The First Call 06-28-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

J.R. Smith, 36, will likely best be known athletically as a two-time NBA champion — with Cleveland in 2016 and Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. But he's making himself quite the name in golf, first by enrolling at North Carolina A&T last fall to play golf — and was also the school's Academic Athlete of the Year. In April, Smith signed an NIL deal to become athletic apparel company Lululemon's first golf signee. Now, Smith is the face of a new golf line created by the iconic Kith label for TaylorMade that will roll out in the coming weeks.

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> Question of the Week: What's on your mind? Share your thoughts on golf, whether it's about LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, a rules issue, the best player of today, whatever is on your mind.
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

> Before it even arrives, golf’s rogue tour roils a small Oregon town
[Molly Hensley-Clancy | Washington Post | Read]

> Rebuilding Casey Martin
[Golf Digest | Watch]

> Bigger bucks are coming to the PGA Tour, but what took them so long?
[Bob Harig | SI / Morning Read | Read]

Design Notes: Cabot adds Castle Stuart to growing portfolio

David McLay Kidd to design GrayBull in Nebraska; King-Collins re-opens Overton Park; Boca West selects Fry/Straka for improvements; England’s Perranporth tabs Tim Lobb to touch up James Braid design

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW ...

The demand for fitness has motivated many country clubs in the last 10 years to add a workout facility. Nationally, 28% of the private clubs offer a fitness facility — beyond the traditional tennis and pool — as an amenity.

Source: Longitudes Group Green Grass database

THE INDUSTRY

ECWPGT hits schedule reboot, announces The Next Season

East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour to transition schedule from August to March after surveying 700 players who would prefer more year-round playing opportunities

Golf Datatech: May apparel sales finish up

On- and off-course sales in dollars for May were up 4.9 percent vs. May 2021

Reynolds Lake Oconee launches summer sweepstakes

Grand prize includes golf, accommodations and a live performance by Little Big Town

Capstone Hospitality partners with The Royal Fox, The Grove

Company to create and lead new membership and marketing initiatives for the paid of Chicagoland clubs

Padraig Harrington builds on Wilson legacy with 4th major

U.S. Senior Open win marked another triumph in the longest-running contractual relationship between the Chicago-based brand and Harrington — 24 years

Majors Challenge, South Florida PGA Section partner

Strategic partnership expected to increase golf shop revenue and impact food and beverage sales

Malcolm DeMille handcrafts new, larger KPMG Women’s PGA winner’s trophy

New champion's trophy now stands 12-inches tall and features the champion's name and year it was won

Lyle and Scott names Alan Miller as brand ambassador

Scotland-based apparel company appoints Miller, the PGA professional at Dallas Country Club

Hilton Head Golf Island summer, fall vacation planner is available

Downloadable planner offers itineraries, ideas for variety of trips

Nick Faldo signs with travel consortium

Six-time major champion signs a multiyear agreement to a brand ambassador for Hidden Links, Golfpac Travel, Tee Times USA, Go Play Golf Gift Card

Meadowlark GC celebrates centennial

Huntington Beach, California, golf facility plans special schedule of events

#QOTD

"The key is not the will to win, everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important."

— Bobby Knight

ICYMI

TFC Inbox: Settling the LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour debate

Readers of The First Call share their thoughts on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf can exist amicably ... or not

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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