Wednesday Sep 15, 2021

FIRST THOUGHT

In 1987, ESPN and ABC combined to broadcast seven hours of the Ryder Cup from Dublin, Ohio's Muirfield Village Golf Club, and it marked the first time that coverage was extended to all three days. Next week, NBC and Golf Channel will blanket the 43rd Ryder Cup from Whistling Straits with more than 100 hours of live tournament and studio coverage.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Silo Ridge members take philanthropic personally
[Scott Kauffman | Golf Business | Read]

> Heard, a hospitality software startup co-owned by Tiger Woods, raises $10M
[Ashley Portero | Miami Inno | Read]

> In golf course design, balance is key
[Abigail Rubel | Times Union | Read]

> 11 reasons the Ryder Cup is the most compelling event in golf
[John Hawkins | Morning Read | Read]

Q&A: Dottie Pepper
Dottie Pepper, a two-time major and 17-time LPGA winner, is currently a lead walking reporter for CBS Sports’ golf coverage. She recently authored "Letters to a Future Champion" and offers insight that merges business, golf and life.

The First Call: You recently wrote a book, what’s it about?
Dottie Pepper: The book is a loving tribute to my mentor and PGA professional George J. Pulver Sr. The book is the foundation for my success, based on letters exchanged over a five-plus year period with Mr. Pulver as I transitioned from aspiring junior golfer in Upstate New York, to three-time All-American at Furman University, a 17-time winner on the LPGA Tour and now a successful broadcasting career approaching two decades in length. The values of mentorship, education, resilience and many more evergreen topics are addressed.

TFC: What are key elements to leadership or to being a good leader?
DP: Being an exceptional listener, working for the best product all can put forth, setting an example to be followed and standing up for yourself when your gut tells you that is a must.

TFC: What's the secret to your success?
DP: Hard work, resilience and learning from the best.

TFC: Who is your role model?
DP: Judy Rankin.

TFC: Knowing what you know today, what professional advice would you give a younger you?
DP: Be a little easier on myself and those around me.

TFC: What is your greatest extravagance?
DP: Three cars for two people. I am a motorhead. Been a car nut all my life. My grandfather came back from WWII and started an auto body shop and had collectibles. Three pairs of downhill skis are pretty ridiculous, too.

TFC: What are the favorite golf courses you have played?
DP: If I had one round left to play in the U.S., then it would be Salem Country Club in Peabody, Massachusetts. My favorite walk in golf is the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers — Muirfield, Scotland.

Precision Pro

Fact of the Day
DID YOU KNOW?
The Southeast has the lowest golf participation rate (6%) of any other U.S. region. While there are many golfers in this region and the sport is popular, the large and diverse population lowers the overall participation rate for the game.

Source: Longitudes Group Market Value Model 2021
THE INDUSTRY
Junior camp brings golfers, San Diego-area college golf coaches together at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa; Registration now open
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Travel + Leisure readers vote for all-season luxury resort located in Southwest Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains in 2021 World's Best Awards 
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Troon-managed, Kyle Phillips-designed golf course in Czech Republic opened in 2020, partners with area's luxury hotels for exclusive accommodation packages
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E522 and C522 clubs will be available starting Oct. 1; Brand claims Series covers 'both ends of the super-game-improvement and game-improvement' club categories
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The Las Vegas, Nev., club will be part of the Troon Card frequent player program and Troon Rewards loyalty program
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V1 Pro Studio software, cameras will be installed at all new and under-construction X-Golf indoor golf entertainment facilities across the United States
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Heritage-inspired, versatile designs highlight Lyle & Scott's American debut as it continues to leverage on-course history and 146-year-old fashion-lifestyle lineage
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Tour scheduled to return to Boca Rio GC in Palm Beach County, Fla., Jan. 27-30
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Swing King to conduct video-capture hole-in-one contests at upwards of 30 LGM-managed golf courses across America in 2022
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FEATURES
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
#QOTD
"Always look for the fool in the deal. If you don’t find one, it’s you."
— Mark Cuban
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