The First Call 08-12-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

When asked in a The First Call social media poll, "Would you still follow the LPGA if it was in the tour's best financial interest to partner with LIV Golf?" 65.7% of the respondents replied, "no."

> 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: Do you believe it's in the LPGA's best interest to partner with LIV Golf?

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.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> The PGA Tour secured an early win over LIV Golf in court, but much remains to be decided
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated / Morning Read | Read]

> Do LIV players stand to lose big on endorsement deals? It’s complicated
[Ryan Barath | Golf.com | Read]

> Golf Inc. announces Development of the Year winners
[Golf Inc. | Read]

Inrange Golf helping driving ranges improve golf experience

Nick Longley, co-founder of Inrange Golf, joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' to discuss what led to creating engaging digital games that heighten the traditional driving range experience

Listen

THE INDUSTRY

HK’s 43rd Lake of The Ozarks Open raises $171,000

The annual event held in May at The Lodge of Four Seasons and The Club at Porto Cima in Lake Ozark, Missouri, benefitted Lake Regional Health Systems

Arcis Golf conducts 'Round Up' campaign for Autism research, programs

Over $150,000 collected to support Els for Autism Foundation

Ahead names Jackie Kirkwood director of strategic accounts

Kirkwood has more than 30 years of experience in sales and sales management, most recently as general manager for Ecco Golf USA

Launched: By Pin High CBD, its website that offers CBD isolate products.

Announced: By the LPGA, that due to ongoing COVID-19-related travel restrictions, the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA, scheduled for Oct. 27-30, has been cancelled.

#QOTD

“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”

— Warren Buffett

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Last week was positive week to start August, with rounds played finishing up 3% vs. prior year.

> Decreased rainfall over the weekend (-23% vs. 2021) also helped to increase the demand for golf vs. last year.

> Florida and Mountain Pacific finished as the top performing regions vs. 2021, a result of decreased precipitation (-40% vs. 2021) and temperatures mostly flat to last year.

> Positive performance is expected from the Florida and Mid-Atlantic regions over the next five days. Both regions are on pace to finish up by over 30% vs. 2021.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: FedEx St. Jude Championship
Site: TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 3-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-6 p.m. (NBC).

LPGA Tour | Ladies European Tour: ISPS Handa World Invitational
Site: Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Antrim, Northern Ireland
Television: Today, 8 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 8-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: ISPS Handa World Invitational
Site: Antrim, Northern Ireland
Television: Today, 8 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 8-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: Boeing Classic
Site: The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, Washington | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday, 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).

Korn Ferry Tour: Pinnacle Bank Championship
Site: The Club at Indian Creek, Omaha, Nebraska | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, noon to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 9-11 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).

USGA: U.S. Women’s Amateur
Site: Chambers Bay Golf Club, University Place, Washington | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Today, 7-10 p.m. (Golf Channel), Saturday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel), Sunday, 7-10 p.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

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

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