The First Call 09-22-23

FIRST THOUGHT

If the eight pairings for the Solheim Cup's opening Foursomes matches are any indication, then this 18th match is destined for unpredictability because there is scant historical data on pairings. Of the eight, only one pairing — Europe's
Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall — have played together before in the Solheim Cup. The pair is undefeated in Foursomes (2-0-1) and is 3-0-1 overall when together. As partners, their 3.5 overall points makes them the third most successful in European team history.

IN THIS ISSUE

> What would Donald Ross think? | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is your favorite Ryder Cup memory?

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 the city and state of residence.
> Read responses to last week's question.

What would Donald Ross think?

2K Games' PGA Tour 2K23 Course Designer mode gives users the ability to imagine and build their own courses — some to stunning detail

INDUSTRY NEWS

Stewart Golf: Celebrates 20 years

To celebrate its anniversary, Stewart Golf produced a documentary featuring founders Ross and Mark Stewart discussing the origins of the company and their ensuing business journey

Sea Pines Resort: Offering 2 amenity-filled vacation packages

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, packages include golf, complimentary meals, discounts, biking and walking trails, and activities designed for all ages

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> This Solheim Cup legend shares some wild stories from the early years
[John Huggan | Golf Digest | Read]

> This pro got kicked off LIV. Now that he’s back, will others follow his path?
[Dylan Dethier | Golf.com | Read]

> Saudi Arabia's MBS says in interview that 'sportswashing' efforts will continue
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> PGA of America responds to Stacy Lewis' comments that golf missed an opportunity with the Solheim and Ryder Cup back-to-back in Europe
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> Black golf pioneer Lucious Bateman mentored a generation of East Bay players
[Nick Lozito | The Oaklandside | Read]

> Is golf at different courses a mental boost?
[Neil E. Wolkodoff | Colorado Golf | Read]

#QOTD

"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills."

— Chinese Proverb

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played last week finished down 7% vs. 2022, primarily driven by increased precipitation over the weekend.

The Northeast and Great Plains finished down 13% and 12%, respectively, due to key markets such as New York, New England and Chicago experiencing more than quadruple the amount of precipitation over the weekend compared to prior year.

Florida was the only region to finish up (7%) as a result of Tampa/St. Petersburg experiencing dry weather for most of the week.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 13% with all regions other than Mid Atlantic pacing higher than prior year.

For the month of September, rounds played saw a shift toward weekday-play compared to prior year due to frequent weekend rains that limited playability.

> The Mid Atlantic is expected to see elevated precipitation everyday over the next week.

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
The rise of golf in Uganda
Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of the Afriyea Golf Academy, joins host Colin Weston to tell the story of golf in his native land
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

DRIVER$
A new era for the PGA of America
Sandy Cross, the PGA of America's Chief People Officer, joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss the organization's past, present and future
[Listen | More 'Driver$' episodes]

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 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

TUNING IN

LPGA / Ladies European Tour: Solheim Cup
Site: Finca Cortesin, Casares, Spain.
Television [ET]: Today-Saturday, 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 5-11 a.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Cazaoo French Open
Site: Le Golf National, Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, France.
Television [ET]: Today, 7:30-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

PGA Tour Champions: Pure Insurance Championship
Site: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, Pebble Beach, California.
Television [ET]: Today-Sunday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

LIV Golf: LIV Golf-Chicago
Site: Rich Harvest Farms, Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Television [ET]: Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (CW Network).

Korn Ferry Tour: Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship
Site: Ohio State University Golf Club (Scarlet), Columbus, Ohio.
Television [ET]: Today-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

Make Golf Your Career

> Bag Room Supervisor
Seagate Country Club
Delray Beach, Florida | Info

> Senior Producer, Original Content
PGA Tour
St. Augustine, Florida | Info

> Assistant Golf Professional
Broadmoor Golf Links
Fletcher, North Carolina | 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
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.