The First Call 07-07-23

FIRST THOUGHT

Some traditional Monterey Peninsula weather — a marine layer, temperatures in the 50s and morning — greeted players Thursday for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is hosting its first female major championship. And Pebble Beach proved a stern test throughout the opening round. Xiyu Lin and Hyo Joo Kim carded 4-under-par 68s to set the pace, and 68 is the highest 18-hole score to lead the U.S. Women’s Open since 2012 at Blackwolf Run. Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome and Lizette Salas each shot 69 to hold the first-round co-lead that year.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Reviving the memories of Lawson Little Jr. | Read
> Design Notes: New York’s Glen Oak greenlights Chris Wilczynski’s plan | Read
> 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' podcast: ASGCSA president Brit Stenson | Listen
> 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' podcast: Why the 2023 U.S. Women's Open feels different | Listen

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What has been the most compelling golf storyline in the first half of 2023, and why?

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 responses to last week's question.

Design Notes: New York’s Glen Oak greenlights Chris Wilczynski’s plan

Texas’ T-36 at Baytown teams with Troon on a unique design; Rees Jones tweaks Florida’s Addison Reserve

Reviving the memories of Lawson Little Jr.

Because the former U.S. Amateur, British Amateur and U.S. Open champion did not play golf in the television era, his grandson, Chris Little, believes the story of his career is worth sharing — again

INDUSTRY NEWS

Audubon International: Adds industry leaders to board of directors

Nonprofit welcomes Henry Wallmeyer, president and COO of ClubWorks, and Bryan Stromme, VP of agronomy at Century Golf Partners

Troon: Acquires Applied Golf Management

Company to manage New Jersey-based golf and hospitality management company's portfolio of 13 public and private golf facilities in New York, New Jersey and Florida

West Bay Club: Ranked on Top 200 Private Residential Golf Courses list

Estero, Florida, club is ranked on Golfweek's Top 200 Residential Private Golf Courses in the United States list for the second year in a row and is currently No. 142

GolfTrainingAids.com: Debuts the Sure-Strike

New training aid, developed by teaching pro Dan Frost, is an adaptation of the Sure-Set and adds an additional hinge to allow golfers to train with the device pointing down

LIV Golf, ReachTV: Announce that live Friday tournament coverage and non-live past tournament coverage will air non-exclusively in U.S. airports through an agreement with ReachTV. LIV Golf tournament coverage will be distributed to 2,500-plus airport screens inside airports, plus 500,000 hotel rooms across North America, to reach more than 50 million monthly travelers.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Xiyu Janet Lin soaks up Pebble Beach views and shares lead with Hyo Joo Kim at U.S. Women’s Open
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> Here's why the U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach means so much
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> 2023 U.S. Women's Open has $11 million total purse, $2 million to winner
[Todd Kelly | Golfweek | Read]

> Phil Mickelson, one year after LIV Golf's debut, takes a positive stance on future
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> LIV Golf captain Brooks Koepka unloads on teammate Matthew Wolff: 'I've given up on him, the talent's wasted'
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Abandoned Johnny Miller-designed Beacon Hill to be reborn in Virginia
[Jason Lusk | Golfweek | Read]

#QOTD

"Ownership: 'A commitment of the head, heart, and hands to fix the problem and never again affix the blame."

— John G. Miller

Rounds and Weather

> Rounds played finished up 8% vs. 2022, driven by a significant reduction in precipitation in the Florida and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Florida experienced half as much rain as a year ago, especially in key markets like Pensacola and Tampa / St. Petersburg, resulting in the region finishing up 16% in total rounds versus last year.

The Mid-Atlantic experienced similar weather trends with most markets seeing little to no rain. Myrtle Beach, in particular, was the greatest contributor, helping the region finish up 15% vs. 2022.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 20% vs. last year with all eight regions projected to finish ahead of 2022.

Florida continues to pace the furthest ahead of last year at 31% over the next seven days. Elevated demand continues to increase days-out booking.

> Weekday golfers as a percent of total golfers saw a dramatic increase due to the July 4th holiday increasing rounds played on Monday and Tuesday.

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
A current perspective on golf course design, renovation challenges
American Society of Golf Course Architects president Brit Stenson joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss preserving the past, but also moving forward
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Why the 2023 U.S. Women's Open feels different
Longtime golf journalist and LPGA historian Steve Eubanks joins host Ann Liguori to discuss this year's historic championship
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes

THE COMPETITIVE EDGE
Lie + Loft combining golf, art and the outdoors
Founder Luke Davis joins host Kelly Okun to talk about where he gets his inspiration and accomplishments along his golf journey
[Listen | More 'The Competitive Edge' episodes]

TUNING IN

USGA: U.S. Women's Open
Site: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California.
Television [ET]: Today, 4-6 p.m. (Peacock), 6-11 p.m. (USA Network); Saturday-Sunday, 3-9 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic
Site: TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois.
Television [ET]: Today, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

DP World Tour: Made In Himmerland
Site: HimmerLand Golf Club, Farso, Denmark.
Television [ET]: Today, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

LIV Golf League: LIV Golf-London
Site: Centurion Club, Hertfordshire, England.
Television [ET]: Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (CW Network-tape delay).

MAKE GOLF YOUR CAREER

> Assistant Golf Professional
The Resort at the Mountain
Welches, Oregon | Info

> Senior Program Director
PGA Tour First Tee Foundation
Salinas, California | Info

> Reservationist
Erin Hills Golf Course
Hartford, Wisconsin | 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.

CALENDAR

JULY
25-27: GCBAA Summer Meeting, Lake Geneva, Wisc. | Info

AUGUST
19-22: African American Golf Expo and Forum, Louisville, Ky. | Info

> View complete calendar

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