The First Call 05-17-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

In its first 'Gambling & Golf Study,' Golf Datatech reports that 84 percent of the 1,000 golfers surveyed are likely to wager on their own golf game while playing — not surprising given that a $5 Nassau is almost par for any round. Also, the average wager on professional golf is 48% more than a golfer would bet on his / her game.

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> Question of the Week: Southern Hills Country Club is hosting its fifth PGA Championship this week. How would you rate the Perry Maxwell-designed Tulsa, Oklahoma, club compared with other championships sites?
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

> The pink clubhouse on a hill: A Southern Hills Country Club history lesson
[Clyde Chrisman | PGAChampionship.com | Read]

> Nearly 41 years later, mob hit at Southern Hills still draws morbid curiosity
[Tod Leonard | Golf Digest | Read]

> Trumped
[Michael Bamberger | The Fire Pit Collective | Read]

Michael Benkusky refreshes Palm Aire, relishes a return

Pebble Beach refines its legendary eighth hole; Nicklaus Design teams with the Donald Ross Society at Rhode Island’s Winnapaug; Caspar Grauballe reworks France’s Golf de Rougemont

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW

Golf participation in the United States grew to over 24 million golfers in 2021, up 3.3% year-over-year from 2020.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

Troon acquires Icon Management Services

Icon currently manages 18 golf courses, 52 communities, 60 HOAs, as well as 19 additional amenities and town centers

Dundonald Links launches ‘Love Links’ stay-and-play packages

Ayrshire, Scotland, resort recently unveiled 18 luxury lodges, 22 hotel rooms, a new clubhouse and whisky tasting room as part of a 25 million pound investment

Malcolm DeMille handcrafts LPGA, PGA Tour Champions champion trophies

Minjee Lee wins the Congizant Founders Cup; Steve Stricker wins the Regions Tradition

Justin Timberlake, Charles Barkley headline American Century Championship

Commitments include newcomers Colin Jost, The Miz and Jake Owen; 33rd playing scheduled for July 6-10 at Edgewood Tahoe

#QOTD

"Be decisive. A wrong decision is generally less disastrous than indecision."

— Bernhard Langer

ICYMI

Majors, popularity, LIV, gambling ... Phil Mickelson's legacy is complicated

Readers of The First Call offer a varied range of opinions on how the six-time major champion's career will ultimately be viewed

PODCASTS

How Fujikura stays cutting edge on shafts

Since its inception in 1995 Fujikura Golf has been one of the premier shaft makers in golf, and brand manager Spencer Reynolds joins 'Behind the Golf Brand' to provide an inside look

Listen

CALENDAR

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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