The First Call 08-11-23

FIRST THOUGHT

Of the 102 respondents to The First Call poll question "Do you enjoy the current FedEx Cup Playoffs format?" 57% responded "No."

IN THIS ISSUE

> Hazeltine turns to Davis Love III for renovation | Read
> Baseball's World Series of Golf offers 'pinch-me' moments | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is the best format for the PGA Tour's postseason?

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: Hazeltine turns to Davis Love III for renovation

Nick Faldo resumes plans for a clifftop course on the Portuguese island of Madeira; Nicklaus Design opens Florida’s newest short course

SPONSORED

Jamaica, Half Moon check all the vacation destination boxes

'History, location and amenities serve as an alluring triumvirate' for the nearly 70-year-old resort that is enjoying a revitalized renaissance

INDUSTRY NEWS

Arcis Golf: Properties collect more than $130,000 for autism research

Company's 'Round Up For Els for Autism' campaign encourages members and customers to round-up purchases to the nearest dollar

True Spec Golf: Reviews TaylorMade's 2023 P790 iron

Company highlights the improvements that have been made from the 2021 version, what technology has been added and if there’s any significant difference in performance

Cherry Hills CC: Completes multiyear renovation of clubhouse

The Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, club opens 97,000-square-foot clubhouse with modern amenities in time for its 100-year celebration and third U.S. Amateur Championship

The Club at Porto Cima: Names Devin Lowe as assistant general manager

Lowe will help oversee all golf and club operations at the Lake of the Ozarks private club

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Book excerpt: Phil Mickelson's gambling losses totaled nearly $100 million, former associate alleges in new book
[Billy Walters | Golf Digest | Read]

> Phil Mickelson gambled, and pro golf is continuing to pay for it
[Michael Rosenberg | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Jack Nicklaus loses attempt to regain control of his name and likeness
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Pro golf is flush with cash. So why aren’t there more toilets?
[Andrew Beaton | Wall Street Journal | Read ($)]

#QOTD

"It takes two to do the trust tango — the one who risks (the trustor) and the one who is trustworthy (the trustee); each must play their role."

— Warren Buffett

ICYMI

Baseball's World Series of Golf offers 'pinch-me' moments

Established in 1991, the annual event merges baseball, iconic Monterey Peninsula golf courses, friends and family, and fun into a memorable week

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished up 4% vs. 2022 and were primarily driven by the North and the Northeast.

The Northeast had two days where the region was practically unplayable in the prior year due to temperate weather, allowing the region to finish up 13%. Multiple major markets in the North saw less than half of the precipitation as prior year, resulting in the region finishing up 13% in total rounds vs. prior year.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 6% with all regions other than Central Valley projected to finish ahead of 2022. The Central Valley is forecasted to see heavy precipitation and tornadoes over the next week.

> Weekday and weekend play saw a slight shift toward weekday as rain lowered rounds demand over the weekend.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: FedEx St. Jude Championship
Site: TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee.
Television [ET]: Today, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS); Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-6 p.m. (CBS).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA Tour / Ladies European Tour: AIG Women's British Open
Site: Walton Heath Golf Club, Tadworth, England.
Television [ET]: Today, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (USA Network); Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (USA Network); Sunday, 7 a.m. to noon (USA Network), noon to 2 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard

LIV Golf League: LIV Golf-Bedminster
Site: Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, New Jersey.
Television [ET]: Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (CW Network).

PGA Tour Champions: Boeing Classic
Site: The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, Washington.
Television [ET]: Today, 10 p.m. to midnight (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday, 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

USGA: U.S. Women’s Amateur
Site: Bel-Air Country Club, Los Angeles, California.
Television [ET]: Today, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 7-10 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
How Robert Winskowicz continues to evolve Sqairz
The footwear company's founder and CEO joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss how and why Sqairz was created, and what's in its future
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
A look at how far True Linkswear has come
Footwear brand kicked off the podcast series, so CEO Jason Moore and Brandon Wallach, VP of marketing, join host Paul Liberatore to celebrate 100 episodes and discuss the company's journey
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
The quest to amplify fan engagement
Preston Philips, a venture partner with Cerro Capital, joins host Colin Weston to share his quest to leverage technology that enhances the fan and player experience
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

Make Golf Your Career

> Groundskeeper
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky | Info

> Director, Golf and Recreation
TGR Foundation
Anaheim, California | Info

> Assistant Professional
Orangebrook Golf & Country Club
Hollywood, Florida | 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

SEPTEMBER
20-22: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, La Quinta, Calif. | Info

> View complete calendar

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