The First Call 09-08-23

FIRST THOUGHT

On Thursday at the European Tour's Horizon Irish Open, Thomas Bjorn had a thought many golfers can relate to: "I said this morning when we walked to the first tee 'let's try to see if we can break 90.'" Bjorn, 52, a former European Ryder Cup captain, showed he still has a bit more game than the rest of us, though, shooting an opening-round 66 despite missing the past 10 weeks due to lingering collarbone and lower back injuries.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Architect Thad Layton decides it’s time to go solo | Read
> Golfers have an itch to travel. Why and where they're going | Read
> When planning a golf trip to Ireland, there is no wrong path | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Now that the rosters for both 2023 Ryder Cup teams have been finalized, who do you favor to win, and why?

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.

Architect Thad Layton decides it’s time to go solo

As the Arnold Palmer Design Company closes its doors, the longtime course designer is ready to branch out and create his own signature

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
CBS' Frank Nobilo looks back on 2023 season, ahead to Ryder Cup
The golf analyst joins host Ann Liguori to discuss topics ranging from the recently finished PGA Tour season to the upcoming Ryder Cup and how the respective captains know what they're doing
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
You are the CEO of your life
Claude Brousseau, director of player development at The Wailea Golf Academy, joins host Colin Weston for an inspirational conversation about golf and life
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
The art and zen of learning golf
PGA of America Hall of Fame instructor Michael Hebron joins host Ann Liguori to discuss his unique teaching style
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

INDUSTRY NEWS

TMRW Sports Group: Steven A. Cohen acquires New York TGL team

Cohen Private Ventures secured rights for a TGL team representing New York and adding to MLB's New York Mets in Cohen’s sports portfolio

Ace Indoor Golf: Announces Uneekor 'Golf More' promotion

Through Sept. 31, consumers can save a minimum of $1,000 on a Uneekor launch monitor

Orca Golf: Debuts customized golf bags in time for holidays

Consumers can create tailor-made bags reflecting their personality, preferences and playing needs with a customization platform

Pro Golf Weekly: Names Alan Darty as publisher

Darty will post daily stories from a team of golf writers, produce a weekly newsletter and provide original content for all social media platforms

Garsen Golf: Announces the addition of two new grips models to its popular Quad Tour line — the Quad Tour Pistol TPE and Quad Tour Pistol NT.

Creighton Farms: The 900-acre gated community located in Aldie, Virginia, ranked in the top 10 of Golf Digest’s Best in State Virginia rankings. The latest rankings saw Creighton Farms move up five places to 10th. Since its opening, Creighton Farms has consistently ranked in the top 20 of these rankings. In the 2019-20 rankings, the club also finished 10th.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> PGA Tour veteran Andy Bean recovering from double lung replacement surgery
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> This pro could play for either Ryder Cup team. Here’s why he chose Europe
[Alan Bastable | Golf.com | Read]

> Amid struggles, Lexi Thompson will take on ‘different’ role on U.S. Solheim Cup team
[Gabrielle Herzig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

#QOTD

"Attitude is everything, so pick a good one."

— Wayne Dyer

ICYMI

Golfers have an itch to travel. Why and where they're going

A Longitudes Group golf travel study and marketplace report reveals that 90% of the respondents have planned at least one golf trip for the remainder of 2023

When planning a golf trip to Ireland, there is no wrong path

This week's Horizon Irish Open at the K Club will showcase just one of a multitude of quality courses throughout the country, but here are three worthy of any itinerary

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished up 4% vs. 2022, primarily driven by increased precipitation and temperature.

California finished up 18% as a result of the region seeing little to no precipitation last week. Florida finished down 7% as the region was recovering from the damages left by Hurricane Idalia.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 20% with all regions other than the Northeast pacing higher than 2022.

The Northeast is forecasted to see elevated precipitation on every day of the next week.

> Average days out remains elevated to last year at 8%, with an increased demand for golf pushing golfers to book further ahead of the playing date

TUNING IN

European Tour: Horizon Irish Open
Site: The K Club, Straffan, Ireland.
Television [ET]: Today, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

LPGA Tour: Korger Queen City Championship
Site: Kendale Country Club (Kendale), Cincinnati.
Television [ET]: Today, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour Champions: Ascension Charity Classic
Site: Norwood Hills Country Club, St. Louis.
Television [ET]: Today, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour: Shinhan Donghae Open
Site: Ocean Course at Club72, Incheon, South Korea.
Television [ET]: Today-Saturday, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

Make Golf Your Career

> Head Golf Professsional
The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge
Redmond, Washington | Info

> Starter / Ranger
West Bay Club
Estero, Florida | Info

> Manager ShotLink Field Operations
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | 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

SEPTEMBER
20-22: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, La Quinta, Calif. | Info

OCTOBER
10-11: Golf Business TechCon, Las Vegas, Nev. | Info
10-14: Golf Heritage Society National Convention, Lexington, Ky. | Info

NOVEMBER
5-8: International Association of Golf Administrators Conference, Frisco, Texas | Info

> View complete calendar

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