The First Call 07-08-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Just how much a professional golfer can learn from an amateur is debatable. There is, however, no doubting that Shot Scope's analysis of St. Andrews' Old Course, based on data collected from 6,780 rounds and 564,096 shots played by amateurs, is beneficial to, well, amateurs. The company has published an e-book just in time for next week's 150th British Open.
Among the data collected:
— The average amateur score was 83.2;
— At the Road Hole, it's better to be in the bunker than the road as amateurs got up and down 15 percent of the time from the sand, just 4% from the road;
— At the 18th hole's Valley of Sin, 43% of amateurs get up and down.

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> Question of the Week: What are your favorite British Open memories — a particular year, shot or player?
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

> How industry veteran Lisa Collier is leading the transformation of Under Armour’s women’s business
[Peter Verry | Footwear News | Read]

> LIV Golf fatigue wearing on PGA Tour stars: ‘We have many other stories’
[Alan Bastable | Golf.com | Read]

> Jacqueline Nickelberry is building community on the golf course
[Danielle Bryant | SI.com | Read]

Q&A: John Simpson | On Course Foundation founder / chairman

On Course Foundation -- John Simpson with Amputees

Simpson never let a polio diagnosis at age 2 alter his ascent to a successful business career. Today, through golf, his On Course Foundation is helping disabled veterans and military personnel

THE INDUSTRY

PGA Buying and Education Summit offers early apparel ordering for 2023

Top brands, buyers coming together for mid-season Summit offering business, education, career and social networking programs, July 11-12

Georgia PGA, ECWPGT partner to bolster Georgia Women’s Open field

GWO becomes an official event on the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour's schedule; points won will go toward the Tour’s end-of-season $5,000 bonus

Matt Fitzpatrick, Troon partner  for Ukraine humanitarian relief

Golf fans can win autographed golf bag to be used at 150th British Open

Rolex returns to St. Andrews as patron for 150th British Open

Brand’s relationship with the year's final major dates back to its first appearance at Royal St George’s in 1981

#QOTD

"Old-timers games, weekends and airplane landings are alike. If you can walk away from them, they’re successful."

— Casey Stengel

ICYMI

Downtime data key to Whoop's performance

Wearable fitness band enhances performance by 'measuring the quieter periods of life,' such as recovery and sleep

VOICES

Finding the aid to cure your game

GolfTrainingAids.com's John Diulus and Emily Faulkner join the 'Behind the Golf Brand' podcast to discuss the website's evolution

LISTEN

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> As a result of a high demand for golf and good weather conditions over the holiday weekend, rounds played this past week finished up 6% vs. 2021 (an improvement of 3% vs. prior week).

> Increased precipitation in the North (up 6% vs. 2021) contributed to decreased golf play over the past seven days.

> The Northeast and Florida finished as the top performing regions vs. 2021, primarily due to decreased precipitation (down 65% vs. 2021) and high holiday demand.

> Positive performance is expected from the Northeast and Central Valley regions over the next five days. Both areas are on pace to finish up by over 20% vs. 2021.

TUNING IN

European Tour / PGA Tour: Genesis Scottish Open
Site: The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland.
Television: Today, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), noon to 3 p.m. (CBS).

PGA Tour / European Tour: Barbasol Championship
Site: Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions), Nicholasville, Kentucky | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today-Saturday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel), Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: Bridgestone Senior Players Championship
Site: Firestone Country Club (South), Akron, Ohio | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 1:30-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, noon to 3 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

OCTOBER
11-13: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, Kiawah Island, S.C. | Info

NOVEMBER
6-9: International Association of Golf Administrators, Point Clear, Ala. | 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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