The First Call 04-21-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

Of the 146 respondents to The First Call poll question, "What is your drink of choice on the golf course?" water was chosen No. 1 by 70% of the voters, followed by sports drink (18%), alcohol (8%) and soda (4%).

IN THIS ISSUE

> 'Golf Innerview': Liberated Gary McCord does not hold back | Listen
> Why does pace of play continue to be an issue? | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your thoughts on pace of play? And when you are able to play without delay, do you regularly make a stroke within the USGA recommended 40 seconds?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Liberated Gary McCord lets loose with his opinions
Longtime golf analyst joins 'Golf Innerview' host Ann Liguori to tell of his new YouTube podcast, his time at CBS, the Masters, 'bikini wax' and the impact of LIV Golf
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Why time is our most precious commodity
Brian Esposito, founder and CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises, joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' host Colin Weston to share how he helps web3 sport and entertainment tech companies succeed
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Sean Foley on Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, Netflix’s ‘Full Swing’
Noted instructor joins 'Golf Innerview' host Ann Liguori to reflect on Masters storylines, along with his appearance in the streaming docuseries
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Nemacolin: Launching one of the largest resort associate communities

Wisteria at Nemacolin in Farmington, Pennsylvania, to debut May 20 featuring 33 patio homes, dining, rec center and a full-service grocery store

Club Champion: Open studios in 3 new markets

Facilities open in Kingwood and Midland, Texas, and in Farragut, Tennessee; company primed to hit over 125 domestic and international locations by end of 2023

Orca Golf: Launches Play for P.I.N.K. collection

Golf and saddle bags are part of a new offering with 10% from each sale supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Play for P.I.N.K.

Cragun's Resort: 2023 golf season kicks off

Brainerd, Minnesota, destination offer 36 holes of new championship golf with The Lehman 18 opening April 28 after a multimillion-dollar renovation; The Dutch 27 opening April 27

Troon: 2023 Arizona Summer Troon Card now on sale

Program provides preferred rates to cardholders at more than 22 Troon-managed and brand-affiliated facilities; card is valid May 4-September 30 and proceeds will help feed the less fortunate

Rio Verde CC: WGA raises $44,000 for The Sojourner Center

Women’s Golf Association, in partnership with the Rio Verde 9ers golf league, raised funds for the Phoenix-based safe haven through its fifth annual WGA charity event

Generational Group: Signs Justin Leonard to sponsorship agreement

PGA Tour Champions player won 12 PGA Tour titles, including the 1997 British Open, was ranked in the Official World Golf Ranking's top 10 for 24 weeks and qualified for two U.S. Ryder Cup teams

Audubon International: Marks Earth Day in growth mode

Nonprofit sees growth in first-time membership and recertification applications across six flagship programs with golf and lodging memberships on the rise

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Greg Norman's LIV Women's claim at odds with Karrie Webb
[Jimmy Emanuel | Golf Australia | Read]

> $30 million commitment will drive new water resilience efforts
[Janeen Driscoll | USGA | Read]

> Not knowing how to play golf can hurt women in business, study finds
[Megan Cerullo | CBS News | Read]

#QOTD

"I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all."

— Simone Biles

ICYMI

TFC Inbox: Why does pace of play continue to be an issue?

Brooks Koepka calling Patrick Cantlay out for slow play at the Masters renewed discussion of the issue — and The First Call readers have some strong opinions

PGA PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

MICHAEL VARDEMAN
Director of Instruction, La Cantera Golf Club

The First Call: What advice do you have for someone considering a career in golf?
Michael Vardeman: Pursue your passion. It's very rewarding work, especially for me as a teacher. This has been my love for almost 40 years.

TFC: When you look at your career, in what area(s) do you believe you have evolved for the better? MV: I am a much better communicator and have learned with the golf swing that less is more. Harvey Penick taught me that valuable lesson.

READ MORE >

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished up 28% vs. 2022, driven by drier, warmer weather across the entire U.S., excluding Florida.

The North region finished up 131% in total rounds vs. last year as the average temperatures were 15 degrees higher than in 2022. The Great Plains region finished up 68% in total rounds vs. last year as temperatures reached the high 60’s and were up 8 degrees higher than last year. Meanwhile, Florida finished down 4% in total rounds vs. 2022 because much of south Florida was affected by heavy rains and flooding.

> Performance over the next seven days is projected to be down 4% vs. 2022 as heavy rains are projected across much of the nation. The Central Valley region is pacing the furthest behind last year at minus 25%. Heavy rain is projected for four out of the seven days.

> Weekday golfers as a percent of total golfers finished at 56% as weather conditions over the weekend were optimal for much of the nation outside of Florida.

TUNING IN

LPGA Tour: Chevron Championship
Site: The Club at Carlton Woods (Jack Nicklaus Signature), The Woodlands, Texas.
Television [ET]: Today, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 2-3 p.m. (Peacock), 3-4 p.m. (Golf Channel), 4-6 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Site: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana.
Television [ET]: Today, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

LIV Golf: LIV Golf – Adelaide
Site: La Grange Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia.
Television [ET]: Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. EDT (The CW Network-tape delay).

DP World Tour / Japan Golf Tour: ISPS Handa Championship
Site: PGM Ishioka Golf Club, Omitama, Japan.
Television [ET]: Today, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

PGA Tour Champions: Invited Celebrity Classic
Site: Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas.
Television [ET]: Today, 9-11 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

MAKE GOLF YOUR CAREER

> Golf Management Internship
Erin Hills Golf Course
Hartford, Wisconsin | More

> Wellness Director
Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club / Trilogy Spa Holdings
Harrison, Idaho | More

> Golf Shop Manager
Hawk Meadows at Dama Farms
Howell, Michigan | More

> View a complete listing of jobs

Make Golf Your Career is a golf industry DE&I initiative launched by Make Golf Your Thing that allows job seekers to search, find and apply for opportunities throughout the industry in one place.

CALENDAR

JULY
25-27: GCBAA Summer Meeting, Lake Geneva, Wisc. | Info

> View complete calendar

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.