The First Call 03-25-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Next week is the LPGA's first major. What began in 1972 as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winners Circle Tournament has gone through numerous name changes, including this year when it will be called the Chevron Championship. What hasn't changed is the venue, Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. That, though, will change in 2023 as it moves to the Houston area. With the lead up to the Masters next week, here's hoping the old Dinah Shore gets the coverage it rightfully deserves and the winner savors that last jump into Poppie's Pond by the 18th green.

> 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

> You don’t know this secret golf legend. But Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus do
[Michael Bamberger | Golf.com | Read]

> Premier Golf League rebuffed in attempts to meet with PGA Tour
[Bob Harig | Morning Read | Read ]

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

2021 was for good for golf in many ways, including with 24.4 million on-course golfers. That number, though, was still 12% below the all-time high of 27.6 million in the mid-2000s.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

CVB launches Sandhills Pour Tour Passport program

Program highlights breweries in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area in North Carolina, awards prizes for stamped passports

Reynolds Lake Oconee amenities shine in recent industry competitions

Golf Inc. Magazine recognizes two of Reynolds Lake Oconee's amenities at Richland Pointe, along with the new family pool at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia

Pueblo Bonito Resorts unveil 'Margarita Mile' package

Creative versions of famous cocktail served at all 5 Pueblo Bonito properties in Los Cabos

Talamore Golf Resort adds EcoBunkers to layout

Southern Pines, North Carolina, destination installs 10 sod wall bunkers that are now lined with tiles that are layered, precision angled and will not require as much maintenance

TurfHound extends sponsorship of Middle Atlantic PGA Section

2022 marks the company's sixth consecutive year supporting the Section

Cabo Del Sol closes Desert Course for major renovation

Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design has been retained to build several new holes; Final completion of the $15 million course makeover is expected by 2024

Announced: By Member for a Day, that the Golf Fore Africa auction deadline is March 28. Member for a Day facilitates nonprofits and charitable foundations with their fundraising goals through auctions, social media and golf. Golf Fore Africa is a nonprofit founded by six-time major champion Betsy King to improve water conditions for impoverished Africans. To participate in the auction, click here.

ICYMI

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

LISTEN

#QOTD

"Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it."

— Marie Curie

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> With the arrival of spring, more seasonal courses are beginning to open, weather conditions are improving and the demand for golf is increasing. This was evident last week as rounds played finished flat to last year, but +24% vs. performance from prior week.

> It was a positive week in terms of weather this week with warmer temperatures across the country, but especially in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

> Mid-Atlantic, Florida and the Northeast finished as the top performing regions vs. 2021 this past week, thanks to significantly warmer weather in all three regions versus last year.

> Positive performance is expected to continue from the Florida region, on pace to finish up vs. 2021 by over 30% for rounds played for the next five days.

TUNING IN

International Federation of PGA Tours: World Golf Championship-Dell Match Play
Site: Austin Country Club, Austin, Texas | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 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, 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, 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, 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

This April, you're invited. #themasters pic.twitter.com/P3Vp5bPSCi
— The Masters (@TheMasters) March 24, 2022