The First Call 07-11-24

FIRST THOUGHT

The Summer Olympics field is set for 120 men and women in the golf category. The women’s side can boast something that the men cannot as all of the top 15 in the Rolex women’s golf rankings will be at Le Golf National in Paris. Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu and Rose Zhang will represent the United States. But the men’s showing of ten of the top 15 is a superior improvement since the games restarted in 2016 with limited enthusiasm from the world’s top players. Tokyo gold medalist Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa will represent the United States.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Golf's celebrity major is all about entertainment | Read

> Design Notes: Hudson National reopens after a Fazio fix | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

In your opinion, what makes the Open Championship special?

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 the city and state of residence.

> Read responses to last week's question.

Golf's celebrity major is all about entertainment

John Smoltz_American Century Championship .JPG

The annual American Century Championship draws big names from the sports and entertainment worlds for big stakes and delivers a fair amount of drama

INDUSTRY NEWS

Nicklaus Family Office: Jack Nicklaus prevails in arbitration against the Nicklaus Companies, LLC

An Arbitrator appointed to resolve a dispute between Jack W. Nicklaus and Nicklaus Companies, LLC has determined that Mr. Nicklaus is free to compete with the company that bears his name.

Concert Golf Partners: Acquires TPC Jasna Polana

Historic clubhouse mansion and Gary Player-designed golf club in Princeton, N.J. was once owned by Johnson & Johnson heir J. Seward Johnson

Magellan Jets: Partnership formed with 4Aces GC and captain Dustin Johnson

4Aces GC, one of 13 teams competing in the LIV Golf League and captained by two-time major champion Dustin Johnson, and Magellan Jets have formed a partnership designating the company the “official private aviation provider” of Johnson and the team.

PGA of America: Early registration savings expire July 21 for industry professionals attending the 2024 PGA Buying Summit

The 2024 PGA Buying Summit, held for the second year at Omni PGA Frisco Resort on the spectacular PGA Frisco campus, begins on July 29

PGA of America: Vice President Don Rea Jr. earns PGA Master Professional designation

The owner and operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club, a public golf facility in Mesa, Arizona, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> 15 winners — and 1 epic club twirl: The U.S. Adaptive Open had it all | Nick Piastowski | Golf.com | Read]

> Grant becomes 1st female golfer to win on European tour
[Steve Douglas | AP | Read]

> Accusations of lies, extortion as Bryson DeChambeau, ex-coach Mike Schy trade barbs over junior golf tour dissolving
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

ICYMI

Design Notes: Hudson National reopens after a Fazio fix

Royal Troon adds new bunkers and tees ahead of the Open Championship; Gary Player to design Montenegro’s first golf course

#QOTD

"If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one."

— Cavett Robert

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Genesis Scottish Open
Site: The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland
Television [ET]: Today-Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), noon to 3 p.m. (CBS)

LPGA Tour: Amundi Evian Championship
Site: Evian Resort GC., Evian-les-Bains, France
Television [ET}: Today-Friday, 6 to 10:30 a.m. (Golf Channel), 10:30 a.m. to noon (NBC Sports app); Saturday-Sunday, 4:30 to 10 a.m. (Golf Channel)

PGA Tour Champions: Kaulig Companies Championship
Site: Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 2 to 4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel, Peacock); Saturday-Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. (Golf Channel, Peacock).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour: ISCO Championship
Site: Keene Trace GC (Champions), Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 4 to 7 p.m. (Golf Channel).

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
The tale of Carne Golf Club's comeback
General manager Fiona Togher and club chariman Gerry Maguire talk with host Ann Liguori about how the western Ireland club took a beating during the pandemic and now is thriving
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Golf’s renaissance woman
NGCOA president and PGA Master Professional Cathy Harbin joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss her involvement in all facets of stewarding golf’s evolution and participation surge
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Reimagining how distressed golf courses can survive, then thrive
Get Golfing sales manager Nick Darby joins host Colin Weston to discuss how the nonprofit is revolutionizing the golf experience
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

Make Golf Your Career

> Superintendent
Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club
Branford, Connecticut | Info

> Creative Content Producer — Post Production
Acushnet Company — Titleist
Carlsbad, California | Info

> Sales Representative: Greg Norman, Dunning and Tourney
Tharanco Lifestyles — Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska regions
Secaucus, New Jersey | Info

> The First Call Job Board

CALENDAR

JULY
29-31: PGA Buying Summit, Frisco, Texas | Info
30-31: Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat, Monterey, California | Info

AUGUST
24-27: African American Golf Expo and Forum, Palm Beach, Florida | Info

SEPTEMBER
30-October 2: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, Hilton Head Island, S.C. | Info

> View complete calendar

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