The First Call 06-03-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

While there remains a long way to go before crowning a Memorial Tournament champion, there is a good chance there will be some fireworks come Sunday. Five of the last eight Memorials have ended in a playoff, including last year when Patrick Cantlay outlasted Collin Morikawa. The others were 2018 (Bryson DeChambeau def. Byeong Hun An, Kyle Stanley), 2016 (William McGirt def. Jon Curran), 2015 (David Lingmerth def. Justin Rose) and 2014 (Hideki Matsuyama def. Kevin Na).

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> Question of the Week: What is your biggest pet peeve when playing golf?
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

> Why Lydia Ko has an unexpected logo on her visor at the U.S. Women's Open
[Keely Levins | Golf Digest | Read]

> Can $10 million move the needle? At the U.S. Women’s Open, it’s worth a shot
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

> 'I've got to play somewhere': LIV Golf's opportunity appeals to players on the fringe
[Alex Miceli | SI / Morning Read | Read]

THE INDUSTRY

PGA Members by Tagmarshal offering 2 educational webinars

In partnership with the North Florida and South Florida PGA Sections, Florida golf managers can earn MSR credits for on-course optimization

Golfzon unveils TwoVision simulator upgrade program

Commercial, residential owners of Golfzon’s simulators can update to the company’s most advanced model at special rates

World No. 1 Jin Young Ko headlines field for 2022 ShopRite LPGA Classic

Hall-of-Famer Karrie Webb and LPGA Tour winner Natalie Gulbis return to LPGA; Sunday’s final round to be broadcast on CBS

Gadsden CC welcomes new director of golf

Curtis Ohrn to oversee all golf operations for the 18-hole private club located in Gadsen, Alabama

Launched: By "Musings on Sports," a weekly podcast hosted by veteran golf commentator Bob Bubka and former PGA of America communications director Kelly Elbin. The list of early-episode guests include Jim Nantz, Ben Crenshaw, Steve Sands, John Feinstein, Jimmy Roberts and Mike Thomas, father and coach of two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas.

Opened: By SkyGolf, its exclusive golf course database with the launch of its SkyPins service. SkyPins is available to all U.S., Canadian and United Kingdom golf clubs following a successful three-year trial with the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland tournament directors. SkyPins enables golf club managers, golf course superintendents and tournament directors to produce accurate printed daily color pin or zone sheets for its facility or event.

#QOTD

"Talent isn't as important as the work and dedication necessary to become competent."

— Jack Nicklaus

ICYMI

Golf Pride getting a firm grip on consumer data, trends

Company launching new educational initiative at Pinehurst headquarters to better understand the impact of grips on a player's game

RBC splits with Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell

Both players' endorsement agreements were terminated after deciding to play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Decreased precipitation, warmer temperatures and demand from Memorial Day weekend helped this past week finish down just 3% vs. 2021, an improvement compared to prior weeks in May.

> The Central Valley and Northeast regions finished as the top performing regions vs. 2021 last week. The results are due to less precipitation in the Northeast (-68% vs. 2021) and warmer temperatures in the Central Valley (+6 degrees vs. 2021).

> Last week, Florida saw heavy rainfall (+585% vs. last year) leading into and continuing over the long Memorial Day weekend, which significantly reduced the demand for golf.

> Positive performance is expected from the Mid-Atlantic and Central Valley regions, with both areas on pace to finish up vs. 2021 by over 10% for rounds played over the next five days.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Memorial Tournament
Site: Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, Noon to 2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-6 p.m. (CBS).

United States Golf Association: U.S. Women's Open
Site: Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, Southern Pines, North Carolina | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 1-3 p.m. (Peacock), 3-8 p.m. (USA Network); Saturday, noon to 2 p.m. (Peacock), 2-3 p.m. (USA Network), 3-6 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (USA Network), 3-7 p.m. (NBC).

European Tour: Porsche European Open
Site: Eagle Golf Courses, Hamburg, Germany.
Television: Today, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: Principal Charity Classic
Site: Wakonda Club, Des Moines, Iowa | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay), Saturday-Sunday, 2:30-5:30 p.m. (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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