The First Call 09-14-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

Keep an eye on Sila Nanotechnologies, which claims to have created a battery more powerful than what currently exists. Whoop, an emerging maker of fitness trackers that earlier this year became the official fitness wearable of the PGA Tour, believes in Sila because it's adding the battery to the Whoop 4.0. The big deal? The battery is 33% smaller, but does not sacrifice battery life.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Labor, capital spending top 2022 budgets
[Henry DeLozier | Golf Course Industry | Read]

> Captain Harrington on being underdogs, relationship with Sergio and more
[Golf Channel | Watch]

> Five of the best golf resorts and hotels in Portugal – for a great time on and off the course
[Mary Lussiana | The Telegraph | Read]

> European Ryder Cup team unveils Whistling Straits look
[Morning Read | Read]

> Without PGA Tour membership, Will Zalatoris still earns Rookie of the Year honors
[Steve DiMeglio | Golfweek | Read]

How to make the course superintendent’s job easier

As the demands of the course superintendent's job increase, so do the pressures. The First Call’s Bradley Klein offers practical solutions to help ease the growing stress points

Fact of the Day

DID YOU KNOW?

Fifteen percent of the golf courses in the United States are outside the geographic boundaries of a Metropolitan or Micropolitan area, aka a CBSA (Core-Based Statistical Area). Only 6% of the total U.S. population resides outside the boundaries of a CBSA

Source: Longitudes Group Green Grass database

THE INDUSTRY

Sept. 14 set for international Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day

GCSAA, in collaboration with other global superintendent groups, asks golfers to show their support on social media using #ThankASuper

Troon, Aviara Golf Club partner on Ultimate Aviara Sweepstakes

Winner to receive a 3-day, 2-night stay in a Palmer Suite at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, GC and Spa, plus a round of golf for 2 at Aviara GC

GCSAA celebrates 95th anniversary

Founded Sept. 13, 1926, at Sylvania Country Club in Toledo, Ohio, the organization was first called the National Association of Greenkeepers of America

SuperStroke re-signs Jordan Spieth to multiyear agreement

Spieth first signed with SuperStroke in 2014 and uses SuperStroke’s S-Tech grips on his full-swing clubs, Traxion Flatso 1.0 on his putter

Tour Edge puts company-high 68 Exotics in play on PGA Tour Champions

Tour Edge surpasses 2,000 clubs in play on all PGA Tours over past 4 seasons; New Pro 721 was the fastest-growing driver model this week with 5 in play

GolfPass offers active students a 40% discount for GolfPass+ membership

Students currently enrolled in college, as well as college-bound high school students over the age of 16 are eligible; membership includes access to exclusive programming

FEATURES

Q&A: Fiona Hampton

Fiona Hampton, vice president of NBC Sports Next, United Kingdom and Ireland, shares her thoughts on the key elements of effective leadership, what she would tell a younger version of herself and five good, but dramatic, television series to watch.

#QOTD

"Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable."

— Coco Chanel

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

What's one thing you wish you could bring back in Canadian Golf?
My choice, the original suspension bridge at Cape Breton Highlands (Highlands Links)
And yes, I did walk (bounce) on it, back in 1989 pic.twitter.com/ZLyDzzr7Of
— Ian Andrew (@IanAndrewGolf) September 12, 2021