The First Call 08-10-2021

WELCOME TO THE FIRST CALL

Good morning and welcome to this week's launch of 'The First Call.' We hope this weekday newsletter quickly becomes part of your morning routine.

Each day we will bring you the latest news, data and reports on the golf industry, along with features and other profiles and interviews. If you know of someone who might be interested in The First Call, forward this link to subscribe: http://firstcallgolf.com/subscribe.

If you missed our debut issue on Monday, catch up here.

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Read, Watch, Listen

> Straight into Compton: SoCal supers revive neglected course
[Andrew Hartsock | Golf Course Management | Read]

> A big swing to support young Black golfers
[Los Angeles Times | Listen]

> Treacherous Oakmont will test the field every which way this week at 2021 US Amateur
[Gary Van Sickle | Morning Read | Read]

> Ed Heimann, a relatively unknown but important character in Masters folklore, passes away
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]

> Golfer tired of searching for lost balls invents solution and launches startup
[Noah Daboul | Richmond (Va.) BizSense | Read]

How John McConnell became the course baron of the Carolinas

The former medical software mogul founded McConnell Golf in 2003 and has quietly acquired a portfolio of 14 top-tier courses throughout 4 Southeastern states.

Fact of the Day

Did You Know?

The top 10 United States metropolitan areas account for 25 percent of the country's total golfers, 28 percent of all U.S. golf spending and 27 percent of the total U.S. population.

Source: Longitudes Group Market Value Model 2021

THE INDUSTRY

Tour Edge Exotics C721 rank as No. 1 hybrid

MyGolfSpy's 2021 testing declares the club as the best performing hybrid

Ecco Golf ambassador Erik van Rooyen wins 1st PGA Tour title

Wins Barracuda Championship wearing the Biom H4 shoe

WGC, Utah Championship winners wear PrideSports spikes

WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational winner wears combination of Pulsar, ProStinger spikes in FootJoy Premier shoes

Introduced: By Cleveland Golf, its three new Launcher XL woods: Launcher XL Halo fairway woods, Launcher XL Halo hybrid and Launcher XL Halo hy-wood. The clubs will debut in North America on Aug. 20.

Rounds and Weather

> Playable days this year has been slightly down year-over-year, effected by slightly worse weather conditions. February proved to be an exceptionally rough month for golf as there was rare snow in Texas and record temperature lows for much of the country. This resulted in two fewer playable days for golf versus 2020.

#QOTD

"Either run the day or the day runs you."

— Jim Rohn

Employment

COOL JOB

Revenue Specialist, Business Services – Plus | NBC Universal, Orlando, Fla.

Sales Product Trainer | Callaway Golf Co., Carlsbad, Calif.

Senior Manager Kingdom | TaylorMade Golf Co., Carlsbad, Calif.

Tournament Operations Specialist | PGA Tour, Ponte Vedra, Fla.

CALENDAR

AUGUST
10: PGA Show Buying and Education Summit, Las Vegas, Nev. | Info
21-24: African American Golf Expo and Forum, Atlanta, Ga. | Info

NOVEMBER
9-10: National Golf Course Owners Association Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat 2021, Monterey, Calif. | Info
21-24: World Golf Expo 2021, Hainan, China | Info

JANUARY
25-28: PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

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