The First Call 07-28-23

FIRST THOUGHT

According to the National Golf Foundation, since COVID-related restrictions on golf were lifted, 35 of the past 37 months have outperformed their pre-pandemic equivalents (using 2017-19 monthly averages for comparison). And June (+5.5%) marked the third successive month of strong year-over-year gains in rounds played at U.S. golf courses. April was at +7.8%, while May was at 10%. Entering the second half of 2023, rounds played are less than 1% percent behind the record-setting pace at the 2021 halfway point.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Design Notes: Kris Spence is restoring Donald Ross' Asheville Muni | Read
> 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' podcast: Larry Hirsh, Golf Property Analysts president | Listen

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Which of the four 2023 majors did you enjoy the most?

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: Kris Spence is restoring Donald Ross' Asheville Muni

King-Collins set for an August debut of Texas’ Red Feather; Agustin Piza master plans Mexico’s Zitara

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
How culture is at the heart of today’s golf facility evolution
Co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein speak with Golf Property Analysts president Larry Hirsh about an often overlooked element of golf real estate appraisals
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry" episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Bernhard Langer talks career longevity
The PGA Tour Champions' all-time win leader and winner of 12 senior majors joins host Ann Liguori to discuss the keys to his success and why he's still pursuing more at age 65
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori; episodes]

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
Meet 'The CEO of Golf'
Social media influencer Remec Carlson joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss the growth of his platforms that focus on instruction and on-course content
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Golf Datatech: June totals highest month of golf apparel sales ever

On- and off-course specialty channels are up again — 5.1% for June and 8.7% YTD

Tucson City Golf: Adds Justin Bubser as director of instruction

Former University of Arizona assistant women’s golf coach will work with the director of player development to bring new players to golf and help existing golfers improve

Red Ledges: Tennis facility recognized by U.S. Tennis Association

Heber City, Utah, community receives the 2023 USTA's Outstanding Facility Award recognizing its tennis venue and commitment toward the growth of tennis in the region

Dundonald Links: To host LPGA’s Women’s Scottish Open

Seven of top 10 players in Rolex Women's World Rankings, 17 major winners, 45 LPGA winners and 59 LET winners to compete

Discover Puerto Rico: Golf thrives as visitors embrace the island

Increased airline capacity, lodging demand underscore destination vibrancy and traveler appeal

Blue Tees Golf: Exhibiting at PGA Buying & Education Summit

Player+ GPS Speaker and the Ringer Golf GPS, a pocket-sized handheld GPS with touch display, will be available to demo

Bonfit America: Rebrands the Brush-T website, collateral materials and assets. The new website can be found at BrushT.com and features a more contemporary approach. Brush-T is a performance bristle golf tee.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Jay Monahan informs players PGA Tour will not abide by ball rollback; announces 'task force' for LIV Golf discipline
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]

> PGA Tour targets ‘multi-event’ Barstool Sports/KFT broadcast model
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

> Senator introduces bills to revoke PGA Tour's tax-exempt status
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

> Sen. Richard Blumenthal again requests Yasir Al-Rumayyan to testify before subcommittee
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

#QOTD

"Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people."

— Steve Jobs

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished down 6% vs. 2022, results driven by drier, cooler temperatures over most of the central and eastern United States.

The Northeast rebounded nicely this week with rounds up +20% due to cooler weather, while air quality continues to improve in Philadelphia. California continues to be negatively impacted by a heat wave caused by the spread of wildfires. Rounds finished down 9% vs. last year.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 13% vs. 2022 with all eight regions projected to finish ahead of last year.

The Mid-Atlantic region currently outpaces 2022 by 20%, pacing upside throughout the week with little to no precipitation projected for this year vs. last year.

> Weekday and weekend play held flat with weekdays experiencing the most rain this week. That may have pushed golfers into weekend play.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: 3M Open
Site: TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota.
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

LPGA Tour / Ladies European Tour: Amundi Evian Championship
Site: Evian Resort Golf Club, Evian-les-Bains, France.
Television [ET]: Today, 5-7 a.m., 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 5:30-11 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

PGA Tour Champions: Senior British Open
Site: Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Porthcawl, Wales.
Television [ET]: Today, 7-9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon (CNBC), noon to 2:30 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 8:30 to noon (CNBC), noon to 2 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard

Make Golf Your Career

> Assistant Golf Professional
Daniel Island Club
Daniel Island, South Carolina| Info

> Outside Operations
Wildwood Green Golf Club
Raleigh, North Carolina | Info

> Rules and Competitions Director
Sun Country Section
Rio Rancho, New Mexico | 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

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

> View complete calendar

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