The First Call 09-03-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

Labor Day is upon us. Time to relax, play golf, watch some golf — maybe a little college football — and fire up the grill. Due to the extended weekend, we will not publish The First Call on Monday. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend, and we'll see you back here on Tuesday.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Butch Harmon: The Eye of his Father
[Robin Barwick | Kingdom | Read]

> Golf bodies ask for return to play in Vic
[Golf Australia | Read]

> Netflix to launch PGA Tour docuseries offering inside look at life on Tour
[Dylan Dethier | Golf.com | Read]

> Take a peek inside a golf TV truck at 2021 Tour Championship
[Rich Beem | Morning Read | Watch]

Memories, not money, at root of Gearhart Golf Links' reclamation

When Oregon's oldest golf course fell upon desolate and desperate times, Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle stepped in to transform Gearhart Golf Links into a cult classic

Fact of the Day

DID YOU KNOW?

The Southeast region has the highest percentage of private courses of any U.S. region at 38%. The Midwest region has the lowest percentage of private courses of any region at 24%. The U.S. average for private golf courses is 29%.

Source: Longitudes Group Green Grass database

THE INDUSTRY

Women’s Golf Day, Women’s Golf and Travel Concierge partner

WGD Trips launches with 4 signature experiences scheduled for 2022 — to Paris, Florence and Rome, Marrakech and Arizona

Created: By the Club Managers Association of Europe, England Region (CMAE England), a new three-year plan (2021-2023) to develop its reach and enhance its relationship with members. Also, the organization use its educational programming to develop members on how to better their club and personal performance.

#QOTD

“Always deliver more than expected.”

— Larry Page

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Total rounds played over the past week were down -15% nationwide, an improvement of +3% vs. prior week and up +16% vs. 2019.

> Temperatures and precipitation were relatively consistent with prior year for the past week, however isolated impact from Hurricane Ida and the wildfires in California impacted play significantly.

> Florida had the strongest performance over the past week, with total rounds played just slightly behind prior year, and up over 50% vs. 2019.

> Demand is expected to be behind last year for Labor Day Weekend for most of the country, however California and the Mountain Pacific regions are showing upside vs. last year over the next 5 days.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Tour Championship
Site: East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Ga.
Television: Today, 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: Solheim Cup
Site: Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio.
Television: Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 12:30-2:30 p.m. (NBC), 2:30-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), noon to 1:30 p.m. (NBC), 1:30-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Monday, noon to 6 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Italian Open
Site: Marco Simone Golf Club, Rome, Italy.
Television: Today, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 4-6 a.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Monday, 3-5 a.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay).

Korn Ferry Tour: Korn Ferry Tour Championship
Site: Victoria National Golf Club, Newburgh, Ind.
Television: Today, 10 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday, 8-10 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Sunday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay).

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

DECEMBER
6-9: Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Conference and Show, Columbus, Ohio | 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

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