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| Friday May 05, 2023 |
Tournaments, as we know, are not won in the opening round. So Tommy Fleetwood's solo placement atop the Wells Fargo Championship leaderboard in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a 6-under 65 on Thursday may be much ado about nothing. Though Fleetwood, 32, has to be hoping this is the week he breaks through — if for no other reason than to get off a dubious list. Since the start of the 2017-18 season, Fleetwood has the third-most top-10 finishes (22) without a victory on the PGA Tour. Only Brian Harman (27) and Adam Hadwin (24) have more.
IN THIS ISSUE
> 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori': Mollie Marcoux Samaan: The state of the LPGA | Listen
> PGA Professional Spotlight: Ben Mackey | 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.
GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Mollie Marcoux Samaan: The state of the LPGA
LPGA Commissioner joins podcast host Ann to talk about how the Tour has evolved during her tenure and what's next, including a possible LIV Golf for women
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]
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]
Invited: Opening its renovated Firethorne Country Club course in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 9. The club invested in a significant renovation project for the ninth hole, as well as the creation of a new short game practice area. Lanny Wadkins, a 21-time PGA Tour winner, including the 1977 PGA Championship, consulted on the ninth hole and short game area.
USGA: Accepts a record total of 2,107 entries, including 13 champions and all top 25 players in the world, for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open, July 6-9 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The previous record of 1,874 was established last year at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, in Southern Pines, North Carolina, while 1,873 entries were filed for the 2015 championship at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This year will mark the Women's Open's first visit to the California venue.
> Another wild stadium hole is coming to the PGA Tour at the AT&T Byron Nelson
[Gabrielle Herzig | Sports Illustrated | Read]
> The best ways to clean golf balls (without using a ball washer)
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]
> Sergio Garcia called out for not paying fine; DP World Tour threatens "appropriate action"
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]
"If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from his angle as well as your own."
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
PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship
Site: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Television [ET]: Today, 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, 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]: Today, noon to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | 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.
