Thursday May 25, 2023
FIRST THOUGHT

The number being touted for the golf industry's economic contributions in the United States alone is $102 billion — $20% larger than the last such review in 2016. But numbers are useful when put into a proper context, which the National Golf Foundation has done: $102 billion is five times the revenue of the NFL.­­ It’s roughly the global income of UPS, which delivered an average of 24.3 million packages per day in 2022. It’s 25% more money than Tesla, P&G and The Walt Disney Company made last year, 120% more than Nike brought in, and 220% more than Netflix.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Not quite the Golden Age, but architecture business is good | Read
> 'Driver$' podcast: How the USGA is managing equipment innovation | Listen
> PGA Professional Spotlight: Doug Hammer | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What does winning a third PGA Championship — and fifth major overall — do for Brooks Koepka's reputation?

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.

Not quite the Golden Age, but the architecture business is good
Many of the game’s top architects are riding the wave of several post-COVID-19 dynamics and are booked solid
PGA PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

DOUG HAMMER
Director of Instruction, Troon North Golf Club

The First Call: What advice do you have for someone considering a career in golf?
Doug Hammer: Absolutely do it. There is nothing more rewarding. Keep an open mind when choosing your career path as you never know what part of the industry will drive you.

TFC: What is one challenge you currently see in the industry? Thoughts on how to address it?
DH: Player retention. We need to do more to encourage those who have recently picked up the game to continue to stay with it. With rates rising and not enough options for quick rounds, I fear we will lose much of what we have gained in recent years.

READ MORE >

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

DRIVER$
How the USGA is managing equipment innovation
Co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein provide an inside look at the USGA’s equipment standards department
[Listen | More 'Driver$' episodes]

THE COMPETITIVE EDGE
Former college coach launches Fore Hire to continue supporting women golfers post-graduation
Host Kelly Okun interviews founder and CEO Courtney Trimble about her learnings as a golfer and how her experience can now help others
[Listen | More 'The Competitive Edge' episodes]

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]

INDUSTRY NEWS
Event features sold-out exhibits, live fashion show, Demo Night, One2One buying appointments, PGA education sessions and peer networking across PGA Frisco campus, July 31-Aug. 2
Read More
Collection includes the Lux Tour and OG Tour golf shoes, Lux Tour Polo Tour Logo Edition and Quarter Zip Tour Logo Edition, and the breathable Lux Tech Tour 5-Panel Hat
Read More
Golf entities unite to give juniors and parents the opportunity for access to college coaches regarding collegiate golf and the recruiting process
Read More
The world’s top-ranked female amateur golfer becomes second player to win successive Annika Award titles and earns exemption into the 2024 Amundi Evian Championship
Read More
Collaboration will leverage Majors Challenge's platform to deliver the shoe manufacturer's product directly to golf shops and golfers
Read More
New 3,500-square-foot facility in Geneva, Illinois, features five indoor bays, powered by Tecswing and equipped with OptiMotion, an indoor putting green and lessons enhanced by Tecputt
Read More
READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Why Phil Mickelson thinks LIV is the best tour for preparing for major championships
[Gabrielle Herzig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Sales beyond the round
[Jack Dillon | Golf Inc. | Read]

> Sergio Garcia disputes narrative that LIV golfers 'Don't want to play golf anymore'
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated | Read]

#QOTD
"You must not only have competitiveness but ability, regardless of the circumstance you face, to never quit."
— Abby Wambach
TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Charles Schwab Challenge
Site: Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA of Amercia, PGA Tour Champions: Senior PGA Championship
Site: Fields Ranch East, Frisco, Texas.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 3-4 p.m. (Golf Channel), 4-6 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA TOUR: Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play
Site: Shadow Creek Golf Club, North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 7-10 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

LIV Golf League: LIV Golf DC
Site: Trump National Washington D.C., Sterling, Virginia.
Television [ET]: Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (The CW).

DP World Tour: KLM Open
Site: Bernardus Golf, Cromvoirt, The Netherlands.
Television [ET][: Today-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

MAKE GOLF YOUR CAREER

> Assistant Golf Professional
Pro Kids Golf Academy
San Diego, California | Info

> Assistant Golf Professional
The Links At Terranea
Rancho Palos Verdes, California | Info

> Head Golf Professional
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Arden, North Carolina | Info

> 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.