The First Call 05-19-2023

FIRST THOUGHT

The latest transformation of Bryson DeChambeau was on display Thursday as he shot a 4-under 66 in the opening round of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club. In the past year, DeChambeau, 29, moved to LIV Golf, started a new diet in August and lost 18 pounds in 24 days, and changed his equipment company, swing coach and caddie. For at least one day, the changes appeared to be positives. DeChambeau, who won the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, tied his low opening round in a major and low round in 17 PGA rounds.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Q&A: Courtney Trimble, Founder / CEO, Fore Hire | Read
> PGA Championship: 'Hey, who’s watching the golf shop today?' | Read
> 2023 PGA Championship Guide | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should the PGA Championship return to a match-play format like it was from the tournament's debut in 1916 through 1957?

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.

PGA Championship: 'Hey, who’s watching the golf shop today?'

For 20 PGA Professionals, this week's PGA Championship is taking them from their actual day jobs back at their respective courses and allowing them to play with the game's elite

Q&A: Courtney Trimble | Founder, Fore Hire

Trimble leaned into her experiences to create Fore Hire, which assists women players in recognizing golf industry job opportunities, making connections and transitioning to the next phase of their career

2023 PGA Championship Guide

Bryson DeChambeau appeared to be on form Thursday, shooting a 4-under 66 to hold the clubhouse lead in the suspended first round of the PGA Championship. Check the Guide for news and updates, along with the field, odds, schedule, tee times and TV times

INDUSTRY NEWS

Golf Datatech: Company releases Q1 Datashot

Early 2023 results show rounds played were flat, golf equipment and total retail sales were down, and the apparel category grew by 12%

Blue Tees Golf: Enters into an agreement with MST Golf, a golf retailer and services provider that will help establish the Blue Tees Golf brand in Singapore and Malaysia.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> No longer the Incredible Bulk, Bryson DeChambeau content and contending at the PGA
[Ryan Lavner | Golf Channel | Read]

> A LIV golfer winning a major would mean...well, what exactly?
[Shane Ryan | Golf Digest | Read]

> Ferocious Oak Hill daunts PGA Championship field, with more to come
[Alan Blinder | New York Times | Read]

> Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend's remaining legal options are limited after ruling
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Trevor Immelman talks CBS’ coverage of Phil Mickelson, the golf ball rollback, and the key to walk-and-talk interviews
[Gabrielle Herzig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

#QOTD

"You can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. But both those methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self-motivation."

— Homer Rice

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished down 7% vs. 2022, driven by heavy rain across the Central Valley and Great Plains regions.

The Great Plains finished down 20% in rounds vs. last year as the Chicago and Houston markets both experienced heavy thunderstorms last week. The Central Valley region also experienced wetter weather vs. last year, leading to a 17% rounds decline.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 17% vs. 2022 as much of North America is forecasted to have less rain than last year.

The North region is pacing the furthest ahead of last year at 43% as little to no rain is projected for six out of seven days.

> Weekday golfers as a percent of total golfers was 58% as heavy storms over the weekend, particularly in the Southeast, contributed to less weekend golfers.

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Alex Beach becoming a PGA Championship regular
PGA Assistant Professional joins host Ann Liguori to talk about his five-year qualifying streak and the obstacles he has faced along the way
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

THE COMPETITIVE EDGE
Co-founders share how their sports background helped launch LoopGolf
Host Kelly Okun debuts the new podcast with guests Thomas Reinholm and Matt Rum
[Listen | More 'The Competitive Edge' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
This is one way to see the Mediterranean
Scott Knudsen, vice president of sales and marketing for Costa Cruise Line, joins host Ann Liguori to discuss the company's various cruise and golf offerings
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

TUNING IN

PGA of America: PGA Championship
Site: Oak Hill Golf Club (East), Pittsford, New York.
Television [ET]: Today, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ESPN+), 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (ESPN); Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ESPN+), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ESPN), 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (CBS).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

MAKE GOLF YOUR CAREER

> Assistant Golf Mechanic
Lone Tree Golf Club
Lone Tree, Colorado | More

> Club Repair Associate
PGA Tour Superstore
Minnetonka, Minnesota | More

> Assistant Golf Professional
Shady Valley Country Club
Arlington, Texas | 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.

CALENDAR

JULY
25-27: GCBAA Summer Meeting, Lake Geneva, Wisc. | Info

AUGUST
19-22: African American Golf Expo and Forum, Louisville, Ky. | Info

> View complete calendar

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