The First Call 09-20-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

A lot of the focus on the International Presidents Cup team that will take to Quail Hollow Club later this week in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been on how its roster has been gutted by LIV Golf defections. As such, there will be a record eight first-timers on the International squad this year. How big of a deal will that be? Well, the 2013 and 2019 International teams each had seven Presidents Cup rookies and lost by just 3 and 2 points, respectively. And youth will be in abundance. The International and United States teams are the youngest in team history, with average ages of 28.8 (International) and 29.6 (U.S.).

> Poll: What is your favorite season to play golf? Vote here.

> Question of the Week: If you could only play the courses designed by one golf course architect, who would that architect be and why?

Send replies on this question or other topics to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For your response to be published, you must include first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Why Honma Golf clubs are so expensive
[Business Insider | Watch]

> Greg Norman visiting Capitol Hill hoping to enhance LIV Golf's image
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated / Morning Read | Read]

> Golf instruction platform dead set on flattening sport’s steep learning curve
[Mike Dojc | Forbes | Read]

> First Tee opens $2 million golf center on lakefront: ‘Every kid will have better experiences’
[Noah Asimow | Block Club Chicago | Read]

Design Notes: David McLay Kidd eyes the finish line for Comporta Dunes

Rees Jones dresses up New York’s Tuxedo Club; King-Collins plots a new course at South Carolina’s Palmetto Bluff; David Whelchel renovates Colorado’s Raven at Three Peaks

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW ...

The values for homes built around Ted Robinson's two golf courses in Clark County, Nevada (Las Vegas) have increased nearly 9% more than the county average in the last five years.

Source: Longitudes green grass database, Zillow historic home values

THE INDUSTRY

Kevin Sunderman named GCSAA chief operating officer

Sunderman most recently spent 17 years at Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, serving as director of grounds

EPA, GCSAA partner on environmental stewardship, sustainability

Organizations to share information on environmental issues and industry challenges to promote best management practices on golf properties

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions kicks off LPGA season

Pop-culture figure Paris Hilton joins tournament concert series, rounding out all-female lineup featuring En Vogue, Maren Morris, Ellie Goulding, NERVO and Emma Hewitt; tournament scheduled for Jan. 19-22

Announced: By NBC Sports, that it will present more than 100 hours of Presidents Cup coverage across NBC, Golf Channel and Peacock, Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 22-25 from Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Also, Golf Central Live From The Presidents Cup will provide daily primetime coverage on Golf Channel and Peacock. Golf Channel will air match coverage Thursday (12:30-6 p.m. ET), Friday (11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and Saturday (7-8 a.m.). NBC will pick up coverage Saturday (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-6 p.m.).

Announced: By the PGA Tour and Autograph, a multiyear agreement to create a digital collectibles platform that pulls from Tour competition video, data, imagery and other competition-related components. Fans will have the opportunity to collect NFTs featuring the Tour's best players and their favorite moments from the archives and the current FedEx Cup season. Collectors will also have a chance to earn rewards with a wide range of utility, including access to exclusive digital, in-person and onsite experiences. Autograph is a web3 brand co-founded by Tom Brady.

#QOTD

"Pain is temporary. Quitting is forever."

— Lance Armstrong

HOME FRONT

Tumble Creek at Suncadia | Cle Elum, Washington

Listing: 110 Queens Loop | Suncadia Real Estate
Stats: 5 bedrooms | 4.75 bathrooms | 4,283 square feet.
Price: $2,750,000.

ICYMI

TFC Inbox: Who do you want playing for all the marbles?

There is not a consensus among The First Call readers — and some of the names may come as a surprise; FedEx Cup in need of overhaul and more

CALENDAR

OCTOBER
11-13: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, Kiawah Island, S.C. | Info
26: Fore Hire Virtual Job Fair | Info

NOVEMBER
6-9: International Association of Golf Administrators, Point Clear, Ala. | Info

JANUARY
23-25: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Fla.
24-27: PGA Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

FEBRUARY
6-9: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info
10-12: West Michigan Golf Show, Grand Rapids, Mich. | Info

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

THE LAST CALL

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