The First Call 03-23-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Waiting until the last minute to fill out your WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play bracket? Well, you could go all chalk, for sure. If you subscribe to the theory there are horses for certain courses, then perhaps Kevin Kisner, a No. 29 seed, is your Cinderella pick. Kisner, the tournament's 2019 champion, has won 16 matches since the tournament moved to Austin Country Club in 2016, tied with Matt Kuchar for the most of any player in that span. Also, Sergio Garcia (28-22-1) has played in 51 matches, the most in tournament history, and is a No. 43.

> Question of the Week: In the spirit of March Madness, who would make up your Elite Eight golfers of all time?
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

> How (not) to pick a golf course architect
[Bradley S. Klein | Golf Course Industry | Read]

> Podcast: Peter Dawson, former R&A chief executive
[The Cooke Jar | Listen]

> Phil Mickelson is now in exile, and no one knows what his next move might be
[Bob Harig | Morning Read | Read]

What next? Taking a macro perspective of golf, world events

The First Call’s Bradley S. Klein draws upon his training in strategic and international studies to look at today’s golf industry

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

The post-pandemic golf market is settling into some notable changes in market channel mixes — the proportion of sales at Green Grass, Off-Course, Sporting Goods and Online channels. Traditionally, online has been the smallest market segment in most product categories. In this post-pandemic time, there are multiple product categories in which online market value has surpassed the sporting goods channel in total market size. This is partially due to the success of BOPIS (Buy Online Pickup In Store) strategies at major sporting goods retailers.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

Royal Albartross introduces Pontiac V2 Major

Limited edition men’s shoe in white features green laces and accents in time for the year's first major

Volvik USA Inc. names Young S. Shin as president

Announcement was effective as of March 3 and comes following the death of his son, Don Shin, who had served as president and CEO since the company’s inception in 2012

GCSAA funds $149,957 for turfgrass research beginning in 2022

Grants support 5 new turfgrass research projects through 2024

Awarded: By the USGA, the 2034 and 2051 U.S. Open Championships as well as four additional USGA amateur championships, starting in 2024. Adding to the two U.S. Opens and the two U.S. Women’s Opens in 2031 and 2042 announced in January, Oakland Hills’ South Course will host the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur, 2029 U.S. Women’s Amateur, 2038 U.S. Girls’ Junior and 2047 U.S. Amateur.

ICYMI

Design Notes: Tom Doak begins work on Sand Valley’s Sedge Valley

Darren Clarke carves The Angus in Scotland; Mark McCumber tweaks Suntree; John LaFoy puts a classic spin on Bent Brook

TUNING IN

International Federation of PGA Tours: World Golf Championship-Dell Match Play
Site: Austin Country Club, Austin, Texas | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today-Friday, 2-8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-6 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-7 p.m. (NBC).

LPGA Tour: JTBC Classic
Site: Aviara Golf Club, Carlsbad, California | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Thursday-Friday, 9-11 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay). Saturday-Sunday, 5-8 p.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour: Corales Puntacana Championship
Site: Corales Golf Club, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Thursday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
Site: Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar.
Television: Thursday, 5-10 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 7-10 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 7-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 5-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

#QOTD

"You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas."

— Shirley Chisholm

CALENDAR

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

JUNE
7: Women's Golf Day | Info
22-23: LPGA Leadership Academy, Saginaw, Mich. | Info

JULY
13-14: LPGA Leadership Academy, Liberty Corner, N.J. | Info
19-20: LPGA Leadership Academy, Gainesville, Va. | Info
26-27: Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat, Charleston, S.C.

AUGUST
1-2: LPGA Leadership Academy, Newcastle, Wash. | Info

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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