather conditions this week impacted play across the country. Rounds played finished -24% vs. last year.

> This past week saw heavy precipitation in the Eastern region of the country (+295% vs. 2021), specifically in Florida and the Northeast, which greatly impacted play in those regions.

> California finished as the top-performing region vs. 2021 this past week, driven by ideal weather conditions in the form of low precipitation and warm weather.

> Positive performance is expected from the California and Florida regions. Both areas are on pace to finish up 20% vs. 2021 for rounds played the next five days.

TUNING IN

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

European Tour and Sunshine Tour: Steyn City Championship
Site: The Club at Steyn City, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Television: Today, 6:30-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 6:30-11 a.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

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

JUNE
7: Women's Golf Day | 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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