The First Call 08-20-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

World No. 1 Nelly Korda’s opening-round 67 at the AIG [British] Women’s Open was her eighth sub-70 opening round of the season, and is a strong indicator of what the week may hold. In the previous seven rounds, Korda went on to place top 10 five times, top three four times and won twice.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Euro captain Catriona Matthew: 'All the pressure will be' on Nelly Korda at Solheim Cup
[Amy Rogers | GolfChannel.com | Read]

> Convinced sports gaming will grow the game, Jordan Spieth joins forces with FanDuel
[Steve DiMeglio | Golfweek | Read]

> Beem on the Scene: Why Dustin Johnson sets up perfectly for Liberty National
[Rich Beem | Morning Read | Watch]

> Lusso Cloud and Malbon just created the ultimate after-golf shoe
[Jonathan Evans | Esquire | Read]

Across the board, golf continues to make progress in boosting its dreamers

While tournament prize purses continue to increase, even more important may be the growing number of playing opportunities aspiring professionals are being presented

Fact of the Day

DID YOU KNOW?

Seventeen of the top 20 metro areas with the most golfers per hole are in the western U.S. Nine of the areas are in California, two each are in Colorado and Maryland, and one each in Alaska, Washington, Utah, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon and Georgia. The cost of real estate and water in the west, especially California, has prompted golf course owners to allow for higher intensity of the land use. Consequently, fewer holes of golf are available to serve the highly-populated west.

Source: Longitudes Group Market Value Model 2021

Learn More

FEATURES

How 6 core values are shaping PGA Tour Superstore

CEO Randy Peitsch joins the 'Behind the Brand' podcast to discuss how the retailer's ethos is impacting people within the company and the community

Listen

THE INDUSTRY

Enhancements announced for 2022 PGA Show

PGA Golf Exhibitions, PGA of America to focus on areas of creating face-to-face business connections, spotlighting innovations and prioritizing product experiential education

Champion Hills hires Stephan Stansfield

N.C. native with local, regional culinary connections becomes Hendersonville, N.C., club's food and beverage director

Pinehurst Resort names Karen DiCarlo director of group sales

DiCarlo previously served as resort’s director of event services and catering

Rio Verde, Ariz., community thanks first responders

Residents donate $5,500 in Box Bar Grille restaurant gift certificates to members of the Rio Verde Fire Department, the District 7 headquarters of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and VerdeCares, a nonprofit Arizona corporation that provides non-medical care and assistance for community residents

Arcis Golf supports Els For Autism

Recently concluded 'Round Up For Els for Autism' campaign raisied $132,000

#QOTD

"The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have."

— Vince Lombardi

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played over the past week were down -14% nationwide, an improvement of +2% versus the prior week's performance.

> Average temperatures late last week were up significantly YOY with extreme heat to the Northeast. However, temperatures have normalized YOY since.

> It's been an active storm week with multiple tropical developments forming, including Tropical Storm Fred and now Hurricane Grace. Tropical Storm Fred brought increased rain and winds to the Central Valley and Southeast regions, impacting play earlier in the week.

> The Mountain Pacific region saw the strongest rounds performance YOY over the past week, with rounds +1% YOY.

> The next few days show an increase in bookings versus prior week, with California and Florida seeing the strongest increase in demand.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: The Northern Trust
Site: Liberty National, Jersey City, N.J.
Television: 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).

LPGA: AIG Women's British Open
Site: Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie, Scotland.
Television: Today, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), noon to 2 p.m. (CNBC); Sunday, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), noon to 2 p.m. (NBC).

European Tour: D=D Real Czech Masters
Site: Albatross Golf Resort, Prague, Czech Republic.
Television: Today-Sunday, 4-6 a.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Monday, 3-5 a.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay).

PGA Tour Champions: Boeing Classic
Site: The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, Wash.
Television: Today, 8:30-10:30 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday-Sunday, 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).

Korn Ferry Tour: Albertsons Boise Open
Site: Hillcrest Country Club, Boise, Idaho.
Television: Today, 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

AUGUST
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.

LAST CALL

Pretty unreal how far we have come in 41 years. pic.twitter.com/qrQb6xmgLY
— Chase Smith (@Turfgrass_94) August 18, 2021

Note: He later updated to correct time span to 44 years.