The First Call 07-15-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

On June 29, Joe Hook, a 29-year-old mini-tour player from Detroit, had himself quite the day. It wasn't so much that Hook was participating in the Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike at the 9-hole Sweetens Cove Golf Club in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, but how he played the 100 holes. Hook played the marathon day in 44-under par. Broken down, his scorecards featured no double bogeys, an albatross, three eagles — including a hole in one — four bogeys and 39 birdies. During one 12-hole stretch he had the albatross, an eagle and the hole in one. While no official scoring records are kept for this nonprofit fundraising event, officials believe it's the lowest 100 Hole Hike day ever.

> The First Call | Weekend Edition: Join the growing The First Call | Weekend Edition community for free on Substack. The weekender is a recap of the industry's happenings and continues to evolve. And, like The First Call, it's emailed directly to your inbox each Saturday morning. So check it out here.

> Question of the Week: The R&A decided last week not to invite two-time British Open champion Greg Norman, CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, to its Celebration of Champions. The R&A believes Norman might be a distraction to the proceedings. Do you agree with the decision?
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.

Follow The First Call

Subscribe | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Cameron Young back at St. Andrews as pro, opens with a 64
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> Unburdened and unscathed, Rory McIlroy storms out of Open gate
[Ryan Lavner | Golf Channel | Read]

> Greg Norman sees a women's LIV Golf league in the future. But how many would jump?
[Tom D'Angelo | Palm Beach Post | Read]

> Golf Pride’s new Pinehurst Retail Lab is fast-forwarding club regripping
[David Droschak | SI.com / Morning Read | Read]

Izzo Golf: Seeks to answer golfers' vexing questions

The brand's Jeff Gage and Aaron Frank join podcast host Paul Liberatore to discuss how their company goes about creating golf solutions

Listen

THE INDUSTRY

40 teenagers selected to attend First Tee Leadership Summit

Second annual event is hosted at PGA Tour Superstore owner and chairman Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana

True Spec Chicago West to open August 2

Indoor facility will be True Spec’s second location in Chicagoland area

PGA Buying and Education Summit receives high marks from attendees

Annual Las Vegas event was a preview of the latest innovations and trends a curated group of apparel, accessories and golf lifestyle companies; offered PGA of America national-level education sessions

#QOTD

“I actually get chill bumps when I walk over the Swilcan Burn Bridge. Can you imagine the spikes that have echoed off that bridge?”

— Lee Trevino

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played this past week finished up 17% vs. 2021. The increase was driven by regions across the country over performing, especially in the Northeast, Central Valley and Great Plains regions.

> A decrease in precipitation (- 49% vs. 2021) for most of the United States was an additional contributing factor to the increase in rounds played.

> The Central Valley and Northeast finished as the top performing regions vs. 2021, due to Hurricane Elsa negatively impacting rounds played along the east coast the same time last year.

> Positive performance is expected to continue from the Northeast and Central Valley regions over the next five days. Both areas are on pace to finish up by over 16% vs. 2021.

TUNING IN

Royal and Ancient Golf Club: British Open
Site: St. Andrews (Old Course), St. Andrews, Scotland | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 1:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. (Peacock), 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. (USA Network), 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday, 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. (USA Network), 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. (USA Network), 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (NBC).

PGA Tour / DP World Tour: Barracuda Championship
Site: Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, California | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today-Sunday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).

LPGA Tour: Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational
Site: Midland Country Club, Midland, Michigan | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 4-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

JULY
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

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fire Pit Collective (@firepitcollective)