The First Call 05-10-24

FIRST THOUGHT

Creating breathing room on a leaderboard is not easy, especially in the opening round. So while Xander Schauffele's first-round 64 — which was aided by a late drop ruling that sparked dismay by viewers and became clickbait gold — at the Wells Fargo Championship was a good start, the fact that he opened a three-stroke lead was even better. It's the largest 18-hole lead in event history and equals the second-largest 18-hole lead this season, second only to Nick Taylor’s five-shot lead at the WM Phoenix Open. The round also set him up nicely for Friday as he looks to extend his Tour-leading consecutive made cuts streak to 46.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Upper Deck returns to the golf trading card mix | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

If you could choose a team of four current players (regardless of Tour) to play in the TGL, which will launch in January, who would you choose?

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 the city and state of residence.
> Read responses to last week's question.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Stewart Golf: Launches Q Follow Carbon Range golf carts

Collection is available in three new finish colors

True Spec Golf: Reviews the Bettinardi CB24, MB24 irons

Bettinardi, known for its premium putters, debuts the brand's first-generation co-forged irons

Upper Deck Golf: Returns to Chicago's Wrigley Field

Four-day experience, May 10-13, allows golfers to play a round of golf inside the stadium; major champion Nick Faldo to make appearance at sold-out event

PGTAA: Reports on customer feedback

Professional Golf Teachers Association of America claims that response is generally positive, particularly from those who have completed certification programs

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> What’s going on with Rory McIlroy, Jay Monahan, Tiger Woods and the PGA Tour board?
[Dylan Dethier | Golf.com | Read]

> Nelly Korda wants a stage for the LPGA. Here’s who can help her get one
[Jack Hirsh | Golf.com | Read]

> Michael Block on his 'Year of Blockie' and what happens when your 15 minutes of fame are up
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]

#QOTD

"All great achievements require time."

— Maya Angelou

ICYMI

Upper Deck returns to the golf trading card mix

For the first time in nearly 20 years the company releases a new collection, one that features a number of fresh faces — and a GOAT

TUNING IN

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: Cognizant Founders Cup
Site: Upper Montclair Country Club, Clifton, New Jersey.
Television [ET]: Today, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+); 3-6 p.m. (NBC Sports App and Peacock); 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ESPN+); 3-6 p.m. (NBC Sports App and Peacock); 8:30-10:30 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour Champions: Regions Tradition
Site: Greystone Golf and Country Club, Birmingham, Alabama.
Television [ET]: Today, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 5-7:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour: Myrtle Beach Classic
Site: Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Television [ET]: Today, 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Callaway continues to push the boundaries of equipment marketing
Jason Finley, of Callaway, joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss his nearly two decade front-row seat of golf product marketing innovation
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Caddie Joe LaCava talks golf — and he's got plenty of stories
Longtime looper joins host Ann Liguori to talk about his deep appreciation of working for Fred Couples and Tiger Woods
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Turning a homemade golf game into a global business
Tyler Simmons, CEO and founder of BucketGolf, joins host Colin Weston to share the story of his creation
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

WHERE TO NEXT?

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Make Golf Your Career

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Under Armour
Baltimore, Maryland | Info

> Assistant Superintendent
Stanford University Golf Course
Palo Alto, California | Info

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Bettinardi Golf
Tinley Park, Illinois | Info

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CALENDAR

MAY
13-15: IAGTO European Convention, Andalucia, Spain | Info
28 – June 4: Women’s Golf Day | Info

JUNE
17-19: IAGTO North America Golf Tourism Convention,
Boyne Falls, Michigan | Info

JULY
29-31: PGA Buying Summit, Frisco, Texas | Info
30-31: Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat, Monterey, California | Info

AUGUST
24-27: African American Golf Expo and Forum, Palm Beach, Florida | Info

SEPTEMBER
30-October 2: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, Hilton Head Island, S.C. | Info

> View complete calendar

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