The First Call 08-27-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

According to the Junior Golf Hub's new study that analyzes tournament scores from more than 900 junior golfers who signed a National Letter of Intent in 2021, NCAA Division I girls outperform other college divisions by 5 strokes, while NCAA Division I boys outperform others by 3.07 strokes.

Follow The First Call

Subscribe | Twitter | LinkedIn

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> NLU Podcast: USGA CEO Michael Whan
[No Laying Up | Listen]

> On Course
[Corey McLaughlin | Baltimore Magazine | Read]

> Want new golf clubs? Get ready to wait six months
[Michael Croley | Bloomberg | Read]

> The learning curve: How social media is changing golf instruction
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

> London golf courses could provide homes for 300,000 people, study says
[Patrick Barkham | The Guardian | Read]

> New data reveals first participation slowdown since the pandemic started
[Alistair Dunsmuir | The Golf Business | Read]

Fact of the Day

DID YOU KNOW?

The Florida metropolitan areas of Sebastian-Vero Beach and Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island have over 70% private golf courses and less than 30% public courses. The three Rs that drive this highly private market dynamic? Retirees, real estate and resort golf.

Source: Longitudes Group Green Grass database

THE INDUSTRY

Golf Performance Center hosting open house on Aug. 28

Parents and junior golfers will have opportunity to interact with industry leaders about its golf, education and program offerings

Junior Golf Hub releases 2021 College Golf Signer Report

Findings reveal the verified scores, skills necessary for high schoolers to reach the collegiate level

Native Oaks GC set for Notah Begay III Junior National Championship qualifier

Valley Center, Calif., club will host the San Diego Regional Qualifier, Aug. 29-30; National championship set for Nov. 13-15 in Kinder, La.

Michigan PGA honors Boyne’s Bernie Friedrich with 2021 award

Friedrich, senior vice president of golf at Boyne Resorts, becomes Michigan PGA's 1st Golf Executive of the Year

Sea Pines Resort’s Atlantic Dunes site of back-to-back aces

Jeffrey Johnson, Mike Long ace par-3 10th hole in a 17-million-to-1 oddity on Aug. 24

Announced: By Aetrex Worldwide, its first athletic partnership with Lexi Thompson, a major champion and two-time Olympian. Aetrex Worldwide is a manufacturer of foot-scanning technology, orthotics and comfort and wellness footwear. Thompson has been wearing Aetrex orthotics to help alleviate frequent foot pain experienced due to low arches. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Created: By Nexstar Media Inc. and SportsGrid Inc., the first diginet devoted to sports wagering and fantasy sports. The SportsGrid Network will begin Sept. 1 and be distributed across nine digital subchannels licensed to Nexstar in nine U.S. markets. SportsGrid’s reporting and analytic platform will include daily odds, lines, matchups, injury reports, statistics and news for a variety of sports, including golf.

Announced: By Score Media and Gaming Inc., that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Score Digital Sports Ventures Inc., has entered into a multiyear agreement with Golf Canada to become its official gaming partner. The exclusive partnership makes theScore Bet the first gaming partner for Golf Canada and its CP Women’s Open and the RBC Canadian Open. Beginning in 2022, theScore Bet will be able to engage fans at those events through a variety of on-site activations.

Announced: By Bali Hai Golf Club, that the Las Vegas club will offer an exclusive premier parking opportunity for Las Vegas Raiders' games this season. Pricing for parking spaces will be subject to availability, but the club, which is adjacent to Allegiant Stadium, is also creating a free pre-game fan experience featuring food, drinks, music and games.

#QOTD

"There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple, and useful life."

— Booker T. Washington

FEATURES

Dick's Sporting Goods' record e-commerce sales bolster Q2 report

Retailer forecasts same-store comps for 2021 to grow between 18% and 20%; Net sales increased to $3,27 billion, up 20.7% compared to 2020 Q2, 45% compared to 2019 Q2

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played over the past week were down -18% nationwide, a decline of -4% vs. prior week's performance.

> Temperatures were consistent YOY for the past week, however precipitation was up +37% vs. 2020, as impact from Hurricane Henri brought rain and winds to the Northeast.

> For the second successive week, the Mountain Pacific region had the strongest week with rounds up +6% vs. same week 2020.

> The next few days are expected to show an overall decline in performance vs. same time last week. Florida, though, should show the strongest demand compared to other parts of the country.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: BMW Championship
Site: Caves Valley Golf Club, Owing Mills, Md.
Television: Today, 3-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, noon-2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-6 p.m. (NBC).

European Tour: Omega European Masters
Site: Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, Crans Montana, Switzerland.
Television: Saturday, midnight to 2:45 a.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Sunday, 7-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: The Ally Challenge
Site: Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc, Mich.
Television: Today, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 2-4 p.m. (Golf Channel).

Korn Ferry Tour: Nationwide Children's Hospital Open
Site: Ohio State University Golf Club (Scarlet Course), Columbus, Ohio.
Television: Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).

USGA / Royal and Ancient: Curtis Cup
Site: Conwy Golf Club, Conwy, Wales.
Television: Today, 2:30-11 a.m. (Golf Channel), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday, 4:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

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

FEBRUARY
5-10: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, Calif. | Info

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

LAST CALL

🌈 🌈 pic.twitter.com/QNEaCBgy6k
— Kyle Hegland (@KyleHegland3) August 26, 2021