The First Call 09-17-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

When Mike Keiser started Bandon Dunes with one course in the late 1990s, he figured 10,000 rounds was the break-even number. “We did 24,000 that first year and that basically paid for two years of development,” Keiser told the New York Times. Well, we know the rest of the story.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Northern Stars: Golf in Wisconsin
[Gary D’Amato | Kingdom | Read]

> The Backyard golf course can be more than a dream
[Mark Ellwood | New York Times | Read]

> Drake’s Nike NOCTA golf collection arrives next week
[Victor Deng | Footwear News | Read]

> Golf real estate roars back as vacation homes boom in pandemic
[Michael Croley | Bloomberg | Read]

Lisa O’Hurley went outside the box to build a women's golf apparel brand

LOHLA SPORT -- Lisa O'Hurley Image No. 1 (5.5.21).jpg

Lohla Sport founder and CEO Lisa O'Hurley joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' to discuss how the Indy 500 and a 'Seinfeld' catch phrase helped differentiate her apparel brand

Listen

Fact of the Day

DID YOU KNOW?

West Virginia is the only state where over 50% of total golf club retail value is in the green grass channel. This is due to the fact that West Virginia has 105 golf courses and only one off-course golf specialty store. In other states, off-course is the leading channel for club sales.

Source: Longitudes Group Market Value Model 2021

THE INDUSTRY

Rumbling Bald releases shoulder-, offseason rates for golf packages

Apple Valley, Bald Mountain courses in Lake Lure, N.C., highlight golf stay-and-play; rates will run from Nov. 15 through March 31, 2022

Circling Raven GC, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort fall rates begin Oct. 4

Worley, Idaho, resort destination to offer reduced rates for golf, stay-and-play packages through end of October

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica enhances 1-of-a-kind pursuits

Los Cabos, Mexico, golf and spa destination adds eclectic adventures, bespoke experiences and mixology sessions to exclusive activities

Westchester Hills GC to begin significant course redesign, renovation

The 108-year-old White Plains, N.Y., club retains golf course architect Rees Jones to create and oversee implementation of course master plan that begins Oct. 5

PXGWMPC adds Baptist Health as founding partner

Baptist becomes 4th, final founding partner of inaugural PXG Women's Match Play Championship to be held at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., Oct. 26-Nov. 4

Dormie Club’s expansion to be showcased in Sept. 20 reopening

Pinehurst, N.C., club, which serves as the Dormie Network's namesake club, to reopen with new facilities and refurbished course after nearly 18 months of construction

Eagle Mountain Golf Club completes enhancement project

Fountain Hills, Ariz., club completes a 4-month-long golf course renovation and enhancement project focused on enhancing agronomic conditions, bunker playability

FEATURES

Design a golf course in Iraq? No problem, says Cynthia Dye McGarey

McGarey, of the famous Dye architectural lineage, is no stranger to designing courses in remote locales; will complete the Middle Eastern country's first course in 2022

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds were down vs. last year overall for the week as rounds continue to go against peak play from 2020. Rounds were down -11% for the week, a decline of -3% vs. prior week. However, versus 2019, rounds continue to show strong demand, finishing +61% for the week.

> Temperatures over the past week were warmer than prior year nationwide, with average temperatures up 3 degrees overall. Precipitation improved across the country vs LY.

> Florida had the strongest performance overall for the week vs. LY and vs. 2019. Total rounds were up in Florida by over 20% vs. 2020 and up +61% vs. 2019, showing continued strong demand in the state.

> The next few days are expected to bring strong play in the Mid-Atlantic and Florida region, with rounds booked up vs. LY already. Overall, however, rounds are anticipated to finish below last year.

#QOTD

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

— Walt Disney

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Fortinet Championship
Site: Silverado Resort and Spa (North), Napa, Calif.
Television: Today-Sunday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).

LPGA: Cambia Portland Classic
Site: Oregon Golf Club, West Linn, Ore.
Television: Today-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Dutch Open
Site: Bernardus Golf, Cromvoirt, Netherlands.
Television: Today, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: Sanford International
Site: Minnehaha Country Club, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Television: Today-Sunday, 9:30-11:30 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

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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