The First Call 05-04-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Three-time Wells Fargo Championship winner and reigning champion Rory McIlroy is seeking a first on the PGA Tour. The 20-time PGA Tour winner is seeking his first repeat title in 13 starts as the defending champion. He has finished in the top five just twice in those starts.

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> Question of the Week: Two-part question: Who will win next week's PGA Championship and what will be the biggest storyline?
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

> U.S. Open preview showcases The Country Club's rugged look
[Bradley S. Klein | Morning Read | Read]

> Playing ‘on a medical’: The PGA Tour’s injury exemption program explained
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]

> What the surprising collapse of CNN+ taught us about the PGA Tour
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In New Jersey, Mississippi, Connecticut, Arkansas, Florida and Virginia, respectively, between 40% and 50% of the courses are private. That is a significantly higher percentage than the U.S. average of 29%.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

Tour Edge confirms 17th win on Champions Tour at Insperity Invitational

Winner was playing a 22-degree Exotics C721 Hybrid with an Aldila NV 85 shaft for his second victory in his last three PGA Tour Champions starts

Rounds 4 Research raises record-breaking $482,000 for turfgrass studies

National auction has raised nearly $2.5 million since 2012

Buffalo Groupe acquires baseball’s World Series of Golf

Moments Live to produce the five-night, four-round event at Pebble Beach Resorts, Nov. 29-Dec. 4

Youth on Course awards college tuition support to 20 high school students

Nearly $350,000 granted to members, total scholarships reach well over $2 million

ICYMI

Design Notes: Richardson | Danner to redesign in India

Arnold Palmer’s Thad Layton reopens Seattle Golf Club; Raymond Hearn to renovate Buffalo’s Moon Brook; West Africa’s Cape Verde welcomes Viveiro

#QOTD

"When people refer to ‘Back in the day,’ it was a Wednesday. Just a little fun fact for you."

— Dane Cook

CALENDAR

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. | Info

AUGUST
1-2: LPGA Leadership Academy, Newcastle, Wash. | Info

JANUARY 2023
23-25: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Fla.
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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