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| Thursday May 04, 2023 |
It's not every year a U.S. Women's Open is played at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Actually, the championship has never been contested on the iconic California venue, which is why this year's visit is special. On Wednesday, the USGA announced it accepted more than 2,000 entries for this Open — a first. And another first will occur when NBC presents live primetime coverage of the third and final rounds (July 8-9), marking the first time a women’s golf major will air live on network in primetime.
IN THIS ISSUE
> 'Driver$': Golf takes off in the Great White North | Listen
> PGA Professional Spotlight: Ben Mackey | Read
> Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson make Forbes' highest-paid list | Read
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Since a number of American and European LIV Golf members — such as Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia — have qualified for the majors, should they also be eligible for the Ryder Cup, especially if they meet the qualifying standards?
Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.
DRIVER$
Golf takes off in the Great White North
NGCOA Canada CEO Jeff Calderwood reflects on the Canadian golf industry with 'Driver$' co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein
[Listen | More 'Driver$' episodes]
THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Finding clarity through action
Swingtweaks co-founder Steve Madden joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' host Colin Weston to share the entrepreneurial lessons he has learned through the golf industry
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]
BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
Odin Golf is breaking with tradition to grow brand
Co-founder Jordan Lunetta joins 'Behind the Golf Brand' host Paul Liberatore to discuss how the second German-based direct-to-consumer golf ball company is elbowing into the U.S. golf market
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]
BEN MACKEY
Regional Manager, Golfzon Social
The First Call: What advice do you have for someone considering a career in golf?
Ben Mackey: Do not overlook non-traditional avenues within the golf industry. Being a PGA Professional or working in the golf industry is so much more than being a head professional at a green grass facility. There are so many avenues and opportunities if you are open minded and willing to stretch the boundaries.
TFC: What is one challenge you currently see in the industry? Thoughts on how to address it?
BM: The main challenge is changing with the times. Golf is stuck with the perception of being upper class and stuffy and it really discourages people from getting into the game. The industry as a whole needs to reevaluate what it means to be a golfer or a golf facility and make it more approachable for everyone.
> RELATED: PGA Professional Spotlight archive
USGA: Three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Annika Sorenstam has accepted a special exemption into the 78th U.S. Women’s Open, July 6-9 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Sorenstam, 52, of Sweden, won the 1995, 1996 and 2006 U.S. Women’s Open as well as seven other major championships and 72 total LPGA victories in her Hall of Fame career before retiring from full-time professional golf in 2008. Sorenstam also won the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
> Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Richard Bland officially resign from DP World Tour
[Riley Hamel / Cameron Jourdan | Golfweek | Read]
> 'We're not just rushing to figure this out': USGA boss defends OWGR's timeframe on LIV decision
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated | Read]
> ‘This is unjust and wrong’: State program slashes elite golf clubs’ property taxes
[John Hilliard | Boston Globe | Read]
"I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening."
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The LIV Golf members are Nos. 6 and 7, respectively, on the publication's 2023 top-10 compilation of athletes — a year after there were no golfers
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PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship
Site: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet
LPGA Tour: Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown
Site: TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California.
Television [ET]: Today-Sunday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet
DP World Tour: Italian Open
Site: Marco Simone Golf Club, Rome, Italy.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard
PGA Tour Champions: Mitsubishi Electric Classic
Site: TPC Sugarloaf, Duluth, Georgia.
Television [ET]: Friday, noon to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet
> Master Club FItter
Dick's House Of Sport
Chesapeake, Virginia | More
> Head Women's Golf Coach
Lindenwood University
St. Charles, Missouri | More
> Golf Professional / Manager
The Legends of Champaign
Champaign, Illinois | 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.
JULY
25-27: GCBAA Summer Meeting, Lake Geneva, Wisc. | Info
AUGUST
19-22: African American Golf Expo and Forum, Louisville, Ky. | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
