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| Tuesday Jun 13, 2023 |
Among the obvious favorites for this week's U.S. Open are two-time winner Brooks Koepka and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, if for no other reason than they each have top-10 finishes in the year's first two majors. But there is a third who has also pulled off the feat — Viktor Hovland, who finished T7 at the Masters and T2 at the PGA Championship.
IN THIS ISSUE
> Los Angeles CC checks all the boxes | Read
> PGA Professional Spotlight: Steven Outlaw, Troon | Read
> TFC Inbox: It's U.S. Open week and expectations are high | Read
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Who do you believe are the winners and losers from the recent PGA Tour-PIF deal announced last week?
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 to the question about the PGA Tour-PIF deal and the question about this week's U.S. Open.
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Geoff Shackelford, author of 'Golf Architecture For Normal People,' poses three simple questions to determine that the 2023 U.S. Open host site is going to be memorable
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STEVEN OUTLAW
Director of Sales and Marketing, Troon
The First Call: What is one challenge you currently see in the industry?
Steven Outlaw: This is something I've thought about long and hard through my involvement with the PGA and Troon's DE&I Council. One challenge that I currently see in the golf industry is the declining number of players, particularly among younger generations.
Some solutions are obvious, such as making golf more affordable. Others, such as improving the pace of play, through initiatives such as shorter courses, better course management and more efficient tee-time scheduling are more complex, but definitely appeal to the busy younger generation.
Other solutions that we see constantly expanded upon center around embracing technology, distancing ourselves from golf's archaic traditions and norms to those that make the game more engaging and interactive.
Lastly, but most importantly is the need for increased focus on diversity and inclusion. Strides are being made, and continued efforts in this space will aid in the golf industry distancing itself from its reputation of being exclusive and inaccessible to certain groups, such as women and minorities.
> U.S. Senate opens investigation into PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal
[Steve Gardner | USA Today | Read]
> The house Augusta National Golf Club wants to bulldoze is still standing
[Mary K Jacobs | New York Post | Read]
> Saudi Arabia bought golf with its Ukraine war profits
[Josh Rogin | Washington Post | Read ($)]
> For this U.S. Open in LA, fairways look wider than they really are
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]
> Fear and loathing at Winged Foot '74: The USGA's response to Johnny Miller
[Local Knowledge | Listen]
> Phil Mickelson’s LIV Golf team hit with lawsuit over logo
[Jack Hirsh | Golf.com | Read]
"When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?"
GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Michelle Wie West on role of host for LPGA's Mizuho Americas Open
Former U.S. Women's Open champion joins host Ann Liguori to talk about serving as host for the new Mizuho Americas Open, life after her playing career and the need for more progress on Tour
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]
BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
How On Point Golf has grown so rapidly
Founder Briston Peterson joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss his company's wild ride as a manufacturer of three-dimensional ball markers
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]
DRIVER$
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]
> Golf Instructor
PGA Tour Superstore
Peabody, Massachusetts | Info
> Locker Room Attendant
Broken Sound Club (Old Course)
Boca Raton, Florida | Info
> Assistant Golf Professional
Rusted Rail Golf Club
Crandall, Texas | 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.
JULY
25-27: GCBAA Summer Meeting, Lake Geneva, Wisc. | Info
AUGUST
19-22: African American Golf Expo and Forum, Louisville, Ky. | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
