The First Call 04-29-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Travel industry leaders believe the coming summer could be robust given the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The National Golf Foundation validated that thinking this week, as a survey of core golfers suggests nearly 80% will take a golf-specific trip in 2022, up nearly 14% over 2021. Also, a check-in with 75 facilities reported that advanced bookings are up about 12% over the same period in 2021 and nearly 20% over pre-pandemic.

> The First Call | Weekend Edition: Join the growing The First Call | Weekend Edition community for free on Substack. The weekender is a recap of the industry's happenings and continues to evolve. And, like The First Call, it's emailed directly to your inbox each Saturday morning. So check it out here.

> Question of the Week: What's your favorite golf book — fiction, non-fiction, instruction, coffee table?
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

> New Jersey files civil-rights complaint against Pine Valley
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]

> This top course designer plays with 1990s-era clubs. Here’s why
[Zephry Melton | Golf.com | Read]

> PGA Tour appears bound for new fall schedule concept, but details undetermined
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

Q&A: Don Bostic | Executive Director, The Friars Golf Club

Bostic's 'dream job' is to oversee and grow a society of golf enthusiasts who enjoy playing together on the world's top courses. Seriously, what's not to like about that?

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

Florida and Michigan share the same percentage of public golf courses (6% in each) in the United States.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

Intersport announces commitments to the John Shippen Shoot-Out

The May 9 event invites the nation’s top black female professional and amateur golfers to compete at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey

Conde Nast Traveler recognizes trio of Los Cabos resorts

Publication’s UK editors select the best hotels in Mexico — Zadun, Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos and Montage Los Cabos

Pueblo Bonito Resorts launches new luxury brand

Brand will introduce new properties throughout Mexico, including Pueblo Bonito Vantage San Miguel de Allende, which is set to open in 2023

The Standard Club welcomes new general manager

Johns Creek, Georgia, club appoints Scott Mahr, who will oversee the facility’s 18-hole golf course, multiple club amenities and food and beverage facilities

Seminole Legacy GC to host NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Regional, May 9-11

Florida State University course also selected to host 2026 women’s regional

Malcolm DeMille continues tradition with Insperity Invitational

Creates pro-am trophies that are replicas of the iconic Insperity Invitational champions’ trophy

True Spec New Jersey to open at Metedeconk National GC

Outdoor facility set to open May 24; will be company's first in New Jersey

Golf Digest names Sqairz the best men's shoes in golf

Company included in publication's annual 'Best ... ' listing for third successive year

Golftec relocates California instruction, clubfitting center

Relocates within Indio, California, with new 2,500-square-foot facility

Announced: By the USGA, that it has accepted 3,001 entries for the 42nd U.S. Senior Open Championship, scheduled for June 23-26, on Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course, in Bethlehem, Pa. This year’s total number of entries is the third-highest in championship history.

#QOTD

"Weekends are a bit like rainbows, they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them."

— John Shirley

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Ideal weather conditions this past week led to an increased demand for golf and, as a result, rounds played finished up 2% vs. last year. It was also improvement of 17% vs. last week.

> With less rain (-41%) and warmer weather (+5 degrees) versus last week, rounds played saw a positive increase vs. last year for the first time in a few weeks.

> Central Valley and the Mid-Atlantic finished as the top performing regions vs. 2021 this past week. Decreased precipitation and warmer weather were the main factors in both regions.

> Positive performance is expected from the Central Valley and Mountain Pacific regions. Both areas are on pace to finish up by more than 20% vs. 2021 for rounds played the next five days.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Mexico Open
Site: Vidanta Vallarta, Vallarta, Mexico.
Television: Today, 3:30-6:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).

LPGA Tour: Palos Verdes Championship
Site: Palos Verdes Golf Club, Palos Verdes Estates, California | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Catalunya Championship
Site: PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness (Stadium), Girona, Spain.
Television: Today, 8 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: Insperity Invitational
Site: The Woodlands Country Club (Tournament), The Woodlands, Texas | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, noon- 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

MAY
10-11: National Golf Day | 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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