The First Call 04-08-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Even if it is by just one, a new record is a new record. That is the case with this year's U.S. Women's Open, which accepted a record 1,874 entries, exceeding the previous record of 1,873 set in 2015. This year's tournament returns to Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, and among the entries were 12 champions who are exempt from having to qualify. The dozen includes reigning champion Yuka Saso, Annika Sorenstam (1995, 1996, 2006), Inbee Park (2008, 2013), So Yeon Ryu (2011), Na Yeon Choi (2012), Michelle Wie West (2014), In Gee Chun (2015), Brittany Lang (2016), Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2018), Jeongeun Lee6 (2019) and A Lim Kim (2020).

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> Question of the Week: Should music and music-playing devices be allowed on course?
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

> A vintage and a new Tiger Woods were both at the Masters, and it was a joy
[Michael Rosenberg | SI.com | Read]

> Why Masters caddies wear the same white uniforms at Augusta, explained
[Charles Curtis | Golfweek | Read]

> If you don’t buy Masters merchandise, did you even go to the Masters?
[Josh Berhow | Golf.com | Read]

> Tom Watson enjoys the cap to a Masters career as honorary starter
[Alex Miceli | Morning Read | Read]

Slumps are real, so how does a golfer solve the mental mind game?

Sports psychologist Dr. Gio Valiante believes the breach in confidence is best cured by a return to fundamentals and becoming "a student of oneself"

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

Only one-third (7) of the 21 courses being played on the 2022 Epson Tour are private courses. Of the remaining 14 that are public courses, half are resort courses.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

KemperSports appoints new GM at Royal Melbourne CC

Chris Stewart hired to oversee Long Grove, Illinois, club's business, food and beverage, golf and recreation operations

Announced: By SentinelOne, the signing of 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen as a brand ambassador. SentinelOne is an autonomous cybersecurity platform company.

ICYMI

Q&A: Brian Friederichs

The CEO of Capstone Hospitality, which specializes in membership sales for private clubs, discusses what leadership looks like and why his father embodied those traits, how the pandemic was one of resilience for his company, and what's a good playlist to check out on Spotify

#QOTD

"The course is perfection, and it asks perfection."

— Nick Faldo, on Augusta National Golf Club

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> This was a low-demand week for golf as a result of increased precipitation throughout the country. Rounds played finished down 25% vs. last year.

> There was substantial rain across the country last week (+201% vs. 2021), especially in the Mountain Pacific and Great Plains regions. This less-than-ideal weather significantly impacted rounds played.

> Positive performance is expected to continue from the Florida region. Over the next five days, rounds played are expected to finish up by over 45% vs. 2021.

TUNING IN

Augusta National Golf Club: Masters Tournament
Site: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN); Saturday, 3-7 p.m. (CBS); Sunday, 2-7 p.m. (CBS).

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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