The First Call 05-24-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

There are plenty of numbers that tell the story of Justin Thomas' PGA Championship win on Sunday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For example, the seven-stroke Sunday rally tied the PGA record for largest final-round comeback. From a broader perspective, though, the win may be more telling of his place in the game. With the win, Thomas, 29, became the sixth player since World War II with 15 PGA Tour wins before the age of 30, joining Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

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> Question of the Week: If you could assemble golf's all-time television broadcast team — a play-by-play commentator, analyst and on-course report — who would you choose?
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

> Jim 'Bones' Mackay finally gets the caddie trophy he's long desired
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Peggy Kirk Bell embodied, empowered women’s golf
[Lee Pace | The Pilot | Read]

> Was the PGA Championship a setback for Tiger Woods, or just too much, too soon?
[Bob Harig | SI / Morning Read | Read]

Design Notes: Robert Trent Jones II, Nathan Crace collaborate on Mississippi golf park

Legendary Phoenix muni Papago to begin renovation; Love Golf Design to craft new layout for northwest Florida’s Watersound; Drew Rogers refurbishes Chicagoland's Twin Orchard

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan all have golf participation rates that exceed 10%. High participation is partially driven in these states by the sheer number of public golf courses — a combined 1,427 among the three states.

Source: Longitudes Group

THE INDUSTRY

GolfForever serves as platinum sponsor of PGA Memes Challenge event

Partners with PGA Memes, a golf media company, and its charitable golf tournament series, which included May 23 event at Trump National Golf Club at Bedminster

Papago GC to begin renovation, enhancement project

Phoenix municipal course to remain open during construction

Rio Verde CC's Women’s Golf Association  raises $39,000 for Sojourner Center

Rio Verde, Arizona, club's fourth annual charity benefits Phoenix-based center that provides shelter and support services to more than 60,000 people affected by domestic violence

Hunting Creek CC to host WSGA championships

Prospect, Kentucky, course will serve as host venue for Women’s Southern Golf Association’s 106th Amateur Championship and 7th Mid-Amateur Championship

On Course Foundation places 12 service members at Charles Schwab Challenge

Active and retired veterans will work in an array of tournament operations, agronomic jobs for the PGA Tour event

Miura Golf introduces KM 700 irons

Refined forged irons were in development for five years, represent the most ambitious undertaking in the company’s history

Hilton Head Golf Island announces fall 2022 golf packages

Golfers encouraged to book now due to increased demand

Rex Hospital Open returning to Raleigh CC in 2023

Korn Ferry Tour event will return to the Donald Ross-designed course after 18-year absence, changes name to UNC Health Championship

Generational Group ambassador Mito Pereira finishes 3rd at PGA Championship

Company signed Pereira to endorsement agreement in January after the Chilean earned a three-win promotion from the Korn Ferry Tour and earned full PGA Tour status for 2021-22

deWiz sponsors Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed

Company to stage an activation near the Halmstad Golf Club's driving range that will allow golf fans to receive a free swing analysis from deWiz staff

Announced: By Montage International, it will take over the management and operation of Cornerstone Club, a full-service private club and residential community located in Montrose, Colorado. Cornerstone will reopen for the upcoming summer season on May 27.

Announced: By the USGA, that an additional 30 players are exempt for the U.S. Open, June 16-19 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Major champions Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley headline the group of exemptions that were awarded to 27 players who earned a place in the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking as of May 23, who were not otherwise exempt.

#QOTD

"The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant."

— Max De Pree

ICYMI

Nicklaus Companies sues its namesake, Jack Nicklaus

A complaint filing by the company against the 18-time major champion claims an alleged breach on a 2007 services and licensing rights agreement

Southern Hills proves up to task as host to PGA Championship

Host to a fifth PGA Championship and eighth major overall, the Tulsa, Oklahoma, venue has the respect on The First Call readers

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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