The First Call 08-18-23

FIRST THOUGHT

The cream rose quickly to the top of the BMW Championship leaderboard on Thursday as five of the top eight players are major champions, including co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Brian Harman. The fast start bodes particularly well for McIlroy, who holds the first-round lead/co-lead for the fifth time at the BMW Championship, the most of any player at any PGA Tour event on record (1983-present) — 2012/won, 2014/T8, 2018/5th and 2021/4th.

IN THIS ISSUE

> MegaCorp's right place, right time good fortune | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

If budget was not a concern and you had a week, what would be your ideal golf buddy trip outside of the United States?

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.

PGA / LPGA PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

TODD McKITTRICK
Director of Instruction, Blackstone Country Club

The First Call: What advice do you have for someone considering a career in golf?
Todd McKittrick: Think about the job you want in your 40s and 50s and interview a couple of professionals who have interesting positions. Ask to see their resumes and learn from their paths and timelines.

Look to work for and under the most talented, innovative and experienced professionals. You will never learn more than your experiences in the field.

Consider a variety of positions within the industry. There are only so many head pro and teaching roles, but tons of untapped opportunities for those with a creative mind.

Never stop golfing. You became interested in the business for the same reason we all did ... you loved the game. When you lose your passion for the game, the jobs become a paycheck, which rarely lead to happiness.

TFC: Is there a particular area of your job that you find most rewarding?
TM: I truly enjoy the satisfaction of an adult learning for the first time. So often as adults people just except where they are and what they do as a permanent situation. Getting them to have an achievement in golf and propelling them to a new hobby is an amazing feeling.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Hidden Links, Golfpac Travel: Partner with golfer Jay Sigel on tourney

Three golf getaways are donated to raise money that supports cancer research; companies are sponsoring the 31st Jay Sigel Invitational Tournament, Sept. 18 at Aronimink Golf Club

Apes Hill Barbados: Course architect Ron Kirby dies at age 90

Apes Hill Barbados is home to Kirby’s last completed designs — the 18-hole championship course that opened November 2022 and a 9-hole Par 3 short course, a bonus 19th hole, and a practice facility

Bobby Jones Links: Launches 8th GM In Training program

Yearlong initiative for employees who have shown leadership potential and interest in career growth at clubs kicked off Aug. 15-16 at Bobby Jones Golf Course

Folds of Honor Collegiate: Announces the 18-team field for the second annual event, Sept. 3-6 at American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan. This year’s Collegiate features a College-Am on Sunday, Sept. 3, followed that evening with a welcome party highlighted by course designer Jack Nicklaus and a long drive contest involving all 18 schools. The Collegiate’s competition will be played Sept. 4-6 with all three rounds televised live on Golf Channel from 4-7 p.m. ET. The field will include Air Force, Arizona, Arkansas, Army, Florida A&M, Florida State, Grand Valley State, Howard University, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan State, Navy, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Oregon State and South Carolina.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Brandel Chamblee tells all: LIV tension, Phil drama, how Brandel became Brandel
[Dylan Dethier | Golf.com | Read]

> Canadian golf is having a breakthrough year. It’s all part of a plan
[Adam Stanley | Washington Post | Read ($)]

> Why smart golfers head to the Oregon coast in autumn
[David Weiss | Wall Street Journal | Read ($)]

#QOTD

"Be willing to be a beginner every single morning."

— Meister Eckhart

ICYMI

MegaCorp's right place, right time good fortune

The North Carolina-based logistics company scored big when Brian Harman won the British Open wearing its relatively unknown logo prominently on his hat

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished down 5% vs. 2022 primarily driven by the Great Plains and Central Valley’s poor weather.

The Great Plains finished down 10% as a result of heavy precipitation over the weekend, rendering the highest rounds-driving days half as playable as 2022. Similarly, the Central Valley saw more than double the rain as 2022, with a few days practically unplayable in their entirety. The region finished the week down 8% in total rounds vs. 2022.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 25% with all regions pacing higher than 2022.

California is pacing the furthest ahead as a result of the region seeing little to no rain over the weekend compared to prior year.

> Average-days-out remains elevated due to a combination of reduced inventory and higher demand for quality rounds.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: BMW Championship
Site: Olympia Fields Country Club (North), Olympia Fields, Illinois.
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

European Tour / LPGA Tour / Ladies European Tour: ISPS Handa Invitational
Sites: Galgorm Castle Golf Club and Castle Rock Golf Club, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Television [ET]: Today, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 6-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Men's Leaderboard | Women's Leaderboard

PGA Tour Champions: Shaw Charity Classic
Site: Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, Calgary, Alberta.
Television [ET]: Today, 4-6 p.m. (Peacock), 9-11 p.m. (Golf Channel-TD); Saturday-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

U.S. Golf Association: U.S. Amateur
Site: Cherry Hills Country Club, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.
Television [ET]: Today, 5-6 p.m. (Peacock), 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. (Golf Channel), 4-6 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
ClubFace-Golf creates an engaging space for like-minded golfers
CEO Paul McEldon joins host Colin Weston to share how his team envisions the 'Facebook for golfers'
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
The rising star that is golf in Ireland
Alison Metcalfe, vice president, Tourism Ireland, joins host Ann Liguori to share the best ways to plan and book an Irish golf trip, and why it's such a hot spot
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

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]

Make Golf Your Career

> Full-Time Golf Instructor
SCGA Junior Golf Foundation
Los Angeles, California | Info

> Assistant Golf Professional
Stoney Creek Golf Club
Whitsett, North Carolina | Info

> Certified Personal Coach
Golftec – Houston Galleria
Houston, Texas | 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.