The First Call 05-27-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

In observance of Memorial Day, The First Call will not publish on Monday, May 30, and will resume publishing on Tuesday, May 31. We hope you have an enjoyable and reflective Memorial Day weekend.

> The First Call | Weekend Edition: Join the growing The First Call | Weekend Edition community for free on Substack. The weekender is a recap of the industry's happenings and continues to evolve. And, like The First Call, it's emailed directly to your inbox each Saturday morning. So check it out here.

> 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

> Michelle Wie West prepares to step away from LPGA after U.S. Women's Open, leaves tour with no regrets
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> Denis O’Brien pitches in to host 2031 Ryder Cup
[Colin Coyle | The (London) Times | Read]

> The PGA of America’s diversity problem is the PGA itself
[Laz Versalles | Fire Pit Collective | Read]

Q&A: Lt. Col. Dan Rooney | Folds of Honor founder / CEO

Rooney is unique in that he's both a PGA golf professional and a decorated F-16 fighter pilot, and through those vocations he is attempting to make the "golf family" tighter while assisting the families of America's fallen military veterans

THE INDUSTRY

ECWPGT: 7 players with Tour ties qualify for U.S. Women’s Open

The list includes LPGA player Isabell Gabsa, who is on the East Coast Women’s Professional Golf Tour's advisory board

GolfTrainingAids.com announces free two-day shipping on select items

New expedited shipping comes in time for Father's Day ordering

Circling Raven earns No. 1 public course distinction in Idaho

Golfweek's ‘Best Of’ panelists rate Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort amenity tops in state

Troon, Troon-affiliated facilities supporting  2022 Patriot Golf Days

Golfers playing Troon facilities over Memorial Day weekend will help to raise funds that benefit Folds of Honor and PGA HOPE

#QOTD

"Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices."

— Harry S. Truman

ICYMI

Par-3 courses are trending — and the golf industry is taking notice

A growing number of golfers, including those new to the game, want the experience of playing, but are looking for laid-back, quicker and more affordable alternatives

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played experienced a slight decline last week due to increased precipitation versus the previous week, and finished down 9% vs. the same period 2021.

> Last week, much of the country saw heavy rainfall (+170% vs. last year) in the latter portion and that significantly impacted the demand for golf.

> Great Plains finished as the top performing region vs. 2021 this past week, driven by strong performance in Texas.

> Positive performance is expected to continue from the Great Plains region. The area is on pace to finish up vs. 2021 by over 5% for rounds played for the next seven days.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Charles Schwab Challenge
Site: Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 2-5:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 5:30-7 p.m. (CBS); Sunday, 1-2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-6:30 p.m. (CBS).

PGA of America: Senior PGA Championship
Site: The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor, Michigan | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-4:30 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 3-4 p.m. (Golf Channel), 4-6 p.m. (NBC).

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

European Tour: Dutch Open
Site: Bernardus Golf Club, Cromvoirt, The Netherlands.
Television: Today, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).

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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