The First Call 03-24-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

February was a good month for golf equipment sales, according to Golf Datatech's sell-thru data, but it's not a harbinger for the future. Equipment sales increased by 2.6% over January and are up 4.2% through two months in 2022. But the year's opening two months, according to the market research company, typically represent less than 10 percent of total equipment sales for the year. So there remains a long way to go.

> 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

> Francis Ouimet's boyhood home ignites a burning passion to restore
[Jim McCabe | Power Fades | Read]

> Augusta National officials do not want Phil Mickelson playing in Masters
[Craig Dolch | Palm Beach Post | Read]

> Paspalum stigma vanishes under Tour spotlight
[Steve Eubanks | Golf Business | Read]

Bryson DeChambeau playing the long game with long drive aspirations

Farmers Insurance Open — Bryson DeChambeau R2

Bobby Peterson, owner of One Stop Power Shop, believes major champ has chops to be factor on Professional Long Drive Association, confirms DeChambeau to compete in April event

How Jim Plumb uses growing old to his business advantage

Irish Senior Men's Amateur Open Championship 2021

While the golf industry seeks to attract a younger demographic, the co-founder of the Fore! Sixty online community joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' to share how he engages golfers over 60

THE INDUSTRY

Payne Stewart Golf Experiences, Skyhawks Sports Academy partner

Payne Stewart Golf Experiences to assist Skyhawks, which provides skill-based sports experiences for kids between the ages of 4 and 14 with a wide variety of programs that emphasize critical lessons in sports and life

Golf Datatech releases February equipment sell-thru data

Equipment sales increased by 2.6% for February and are up +4.2% on a YTD basis

PrideSports confirms spikes worn by winners on 3 tours

Respective winners of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship, DP World Tour’s Steyn City Championship and Korn Ferry Tour’s Chitimacha Louisiana Open wore the brand's replaceable spikes

Named: By USA Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel as an assistant captain of the 2023 USA Solheim Cup Team. Pressel, the 2007 Chevron Championship winner and a six-time member of Team USA, will work alongside Lewis on the team that will face Europe at Finca Cortesin in Spain.

ICYMI

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

#QOTD

"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

— Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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: Today-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: Today-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: Today, 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).

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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