The First Call 06-24-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Putt-putt or miniature golf, whatever you want to call the activity, a lot of people play it. According to the National Golf Foundation, 18 million people in the U.S. played miniature golf an average of four times in 2021. Also, roughly one-third of that total were also traditional on-course golfers.

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> Question of the Week: How would you resolve the ongoing PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf situation?
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

> The 411 on the Underrated Golf Tour
[Laz Versalles | Fire Pit Collective | Read]

> ‘Crazy amount of money’: Rookie pro reveals LIV Golf’s recruitment tactics
[Art Stricklin | Golf.com | Read]

> LIV Golf aims to take golf audio on a really long drive
[Dan Daley | Sports Video Group | Read]

U.S. Senior Open's 19th hole experience is like no other

MSG Promotions Inc. has created a new 660,000-square-foot experiential initiative around the championship's closing holes that is beyond just golf and traditional hospitality

THE INDUSTRY

Volunteers build oyster reef at Harbour Town Golf Links

Local organizations construct vital habitat along iconic 18th hole

‘Ask Rory’ season three now streaming, exclusively on GolfPass

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy answers fan questions by demonstrating his best solutions for game improvement

Junior Golf Hub partners with Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour

Canadian junior tour members gain access to unique resources, guidance to college golf

Golden State's Stephen Curry commits to American Century Championship

Curry's brother Seth, father Dell also joining prominent celebrity field, July 6-10 at Edgewood Tahoe on NBC

#QOTD

"Greed has taken the whole universe, and nobody is worried about their soul."

— Little Richard

ICYMI

Q&A: Mimi Griffin | MSG Promotions founder / president / CEO

If you've enjoyed a U.S. Open experience since 1995, there's a strong likelihood it was shaped by Griffin, who offers her insight on the golf hospitality industry

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> For the first time in a few months, rounds played finished the week up (+7%) vs. last year, an improvement of 15% vs. prior week and driven by a successful Father’s Day and Juneteenth holiday.

> Ideal weather conditions over the long weekend, in the form of decreased precipitation (-84% vs. last year) and cooler temperatures (-4 degrees vs. last year), provided additional positive impact to rounds performance.

> Central Valley and Mid Atlantic finished as the top performing regions vs. 2021. This was due to decreased precipitation (-72% vs. 2021) and temperatures flat to last year.

> Positive performance is expected from the Great Plains and Mountain Pacific regions over the next five days, with both areas on pace to finish up by over 5% vs. 2021.

TUNING IN

LPGA Tour | PGA of America: KPMG Women's PGA Championship
Site: Congressional Country Club (Blue), Bethesda, Maryland.
Television: Today, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel), Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (NBC).

PGA Tour: Travelers Championship
Site: TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut.
Television: Today, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).

U.S. Golf Association | PGA Tour Champions: U.S. Senior Open
Site: Saucon Valley Country Club (Old Course), Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Television: Today, 2-7 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday-Sunday, 2-3 p.m. (Peacock), 3-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: BMW International
Site: Munchen Eichenried Golf Club, Munich, Germany.
Television: Today, 6:30-10 a.m. (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
23-25: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Fla.
24-27: PGA Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

FEBRUARY
6-9: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.

THE LAST CALL

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