Wednesday Aug 24, 2022
FIRST THOUGHT

Because of the Tour Championship's staggered, strokes-based starting positions, Xander Schauffele will start this week's event at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, four strokes back of points leader Scottie Scheffler. The field may be wishing Schauffele, the 2017 champion, was farther back. The 28-year-old has now advanced to the Tour Championship in all six seasons on the PGA Tour, and he has finished among the top 10 in all five previous starts — tied with Justin Thomas for the longest active streak on Tour.

> 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: What changes, if any, would you make to the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs?

> Poll: Does the PGA Tour need to revamp the FedEx Cup playoffs to make it easier for fans to follow? Vote here.

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.

Follow The First Call

Subscribe | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Troon

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> A look at golf’s new crop of course developers
[Tony Dear | Sports Illustrated / Morning Read | Read]

> After years of having Payne Stewart 'bust my chops,' Billy Andrade receives Payne Stewart Award
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Donald Trump, golf and Saudi Arabia: A filthy cycle of "sportswashing"
[Robert Lipsyte | Salon | Read]

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy partner on sports, entertainment tech venture
The pair, along with respected sports industry executive Mike McCarley, forms TMRW Sports to create technology-based experiences and could be a PGA Tour counter punch to LIV Golf
Design Notes: Nicklaus Design overhauls bunkers at PGA National’s Champion Course
Georgia’s refreshed Club at Savannah Harbor reopens; Rees Jones completes Phase 2 renovation at Vermont’s Equinox; Ray Hearn continues Donald Ross Memorial refinements at Michigan’s Highlands at Harbor Springs
THE INDUSTRY
UPerks members to receive GlobalCash for purchases, product trade-ins, reviews and more
Read More
Global clubfitter continues 2022 expansion, on track for 115 locations by end of 2022
Read More
Relationship with Harrington is the company's longest-running endorsement agreement
Read More
Total golf equipment sales were less than 1% below July 2021, 51% ahead of pre-pandemic 2019 levels
Read More
Creator of fantasy golf leagues, pool offering $250,000 for winning the Majors Challenge Perfect Team Contest
Read More

Extended: By the PGA Tour, its agreement with Southern Company to be a part of the Tour Championship through the 2027 tournament. Southern Company enters its seventh year as a partner of the Tour Championship, which is being held at Atlanta's historic East Lake Golf Club this week, and has supported the event since its first playing at East Lake in 1998. As part of the agreement, Southern Company also maintains its designation as official marketing partner of the PGA Tour.

#QOTD
"Do not let making a living prevent you from making a life."
— John Wooden
TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Tour Championship
Site: East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Thursday-Friday, 1-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-7 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, noon-1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 1:30-6 p.m. (NBC).

LPGA Tour: CP Women's Canadian Open
Site: Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, Ottawa, Ontario | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Thursday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 2:30-5:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (CBS).

Korn Ferry Tour: Nationwide Children's Hospital Open
Site: Ohio State University Golf Club (Scarlet), Columbus, Ohio | GCSAA Fact Sheet
Television: Thursday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Friday, 9-11 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Saturday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Sunday, 1:30-4 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Omega European Masters
Site: Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, Crans Montana, Switzerland.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 7:30-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: The Ally Challenge
Site: Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Television: Friday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday, 8:30-10:30 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Sunday, 4-6 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